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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