3,183 46

1,033 20

4,216 66

33 33

4,249 99

1,091 61

1,346 55

were organized at most of the stations. Since that time we have preached the gospel, trans

LETTER FROM THE MISSION, JUNE, 1853.lated and published the Scriptures, and opened

schools in every part of the land."

Such is a general view of the labors of the Sandwich Islands mission. Let us turn now to contemplate the results. The language of this letter is as follows: "Our little mission church, as originally formed, has expanded into a community of large churches, who build their own

THE Sandwich Islands mission met at Honolulu in May last, preparatory to its dissolution. Henceforward the brethren who labor among the Hawaiian churches, are to sustain a new relation to the American Board and to its patrons. It is for this reason that the present communication is prefaced with certain reminiscences of a very in-chapels, support their own pastors in whole or in teresting character.

What God hath wrought.

part, send Christian missions to other island groups of the Pacific, and furnish funds to the government for their primary schools through every part of the kingdom. Such is the state of things among a people, who thirty years ago. were dwelling in the lowest depths of degradation and vice. Such is the blessing which God has been pleased to confer on this nation, through the power of his word committed to our hands. These being the facts, we can no longer accouut them heathen, nor consistently look to the American churches for an entire support, as in former years. The finger of Providence points us to assume a new and distinct relation to our patrons and to the churches of our native land."

Recurring to the commencement of the mission, our brethren say: “ A little more than thirty-three years ago, a number of individuals from different parts of the country were assembled in Park St. Church, Boston, and were there constituted by Dr. Worcester and others the Sandwich Islands church and mission. This company of persons sailed soon afterward for these islands, and in due time arrived, and took up their abode here. Their first attention was directed to the acquisition of the native language; and their first labors were expended in giving instruction in the EngBut this is not all. In blessing the people of lish tongue. For two or three years, the efforts these distant islands, the Lord has also rememof the mission were confined to the King, chiefs,bered the missionaries. Indeed, he has bestowed and their immediate attendants. When their upon them favors which they prize above all number had become larger, and new stations others. Let us hear their own testimony: "Our were taken on the different islands, and the lan- own families have shared the blessing promised guage was reduced to a system, plans for the to believers and their offspring. Nearly all our extensive evangelization of the people were children, as they grow to years of maturity, proadopted. Chapels were erected; schools were fess to experience a saving change, and take upestablished; and books were printed. But it on themselves the vows of the Christian covewas during the year 1826, that regular churchesnant. Some of them are now settled in life; and,

VOL. XLIX.

24

walking in the ways of their fathers, they are it to say, that we returned to our several rearing their children for the Lord. We would posts, encouraged and strengthened for give to God alone the glory for all these favors, the labors of the coming year; and, knowing that of ourselves we are unworthy of profiting by the accumulated experience them. Others, better than ourselves, have labor- of the whole mission, we were enabled ed long and faithfully, whose record is in heaven, to concentrate our efforts, as we could but who have died at their posts, without reaping not otherwise have done. Of so much the harvest which we have gathered. Even so, importance are these meetings to keep Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight."" up a proper unity of action, that we stil deem it necessary to come together as often as once in two years; more especially, as our new relations as pastors and home missionaries, in connection with the Missionary, Bible and Tract societies, will demand our united action.

Past Meetings of the Mission.

The following reminiscences are particularly appropriate.

Health.

In taking a review of the previous twelvemonth, the mission first speak of the health of the Islands. On this topic, their remarks are as follows: Fewer deaths have occurred during the past year than usual. In some places, indeed, the births have exceeded the deaths. Until recently, no fatal pestilence has visited us. Although a severe epidemic fever was imported a year ago, which prostrated multitudes, taking down whole families at a time, the healthful breezes of our

This being our last general meeting, as missionaries of the Board, we cannot separate without giving you a brief history of their past observance. During more than twenty-five years, they have been our only seasons for family gatherings; and towards them the families at the out-stations have looked with no ordinary interest. After spending the year away from civilization and Christian associates, the approach of the month of May was the signal to prepare for a voyage, from which crowded native vessels and dreaded sea-sickness could not deter us. These things were joyfully overlooked, that we might again see cies. Within a few weeks, however, the smalleach other's faces, press each other's pox has made its first appearance among the hands, and unite together in Christian Hawaiians, and is now spreading into the differfellowship. This was the season when ent islands. In Honolulu, where it began, it is we took sweet counsel together, reported carrying off large numbers; though it appears to the events of the year, formed plans of be somewhat checked by the measures taken to future action, discussed and settled every vaccinate the people. Our fears are that many important question relating to our work, of the inhabitants of these islands, so unused to awoke in each other's breasts the slum-take the necessary precautions against contagion, bering glow of Christian love towards will perish before the scourge shall pass away.” our people, and strengthened a mutual purpose to persevere in our self-denying labors.

climate divested the sickness of its mortal teuden

Romanism-Mormonism.

