Boston, S. A. Danforth, Agent. (Of wh. fr. a lady, 20,) Essex co. North, Aux. So. J. Caldwell, Tr. Ipswich, S. par. m. c. 185; fem. miss. so. 26; Newburyport, 1st pres. ch. gent. and la. 208; m. c. 170; wh. cons Mrs. HARRIET SANBORN, Mrs. MARY NELSON, and Miss MARY C. GREENLEAF, H. M.; Dr. Dimmick's so. m. c. 36,25; Mr. Fisk's 211 00 so. m. c. 18; 432 25-643 25 625 07 A friend, 100; do. 10; Andover, So. of inq. in Phillips acad. to cons. JOSEPH H. GILMORE of Concord, N. H. an H. M. 100; two chil. 32c.; E. 15; Chapel cong. 25; W. par. juv. miss. so. 37; Brighton, cong. ch. and so. 129,64; two boys, for Dr. King, 30c.; Cambridge, SIMON GREENLEAF, wh. cons. him an H. M. 100; Chelsea, Broadway ch. m. c. 27,78; Winnisimmet ch. m. c. 19,50; E. Cambridge, evan. cong. ch. m. c. 4,43; Malden, Trin. ch and so. m. c. 7,83; Reading, Miss A. D. for school at Good Water, Choc. na. 2; 578 80 2,116 80 264 00 2,380 80 Chatauque co. Aux. So. S. H. Hungerford, Tr. Geneva and vic. C. A. Cook, Agent. Centre Lisle, Cong. ch. Cortlandville, Pres. ch. 65; young people's miss. 8o. 37,65; Geneva, Pres. ch. R. S. 5; W. H. S. Newark Valley, Rev. M. Ford, wh. and prev. dona. cons. JOSEPH C. FORD an H. M. 33; cong. ch. 54; ss. for sch. on Mt. Lebanon, 20; 107 00 Owego, Pres. ch. 146 42 25 41 1 50-543 93 Fairfield co. East, Aux. So. Rev. J. S. Whittlesey, Tr. New York City & Brooklyn Aux. So. J. W. Huntington, cong. so. gent. 30,04; Tracy, Tr. (Of wh. fr. a friend, wh. cons. ELIZABETH GELSTON an H. M. 100; E. D. Morgan, to cons. EDWIN D. MORGAN, Jr. an H. M. 100; Brooklyn, S. pres. ch. D. W. Ingersoll, to cons. Mrs. HARRIET INGERSOLL an H. M. 100; m. c. 84,38 ;) Oneida co. Aux. So. J. Dana, Tr. New York Mills, Fem. miss. so. (of wh. to cons. Mrs. M. D. KIRK an H. M. 100,) 116,39; pres. ch. and so. 43,66; ded. disc. 80c. ; St. Lawrence co. Aux. So. H. D. Smith, Tr. Brasher Falls, F. & S. R. Taylor, 84 20 602 94 60 00 15 00-75 00 159 25 6 00 77 45 25 00 30 00 East Windsor, Rev. S. B. and Mrs. B. Manchester, 1st ch. 19,32; 2d do. m. 5 00 c. 7; South Windsor, A friend, 10; Long Hill, dis. m. c. 10,50; Adams, 1st pres. ch. (of wh. fr. R. Stow, for Edward W. Stow, Ceylon, 20.) 60,25; Albany, 4th pres. ch. 100; Auburn, Miss Powell's sch. for Miss Fisk's sch. Oroomiah, 4; Aurora, Ist pres. ch. m. c. 45; L. Himrod, 25; Barre, cong. ch. m. c. 8; Centre s. s. for Dr. Scudder, 5; Collamer, Mrs. C. H. L. 5; Florida, pres. cong. fem. benev. Ro. 28; s. s. 2; Franklin, a friend, 50c.; Haverstraw, Central pres. ch. s. s. 22; Hudson, pres. ch. 156; Jasper, Mrs. C. L. 2; Maine, cong. ch. m. c. 5; New York, J. L. a sailor, 5; Poughkeepsie, 1st pres. ch 50; Salisbury, a friend, 5; Salisbury Mills, J. C. 8; Troy, Mrs. E. Dana, for sup. of a hea. youth, 20; Legacies-Canandaigua, Walter Hubbell, by W. S. Hubbell, Ex'r, (prev. rec'd, 120,) NEW JERSEY. Reddington, do. 120 00 17 50 44 75-182 25 MISSOURI. Bloomfield, Pres. ch. wh. cons. ZоPHAR B. DODD an H. M. 260,36; Fairton, 1st pres. ch. 24,70; I. M. 5; Newark, Mrs. W. WalJace, 100; a bro. and sis. 1; Park pres. ch. wh. cons. Rev. ENos OSBORNE an H. M. 50; Orange, 2d pres. ch. (of wh. fr. M. O. Halsted, wh. cons. Mrs. H. E. HALSTED an an H. M. 100,) 293; 1st pres. ch. 55,90; Rahway, T. M. 10; PENNSYLVANIA. Easton, R. D. ch. 15,02; Harrisburg, 1st pres. ch. cash, 5; Northern Liberties, Central pres. ch. 10; Miss M. C. 1; Philadelphia, A. G. C. 2,50; 1st pres. ch J. Gulliver, 25; Pittsburg, 1st pres. ch. W. Jones, 25; A. A. Hardy, 25; Pottsville, 1st pres. ch. and s. 8. 50; West Nantmeal, pres. ch. 7.12; York, 1st pres. ch. S. Small, 25; Mrs. McD. 20; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Washington, 1st pres. ch. miss. asso. 109,19; Portland, 20; MARYLAND. Donations received in August, Legacies, 9,240 41 572 22 By G. L. Weed, Tr. Amesville, 33,63; chil. 1,04; Barlow, 7,67; Collville, 7.96; Coshocton, 21; children, 3; Dayton, 3d st. pres. ch. 40; Dresden, 29,95; Fulton, pres. ch. s. s. for Mr. Porter, Gaboon, 5; Marietta, cong. ch. 8,25; fem. sem. 17,21; McConnellsville, 2,41; New California, 8,15; Watertown, 8,25; Village ch. 12,50; Hudson, Wes. Res. coll. 3; Huntington, S. Clark, which and prev. dona. cons. Mrs. ELECTA