Newspaper Page Text
No 45- Vol. Vl.]
From the Nantucket Enquirer.
FROM THE COAST OF JAPAN.
.Extract of a letter from Captain Richard Macy,
Master of the Whaling ship Maro, to Jo9iah
Hussey, Esq. of Nantucket.
Coast of Japan , August 16, 1824.
/‘ Impressed with the strong belief that
great numbers of sperm whales existed
among the numerous islands in the Pacifick,
fenerally known as the Society, Friendly,
ejee, and Caroline’s Islands, I resolved to
spend 3 months amoDg those Islands.—l
steered first to the Society Islands, where
I proposed to stop in order to procure
wood and water. The island I selected for
that purpose is called Eimeo , and- lies 20
miles West of Otaheite. I entered a har
/vvir on the North side of the island, which
‘ityfiOt to be surpassed for access and safety,
hv any harbour in thiffc ocean. I took my’
ship two miles up this beautiful harbour,
{entirely land locked) and tied her to an
old tree. The scene that surrounded me,’
was truly romantick. The shores were
covered with all kinds of Tropical fruit,
such as oranges, lemons, limes, eocoanuts,
pine-apples bananas and plantains. The
beautiful mountains which encompass the
harbour, and exhibit a lofty and majestick
appearauce, commence within a quarter of
a mile from the shore, and gradually as
cend to the height of 2500 feet, covered
with trees, from the bottom to the top. I
found (he natives much more civilized than
I had anticipated. There are at Eimeo,
five missionary families England, who
apparently live up to their profession. I
dined or supped with them almost every
day during'my stay ; and was treated with
great kindness and hospitality; but you will
be surprised,when I tell you there is scarce
ly a native in the place, but what can read
nd write. They have passage* of scrip
ture printed in their own language, and
a | go have hymn books, which some of
them ( ~ an read as well as I can our--. I lay
there one .Sunday and went to their church,
where I assembled about 4 or 500
natives, all det>enlly dressed ; all the te
males, (natives) wm * hHinets of their own
manufacturing. There***** ™ch <jood
order and regularity in thfc. ir m °d fi ot wor .
ship, and particularly in singm 1 ” h y m . ns * od
psalms as you will generally W
churches.
Having procured every necessary, 1
weighed anchor on (lie 25th of December, >
and ‘•voceeded (o the westward among the
Friendly ‘ s l*nds, and as they are not laid
down in my or in any book I have
on board, l believe them to be anew dis
covery ; in consequence of which I have
given them the following names, viz Eliz
aheth’s Island, lat. 21 06 S. long. 178 36
W, Eunice's Island, 21 08. S. long. 178
47 \V. Macy’s Island, lat. 20 52. S. long.
178 47 W * The land of these Islands is
very low, and the navigation dangerous,
as ihgy are surrounded with coral reels
which extend some distance from them.
The islands are inhabited, and are cover
ed with cocoanut aod other trees.
Several natives of one of the Friendly
Isljyuts came aloDg side of my, ship ; their
only object appeared to be trade, as they
never expressed any desire to get on board.
As soon as they had finished their business,
they returned to shore, apparently much
6 leased. They resembled the Sandwich
landers in their complexion ; but are
in a state of nature, with the exception of a
few leave* tied around them, lhey ap
peared to be very friendly, cheertul and
pleasant. In this neighbourhood 1 saw
numbers of whales, but was uncommonly
unfortunate. 1 observed several other is
lands, but had no intercourse with them.