Two forms of error have been introduced into the Sandwich Islands. In respect to one of them our brethren say:

Our children shared a kindred feeling with us. Here they formed or renewed their acquaintance with each other. Before there was any public school, they were The Roman Catholics, with their high on these occasions organized into classes, and exclusive claims, are well known, and and exercised on the studies which they need not be described. We hear but had been pursuing in private at home. little about them, except that they are Every morning they were assembled in a here still, and laboring with their accusreligious meeting, conducted by one or tomed zeal to make proselytes. Of their more of the brethren, and addressed on success we know but little. They have the great subjects pertaining to their eter- a considerable party, composed of the nal interests. Many became seriously less intelligent class of the natives. impressed at these meetings; and from They have a few chapels built of perthem several dated their hope of a sav-manent materials, three or four, and a ing change. The mothers also held large cathedral at Honolulu. Most of their maternal associations, and discussed their places of worship, however, are the best methods of educating their chil-native-built, and in a state of dilapidadren, in the peculiar circumstances of tion. They have a seminary in which their isolated situation. But we cannot they train a company of youth; but as enumerate all the advantages derived they have no books of science or relifrom these annual gatherings. Suffice gion, we can hardly conjecture what is

taught, besides the French language | oppressions still emanate from the high chiefs; but, and the rites and forms of their church. on the whole, there is as much security for person Their common schools are little more and property, as is enjoyed by the people of any than nominally such; though their teach- other kingdom or republic. There appears to be ers are paid by the funds of the govern- no desire, on the part of the natives, for a change ment. In all their schools the Bible is of government; and the idea of annexation to the wanting; and what of arithmetic they United States would not be thought of by them, learn, they obtain from the press of our should foreign powers let them alone. mission. From some of our station re- legislation is generally good, though more wisports, we learn that the popish worship dom and experience are needed; but these can has died out. In other places, they have not be acquired at once. been making some little advance. But, tious. Prosperity and general intelligence among The future is propiso far as we can learn, the Roman Cath- the people are steadily advancing; though they olic religion is not on the advance in the Islands.

Of the other form of error, introduced among the Hawaiian people, the letter speaks as follows:

manner,

You have heard that a company of Mormon preachers landed here some three years since. Owing to their ignorance of the native language, they were but little known to the Hawaiians 'for a long time. But this obstacle being overcome, they have, for some time past, been sowing the seeds of their delusion in different places. The novelty of their doctrines excites some attention; but no very permanent impressions appear as yet to have been produced, except upon some loose and dissolute persons, who hope to profit by their principles. The Mormons affect a very zealous declare themselves the Latter Day Saints, "the only true church," and set down all others as hopelessly corrupt and doomed to destruction. They proclaim the near approach of the second advent, when all but themselves are to be destroyed, and the earth is to be given to the saints to occupy in peace and glory a thousand years. But their allowance of polygamy, with sundry obnoxious tenets, shows their true character. They are doubtless doing mischief, and that only. But they have no organizations that bear the stamp of perpetuity; and the character of their adherents is such that they must sooner or later crumble into disorganization.

The Government.

The mission have deemed it proper to bear their testimony to the character of the government under which they live. In reference to this matter, they speak on this wise: "The Hawaiian government is a constitutional monarchy, administered according to laws enacted by a House of Nobles and the representatives of the people. There are judicial tribunals, higher and lower, to which all but the King are subject. Some petty

Their

may not keep pace with the railroad speed of the nineteenth century." Those who read the Herald, will be satisfied with this testimony. For those who do not read it, it would be useless to furnish additional evidence.

State of the Churches.

"The

The mission naturally dwell at some length upon the condition of the flocks which the Good Shepherd has entrusted to their care. past year," they remark, "has been a time of They have not been favored with such extensive peace and quietness with the Hawaiian churches. and powerful revivals, as in some former years. The influences of the Holy Spirit, however, have visited several of our churches and congregabeen received into Christian fellowship. While tions; and about eighteen hundred and fifty have some are inclined to throw off the yoke of Christ, forsake the ordinances of the gospel, and return again to the beggarly elements of this world, we rejoice to see in others a determined purpose to uphold the institutions of religion, both at home and abroad." It is an interesting fact that these Hawaiian disciples are called upon to support their own pastors in part, and also missionaries in the destitute islands of the Pacific, at the same time. This will do much towards developing their true character. Such is the confident belief of the mission.

In regard to the aid derived from the churches, the brethren say: "We are happy to see the promptness and apparent cheerfulness, with which most of our churches have taken hold of the work of sustaining their pastors; and we hope and trust that they will do much hereafter towards this desirable object. But from the fact that the expenses of living at the Islands are constantly increasing, while the native population is constantly decreasing, it is impossible to calculate with any degree of certainty on the future. Our prospects may be very bright and flattering this year; but should the small-pox sweep through the Islands, in all probability one fourth of the inhabitants would soon disappear. Still we are encouraged by the words of the Psalmist: 'Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land; and, verily, thou shalt be fed.'"