ten miles: were overtaken by rain on the way. 15. Several hard thunder showers. Every thing on our horses and ourselves wet through before we could reach a shelter. 17. Brother W. had a very severe ague, while riding in the rain. It seemed as if its violence would shake his limbs from his body. The fever following was unusually high and distressing. 18. Came to a creek so much raised by the late rains, that all the logs across it were overflowed. Had no axe to fell other trees, were out of provisions, and sixty miles from any place where we could obtain more, without crossing the creek. 20. The Lord sent us some provisions by a company of men passing with pack horses, loaded mostly with meat and corn meal. They supplied us according to our need, as they also were detained by the height of the creek. We considered this as a renewed expression of loving kindness from our Heavenly Father. 23. Found a log bare across the creek; succeeded in getting our baggage over and swimming our horses. Thus, after five days detention, were we delivered from a condition, trying in almost every circumstance attending it: water-bound in the wilderness; without food; the ague and fever daily; rain descending upon us continually; with no shelter but a single blanket; ignorant of the situation of our families, of whom we had received no intelligence for nearly six months. About two miles from the creek we left, came to another nearly as large but not so high. While getting our baggage and horses over it, a large tree fell into the only ford with which we were acquainted. One of he horses while swimming became so entangled in the limbs of the tree, as to be unable to go forward. The current soon carried him against the trunk of the tree, drawing the hind parts under it, and leaving but a small part of the head above water. The horse must soon have drowned, had not an Indian woman come to our assistance. By going into the creek herself, she soon extricated the horse, and got him safe to shore. 25. In the evening had the joy of once more setting our feet on holy ground, and of embracing our wives and children, with the dear brethren and sisters at Elliot. "Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us bless his holy name." Mr. Finney states, in a letter to the Cor. Sec. accompanying the preceding journal, that for about four weeks in Aug. and Sept. Mr. Washburn was so well as to labor very hard with his hands; that on their passage down the Arkansaw capt. Ballard was very kind to them, and furnished them with provisions gratui. tously; that they were so weak as not to be able to ascend the bank of the river, when they occasionally stopped, except by crawling on their hands and feet; and that the journey from the Walnut Hills to Elliot, in the heavy and cold rains of the winter solstice, without shelter, without comfortable provisions, and with constant pain, sickness and weariness was the most distressing part of the whole perilous season of their absence and labor. These brethren have certainly had a harder service, so far as bodily pain, fatigue, and exposure to danger and death are concerned, than any missionaries employed by the Board. The Lord grant, that they may hereafter see good, "according to the days wherein they have seen evil." The letter of Mr. Finney concludes as fol. lows: "So far as I know the feelings of my own heart, I think no discouragement has been experienced on account of my long sick. ness, or any other obstacle in our way. I think it the desire of my heart to live and die on missionary ground; and do and bear what God shall appoint for making known the glad tidings of the Gospel to the poor ignorant heathen. For this I need ever to feel the influence of grace; to feel that I am not my own, but am bought with a price, even with the precious blood of Christ. May I, and all associated with me, have the prayers of the Prudential Committee; not because we are worthy of a remembrance in the prayers of any; but because the influence of our conduct may effect much good or evil to the cause of Christ, in the circle where we move.” Messrs. F. and W. with their families, left the Choctaw nation, early in the spring, for the place of their mission. Nothing has been heard from them since their departure. MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. Since the publication of our last number, letters have been received, by three different conveyances, from the missionaries at the Sandwich Islands. The Volunteer, capt. Bennett, left Woahoo the 19th, and Atooi the 21st of November, and brought communications of those dates respectively; particularly the mission journal kept at Woahoo, from July to November. The intelligence from this mission is still deeply interesting. Our limits will not permit the insertion of extracts from the journal in the present number. The following letters, however, give a brief view of the mission, and its several parts, down to the last date mentioned. Mr. Bingham