remarkable for health, and vigor of constitution. It seemed good to the all-wise Disposer of events to cut them off, at the very beginning of their work; and it becomes all friends of the cause meekly and quietly to submit.

At he last intelligence, the health of the surviving members of the mission family was becoming better; and we hope they are all at this moment in the successful prosecution of their undertaking.

SECOND MISSION TO THE OSAGES.

THE United Foreign Mission Society contemplate the establishment of a mission among the Osages of the Missouri. The principal chief of that nation of Indians visited Washington, in the course of last summer, and was very desirous that the same benefits should be conferred on his people, as were about to be conferred on the Csages of the Arkansaw. Col. M'Kenney, superintendent of Indian trade, with that alacrity and Christian zeal, which so honorably distinguish him, communicated the desires of the chief to the Rev. Dr. Worcester, Cor. Sec. of the A. B. C. F. M. and to the Rev. Dr. Milledoler, For. Sec. of the U. F. M. S. suggesting, at the same time, that as the latter Society had undertaken to communicate the blessings of the Gospel to the Osages of the Arkansaw, it would probably be best, that they should meet the wants and wishes of the Osages of the Missouri. In compliance with this suggestion, and with the clear indications of Providence, the Rev. Dr. Milledoler was requested to visit Washington, and hold a confer. ence with the chief. The Board of Managers sent a written talk, formally executed by the officers of the Society. After several interviews a covenant was entered into, by the Rev. Secretary on behalf of the Society, and the chief warrior, assisted by a native, called a counsellor, on behalf of the Osages. The Society stipulates, in this covenant, 1. To send a mission family to the great Osage nation of the Missouri;-2. That this family shall teach the will of the Great Spirit-shall instruct the children in schools-and the rising generation in domestic industry: 3. That the mission family shall neither buy nor take any land: 4. That they shall set out, if practicable, on or before next April. The chief stipulated, 1. That the Osages would receive the mission family with kindness and love: 2. That they would assist in the erection of buildings, and would assign land for cultivation by the family, and for agricultural experiments: 3. That they will encourage the missionaries, and send the Indian children to school: 4. That in ease of complaint against the missionaries, which it is hoped will never exist, the Indians shall not drive away the mission family, but will make known the cause of dissatisfaction to the President of the U. S. or to the Society at N. York.

While preparing this article for the press we have learnt, that a missionary church has been formed in Warren, Ohio, with the design of migrating into the western wilderness, and carrying the blessings of the Gospel to the Indian tribes. The Rev. Joseph Badger, long known by his labors for the benefit of the Indians, is pastor. Soon after the church was formed, intelligence of the contemplated establishment among the Osages of the Missouri reached them; and they immediately made overtures to the Un. For. Miss. Society to go under its patronage. The arrangements have not been definitively made; but Mr. Badger and his associates, to the number of 30 persons, expect to set out from Beaver, Pen. about the 20th of February.

INDIANS IN THE STATE OF N. YORK.

THE Squakie Hill tribe of Indians, containing about 200 souls, have made application to the benevolent in their vicinity for the establishment of a school among them; and the Presbytery of Ontario county have kindly received the application. The Indians have assisted in building a school-house. A teacher will probably soon be employed for their benefit, at the expense of friends of missions, with a stipend of $300 a year. It was in this tribe that the Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, now a missionary among the Cherokees, attempted in vain to make an establishment.

Thus one portion of the American Aborigi nes after another is brought within the pale of civilization and Christianity. The advocates of missions and friends of moral culture and civil improvement should not be discouraged by a first, or second, or third repulse, or disappointment. Let them persevere, and they will at last succeed.

MISSION IN BURMAH.

Visit of Messrs. Judson and Colman to Ava. OUR readers are aware, that Mr. Judson had resided at Rangoon, in the Burman empire, six years before the date of the visit here described; and that, during the latter part of that time, he had been aided by the labors of other missionaries from this country.

THE obstacles thrown in the way of the missionaries by the government, determined Messrs. Judson and Colman to undertake an expedition to Ava, for the purpose of making a personal application to the emperor for permission to preach the Gospel.

Having made arrangements for their jour ney and their families during their absence, they embarked from Rangoon, Dec. 21, 1819, in a boat, to proceed up the great river, Arah-wah-tee, (commonly called Irawaddy.) This river is much infested with robbers, in many parts of its course, which rendered fire arms and an English gunner necessary. The company consisted of sixteen persons beside Messrs. J. & C.: viz. ten rowmen, a steers man, a headman, a steward or cook for the

company, their own cook, a Hindoo washerman, and an unfortunate Englishman, the gunner abovementioned. As no person unanthorized can appear in the emperor's presence without a present, that which they prepared on this occasion, was the Bible in six volumes, covered with gold leaf in Burman style, and each volume inclosed in a rich wrapper. Other presents were selected for the various members of the government.

