ren belonging to the Schools in the various islands, amounting to between 700 and 800, were examined by the Missionaries. The contributions announced were as follows: Raiatea, 3087 measures of arrow-root, including 370 from the children of the school-Tahaa, 1291 gallons of oil-Huahiné, 913 gallons of oil-Maiaoiti, 343 gallons of oil. Mr. Williams preached from Psalm cii. 13. and Mr. Orsmond from Cant. vi. 10. Of this division of the Mission the Directors report-"The temporal state of the people is rapidly improving. The churches are becoming more established in the faith and order of the Gospel. The increase of members has been steady and progressive; and their zeal, activity, and devotedness, in extending the knowledge of Christ among the inhabitants of other islands, have been persevering, and, in many instances, under the blessing of God, eminently successful." AUSTRAL ISLANDS: 24° s. 149° w. In the Five following Islands, hereto fore called the Raivavai Islands, Fifteen Tahitian Teachers are employed. In 1823, the Island of Raivavai was considered to contain 3000 inhabitants, who are now reduced, chiefly by a severe epidemic which was attended with an affecting mortality, to 300: in the early part of 1829, it was visited by Messrs. Pritchard and Simpson, who baptized 75 persons, and admitted 46 to church-fellowship: 17 members had been collected by Mr. Davis in 1826, of whom 12 had died; and 104 persons had been baptized, of whom 68 had died. At Tubuai the number of baptized is 111. Harmony and peace prevail among the inhabitants of Rimatara, all of whom have embraced Christianity. The Teachers in Rurutu are diligent in instructing the people, who are anxious to understand the Scriptures: there are about 80 communicants. Since the year 1825, the population of Rapa has been reduced from 2000 to 500 by the fatal epidemic already mentioned: four Stations on this island were at peace and improving up to the last dates in April 1829: in that month 251 persons were baptized-P. 45. GEORGIAN ISLANDS: 17° s. 149° w. Tahiti: 1797 — At Waugh-town, C. Wilson; at Hankey-city, H. Nott; at Wilks' Harbour, G. Pritchard; at Burder-point, David Darling; at Haweistown, John Davies; at Bogue-town, W. P. Crook; and at Roby-town, W. Henry. "On account of the enfeebled state of Mr. and Mrs. Crook's health," the Directors say, "and their large family, consisting of one son and eight daughters, and the great difficulty of making suitable provision for his daughters in the islands, Mr. Crook has solicited and obtained the concurrence of the Directors, for removing with his family to Port Jackson"—It is stated, generally, with reference to the Mission, that the Congregations are numerous, the Schools well attended, and the prospects encouraging: many Natives have died in the Faith-Mr. Pritchard was about to establish a Seminary for training Native Teachers; the increased demand in the surrounding islands for instructors, and the general diffusion of knowledge, rendering such an institution necessary-The printing of the Old Testament in Tahitian was to begin with the Book of Psalms, which has been translated by Mr. Davies-Of the state of the island as to its temporal prosperity, Mr. Crook says: "Tahiti is advancing in civilization. Not only are the chiefs Toti, Hitoti, Paofai, Paraita, and others, accumulating property; but many among the common people raise money to buy a cow, and some a horse. Several men and women appear on Sabbath Days completely clothed in European Clothing. There are several decked vessels, from 20 to 40, or more, tons, belonging to the Natives. Toti, Hitoti, Paofai, and Paraita, have their horses which they ride. A Sandwich Islander, sent by Boki, keeps a shop at Wilks' Harbour, and has his counter and drawers in complete order. It is this spirit of accumulating property that causes the people to spend more time than formerly on their own lands; which being situated many miles apart, the Meetings and Schools are, by some, less regularly attended. When the first Sabbath in the month approaches, all assemble at the Mission Station; but a few days after the Sabbath, many of the people go off again to build a house on their land, to get bark for making cloth, or cocoa-nuts to make oil"-P. 45. Eimeo-At Blest-town, Alex. Simpson; Elijah Armitage, Artisan: at Griffin Town, J. M. Orsmond; T. Blossom, Artisan-The Cotton Factory at Blesttown has not succeeded; the Natives finding that they can purchase cotton goods at a much cheaper rate from vessels, than they can manufacture them from cotton grown on the island-At Griffintown, the attendance on Public Worship London Missionary Society – is regular, and the observance of the Sabbath undeviating: a new Place of Worship is in progress-In the SouthSea Academy Mr. Orsmond had 24 Pupils, who afforded much satisfaction at the Fifth Annual Examination in May 1829-P. 45. been 1500 gallons of cocoa-nut oil in Tahiti, and 500 in Eimeo. MARQUESAS: 9° s. 139° w. Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Simpson visited these Islands early in 1829; but found it inexpedient, from the rude and ungovernable conduct of the people, to attempt, at present, any enlargement of the Mission there. Two devoted Native Teachers continue to labour, at the hazard of their lives. At the Eleventh Missionary Anniversary, held in May 1829, it appeared that the contributions of the year had The efforts of the Society to promote among the people general knowledge, useful arts, and improved methods of cultivating the soil, as means of employment and sources of comfort, have been attended with temporary difficulties: these efforts were neither primarily nor principally contemplated in the establishment of their Missions; but required by the circumstances of the people, whose former habits of indolence were incompatible with a consistent profession of Christianity. The rapidity with which the islanders are advancing in commercial enterprise, the eagerness with which many engage in trade, the increased number of ships visiting their ports, and the consequent influx of foreigners, have also produced irregula rities, and occasional inconvenience to the Missionaries: the interruptions, however, of this kind, which may be regarded as inseparable from an unsettled state of society during its first movements in general progressive improvement, have been fewer during the past than some former years; while the increased number of ships that obtain supplies, the improvement in the appearance and dwellings of the inhabitants of the islands, the infant navy which already appears on their shores (built and chiefly manned by Natives, and, in part, devoted to the extension of Christianity), and the use of money among themselves and in their commercial transactions with foreigners, are unequivocal marks of their industry and advancement in civilization. Public tranquillity has remained unbroken: the laws are respected and obeyed, and justice is administered with promptitude and fidelity. In promoting education and disseminating religious knowledge, although the numbers who receive instruction are not so large as when the people first received Christianity, the Missionaries have reason to believe that those who now attend are not influenced by example and public opinion, but by conviction and principle. In the higher and more important departments of their labour, the conversion of the Natives and the establishment of Believers, the Missionaries have received continued tokens of the Divine Benediction: the general stability of the converts, the increase of the churches, the piety and devotedness of the members, demand from the Society the warmest acknowledgments to the Most High, to whose favour alone is to be ascribed whatever measure of prosperity may attend its exertions. The vigorous and persevering efforts of the Native Churches to spread the knowledge of Christianity among remote and populous islands, as well as to preserve it in those to which it has been already conveyed, are entitled to the continued support of the Society; and, under the Divine Blessing, warrant the most sanguine anticipations of the speedy and triumphant enlargement of the Redeemer's Kingdom in that part of the world, until, under the dominion of the Lord, the multitude of the Isles shall be glad (Report). The latest accounts received by the Society, from this quarter, afford numerous motives to gratitude, and ample ground of encouragement. The churches were on the increase, as to the number of their members; while the members themselves were advancing in piety and stability of Christian character: the benefits of religious education were still widely diffusing: the whole of the New Testament was in general use among the people; and the efforts of the Natives to communicate the knowledge of Christianity to other islands, more or less remote from their own, and to perpetuate and increase it in those to which it had been previously conveyed, were continued. The political and civil state of the islands was encouraging: civilization was advancing with accelerated steps, and the stimulants to industry were extensively increasing. While we devoutly recognise these benefits, let us beseech the Almighty graciously to continue His favour to the Mission; and to bless more abundantly the means now brought into extensive operation for promoting the moral and social improvement, as well as everlasting happiness, of the natives of these islands, and for imparting similar benefits to others around them. Let us also beseech Him to turn the hearts of those (comparatively few) among the people, who either designedly, as impostors, or ignorantly, as visionaries, have endeavoured to disseminate pestilent and dangerous errors; for the purpose, there is reason to fear, of releasing themselves from those wholesome restraints on their passions and conduct which Christianity imposes—and that those foreigners, whom trade or other inducements lead, from time to time, to visit the islands, and who endeavour, by their seductions, to plunge the Natives again into vice and misery, may be made sensible of the guilt of their conduct, and be led to desist, in future, from their reckless and criminal proceedings. (Miss. Chron. Feb. 1831.) See at pp. 81, 82 of our last Volume, an Appeal in support of Missionary Ships in these seas; and at pp. 254-256, a Refutation of a Stigma cast by Captain Kotzebue on this Mission, and a Contrast of the sentiments of other Officers with those of Captain Kotzebue. AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS. SANDWICH ISLANDS. Hawaii: 1820, renewed 1824: at Kairua; Asa Thurston, Artemas Bishop; Delia Stone, As.: at Kaavaroa; S. Ruggles; T. Hoopoo, Nat. As.: at Waiakea; Joseph Goodrich; John Honorii, Nat. As.