inclosed letters to his friends, particularly to Messrs. Parsons and Fisk, in an envelope addressed to the Treasurer, Aug. 17th. The vessel, by which these letters were sent, unexpectedly stopped again at the islands, Sept. 26th, when Mrs. Bingham added the following postscript: "Dear Sir, L'Aigle, capt. Starbuck, the Levant, capt. Cary, and the Ann, capt. Hale; and sent by capt. Cary, a copy of our journal up to the 19th of July, and hope to send you now, by the Volunteer, capt. Bennett, our journal continued from that date, till the present. We believe you will rejoice with us, when you see what the Lord has done for these Isles of the Gentiles, in removing their idols and altars of abomination, and in planting a Christian mission and church and erecting the standard of the Gospel. In view of the magnitude and responsibility of the work before us, the great preparation deemed necessary to engage in it, and the difficulty of making every needed preparation, we could not but feel, at the time we left you, that, in some respects, our embarkation was hasty and premature. Though the same considerations have still a similar "Some alteration in the plans of capt. Gy. bearing on our minds, yet we are satis zelaar, the bearer of these communications, has given us an opportunity of making an addition to the packet, which we should have done, had our present circumstances admitted. "Mr. B. broke the seal with an intention of writing to you; but was unexpectedly called away; and capt. G. comes to tell us, that the Clarion sails in an hour. I am unwilling to close the letter without the latest date; as I feel that the satisfaction to yourself and many others will not be small to hear what, in the but we have cause, from day to day, to sing of LETTER FROM MESSRS. BINGHAM AND LOOMIS fied that we arrived, in the good providence of God, "at the very juncture for the establishment of a mission;" and were we "thoroughly furnished unto every good work,' we might hope to see our banner unitedly set up, in the name of our God, and immoveably established unto all generations. The work will indeed put in requisition all the wisdom and experience, all the activity, which we possess: nay, it talents and enterprise, all the zeal and seems to demand the wisest and most eficient laborers, which the church could possibly furnish. The chaotic state of the nation requires a plastic hand, more skilful and powerful, than we are able to apply to it, that its religious and national character may be formed acceptable to God. We trust the same divine hand, which gave existence to the nation, and which has prostrated its idolatry, and broken the galling chains of the oppressive taboos, will form its moral character, and give it such purity, beauty, consistency, and stability, that the Prince of Peace will delight to reign here for ever. We, as instruments in the divine administration, are allowed to begin the work; know, that we have the prospect of and we doubt not you will rejoice to Hanaroorah, Woahoo, Nov. 19, 1820. Rev, and very dear Sir, Your first communication to us, after giving us the parting hand, with your paternal benediction, in Boston harbor, we received by the Cleopatra's Barge, capt. Suter, on the 11th of this month. We have been refreshed by its inter-continuing it, with the hopes of success. esting contents; as also by the rich feast of religious and missionary intelligence sent us by the Pru. Com. and others. We cannot but rejoice with you in view of what God is doing for Zion, and for the heathen. We have written you, since our arrival, by the We expected trials. We have had our share. We needed them; and we hope they will work for our good. But our trials from the heathen have been less than we had expected. Though even * The missionaries had also written to the Treasurer, by the Clarion, capt.Gyzelaar. Ed. here, if fickleness of mind, instability, and uncertainty in the measures of government; if drunkenness and debauchery, and their attendant evils and abom. inations, can be considered as trials to us, we meet with them every day. But these are the evils which it was, and is, our design to remove. We must struggle with them long; and never be weary in well doing. Our journal will give you a view of our progress, the state of our schools, and the situation of the mission. We have had under our instruction, at the different stations, about 90 pupils, of different ages, rank and color, from the king and royal family, to the outcast in the street. Under the instruction of brother and sister Thurston and Thomas Hopoo, at Kirooah, 14; under brother Loomis at Toeaigh, 8; at Woahoo, under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Bingham, 40; and under the care of brothers Whitney and Ruggles, at Atooi, 30. The station on Owhyhee seems, for some time, to have been struggling for existence. It has suffered more affliction by far than the others. First, the defection of William Tennooe, of