rights of those generous men and women, who have gone, from motives of Christian benevolence, to spend their lives in remote, barbarous, and pagan countries.

In but two instances have the names of individuals, who have taken active and criminal measures against the missionaries, been published; and these were published because the evils at the Sandwich Islands had risen so high, and assumed such an aspect, that the consequences of silence seemed likely to be more disastrous, than any which could reasonably be apprehended from exposure. Decisive were demanded, and they were

measures

taken.

It is not necessary to say what other disclosures affecting individual character, will need hereafter to be made.-There are, however, some statements of a general nature,-in which the characters of individuals, were they to be specified, as they might lawfully be, would be seriously implicated,-which ought not to be withheld, and which will therefore be given in the present number of this work. They were communicated by a missionary whose mildness, consideration, intelligence, good judgment, and universal excellence of character, entitle his communications to be accredited in their full import. The letter is dated September 1826.

A spirit of jealousy and opposition, on the part of foreign residents, and some of the occasional visitants,-he observes, against the success of the mission, has existed from the commencement of our operations: but within the last year, it has broken over its ordinary restraints, and raged with peculiar fury against Mr. Bingham in particular.

Something less than a year ago, it burst out on an occasion of the chiefs assembling to deliberate upon the subject of adopting the Ten Commandments as a rule of life and of duty, to be proclaimed throughout the Sandwich Islands, and regarded as binding on the hearts and consciences of all the people.

Not far from that time, measures were taken by the chiefs to prevent the prostitution of females, which were rendered abortive, in a manner that has been fairly stated in the history of Lieut. Percival's conduct.*

Subsequently, persons, from whom we had hoped better things, and of whom we had been desirous, to enter

The particular reference above, is to a regular and full account of the conduct of Lieut. Percival, which may probably come before the public hereafter. -Ed.

tain a good opinion, have manifested a strong spirit of hostility.

It is unnecessary to state the principles, upon which we act. So far as we are faithful to our instructions, they are as well known to you, as they are to ourselves. If we violate our instructions, we deserve to meet with trials. But it is our aim to keep a conscience void of offence, towards God, and towards all men. Still it is a grief.

to see the motives of a member of our fraternity impeached, and his character vilified, when we know,-that the only fault our enemies can charge him with, is activity in the cause of his divine Master, ardor in opposing the works of darkness, and zeal in endeavoring to diffuse the light of the Gospel.

We are not without fears, that a temporary advantage will be gained by the knowing that its foundation is assailed. enemy, who is alarmed for his kingdom,

The principal, and I might say, all the chiefs are in our favor, and they have never shown themselves more friendly than of late; and all the people, without exception, so far as we know, and instruction. But the whole force are friendly, and will listen to our advice of our adversaries, is directed towards the young king,† judging rightly, that, if they can draw him oyer to their side, an important advantage will be lost to us. No pains are spared to prejudice his mind against Mr. Bingham, who has been his instructer: but, happily, as yet without success.

While Mr. Bingham was absent, making a tour of this island, in company with Kaahumanu, Mr. in an interview with the king, in furious language, and evident evil intention, declared that Mr. Bingham was a very bad man; and it is said, told him, that Mr. B. had written to America, stating that he, (Mr. B.) was king of the Sandwich Islands. His motive for saying this, it is not difficult to perceive. He has, we learn, at two different times, earnestly requested the king to grant him permission to send him from the islands.

A few days since, one of our number being in the company of a gentleman from Boston, was informed, that Mr. B. had rendered himself so obnoxious to the foreigners, that they were about to draw up a petition, which they would all sign, for sending him away from the

islands.

If asked the reason of their dislike, they cannot answer the question in fair charges. They will say, perhaps, “He forbids the people to kindle fires on the

A youth, about 14 years of age.-Ed

Sabbath: through his advice they are forever at their books, or their prayers, or engaged in singing hymns: the people are indolent, and neglect their lands: he thinks the people are all Christians, and will believe nothing to their disadvantage: he is overbearing, and dogmatical, and preaches a most terrifying doctrine: "he interferes in matters of government."

These charges may be brought against every preacher in the mission, as truly as against Mr. Bingham, and, except the last, are too trifling to merit confu

tation.

The friends of national improvement will be sorry to be informed, that the adverse influence did in this instance prevail.

