nation."

State of Religion.

The subjoined extracts present a gratifying

most forward among the chiefs for reform, and blessings of the gospel. The mission the most ready to yield to Hawaiians their to Micronesia may be viewed as a natu rights as men and as citizens. Few sovereigns, ral fruit of this desire; so also the misindeed, are so ready as he was to yield their sion to Fatuhiva. The subject of foreign own power, and their sources of private wealth, missions is decidedly popular. Hawaiians in order to improve the condition of their sub- are ready to give of their substance; jects. In this respect, the annals of Kame- some of them are willing to consecrate hameha III. will form a bright page in modern their lives to this good work. The history. His successor, Kamehameha IV., thus evening before Konoa, a Hawaiian misfar promises even better than our hopes. We sionary destined to Micronesia, sailed expect much from him for the good of this from Honolulu, he employed the following language in an address at the Bethel: "I do declare to you that the cause of my going out on this mission is of God. my exceeding great debt to the kingdom I have land, and cattle, and horses, and parents, and brethren; and I We have not been blessed with revi- have looked on all these; but they will vals of religion the past year, as in some not cancel my debt. Therefore I give former years; but the members of our my whole body and soul. without reserve, churches have generally been orderly for this salvation. Because this treasure and stable in their deportment. There was freely given to us, therefore we has been occasion for but compara- freely give without murmuring." Other tively little discipline, although many Hawaiians possess a similar spirit, and it are "weak and sickly" among us. Death has not removed as many of our members as in years previous; and most of our churches number about as many communicants at the close of the year, as they did at the commencement.

view of the Hawaiian churches.

The fact that we have two efficient foreign churches in Honolulu, with pastors and members prepared for Christian enterprise, is very encouraging. While the Hawaiian churches and people are declining, there is an accession from abroad that will, under the great Head of the church, prove more than a full compensation for what is lost.

The pastors of a few of our churches are receiving nearly a competent support from their people; others are, to a great extent, supporting themselves by teaching English schools, or by giving some attention to flocks and herds, &c.; others still, being less favorably situated for giving attention to such things, will probably never obtain an adequate support, except as it may come from the Board, so long as they retain their present locations.

Missionary Extension.

cannot but aid in causing an extension of missionary operations. And the aged and venerable missionaries of the American Board desire, as they advance in life, to see their children carrying forward the work for which they left their native land more than a quarter of a century ago. Some have said to their children, "Go abroad; go to other islands of the Pacific; and there labor, as we have labored here."

Morals of the People.

Much has been said in respect to the vices of the Sandwich Islanders. This letter embodies doubtless be regarded as candid, if not altogether the testimony of the Association; and it will satisfactory.

As intimately connected with the preceding topic, the following paragraph may be introduced in this place.

The morals of the Hawaiians are far from being what we could desire. It would give us pleasure to say that they are generally improving. Some individuals and families, we trust, are making progress in the right direction; but the reports of crimes and misdemeanors, with our own daily observation, convince us that there is an element in the habits of the people that is working out commandments are violated by them with their ruin. The fifth, seventh and ninth less apparent compunction than would be felt in many parts of the United States. During the last few years, the impor- But the external observance of the Sabtance of making the Sandwich Islands bath is as good here, and life and propa centre of missionary operations in the erty are as safe, as in almost any portion Pacific has become apparent. There of our native land; and were the whole has arisen among the Hawaiian people, decalogue taken into the account, and moreover, a desire to spread abroad the the whole of the United States brought

Tinto the comparison, this people would | advocates of the movement were cheered suffer but little. Such is the judgment forward. Some of the schools have been of candid men, who are somewhat fa- taught by missionaries, who have been miliar with both countries. We who live thereby enabled to meet the increased among the people, and know much of expenses of living at the Islands; for ter their sins, are often led to exclaim, "The there is scarcely one of them who could whole head is sick, and the whole heart support his family, if he was limited in faint. From the sole of the foot, even the sources of his income to the exact Hunto the head, there is no soundness in amount of his salary. But, to say nothresit." But Hawaiian sins are more open, ing of this consideration, there are manand obviously committed against less ifest reasons why the missionaries and delight, than are those of the same char- their children should be the most able tacter with you. and competent teachers, speaking familiarly, as they do, both languages.

theca

to the

of the

Education.