CLARK an H. M. 50; Logan co. Rev. G. G. P. and wife, 5; J. R. P. 3 ; S. W. P. 3; Rootstown, cong. ch. 9: G. Case, 10; Streetsboro', s. s. 51c.; Windham, 54,59; Rev. H. B. 10; S. S. 10; E. E. 10; J. A. 10; DONATIONS IN CLOTHING, &c. Ashfield, Ms. A box, fr. ladies for Mr. Wilder, Zulu m. 25 00 Boston, Ms. 100 Greenleaf's Primary Arithmetic, fr. R. S. Davis & Co. Conway, Ms. A box, fr. young la. sew. so. for Dakota m. the schools have been suspended, during a portion of the last year, for want of funds; but most of LETTER FROM THE MISSION, JUNE 1, them have been continued with a good degree of 1852. THE Sandwich Islands mission held its last annual meeting at Honolulu from May 6 to June 4. The number in attendance was large; and many questions of interest passed in review. From the station reports it appeared that the Lord had been pleased to bless the labors of his servants. The additions to the churches have been quite numerous; and there are other indications of progress. Before the brethren separated, they addressed a general letter to the Prudential Committee, setting forth the state and prospects of the Hawaiian people. Portions of this document will be read with much satisfaction. say, Education. The missionaries first describe the condition of the common schools. These are found, they "in every nook and corner of the Islands." The number in 1851 was 535; but 105 of these were Roman Catholic. The number of pupils in the latter was 2,506; while the Protestant pupils amounted to 12,976, showing a slight advance since 1850. The cost of the common schools for 1851 was twenty-six thousand dollars; and the whole expenditure for education was sixty thousand dollars, three-fourths of which sum was paid by the government. It will be understood, of course, that the system of education in the Sandwich Islands is far from being perfect. Still there is progress, on the whole, as will appear from the following statement of the missionaries: "In a few districts efficiency. Indeed, they are as prosperous as they have ever been; and they are doing a great and good work for the nation. No one can have resided here ten years, without perceiving a decided change in the intelligence and mental capacity of all classes. And we see many proofs of an increasing value set upon education. Parents are more desirous of having their children educated, and more ready to provide books and other facilities for their improvement." But much depends, in such a community, on the higher institutions of learning. In speaking of these the mission say: "There are several boarding and select schools for natives, which furnish teachers for common schools, as also pupils for the seminary. They are highly valued by us and by the people. The seminary at Lahainaluna has been conducted the past year by two missionary teachers and one assistant; and it has had seventy scholars. Twenty-five are to be received in addition during the present year. One class is pursuing the study of theology to some extent, with a view to entering the ministry." The Punahou school has had an average of thirty-nine pupils during the past year, most of them from the mission families. And there are several other English schools at Honolulu, which are regarded as very important and even indispensable, for the proper training of the foreign children. Before dismissing the subject of education, our brethren refer to an important change in the royal school, formerly restriated to the children of the chiefs. "An elegant building has been they say, erected for it in a pleasant part of Honolulu," for the first time, it was proclaimed that at an expense of eight thousand dol-nothing would henceforward be called lars; and a well qualified teacher has been pro- law, that should not be printed with the cured from the United States. Assistant teachers King's signature. This was as great a are also employed. The feature which now step as any nation could well take at gives this school great interest, is that it is open once. It broke up the foundations of to the children of all foreign residents; and its that tyranny and deception which reigned pupils already amount to about sixty. During everywhere, and