In their passage they heard many reports of robberies and murders, committed at the very places through which they passed, which increased their circumspection by night and by day, and allowed little opportunity for sleep. Once they were approached in the night by a boat full of men, whose hostile appearance gave no favorable indication of their designs; but the resolute attitude of defence, assumed by the company, their numbers, and the prompt discharge of a gun, soon freed them from these unwelcome visitors.

On the 30th, at a town called Kah-noung, about 90 miles from Rangoon, they met a special officer, with a detachment of men in pursuit of a band of robbers, who had lately attacked a large boat, wounded and beat off the people, and taken plunder to a large amount. Farther onward, on the 2d of January, they had confirmed reports of a most daring robbery committed on a certain governor, who was going up to Ava in a boat of 50 men, laden with much treasure. The governor was shot, and the property all carried away.

and read it through. They next presented, through the hand of the same minister, an abridged copy of a tract, of which it is observed, that "every offensive sentence was corrected, and the whole put into the handsomest style and dress possible." His majesty received this also, and held it long enough to read the two first sentences, which asserted the unity and attributes of the only true God; when "with an air of indifference, perhaps of disdain, he dashed it down to the ground."

The minister endeavored to attract his master's attention to the present, the beautiful gilt volumes of the Bible, but without effect.

On mention of Mr. Colman's knowledge of medicine, the emperor refused to say any thing on the subject, more than to refer it to his physician, a Portuguese priest, to be examined whether he could be useful in that capacity. The missionaries were accordingly marched off, through the sun and dust, two miles to the residence of the Portuguese priest. He also soon dismissed them.

Notwithstanding these repulses, they procured another interview with the prime miaister, and endeavored to explain more fully their views and the prospects of good to result from permitting them to remain in the empire. This was fruitless. Another attempt was made through the mediation of a friend, who carried their written request to the minister, in which they inquired, whether, by delaying several months, there would be any hope of obtaining their object. His reply was, "Tell them that there is not the least possibility of obtaining the object stated in this paper, should they wait ever so long; therefore let them go about their business."

Here, after a day or two spent in prelimin aries, in gaining access to the officers of the government, &c. Messrs. Judson and Colman left their boat on the 27th of January, and were, after much ceremony, admitted to an audience of the emperor of Burmah in the golden hall. Its magnificence and riches we need not describe. The missionaries declare it surpassed their expectation. When the royal personage entered the hall, every head, except those of the missionaries, was prostrate in the dust.

The petition which they offered on this occasion, was read to the king by one of his prime ministers. Addressing his majesty, it announced their character, office, arrival at Rangoon, and the permission of the governor of that city to proceed to Ahmarapoor to behold the golden face, supplicated his royal assent to their design of teaching and explaining the contents of the Sacred Scriptures, and briefly noticed the general benefit, which would accrue to his dominions, in case their petition should be granted. The emperor took the petition from the hand of bis minister,

learned that they must formally apply to the high court of the empire, before one could be obtained. For this purpose other petitions and presents were requisite. These were made to Moung Zah, the prime minister beforementioned. At length, on the 5th of February, after repeated presents, the passport desired was granted, and on the next day they set off for Rangoon.

With the current in their favor, they descended the river far more rapidly than they had ascended; so that, by the 12th they came to Pyee, 230 miles from Ava.

On the 18th they arrived at Rangoon. The three persons, who had previously been baptized, appeared more firm in the faith than ever. There were also some new in

quirers.

On the whole it was resolved, that Mr. Colman should repair to Chittagong, where the Burman language is spoken, and where there are some native converts, and that Mr. Judson should remain for the present at Rangoon.

MISSION AT THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.

THE history of the missions to the islands of the Southern Pacific, forms one of the most interesting chapters, in the narrative of

God's dispensations to his church, in modern times. We are sorry that our limits will not permit us to give more than an abridged account of the great religious meetings of the natives in May 1819.

As

On the 13th of May, 1818, an Auxiliary Mission Society was formed at Tahiti. great numbers of people assembled on that occasion, it was impossible to accommodate them in the chapel then erected; so that the missionaries, and their hearers, met in a shady grove of cocoa nut trees. But during the following year, Pomare, the king, erected a large building, devoted to religious purposes, and called the Royal Mission Chapel.*

It is 712 feet long, and 54 feet wide. There are three pulpits, 260 feet from each other, and the extreme ones 100 feet from the ends of the house. On the 11th of May, 1819, the chapel was opened. The assembly of natives collected, at an early hour; the number was supposed to be about 6,000, to whom three of the missionaries preached, at the same time, in the three pulpits. Hymns given out by Mr. Bourne who occupied the middle pulpit, were sung by all the congregation, both before and after the sermons.

