Page images
PDF
EPUB

gin to prize the gospel, and to show, by their lives and conversation, that they have experienced its benefits. Of the native schools already mentioned, one is situated in the Christian Village, and it is important to state, that the improvement in it is greater than in any of the other schools. "All the children, (says the missionary in his journal for 1830,) make good advances, but most in the Christian Village." It may be proper to add also, that some of the families are now able, from the profits of their labour, to provide more than the means necessary for the mere sustentation of life, viz. those of comfortable subsist

ence.

We cannot allow ourselves to conclude this brief sketch of the mission at Cuddapah, without more distinctly noticing, and gratefully acknowledging, the great liberality uniformly manifested by the more respectable European residents at this station, in aiding the operations of the mis sion, but particularly in the support of the native schools in connexion with it, no part of the expense of which has fallen on the Society.

May it be the prayer of all the meinbers of the Society, that the Almighty, who has already conferred on this mission many distinguished marks of his goodness, would be pleased to regard it, in future, with an eye of favour, and to bestow upon it abundantly the blessings of his grace. As the city bears the name of MERCY, may the spiritual results of each successive year of missionary labour therein, still add to the appropriateness of this original designation. Contemplating the impression alrea dy made, by the dissemination of Christian truth on the population of this part of India, the missionary has been led to the inference, that things there cannot long continue in their present state! while some of the natives themselves express their expectation that great changes will shortly come to pass, and even particularize the subversion of idolatry as one of them. May this anticipation be realized, and the whole earth be speedily filled with the glory of the Lord! Amen and amen.

19th March, 1832.

From the Missionary Herald for June. SANDWICH ISLANDS.

PLAN OF A HIGH SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS.

The incompetency of the 500 or 600 native teachers now employed in the schools at the Sandwich Islands, and the importance of training a supply of such as possess higher qualifications, have long been felt by the missionaries; but various difficulties have stood in the way of making any systematick and thorough im

provement in this respect. There was no series of books in the language, in any department of science or literature, adapted to conduct the opening minds of a people, before utterly uninstructed, up from the lower to the higher gradations of knowledge. The first object with the missionaries, in this department of their labours, was to prepare elementary books, and to multiply copies, so that the ability to read intelligibly might become as extensive as possible. Their next object was to translate the Scriptures, and thus put it within the power of the whole population, who would take the trouble to learn, to read the word of God in their own language. But when these objects were accomplished, much still remained to be done. The work of educating the whole nation was to be performed. The minds of the people must be nourished, strengthened, and taught to act. The fields of knowledge must be opened and the people encouraged to range through them. To this task the teachers which had been employed were altogether incompetent. Their own stock of knowledge was soon exhausted, and as they could teach the pupils little more than to spell and read, and had no power to awaken deep and continued interest, it was seriously feared that, without some new measures on their part, the attention to the schools would be diminished and the progress of the people in knowledge would be checked.

At the general meeting of the missionaries at Honolulu in June, 1831, the following resolutions were adopted.

Resolved, That we consider the education of the natives of these islands generally, and the preparation of some of thein in particular, for becoming teachers of religion, as holding a place of great importance in our missionary labours.

Resolved, That, though we consider the present situation of this people as requiring all our efforts in the way heretofore directed; yet we believe this subject of sufficient importance to demand the exclusive time, attention, and labours of

one of our number.

Resolved, That, relying on the strength of the Great Head of the Church, we agree to establish a High School, for the purposes abovementioned, and on a plan hereafter to be submitted.

Resolved, That the school go into operation as soon as suitable accommodations for the principal and scholars shall be ready; and that we show a plan of the school to the chiefs, and invite them to co-operate with us.

The design of the school is thus stated. It is the design of the High School to instruct young men of piety and promising talents, in order that they may become assistant teachers of religion, or fellow

labourers with us in disseminating the gospel of Jesus Christ to their dying fellow men.

In connexion with the foregoing, it is also the design of this institution to dis.seminate sound knowledge throughout these islands, embracing literature and the sciences, and whatever may tend eventually to elevate the whole mass of the people from their present ignorance; that they may become a thinking, enlightened and virtuous people.

Another design of the High School is to qualify native school teachers for their respective duties, to teach them, theoretically and practically, the best methods of communicating instruction to others.

The school is placed under the superintendence of five directors," whose duty it shall be to watch over the interests of the school; to point out the course of instruction to be pursued; and to make an annual report to the mission, of the state and progress of the school;" who are also to examine the school, the plan of instruction, the progress and the qualifications of such as seek admittance to it, and annually report on these several points to the mission. Messrs. Richards, Bingham, Thurston, and Whitney, were appointed directors, with Mr. Andrews, who was also appointed the principal. Lahaina was fixed upon as the location of the school. After specifying the duties and powers of the principal, the statement proceeds

Scholars and their Qualifications.-The number of scholars for the present year shall be limited to fifty, to be apportioned as follows:-Hewaii, 18; Maui, 14; Oahu, 10; Kauai, 8; and liberty granted to the king to attend with five of his favourite

men

The number may be increased hereafter, provided facilities and ability shall increase for instructing them.

