The missionary. (Mt. Zion, Hancock County, Ga.) 1819-182?, May 16, 1825, Image 1

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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