The next island that I stopped at, was
near the Fejees, and known by the name ot
liotumah. Several of the natives came on
board to trade, and at one lime I had on
my main deck abont 3 or 400 of them_ I
stretched a line across the deck, and suffer
ed no one, (except my officers and crew)
to go abaft it. 1 placed abrea3t of my
cabin gangway, two machines, which it pul
in operation would have wounded the whole
of them in an instanthowever, I hadl no
tpccasion to make any use ot them. After
T bemg there four days, and beiDg well as
snred of their friendly disposition, I ac f
cepted the iovitatiou of fbeir king to go on
shore. On landing, I was immediately sur
rounded bv about one thousand natives,
I bad come together from mere curiosi
ty. The king took me by the hand,
j|; and conducted me to hi* palace, which was
large but, (hatched on the outside, and
ußieatly dressed in the inside with mats. The
■Sting introduced roe queen, who was
■ppparently much pleased to see me. I wa9
S&ealed on a clean mat, and fanned by a wo
fjihuv.iu on each side of me. Ihe queen
Spread a table, which was a large wooden
tray 1 , and had a meal prepared for me im-
If mediately.—The tray was spread with
MJeaves; and the meal consisted of yams,
Spread-fruit,(arrow,fish, cocoanuts. aoJ oth
per dishes, which were all prepared under
Rjhe immediate inspection of the queen.
irShe handed me each dish separately, in a
■Wen leaf, taking great care not to touch
■ her finger to either ; she even handed me
w the tocoaoul in a leaf. I never tasted a
■ sweeter meal, and I ate quite heartily.
THE MIS SIONARY.
After dinner I lighted a segar, which much
astonished them, as smoking is not practis
ed among them. They appeared to be
much surprised at my being so white, and
some of them reached over three or /bur
others, to touch me with their Af
ter smoking a segar, I returned to my
;boat, which I found loaded with vegetables.
On my way to the ship, I saw a vast num
ber of canoes, some going to the ship, and
others returning to the shore. Tbp
scene reminded me of our Nantucket shear
ing.
These natives are remarkably clean,
cheerful, friendly and hospitable; their
complexion is about two shades lighter
than the Sandwich Islanders. They are
in a state of nudity, with the exception of a
little grass which some of them wear round
their loins. They furnished me with evo
ry thing their islaod afforded, viz. yams,
tarrow, cocoanuts, plantains, bananas, ap
ples, sugar cane, and fowls in great abun
dance—indeed if was the very best recruit
I ever obtained since my going to sea.
On (he 28 th of Feb. 1824, 1 left this and
steered to the Northward sot the coast of
Japan.
SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.
Aitutake, Atui, Mangeea, Mifiaro, Maote,
and three other islands in the same group,
lie about 400 miles to tbe West of the Soci
ety islands. In 1821, two native teachers
were sent to Aitutake, furnished with Ta
heitan Gospels and Elementary Bo -kg. .At
ter the lapse of about two years, Mr. Wil
liams and Mr. Bourne, missionaries at the
Society Islands, sailed for Aitutake, taking
with them six native teachers and their
wives. They arrived off the island, July
9, 1823, The first sounds they heard
were, “It is all well with Aitutake!”—At
Intake has received the word of God !”
“The word of God has taken deep root a,
Aitutake!”— 44 Thu Mnraes and Idols are
consumed in the fice!”—These were strange
words to the missionaries, who expected to
find the pollutions of idolatry every where
predominant; but they soon became con
vinced that they were the words of truth
and soberness. The labours of (lie two na
tive teachers had bpen wonderfully blessed
After visiting Aitutake, Mangeea, and Atui,
the Missionaries proceeded to Mitiaro, ac
companied by the king of Alui to whom this
.island, as well as Maule belong.
[Buiton Recorder cj* Telegraph.
When (in the language of Ihe missiona
ries,,) M ’ e uaade Mitiaro, tin king laoded, ac
compared by the teacher, Maratai. He
immediately sent for (he chief of (he island,
and explained his object to him, and observ
ed, that be would leave a teacher, who
would instruct him and his people in the
word of the true God; that they must hum
all their maraes, cast off all their evil cus
toms, and that the house (bey were putting
up for him they must convert into a house
of prayer, under the direction of the teach
or. The people listened with astonish
ment, and inquired, saying, Shall we oot all
be strangled ? “ No, (replied the king,) it is
not in (he power of wood, that we have
adorned and called a god, tv kill us.” They
asked, if Aiui bad received the Good Word
that he had brought? He replied, that be
had embraced it himself; upon which the
chiefs of Mitiaro and all the people agreed
to do the same; hut, said ooe, must we des
troy Tarts Nut ?* (or Great Ears.) “ Ye,
(replied the king.) he and all the evil spir
its with Him.” He then charged them to
behave kindly to the teacher, and to listen
to bis instructions. They asked him, if he
would oot come to tbe celebration of the
great feast which he had ordered them to
prepare. He said, “ No, but I wili come on
a different business; 1 will come to behold
your steadfastness in the Good Word,
brought to us, and your kindness toward the
teacher you have received.”
