ries, and especially those among an untutored people, must be greatly exposed. That our readers may the better understand what is said of persons and places, in the letters and journal, we have been at the pains to make out, by consulting Vancouver's chart, the following description of the relative situation of the Sandwich Islands, their sizes, and distances. Those who are impatient of these dry details, may pass over them, and enter immediately upon the perusal of some of the most interesting documents, which the history of missions has hitherto furnished. We take this opportunity to observe, however, that in order to derive the full benefit from narratives of missions, the reader should be competently acquainted with the geography of the places, where the transactions took place. The Sandwich Islands are situated between 18.50 and 22. 20, north latitude, and 154.. 55 and 160 15, west longitude from Greenwich. They are extended in a direction W. N. W. and E. S. E., Owhyhee being the south eastern island, and Oneehow the north western. We give the length and greatest breadth of each, and its estimated superficial contents, in English miles. Length. Breadth. Square miles. The following distances, in English miles, with the bearings of the islands from each other, will help to give a more perfect view of their relative situation. It is to be understood, that the distances are estimated from the nearest parts of one island to the nearest parts of the other. Mowee is N. W. of Owhyhee, 30 miles: Morotoi, W. N. W. of Mowee, 10; from Owhyhee, 75: Tahoorowa, S. W. of the southern part of Mowee, 7; from Owhyhee, 38: Ranai, W of Mowee, JOINT LETTER OF THE MISSIONARIES TO THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. Hanaroorah, Woahoo, July 23, 1820. REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR, Far removed from the loved dwellings of Zion in our native land, sur rounded with pagans and strangers, we would lift the voice of grateful praise to our covenant Father, and call on our patrons and friends to rejoice, for the Lord hath comforted his people, and ministered unto us an open and abundant entrance among the heathen. But here we see no altars of abonination, nor bloody rites of superstition. Jehovah has begun to overturn the institutions of idolatry, and to prepare the way for the nobler institutions of his own worship. While we were tossing on the waters of the Atlantic, and while the church was on her knees before the Hearer of prayer, He was casting down the vanities of the heathen, demolishing the temples of paganism, and holding in derision the former pride and disgrace of this people. Wafted by the propitious gales of heaven, we passed the dangerous goal of Cape Horn on the 30th of January; set up our Ebenezer there; and, on the 30th of March, arrived off the shore of these long lost and long neglected "Isles of the Gentiles." But how were our ears astonished to hear a voice proclaim; "In the wilderness prepare ye the way of Jehovah; make strait in the desert a highway for our God!" How were our hearts agitated with new, and various and unexpected emotions, to hear the interesting intelligence,"TAMAHAMAHA IS DEAD;-THE TABOOS ARE BROKEN;-THE IDOLS ARE BURNT; THE MOREEAHS ARE DESTROYED; AND THE PRIESTHOOD ABOLISHED." This victory was achieved by that arm alone, which sustains the universe. He, who in wisdom has ordained, that no flesh should glory in his presence, has saved us from the danger of glorying in the triumph, and taught us with adoring views of his ma 9; and the same distance S. of Morotoi: Woajesty to "stand still and see the salva hoo, W. N. W. of Morotoi, 27; from Owhyhee, 130: Atooi, W. N. W. of Woahoo, 75; from Owhyhee, 250: Oneehow, W. S W. of Atooi, 17; from Owhy hee, 290: Tahoora, little more than a rock, S. W. of Oneehow, 23. The distance, from the eastern point of Owhyhee to the northwestern side of Oneehow, is about 390 miles. But tion of God." Long indeed did we expect to toil, with slow and painful progress, to undermine the deep laid foundations of the grossest idolatry. He, whose name alone is Jehovah, looked upon the bloodstained superstition, erected in insult to divine purity, and, without even the winding ram's horn of a consecrated priest, it sinks from His presence, and tumbles into ruins; and he commands us, as the feeble followers of the Captain of salvation, to go up "every man straight before him," and, "in the name of our God, to set up our banner." Missionary Stations. We have been allowed to plant the standard of the cross at Kirooah, and at Hanaroorah, where the chiefs, the natives, and foreigners may, from week to week, hear the sound of the Gospel. Most gladly would we erect the standard on every isle in this cluster, but we have no preacher to send. The people are without any form of religion, waiting, as it were, for the law of Christ, though they know not his name, nor the way of salvation. her way to America via Canton. We hope the Board will have it in their power immediately to station there an able preacher of the Gospel, a skilful and discreet physician, an industrious farmer, and an accomplished Lancasterian school master. At Kirooah, our brethren, though subject to great privations, are allowed to engage in their appropriate work with flattering hopes of success. The king leads the way as their humble pupil, and now begins to read intelligibly in the New Testament, desirous to outstrip all his subjects in the