Newspaper Page Text
No. 49. Vol. 11.
inportant Missionary Intelligence.
% MISSION TO THE SANDWICH
ISLANDS.
From, the Missionary Herald.
, destruction of idolatry at the Sandwich
Islands.
‘A tJt may be interesting to some of our readers
fjto peruse the following paragraphs of a letter,
Arritten by one of the mates of the Thaddeus,
had previously been much acquainted at the
Jjßandwich Islands. The letter is dated July 22d,
n “I shall not undertake to give you a de-
Hail of the voyage, nor of the reception
liwhich the mission has met at the islands ;
Sfor you have it from a more able pen. 1
:ongratulate you on the highly favourable
reception of the mission.
“The great and important revolution,
which has followed the death of Tamaham
iha, has opened the way for missionaries,
ind seems to insure them success. But
hey have a great work before them ; hav
og ignorance and the remains of supersti
ious prejudices to combat.
| “ The great events of the revolution
ecro wrought by miracle. It was with
\ istonishment, that I heard, “ Owhyhee’s
‘I dots were no more.” The great change
. vas most apparent to me. Knowing, as I
lid, their former attachment and deep
■ooted prejudices in favour of their taboos,
jj md their superstitious reverence for their
N ?ain akooahs; that they were “nomore”
$ was what I could not realize, until I had
t trodden on the ruins of some of their altars
Wof abomination, and seen the ashes of their
once sacred idols mingled with the dust.
“ I now have the pleasure of seeing a
part of the missionaries comfortably situat-
ed at this place, having already commenc
ed their work, and appearing to enjoy many
pleasures of domestick life, while all
branches of the mission are enjoying the
respect and confidence of the natives.
“ The king was the first to become a
pupil: and the bye word among all classes
of the natives is “ the A, B, C.”
“ Sir, I doubt not that the blessing ofGod
will crown all their labours with abundant
success, both in civilizing and Christianiz
ing this nation.”
Extract of a letter from Mr. Whitney to the
corresponding secretary.
Atooi, August 1, 1820.
It is with pleasure 1 can state to you,
that we are now safely and pleasantly set
tled at our appointed station. We arrived
at this island on the morning of the 25th of
July ; were met in the ofling, immediately
after the ship camp to anchor, by the king
and queen, with their retinue : and were
received with every mark of parental af
fection. “ Nooe nooe , mili,” (we love you
much,) responded from a hundred tongues.
We were conducted to a house which had
been previously prepared, and where every
thing necessary for our comfort was provid
ed.
George tells us, that his father and mo
ther have been engaged for these three
weeks past in learning to write. You will
ree what improvement they have made by
a specimen consisting of three letters ; one
WHtten by the king, and directed to your
self ; the two others written by the queen
One to Mrs. Sarah Wells of Windsor, Con.
the other to Mrs. William Partridge, of
Pittsfield, Ms. We wish you to make what
use of them you think proper, and (hen
send them to the persons, to whom they
are directed. The king and queen first
dictated what they ivished to send ; which
was written, and then copied, in their own
hand, by imitation.
The king’s youngest son has likewise
made considerable improvement. He has
written to the Rev. Mr. Daggett Principal
of the Foreign Mission School. Our friend
George treats us with much attention.
We eat at his table, and he appears anxious
to render us all the assistance in his power,
wile usually attends family prayers with us,
‘and is evidently less skeptical than former-
Nfe. On the Sabbath, we attended publick
worship, and read a sermon written by the
kltev. Daniel A. Clark, of Southbury Con.
■entitled, “ The church safe.” The king
■nd queen,with their servants,attended, and
■appeared well pleased. After the services
■were completed, the kingsaid, “ I lilieyour
■way of worship, very much; my old way is
(good for nothing.) I will come
[every Sabbath, and by and by we will
■build a large church and be like good peo
ple in America.”
At present we have great encourage
■ment to hope and pray for the blessihg of
■God to attend our labours. The people
■aave turned from the worship ofidols; —
■tings have become nursing fathers, and
■queens nursing mothers; —our hands are
■strengthened and our hearts made joy fill.
■But we rejoice with trembling. There is
■much need for us to he humble, and walk
Stoftly before our God. The materials of
■vhich the Lord’s house is to be built are
■ough, and will require (he sledge, the saw,
■nd the hammer. These people are natur
ally fickle minded ; and we know not how
■oon the current of feeling may be chang-
S'd. The clouds, which are now out of
®igbt, may soon gather in our horizon, and
Stroms of persecution may extinguish these
wising hopes; yet, He who hath said, “ Lo ,
Ju mo with you,” is our helper, atid we will
Kot fear, Yours &c. Sarguel Whitney.
