tain sound, the art of reading, spelling, and writing the language, is made far easier than it is with us.-About one third part of the people in the islands have been brought into schools, and one half of these have been taught to read. Many are able to write, and some are versed in the elementary principles of arithmetic. Nine hundred of the natives are employed as schoolmasters.-The historical parts of the New Testament, and selections from the Old, and summaries of Christian doctrines and duties, have been printed in the native language, and placed in the hands of some thousands of the natives.-The government of the islands has adopted the moral law of God, with a knowledge of its purport, as the basis of its own future administration; and the Christian religion is professedly the religion of the nation. Indeed most of the chief rulers are members of the visible church of Christ.-Special laws have been enacted, and are enforced, against murder, theft, licentiousness, retailing ardent spirits, Sabbath breaking, and gambling. The Christian law of marriage is the law of the land. Commodious houses for public worship have been erected by the principal chiefs, with the cheerful aid of the people, in the places of their residence; and when there is preaching, these chiefs regularly and seriously attend, and their example is followed by great numbers of their subjects.-Churches are gathered, as with us, wherever there are pastors to take the care of them, and accessions are made to them, from time to time, of such as we may reasonably hope will be saved.— In one small district, which, but a few years since, rung through all the length and breadth of it with the cries of savage drunkenness, a thousand people have associated on the principle of entire abstinence from the use of intoxicating liquors. Moreover, in that same district and in two others, with a united population of perhaps forty thousand, where the morals were as degraded, a few years ago, as any where on earth, a fourth part of the inhabitants have formed themselves into societies for the better understanding and keeping of God's holy law, and require unimpeachable morals as a condition of membership in their several fraternities. All these are believed to be facts. And they are traceable wholly to the blessing of God on the establishment of a Christian mission on those islands, a little more than eleven years ago. A moment's reflection, however, is sufficient to show, that after all, the work of evangelizing and civilizing those islands is but just commenced. The nation is yet in its infancy. It is just beginning to understand the advantages of the social state. The elements of individual improvement, and domestic happiness, and national order and prosperity, have been introduced, and the contrast between the former and present condition and character of the nation, as such, is great in almost every respect. Yet very few have done more than merely to cross the threshold of knowledge. Three fourths of those, who are capable of learning to read, have yet to acquire the art. A collection of all the books in the language would not contain as much inatter, as there is in one volume of the Missionary Herald. Salvation through the Lamb that was slain, is brought within the reach of thousands, and many have fled and are fleeing to lay hold on the hope set before them; but how few are their helps, compared with those which we have, and with what they ought to possess! The regular preaching of the Gospel is enjoyed by not more than one fourth of the inhabitants. The rest see only a few rays of heavenly light. CORRESPONDENCE OF THE A. H. M. S. REPORTS OF MISSIONARIES, &c. ILLINOIS. ties? And will you not, Sir, permit me From Rev. Romulus Barnes, Canton, Ful. to ask, whether your Committee cannot ton Co., Ill. help them? TENNESSEE. Tenn. Since my last report, we have had in our little congregation an encouraging attention to the concerns of the soul. The From Rev. John G. Likens, Tallico Plains, sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad. ministered to the church in this place on the first Sabbath in December, when five were admitted to our communion, as the first fruits of this first refreshing from on high with which this infant church has been visited. As many as five more have expressed the hope that they have passed from death unto life. To those who are accustomed to our large eastern congrega. tions, this may appear but the day of small things, but to us it has been one of pecu. liar interest. Our congregation is small, but it has been attentive, solemn, and interesting. I have recently established a Bible class, which at present is attended by about the same audience that attends when there is preaching. On the whole, I think our prospects are encouraging. A REGION OF DARKNESS. for vival of religion in the church at Tallico We have had nothing like a special rePlains since I last reported. We have a very interesting Bible Class, which is doing well; the cause of temperance is rapidly it is to be hoped will go on until intempegaining ground through this country, and rance will be removed from our land. Notwithstanding I cannot report any thing of a special outpouring of the Spirit on our congregations, as is the case in in this part of the country, yet we are by many other branches of the church, even The still small voice of mercy is heard no means without encouragement here. amongst us, and occasionally here and the truth as it is in Jesus. there one is brought to the knowledge of From Rev. N. Hood, Granger Co., Tenn. INTERESTING MEETINGS. I took an excursion through the express purpose of ascertaining their After the date of my last, I proceeded spiritual wants, and preaching to their in- to attend the meetings of Presbytery and habitants the crucified Redeemer. It is a Synod. At each of those meetings, the mountainous country. The settlements Spirit of the Lord was evidently present. are chiefly on the creeks and rivers, but I The Presbytery was held in a country found a population of thousands, and many church, to which many families moved in of these were exceedingly anxious to hear wagons, and remained four days without the Gospel preached, and some of them any apparent concern about their worldly begged me to come often, or to send some affairs. During the meeting, hundreds one who could administer unto them the wept