acquisition of useful knowledge. Two of his wives, and two stewards under their instruction, exercise themselves in the most easy reading lessons of Webster's spelling book. At this place, we have a pleasant school advancing with desirable progress in the rudiments of the English language. The number under our instruction here is about 30, among whom are the governor, or head chief of the island, his wife, daughter of a chief of Karakakooa, and eleven children of white men. One of the latter, George Holmes, exhibits a fine genius for painting. We send you a specimen of drawing, and lettering, executed by him under our instruction, which we think could not, without better models, be exceeded by any school-boy in America. We need here the aid of a preacher of the Gospel, and a schoolmaster, who is skilled in the Lancasterian method of instruction,-and a tried physician, who would cheerfully and patiently endure the necessary toils and privations, to which he must be subject in removing the diseases of the body and soul among the heathen, and among his fellow laborers. God has hitherto preserved our health; but the heathen around us are wasting away by disease, induced not by the climate, but by their imprudence and vices. From Atooi the call is loud and impressive, "come over and help us." Two of our brethren, Messrs. Whit ney and Ruggies, accompanied George to his father, who received his long absent son with tenderest affection, and made him second in command over his islands. He said, that the arrival of Hoome-hoome, as his son is called,|| "made his heart so joyful, that he could not talk much that day." He expressed much gratitude for the kindness of the friends of Hoome-hoome, in providing for his comfort, his instruction, and his safe return; and for sending teachers to these islands to instruct him and his people, in the arts and sciences, and in the principles of the Christian religion. The king said with respect to George, "I love Hooomehoome very much more than my other children;" (of whom he has a daughter older, and a son younger.) "I thought he was dead; I cry many times because I think he was dead;-Some captains tell me he live in America;-I say no; -he dead; he no more come back. But now he live;-he come again;-my heart very glad." He engages to be a Dr. Holman has purposed to take father to us, as we have been to his his station at Mowee. That is a fruitson. He is importunate in his intrea- ful island, and we hope soon to see the ties, that some of us should settle there; standard of the Gospel planted there. -promises to give us houses and land, The scruples of the king, with regard as much as we need; expresses a great to the danger of additional missionaries desire to learn, and has begun the work in this field, we hope will have subsidin earnest. The brethren, after spend-ed before additional laborers can aring eight weeks in instructing him and his wife and family, and exploring the island, returned to this place. Tomorrow it is expected that they, with their wives, will proceed again thither, in the ship Levant, Capt. Cary, on rive. He expressed a regret, that no one of us could repair and build vessels for him. We think that a pious, skilful, and devoted ship-carpenter, inured to self-denial, and able to recommend and enforce the religion of Christ, might be of incalculable benefit to this people. Such a mechanic they would prize above all others. Call for more Missionaries. Cheered with these divine consolations, in the midst of trials and privations-contented and happy in our work, weak and inexperienced as we are, we turn our eyes to you for counsel, and to Heaven for help, and subscribe ourselves, dear Sir, your servants for Jesus sake, and fellow laborers, in the vineyard of our Lord. H. BINGHAM,' DANIEL CHAMBERLAIN, SAMUEL RUGGLES, P. S. We send you by the Levant a copy of our journal up to the 19th of July, 1820. We wrote you by the ship Mary, Capt. Smith, about 50 days after our embarkation, and since our arrival another letter, No. 2, by the L'Aigle, Capt. Starbuck. In the second we gave a more particular account of our arrival and settlement; but this may reach you first. JOURNAL OF THE MISSIONARIES. As our present number can admit but a part of the journal, we commence at the time when the Thaddeus was approaching Owhyhee; and a more interesting epoch to the members of the mission can hardly be conceived. We know not what divine wisdom intends to do here; but we think a great effort ought to be made, in every island, to establish Christianity and to take possession for Christ and the church, before that idolatry, which seems to have been crushed by a single blow of Jehovah's arm, should again be revived. The case is so new, and so unparalleled in the history of the world, that we know not what to sav. When hath a nation changed its gods? The enemy may have retired but for a season, to appear again in his wrath, to kindle the flames of persecution, and reestablish the worship of demons in all its forms of pollution and cruelty. How often did Israel, the chosen of God, give melancholy proof of the most deep rooted depravity, and the incurable propensity of the human heart to the grossest idolatry, even with the lively oracles of divine truth in their hands, and the awful majesty of Jehovah's presence before their eyes. Were it not for the fact, that the present is an age of wonders, and the hope, that the Christian church will not relax the ardor of effort and