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(Continued from vol. xvii, p. 283.)

pel, which, with the special blessing of that glorious Redeemer, whose name they have been taught to revere, may make them wise unto salvation.

20. To-day our precious heathen school at this place has been made to feel a griev ous blow. Nine of its number, some of the most promising, one a tolerably good interpreter, and one a member of our fami

THE journal of this mission lately received, occupies the space of nearly one year; that is, from Nov. 19th, 1820, to Nov. 12th, 1821. Besides the public journal, we have a length-ly, have been taken away with the design ened and highly interesting journal, kept by Mr. Bingham, during a visit of three months the island of Atooi;-containing, amid a variety of other notices, several animated descriptions of natural scenery, and of the mauners and customs of the natives. These communications will secure as great a space in the Herald, as we can consistently afford them; and we think our readers will find their interest increase as they proceed.—It should be remembered, that, at the commencement of this journal, the mission had been established at Woahoo but seven months.

Nov. 19, 1820. Sabbath. To-day our little congregation consisted principally of the natives of the island. The text was

chosen with some reference to the design of a number of our pupils and others, to go on the morrow to people an uninhabited island near the equator:-"But now they desire a better country, even an heavenly," Heb. xi, 16. The sermon was interpreted by Honooree,and was heard with attention. It grieves us to think, that a precious number of our beloved pupils, in whose dark minds the light of the Gospel begins to dawn, are now, to be removed from the privileges, which they have enjoyed; no more to attend with us at the public altar, or to listen to our instructions.

This afternoon the school finished learning the ten commandments abridged similarly to Watts's, and translated. We comfort ourselves, under the trial of parting with a number of our little charge, by the reflection, that they have, under our instruction, committed to memory these divine rules of human conduct, and have learned some of the grand principles of the GosVOL. XVIII.

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of settling the island above named, in lat. 4° 10′ N. long. 160° W. These dear ob jects of our care and attention, expressed much regret at parting with us, and with the school; and it is believed they could with difficulty have been persuaded to leave us, had they not been encouraged by their conductors to hope, that they should be instructed after their arrival at the destined isle. Such was our situation, that we could neither recommend nor discourage this singular enterprise; but, when they had determined to go, we furnished the company with Bibles, Testaments, school-books, a few miscellaneous books, a variety of garden seeds, &c. which, with proper care, cannot fail to be of service to them.

We

cherish the hope, that, through the influ ence of evangelical truth, a little of which they have begun to know, they may have a state of society as happy, at least, as Pitcairn's island enjoys.

Encouraging prospects at Atooi.

28. To-day Mr. Chamberlain returned from Atooi, having been absent 19 days. He left the brethren in prosperity, enjoying the favor of the king, and proceeding with the schools, the acquisition of the language, and other appropriate duties. Thus far our expectations with respect to Atooi, have been fully answered. Though Hoome! hoome, (G. P. Tamoree) appears to be friendly to the mission, he has but little influence at present, and it is feared he will have still less, without a thorough reformation. It is upon his father, that the brethren rely for the most important patronage. The king was pleased with the visit of Mr. Chamberlain, and with the letters sent him.-To Mr. Bingham he writes,—

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Thus we have repeated testimonials, both of his improvement, and of his high satisfaction with the mission.

With respect to their school and to their general propriety, Mr. Whitney writes;"God's mercies are still continued; and

as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands, bearing marks of the spirit of the age, and of more than the ordinary interest of a respectable stranger, in favor of our own enterprise. The letter is dated,

Rev. Sir,

Kamtschatka, St. Peter and St. Paul, Sept. 5, 1820.

WITH exalted sentiments of Christianity, I had the happiness to peruse your evangelical epistle, which was handed me by Mr. Clarke.

I cannot help observing, that its date, with the important contents, and the aus

though it falls not to the missionary topicious events of the Sandwich Islands, drink of an unmingled cup, we have cause for eternal thanksgiving. Our little school still continues to prosper. The youth, I think, are becoming more and more interested in learning. We often look upon them as Obookiahs, Hopoos, and Honoerees in miniature."

which prepared the way for your great work, appear to me to be stamped with something marvellous. The deep impression, which this glorious event has made upon my mind, continues yet to occupy my imagination; and I firmly believe in the interposition of divine Providence in behalf of your great undertaking.

I beg you will accept my warmest thanks for the favor you have done me, in com

We have reason to think that the visit of Mr. Chamberlain was timely; and though his absence of 19 days from this station could not but be felt, yet we are far frommunicating news so gratifying to my feelregretting it.

An agricultural experiment.