The king, notwithstanding Karaimoku's refusal, was induced to go, and, just as the worship closed, rode by, on his return, with a concourse of foreigners and natives, to the great grief of Kaahumanu, who had attended the prayer-meeting, and, who remarked, as he passed, See, there is the kinghe has yielded to the foreigners."

ation of all good human laws; and affirming that all men are bound to obey them.

During the minority of the young king, Karaimoku and Kaahumanu are legally the regents of the islands, and it is only by courtesy that any matters are now referred to him. It is stated in the letter, from which the above extracts were made, to be the belief of the missionaries, that a constant and powerful influence has been used, by individuals, in violation of their sacred duty, to create in the young prince an undue feeling of his importance in the present administration of government, and to render him dissatisfied with the measures of the regents-they being altogether friendly to the missionaries, and to the adopting of a system of laws which shall embrace the entire decalogue.*

Efforts have also been made to divert the attention of the youthful king and of his attendants from the instructions of the mission

It should be said, however, that this prince is a very interesting and promising youth, and has hitherto pursued a far more unexceptionable course of conduct, than could have been

situation.

Without an unpropitious foreign influence, there is reason to believe he would be diligent in preparation to discharge the duties of a wise and pious sovereign. And as it is, there is much ground for cheerful expectation. His confidence in the only persons at the Sandwich Islands, who attempt the moral, religious, and literary instruction of the inhabitants, appears not to be shaken. He attends the regular religious services of the Sabbath,and encourages the native teachers to meet in his house, during the intermission for prayer; and he is seen, also, at religious meetings held during the week.-Let him be remembered in the public and private intercessions of all, whose philanthropic feelings have been pained by the foregoing developement of facts.

After having concluded his statements, of which a part only are here inserted, this missionary proceeds as follows:

the communication mentioned above.

A horse-race had been proposed, by the foreigners, for the first Monday of this month, and the time fixed for the race, was the hour when the little church and the serious people of this place were to be assembled for prayer. Previously to the race, Mr. called on Karaimoku, and asked permission for the king to be present. He refused, say

The chief cause of all the opposition at the islands has been the disposition of the chiefs to adopt the entire decalogue as the basis of jurisprudence. Ed.

that, in the course of three months, considerable additions will be made to the Sandwich Island church, and that the present number of native members will be more than doubled.

It is stated, incidentally, in a part of the letter not published, that Nahienaena, the sister of the young king, is one of the candidates for carly admission to Christian fellowship. And it may certainly awaken hope concerning the future career of these two youths, that their mother was the excellent Keopuo lani, and that many of her pious instructions must be engraven on their memories.

Progress of Instruction.

IN a letter from Mr. Chamberlain to the Assistant Secretary, dated in July of last year, a description is given of an examination of schools at Honoruru. More than 2,400 scholars were present under the direction of 66 native teachers. Between five and six hundred of the scholars belonged to the districts in the vicinity; the rest resided in the village.

Mr. Chamberlain thinks, that not less than a third part of the population of Oahu give their attention to instruction, in some form or other. How large a portion of the inhabitants of all the islands are acquiring the rudiments of knowledge, it is not possible to tell: but it is stated, that 41,000 copies of an elementary book have been printed, and nearly all distributed; and that an edition of 10,000 copies of the hymn book, which has been frequently mentioned in this work, as going off very rapidly, though the missionaries are careful to give away copies to none, unless they can read, or have made such progress that they will soon be able to read. The entire edition would be gone in three months, were every one who applies, to be supplied with a copy. Two extracts from Mr. Chamberlain's correspondence will show with what avidity the islanders are beginning to seek for the means of instruction:

Many amusing anecdotes might be related of persons applying for books, serving to show the eagerness with which these means of instruction are sought. At different times, in the course of a season, you would see natives of every age, from childhood to grey hairs, bringing every kind of product of the earth, or of their labor, which they might have at command, soliciting a palapala. You would see one with a melon, another with a bunch of bananas, a sugar cane, a bundle of ohias, (the apple of the Sandwich Islands;) you would see some with potatoes and taro, others with eggs, a fowl, or kid, a bundle of sticks for firewood, a ball of native cord; and another begging for some kind of work, that he might earn a spelling-book.

Slutes are in very great demand. Mr. C. says, that when he walks abroad, he is frequently accosted in the native language thus: Aohe anei oe i wahi papa pokuku?

"Have you

not some slates?" Something will then be offered in exchange, and if he does not happen to want the thing mentioned, the native will propose something else, and if that is re

fused, he will then offer to go and work for the mission.