Reception of the Gospel at the Island of Maute.
When we approached the island of Man
te, tbe chiefs and a number of the people
were collected on the beach to welcome
their king. The first words the king said
were, 41 1 am come to advise you to receive
tbe word of Jehovah, the true God aod to
leave with you a teacher and his wife, who
will remain with you and instruct you.”
They replied, 44 That is good.” The king
then resumed, 44 Let us burn all our maraes,
and all our evil spirits , with fire. Never
let U 9 worship them again. They are
wood, that we have carved, and decorated,
and call gods. Here is the true God, and
his word, with a teacher to instruct you.
The true God is Jehovah, and the true sac ;
rifice is bis Son Jesus Christ.” He said
further, 44 Erect a house in which to wor
ship tbe true God, and be diligent in learn
ing tbe Good Word of God.” They repli
ed, “We will do it; we will receive the
Good Word that we may be saved.” The
king then exhorted the principal chief, Ta
raro, aod his wife, to attend family worship
that same evening, to which they immedi
ately consented; 44 and on Wednesday, (ad
ded he,) let every person, man, woman, and
child, attend the worship of the true God,
and make a publick profession.” He then
exhorted them to leave off drinking ava, to
discontinue all their games and feasts, not
* The name of tbe god nfivhich tbe king him
-1 self was the priest. .ijjt
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTV, GEORGuI) MONDAY, MAY 16, 1025.
to steal, and not to commit btft,
with the evil spirits, Recast off arc evil cus
toms. They asked the king, whether lie
woold not come to /he great feast they were
preparing for him, and to another ceremo
ny, at which the most disgraceful actions
were practised. The king replied, that
these and every other bad custom of the
cvU. spirit would now fall,\but that he wpufd
visit them again to behold their steadfast
ness in tbe Good Word, ffe then exhorted
them to behave kindly to their teacher and
his wife, whom he now called to him, shook
hands with (beat, and gave them anew
bouse on the islatufitwhich had been erect
ed for himself. AfiePVhis we departed.
44 Were ever (continue the brethren)
three islands converted from idolatry in so
short a time—so unexpectedly—islands, al
most unlinoan, and some never visited by
any vessel, in one day induced to consent
to the destruction of what has been the tyl
oration of ages. As to the natives of the
latter island, Maute, the very first vessel
that ever visited them brought them the
glad tidings of salvation. How remarkphly
are the words ofDavid fulfilled in this pea-
Pl fi •—“ -d.t soon as they hear of me, they thall
obey me ; the strangers shall submit the/nstlves
untome!” Evan. Mag.
BIBLE SOCIETY OF COLOMBL.
On the 45th of March, a publick melting
took place in the chapel of the University
of Bogota, at which were present Dr; Pe
dro Goal, Secretary of Slate for FoWign
Affairs; Dr. Antonio Malo, Member oftbe
Senate ; Dr. Joaquin Gomez and Dr. Mari
ano Mino, Members of the Chamber of Rep
resentatives; Dr. Jose Maria Estevez, Rec
tor of the College of San Bartolome ; Fa
ther Joaquin Galvez, RecW of the Uoive -
si'y ; Father Mariano Garnica, Prior of ths
Dominican Convent; Dr. Nicholas Queb -
do; aod the Secretary of the University.