under the weight of conscious guilt; word of life; but the majority in some set- and many, before the meeting closed, were tlements are in a condition of moral degra. rejoicing in the hope of pardoned sin. A dation, only a very few removes from the more general feeling I never witnessed. most perfect savage barbarity. I will not At one time it was ascertained, in quite a attempt a description; suffice it to say, large assembly, that there was not a single that as it regards schooling, one half are individual present who was not a professor utterly unable to decipher a word, and of religion, or on the anxious seats, asking those who can, are destitute of books. the prayers of the people of God, and inHaving no preaching, consequently they quiring what they must do to be saved. have no Sabbath; and through very exten- The meeting of Synod was one of deep sive neighbourhoods, drinking, hunting, interest, many of every age and sex, from and fighting, form the order of the day. threescore and ten, down to the Sabbath Now, situated as I am, in the neighbour-school child of seven, were made to parhood of this land of darkness, I often ask take of the blessings of that meeting. At myself, what can be done for these coun- one time during the meeting, which con ance of a physician: and this family live || been no time during the year but we could in a small log house, having but one room. discover some indications that God was in But the Lord has blessed them in spiritual the midst of us by the special operations things, having given them all a lively hope of his Spirit. The children of God have in Christ. There are here very few fami- frequently felt his refreshing influences, lies that have better conveniences than while sinners have trembled and bowed to this family. When I visit among them, his mild sceptre. With the exception of and see how they live, I am convinced two or three families, which seldom attend that some years must pass before they on the means of grace, there are none who will be able to build a convenient place of engage in my support unless they were worship. If the benevolent at the east professors before, where God has not encould now aid us in building a house, it tered by the convicting and converting would be but a short time before we should influences of his Spirit. About forty have be able to pay more than double into the indulged hopes during the past year, and treasury of the Lord. during that time twenty-six have joined the church. We expect others to join soon. About ten or eleven weeks since, we held a four days' meeting, which had a salutary influence among us. It was the means of rendering conviction more pungent in a number of instances, and productive of some new cases, some of whom have since resulted in hope. The week succeeding the protracted meeting was a season of peculiar interest, during which time we held meetings at six o'clock, both morning and evening. On Sabbath morn The temperance cause still flourishes among us. At our last meeting we had an accession of twenty members. The cause is becoming much more popular. UPPER CANADA. From Rev. E. K. Buell, St. Catharines. Since my last, God has been with us indeed, and has smiled on our exertions. Within less than two months we have had four protracted meetings on a territory of about 20 miles square. They have re-ing, at five o'clock, I resorted to our place sulted in the hopeful conversion of some. thing like a hundred and fifty souls to Christ. of worship, but before I reached the door, I heard the voice of prayer. It was the voice of a young man with whom I was In this place, our meeting was not so acquainted, but not as a praying person. successful as we had hoped, on account of No, far otherwise; he was one of the circumstances which we could not con- most stubborn young men in my parish. trol. Having no house of worship, we Although he had been subject to some were obliged to hold our meetings in a convictions since last spring, he was delarge flouring mill, but poorly fitted for termined it should not be known, and that our purpose, as it proved. It being open, he would drive them off. This determiand the cold weather setting in so unex-nation he maintained till after the propectedly just as we commenced, the con. tracted meeting closed; but God, who is gregation suffered much. But notwith-rich in mercy, was determined to bring standing this and other impediments, or dered, doubtless, to try our faith, the great Head of the church was there by his Spirit. We reckon between forty and fifty conversions-about thirty in this village and its vicinity. Twenty have already united with our little church, and we expect still further accessions. Our little church, commencing its existence only a year ago, with eleven members, now numbers about forty-five. him to yield. When I approached the door, I heard him confessing, and ac knowledging he was a great sinner. It appeared as though God could not save him; but if he could, he felt as though he needed his mercy. I heard him thus confess his sins, and plead for mercy, for about ten minutes, when I entered the house. In a short time he ceased, and I learned from him that he had slept but little during the night. He awoke from disturbed sleep about four o'clock, when the first thought which struck his mind was, "am I on earth, or am I in hell?" He immediately leaped from his bed, and made his way to the house of God, where he spent his time as above described until interrupted him. Before he reached home that morning he found peace in believing. Two other young men, and a young lady, in. dulge the hope that on that day they committed themselves into the hands of ber more that will no doubt come forward Christ. at some other opportunity. A soul saved through a Temperance Society. GRATITUDE FOR AID RECEIVED. An aged man, who was brought up a From Rev. J. H. Thomas, Canterbury, Quaker, and became a Universalist, about Orange Co., N. Y. three years ago had his attention arrested We feel grateful to the A. H. M. S. for to the concerns of his soul. He was then the timely aid they have afforded us for intemperate. After a number of days of the last two years. Although we are poor deep convictions, he made an attempt to as a congregation, yet we feel as if we drown them by strong drink, and suc- could by a special effort, and a divine bless. ceeded; and though at times they