Dec. 2. Having finished a small enclosure of about two and a half acres, including our buildings, Mr. Chamberlain proceeded to plant a garden. This is probably the best season in the year to plant, || in this part of the island, where, except in the winter and spring months, there is not sufficient raim for many kinds of productions. Could we have the privilege of watering this ground from the river, it would, in the dry season, richly repay the laborer for his toil.

ings, and you shall have my fervent prayers unto our Lord, for the preservation of your precious life, consecrated for the happiness of the people, where you have devoted yourself to pass the remainder of your days, and where all your enjoyments and labors are closely connected with eternity.

You wish to know, honored Sir, the moral condition of the people of Kamtschatka. I have the satisfaction to inform you, that, except a few wandering tribes, all the aborigines enjoy the sweet blessing of the Gospel of our Lord, and even these wandering tribes are visited by our priests, to recommend to them the principles of Christianity; but, since through all the extensive empire of our much beloved sovereign, so

Letter from the Governor of Kamtschat justly styled by you, the "great patron of

ka.

5. To-day the brig Pedlar returned from the north, and our friend, Capt. Pigot soon called upon us, having visited the Russian settlement at Kamtschatka and Norfolk sound. He passed through Beering's straits on a fair day, and had a fine view of the two continents at once. He penetrated as far north in the Frozen Ocean, as Kotzebue's sound, which is properly a large bay, making into the American continent, and was lately discovered by the navigator, whose name it bears. There the Pedlar fell in with two Russian ships of discovery which may, perhaps, visit these islands.But we are specially interested in a communication from the Russian governor of Kamtschatka, addressed to Mr. Bingham, Ï

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benevolent institutions," the character of the pious and devoted missionary stands so high, that they need not doubt his protection, but rather command it, wherever the name of Alexander is pronounced;-I should be very happy to see any missiona ries, who would choose to visit the peninsula of Kamtschatka, and offer them all the assistance in my power..

I have the honor to inform you, that, as I am now about to send our post away for St. Petersburgh, a copy of your epistle is prepared to be transmitted to our Minister and the President of the Bible Society, Prince Gallitzin, who will not fail to pre. sent it to our emperor. I am quite proud of the idea that Kamtschatka's post, barren by itself, will announce, this time, to all Christendom, the most glorious event for

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the kingdom of our Lord of heaven and earth.

With sentiments of high esteem, yours faithfully, PETER RICKORD.

P. S. You will oblige me very much, should you deliver the enclosed, personally to the king Tamahamaha, 2d.

It is pleasant to know, that this new correspondence may be the means of giving joy to many of the friends of Christ in Asia and Europe, as well as in America; and to think, that this little band of pilgrims, away in the uttermost parts of the earth, have found a friend and neighbor, even in Kamtschatka.

arrives, even if that should be delayed three or four months. The scene of the play is a large yard, contiguous to the house of the governor. The ground is covered with rushes brought by the dancers, chiefs, men, women and children. Those, who danced, were arranged in seven long rows; and, when one moved, all moved in the same way; and, though they advance and retreat, turn around, incline to the right or left, and employ a great variety of extended motions of the arms, legs and body; there is no interchange of station, nor material change of relative situation among them. The musicians, or those who sing and violently beat with a small stick upon a longer one, thus measuring the time with 9. Presented a Bible to a Roman Cath- great exactness, and also by stamping their olic seaman, who expressed his thanks, feet upon the ground, are arranged in two and promised to read it. We have repeat-long rows behind the dancers, having their ed opportunities of distributing copies of the Word of life; and we have reason to be thankful, that, through the aid of the American Bible Society, the Hartford Auxiliary Bible Society, and some others, we are furnished with the means of doing good in this easy and pleasant way.

Examination of the School.

14. Quarterly examination of the school. Mr. Loomis, who, for the last month, has had the care of the school, conducted the examination. Captains Pigot and Meek, Mr. Holmes, and several other gentlemen were present, and expressed their satisfaction at witnessing what they considered rapid improvement in the members of the school. Dexter and Nathan Chamberlain were examined in geography, writing and reading; John Honooree exhibited a few arithmetical calculations performed to-day, which the gentlemen were pleased to examine, and found generally correct. Our new scholars recited their various lessons in spelling and reading in English, and then, in concert, rehearsed their sabbath lessons in the language of the country. Hannah Homes and William Beals, agreeably to a previous proposal, received each a Bible, in consequence of reading intelligibly from the English Scriptures. They appeared much delighted, both with their success, and with their reward. With great satisfaction, we committed this infant seminary to the blessing of God, and closed the interview with thanksgiving and prayer.

A Native Dance.