THE MISSIONARY.
GO YE INTO JILL THE WORLD , AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREJITURE Jkscs Chrbt.
Letter of Mr. Ruggles to the Treasurer.
Wymai Village, Atooi, August 2, 1820.
Very Dear Sir—Before the Levant left
Woahoo, Mr. Bingham made out a list of
articles wanted for the mission family, and
requested me to copy and send it to you,
with such additions as Mr. Whitney and my
gelfshould see needful after we arrived at
this place. I now transmit to you the list,
though I believe we have made no enlarge
ment.
[Here follows the,list, with some re
marks upon it.]
At this station we have not one article of
cooking utensils, but are entirely dependent
on the king, who says we shall never want
for any thiDg, while he lives. He requests
me to mention to you, that he very much
wants a good minister, physician, bouse and
9hip carpenter, cabinet maker, and powder
maker, to corne and live with him ; and
says he will support as many good people
as will come to his island. We are all in
health pleasantly situated, and happy in
our work. We can contentedly sit down
to our great business on these idolatrous
shores, and willingly, yes delightfully , spend
our days, and consume our strength in en
deavouring to lead the untutored pagans
from nature up to nature’s God ; in point
ing out to them a way which leads from this
thorny desert to the celestial paradise.
But alas, our weakness and ignorance. We
are but feeble instruments, and know not
how to act. God has placed us in a wide
and open field, which is already white to
the havest; a field, which requires many
labourers. We are but two in number,
without a leader and without a counsellor.
But we v. ill not be dismayed ; the God of
Israel is our shepherd and our strength.
Our cause is His; He will protect it; and
will not forsake his servants. Confiding in
his promises, and leaning on his almighty
arni for guidance and support, we will ven
ture on our way, hold up to the heathen
the Ensign of Peace and salvation , and in
vite them to the Lamb of God, which tak
eth away the sins of the world.
George treats us with the affection of a
brother, and his parents with every mark
of parental kindness. The king is now
building us a convenient house 40 feet by
22, thatched with grass and lined with bul
rushes ; and this morning he has commenc
ed building a very large house intended for a
meeting and school house. This is to stand
near the king’s, and enclosed with a wall
10 feet in height, to prevent the danger of
fire : thus we see the literal fulfilment of
the prophecy, that kings shall become nurs
ing fathers and queens nursing mothers.
We shall soon see a temple erected on this
pagan isle ; (and on the very ground too
where a short time since stood a celebrated
Moreeah ;) a holy temple dedicated’ to the
worship of the living God. But we have
no ministe- to enter it, and proclaim the
unsearchable riches of Christ, and break
the bread of life to the poor perishing mul
titude around. We look to the American
churches for help. We really need help.
May we not hope, in the course of a year
or two at least, to welcome a little bark in
this port, freighted with Christian soldiers,
who have hid farewell to soft indulgence,
and come over to the help of the Lord,
prepared to bear with firmness and unwea
ried patience all the trials and difficulties of
a missionary life.
Brother W. and myself, with our dear
wives, send love to all our friend*.
Yours in haste, Samuel Ruggles.
Letter of Tamoree , king of Atooi, to the Rev.
Dr. Worcester.
This letter was dictated by the king, who has
for many years been able to speak broken Eng
lish. It was written down from his month, ill a
large plain hand, which he copied himself.
Atooi , July 28. 1820.
Dear Friend—! wish to write a few lines
to you, to thank you for the good Book,
you was So kind as to send by my son. 1
think it is a good book ; —one that God
gave for ns to read. 1 hope my people
will soon read this, and all other good
books. I believe that tny idols are good
for nothing; and that your God is the only
true God, the one that made all things.
My gods I have hove away ; they are no
good ; they fool me, they do me no good.
I take good care of them. I give them
cocoa-nuts, plaintains, hogs, and good many
things, and they fool me at last. Now I
throw them all away. 1 have none now.
When your good people learn me, I wor
ship your God. 1 feel glad you good peo
ple come to help us. We know nothing
here. American people very good—kind.
I love them. When they come here I take
care ofthem ; I give him eat ; 1 give him
clothes; I do every thing for him. 1
thank you for giving my son learning. I
think my son dead. Some man tell me he
no dead. I tell him he lie. I suppose he
dead. I thank all American people. I
feel glad to see you good folks here. Sup
pose you come, I take good care of them,
I hope you take good care of my people in
your country. Suppose you do, I feel glad.