-Oahu: 1820: at Honoruru; Hiram Bingham, Ephraim Weston Clark; Mary Ward, As.; Levi Chamberlain, Secular Superintendant; Gerrit E. P. Judd, M.D. Physician; Stephen Shepard, Printer- Tauai: 1820: at Waimea; S. Whitney, Peter Johnson Gulick; Maria C. Ogden, As. Mauai 1823: At Lahaina; W. Richards, Lorrin Andrews, Jonathan Smith Green; Maria Patten, As.; Stephen Pupuhi, Taua, Nat. As. MINISTRY-At most of the Stations the hearers are much increased: the Sunday Congregations usually consist of from 1000 to 4000 persons, and are characterized by stillness and attention. There has been a great increase of serious inquiry in all parts of the islands: the influences of the Holy Spirit have been manifest at all the Stations. In 1829, there were 117 admitted to church-fellowship, making a total of 185 at the end of that year there were 39 candidates. Among those admitted are the Governors of Hawaii and Tauai: the King has paid increased attention, and has declared himself more decidedly in favour of religion. SCHOOLS-The last Returns are as follows: at Kairua, 200 Schools with 8575 Scholars; at Honoruru, 221 with 6398; at Waimea, 80 with 2350; and at Lahaina, 173 with 10,385: at Kaavaroa it is estimated that there are 5000 scholars, and at Hido 6500; but there are no Re turns from those Stations. About half the scholars are able to read, but many of them with difficulty: nearly a fourth of them can write legibly on slates. PRESS-In 1829, there were printed 114,000 copies of Elementary Books, Portions of Scripture, and Hymns; containing 4,448,000 pages: this is a much greater amount than in any former year. The demand for books is constantly increasing; and the people, owing to the instruction already received in the schools and by the circulation of books, are constantly becoming more capable of receiving benefit from the press. Perhaps no community in the world is so likely to be immediately and generally affected by works issuing from the press, as the people of the Sandwich Islands. Such has been the change among a perfectly unlettered and savage people, during the last ten years! IMPROVEMENT-Every year since the commencement of this Mission has been marked with distinguished tokens of Divine Favour; but no period has witnessed a greater advance of the people in knowledge, civilization, and true piety than the year 1829. Many salutary laws are in force for the promotion of order and morality. The adoption of the Christian Form of Marriage is established by law : at four Stations, there were 1317 marriages in 1829: this change from the loose manner in which the people were accustomed to form these connexions is of incalculable importance to their morals; and has been effected solely by the influence of the Divine Law, as made known by the Missionaries, and in opposition to long-established habits, and to the counteracting and corrupting example American Board of Missions of foreign visitors and residents generally. The Rev. J. S. Green has been on a visit of investigation to the North-west Coast of America: his researches make it doubtful whether the Board will think it expedient to endeavour at present to establish a Mission in that quarter. They have it in view, however, to make an attempt at the Marquesas. 550, various details relative to the Pp. 46, 47, 119; and see, at pp. 546 Natives and the Mission. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Three Native Teachers-Taua, Tute, and Taamotu, who were communicants in Huahiné, are labouring in these islands in conjunction with the American Missionaries; who have sent to Mr. Barff the most satisfactory testimonials of their continued diligence, fidelity, and usefulness. The arrival of a Roman-Catholic Mission, and the resistance made to it by enlightened Natives, were noticed at pp. 47, 548 of our last Volume. Three Ecclesiastics and six Laymen, who sailed from Bourdeaux at the end of 1826, formed this Mission. The chief Ecclesiastic died on the passage; and, soon after landing, two of the Laymen left their associates: the other four Laymen, two of them farmers and two artisans, support themselves by their labour: the two Ecclesiastics, one of whom is French and the other Irish, occupy themselves in learning the language. Spanish-American States. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. Dr. No intelligence has appeared from Mr. TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETIES. operated as unfavourably on the efforts of Tract and Book Societies as on the circulation of the Scriptures. The proceedings and prospects of the Spanish and French Translation Society were detailed at pp. 245-247 of our last Volume. In Buenos Ayres the Rev. Theophilus Parvin distributed about 2000 ments, and the Publications of the SpaTracts, besides many Bibles and Testanish and French Translation Society. The series of Children's Books, 16 in number, prepared in Spanish by the Religious-Tract Society, meets with great Mexico for 80,000 of these Publications : acceptance: an order was received from the Society forwarded, in the year, to Spanish America, 45,504 