the fervency of prayer for us and this people, we should expect soon to see the altars of abomination erected, and the powerful priesthood of superstition arrayed against this little, feeble band of Christian pilgrims, before one of us could preach plainly and impressively, in the language of the islands, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. But in God is our hope; and we will not fear. We dare not put our trust in princes. The king of Zion alone is worthy of our confidence. It is he, who has begun the glorious work; and it will go on. The powers of earth 30. Let us thank God and take courand hell cannot successfully oppose it. age. Early this morning the long lookWe are nothing. And whether de-ed for Owhyhee, and the cloud-capt feat or success shall be our particular and snow-capt Mouna-Keah, appear in lot, we know that the holy cause in full view, to the joy of the little comwhich, under your patronage, we are pany on board. A heavy cloud now enallowed to embark,-cannot fail of ul-velopes a considerable part of this stutimate and universal triumph. "Zion shall arise and shine,-the Redeemer shall reign,-the isles shall wait for his law. The glory of the Lord shall cover the earth, and all flesh shall see it together; for the moath of the Lord hath spoken it." VOL. XVII, March 28, 1820. Within two or three it desirable to observe this day as a seadays sail of Owhyhee. We have thought son of fasting and prayer, that we may be better prepared to enter on our work with proper feelings of heart; with confidence in God; with penitence for our for the blessings of the Gospel; with own sins; with gratitude compassion for the wretched children of superstition; with benevolence faith in the blood of Christ, and in his towards all intelligent beings; and with promises with reference to the salvation of the heathen. First View of Owhyhee. pendous mountain, on the summit of which a great body of snow appears, at intervals, quite above the clouds. 11 o'clock A. M. We are now coasting along the northern part of the island, so near the shore, as to see the numerous habitations, cultivated fields, 15 from His presence, and tumbles into ruins; and he commands us, as the feeble followers of the Captain of salvation, to go up "every man straight before him," and, "in the name of our God, to set up our banner." Missionary Stations. We have been allowed to plant the standard of the cross at Kirooah, and at Hanaroorah, where the chiefs, the natives, and foreigners may, from week to week, hear the sound of the Gospel. Most gladly would we erect the standard on every isle in this cluster, but we have no preacher to send. The people are without any form of religion, waiting, as it were, for the law of Christ, though they know not his name, nor the way of salvation. her way to America via Canton. We hope the Board will have it in their power immediately to station there an able preacher of the Gospel, a skilful and discreet physician, an industrious farmer, and an accomplished Lancasterian school master. At Kirooah, our brethren, though subject to great privations, are allowed to engage in their appropriate work with flattering hopes of success. The king leads the way as their humble pupil, and now begins to read intelligibly in the New Testament, desirous to outstrip all his subjects in the acquisition of useful knowledge. Two of his wives, and two stewards under their instruction, exercise themselves in the most easy reading lessons of Webster's spelling book. At this place, we have a pleasant school advancing with desirable progress in the rudiments of the English language. The number under our instruction here is about 30, among whom are the governor, or head chief of the island, his wife, daughter of a chief of Karakakooa, and eleven children of white men. One of the latter, George Holmes, exhibits a fine genius for painting. We send you a specimen of drawing, and lettering, executed by him under our instruction, which we think could not, without better models, be exceeded by any school-boy in America. We need here the aid of a preacher of the Gospel, and a schoolmaster, who is skilled in the Lancasterian method of instruction,—and a tried physician, who would cheerfully and From Atooi the call is loud and impressive, "come over and help us." Two of our brethren, Messrs. Whit ney and Ruggies, accompanied George to his father, who received his long absent son with tenderest affection, and made him second in command over his islands. He said, that the arrival of Hoome-boome, as his son is called, "made his heart so joyful, that he could not talk much that day." He expressed much gratitude for the kindness of the friends of Hoome-hoome, in providing for his comfort, his instruction, and his safe return; and for sending teachers to these islands to instruct him and his people, in the arts and sciences, and in the principles of the Christian religion. The king said with respect to George, "I love Hooome-patiently endure the necessary toils and hoome very much more than my other children;" (of whom he has a daughter older, and a son younger.) "I thought he was dead; I cry many times because I think he was dead;-Some captains tell me he live in America;-I say no; -he dead; he no more come back. But now he live;-he come again;-my heart very glad." He engages to be a father to us, as we have been to his son. He is importunate in his intreaties, that some of us should settle there; -promises to give