rested as an incubus on our present session we have attended an examin- the people. It was the first movement ation in this institution; and we could not but towards establishing the rights of the notice, with pride and pleasure, how large and people, who henceforth had their tongues valuable a portion of its pupils were from fam- loosed, in every quarter, to plead their own cause against arbitrary power. ilies once belonging to this mission." Improvement in Legislation. In 1846 the statute laws were published, organizing the different departments of the general government. The In whatever relates to the form of organization of the judiciary soon folgovernment and to its administration, lowed, prescribing the regular order great progress has been made within a of courts, their duties and appropriate few years. Indeed, marked improve- officers. The last two or three years ments are taking place, as rapidly as can have brought forth a criminal code; and be expected, in all parts of the Islands. numerous provisions belonging to a civil Emerging from night and political chaos, code have been enacted, as the wants of escaping from a tyranny worse than that the people have demanded them. of Pharaoh, (for this land was originally The legislative powers of the Islands full of despots,) delivered from a system are vested in a House of Nobles, mostly of innumerable taboos, which knew hereditary, and a House of Representaneither reason nor mercy, this nation, tives, chosen by the people. The first gradually enlightened by the Bible, has House of Representatives was regularly been casting off its robes of darkness, chosen by ballot at the polls in 1851; and putting on garments of light. The the second has been elected in the same people are ready to abandon every thing way the present year; and the legislature peculiar to heathenism; and, as fast is now in session, discussing a new conas they are able, they are adopting stitution, which has been prepared with the institutions of civilized lands. The most enlightened and pious nations in the world, such as America and Great Britain, are those which they delight to follow. great care, and which will be in advance Not In 1839 we saw the first code of written law in this kingdom, if that could be called a code which had no system. It was about the size of a common tract, prepared entirely by a native, in many respects injudicious and defective; and it proved to be worse in its operation than any body had expected. There The erection of regular and substantial courtwere no lawyers to expound it, nor any houses and prisons was commenced last year, at judges skilled in enforcing it. Still it some of the principal places in the Islands; and was adopted as the law of the land by the undertaking will be carried forward, as rapidthe King and high chiefs; and it over-ly as the resources of the government shall allow. turned some of the works of darkness. The substitutes for these structures, in most inIn 1840, under the instruction of Mr. stances, are now of the rudest kind. Richards, the chiefs adopted a brief sometimes find," the mission say, "that a deep constitution for the nation; and within pit in the earth is used as a prison; but even the two or three years following, a new such a provision is nearly equal to the State code of laws took the place of the first, prison in Connecticut forty years ago." descending more to particulars, and dispensing justice with greater wisdom. Prior to that time, throughout the Islands, every one in authority had made laws A tax of six dollars a year, imposed according to his own caprice, or the on each taxable inhabitant of the Islands, instructions of his superiors. But now, is devoted to making roads; and the Other Changes. "We A few amount received is less than is needed to constitute a "mighty barrier to the ingress of inimake our lava-covered country passable. quity and infidelity." Roads are now in process of construction in every part of the Islands. substantial bridges have been built over difficult streams at important points; so that we hope it will be easier hereafter to travel from place to place. During the year past there has been more than