In speaking of the educational prospects of the Islands, the Association use the following language:

Our native schools, for the past twenty years, have been our pride, our hope, our stronghold for the Hawaiian nation. For these we have labored and prayed; and in them most of us have toiled. Through their instrumentality we hoped to raise an intelligent and somewhat eduThe benefit derived by his Majesty cated people. Nor have we been dis- from possessing an accurate and familiar appointed. All our reasonable expecta- knowledge of our tongue, is clearly tations have been fully realized. We manifest both to Hawaiians and foreignhave now among us a large number of natives, who from their intellectual train-accomplished, if Hawaiian youth are His example shows what may be ing would be fully competent, had they early taught the English language; for the helps so abundant in the English it is a well known fact that the King, in language, to enter into the higher his consultations and writings, uses the branches of philosophy and metaphysics. Limited as has been the field of science laid open to the Hawaiian mind, there are some who often exhibit a shrewdness and point in argument that does them

The call for English schools is becoming louder and more importunate. It would be no surprising thing, if in a few years schools in the Hawaiian lanthose in English. In the opening of the guage were to be entirely supplanted by Hawaiian Parliament, the King referred to this subject, and called the attention of the Legislature to the desirableness of encouraging the establishment of such schools.

much credit.

For several years, the importance of English schools has been more and more manifest. Private effort had caused a few Hawaiians to gain a tolerable acquaintance with our language. It was seen that this knowledge increased the influence of its possessor, and became, to a certain degree, a capital in his hands for the acquisition of wealth, because he could more readily conduct business with foreigners. This was an important point gained. The legislature of 1854 was also induced to appro

ers.

English with great facility. It has been remarked by competent judges, that his from provincialisms, being in an eminent use of the language is remarkably free degree characterized by a strong Saxon idiom. This fact reflects much credit upon those who were the teachers of the Royal School, during those years when his Majesty was connected with it.

LETter from mr. Coan, June 6, 1855.

WHEN this letter was written, Mr. Coan had been at the Sandwich Islands just twenty years, the 6th of June being the anniversary of his landing on those distant shores. His thoughts, therefore, naturally ran back over his missionary life, recalling its chief incidents, and comparing the past with the present. That part of his letter which presents a contrasted view of Hilo, is particularly valuable, inasmuch as it is the testimony of one who is entitled to implicit credit.

Physical Transformation.

The first topic embraced in Mr. Coan's com

priate five thousand dollars toward the parative view, is discussed in the following lanencouragement of English schools. The guage:

experiment proved successful, and the 1. Hilo has changed physically.-Once

we had no roads, save the wild man's their trades on every hand. Once we had trail; now gorges have been filled, hills scarce a foreign resident, except the misleveled, and more than one hundred sionary; now we have from one hundred miles of highway cast up by the hand of to two hundred. Then we had no organ industry in Hilo and Puna. Once not ized courts, and no public foreign func a solitary bridge spanned our raging tionaries; now we have a port of entry, streams; now we have a dozen, with a United States consulate, a circuit more in prospect. Then we approached judge, police judge, and district judge, the thundering torrent with awe, med- a high sheriff, district attorney, &c. &c. itating on the manner and the chances of Hilo is the seat of justice for Hawaii, crossing unhurt; now the roar of our and it is to be the future residence of the cataracts, and the voice of our many Governor. Once we had no foreign waters, are music in our ears. ladies, except the wives of the missionTwenty years ago, we had but one aries; now we are constantly cheered by framed house in Hilo, and that was the the presence of numbers, both of tempo missionaries'; now we have forty or fifty. rary and of permanent residents. Once Verandas were then unknown to our peo- Hilo was considered as on the utmost ple; now no one builds without them. confines of civilization, and our dearest Our village was then without form, a wil- friends shed tears of pity for our exiled derness of weeds, wild grass and bushes; and lonely condition; now the world has now it begins to show the outlines of come nearer to us, and we are congratuorder and improvement, in streets, side-lated because "the lines have fallen to walks, fences, gardens, and cultivated us in pleasant places." trees. Then horses, horned cattle, sheep, Notwithstanding these and many other goats, etc., had hardly been introduced corroborating facts, there are men who among our people; now they are counted will assert that Hilo has made no proby scores, by hundreds, by thousands. gress; that the mission here is a failure; A dollar then was as rare as a diamond; that the people have fewer comforts than now gold and silver circulate freely. in ancient times; that they are more and Then the malo, (a narrow sash,) the pau, more indolent, and that the amount of (a tapa extending from the loins to the work done is far less than in former knees of the female,) and the kihei, (a years. To such statements it were vain kapa shawl,) told the ward-robe of male to reply; and we simply ask, Whence and female, a dress of European fabric this hundred or thousand fold increase of being rarely, if ever, seen in a congre- wealth? Did it come of chance? Or gation of five thousand; now all are com- is it the result of toils and efforts on the fortably, decently clad, many richly so, part of the people? in the manufactures of most of the civilized nations. Once the calabash, the poi-board, the stone pestle, and a few mats, were all the furniture the native hut contained; now the neat dwelling presents its chairs, tables, trunks, sofas, desks, its bed, its forty-dollar bedstead, its hangings, its culinary and table furniture, with a hundred other little comforts, unknown to former generations. Once our vegetables and fruits were conOnd tusoveg or six varieties, now they are numbered by scores. Once we produced no sugar or coffee, and but little arrow root; now we ship off hundreds of tons annually. Once not a single mer- Our people know more of the world, chant vended his wares in Hilo; now we of its geography, philosophy, history, have half-a-score of them, besides nu- laws, maxims, customs, distinctions, premerous hawkers on the wing, crying judices, arts, manners, avocations, divertheir goods over hill and dale. sions, virtues, vices, and general characThen some five or ten straggling whal- teristics. They know more of the relaers explored an unknown harbor annu- tive numbers, knowledge, wealth, influ ally; now from one hundred to two hun-ence, power and progress of the nations dred' whiten our waters during the same of the earth. Personally they come in period. Once we had no craftsmen contact with people from every clime; among us; now our artizans are plying and the great panorama of humanity, in

