memorable day, in the history of those movements, by which the Gospel is communicated to distant heathens. The Committee, and all who felt a peculiar interest in the cause, had been anxiously waiting for intelligence. Much appeared to depend on the first reception of the missionaries. Great changes were known to have taken place at the isl ands, in consequence of the old king's death, and the subsequent renunciation of idolatry by the natives. Though this wonderful revolution seemed, in a high degree, favourable to the introduction of Christianity, yet it was impossible to tell what course things would take among a people without any fixed principles of action, ignorant of true religion, volatile in their dispositions, and fickle in their purposes. Well might

the considerate Christian look with some anxiety to the time, when the messengers of salvation should first come in contact with these pagan islanders. The ultimate triumph of the Gospel, in every dark region in the globe, is rendered certain; but it does not appear how many disappointments are to be experienced, and how long the faith of the church is to be tried, before Satan shall be expelled from his strong holds.

Most joyful, therefore, were the tidings, that the Missionaries had been safely conveyed to the desired scene of their labours, and had established themselves at different places, by the permission and request of the rulers, and with the favour of the people. The particulars of these interesting events have been so widely made known, that a brief recapitulation is all that the present occasion requires.

On the 12th of April, Mr. Thurston and Dr. Holman, with their wives, and two of the native youths, Thomas Hopoo, and William Tennooe, were landed, to take up their permanent residence at Kirooah. Many circumstances conspired to make this separation a tender scene. To Mr. Thurston and Mr. Bingham, who had been associated as pastors of the mission church, it was pecu

liarly so. But a sense of duty led them cheerfully to submit to this trial, and gave them faith to commend each other and their common cause to the protection of God.

In two days the vessel cast anchor opposite to Hanaroorah, a convenient harbour at Woahoo, and on the 19th, the remainder of the mission family, consisting of Messrs. Bingham, Chamberlain, Whitney, Ruggles, and Loomis, with their wives, and John Honoore, took up their residence among heathens and strangers. As a preparation for their comfort, they had received an offer from various residents, Americans and others, of small houses for their own shelter, and the storage of their goods.

Immediately on landing, the missionaries commenced the public and private worship of God, which they had regularly maintained down to the last intelligence from them. On the Sabbath, they preached not only to the mission family, but to many residents, officers of vessels, and seamen, who were occasionally present. In some instances, they preached on board of ships, at the request of the masters. Thus many immortal beings, speaking our language, most of them our countrymen, were again favoured with the proclamation of the Gospel, after a long absence from the means of grace. It is, indeed, a very important consideration, respecting this mission, that it brings divine truth to some, who have voluntarily, through a long portion of their lives, exiled themselves from the sanctuary; and to others, who would gladly hear the things which belong to their peace, though, from their pursuits, they have seldom enjoyed the preaching of the Gospel. When the missionaries preached, whether on deck or on shore, a very respectful attention was given by the hearers generally; and strong hopes were entertained, that two or three mates of the Thaddeus had experienced great and permanent benefit, from the religious instruction which they had

heard during the voyage, and after their arrival.

In this connexion it may be proper to state, that the masters of vessels, almost without an exception, showed kindness to the mission family, and appeared to wish great success to the undertaking. From their acquaintance with the chiefs, and from the trade which is carried on at the islands, they have it in their power to exert a very salutary influence over the minds of the natives. For every instance, in which they availed themselves of this power, to render the situation of the missionaries comfortable, they will receive the cordial thanks of all the friends of missions, to whom the knowledge of their kindness is communicated. Among the visiters, whose attentions had a cheering effect upon the minds of the missionaries, the name of Capt. Valentine Starbuck, formerly of Nantucket, but now master of a London whaler, deserves to be particularly mentioned. During several visits of considerable length, he manifested a great interest in the mission, and liberally imparted to it such articles as he could conveniently spare, beside subscribing generously to a school fund of which he and others laid the foundation.

