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We have already taken steps for the organization of a church there. Eight persons from that place are now members of the church in Lahaina. On the 15th of October last, the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered there, and 22 were propounded as candidates to be united with a new church, which will probably be organized in January. The church will therefore consist of 30 members at its first establishment.

Auwae, the head man, is now collecting materials for a good stone and lime meeting-house. The stones are already hewn, the lime is burnt, and the timber for the roof is on the ground, and he will commence the building in a few weeks. The people often ask with weeping eyes, "Who is to preach in it?" This is a question which

we cannot answer.

Mr. Andrews is appointed, by the mission, to the exclusive business of teaching the high school, on the hill back of Lahaina. He, therefore, is no longer able to assist in supporting that station. Those who are acquainted with the laborious duties of the station at Lahaina, do not think that one man can possibly perform them, and at the same time make frequent visits to Wailuku. Mr. Richards, however, will continue the present system for a season, in the hope that Providence will eventually provide

other aid.

In addition to the labors which we have bestowed on Wailuku, we have preached at other places nearer by, where congregations of from 1,500 to 2,500 are usually col

lected.

State of the Schools.

The schools remain in the same general state as when we last wrote you. They remain just about the same as to numbers, and there has been no material alteration in the manner of conducting them.

The removal of some of our best teachers from their particular charge, and placing them in the high school, will, for the first year or two, have an unfavorable influence on the under schools, though we hope to manage in such a manner, that the effect shall not be considerable.

On the following page is a table exhibiting the state of the schools at the last examination. Some of the examinations were made more than a year ago, and the rest in July. There has never been a thorough examination of all the schools under the care of the station since 1828.

The table exhibits the schools, scholars, readers, &c. in the several districts. We give only the summary.

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To the above 34,451 we add, as the probable population of Molokai, 8,000; and 2,000 as the probable population of Lanai; making the whole connected with this missionary station, 44,451.

In the census as actually taken, it will be perceived that only about seven-twentythirds of the population are under 12 years of age. Comparing this with the census of the United States, it will be perceived that a much larger proportion of the people there are under twelve than here, and as the people in America live to a greater age than at the Sandwich Islands, it thence appears that the increase here, if any, must be very small. Or rather it is to be inferred, that the population is diminishing. We have additional reasons for supposing this to be the fact. The diseased state of the parents, the sickly appearance of the infants, and the numerous deaths of children which come to our knowledge, as well as the judgment of the observing natives, all tell us that the population must be diminishing.

But we can already see, what we previously knew must be true, that the salutary laws now in existence, and the recent improvement in the morals of the people, are producing, and must soon actually effect, important changes in relation to this subject, and we have no doubt but they will be visible to the eyes of all, in the increase of the population.

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more ground-have been more miscella. neous, and therefore have not produced so much effect on any one point, as they otherwise might have done; though on the whole, we trust, there has been no loss, but rather gain.

Three persons from the formerly riotous Specimen crew of the Daniel, are now hopefully pious; and one, who resides on shore, is propounded for admission to our church. We really love him as a brother.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

THE importance of Wailuku, on the island of Maui, has been frequently mentioned, and is particularly referred to in the preceding extracts. Mr. Chamberlain communicates some other facts of an interesting nature, in a letter dated September 14, 1831. The letter was written on his return from accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Dibble to Hilo, the station situated on the windward side of Hawaii.

On our way from Honolulu to Hilo early in the past month, we put into Wailuku, on the windward side of Maui, and spent the Sabbath there. We were very much gratified with the state of things and the appearance of the people. Though it was late in the afternoon of Saturday when we landed, yet notice that there would be religious worship conducted at the place next day, was so widely circulated, that at the hour for meeting on the Sabbath not fewer than 3,000 persons had assembled, and in great order and decency taken their seats under the shade of a spacious lanai, erected for the accommodation of a congregation. At the close of the first service the people, instead of separating, retained their seats, and the native teachers took their stand in different parts of the congregation to impart additional instruction. As soon as the teachers had finished their work, the second service commenced; at the close of which the people separated in good order to return to their homes.

Wailuku possesses many advantages for a missionary station, and is, I think, the best place on the island of Maui for the establishment of the high school; but we have not strength sufficient to maintain a station there, unless Waimea on Hawaii is given up, which I think far from being the duty of the mission.

The reinforcement which sailed last autumn for the islands appears to have been greatly needed, and will be most joyfully received. · Indeed-considering the state of the harvest, the

importance of having the work done speedily upon the islands, and the fact that this mission is a nursery of missionaries, to some extent, for other islands in the Pacific-it seems desirable that others still be sent out without much delay.

Siam.

JOURNAL OF MR. ABEEL.

[Continued from p. 177.]

of Heathen Cruelty—Intercourse with the People.