Tracts and Children's Books—Pp. 47, 48. Guiana and the West Indies. UNRELENTING hostility appears to prevail among many who are in power in Jamaica against the persons and the efforts of Missionaries. The reenacting of the Law prohibiting Religious Worship between sunset and sunrise after its disallowance by the late King, while it gave an early occasion to His present Majesty of manifesting his determination to govern in the tolerant spirit of His Illustrious Brother, served to convince the true Friends of the Colonies that every measure of substantial benefit to the Slaves must originate and be enforced from home. The same evil temper has shewn itself in every form of annoyance and persecution. A flagrant case of cruelty was brought under the notice of Government by the Committee of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, the documents relative to which have been printed by Order of the House of Commons. We men tion this case, in order to shew, by the manner in which it has been dealt with at home, that His Majesty's Government will not suffer these proceedings to continue with impunity. The Noble Secretary for the Colonies, Viscount Goderich, being dissatisfied with the manner in which the Rev. Isaac Whitehouse, one of the Wesleyan Missionaries, had been treated in the correspondence held with him on the case in question, expresses his displeasure to the Earl of Belmore, the Governor of Jamaica, and adds:My sense of what is due to a Gentleman engaged in the highly-meritorious and painful, though ill-requited, labours of a Missionary, has drawn from me the preced ing observations; which have not been written without much reluctance, because I feel that Your Lordship may, perhaps, consider them as involving some disapprobation of your official conduct. I trust that your Lordship will believe that I am desirous and prepared, on every occasion, to afford you the utmost support and assistance in my power; and that I am fully alive to the difficulties in which you are placed, in the present times, in the discharge of the important and delicate trust with which you have been invested by His Majesty. But not even my disinclination to augment the embarrassment inseparable, in the present state of public opinion, from the Government of Jamaica, is sufficiently strong to prevent my pointing out to your Lordship, in the most distinct manner, the necessity of your affording your countenance and protection to the Ministers of Religion, while conducting themselves inoffensively, and the still more urgent necessity for a rigid and impartial scrutiny into every such abuse of the owner's power, as was brought to your notice by Mr.Whitehouse. In Jamaica itself, however, the Cause of Missions and of the Slaves is beginning to find fearless advocates: the "Watchman," a Newspaper, and the "Christian Record," a Monthly Publication, have both lately appeared; and plead this Cause with great ability and on the soundest principles. Various interesting particulars relative to the State of the Slaves, and 'unanswerable arguments in proof of the Duty and Benefit of the Extinction of British Negro-Slavery, will be found at pp. 256-258, 292–297, 301, 302 of our last Volume. Grants of Bibles to the number of 475, and of Testaments to that of 1086, have been made by the British and Foreign Bible Society: nearly the whole of the first edition of the Negro-English N. T., consisting of 1000 copies, has been forwarded to Surinam-The Baptist Missionary Society has 13 Missionaries at 37 Stations and subordinate places in Jamaica: there are not fewer than 10,000 Members, and probably double the number of Inquirers-The General-Baptist Mission in Jamaica is,at present,suspended: one of its two Missionaries in that island, Mr. Allsop, having departed this life; and its connexion with the other, Mr. Bromley, having been dissolved On the application of the Bishop, the Christian-Knowledge Society has forwarded to Jamaica a large supply of Books and Tracts. The Bishop of Barbadoes has opened, by the establishment of Committees in almost every Colony under his jurisdiction, regular channels through which the benefits of the Society may be conveyed: during the year, 137 Bibles,78 Testaments, 638 Common-Prayer Books, and 1730Books and Tracts, were put in circulation-At 16 Stations and subordinate places, 13 of which are in Jamaica, the Church Missionary Society has 16 Male and 2 Female Teachers: in 26 Schools there are 1532 Scholars-The plan for converting Codrington College into a Theological Seminary, adopted by the Gospel-Propagation Society, is in progress steps, for the more effectual encouragement of marriages on the Society's Estate, and for the complete enfranchisement of the Slaves, are under consideration-The proceedings of several Ladies' Societies in behalf of the Slaves are stated at pp. 83, 84, 343-345 of our last Volume-Mr. Michael Lewis, from the London Missionary Society, joined Mr. Ketley, in Demerara, at the beginning of April: the Congregation and Communicants increase: the Governor favours the Mission. In Berbice, Mr. Wray's Slave Congregation is continually enlarging: he communicates a fact strongly illustrative of the influence of the Gospel on character: by express order of Government, the names of six Slaves |