here, and accompany them, to instruct them in the word of God. They also expressed their wishes that I would remain with them, and send for my family, or go back to Huaheine, and return here with them, to teach them in the good way to heaven. From the first day we had landed, we had often been requested and invited by some of the chiefs and people to come among them; but considering the field occupied by our American brethren, we had made no answer to their applications; however, we now felt that we must give them some decisive answer. We consulted with our Missionary brethren here, and requested their opinion as to the expediency and desirableness of the Tahitians remaining, and my returning to engage in Missionary labour in the Sandwich Islands. They declared it their unanimous opinion, that it would most likely be for the advantage of the great cause in which we were all engaged, that our Tahitian friends should remain; and expressed themselves pleased with the prospect of my becoming a labourer in these inviting fields. Messrs. Tyerman and Bennett were also of opinion that I could be spared from the Society Islands, and that there was much greater need of more labourers here than among those islands, which were so well supplied with christian teachers. We therefore requested Auna to tell king Taumuarii and Kaahumanu that we were anxious they should be instructed in the doctrines, precepts, &c. of the new religion; (for such they call Christianity ;) and that it was perfectly agreeable to us that he should remain with them; and that I would return with my wife and family, and, with the servants of Jesus Christ already here, engaged in teaching them and their people the good things we had been teaching the natives of the Society Islands. In the evening of the same day we waited upon them, when they expressed their pleasure at our friends remaining with them, and not going on to the Marquesas; and also the satisfaction they felt at my intending to return and settle among them. The next morning Auna and his wife, with many tears, took an affectionate leave of us, to accompany the king of Atooi and his queen to Moui and Owyhee; we followed them with our prayers, that the leaven of the gospel which they carry may soon spread among the unleavened mass around them. A few days afterwards, Rehoreho, the king, expressed to Mr. Bingham and myself, his decided approbation of my coming here, as did also his queen and most of the chiefs, together with his prime minister, Karanimoku, (ycleped Mr. Pitt.) I have since received a letter from Auna, dated Moui, in which he speaks of the kindness and attention he had received from those whom he accompanied ; also that he had been able to keep up family prayer every day, and to hold two prayer meetings with some few (who were attached to the new religion) every Sabbath. To a Missionary's view, these islands now present a fine and an inviting people, The population at present is perhaps upwards of 100,000. Generally speaking, they have cast away their idols, but not entirely; they may truly be said to be without any religion at all, and are literally waiting for a better one than that which they have just abandoned. Some few attempts have been made to revive the old system of idolatry, but have not succeeded, as it has but very few advocates among the chiefs or persons of influence in the islands. The great majority of the people, though halting between christianity and heathenism, express themselves favourable to christianity, yet fear publicly to attend religious instruction, lest they should incur the displeasure of the king The general answer which most of them make when we invite them to attend to religion is, We are waiting for the king to send his messenger to tell us it is his wish, or to see him go before us himself in learning to read, and in praying to the true God. When the king begins to pray and to worship Jehovah, then all the people of the islands will follow. We are waiting for him, and we wish him to make haste and attend to it. The king has frequently expressed his conviction of the truth of the Bible, and the superiority of the principles it inculcates; that by and by he intends publicly to avow * This letter was written previously to the happy change related in the preceding letter of the deputation. himself a christian, to worship Jehovah, to believe in Jesus, and use his influence to make the religion of Jesus Christ the religion of all the islands; but that at present his chiefs are of a different opinion, and seem, he says, satisfied with the present order of things. The analogy between this and the Tahitian language is very great, as they are evidently only different dialects of the same tongue. I hope soon to be able to preach in it with perspicuity, and to set before the people in a plain and intelligible manner, the unsearchable riches of Christ: the will of God for their salvation. I have preached regularly twice a week ever since our arrival, to our friends from the Society Islands; many of the natives of these islands have attended, and generally understand the greater part of the discourse. I have also been daily engaged in the acquirement of the language, and find my acquaintance of the Tahitian affords me very great assistance, and accelerates my progress, The king proposes to be our instructer, and requests us not to apply to the common people, as they will teach us to speak incorrectly. He is, perhaps, the best acquainted with the language of any individual in the islands, and would make the best instructer, but his time and attention are seldom unoccupied by his other numerous affairs. However, we are very happy to receive instruction from him whenever we can find him disengaged, and feel very thankful that he is so much disposed to assist us. I trust the time is not very far distant when the knowledge he possesses of his own language will be employed in assisting the translation of the scriptures into it, as Pomare's was in aiding the translations into Tahitian. It is much to be regretted that this interesting group of islands should have been so long overlooked by the christian world. Mr. Young informed me, that after they heard of the Missionaries residing in the Society Islands, they were very