We do not intend, says Mr. C., to sell the slates for money, if we can possibly avoid it, but for such things as are needful for our support: and yet there have been instances where I have felt constrained to take money for slates. I will mention one. In walking to the village, a few days ago, I was met by a native having a dollar and a half in his hand, which he held out to me with the request, that I would give him slates for it. I said to him, "We do not sell for money, we did not come here to get dollars." He replied, "I know it, but, however, let me have slates, that I may write the word of God." As I persevered in declining to take the money, he put it into my pocket; and when I took it out to return it, he withdrew his hands, and refused to receive it, saying, “It is yours.' Being pleased with his perseverance, I concluded to sell him a couple.

In another letter, of a date somewhat earlier, Mr. Chamberlain says, that the natives make no opposition to the missionaries, but believe them to be their friends, and begin to manifest some gratitude for the benefits which have been conferred by the mission. He says, moreover, that the islanders receive the instructions communicated from the Scriptures as undoubted truths, and seem to feel them to be of importance.

I hear, he continues, no cavillingsno murmurings that these are hard sayings: and the conviction has pressed upon me very forcibly, of late, that the word of God carries its own evidence along with it, and brings to the conscience of the most illiterate a conviction of its divinity. I am the more convinced of this from the fact, that it has not been in the power of the mission, on account of their imperfect knowledge of the language, to take up the evidences in favor of the divine authority of the Scriptures, and defend them by labored discussions against the ob jections of infidel men. We have brought them the Bible, placed it before their eyes, and said, "Here is the word of God; it tells you what you must do to be saved. It informs you that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that he who believes on him, shall be saved, and that he who believes not, shall be damned."

In July one of the missionaries commenced the tour of Oahu, in company with Kaahumanu, Opiia, and other chiefs. The object of the tour was, to arouse the attention of the people as much as possible to the subject of religion, and, by explaining and recommending the law of God, to prepare the way for establishing, as soon as should be practicable, the decalogue, as the foundation of jurisprudence in the islands.

I then asked him, in the native language where he was born. He said, in that place; and then stated, in answer to my inquiries, that his parents were islanders-that he had had one brother who was white like himself, but was now dead-and that his own complexion had always been the same as at present. His eyes, his eyebrows, and his hair, were as white as flax.

We again commenced our voyage, with the sea running mountains high. I have not seen greater waves, since I

Islands is to be estimated.

The limited observation of some well meaning persons, who have visited these islands, and their varied impressions and accounts, render the following remarks of Mr. Chamberlain, worthy of particular attention.

Whatever 'is said of the improvement, and of the interesting state, of this people, is to be understood comparatively. If this island were to be visited by a person from a civilized land, who had never before seen a heathen people, had never thought much upon the subject of their degradation, and had never seen a nation just emerging

from heathenism and wretchedness, he might be tempted to inquire,-"Where is the civilization, where the boasted improvements, where all those things which have been so much talked of in the social circles of America?"

TAUAI.

EXTRACTS FROM MR. WHITNEY'S JOURNAL.

(Continued from p. 186.)

Continuation of the Tour around the Island.

May 1, 1826. Owing to the steep mountains, which project quite into the sea, I was obliged to send my horse back by the way we came, and take to the canoe, with the chief and his wife. Having a fair wind, though heavy sea, we soon landed at Wainiha. Here the people did not like to assemble, on account of the rain. While the governor was talking, they all hung down their heads, as if afraid; not a man among three hundred would look at the speaker. I requested them to look up, saying, "fear not, for behold we bring you glad tidings;" at which they all looked up, and appeared quite interested.

After service I saw a white man, dressed in native style. I spoke to him in English, but he made no reply.

at Haena, and it being Monthly Concert, I preached from the words, "Thy kingdom come

2. At an early hour commenced our voyage, and ran about twenty miles without being able to land, a precipice towering, most of the way, some thousand feet above our heads. The scenery was awfully sublime. At times, I felt rather fearful, as the wind blew hard, and the sea sometimes broke over the canoe. In the afternoon we landed.

3. Reached home early in the after

noon.

5. The governor arrived, and immediately went to the church to return thanks for preserving mercy, and the success with which our labors had been blessed.

General View.