20. To-day, Mr. Bingham witnessed the hoodah-hoodah, or public dance, which is said to be in honor of Reho-reho, and the expected heir of Mr. Pitt, (Krimakoo.) It has continued eight or ten days, and probably will continue till after the king

leader in front of them. Those who dance, often sing with the musicians, and sometimes one female voice alone carries on the song, while all the rest are silent. The female distinguished to-day as the singer of the solo, was taken prisoner when the rebel chief, Koaakalana was killed.-One of the musicians, being asked what number of men and women were engaged in the dance, replied in their method of enumeration, "three forties and three tens of men, and three forties of women;" that is, 270 in the whole.

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[At the close of the day it was discovered, that, in an enclosure, near the gate of the yard, the natives had set up a small im. age, dressed out with tappa and beads. On being interrogated as to its nature, they said it was Alooah hoodah-hoodah, the god of the dance; though, on being further ques tioned, they said, "it is play." This is probably the idol, which Hopoo (p. 191,) calls the singing god.—The following are the reflections of the missionaries on this occasion.]

What is the real design of setting up this lying vanity, it is difficult to tell. It seems the master of the hoodahhoodah found it somewhat difficult to preserve perfect order in the play, without resorting to some such expedient as that of setting up an idol, or reviving at least a part of the taboo system. Some were unwilling to acknowledge the authority of such a deity, particularly as it was contrary to the views of the king. Some refused to submit to the restraints of the taboo system, because they were convinced of its folly, and others, on account of the intolerable task which it imposed; but others still, feeling the evil of living without any god, chose, as a lesser evil, to have what is confessedly a false god. None but

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Jehovah knows their hearts; but so much as this appears probable, that, were not idolatry an intolerably heavy burden, we should have distressing reason to fear, that, || in spite of the light of revelation, which begins to shine here, and the efforts of Christians to establish the kingdom of Christ, a great portion of the people would return to their abominations.

Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston,

21. Early this morning, the discharge of heavy guns announced the approach of the Cleopatra's Barge, and, as we supposed, the king, and Mr. and Mrs. Thurston. Bud it was soon found, that the king had not arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Thurston, however, were welcomed with much joy. Several hundred natives thronged around them, as they landed, and escorted them to the humble missionary establishment, where, after the most cordial salutations, our whole circle joined in singing, "Kindred in Christ for his dear sake," &c. and in united thanksgiving to God for his multiplied and undeserved mercies.

In the evening, as we were sitting in Mr. Loomis's room, we heard a loud rap at the window, and the well known voice of the beloved Hopoo, who had arrived in the brig Neo, this afternoon. He has attended the king in his wanderings, with much canstancy, and watched over the little brother of the king, with kind solicitude; and is willing to follow them still, though it often subjects him to privations and hardships, which his health sometimes seems but poorly able to sustain. But this is his deliberate and decided choice, while things remain as they now are.

22. Fitted up lodgings for Mr. and Mrs. Thurston in Honooree's house, which he willingly relinquished for their present ac'commodation.

23. Honooree and Hopoo held a conference meeting at the house of Hannah Holmes.

24. Blessed with the privileges of another Sabbath. A considerable audience listened to the word preached by Mr. Thurston.

25. Christmas. To us this has been a happy Christmas, by the arrival of letters from America, by the brig Lascar, Capt. Harris, and the ship Tartar, Capt. Turner, containing volumes of interesting intelligence, some articles of comfort, and our house frame. The owners and masters of these vessels are entitled to our warmest thanks for this important and gratuitous service.

26. Mr. Hunnewell, our constant friend, returned the subscription paper for the orphan school fund, having raised by subscription $120, during the last month.

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The whole amount subscribed is now $535.

27. Thomas Hopoo sailed in the "Young Thaddeus," for Mowee. Yesterday, he had an interesting conversation with a chief and chiefess, and their train, from Witeete, who came to visit us, and spent most of the day at our house. They left with us an adopted daughter, about 12 years of age, to be instructed and trained up in our family. They all listened with attention, while Thomas told them about heaven, about the Savior, the immortality of the soul, &c. May he be a burning and shining light in this land of darkness.

Reflections at the close of the year.

31. The close of the year,―a year marke ed with vicissitudes and crowned with goodness, and whose history, as it respects us, is a history of mercies. We have been brought from the deeps of the stormy Atlantic, through the swelling dangers of La Maire and Cape Horn, and conducted in safety over the more peaceful waters of the Pacific, and allowed to take up a quiet residence in these isles of the Gentiles, and to commence the great work of enlightening and redeeming, by the power of the everlasting Gospel, this long lost race of

men.

Letter to a Chief on the North-West Coast.