anxious that some should be sent among them. I am decidedly of opinion, that had Missionaries been sent here soon after the Duff's voyage to Tahiti, the difficulties that now lie in the way, would not have existed; and there is every reason to suppose, humanly speaking, that they would have been as happy now as those highly favoured islands are. The American churches have, however, manifested a truly commendable solicitude for their salvation, and have made the most praiseworthy exertions for the melioration of their wretched state, by sending among them as goodly a number of Missionaries as are now in the field, besides a considerable reinforcement which is shortly expected to arrive; and if I can by any means hasten the period when these islands shall be happy in the enjoyment of the blessings of the gospel, I shall be very willing to spend and be spent in so delightful an employment; and I feel assured that you will rejoice in the advancement and prosperity of that glorious cause in which the church of Christ, throughout the world, have a common interest. Wishing you increasing success in all your arduous undertakings, I remain, dear sir, your obedient servant, in Christ, WILLIAM ELLIS. To the Treasurer. Miscellany. EDUCATION OF HEATHEN YOUTH. The Managers of the United Foreign Missionary Society are now supporting two Indian youth at the Foreign Mission School, at Cornwall, in Connecticut. One of them, Guy Chew, from our Tuscarora station, has been at the school more than eighteen months, has be come hopefully pious, and has made good progress in his studies. The other, George Fox, from our Seneca station, has been at the school about five weeks. Other young men, at our various Missionary stations, will be selected for the same destination, as soon as suitable candidates can be found, and the ne cessary funds procured. Under these circumstances, the managers are highly gratified with the official information of the establishment of an institution in this city, denominated "The Female Society for the Education of Heathen Youth at Cornwall, Connecticut, auxiliary to the United Foreign Missionary Society." While the members of this society will have the satisfaction to aid in supporting our beneficiaries at the Foreign Mission School, they will also have the pleasure to reflect, that the whole amount of their funds will contribute to the general interests of that useful and important institution. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. Synodical Report on the State of the Churches. The committee on the state of religion reported, and their report was adopted, and is as follows: That the sources of information on which their report must be predicated, are so few and defective, as to preclude that particularity and extent of view which might be desired. From the data that are before them, your committee remark, that the vacancies in the church are very generally supplied in those congregations where there is ability to support the ministry. There remain a number of weak and dilapidated churches, which require missionary aid, and which, in all probability, without such aid, must either become entirely extinct, or pass under the protection, and be raised by the aid of other denominations. This missionary ground in the church, and such other missionary fields as have been pointed out to the committee of missions, have been partly occupied by men commissioned and supported by the Reformed Dutch Missionary Society. Your committee rejoice with you, on the prospects which their efforts open and warrant them to entertain; but they regret that the difficulty of procuring suitable missionaries has, in several instances, been such as to defeat their plans, and greatly to circumscribe their operations. Your committee further report, that although there are rumours of false doctrine, and the propagation of error in the church, yet the reports to which they have access state, that the doctrines of our standards are advocated, the Heidelberg Catechism regularly explained, Bible Classes in many congregations supported, prayer meetings generally held, children and youth Catechised, family visitation performed in most of the congregations; discipline in some instances faithfully administered, and other means of instruction and improvement attended to throughout the churches. From these means of knowledge and religious impression, though certainly not fully improved, much good has resulted. In the southern section of the church, though no new revival of religion has rejoiced the hearts of the Lord's people, yet the effects of the revival of the last year do still appear in the churches of Somerville, Bedminster, New-Brunswick, Hillsborough, and Rockaway, in the classis of New Brunswick-Reading and Harlingen, in the classis of Philadelphia-and in all the other churches there has been an uncommon degree of attention, and an unusual accession of members. In the city of New-York the labour of missionaries has been considerably successful. The corner stones of two new churches have been laid, one of which is in considerable progress, and has a good prospect of assembling within its walls a respectable congregation. In the classis of Bergen and Paramus, while some discouraging things have occurred, yet the general aspect of the church is favourable, and in some churches uncommon solemnity prevails. Within the bounds of the Synod of Albany, your committee have it not in their power to gratify the Synod by accounts of any signal triumphs of grace. And though they hope that the cause of religion is silently gaining ground, yet they know not of any special outpouring of the Divine Spirit. In the classis of Poughkeepsie, some churches lament the prevalence of infidelity and impiety, some deplore the lukewarmness of professors evidenced in the neglect of family prayer and personal religion, some speak of encouraging prospects-all rejoice in peace, but none exult amidst the copious effusions of the Spirit of Grace. In the classis of Ulster, in the church of Catskill there has been uncommon attention, and a spirit of extraordinary devotion, prayer, and exertion among the Lord's people; but nothing that deserves the name of a revival has yet ensued. In most of the other churches peace