After the present year, that is, from June, 1832, the candidates for the privileges of the school shall be examined and approved by two or more of the directors, and none shall be admitted but with their approbation.

Every scholar, after the abovementioned time, before entering the school, must be able to read fluently and intelligibly in his own language; must be able to write a neat, plain, legible hand; and be acquainted with common arithmetick and the fundamental principles of geography

It shall be the duty of the scholars to attend regularly and faithfully upon all the duties assigned them by the principal.

Course of Study.-As school books are so extremely limited, it is nearly impossible at this time to lay out a course of study. It is desirable, however, that the scholars should be put forward as fast as

they become proficients in any one branch to another of the next importance; and that next to arithmetick and geography, should be composition in their own language, and such other studies as the board may direct.

The study of the doctrines and duties contained in the word of God should be a prominent study, never to be lost sight of.

The year shall be divided into two sessions, of five months each. The first to begin with July of each year, and end with November; the second to begin with January and end with May.

At the close of each session there shall be a publick examination of the scholars, in presence of the directors, and such others as they may invite to attend.

The length of time necessary for the students to attend the school will depend on circumstances. It is to be hoped that they may be induced to attend until they shall become competent to instruct, and skilful in communicating instruction in such ways as may be beneficial to the people at large.

It is designed that a piece of land shall be connected with the institution, and the manual labour system introduced as far as practicable; that the scholars may not only support themselves, but be enabled to furnish their own stationary, and such other articles as will be necessary in pursuing their studies.

LETTER FROM KAAHUMANU TO MR. EVARTS.

The following letter was written by Kaahumanu in the Hawaiian language, in reply to one written her by Mr. Evarts in December, 1830, shortly before the termination of his labours as Corresponding Secretary. The writer, as the readers of this work are aware, is the highest chief in the islands, and has acted as regent during the minority of the king. She was one of the earliest converts, and among the first received to the mission church. The translation was made and the explanatory clauses inserted by Mr. Bingham.

Oahu Sept. 11, 1831.

Love to you Mr. Evarts, the director of missionaries, my first brother in Christ Jesus. This is my thought for you and my joy. I now abide by the voice of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, who hath redeemed me from death. I was dwelling in the eyeball* of death, I was clothed and adorned in the glory and likeness of death. When I heard the voice of Jesus,

* The word onohi may mean the ball, or the pupil of the eye, and it means also the central or upper part of a flame of fire. The figure is not very clear in the present case, which is intended.

as it sounded in my ear, it was refreshing to my bosom, saying thus, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Again the voice of him said, "Whosoever is athirst let him come and drink of the water of life." Therefore I arose and came and prostrated myself beneath the shade of his feet, with my great trembling. There fore do I bear his yoke, with this thought concerning myself, that I am not able to put forth strength adequate to carry his yoke, but of him is the ability, [to bear it,] his aid to me by night and by day; there am I continually abiding by his righteousness [excellence or glory] and his love to me. There do I set my love and my desire and the thoughts of my heart, and there on Jesus do I leave my soul; there shall my mouth and my tongue give praise continually during the life which I now live, till entering into his everlasting glory. Such is this thought of mine for you.

This is another thought of mine for you. I praise [or admire] the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, in aiding us by several new teachers for us. They have arrived. We have seen their eyes and their checks, we have met with them in the presence of God, and in our own presence also,* with praise to our common Lord for his preserving them on the ocean till they arrived here at Hawaii. Now we wait while

they study the native language of Hawaii, when that is clear to them, then they will sow in the fields the good seed of eternal salvation. Then my former brethren, with these more recent, and my brethren and my sisters of my own country, will all of us together take up the desire of Christ, [or what Christ wills or wishes] on this cluster of islands, with prayer to him for his aid that the rough places may by him be made plain, by his power through all these lands from Hawaii to Kauai.

I and he whom I have brought up have indeed carried the word of our Lord through from Hawaii to Kauai, with the love of the heart towards God, was our journeying to proclaim to the people his love, and his word, and his law, and to tell the people to observe them.

Thus was our proclaiming, not according to our own will, but according to the will of God, did we undertake it. Such is this thought of mine for you.

This is one more thought to make known to you. Make known my love to the brethren in Christ, and to my beloved sisters in Christ Jesus. This is my salu

Probably their formal presentation to the chiefs is here meant, as in the preceding phrase a place or time of worship is intended.