Aug. 27, 1831. To-day we saw an illustration of the heathens' cruelty. The skiff of a lad passing a short distance from the shore, was upset. He clung to the boat, and begged the assistance of two men going by. They passed within a few feet of him and refused his request. He was carried perhaps half a mile with a strong current, and though others passed very near, none would stop to rescue him. When I saw him last, he was laboring with his feet and the paddle to get his boat to the shore. 1 asked the men the cause of their cruelty. Some made no reply. One answered in a tone of excitement, "He did not call," though he evidently knew not, if he even turned to see whether the lad was not too much exhausted for the exertion. Though this is the first instance of the kind I have seen, it is by no means uncommon. Brother Tomlin says they have even been obliged to hire them to rescue their fellow men from imminent danger. A trifling sum will move them when no appeal to their pity

can.

What a blessing is the gospel, in its meliorating as well as saving influence upon the character of man!

Sept. 4. Sabbath. Five Chinamen were present at our morning worship. Among them was a stranger whom we had not before seen. Early after dinner we took a selection of books and went among the Chinamen. Found no difficulty in distributing them, and engaging the attention of small groups to their truths. To many Chinamen and Siamese, since the books have been dispersed among the latter, the name of Jesus has become familiar. Still many applications both at home and abroad, for the books of the Lord Jesus. The voice of priests attracted us to a temple. We found a company sitting in a circle before numerous gilded images, and conning their "vain repetitions" in a foreign, if not a mystical tongue. Our presence disturbed the assumed seriousness of some, and provoked quite a laugh. We attempted to return by another path, but soon found ourselves in difficulty. The Chinese village between us and the walled city consists of but one street. Back of it are gardens and houses scattered through quite a jungle. The paths are crooked, obstructed, and owing to the recent rains, muddy. It was here that we tunities of instructing the ignorant, and wandered expecting to meet with opporcontinued our walk until we scarcely knew which way to proceed. Just before the darkness closed around us, we were led out, by an unseen hand, into a plain path.

immense distance, and so widely submerg ed that it is said you can leave the channel of the river, and make a straight course to Juthia, the ancient capital. That the whole valley in its length and breadth is submergthe soil is too productive not to present obstacles to a straight course, is perhaps as evident. There is probably not a building in the city or its environs whose foundation is above the flow of the tide. Even the palace is surrounded, and the waters nearly to the level of its floors. Some of the great men are obliged to occupy a raised platform in one corner of their dwellings.

5. Yesterday lent our own and only copy of the Siamese tract to a man, who came from a distance of a number of days, and moored his bark near our premises He was so much pleased with it, that he brought a blank book to-day and wished ited, we have no reason to doubt; but that again to obtain a copy. He frequently comes in and talks about the Lord Jesus, of whom he had never before heard. He says he should like to become his disciple. It is a pleasing fact, that such numbers, from all parts of the kingdom, can read intelligibly, and still more so, that their own religion is not such in their eyes as to prevent them from examining any other. There are three men in the boat, and all of them read with much facility. May the truth be deeply impressed upon their own minds, and they be made the heralds of mercy to their dark minded neighbors.

10. Three priests spent part of the evening with us. Probably with the fears, though not the object, of Nicodemus, they came by night. They had visited us before, and evinced their friendly disposition by saluting us by name. Of Jesus and his religion they always speak with approbation, though, we fear, not always with sincerity. Yet it is delightful, that his blessed name, and some knowledge of his character and offices, are becoming familiar to numbers. It is by no means uncommon for us to be addressed by the title of "Disciples of the Lord Jesus," often with an encomium upon the gracious Being whom we serve. The folly and consequences of idol worship were plainly represented and the unpublished scripture containing the sermon on the mount given to one of them to read aloud. We felt a deep interest in interceding for the Spirit's influence to impress his own truth upon their hearts. Though not allowed by their religion to eat, after the mid-day meal, two of them had infringed the rules before and were only waiting to-night while we were at tea, for the assent of their superior. So much for the force of idolatry.

Extensive overflow of the River-Splendid

Procession.

Nov. 8. For a month or more the Meinam has overflowed its banks, and laid the surrounding country under water. For thirty years, it is said not to have equalled its present height. This morning we took a boat and steered for the fields where we

had repeatedly walked, expecting to see, one expanse of water unbroken only by parts of the trees and scattered houses. We soon found ourselves disappointed, for though we proceeded some distance, and could have gone as much farther as we pleased, the luxuriant rice had so far overtopped the level of the waters, that at a distance the latter was not preceptible. Planters were moving about in hoats, cutting their rice and attending to other business. The country is nearly a dead level for an

VOL. XXVIII.