The meeting was assembled at tbe instance
ot Mr. Thompson, agent of the British apd
Foreigo Bible Society, with the view of es
tablishing a Bible Society in Colombia.
The rules for the proposed Society weje
read, and after some observations from Sr.
Goal, it was resolved unanimously to call u
general meeting on Sunday 20th in3t. t
four o’clock in the afternoon in the satni
place, in order to take into consideration
the advantages or inconveniences of such ai
establishment io Colombia; to obtain the
general consent for the incorporation of a
Society similar to that which has bees tbe
source of so many spiritual benefits ts Ihe
human race m Europe, Asia and Africa; aud
of which a correct idea will be given (o the
publick by means of the press. In the
mean time it is distinctly staleJ that the
sole and exclusive object of the Society is
tbe dissemination of the Holy Scriptures
throughout the world.
From the Southern Intelligencer.
CHICKASAW MISSION.
JOURNAL OF THE MISSION AT MONRoi.
January 31, 1825. Tn morning moth
er Blair started for Cqjuiwus to brttg up
several boxes which have been forwarded
to that place for. our mission. We lope
our anxious expectations may not be disap
pointed in regard to the safe arrival of nnr
supplies from Mobile; a* many of the arti
cles are in immediate demand. The stock
of garments received last spring for the eiil
dren is exhausted, so (hat we are under he
necessity of suffering some of our boy< to
wear their fndiai dress, which is but badly
suited to shield them from the inclemescy
of winter. Late this evenipg. Dinan came
to attend missionary prayer meeting, suppo
sing this was the evening. Finding that the
was mistaken, she nevertheless failed npt to
improve the opportunity she had of receiv
ing instruction. She applied to brolher
Holmes for advice on a casuistical point
which, latterly, had given her much uneasi
ness, Sbe was anxious to know the path
of duty. Having obtained counsel on this
point, she was insensibly led into a brief ac
count ot tbe dealings of God with her oul.
The story was to brother H, decidedly the
most interesting he had ever heard. It rtns
narrated also io so artless a manner, and ex
hibited so distinctly the workings of tbe nat
ural heart under conviction, and the won
derful change experienced in conversion,
that it could not fail to interest even the
most indifferent. So anxious was she to
gain instruction and hear conversation (hit
she did not move till after 11 o’clock, and
then with her child in her arms she set out
through the lone wilderness, on the path
way that leads to her but, without even tbe
dim glimmering of a midnight star to direct
her footsteps. She lives three miles from
Monroe. Let careless professors blush,
who live within hearing of the church bell’s
gladsome sound, and yet refuse to join Ihe.
praying multitude in urging on Immanuel’s
kingdom.
February 5. This eveniog brother Blair
returned with part of oar supplies. He had
a prosperous journey, and a pleasant one,
though two nights, the coldest by much we
have experienced Ibis winter, he was oblig
ed to encamp in the woods far distant from
any hospitablmMttf, aod without any com
pany except omrof our Indian boys. We
learn with regret that no boxes es clothing
have yet arrived. But on another point we
have abundant cause ofjoy and thankfulness
—having obtained information from an in
dubitable source that the cancer ha3 been
successfully extirpated from sister Stuart’s
breast. The operator was Doctor Hand of
Hamilton,assisted by Doctor Hunt of Colum
bus-. A speedy and perfect cure is confi
dently expected.
12. Our dear brother and sister Stuart
returned, having been absent three weeks
aod three days. Both are in feeble health :
but we feel, and desire gratefully to ac
knowledge ourselves under peculiar oblige
lions to adore the goodness of our Heavenly
Father in granting them a safe and early re
turn. Our fearful apprehensions are all
removed. Though the incision made io
removing the tumour was deep and long,
the -vnund is almost healed.