Intellectual Progress.

The testimony of Mr. Coan in reference to his second topic, is as follows:

2. Hilo has changed intellectually The people know more than they did twenty years ago. Mind has enlarged a hundred fold. Let us not be understood, in this proposition, to confine ourselves to the knowledge gained in schools. This to but account. Indeed, I

refer chiefly to that general knowledge which insensibly attends a progressive Christian civilization.

all its changes of hue and form, is con- ner. The school-houses are mostly re-
tinually passing before them. Conse- stored; and many of the ruined dwell-
quently, their mental vision has been ings of the poor have been replaced by
quickened, their field of observation the voluntary efforts of the church. Food
widened, and their intellectual horizon
extended. The Hawaiian's little finger
now has more knowledge of the world,
its facts, its bustle, its business, than his
whole body contained twenty years ago.

Improvement in Morals.

has been grown for the indigent and decrepid in the same way. The total amount of money contributed, including the pastor's salary and collections for meeting-houses, is about three thousand dollars. This, aside from the above specifications, has been appropriated and disbursed to various objects of benevolence

The moral condition of the people of Hilo is in other lands or at these Islands. And set forth in the subjoined extract.

3. Hilo has changed morally.-It has changed for good and for evil. Moral character is more distinct and positive, and moral sentiments are more intelligent, than in former years. All know the right, and many choose it for its own sake. Such are intelligent, stable, active and growing Christians. Of these we have scores and hundreds; and they strengthen us by their prayers, and cheer us by their steadfast faith and ready cooperation. They grow in wisdom and grace, their minds and hearts being enlarged by the truth and the love of God. These are our joy and our crown.

our people have laid a living offering on wife-a meek, modest, industrious, humthe altar, in sending out Kanoa and his Micronesia. We have now two sons in ble, devoted couple-as missionaries to the foreign field. We hope to send many more, praying our blessed Redeemer to accept these living sacrifices. Nothing

cheers us like the readiness with which some of our Christians offer themselves to the work of missions. Many more in my field are panting to go.

The number received into Mr. Coan's church, during the year preceding the date of this letter, was ninety-five.

Gaboon.

LETTERS FROM MR. BUSHNELL.
Two letters have been received from Mr.

Some, also, choose the wrong; and they choose it intelligently and heartily. Skill in violating law and evading its penalty is steadily increasing. Many can do wicked acts now, of which they were once wholly ignorant. Such have been taught in foreign schools, and by Bushnell, the first having been written on the teachers who have been active and vig- 28th of May, and the second on the 6th of July, ilant in their work. And they have made which bring down the history of Nengenenge, rapid progress in the arts of seduction, the station occupied by Mr. Herrick and himself, fraud, intemperance, profanity, Sabbath to a comparatively recent date. In the fact that breaking, and infidelity. Thus it has operations have been commenced at this point in always been in our lost world. While favorable circumstances, and, especially, in the the gospel, with its enlightening, ener-fact, that both the families have passed through gizing, elevating and purifying influ- the labors and trials incident to such an underences, becomes a savor of life to some, taking with good health, the friends of missions it becomes also a savor of death to others. have much reason for thankfulness It is true of Hilo, then, that we have more of good and more of evil than we had twenty years ago.