Jan. 8, 1821. By the brig Lascar, we wrote to the head chief of the most important tribe on the North-West Coast, called Capt. Skittegates, who has expressed a desire to know something about the missionaries here, and to inquire, "why they do not come to him." We send our letter to Skittegates, by the hand of Mr. Conant, our friend, who understands so much of the language of the Kigene tribe, as to be able to make known its contents. We have endeavored to make this chief acquainted with the design of this mission, and with the intention of good men, to send missionaries to our brother Skittegates and his people; to plant the tree of peace on the North-West Coast, that all its tribes may sit under its branches, and eat of the fruit together; and to make the children of Skittegates take hold of the words of the Great Spirit, and love Jesus Christ, who died for their sins. We also proposed to Skittegates, that, if he would send us one or two of his own children, we would take good care of them, and teach them good things, and send them back in some good ship, when they are sufficiently prepared to be useful to their countrymen. We authorized Mr. Conant to tender to the chiefs on that dreary coast, the assurance, that a mission would be attempted among them,

as soon as there should be a fair prospect of security and usefulness there. This chief has said, we are told, that he would protect missionaries, if they would come to live with him. We requested Captain Meek to bring us one or two promising youth, if he could obtain them, to be educated here, with a view to their future usefulness to the tribe. This will doubtless, lead to inquiries among the northern tribes, and may prepare the way for a mission there. It may kindle a fire in that frozen region, which shall shine even on the tops of the stony mountains, and terminate in the evangelizing of that wretched portion of our lost race.

Landing of articles for the Mission.

While we are laboring to impart to others the bread of life, we have the promise, "verily thou shalt be fed." To-day we received, from the ship Tartar, a variety of important articles for our comfort, sent by the Prudential Committee. All the articles mentioned in the bill of lading, and others mentioned by the Treasurer, excepting the house frame and lumber, have been delivered in a good condition, by Capt. Turner, gratis, to whom, with the owners, Messrs. Bryant and Sturgis, we owe our warmest thanks. All the articles sent, are truly acceptable, and we are particularly thankful to the Board for remembering us as to bread-corn. We have had but little flour, and some of the family felt the need of the bread to which they had been accustomed, and for which they could find no substitute; though others in the family are satisfied with the taro as a substitute, generally. Sea-biscuit, put up in rum casks, would come safely, and be very acceptable to some of the family. At present, no waving cornfields or wheatfields, promise to fill the garner of the husbandman, and it must be long before a comfortable supply of bread can be produced here. Teams are to be procured, and trained to the plough; the uncultivated lands are to be enclosed, which, without teams, or carriages, or roads, seems like a herculean labor; and then, seed is yet to be procured from foreign countries. No satisfactory experiment in the production of wheat or rye in these islands has come to our knowledge; and, though we have seen a variety of specimens of Indian corn, we have seen none which equals its perfection in the United States. We have planted about a quarter of an acre of corn for experiment. It came up well, but a worm, similar to that which sometimes cuts off the young blades of corn in Americá, has destroyed about half of it; and a smaller worm is now feeding upon the larger leaves of the remainder. Our garden vegetables share a

similar fate. Tara, potatoes, sugar-cane, and banannas, seem to be little injured by any insect or reptile.

10. Yesterday and to-day, Capt. Turner landed the frame and boards of our house, sent from Boston; for the freight of which, the owners make no account, while they generously confer on us a most important temporal favor.

Judicious conduct of the Children.

13. One of our pupils is allowed to attend the school half the day, on condition she will dance the other half. This is said to be the express order of Boka. Others of the school have been applied to today, as it is said, by order of the chief, to join the hoodah-hoodah. They are much distressed about it, as they prefer the pala-pa-la, (school,) and will not, without more express orders from the chief, be persuaded to leave the school.

14. Sabbath. To-day several of the larger pupils were directly called upon to join the dance. They replied, No, oku lah laboo, (It is the Sabbath day.) "Tomorrow we will come." To this the gov ernor's wife replied, miti. Such is our peculiar situation, that we have hardly thought it prudent to advise our pupils on this very delicate subject, as it is very obvious, that some of the enemies of our religion are seeking an occasion against the mission, and would be glad to say that we were interfering with the affairs of the chiefs, and opposing the orders or the honors of the government. We are much pleased, however, with what we consider the judicious and decided stand, which six of our adult female pupils have taken of their own accord. They refuse to dance on the Sabbath, because Jehovah has come manded, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." They refuse to give up the school; but as they could not attend the school, to the entire exclusion of the dance, without subjecting themselves to censure or reproach, they have resolved and agreed to attend the school every day, and the dance every morning and evening, when called to it, except on the Sabbath.

Miscellaneous Notices.

18. Captains Lewis and Pigot, visited us and took tea. Capt. Lewis entertained us with an account of his visit to the Society Islands, about fourteen months since; his acquaintance and repeated interviews with Pomare and the missionaries there, particularly with Messrs. Nott, Crook, and Wilson, concerning whom he speaks highly. Theft is now scarcely known there, and a desire to possess and read the Scriptures is almost universal.

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