15. There is to-day an Indian dance
within four miles of os. Brother Stuart,
having business at tbe agency,-passed tbe
place of their amusement. The sight was
calculated deeply to affect the Christian’s
heart. In the centre sat an old chief beat
ing on a little drum and singing a monoto
nous air, while around him a promiscuous
multitude of males and females dressed in
Indian costume and frightfully painted, were
dancing uncouthly, yet in perfect time with
the tune—their attitudes and gestures con
tinually changing with almost inconceivable
rapidity. Occasionally the rousick (if we
may call it so) would suddenly slop aud all
would stand in breathless silence for a few
moments, then with the recommencemen’
of the beating and singing, tossing up their
hands high io the air, utter a savage yell
and again dance around as before. The
scene was rendered still more ludicrous by
a confused clattering noise in all ports of
the circle, which on inquiry was found to
proceed from shells of the land tortoise fil
led with small pebbles and hanging around
the women’s feet. They have a variety of
dances, as tbe Boar dance, (he Buffalo dance,
the Horse dance, the Black Mouth dance,
&.c Sir. in the horse danee the men wear
on their heads the skins of horses’ heads
stuffed with rags—in Ihe black rauth dance
all the females are dressed in men’s appar
el; one man only is permitted to dance
wilt) them, and he is clothed in female at
tire, with the shells, &c. This, it seems, is
a favourite amusement with those benight
ed people. Oh, if our female friends could
witness but a small part of the degradaii
and wretiKfiTuess oft heir red sisters surely
their hearts would bleed, their ardent pray
ers continually ascend, aod their hands la
hour and liberally contribute for their de
liverance.
24. Brother Stuart left us, taking with
him a wagon to bring tip the balance of our
supplies from Mayhew. Tbe weather is
very unfavourable ; —much rain has fallen,
and the wind has blown almost a hurricane.
Sudden and devastating storms are very
common in this region of country, traces of
which tbe traveller may discover every
day; sometimes every few miles vast quan
tities of timber lie strewed io the way, which
have been torn from the earth by narrow
but powerful currents of wind.
25. This being the day appointed for
Ihe first examination of the Tokshist
School,’* 1 our children assembled in the
school room at the usual hour; and, after
the calling of the roll, a procession of the
whole was formed. Thus arranged, our
youthful band proceeded with the utmost
order to the appointed spot, where they
were greeted with a welcome smile by their
brothers and sisters from tbe forest. Du
ring tbe exercises their conduct was digni
fied and proper.
March 2. Brother Stuart returned. His
health being feeble and the weather very
unpleasant on account of great rains, he
left the wagon m tbe care of a neighbour,
who was providentially at Mnyhew and
kindly offered his services. Tbe Ooktibbe
ha was quite high, and no other means of
transporting onr supplies could be obtained
but a small tottering canoe. The work was
attended with considerable difficulty and
danger. The whole was gotteo over safely.
5. Attended a council of the Chiefs and
principal warriours, which has been called
for the purpose of communicating the re
sult of the visit of the delegation to Wash
ington : also to consult on the location of
the new schools to be established with the
Indian appropriation. The sites selected
are in tbe most advantageous parts of tbe
Nation. One near the northern boundary,
or Tennessee River; tbe other on tbe Mis
sissippi not far from the Chickasaw Bluff.
It was objected by one of the chiefs that
these places were too near the white set
tlements, to which the speaker of the Coun
cil replied 44 That there was much need of
a reform amongst some of their white neigh
bours, and he hoped by placing the missiona
ries near them this desirable object might be
effected .” Such an acknowledgement on
die part of an Indian of the salutary and
transforming influence of the gospel upon
the hearts of men, speaks more than vol
umes in favour of missionary efforts.
7. After our monthly concert fat pray
er this evening, the mission family assem
bled in Brother Stuart’s room for consults
i * The new Local School.
[Price $3 50 per ann.
lion. Having implored the Divine blessing,
tbe following resolutions were entered into
-- That, in accordance with tbe wishes
of the Indians, we commence operations im
mediately at the Station on Tennessee
river.
2 That it is inexpedient and impractica
ble for brother and sister Stuart to remove
until more missionary help can be obtained.