Ch. Adv.-Vol. X.

tation to you all. Pray ye all to God for all the lands of dark hearts, and for the residue [unconverted] of all lands of enlightened hearts, and for us also; and thus will we, with our kindred here, all pray to God for the lands of dark hearts, and for the residue [unconverted] of the lands of enlightened hearts, and for you also. Thus shall we and you unitedly call upon our common Lord, that the nations may in peace follow him, that his kingdom may be smooth and uninterrupted even to the ends of the earth; that all men may turn to him without dissent, and praise his everlasting name. That is my sentiment of love to you all.

Great love to thee; our bodies will not meet in this world, but our thoughts do meet in this world; and hereafter will our souls meet in the glory of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ thy Saviour and mine. This ends my communication to you. From [or by]

ELIZABETH KAAHUMANU.

received from the missionaries at the By a recent arrival letters have been islands of a date as late as Nov. 27th, more than two months later than any previous communications.

BRITAIN.

Opening of the Twenty-Eighth Anniversary of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

On Wednesday, May the 2d, 1832, the above Meeting was held at Exeter Hall, the Right Hon. Lord Bexley in the chair.

The Right Hon. Lord Bexley, Vice President, having been called to the chair, his Lordship thus addressed the Meeting:

Ladies and gentlemen, in the absence of our noble and venerable President-whose infirmities must be a matter of deep regret to all here assembled, inasmuch as through them alone he is not here in his place to take that chair which for so many years he has filled, with so much benefit to this Institution in particular, and to the common cause of the Gospel-I have been again called upon to supply his place, so far as I am able. I need not say how incapable I feel myself now, as I always have felt, for this task: but I look for the same indulgence from your hands that has been extended to me on former occasions.

I cannot but think, that though our venerable President is absent from us in person, yet we have reason to be thankful that we have still the benefit of his good wishes and his counsels; and what is far better, of his prayers at the throne of grace for our Society, to the success of which he has been so large a contributor. I see in other respects also, great cause of 2 S

thankfulness and gratitude to the Giver of all good. While some nations have been afflicted, to a most distressing extent, by that dreadful pestilence which is now abroad in the earth, and which has in some degree reached our own coasts, we have been greatly preserved from its fatal consequences: and it has reached us in so mitigated a form, that such an assembly as that I now see before me has not been prevented, by any necessary regulations of Government, or by any alarm of dangerous consequences to our own persons, from assembling for the promotion of the Gospel. Had we been visited as other nations have been, we probably should have been prevented from meeting at all; or we should have met under alarm and apprehension, as to whether we were not transgressing our duty, and tempting that Providence to whose protection alone we look for preservation. In one other respect I see great reason for thankfulness in the assembly I address: for when I recollect -and it is only for a moment that I turn to that recollection-how different was the scene exhibited at the last Meeting of this Society, I cannot but feel it a matter of great congratulation and thankfulness to see around me so numerous an assembly, peaceably and amicably assembled to support the old constitution and the original plan of the Bible Society. I trust this harmony will continue among us; and I trust that those whom I now address will see no reason to regret their adherence to our old constitution.

But, amidst these causes for congratulation and thankfulness, undoubtedly we have many causes which call upon us for diligence, for vigilance, for increased prayer, and for reliance on Divine Providence-for diligence, that we may not miss those opportunities for doing good which a merciful Providence has been pleased to extend to us: for vigilance, that we may not be betrayed into error, inconsistency, or presumption: and for prayer, that we may be preserved amidst public and private dangers; and that this Society may flourish, through our instrumentality, in the sincere pursuit of the glory of God and the benefit of mankind; that the cause of the Gospel may still be eminently promoted by the Society; and, above all, that we may apply to our own hearts those maxims of Divine truth which it is the labour of the Society to diffuse among mankind; and remember, that though the Kingdom of God by our means may be largely extended abroad, yet what all of us must feel and know is above every thing important to each of us, is, that the Kingdom of God be established in our own hearts.

I will not detain you longer; but request Mr. Brandram to read letters from

[blocks in formation]

I congratulate the members of the British and Foreign Bible Society, on the occurrence of the Twenty-eighth Anniver sary, and on the success which has hitherto attended its efforts for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures.

In this success, whilst we recognize, with adoring gratitude and devout thanksgiving, the favour of a gracious God as the only cause of it, we find the most encouraging motives for an increased dependence on His support, and for perservance in the benevolent work in which we are engaged.

These motives will acquire additional force by the exhilarating hope which we are authorized to indulge, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has become the power of God to the salvation of many who never would have possessed it without the aid of Bible Societies.

But great as is the extent in which the Scriptures have been disseminated, there are still many dark regions of the world in which the light of Revelation has never yet shone; and even in countries where Christianity is professed, the want of the Holy Scriptures imperiously demands una bated exertions to supply them. I rejoice in the conviction that those exertions will never be remitted; and that the same good and gracious God, who first inspired the hearts of Christians to undertake the circulation of His Holy Word, will ever raise up instruments for the continuance of it, until all nations of the earth shall see the glory of the Lord.