which we have before given an account: afterwards the departure of Dr. Holman and his wife to Mowee, partly on account of the difficulties of obtaining an adequate supply of good water at Kirooah; then the intemperate drinking and discontent of the young king, which interrupted his || studies soon after he began to read in the New Testament, together with the declared determination of the government to remove from Owhyhee to Woahoo. These things seem to require that the island of Owhyhee should be left, for a season, in all its darkness and pollution. But most of our pupils there will, in that case, come here, and still be under our instruction. The field is open there. It is wide and white, but the laborers are few. The king and brother Thurston are expected here soon. The school at this place has been in our view flourishing. Today it is made to feel its first heavy blow. Nine of our pupils are taken away by four or five white men, who are going to people an uninhabited island near the equator, about in the longitude of Atooi. They have learned the ten commandments, in their own tongue. This is a mysterious providence, but we hope it will all be for the best. The station at Atooi is yet attended, we believe, with the divine smiles. Will the church in America help us to praise God for his goodness and for his wonderful works, and continue to pray for our prosperity. You, dear Sir, will never forget us while you love the Redeemer, and his glorious cause among the heathen. We hope to write more at length by the next conveyance. We remain, with great affection, yours, dear Sir, in the bonds and labors of the Gospel, H. BINGHAM, E. LOOMIS. LETTER FROM MESSRS. WHITNEY AND RUGGLES TO THE TREASURER. Wymai, Atooi, Nov. 19, 1821. Respected and Dear Sir, In our last communication, by the Ann, capt. Hale, for the want of time we were obliged to be short: for the same reason, we must, at this time, say what we can, in few words. Our covenant Father still continues his smiles upon us, giving us all health and strength, daily supplying our necessities from his all-abounding and liberal hand, opening wider and wider the door of usefulness to us, and by his gracious providences bidding us, "Be strong and of good courage; fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Though every day presents to us new instances of the depravity and wretchedness of these heathens, and every hour brings new obstacles before us, which, to the natural view, seem almost to hedge up our way; yet we experience also, every day, fresh tokens of the gracious care and favor of Him, who, when on earth, said to his disciples, "Go ye, therefore, teach all nations," &c. and we have constant encouragement to arm ourselves with zeal, and confidently proceed in our work. King Tamoree appears no less interested in our object, than when we first landed on this island; but rather seems more and more inclined to patronize it, almost daily contributing to our comforts and conveniences. About the middle of September, he made us a present of two pieces of land, one about two miles from our house, in the valley of Wymai; the other in Hanapapa, six miles distant. It is all good land, yielding taro, potatoes, yams, bananas, sugarcane and cocoanuts, in abundance. There are also two fish-ponds, attached to the lands, which furnish us with some excellent fresh fish. On both pieces are 48 working men, upon whom we have a right to call for assistance, whenever we choose. They have built us a convenient cook-house, the back part of which serves as a lodging place for our children and domestics. At a moderate calculation, we conclude that the annual produce of our land is sufficient to support our own family, those who cultivate it, and 60 or 70 children. Our school at present consists of about 30 children, and eight or ten adults. Their progress is flattering. The king is not so much engaged in learning to read as he has been; but appears desirous that the children and youth should be instructed. He has given us a bell for the use of our school, which is a valuable acquisition to our establishment. We have a flock of almost 20 goats, which furnish milk for our family; and we hope soon to be able to make a little butter. In an establishment like ours, we find the want of many things to make us comfortable, with which, if we were supplied, we should find less occasion to spend our time in secular concerns; and could devote ourselves more entirely to the great work of instruction. But our greatest need is a faithful minister to break to us the bread of life, and guide our wandering feet into the paths of righteousness and truth. We trust our Christian friends and patrons will not forget us in this respect. We do hope and fervently pray, that before many months some favoring breeze may waft to this shore one, who will strengthen our hands and encourage our hearts; one calculated to endure, with fortitude and meekness, all the trials, privations and