I must close. Accept this from your
friend, King Tamoree.
Samuel Worcester, D. D.
Letter from the queen of Atooi to the mother
of Mrs. Ruggles.
This letter was dictated by the queen, inter
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK <3O. GA.) FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1821.
preted in broken English; written down verba
tim, and copied by herself in a plain legible man
ner.
Atooi, July 28, 1820.
Dear Friend—l am glad your daughter
come here. I shall be her mother now,
and she be my daughter. Ibe good to her;
give her tappa; give her mat; give her
plenty eat. By and by your daughter
speak Owhyhee ; then she learn me how
to read, and write, and sew ; and talk of
that Great Akooah, which the good people
in America lore. I begin spell little; read
come very hard, like stone. You very
good, send your daughter great ws? to
teach the heathen. lam very glad I can
write you a short letter, and tell you that I
be good to your daughter. 1 eend you my
aloha, and tell you I am. Your friend.
Charlotte Tapoolee.
Queen of Atooi.
PALESTINE MISSION.
Extracts from the Journal of Messrs. Parsons
and Fisk at Scio.
(Continued from p. 132.
Sept. 2, 1820. Toward evening four
boys came to read the Scriptures with us.
Read John 7, and Bth, and questioned them
on the subject of almost every verse.
Sabbath, 3d. Mr. Z. came to our room,
and said he was going with his wife to visit
the nunnery of St. Mary, and wished for
some tracts to distribute. Gave him twen
ty-five.
8. A shower: the second we have had
for nearly three months.
11. A Greek priest called and purcha
sed a Testament. He examined it a little
and said, “ This is excellent.” After read
ing a chapter or two together be departed.
Visit to Nunneries , fyc.
12. Set out early in the morning to vi
sit some monasteries in the south part of
the island. Stopped first at the nunnery
of St. Mary. Were conducted to the cham
ber of the Abbess. She received us very
pleasantly, and expressed much gratitude
for the tracts we sent by Mr. Z. She told
us that the whole number of nuns in the
institution is about 200, nearly all of whom
are able to read ; and that about 60 chil
dren are under their care receiving an ed
ucation. Gave the abbess two Testaments
and 110 tracts for the use of the nuns and
children. She said that during Lent they
should meet in the church and read the
Testament constantly.
We next visited the.nunnery of Chalan
tra. It contains 60 nuns, all able to read.
Gave them a Testament and 60 tracts. In
both nunneries the women are dressed in
black, with a veil of the same colour'nround
the head, and hanging down on the shoul
ders.
Our third visit was at the monastery of
St. Mary. Here we found but II monks.
The reason assigned l>y onr attendants,
why so few join them, is the peculiar
strictness of their habits, their rigid absti
nence, and severe self-mortification. They
are of the order of St. Antonio, live princi
pally on fc: ead and water, and are allowed
to eat only once a day. Their countenan
ces, emaciated, dirty, and stupid, indicated
very plainly the effects of their system.
The President was abroad. We left a
Testament for him and fifteen tracts for
the monks. The man to whom we com
mitted the Testament, said repeatedly,
“ VVe have great need of this ; we have
great need es this.” There is reason to
believe that the Testaments which have
been given to these monks are the first
they ever saw in their own proper lan
guage.
We have had opportunity this day to sow
a little precious seed. May God grant his
blessing.
13. Went into the city to hear Profes
sor Bambas deliver a publick address to
the school.
10. Three boys came to read the
Scriptures.
Sabbath, 17. Enjoyed the forenoon in
uninterrupted quietness. After dinner,
five boys came and read five chapters in
John. The priest of St. Mary’s church
called. We read a little while in the Bible
and afterwards in the constitution of the
Corfu Bible Society. At first he Could not
conceive what was meant by a Bible Soci
ety. When we explained the matter, he
thought it must be an excellent institution.
19. Two of the boys who risit us on
the Sabbath, came today and read a chap
ter. We asked them many questions, and
gave them advice. Their visits have been
pleasant to us, and we hope profitable to
them.
Visit to several common schools.
In the afternoon went to visit the schools
in and near the village; in the vicinity of
which we livq. The first school which we
fonnd, consists of ten boys and girls under
the care of a female teacher. When it
was proposed to give them tracts, the
teacher expressed much gratitude, and the
children kissed the hand from which they
received the gift. The second school con
sists of about 30. The master was absent,
having intrusted the care of the school to
one of the largest scholars. The third
school consists of twenty-five. The chil
dren were reading or playing, as they liked
best. The master was very industriously
engaged in making shoes. The apppar-
ance of the room indicates that this em
ployment occupies most of his time. The
fourth school consists of about thirty.