For a number of days the king has been visiting the pagodas, supported by himself, and furnishing the priests with such articles of necessity and luxury, as his royal bounty dictates. This is considered a work of great merit and performed annually at this season. The temples built and supplied from the king's treasury are numerous, and many days are usually expended in completing the round. The principal priest of each temple, is arrayed, on these occasions, by the hand of his royal master, the priest, according to the humble profession of the monarch, being the superior. To-day the train passed our house. It consisted of perhaps a hundred barges-some of them more elegant than anything of the kind I ever saw. The guard-boats, a numerous and splendid array, led the van; a few of them carrying large pieces of ordnance, and managed by soldiers in a flaming uniform-others with small red canopies, very long and narrow, and paddled by numerous hands. The king's galley followed, said to be at least 120 feet in length, and propelled by 80 men. A curve at the bow and stern raised them some distance above the water, and adds much to the elegance of the structure. The barge is made of one piece of timber and is said to have cost the sacrifice of many lives to get it from its original bed to this place. This, however, appears to be no consideration with the Siamese.

When the king, or men of authority, go on expeditions of importance, it is expected that many shall perish. Excessive toil-an exhausting climate, and want of relief, the boats being too narrow to carry more than one set of hands, soon produce fatal conseHis quences to the unpitied boatmen. majesty's portly person had no other covering but a waist cloth. He was attended by

a few of the women and children of his numerous family. The boats of the princes followed-many of them but little inferior to the king's, and all with horse-tails hanging upon the bow to denote their rank. The train was closed by the barges of many of less distinction-the whole extending probably more than a mile.

We were obliged, at the command of a precursor, to shut the doors, a ceremony expected from all, before whose houses such

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a sacred personage passes. The length of the array-the great variety of boats-the unanimous shouts, bursting from so many lips-the voice of those who beat the time, with the uniform motions it gave to the paddles, and the rapidity with which they all hastened by, rendered the scene as lively to the senses, as its object was sickening to the heart of the Christian spectator. How dreadful is the influence of the great deceiver over this nation-commanding his thousands, of the pride and power of the nation, to one feat of pagan delusion.

Intercourse with Chinamen.

call from the clay, which its deathless tenant in deep ignorance has just left.

Various Labors and Encouragements.

Dec. 25. Sabbath. Beside the small number who usually worship with us, there were two strangers present this morning. They had called for medicines before, and from their disposition to listen to the doctrines of salvation, and a partial knowledge gathered on these subjects, much interest was excited in their behalf. One of them, a few days ago mentioned that he had known the God of heaven a number of years, but had never seen the sacred books before; thus showing the imperfection Nov. 13. Nine Chinamen worshipped of his knowledge. They say that they with us this morning. After service a man meet every day with a neighbor to worship called who lives four days' distance. He the true God. They appear like those who had read the books and fearlessly denouncare feeling for the Lord, and we earnestly ed idolatry in the presence of his country-hope that he who has excited in them these men. Though truly the day of small things, desires may be found of them. we are grateful to find a few who have obtained at least some intellectual light, and appear convinced of some of the fundamental truths of revelation. A very interesting character, as far as natural qualities go, has called a number of times, and brought different friends with him to receive books. He appears quite unwilling to leave the house, but whether from an interest in the strange things brought to his ears, or in matters of less importance, we cannot possibly determine. It teaches us how easily the Lord could stir up the minds of the heathen to attend to their salvation, and strengthens us to labor in faith and prayer.

Dec. 6. About a fortnight ago a Chinese boy appeared at our door, and being friendless and poor and sick, entreated us to take him in. His case demanded our sympathy, and we received him. His employment had been suspended on account of the overflowing of the waters, and probably none would admit him to their houses. My teacher says, that while they have means, they have professed friends and relatives; but poverty severs all these ties. The cruelty of the Chinese is at times unnatural. They have even brought their sick, reduced to the last extremity of disease, and laying them before the door, endeavored to make their escape unobserved; glad to get rid of the incumbrance, and careless of the consequences. The boy lingered until Sunday, when he was found dead, lying on the step leading to his door. He had probably felt a sense of suffocation, and died in the attempt to get out in the air. There was something affecting in his case. Of five or six of the dialects spoken in the empire, and employed more or less by the Chinamen in these parts, his was the one of which ourselves and teachers knew the least. We had been laboring, the very day of his death, to communicate some ideas of eternal things to his mind, but apparently without effect. Oh how impressive is the

Another season of heathenish parade among the Catholics, under the name of Christianity. We hear the cannon, bells and drum, and from what we have before seen, can easily imagine the rest. From the church we are informed, by those who have seen it, they will go to scenes of cockfighting, get drunk, and act in the most beastly manner. In fact, those who see the most of them, declare that in every species of immorality and even in general knowledge, with a few honorable exceptions, they are beneath the heathen themselves.