discouragements, attendant on the missionary life. We send by the Volunteer, capt. Bennett, a small box containing two of king Tamoree's favorite idols, which he lately presented to us. One is for yourself, and the other is intended for President Day. We remain yours in the bonds of Christian affection, SAMUEL WHITNEY, A letter to the Corresponding Secretary, by the Ann, capt. Hale, dated Oct. 11th, and written by Mr. Bingham, commences thus: "Rev. and Dear Sir, "It is with heart-felt gratitude to the Author of all our mercies, that we are enabled VOL. XVII. to say, after half a year's residence among heathen, the smiles of Divine Providence still attend our labors, and cheer our hearts with the prospect of usefulness. The same holy hand, that conducted us in safety over the great waters, has kindly smoothed the rough path in which we had expected to walk, and spread around us many comforts, which we did not expect to enjoy. From the children of paganism we have met with no opposition, in the prosecution of our appropriate work. From many of the foreigners, with whom we have had intercourse, we have found more permanent, efficient and valuable friends than might have been expected. The trials, which have called forth our tears, and agitated our hearts, and covered our faces with blushing, have arisen principally from a source, where we had looked, with too much confidence, for comfort and support. need your kind sympathy, your fervent prayers, your affectionate counsels; and still we would gladly spare you the pain, nor add to your multiplied cares and your most important concerns, the sad story of our disappointment and distress. We would ardently desire to turn your parental eyes from our trials to behold the unnumbered blessings tendered to us as missionaries of the cross. Yet with the feelings of filial affection, are we impelled to say, although we are allowed, as a little band of pilgrims, without interruption, to tell the passing stranger of Zion's God, and to point the perishing heathen to the Redeemer of Israel, it is our little church that mourns, and sits solitary, and weeps by the turbid waters of Babylon." We Mr. B. then proceeds to mention the unhappy defection of Tennooe, and the unexpected departure of Dr. Holman from the mission; for such it was considered, when he resolved to reside on the island Mowee alone, more than 80 miles from any of his brethren, and contrary to their unanimous advice and request. Since the preceding letter was written, Dr. Holman had gone down to Atooi, after a short residence in Mowee. He was present at the birth of Mrs. Whitney's child; and from that station wrote a long letter to the Corresponding Secretary, giving the reasons which induced him to leave Kirooah. These reasons. are not satisfactory. He expressed the design of returning to Mowee; but he did not seem to have fixed, in his own mind, upon any place as his permanent residence. 28 Ch. So. by the Rev. L. Wright, for For, miss. Bath, N. H. Mon. con. by the Rev. Coll. in schools, for hea. ch. Mr. Jacob Longfellow, Miss Mary Bethel, Oxford Co. Me. Fem. Cent So. for the promotion of Christianity among the heathen, by Miss Harriet Hills, Beverly, Ms. Mon. con. by the Rev. D. Oliphant, Meeting of Females, for prayer, Blandford, Ms. Mrs. Lydia Keep, by the Rev. Mr. Lee, Miss Caroline R. Hale, Ann. sub. of half a cent a day of a child named Harriet Newell, 4 00 11 04 4 66 455 3 00 50 5 50 2 25 14 00 18 00 12 00 15 31 29 01 2.00 10 00 5 00 1 83 Bloomfield, N. J. Fem. Mite So. 12 00 Phebe Dodd, Tr. for ed. hea. chil. 17 00 10 00 Blue Hill, Me. Sundry ladies, by Mrs. Fisher, 12 64 12 00 35 00 A female friend, 5 00 North par. A female friend to miss. ann. payment, by the Rev. I. W. Putnam, Ladies, for CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, and CHAUNCEY ALLEN GOODRICH, 3d payment, 24 00 4.00 3 00 15 00 18.00 5.00 5 00 100 00 100 00 5 00 A charity box kept by Mr. C. Eddy Collected in the same box during a Argyle, N. Y. Daniel Stevenson, Esq. als, for the support of Mr. Zachariah Howes, a member of the Elliot miss. by James Farland, collector, 25 00 A female friend, Fem. So. for promoting Christianity among the Jews, to be applied to the support of the school for Jewish children at Bombay, For the Pal. miss. Stephen Tuttle, a common sailor, by Mr. C. Cleveland, A friend, for a child to be named JOHN BROWN FRAZIER, in the Rev. Mr. Winslow's family,Ceylon, 12 00 A female friend of miss. for the distribution of the Bible where it is most needed, Do. for miss. to Am. Ind. A female friend of miss. for the Jerusalem miss. by Miss Turner, United mon. con, for the Pal. Miss. A thank offering contributed by three seamen, at the seamen's meeting, by the Rev. Mr. Jenks, Small balances from three subscribers to the Recorder, by Mr. N. Willis, 13 95 Juv. Hea. Sch. So. John Paine, Tr. 2 12 A char. box, kept by Esther P. Wil for hea. ch. 3 06 10 00 15.00 25 00 104 10 2 12 2. 00 2.00 20 15 42 14.50 |