I have only to add my devout supplication to Almighty God, that His blessing may attend the proceedings of the Meeting.

I am, My Dear Lord, yours very sin cerely, TEIGNMOUTH

The Rt. Hon. Lord Bexley.

Farnham Castle, April 25th, 1832.

My dear Lord

I am sincerely sorry that it is not in my power to obey your Lordship's summons to meet the Vice-Presidents of the British and Foreign Bible Society, on the 2d of May.

I am thankful to say my health is now restored; but I have not yet recovered strength enough to make it right for me to encounter the large parties and hours of London; and I am strictly charged, by my medical adviser, to abstain from them this season, as much as possible. I am forbidden, for the same reason, to appear at any meetings at present; and this must

be my excuse for my non-attendance at the approaching Anniversary.

May I request your Lordship, if it is your intention to preside, to state this apology for my absence, or to remit it to the Chairman of the meeting. I should not think it necessary to trouble you with this explanation, except that I should be grieved if, in these days of partial defection from the Society, my absence were to be attributed by a single member to any diminution of attachment, or alteration of sentiments with respect to its constitution.

I am, my dear Lord, your Lordship's very faithful servant,

C. WINTON.

The Rt. Hon. Lord Teignmouth.

Lord Gambier likewise expressed, by letter, his regret that the infirmities of age prevented his attendance.

An abstract of the Report was then read by the Rev. Andrew Brandram, one of the Secretaries. It stated, that during the last year, 193,655 Bibles, and 390,233 Testaments, (making a total of 583,888 copies,) were issued by the Society; being 112,959 more than in the preceding year.

The amount received by the Society, from all sources, during the last year, was £81,735, 16s. 4d., being a sum less than that of the preceding year by £13,688, 5s. 11d.: but if the difference occasioned by legacies received during the two years be deducted, it will be found that in the last year there has been an increase of £647,

5s. 4d.

The payments of the Society have amounted to £98,409, 10s. 9d.; and its present engagements exceed the sum of £40,200.

The Auxiliary and Branch Societies and Associations have continued their respective exertions; and upwards of 130 new societies have been added to those already existing.

DOMESTICK.

Abstract of the Sixteenth Annual Report of the Board of Missions of the General Assembly.

[The following list is inserted at length in the Report.]

The Missionaries and Agents above named have been located as follows: viz. in New York, 45; in New Jersey, 6; in Pennsylvania, 44; in Delaware, 2; in Maryland, 3; in Virginia, 17; in North Carolina, 17; in South Carolina, 3; in Georgia, 3; in Alabama, 4; in Ohio, 52; in Kentucky, 11; in Tennessee, 13; in

Indiana, 14; in Illinois, 9; in Mississippi, 3; in Louisiana, 2; in Missouri, 2; in Florida, 1; in Arkansas Territory. 1; in Michigan Territory, 2; in Lower Canada, 1; in North Western Territory, 1.

Fields of Labour.

Of these two hundred and fifty-six missionaries, a large proportion are pastors or stated supplies. A small number have been commissioned as itinerants for limited periods, with a special view to the collection and organization of new congregations and churches, and about twenty have been employed in special agencies for the Board. A majority of these agents have volunteered their services, for short periods of time, and, by their efforts, the auxiliaries and funds of the board have

been considerably increased.

Appointments and appropriations, and amount of labour performed.

The number of Missionaries and Agents in commission, at the date of our last report, was 166; and the appointments since made are 90, making a total of 256 labourers who have been employed, in the course of the last year. The ordinary appropriation to each Missionary, as hereto fore, has been $100 a year. To some of our Missionaries a smaller sum than this has been appropriated; few have received more, and in no case have the Board expended more than $200 for the support of one Missionary a year. The amount of labour actually performed by all our Missionaries during the last year, is equal to 154 years, and the average expense for each year's labour, including special agencies, the expenses of the office, and the publications of the Board, is about $100. The whole number of congregations and Missionary districts supplied, is estimated at 400.

The Treasury.

The receipts of the Board since our last report, including a small balance then on hand, have been $20,030 21. The expenditures during the same period have amounted to $19,001 03, leaving a balance in the treasury of $1,029 18. There the sum of $3,000, so that the treasury is due the Treasurer for money borrowed, is actually overdrawn to the amount of $1,970 82. In addition to this, the Board are already under engagements to their Missionaries for the coming year, to the amount of more than $15,000.

Auxiliaries and Subscriptions.

Of Sessional Auxiliaries, and Annual Subscriptions to the Board, there has been during the past year a gradual and encouraging increase; but the number of the former, and the amount of the latter, are

« PreviousContinue »