has been enjoyed, exertions have been increased, and pleasing indications of spiritual prosperity, growth, and increase, have been witnessed. In the classis of Rensselaer, your committee rejoice that it is in their power to report, that considerable religious excitement has been witnessed in the church of Ghent, which has resulted in the ingathering of a goodly number of souls into the visible church. At Churchtown, also, there are strong indications of revival. In the churches of Kinderhook and Claverack, the consequences of the late revivals are still visible in uncommon solemnity, and increased attention to the means of grace. "In the congregations of Schodack, Hillsdale, Nassau, Greenbush, and Bloominggrove," says the report of Rensselaer, "there is a solemn and general attendance on the means of grace; and though there is no luxuriance of growth, yet there is actual life and increase." In the classis of Washington, the means of instruction are multiplied, and the prospects of Zion brightened; for which the Synod bound to bless God, while they deplore the death of an esteemed and useful brother, the reading the "Narrative of the state of religion Rev. Ralph A. Westervelt. In the classis of Albany, the church of Coxsackie is uncommonly alive to the interests of religion, and great exertions are made for its progress In the church of Bethlehem the state of things has been unusually promising, and in all the other churches there is seen a steady march towards better days. In the classis of Montgomery the church has been favoured with an increase of minis ters; its prospects are encouraging, and justify the hope, that this is a field whitening to the harvest. On the whole, your committee think there is reason to fear the ministers and people of God are not as instant in season and out of season, as duty requires. The Lord is faithful. He has promised to be with the church to the end of the world. He has challenged the unwearied exertion of his servants, in the words of the prophet ; " Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." And there can be no doubt, that if ministers and christians, generally, duly felt their responsibility, duly appreciated the value of immortal souls, and laboured as in the view of eternal things, that God would arise in his grace and power, make our Jerusalem a praise, and bring unnumbered souls to Zion with songs, and the hope of everlasting joy in their hearts. In this view your committee perceive cause for humiliation, and for prayer, to the God of all grace, that he would "revive his work in the midst of us, and in deserved wrath remember mercy." But, while on the one hand the committee contemplate this "deserved wrath," which might justly have resulted in the rejection of our church to be a reproach in the earth, and on the other, remarked how. mercy has interposed, and not only saved us from merited punishment, but crowned us with unmerited prosperity, your committee find constraining reasons for the most cordial and affectionate thanksgivings to God, who hath "not dealt with us after our sin, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." In this place of their report, your committee would recommend to Synod, earnestly to conjure the ministers of the church, besides the regular duties of the sanctuary, to give vigorous, and, if possible, unwearied attention to the catechetical instruction of children and youth, to family visitation, to christian conference, and the formation of prayer meetings, as the means which, under the divine blessing, are most likely to revive religion, and to extend the dominion of the Redeemer. Your committee further recommend to General Synod, the adoption of the following resolution, viz.: Resolved, That the General Synod do enjoin on all the classes, and on the churches under their care, to prepare and send up their statistical reports annually. Your committee have had the pleasure of within the bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church," &c.—and while they congratulate that sister church on all that the Lord hath done for her; and condole with her in all the affliction which she deplores, they would join with her in "offering fervent and united thanks to the God of all grace, for his mercies to our country and Zion, and to pray that the Holy Spirit may be poured out on our church, and on all the churches in our land, and throughout the world, that religion may be every where revived, that the progress of error may be arrested, that every thing unfriendly to the reign of righteousness may be destroyed, that christians of all denominations may be more and more united in affection and effort, that the Missionary cause and the cause of Bible Societies may be extended, and made to triumph in every part of the world, that wars may cease to the ends of the earth, and that the glory of the latter day may be hastened." As an expression of our own views of the necessity and propriety of the case, and as a token of respect to, and concurrence with, our brethren, in connection with the General Assembly, your committee would recommend the adoption of the following preamble and resolution, viz.: Whereas, It evidently appears that God our Heavenly Father, has been gracious and forbearing to our church in the midst of merited rebuke, and has given us tokens of his continued favour to our Zion-whereas, it is also evident that certain divisions exist in the church, and the interests of personal and vital godliness, in many instances, are low-and whereas, our brethren of the Presbyterian church have set apart the first Thursday of November next, as a day of public thanksgiving, humiliation, and prayer, therefore Resolved, That the Synod do recommend and enjoin on all the churches under their care, the observance of the same day, for the same purposes-that on that day all servile labour be omitted, and that the churches and congregations meet in their respective houses of worship, to thank God for his mercies to our land and church, and earnestly to implore him to heal every division, to shed abroad the spirit of concord, to enable ministers and other christians to be increasingly faithful in exhorting one another daily, and in reproving and persuading their unconverted fellow men, to