Although the late tour has been attended with much labor, and some privations, I cannot look upon it but with devout gratitude. In every village Kaikioeva has addressed the people on the subject of turning to the Lord, and has gained a verbal consent from all, that they will no longer pursue the way of their forefathers, but will regard the Lord Jehovah as their God. I have preached in almost every village, and to more than five-sixths of the people have proclaimed the glad tidings of peace and salvation. With few exceptions, they have listened with attention, and in some instances with deep solemnity. I found a school in every village except two; and in some villages I found two or three schools.

The whole number of pupils in the schools of this island, is not less than six hundred, a great portion of whom are able to read the portions of Scripture, which have been printed. Both the chief, and his wife, and several of their followers (of whom I am not without hope of their being the true followers of the Lamb,) have shewed a zeal, well becoming the cause in which they have engaged.

10. A most distressing sickness has prevailed for some days past. Hardly a man, woman, or child has escaped. I have been called upon to visit them from day-light in the morning, till late in the evening, with scarcely any intermission.

An Inundation.

14. On returning from the church to the river opposite our house I perceived it fast rising, although there was here no rain. Assisted by five men paddling a canoe, I with much difficulty reached home. The river had now risen to the top of the bank, but still we felt quite unconcerned, as our house was elevated about four feet above, and Mr. Ruggles's about three. The water rising with astonishing rapidity, soon convinced us, that we must take measures for flight. The canoe was brought to Mr. Ruggles's door, where Mrs. R. and the children were taken in. By this time the water began to pour into our cellar windows. Mrs. Whitney and the children fled to the canoe, which was brought and fastened to a large tree, at our front door; whilst I, with much anxiety, stood on the door-step, up to my knees in the water, waiting the event. The poor natives, most of whom, not twenty minutes before, were thought to be too unwell to be removed from their mats, were all driven out of their huts, and seen wading and swimming about, to get upon dry ground. We had soon the pleasure of seeing the sand bank at the mouth of the river, break away, and the water then began to sink almost as fast as it had risen. But our cellar being full of water, and the house likely to fall, after saving every thing valuable, we took refuge with Mr. R. and family, whose house, though it had been perfectly inundated with water and mud, afforded us an asylum.—The flood was occasioned by heavy rains in the mountains, and it has effected, we fear, a great deal of damage.

20. Having pumped the water out of our cellar, and secured the walls, we again find ourselves pleasantly situated in our old house. Many of the sick around us are recovering, and the deaths have been fewer than we anticipated, though there are quite a number, who will probably not live many days.

The Mission Church.

28. Our little church consists of seven members, two of whom, Taiu and Tapule, have lately been received.

Keaveamahi, the governor's wife, will probably be received at our next communion. Others have applied for admission, together with Kaikioeva; but, as great caution is necessary, we think they had better wait a while, notwithstanding that their manner of living is very satisfactory.

June 1. After lecture, George Sandwich was united in Christian marriage to Mary, a young native who we have every reason to believe will be to him a faithful helper. George is a valuable assistant, and is doing much good.

HAWAII.

BYRON'S BAY.

The erection and dedication of a commodious church at this station, about the close of the year 1825, was mentioned in the journal of Mr. Bishop See p. 52. In a letter to the Corresponding Secretary, dated in April of the last year, Mr. Goodrich says, that nearly 2,000 persons regularly assemble in this house for the worship of God.

The

My situation, he continues, is more pleasant, than it was formerly. My house is about one quarter of a mile from the south-west shore of the Bay, and perhaps 70 or 80 feet above the level of the sea. The soil is principally a reddish loam, which extends over the divisions of Hiro, Hamakua, and a part of Kohala. I am pretty sure, that most garden vegetables, plants, tropical fruit, &c. would flourish here to perfection. As we are favored with frequent showers of rain, all things look flourishing. Probably no part of the island affords so beautiful scenery, as Hiro. murmuring of the mountain stream, and of the numerous cascades, and the living green every where beheld around, give a variety and richness to the landscape, that is not to be seen in other parts of the island. In some places near us, is found clay of so bright red, that it answers well for paint. Some of it could hardly be distinguished from the venetian red. It is principally found at the bottom of the ravines, beneath beds or strata of lava, from 50 to 400 feet thick. There is but very little variety in the mineral kingdom. All the rocks far around and near are composed of lava. Some, however, are very compact, and others quite porous.

LETTER FROM MR. BISHOP TO THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

Although the following letter has appeared in several public journals in this city and