SANDWICH ISLANDS.

[The following extract from the Missionary Herald, after noticing the death of the king and queen of the Sandwich Islands, gives a brief historical sketch of the mission to those Islands.]

The Missionary Herald for August, contained a notice of the voyage of the king and queen of the Sandwich Islands to England, with the circumstances attending this extraordinary event. Such a proceeding, in the Ruler of more than 150,000 souls, whatever may be thought to be the degree of their barbarism, we believed could not fail to be followed by important consequences.

Reho-reho no doubt regarded himself as going to a land, where the Sabbath was observed; where were a multitude of churches for Christian worship; where were numerous preachers of the Gospel, in character like the missionaries whom he had left behind; and where the good book of God, the Bible, was every where enjoyed. He probably expected to find whatever the missionaries had recommended to him, as suitable to be adopted in reference to his own people, carried into effect where he was going; and might possibly (for he possessed considerable sagacity, have designed to remark the aspect of a country, which had been long Christian.

After all the notices respecting the state of religion in England, which this work has heretofore contained, we surely need not stop to give our views of the actual moral and religious condition of that favoured country. But it is easy to see, that this young and inexperienced prince, immediately on his arrival, might be thrown into such circumstances, without the fault of the pious people there, that, during his whole stay, he should behold very little of genuine religion, and very much of a demoralizing character. We are not well informed as to his real cirGumstances, in the few weeks of health which he enjoyed after his arrival; but have reason to believe, that, from politica! considerations, he was induced to keep himself partially secluded from society, except that he visited the theatre, and the gardens of pleasure.

The queen was the first who was attacked with a pulmonary inflammation; occasioned, in part, it is to be presumed, by her introduction into an atmosphere more cool, and dense, and humid, than she had been accustomed to; and in part, doubtless, by an unpropitious change of regimen, though the style of liv ing in Woahoo, was not wholly unlike to

India. They maintain that they are the lineal descendants of Jacob: the Kohen and his sons, only, of the tribe of Levi; one family from the tribe of Benjamin; four or five from Manasseh, and the rest from Ephraim. We asked what they would do for a priest, if the Kohen and his sons should die, and thus the tribe of Levi become extinct. They replied, (ba zah ma beseer,) "this does not happen." They all speak Arabic, but their books and public prayers are in Samaritan. They call their language Hebrew, and that which we call Hebrew they call Jewish; for they say their language is the true Hebrew in which the law was giv en. The difference consists in the use of a different alphabet and different pronunciation. They go three times a year to Mount Gerizim to worship, but do not of fer sacrifices there now, as they did formerly, lest they should be molested by the Turks. But they offer their sacrifices in a more private way, in the city. We understood them to say, that they have no daily sacrifice. We visited their synagogue. It is a small dark, but neat room, with an altar, but without seats. We were obliged, before entering, to pull off not only our over-shoes, but also our slippers, which are not prohibited even in mosques; and Mr. Jowett was obliged to take off an outer garment, which he wears, that is lined with fur. No person can approach the altar, except the Kohen and his sons. They expect a Messiah, who is to be a Prophet and King, but a mere man, to live 120 years, as Moses did, and to reign at Naploos over all the world. Those who do not receive him, are tobe destroyed with the sword. The promise concerning the woman's seed does not, they be lieve, refer to the Messiah; but that, concerning a prophet like unto Moses, does refer to him, as does also that concerning Siloh. Gen. 49:10. They admit the sense of this passage as given in our translation, and try to show that there is still a sceptre somewhere in the hands of Judah, The Messiah will come when Israel repent. They say the story of the separation between Israel and Judah, under Jeroboam and Rehoboam, is a lie of the Jews. The city of Luz or Bethel, they say, was on Mount Gerizim. Gen. 28:19. Jebus, they say, was also on this mount, and that Judges 19:10 as it stands in our copies, is not true.

20. We renewed our visit to the Samaritans. We had yesterday requested to see their ancient copy of the law. The Kohen objected, but after much persuading, and indirectly presenting the motive which generally prevails in this country, i. e. the offer of money, he at last consent ed to show it to us this morning In order to do it, he said he must first bathe, and then put on a particular dress for the oc

casion. On our arrival at the synagogue, we waited a short time, and he appeared, entered the synagogue, approached the altar, kneeled and put his face to the floor, then opened the little closet which contained the holy book, kneeled and put his face to the floor again, then brought out the brass case, which contained the roll, and opened it so as to show us the manuscript, but we were not allowed to touch it. It is in the Samaritan character, and the Kohen says it was written by Abishua, the grandson of Aaron, thirteen years after the death of Moses, and 3260 years ago. See 1 Chron. 6:4. Another brass case stood near this, containing an exact copy of the original manuscript, said to have been made 800 years ago. On a shelf in the synagogue, were a considerable number of copies of the Samaritan Pentateuch. We saw also the relic of the Polyglott Bible mentioned by aundril: The Bible of the Samaritans contains only the five books of Moses. They have however, Joshua and Judges, but in separate books. They say that since Joshua there has been no prophet. He was the disciple of Moses, and inferior to him. David was king in Jerusalem, but not a prophet. We inquired whether the Samaritans held it lawful to read the books of Christians. They said there was no law against it, and we left with them one Testament in Arabic, and another in Hebrew.