The next day, the anniversary of the Missionary Society was observed, with peculiar interest. The sermons and other religious exercises, were conducted in a manner similar to those of the day preceding, and the services were closed with the utmost harmony aud delight.

Promulgation of the Laws.

"Thursday May 13th," say the missionaries, "was appointed for promulgating the laws. About noon we all assembled in the centre of the Royal Mission Chapel. The King requested brother Crook to open the business of the day. He ascended the pulpit, and Pomare followed. After singing, reading the Scriptures, and prayer, the King stood up, and looked upon the thousands of his subjects, on his right hand and on his left. Addressing himself to Tati, the pious chief of the southern part of the island, he said, "Tati, what is your desire? what can I do for you?" Tati, who sat nearly opposite the pulpit, arose and said, Those are what we want-the papers you hold in your hand,-the laws; give them to us, that we may have them in our hands, that we may regard them, and do what is right.' The King then addressed himself to Utami, the good chief of Teoropaa, and, in an affectionate manner, said, 'Utami, and what is your desire? He replied, 'One thing only, is desired by us all, that which Tati has expressed, the laws, which you hold in your hand.' The King addressed Arahu, the chief of Eimeo, and Veve the chief of Taiurabu, nearly in the same manner, and they replied as the others had done. Pomare proceeded to read and comment upon the laws respecting murder, theft, trespass, stolen property, lost property, sabbath-breaking, rebellion, mar

* See a notice of this Chapel in our last col. p. 54.

riage, adultery, the judges, court-houses, &c. in eighteen articles. After reading and explaining the several articles, he asked the chiefs if they approved of them? They repli ed aloud, 'We agree to them;-we heartily agree to them. The King then addressed the people, and desired them, if they approved of the laws, to signify the same by lifting up their right hands. This was unanimously done. When Pomare came to the article on rebellion, stirring up war, &c. he seemed inclined to pass it over, but after a while proceeded. At the conclusion of that article, Tati was not contented with signifying his approbation in the usual way only; but, standing up, he called in a spirited manner to all his people to lift up their hands again, even both hands, he setting the example, which was universally followed.

"Thus all the articles were passed and approved. Brother Henry concluded the meeting with a short address, prayer and blessing. This interesting scene may be better conceived than described. To see a King giving laws to his people with a regard to the authority of the Word of God, and the people receiving the same with such universal satisfaction, was very affecting to us all."

Meeting for Missionary Business.

THE annual business of the Missionary Society was transacted on Friday. Pomare officiated as President. Motions were made and supported by the missionaries and the leading natives. Votes of thanks were passed to the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the sub-treasurer, the governors of districts, &c. As the subscriptions are collected in produce, the Treasurer was directed to remit them by the first ship, and cause the proceeds to be paid to the Treasurer of the Missionary Society in London

Toward the close of the meeting, the king addressed the governors, officers and members of the Society, exhorting them to persevere in this delightful work. The services were begun and ended with singing and prayer. The king dined at Mr. Bicknell's with the missionaries. Five thousand copies of an address to the Society, written by Mr. Henry, and neatly printed by Mr. Bourne, were given to the governors for distribution among the people.

Baptism of the king.

"On Sabbath-day, the 16th inst. the eongregations were again assembled in the Chapel Royal. The people were not so numerous as before, owing to their having been so long from home; and being pinched for food, many had returned. However, we had still between four and five thousand hearers. Brother Wilson occupied the east pulpit, Brother Henry the west, and Brother Bicknell the middle. They all preached from the same subject-The commission of our Lord to his disciples, to disciple and baptize all nations, Matt. xxvii, 18-20. Sermons being ended, we all closed around the King, he being seated on the occasion in the centre, near the middle pulpit. Brother Bourne commenced by giving out a hymn, which was sung by the

congregation. Brother Bicknell engaged in prayer, which being ended, the King stood up. Brother Bicknell stood on the steps of the pulpit, and taking the water from the basin, held by brother Henry, poured it on his head, baptizing him in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Pomare was observed to lift his eyes to heaven, and move his lips with an indistinct sound. The sight was very moving, especially to our elder brethren, who had been watching over him for so many years. Brother Bicknell addressed the King with firmness, yet not without a degree of tremor, entreating him to walk worthy of his high profession in the conspicuous situation he holds before the eyes of men, angels, and God himself. Brother Henry addressed the people, exhorting them to follow the example of their King, and to give themselves up to the Lord. Another hymn was sung and brother Wilson concluded the whole with prayer. Pomare shook hands affectionately with all the Missionaries, they being stationed, by his own desire, at his right and left hand. After the ceremony the King retired to his camp."