Therefore,
Resolved, 3 That we let out the erec
tion of tbe buildings to tbe lowest bidder,
and that brother Stuart go occasionally and’
see that the business is performed accord
ing to contract.
4. That we employ a black womnn fora
few months to assist in the kitchen, and
that one of our labourers, whose health is
bad, be permitted to return to Tennessee.
9 Brother Stoart left us to go to Tuscum
bia in Alabama, on business. White in that
regioo he designs risking the site selected
by the Council for the location of one of the
new schools. This is said not to exceed 12
miles from Tuscumbra in a western direc
tion.
21. Brother Stuart returned, lo conse
quence of great rains and high waters he
could not accomplish the object of his jour
ney. He was prevented from visiting the
new station.
Extract from a Utter to the Corresponding
Secretary of the Missionary Society of the
Synod.
“ Monroe, 23d March, 1825.
“By the forpgoing journal yoa will ee
that it is the wish of the Indians to have two
more schools‘established; and that we are
making arrangements for commencing op
erations at one of them immediately. We
hope this will not be considered by
Board as pretostore, although we have per
haps assumed too much in adopting such an
important measure without first consulting
them. But we feel confident, that when
they learn that the Indians expect it, and
are indeed quite urgent, they will approve.
The funds of the appropriation, we think,
are sufficient to establish and support two
schools of 20 or 25 scholars each. By last
mail we received a letter from Doctor Barr
making a number of inquiries on this sub
ject, and requesting an immediate answer.
As he designs having a meeting of the Board,
immediately after the receipt of our letter;
and as we presume you will attend this
meeting, we it nnnrrifisi'T’ * -
repetition of what we nave written him in
this romrannicnlion.
We are your brethren in the Lord,
THOMAS C. STUART,
JAMES HOLMES.
OHIO CONFERENCE.
The Methodist Ohio Annual Conference
met at Zanesville, Ohio, on’ Thursday, 2d
September, 1824. With them were five
Sandusky Indians. 1 first saw these in tbe
Methodist Church in the afternoon of Sat
urday, 4th September. After the sermon,
by a bishop, one addressed the assembly by
an interpreter, another prayed, and all
arose and sung an Indian hymn together.
The remarks of the Indian were singular
ly interesting. He pronounced a sentence,
and paused while tbe interpreter published
it to the assembly. It was not an address
got up for the oocasion, but the simple ex
pression of strong emotions excited by the
occasion, and uttered from the heart.
He spoke of the change wrought in bis
own country by the preached word, and of
the change wrought in his own heart. He
spoke ot the time when bis own nation
rightly possessed these serpentine streams
(pointing to the Muskingum and Licking)
and .these beautiful hills. He himself had
lifted the tomahawk in their defence: bad
borne his rifle through these valleys in
search of the white man’s blood. He spoke
of the farms and town*, which ‘have risen
up in all the land; and of the wonderful
change by which he was brought to speak
before this assembly; an assembly that not
long ago, would have sent forth shrieks at
the sound of an Indian’s voice.
He expressed the deepest gratitude for
the gift of the gospel to his people, and ac
knowledged with interest the Annual Con
ference of Ohio, as the chief instrument of
Providence in supplying their spiritual ne
cessities. He had a sound and reflecting
mind. All that he said sunk deep into (he
hearts of the hearers, and made a lively im
pression there.
When be bad closed, bis brethren rose op
with him and snog a hymn in their own
tongne. The language was harmonious.
Tbe air discovered a strong resemblance
to their own various hunting songs. It was
a little strange to tbe ear and mind; but
the strains were more melodious than I had
previously heard from Indian lips. Tbe
performance was such, with the attending
circumstances, as to melt many eyes into
tears. These men and late savages now
stood in the presence of a great congrega
tion, transforming their own wild notes into
a hymn of praise; and with perfect harmo
ny of time and voice, devoutly singing the
Redeemer’s love. Jesus name alone could
be understood in the song. It did move the
deep feelings of every heart.
After the hymn one of their number
kneeled with the congregation in prayer.
The language was Indian. Never heeft