When tracts were offered, the master in
quired the price. When he was answered,
“ Nothing,” he began to express his thanks,
and to wish for blessings on the donors.
The fifth school contains 12 children. The
master was engaged in reeling cotton yarn,
while the scholars employed their time,
each as he pleased. The master received
the tracts with many wishes of eternal
blessings on the givers. The sixth school
contains 10 children, and is taught by a
woman. In several of these schools 9ome
of the children are quite small, and unable
to read. To such no tracts were given.
In the course of two hours, however, more
than 100 were distributed among these
precious immortals. There is another
school in the neighbourhood, taught by the
priest of St. Mary’s, and consisting of 20
scholars. To them we gave tracts some i
time ago. The number of pupils in all <
these several schools is about 160, of whom |
the far greater part are boys. They learn ;
nothing at school except to read the books
which are used in the churches, —all in i
ancient Greek, aod of course unintelligible i
to these children. They merely learn to
pronounce the words without and idea of
their signification. Before we gave them
tracts, there is reason to believe, that none
of them had any book whatever, which
they could understand.
20. A great festival among the Greeks,
in honour of the Virgin Mary. The streets,
as is usual on such occasions, were full of
people.
Some boys, who happened not to be iD
the school yesterday, came this morning
for tracts. Others saw them and came also.
There has been an uninterrupted succes
sion of applicants through the day. We
have given more than 90 to nearly the
same number of men, women, and children.
Many applied who could not read, and whom
we therefore refused. We usually required
the applicants to read a little, questioned
them, and exhorted them to preserve their
tracts carefully, and read them attentively.
The events of the day have been encoura
ging. To God be the glory. May his
blessing rest on our feeble labours.
21. After residing in the country nearly
three months, we returned to to the city.
On our way observed a school; stopped;
went to the chamber in which it is taught;
and, after some conversation with the mas
ter, gave him 30 tracts for his pupils.
There were 25 present, seven or eight of
whom were females. Four or five were
absent. The tracts were immediately dis
tributed, one to each scholar.
Young Minister's Companion.
At eleven o’clock went to the college.
Professor Bambas ivas delivering a lecture
on grammar to about 60 scholars. When
this was finished, more than 30 still remain
ed, and he took the “Young Minister’3
Companion,” which we had given him, and
began to read from it word by word in
Greek, while the pupils wrote as he read.
Scarcely any event has given us more joy
since we left America. Here were thirty
young men, members of one of the first lit
erary institutions in the Turkish dominions,
who were soon to be scattered over a con
siderable part of the Empire, engaged in
writing off, in their own language, the most
salutary moral and religious instructions.
Certainly the hand of God is in.this thing.
Interviews with the Russian Consul.
Saturday, 23. Called on the Russian con
sul, and conversed sometime about the dis
tribution of Bibles and tracts. He says, that
about 100 vessels leave this port every
year under the Russian flag. Some on
board almost every ship can read. To
these he would gladly give Bibles and tracts.
At his house, we saw two Russian monks,
who belong to a company of 70 now on a
pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In the evening
sent the consul 100 tracts, requesting that
some of them might be given to the Russian
monks. m
26. The Russian consul called at our
room, and spent two hours with us. He
asked many questions about the geography,
history, politicks, literature and religion of
America ; and, in return, gave us informa
tion about the Turks, Greeks, &c.
28. Called on the Greek Bishop. Gave
him 100 tracts, and some copies of the Scrip
tures in different languages.
State of a large Monaster y.
30. Visited the monastery of St. Monee.
It is several miles S. W. from the city. We
carried a letter ofi introduction from the
Bishop to the president of the monastery,
which procured us a very pleasant recep
tion. The monastery is said to have been
founded 800 years ago. It contains, accor
ding to the account given us by the Presi
dent, 380 monks, 40 of them priests ; and
only 100 of the whole are able to read.
We’ inquired for the Scriptures, and they
showed us a folio Testament in ancient
Greek, printed at Frankfort above 200
years ago. Os this they have two copies.
They said the Old Testament was locked
up in the room of a priest who was not at
home. Two copies of the New Testa
ment, and one or two of the OJd, all in an
cient Greek, of which none of the monks
understood very much, and mo3t of them
nothing, ere the only copies of t^Word
Price . {S 3 ’ 50 P r * * nn - °M
’ | $3,00 in advance. )
of God which these men posses*. We gav e
the President two Romaick Testaments
and 110 tracts for the use of the monks.