The return of George to his father, is next described, with the pressing invitation of Tamoree to the missionaries, urging a part of them to reside on his island. Some of the reasons for such a measure are then stated, and the Report proceeds thus:

For these, and other reasons, it was deemed expedient that Messrs. Whitney and Ruggles, with their wives, should remove to Atooi, and commence the work of evangelizing the natives; trusting in the kindness of Providence to send ministers of the Gospel hereafter to enter into their labours, and teach the way of the Lord more perfectly. In accordance with this determination, these

brethren soon afterwards went to Atooi, a passage being kindly offered them by Capt. Cary, of the Levant. They were received with great affection by the king, and the principal persons about him, and entered without delay upon the preparatory measures for a missionary establishment. The removal took place about the 25th of July. Thus, in less than four months after the heights of Owhyhee met the anxious eyes of the missionaries, they had fixed upon three stations, designed to be permanent; and actually occupied them with the warm approbation of chiefs and people. In the course of this period, Mr. Loomis had been solicited to reside at Toeaigh bay, under the protection of Krimakoo, with a view to the instruction of several youths selected by him. At a convenient time this invitation was complied with; and Mrs. Loomis, who had become the mother of the first white child ever born in these islands, was left with the families of Mr. Bingham and Mr. Chamberlain.

Among the first arrangements, after obtaining habitations made in the fashion of the country, was an attempt, at each station, to collect a school, composed both of adults and children. These attempts were more successful than could have been expected among a people, none of whom had before attempted to learn the rudiments of the

English language, and whose native language had never been written. The kings, the chiefs, and the younger members of their families, were the first pupils. It was not to be expected, however, that adults in an untutored state, unaccustomed to any regular employment, would so far overcome their habits of idleness and dissipation, as to persevere in the drudgery of proceeding slowly from the alphabet of an unknown tongue, till they could perceive the benefits of learning. Accordingly, the zeal of the adults soon began to abate, and their studies to be intermitted. Children were more easily controlled, and more readily acquired a

taste for study. After the school at Hanaroorah had been in operation three months, principally under the care of Mrs. Bingham, a quarterly examination was held, in accordance with the prac tice in New England. Several masters of vessels, and other strangers were present. All united in expressing an agreeable surprise, that so much proficiency should have been made, in such circumstances, and within so short a period. As a part of the general system, by which it is hoped Christianity and civilization may be communicated to these destitute islanders, Sabbath schools have been commenced. They furnish a happy occasion of conveying the elements of religious instruction. Some of the pupils manifest a great desire to learn, and have exhibited tokens of deep seriousness, in regard to their own condition as sinners. The commandments, translated into the language of the islands, have been committed to memory by the members of the school generally.

By the aid of John Honoore, an evening conference has been established, at which divine truth is taught in a more familiar manner, than is consistent with propriety in sermons, designed for a large and promiscuous audience. Here prayers are offered in English, and in the language of the country; and here the praises of God are sung, as we trust, with true devotion.

The account of this Mission closes as follows:

It has been much regretted by the Committee, that they have not been able to send a large reinforcement to these stations, during the summer past. Additional labourers are urgently demanded.

Men enough are ready to go. The community in this country is abundantly able to furnish the means. Yet providence did not point out the way, in which the very desirable object of strengthening the Mission might be accomplished, without a longer time to obtain the pecuniary supplies, and to

provide the means of conveyance. During a great part of the year, the demands upon the Treasury were so great, when compared with the receipts, as to threaten very serious embarrassments, and as to impede the operations of se veral of the missions. It was also found impracticable to obtain passages for any considerable number of persons, in the vessels about to visit the Pacific Ocean. The Committee have sanguine hopes, however, that the same impediments will not exist during another year; and that the Board will have the satisfaction of imparting new activity to one of the most promising works of benevolence, in which the hands of Christians have been at any time engaged.