usual religious interest at some of our stations. The slothful have become active; the sleepers have been aroused; and the dead in trespasses and We may add that our coasting vessels, sins have been raised to spiritual life. running from island to island, have more About fourteen hundred have been added than doubled their speed in the last to the churches by profession. Huntwenty years. The passage which for- dreds of suspended church members, merly occupied four days, is now often moreover, have returned to their duty, : performed in one, owing to a better class with tears of penitence and hearts broken of vessels, to more intelligence among for sin; and, having been restored to the natives, and to the enterprise of Christian fellowship, they are once more foreigners. walking in the faith and order of the gospel. Honolulu takes the lead in improvements. It has its noble custom-house, its costly court-house, its splendid and convenient market-house, and water brought in iron pipes from the mountain valley. The inhabitants of this city are making reservoirs, in different quarters, to fill the place with pure water for daily use and for safety in case of fire. The mails from the United States, which generally reach us once a fortnight after a passage of sixty days, give a fresh impulse to our minds and to our bodies. They will greatly modify the business of this portion of the world, and will brighten our prospects. After being separated from the land of our birth by a distance of five or six months, it is no small matter that we are, as it were, grafted back upon the stock from whence we came. That all who have been admitted to the churches from the first, should prove true and faithful disciples, was hardly to be expected. There are tares among the wheat; and the enemy hath sown them. But while there are hypocrites and selfdeceivers in our churches, there are others who give irresistible evidence of possessing true and living faith, and a firm determination, in the strength of the Lord, to pursue their onward course, whatever difficulties they may meet with, or whatever obstacles may be thrown in their way. At those stations where the influences of the Holy Spirit have been more especially enjoyed, there have been but few cases of discipline; and no outbreakings of gross immorality have appeared among the people. Some of our prisons are nearly destitute of inmates; and the district judges complain for want of something to do. There is one other sign of progress in the nation, more important than all which we have mentioned. We refer to the work of the commission appointed by At some of our stations there are the government to settle land titles. unmistakable marks of progress in morThey have already investigated the als and religion. A more consistent and claims of nearly all the people. The enlightened piety is becoming manifest; titles which they give, are not to be and there are many of our church memdisturbed or questioned by any of the bers, both male and female, whose authorities of the Islands; nor can they characters would not suffer in comparieven be reviewed by the highest courts. son with those of more enlightened They are intended to be as perfect and nations, on the score of benevolent and independent titles as are enjoyed by the efficient action. Their beneficence is citizens of any country in the world. taking a wider range, from year to year; These will invest the natives with rights, and their contributions for the support of hitherto unknown to any in the nation, their own religious institutions and for even to the highest chiefs. the spread of the gospel abroad are more liberal, according to their means, than those of the American churches. We risk nothing in engaging, in their behalf, In directing our attention to the religious to support the native part of the Microaspect of the Islands, the missionaries say that nesia mission. A vessel has been purthe principles of the gospel have reached every chased, which we think will be paid for class of society," forming a Christian element in by the natives and foreigners at the all the institutions of the nation." The churches Islands. State of the Churches. |