Recent Proofs of Liberality. Having considered the results of twenty years missionary labor at Hilo, Mr. Coan passes to the developments of the preceding twelvemonth. The following extract is highly gratifying.

During the winter, the great winds prostrated many of our meeting-houses and school-houses, together with scores of private dwellings. Several of the meeting-houses have been rebuilt, or are being rebuilt, in a more substantial man

Help Needed.

In the first letter of Mr. Bushnell, we have an earnest appeal for additional laborers, which is commended to the special consideration of those who have it in their power to respond affirmatively thereto.

We are more and more convinced that this is an eligible and important post for missionary labor. Between Nengenenge and Baraka, a distance of about seventy miles, there are numerous towns and villages, upon the river and its tributaries, a majority of which must depend upon this station for the means of grace.

There is, besides, a large population in | be given up," cast their crowns at the our immediate vicinity; and the Nkâmâ feet of Jesus, no regrets for toils endured and Bâkwe, which form a junction here, or sacrifices made on earth mingle with are high-ways leading far into the unexplored interior. As we stand upon our island home, and cast our eyes around upon this vast field, white already to the harvest, and think of the wide regions beyond us, we exclaim, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;" and with sad hearts and tearful eyes we plead with the God of missions, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

their songs. Could the voices of Campbell, Griswold, and Porter again be heard in our colleges and seminaries, they would urge with heavenly eloquence their brethren to hasten to rescue the heathen from their fearful doom. And could sainted female voices fall upon the ears of their Christian sisters, their plea for the sable daughters of Africa would not be unheeded.

But these are unnecessary. The conWe often exclaim, Why is it that so straining love of Christ, with the cry of few are willing to come to this land? the heathen, must suffice. Laborers will Has it not special claims upon Christian come. In this confidence, we patiently sympathy? Where can be found a toil as pioneers, preparing the way for wider, darker, more necessitous field than them. In due time we will welcome central Ethiopia, teeming with scores of them with joyful hearts, and furnish labor millions of benighted heathen, upon ready to their hands. They will have whom no ray of heavenly light has ever encouragements mingled with trials, dawned? The Sun of Righteousness however, sufficient to cause them to feel is beginning to shine upon its western their dependence upon the arm of God. borders; but, alas! how many must per- And with care, we doubt not, they will ish before his life-giving beams shall enjoy comfortable health, and be blessed gild the mountain tops, and illumine the with adequate strength. During the past valleys of the interior, unless missiona- year, we have had much manual labor to ries in much larger numbers hasten perform; and our companions, having hither. Why do they not come? Are none but untaught, native help, have the funds of the Board insufficient to been unduly burdened. Still we have send them? This we cannot believe. enjoyed almost uninterrupted health; and Surely, the church will not incur the the cases of illness have not been guilt of keeping back one laborer from severe; while, in some cases, they were Ethiopia, by withholding the means ne-not attributable to the climate. With cessary to enable him to go forth.

summits are visible from our yard. In our boarding-school we have cominenced training some of the native youth, one or two of whom are Pangwes, hoping that they will be prepared to accompany the missionaries into the interior.

our present conveniences, we have flatAre the laborers not to be found? tering prospects in this regard. Send But where are the sons and daughters of us reinforcements, frequent and large; the church who have consecrated them- and as fast as they arrive, and are preselves to the service of their Savior? pared for their work, we will introduce In that solemn moment when they gave them to the inviting fields beyond, and themselves to Christ, did they make any hope to see them, at no distant day, reserve? Did they request to be excused unfurl the banner of the cross upon those from the toils and sacrifices of mission-salubrious mountains, whose majestic ary life in the dark places of the earth? If not, why do they tarry, when the last command of their ascended Lord urges them to go, and the woes and wants of millions call for them? Do they hesitate through fear of our torrid suns and sultry air, or because, from time to time, a devoted laborer has exchanged the toils of earth for the bliss of heaven? Such fears would vanish, could they see with what contentment and cheerfulness the he speaks of the events of his first year at Nensurvivors, though toil-worn and weary, genĕnge. The narrative has some points of bear the heat and burden of the day; interest, though it must be obvious to all that the or could they have beheld the peace and time has not come for reporting decisive results. joy and hope that illumined the counte- Our brethren are casting the "good seed" into nances of the departed, as they laid their new and fertile field; but they cannot point aside their armor, and went up to receive us as yet to the gathered sheaves. their reward. As those glorified spirits, Our mission premises have undergone whose dying motto was, "Let not Africa | a gratifying transformation. The lux

Incidents at Nengenenge.

In the last letter received from Mr. Bushnell,