At noon we left Naploos. A little way from the gate we observed, on our right hand, a mosque, which I suppose to be the one that travellers have mentioned as the place bought by Jacob "at the hand of the children of Hamor, Gen. 33:19. Ja cob's well is to be seen near by, but through the ignorance of our guide we missed it. At six o'clock we arrived at Singil, and took lodgings with a Greek family, the only Christian family in the place. Before our arrival, we were overtaken by a heavy rain.

Two pious German ministers of the reformed church, named J. Christian Reichardt, and J. George Wermelskirk, gave me, this morning, the following account of the revival of religion in Germany.

It was not till since the close of the war, that any general attention was excited respecting evangelical religion. Five years ago there were five or six ministers belonging to each of the churches in Berlin, which amount to twenty-one, but not any of them evangelical persons; now there is no church where there is not, at least, one

pious, evangelical pastor, preaching the doctrines of the Gospel, and adorning it by their conduct.

In the University of Berlin, there are thirty or forty pious students. One of the professors, of the name of Tholock, about twenty-five years of age, who knows fifteen languages, is in the practice of receiving these every Wednesday at his own house, for the purpose of giving them religious instruction. About ten of these usually associate with my informant on a Saturday evening, at the University, for praying with them, and for reading and expounding the scriptures. Four of the professors in the University are pious evangelical men. One of these, named Neander, Professor of Evangelical History, is a converted Jew, of good reputation, and considerable standing.

When Professor Tholock was, some time since, at Copenhagen, he inquired for a long time in vain, at the University, after pious young men at length, by acsident, a person, who called at the inn, was discovered by him as being of that character, and he introduced him to a considerable number of pious youth, who were earnestly seeking after God.

The pious students, who have been mentioned as at the University at Berlin, were from different German Universities, and their statement respecting them was, that in all of them there were devoted youths, consecrating themselves to the service of God.

At Erlangen, in Bavaria, there are in the University three Professors; one of whom has the reputation of being one of the most learned men on the Continent.

At Basle, in Switzerland, they were informed, by one of their companions, that, in the year 1818, about twenty young men were brought to know the grace of God in truth. As they had no evangelical instructors, they frequently met together for reading the scriptures and prayer. One of these is engaged by the London Society for promoting the conversion of the Jews; and another named Burkhardt, brother to the late excellent Missionary, of that name, is an assistant minister with Dr. Steinkopff, in the Savoy, London.

At Albufelt, in Prussia, there is a minister of the Lutheran church, named Doering, the apostle of the age. He pays particular regard to young persons. On a Monday evening he collects at his house about two hundred unmarried men; and on a Wednesday evening, about forty young ladies; for the purposes of giving them religious instruction. He is indefatigable in visiting the prisons and hospitals, distributing religious tracts, and ha been the instrument of the conversion of many to the knowledge of Christ. In all this vicinity, the churches are supplied

with, at least, twenty evangelical pastors. The people, when they want a minister, no longer inquire for those who are distinguished by their literature; but they say, when one is recommended to them, "Is he a pious minister?"

A minister named Couard, about thirty years of age, who preaches in a church in Berlin, has an excessively crowded congregation of six or seven thousand hearers: he lately preached seven sermons from "Ye must be born again." The churches are forsaken where the Gospel is not faithfully preached.

The same spirit of opposition exists there as in this country against evangelical religion. If they observe any to listen attentively, or appear serious and devout, they call them by way of reproach, "Head hangers."

A person, from the neighbourhood of Brunswick, gave the following account. "Above five years since, there was not one pious person in all the neighbourhood, nor any evangelical minister. Two farmers were walking in their fields, when one of them, as if his mind had been instantly impressed with the subject, said, We possess all these riches, but we have never returned thanks to God, the giver of them. Surely we ought to do so. Come, let us kneel down, and give thanks, to God, and seek his pardon and blessing.' They enjoyed so much pleasure in this exercise, that they resolved to meet at one of their houses, on a Lord's-day evening, for praying and searching the scriptures. Their wives soon united with them. Others, who observed them thus assemble, asked, What are you doing? We will meet with you.' Thus, persons from different villages were collected, till the room was over crowded. These meetings were held in other adjacent villages, until there were ninety or an hundred serious persons. At length, one of the Lutheran pastors in the neighbour. hood became an enlightened man, and now they all attend upon his ministry."

These revivals are attributed to the establishment of Bible and Missionary Societies; and the work of conversion has been so rapid, especially among stu dents in the Universities, that scores of pious youths are burning with ardour to be employed in Missionary labours in any part of the globe.

The two ministers, who are very serious, well-informed persons, who related the above facts, are about to visit Poland, in the service of the London Society for the Conversion of the Jews. J. L.

The SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND FOR THE PROPAGATION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, has existed for nearly 120 years,

and is incorporated by royal charter. The Directors in their last annual report dated March 1824, say "Its ordinary funds and exertions have been directed almost exclusively to the education and religious instruction of the Poor in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland." Its operations have been uniform and steady for more than a century; during all which time no extraordinary call has been made on the charity of the public. By its teachers, missionaries and catechists, the most important benefits have been conferred on a once rude and neglected population. schools with 13,541 scholars, are support ed by this Society, together with 11 missionaries, 16 catechists, and 38 superannuated teachers, at an annual expense of £4251. The Marquis of Bute is President of the Institution.

264