second these efforts by the effectual cooperation of his Holy Spirit, to bless our Theological School, and other theological seminaries; the Bible Society, Missionary Societies, and every other institution designed for the glory of his name; and soon to usher in the glorious era, when "the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established on the top of the mountains, and be exalted above the hills, and the people shall flow unto it." Herewith is transmitted to Synod the statistical accounts of the churches under your care. All which is respectfully submitted. J. V. C. ROMEYN, Chairman. "A feast, observed in all Catholic countries before Lent, has made the three last, days of riot. It is a masquerade, always commencing on the Sabbath preceding Lent, and continuing three days; during which time, the Maltese assume almost any character, and commit almost any sin they please. Male and female, old and young, throng the most frequented ways in masks; men habited like women, women like men, and generally all aiming to appear as hideous, as monstrous, or as ridiculous as possible. Some of them have a nose nearly half as large as an ordinary human face; some have a wig like a judge, and a mouth extending from ear to ear; while others represent "the devil and his angels." If you can imagine how "the furies" would look and act, if made visible to mortal eyes, you can conceive the scenes of this "carnival." Indeed, sir, as they have forty days of Lent, to fast, and pray, and confess their sins, they seem determined not to fast, and pray, and confess for nothing Yesterday, as being the last, was the most licentiously festive of the three days; and last night, as concluding the whole, would have been given up to the most clamorous, indecent, and unrestrained merriment, had not an awful providence interposed to stop such revelling. I have taken much pains to know the circumstances of this providence, and as near as I can ascertain they are as follows: "Some of the people, convinced of the impropriety of the boys' witnessing such scenes of lewdness and abomination, have been in the habit of contributing something to encourage a priest to take and keep from the city, during the afternoon of Tuesday, as many boys as he can persuade to follow him by promising them bread, nuts, fruit, &c. as a reward. Last evening, as the priest returned with them in procession, he took them into one of the Convents of the city to give them their reward. It is said that a thousand children were present. Perhaps the number was not But ty, pressed on with all the thoughtlessness of youth. At the same time a multitude of poor people were rushing in at the other door for a morsel of bread. The priest, hearing the disturbance, and suspecting the boys were attempting to return for a second collation, gave orders to shut the other door, and to force them down the way he had directed them to go. whether these are the circumstances, or all the circumstances, I am by no means confident; yet, sad to relate, when the door was broken in, which it was, as soon as the real difficulty was discovered, no less than one hundred and fifty* had already expired from pressure and suffocation; and many others were in the agonies of death, or had even ceased to breathe, but were afterwards restored. The poor boys, in the moment of anguish and desperateness, in attempts to extricate themselves, had bitten and torn each other in the most shocking manner Some, both of the living and of the dead had an ear torn off, or a limb broken, or a piece bitten from the cheek. They were generally between eight and twelve years of age, though some were even twenty. By this calamity, one family has lost three children; another family five; another, seven; and almost every family a relative. Between forty and fifty of the dead were taken away by the friends, and more than a hundred were brought to the hospital, a few steps from our door. The streets, which but one moment be'fore were filled with noisy mirth, were now literally filled with "weeping, lamentation, and wo"-I never saw more sad faces, or heard more piteous moans. The Maltese, unaccustomed to restrain their feelings, lifted up their voices and wept aloud—“ Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they were not." Some parents, when they found their children alive, became frantic with joy, while others, as they learned that one, and another, and another of their children were dead, became frantic with grief. One poor father, who had lost all his children, this morning dashed out his brains! They do indeed " sorrow as those who have no hope." "Their faces foul with weeping, and on their eyelids is the shadow of death.' Some are for pull ing down the convent; others for destroying all the priests; while others think the Saviour partial in sparing the English, and inflicting judgments on them. From four o'clock this morning, till since sunsetting, the dead have been conveyed by our door for burial. and so great, and perhaps it was greater. In order to give them all an equal opportunity, and to prevent any from returning for a second reward, they were led in at one door of the convent, conducted to a large hall on the second floor, where they received their collation; were then, to make room for others who had not been served, sent down in a different direction to pass out at another door. I am of the opinion, from inspecting the place, and from all I can learn, (for the accounts are contradictory,) that they ran down several steps, then through a long narrow passage, and again down several more steps to the door; and that those in advance, being pressed against the door by those immediately behind them, were unable to open it, while those in the rear, not knowing the cause of the difficul Most of them are conveyed a mile from the city, and cast into their graves without a coffin, and a large quantity of lime thrown upon them to consume the bodies immediately. Such is the finishing of this "carnival." I The people seem to know nothing of the confear it will produce no lasting impressions. solations of the christian, nor do they seem to tration. The priests will probably improve have any proper ideas of the divine adminis * Other accounts say one hundred and ten. |