On the evening of the same day, the last service of this great national celebration was held with the natives in the mission chapel. Messrs. Bourne, Crook, and Darling preached in the three pulpits.

Two days after, the missionaries wrote their annual circular, which is signed by e'ght of them, and in which the preceding accounts are exhibited more at length; except the promulgation of the laws, and the baptism of the king, which we have copied exactly.

Missionary Society at Huaheine.

AT Huaheine, one of the Society Islands, an Auxiliary Missionary Society was formed Oct. 6, 1818. Every contributor of five bamboos of cocoa-nut oil, or three balls of pia, (arrowroot, or one pig, or four baskets of cotton, was to be considered as a member. The Annual Meeting was to be held in the great place of worship at Apootava.

Accordingly, on May 18, 1819, the general meeting was held, at which a great congregation were present, including most of the inhabitants of Huaheine, as also Tapa and other chiefs from Raiatea. After a prayer by Mr. Ellis, he mentioned what had been done in Africa, by those who believed the word of God, how they contributed of their property, in order that others might hear the Word of God.

After this Mahine addressed the people, reminding them of "their former diligence, labor, and expense in attending the worship of the false gods-that wicked and unprofitable service,--and that to exceed in hearty diligence, in the service of the true God is nothing but right. The service of the idols is evil,--that of God truly good,--his word the means of salvation;--then let our diligence greatly exceed. Then followed four others, with similar exhortatious, exciting the people to persevere, and to contribute again, on the year ensuing. Mahine again addressed them, saying, "If agreeable to contribute again this new year hold up your hands, if not, keep them down." All hands were raised instantly.

After this, Tana, the general Secretary, gave an account of the contributions of the different districts towards promoting a knowledge of the Word of God, viz. those of Huaheine, and also of Tapua Alanu.

The amount of these contributions was 5,985 ohemori, or bamboos of oil,* 98 pigs, 95 balls of arrow-root.

Instead of one mission in the islands, there are now four. One on Tahiti, one on Eimeo, one on Huaheine, and one on Raiatea.

MR. CONNOR'S TRAVELS IN WESTERN ASIA.

It is among the most interesting characteristics of the present times, that men of intelligence, piety, and Christian zeal, are employed to travel in different parts of the world, with a view to collect necessary information, and circulate the Scriptures, preparatory to the preaching of the Gospel by missionaries.

MR. CONNOR sailed from Constantinople, Oct. 31, 1819; and, having touched at Smyrna, and tarried there a fortnight, sailed Nov. 28th for Canea, in the island of Candia, where he arrived Dec. 5th. He was kindly received by the Bishop of Canea, and the Greeks generally, who expressed their warmest approbation of the tracts he gave them, and of the operations of the Bible Society.

At this place, Mr. C. established a depot for the Scriptures; the Bishops engaging to exhort the priests, in their dioceses, to make inquiry, as to the number of Testaments necessary to supply one to each family. The Bishops will superintend the sale and distribution; and those, who are too poor to purchase, are to receive a copy gratis. Mr. C. wrote to the eleven Bishops of the island, and to the Archbishop, who was then at Constantinople, requesting his aid.

From Candia, Mr. Connor sailed for Rhodes, and reached that island Dec. 28th. He immediately sent an introductory letter, some Greek Tracts, and a plan for the circulation of the Scriptures, to the Archbishop, who received him in the most friendly manner, and promised to promote the cause in Rhodes to the utmost of his power.

From 'Rhodes he went to Larnica in Cyprus, where he landed Jan. 24th. Here also the Archbishop received him in the kindest manner, alloted him apartments in the palace, and seemed highly gratified with the Tracts and Greek Testaments, of which he requested 400, and promised to use his influence for their speedy distribution. He also gave Mr. C. introductory letters to the Patriarch of Antioch, and to the agents of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. This island contains 40,000 Greeks, 14,000 Turks, and has 40 Greek monasteries, with about 300 monks, and two Catholic convents with six fathers.

Mr. C. next directed his course to Beirout, where he landed Feb. 13th. Here he unex

* One joint of a large bamboo cane will hold 2 or 3 quarts of oil. This oil is very pleasant for lumps, having neither smoke nor smell.