re-ing, dispense with any further aid from turned, he had learned the way to de- your society. We do feel indebted to your stroy them. This last spring he was pre-liberality for our existence. Such was the vailed on to join our temperance society, and soon after his convictions returned, and not feeling at liberty to resort to his former method to drown them, he was forced to yield, and now gives good evidence of being a child of God. NEW-YORK. state of things when the society applied to you for aid, that it is believed very many would have seen themselves deprived of all Gospel privileges without any regret. Infidelity, in some shape or another, carried every thing before it. It was sometimes thought, and even predicted, that the little remnant which had struggled hard to build up this church, would soon become disheartened, and relax all their From Rev. Isaac C. Beach, New Paltz, exertions. I believe that all who had any New-York. REVIVAL. pretensions to piety, felt, that "neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the incrcase," After remarking that the state of religion had been and but for the divine declaration, that, as very low for some years, and that ever since his la- "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord," bours commenced at this place there had been indiso the hearts of all men are in the hand of cations of a revival, Mr. B. gives an account of a the Lord, and, "as the rivers of water, he protracted meeting held there the last of September. turneth it (them) whithersoever he will," Upon the last great day of this truly they would have relinquished the whole spiritual feast, the house was thronged.enterprise as perfectly fruitless and hope. Many were obliged to go away, not be-less. Christians appeared to feel and act, cause they were unable to get into the in some good measure, as if all their hope house, but because they could not approach were in God. And when we, as a church, near enough to the door or windows to did resolve to have a protracted meeting, hear. The God of truth appeared to wield every thing appeared discouraging, and with success the weapons of his own the only favourable circumstance was, that choosing. Many were the strong men, Christians manifested a more than usual and the men of worldly wisdom, that fell earnestness in prayer. Some Christians, this day vanquished. The very house ap-even in adjoining congregations, thought peared so sensibly to be filled with the it presumptuous to attempt a protracted presence of God, that some were deeply meeting in C. This fact, perhaps, inimpressed as soon as they entered its creased our sense of dependence upon God. doors. The meeting closed upon Sab- At the time of the meeting, which was in bath evening, which would have con- September, an excitement commenced.tinued much longer, could we have ob- The Lord came down in his power. The tained help. The Spirit of God has, how-revival has, thus far, resulted in the hopeever, continued to make his abode with ful conversion of thirty souls, who have us; there are at present many things to connected themselves with this church, and encourage the people of God still to pray, a more than ordinary proportion of them not only for the continuance of the bless-are heads of families. We trust the exciteing, but for one still greater than we have ment has not entirely ceased. We are anas yet experienced. The first fruits of the ticipating an addition of several more at our revival we shared last Sabbath; there were next communion. There is a radical then 60 came forward to the communion change in the moral aspect of things. of the church upon the profession of their We trust we shall continue to have an faith. There remain a considerable num-interest in your prayers. We shall ever VOL. IV. 24 esteem it our privilege to pray for every destitute and needy part of our American Israel; and hope to be able, if God should continue to bless us, to refund, sooner or later, all we have ever drawn from your treasury. There are some among us who now feel anxious to do something more than barely say, be ye warmed and clothed. From Rev. H. Waldo, Portage, Alleghany REVIVAL. In my last report I mentioned some circumstances which inspired a degree of hope that God would visit us with his salvation. Our little Zion was mourning and praying. There appeared to be a stronger disposition than usual to be faithful in the use of the appointed means of grace. This state of things continued till the latter part of October; the church were then unanimous in expressing a desire that a protracted meeting might be held. A meeting was accordingly appointed, and five neighbouring ministers invited to attend. Providence, however, saw fit to disappoint us with regard to the expected assistance, as if to show us, that "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." Only one of the five came over to help us. The meeting commenced October 27th, and continued five days. It was a precious season to Christians, and a season which, I trust, will be re. membered with joy, through eternity, by some who were dead in trespasses and in sins. In speaking of such a meeting, and its effects, I am sensible there is need of caution. There may be much excitement upon the mind, and yet the heart remain at enmity with God. There may be blos. soms that give much promise, which never produce fruit. However flattering, therefore, appearances may be, we must wait for a season if we would adopt the rule given us by Him who cannot err: "By their fruits ye shall know them." Suffice it, for the present, to say, that during this meeting, ten of our congrega. tion manifested a change of feeling, and expressed a determination to live hence. forth not unto themselves, but unto God. These are all in early life; six of them young men from the age of seventeen to twenty-eight, and such is their standing in society, that they may be expected to exert a very happy influence upon the community. Although this revival may to some ap. little importance in pear sm From Rev. Z. Riggs, Newark, Tioga Our Presbytery was adjourned to meet We We From Rev. R. Dunning, North Penfield, Since my report, I have been visited with a season of sickness, and laid up for four weeks, and for some time after unable to labour much, except on the Sabbath.There has been much sickness in this place, more than ever before known here. |