us houses and land, as much as we need; expresses a great desire to learn, and has begun the work in earnest. The brethren, after spending eight weeks in instructing him and his wife and family, and exploring the island, returned to this place. morrow it is expected that they, with their wives, will proceed again thither, in the ship Levant, Capt. Cary, on To privations, to which he must be subject in removing the diseases of the body and soul among the heathen, and among his fellow, laborers. God has hitherto preserved our health; but the heathen around us are wasting away by disease, induced not by the climate, but by their imprudence and vices. Dr. Holman has purposed to take his station at Mowee. That is a fruitful island, and we hope soon to see the standard of the Gospel planted there. The scruples of the king, with regard to the danger of additional missionaries in this field, we hope will have subsided before additional laborers can arrive. He expressed a regret, that no one of us could repair and build vessels for him. We think that a pious, skilful, and devoted ship-carpenter, inured to self-denial, and able to recommend and enforce the religion of Christ, might be of incalculable benefit to this people. Such a mechanic they would prize above all others. Call for more Missionaries. Cheered with these divine consolations, in the midst of trials and privations-contented and happy in our work, weak and inexperienced as we are, we turn our eyes to you for counsel, and to Heaven for help, and subscribe ourselves, dear Sir, your servants for Jesus sake, and fellow laborers, in the vineyard of our Lord. H. BINGHAM, DANIEL CHAMBERLAIN, SAMUEL RUGGLES, P. S. We send you by the Levant a copy of our journal up to the 19th of July, 1820. We wrote you by the ship Mary, Capt. Smith, about 50 days after our embarkation, and since our arrival another letter, No. 2, by the L'Aigle, Capt. Starbuck. In the second we arrival and settlement; but this may gave a more particular account of our reach you first. JOURNAL OF THE MISSIONARIES. As our present number can admit but a part of the journal, we commence at the time when the Thaddeus was approaching Owhyhee; and a more interesting epoch to the members of the mission ean hardly be conceived. We know not what divine wisdom || intends to do here; but we think a great effort ought to be made, in every island, to establish Christianity and to take possession for Christ and the church, before that idolatry, which seems to have been crushed by a single blow of Jehovah's arm, should again be revived. The case is so new, and so unparalleled in the history of the world, that we know not what to sav. When hath a nation changed its gods? The enemy may have retired but for a season, to appear again in his wrath, to kindle the flames of persecution, and reestablish the worship of demons in all its forms of pollution and cruelty. How often did Israel, the chosen of God, give melancholy proof of the most deep rooted depravity, and the incurable propensity of the human heart to the grossest idolatry, even with the lively oracles of divine truth in their hands, and the awful majesty of Jehovah's presence before their eyes. Were it not for the fact, that the present is an age of wonders, and the hope, that the Christian church will not relax the ardor of effort and the fervency of prayer for us and this people, we should expect soon to see the altars of abomination erected, and the powerful priesthood of superstition arrayed against this little, feeble band of Christian pilgrims, before one of us could preach plainly and impressively, in the language of the islauds, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. But in God is our hope; and we will not fear. We dare not put our trust in princes. The king of Zion alone is worthy of our confidence. It is he, who has begun the glorious work; and it will go on. The powers of earth 30. Let us thank God and take courand hell cannot successfully oppose it. age. Early this morning the long lookWe are nothing. And whether de-ed for Owhyhee, and the cloud-capt feat or success shall be our particular lot, we know that the holy cause in which, under your patronage, we are allowed to embark,cannot fail of ultimate and universal triumph. "Zion shall arise and shine,-the Redeemer shall reign, the isles shall wait for his law. The glory of the Lord shall co ver the earth, and all flesh shall see it together; for the moath of the Lord hath spoken it." VOL. XVII. March 28, 1820. Within two or three days sail of Owhyhee. We have thought it desirable to observe this day as a season of fasting and prayer, that we may be better prepared to enter on our work with proper feelings of heart; with confidence in God; with penitence for our own sins; with gratitude for the blessings of the Gospel; with compassion for the wretched children of superstition; with benevolence towards all intelligent beings; and with faith in the blood of Christ, and in his promises with reference to the salvation of the heathen. First View of Owhyhee. and snow-capt Mouna-Keah, appear in full view, to the joy of the little company on board. A heavy cloud now envelopes a considerable part of this stupendous mountain, on the summit of which a great body of snow appears, at intervals, quite above the clouds. 11 o'clock A. M. We are now coasting along the northern part of the island, so near the shore, as to see the numerous habitations, cultivated fields, 15 |