In the month of November last, George Sandwich, a native of these islands, embarked from Boston to join the Mission. He had been, for a considerable time, a professor of religion, and a member of the Foreign Mission School. He is intimately acquainted with the youths who preceded him, and will join those who remain steadfast, as an auxiliary in the various services, to which they are devoted.

In concluding their report of this mission, the Committee cannot refrain from expressing their grateful admiration of the kindness shown to it; though, in the mysterious Providence of God, its members experienced severe trials of a character little apprehended by them. If a prosperous voyage, the preservation of health and life, a wonderful preparation for the introduction of true religion, the favour of chiefs, and people, and resident foreigners, the united state of the mission church generally, the love of its members for their work, their assured hope of success, their confidence in God, can gratify the minds of those who anxiously look for the rising of the Sun of Righteousness upon the Gentiles; then the history of the Mission to the Sandwich Islands, for the first year after its embarkation, will furnish abundant topics of adoring gratitude for what we already know, and

scribed; after which stand the following paragraphs:

The desolation which a righteous God has brought upon countries where great and wealthy communities once existed, and where Christ was once honoured by the exemplary faith, and active zeal of his disciples, presents a gloomy subject of contemplation. The marks of degradation and misery are visible in every place, where the dominion of the false prophet is felt. Cheerless indeed would be the prospect, were it not certain, that Christianity will at last overthrow every system of error.

In the course of their journey, Messrs. Parsons and Fisk distributed 21 Bibles and Testaments, and 1,300 Tracts. Wherever they found Greeks able to read, books were received with joy and gratitude. At Philadelphia, a very anxious desire was expressed to receive Turkish Testaments. This is a peculiarly favourable omen; as the exertions of the British and Foreign Bible Society and of the Russian Bible Society, will ultimately supply the whole Turkish empire with the Scriptures, in a language spoken by so many millions of Mahometans. The Missionaries experienced many civilities from ecclesiastics of the Greek church, the Russian consul at Haivali, and other individuals, to whom they had letters of introduction; and they returned to Smyrna with a grateful sense of the divine pro

tection.

A brief account is inserted of Mr. Parsons's voyage to Jerusalem; and the narrative is thus continued:

The arrival of Mr. Parsons at Jerusalem, the first Protestant Missionary who has entered that field with a view of making it the centre of his own evangelical exertions, will be regarded as an important event. As in every other case, the issue of this enterprise must be left to the disposal of unerring Wisdom. We may humbly hope, that these

beginnings will be followed by increasing and successful efforts, till pure religion shall experience a revival in Palestine, and the church of God shall shine forth with distinguished effulgence, in the land of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles.

Just before the departure of Mr. Parsons from Smyrna, the British chaplaincy at that place had become vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Williamson, whose kindness to our Missionaries will long be remembered with gratitude. At the request of the principal English residents, Mr. Fisk preached in the chapel, till the arrival of a successor to Mr. Williamson. The respect and confidence implied in such a request, from members of a different religious communion, cannot fail of being highly appreciated, as indicating a truly catholic spirit.

During the winter, Mr. Fisk pursued various preparatory studies; distributed books, as he had opportunity; visited schools; gave religious instruction in families, especially on the Sabbath; corresponded with the friends of Missions in the east; collected information from every source within his reach; and looked forward to various inviting fields of labour. In April, he made a tour to Ephesus, in company with Mr. Perkins of Smyrna, and two gentlemen from Boston. Not a single inhabitant is now to be found amid the ruins of Ephesus, formerly one of the most wealthy and populous cities in that part of the world. At a little distance from these ruins, is the Turkish village of Aiasaluck, containing a few miserable huts. The candlestick is indeed removed out of its place, according to the solemn intimation of the Saviour, in his epistle to the apostolic church on this ground. Mr. Fisk gave a few Tracts to Greek peasants, who could not read themselves, but who promised to deliver the Tracts to the priests and the schoolmasters of the village where they lived.

The present tumults in the Turkish