29. To-day we are cheered with some pleasing facts, which convince us that the labors of God's servants have not been in vain in this place. The two persons mentioned as the increase to the usual number of Sabbath worshippers came again to-day. One of them had his head bruised by a stone thrown at him while the three spoken of were convened for reading the scriptures and prayer. The house they say was assailed by a number of Siamese, who had probably witnessed their departure from the heathenish customs of their neighbors. They were informed of the sufferings often endured by God's children for the same cause, and manifested no disposition to be prevented from their newly commenced duties.

In visiting a sick man who is in a shocking state of disease, my brother found that he knew something of the Lord, and professed to worship him alone. He could not endure reading himself, and had a neighbor who came in and read for him. This neighbor had been employed as a carpenter by us, and manifested much intelligence and interest, in his inquiries about our religion. At his own request we endeavored to instruct him in the nature of prayer, a subject on which their previous associations render them absurdly ignorant.

My teacher, whose own heart appears like the nether millstone, mentioned the case of a man who came to see him, after

the business of the day, to have the books explained. He said that the man had no idea how the Lord of heaven should be worshipped, and when informed of our Sabbath services, wished to know whether he might attend.

Another striking case occurred in the dispensary to-day. While a lad was employed reading part of the Siamese tract, another of perhaps eight or nine years of age sat near, and though he could not read repeated some of it before him. I asked him how he knew it. He said that his father and mother taught him, that they read the Christian tract and worshipped Rah Chou Fah (the Lord of heaven.) Although we can infer very little from their vague term, to worship being applied to men as well as their gods, yet it is evident from the little fellow's knowledge that some of his statement was correct. Thus the Lord shows us that our labors are not in vain, just at the time when my companion is leaving and my own strength has become so much reduced, as to unfit me in a great measure for exertion, and render a change desirable, if not necessary.

[To be continued.]

Owing to the extraordinary overflow of the river, which continued for a month, Mr. Abeel was unable to take the exercise necessary for the preservation of his health, and became so seriously ill that he found it necessary to proceed, for a time, to Singapore-the English commercial depot for that part of the world, on an island south of the Maylayan peninsula. There he had a fair prospect of speedy recovery. He was at Singapore on the last of January.

With regard to the expediency of sending forth missionaries, Mr. A. says:-"All, who come with the right spirit, can make their own stations. The Lord enable you to send forth many, that these crowds may be rescued from the destruction into which they are daily sinking."

China.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF MR. BRIDGMAN AND MR. GUTZLAFF.

That the armies of the Lord's host will ultimately prevail, we are not to doubt for a moment; that they will prevail before a long period has elapsed, every year and month afford us new reasons to believe. The pioneers of the warfare have reached the uttermost parts of the earth and the remotest isles of the sea. Their number is as yet few, and their strength feeble; and loaded with many infirmities, and opposed by superior numbers, they instinctively look back to the churches, and upwards to the Great Leader, for support. And it is right they should do so: and the necessity for this, so far as human agency is concerned, will be increased, according means are few and feeble on the one hand, and the work to be accomplished vast on the other.

as the

Only eight or ten individuais, and several of us late in the field, constitute the whole number of the preachers of the gospel in the Chinese mission--not one, where a hundred are needed. This is a great difficulty. We know, blessed be God for the assurance, that it is nothing with the Lord to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; and we fear that eight or ten hundred preachers for China, or for what have, very properly, been styled, the Chinese-language nations, will, in the eyes of some, seem to savor of extravagance. But what was the conduct, and what are the commands, of the Lord Jesus? After having ordained the twelve, he immediately "appointed other seventy also," and sent them forth in haste; and because the harvest was great, and the laborers few, he commanded them to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest. Now, instead of the single province of Judea, the world is the field, and the command is to go into every part of it, and preach the gospel to every creature. True "there are difficulties in the way," and such as cannot be easily conceived of, until they are encountered. We have been forewarned of difficulties and trials, and so far as they do exist, they are necessary to prove the faith and patience of the Lord's disciples; yet many of them are imaginary, and others are like spectres in the dark, magnified by the distance, and will disappear as they approach. Apathy, my dear Sir, akin to that you may sometimes have found when soliciting aid for their relief, is very great among the heathen. Added to this, the intercourse with Christian nations,

Importance of increasing the Number of especially in connection with the Roman

Missionaries in Southeastern Asia.

THE following extracts are commended to the serious perusal both of those who are able to give their personal services as missionaries, and of those who are able to contribute the pecuniary means for supporting missionaries among the heathen. The letter, from which the first extracts are made, is from Mr. Bridgman, and is dated "Canton, Jan. 17, 1832."

ists, has raised strong barriers. Christianity, or rather its name, has not been published by the Catholics in a way to subdue the heart. Yet enmity, the most deadly, has been provoked, and the door of access shut, bolted, and barred. The evil is complicated. This apathy must be roused-this enmity subdued-the bolts and bars broken. By an invading force the citadel must be stormed, and the seat of the old dragon overturned. The sooner-merely as it re

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