The church of the monastery has a large
clock andj) bells.
At some distance from this place we vi
sited the church of the “ Holy Fa
thers.” It is a cave in a solid rock, on the
side of a mountain, and completely under
ground. One solitary monk lives in an ad
joining apartment. We gave him a tract;
and he gave us some raisins and walnuts.
In the evening we learned by a letter
from Mr. Vanlennep, that Capt. Edes has
returned to Smyrna, and brings letters and
some other articles for u 9, which he retains
under the expectation of seeing us soon in
Smyrna.
Oct. 2. A student called on us, who is
from Ipsera, a small island west of Scio.
He i9 about going home, and wishes some
tracts to carry. He say 9 there are in Ipse
ra three monasteries, one good school, and
some other small ones, and he thinks near
ly three thousand people. We gave him
50 tracts, and requested him to distribute
them in the monasteries and schools, among
the priests and others who know how to
read. He thanked us for them and prom
ised to do so.
9. Toward evening visited the place
where tradition says, that Homer taught
his pupils and wrote the Odyssey.
12. In the evening called on Mr. Ful
ler, an English traveller lately arrived in
Scio, who has been two or three years in
Egypt and Syria. He has the Turkish
dress, loose robes, long beard, and large
turfcar From him we were happy to
learn that the Rev. Mr. Coonor accompa
nied him from Aleppo to Smyrna, and pas
sed on, a short-time since,to Constantinople,
Mr. F. says the climate in Syria is delight
ful. On the high mountains the summers
are sufficiently moderate. He pronounced
it as safe travelling in Syfia ad in Europe ;
still, he found it necessary to carry sword
and pistols, and in going from Jaffa to Je
rusalem, to have a guard of five or si* men.
He_?aw the Syrian Archbishop, who has
lately been elected Syrian Patriarch.
14. Went into the country with Mr.
Fuller, Visited a branch of the College.
Distributed 25Q tracts [entitled ‘ tr ne end
of Time,”] among the students, accompa
nied by a short but excellent address from
professor Bambas. Called on Mr. N,;
found six or eight men playing cards in his
room. Gave each of them a couple of
tracts. They thanked us, and we depart
ed, wishing that they may read and become
wise. Called on Mr, Z, and gave him
twenty-five tracts, to be distributed among
the priests and families in his neighbour
hood. Called on three other families, dis
tributed tracts, and then returned to the
city.
17. Carried to the Greek bishop fifty
copies of the tract, “The end of Time.”
Found him reading a copy of it, which some
one bad given him. We expressed a wish
that every priest 9hould possess a copy of
each of our tracts. He said that he had
distributed the 100 we gave him of the
other sort, principally among his priests,
and would cheerfully undertake to distri
bute these, and a still greater number if we
wished.
19. Sent 150 more tracts te the bishop
for distribution among the priest*. Distri
buted 75 among that class in the College
who attend professor Bumbas’s lectures.
Gave 50 to the Russian consul for the sai
lors. Gave two testaments to the work
men in the printing office. A student cal
led and purchased a Testament.
20. The printer sent for s*me tracts
in behalf of a man from Santorin, who
wishes to carry them home for distribution.
Santorin is an island at the south of this,
aad contains, according to Worcesters Ga
zetteer, 10,000 inhabitants, all Greeks.
Accompanied professor B. in his weekly
examination of his classes in college, and
distributed 300 tracts to them. The pro
fessor said, “ thi? is eloquent, learned, and
excellent; you must read it not once mere
ly, but many times.” He ordered one
class to prepare a written account of its
contents.
A priest, who is a teacher in the country
branch of the college, called to get some
tracts. He says those we circulated in the
country are read with much interest, and
many priests and others wish for more.
Gave him one hundred and twenty-five.
Called on the bishop. He began imme
diately to inquire about the Church in Ame
rica—the priests—pictures in the churches
—and the administration of the Lord’s Sup
per. VVe inquired, Do the Greeks pray
to the Virgin Mary, angels, and saints?
“ Certainly,” said he, “to them as media
tors.” VVe replied, we pray only to the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and consider
Christ as the only Mediator. “Christ was
Mediator,” said he, “ when he was on
earth ; now he is not Mediator blit Judge.”
He then inquired, “ Why not pray
tosaint*?” Because the Scripture does not
teach us to da it. Do the Greeks render
worship to saints? t‘Not as God, but as
saints, we render them respecter worship.
Sabbath, 22. Mr. Pa9qua called. In the
course of conversation he thanked us for
the books we had sent him; said that he
Sjtfiptures not* fne jjeor every
