consideration; and qualified to furnish the leading example for the other towns of the Colony, as well in matters of religious duty as in those that regard civilization, industry, and all the other acts that minister to the improvement of social life.

The importance of preserving the Ministry of the town in a state of respectability, calculated to uphold the character of what must be and ought to be the first Christian Community of British Africa, will be strengthened in this further view, the correctness and propriety of which you can best appreciate and I am sure you will not fail to impress it, on every occasion, according to your feeling of its truth, and of its beneficial tendency.

Sickness of the Rev. H. Düring.

We regret to have to state the following particulars to our readers. On the 17th of June, Mr. Düring thus writes concerning himself from Gloucester:

I have been severely ill: obstruction was followed by inflammation, which I thought would have put a stop to my earthly existence; but through the upholding hand of our God, I am still spared, and am in some measure enabled to attend to my duties. For the first time since the eleventh of May, when I administered the Lord's Supper at Regent's, I held service here twice last Sunday, with the assistance of William Tamba, who has been here every Sunday during my illness. He is quite restored; which is a mercy to us, as he is continually wanted somewhere or other.

Mr. Düring's recovery was, however, but temporary. On the 9th of August Mr. Nyländer adds the following afflicting intelligence→→→

Br. During seems to be at the point of death. We held a special meeting on the subject, on the 7th; when a certificate of the principal medical gentlemen was read, stating that Br. During is labouring under a dropsical affection of the abdomen, together with a generally diseased state of the viscera of that cavity, which, it appears, is no longer capable of performing its usual functions; and that, to proceed to Europe as soon as possible affords the only prospect of recovery. A brig sails to-morrow, but all the places having been engaged, Br. During could not be sent by her. There is a ship to sail in two or three weeks time: should Br. During, who is now in a state of great pain and weakness, be spared so long, he will sail in her.

Africa now stretches forth both her arms to the Society, praying, Come over, and help us! Send us help, or we perish for lack of knowledge!

Mr. Vaughan is much esteemed. Mrs. Schemel is usefully employed at Freetown. Br. Wilhelm labours under great bodily infirmities, and is frequently confined to his bed: Mr. Lisk is of great help to him. Mrs. Lisk is always sickly. All the others belonging to our Missionary Family are well; and the Lord does wonderfully support me with health and strength according to my day. My children are well, and so is Mrs. Wenzel.

assistant.

George Thomas continues my

Pray send Br. Johnson, and many more like him, as soon as possible to Sierra Leone; and may the Lord guide you to choose men endued with the grace of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom granted from above, that they may be useful in this be nighted land!

Throne of Grace!
Bear us especially in mind before the

We are happy to add that the late distressing events in the Colony have not appalled the hearts of the servants of Christ. They have, indeed, induced the Commitee to subject the persons destined to that coast to a still more rigorous medical examination. Great caution has been heretofore used in this respect; but it is well known, that, except in cases which decisively disqualify men for encountering a tropical climate, so many circumstances tend to modify the effects of such climate on particular constitutions, that there is little certainty in any judg ment which may be previously formed on the sub. ject.

Two Clergymen, who have been several years in Holy Orders, offered themselves for Sierra Leone; to one of them the First Chaplaincy of the Colony was given by Earl Bathurst: but the final decision of their medical advisers made it their duty to decline this service.

Mr. and Mrs. Pope are proceeding, in the true spirit of Christians, to assist Mr.Vaughan in the Freetown Schools: and while, as is the fact, the desire of temporal advantages makes men urgent to step into the secular employments left vacant by the death of those who have gone before, we cannot but believe that there will be no want of men, devoted to the higher objects, and sustained by the sure supports, of the Christian Labourer.

We have been the more encouraged in this ex

pectation by the heroic spirit manifested at Bâsle, on receipt of the distressing tidings which first arrived from the Colony. We quote Mr. Blumhardt's words on the occasion, addressed to the Secretary

You have suffered a great and irreparable loss, in the death of our dear and truly-lamented Johnson. Our Missionary House is

mourning for the decease of such a Hero in the Israel of God; but we do not mourn like those who have no hope nor consolation. Our dear Schemel was happy enough to be his attendant in his going to heaven, and to bear his mantle. Praised be the name of our Lord, who gives us victory every where and always!

It was a remarkable movement in our Camp, when this lamentable news was heard among us. Every one of our Brethren was preparing himself by the most serious meditations, to come forward, and to offer himself as a sacrifice for the Lord. Should many more such tidings of an immortal world arrive, we could not longer detain our dear brethren-soldiers, from going to the spot where the Heroes of the Church are fallen. The desire to be employed in the work of conversion among the poor Negroes, was never stronger in our Missionary House than in these days. May the sovereign grace of the Lord Himself prepare them to stand fast in the evil day, and to live and to die as true disciples of Jesus.

Merciful Alleviations of Affliction.

It will have been already seen, that mercies are mingled with these afflictions. As a further evidence of this, we quote what Mr. Vaughan says of himself and his Native Assistant in the Freetown Schools

Mr. G. Fox has been very ill with fever: I was apprehensive, a day or two since that he would not recover, but now I have great hopes. I have, in consequence, the Schools to attend to myself; which, with the other duties that lie upon me, is almost more than I can get through. I have, indeed, great reason to be thankful to the Father of Mercies, for the health which he has bestowed upon me since I have been in Africa. Oh, that He may enable me to use that talent to His glory!

We may add, also, as a further alléviation, the continued increase of Native Teachers. Mr. Düring wrote on this subject before his late attack of ill

There are three of my Young Men, who were desirous before I sailed of being admitted as Native Teachers; and, since my return, they are still more so. One of them conducted both the Day and Evening Schools during my absence. There is a fourth, also, who offers himself, whose ability in learning is beyond question.

We cannot but subjoin under this head, a striking passage from a Letter of Mr. During to the Secretaries, of the 11th of June::

The ravages of this fever have been so great, that there are only three leading Members now left, on whom in the absence

of the Governor, the direction of the Colony devolves. But, notwithstanding this awful dispensation, our Stations are in a thriving state. The work of Almighty Grace seems daily increasing. The numerous applications of people to speak to me about the distress of their minds, often make me doubt whether the concern manifested is real: but on examining them, I find that all right to withhold from them the Means of Grace is cut off. Thirty are on trial, and have received daily instruction for Baptism since the 1st of April.

Thus, my Dear Sirs, we see every trial sanctified; as plainly as if the fact were written with a sunbeam! No sooner has the violence of the storm passed over our heads, but the Sun of Righteousness bursts through the remaining clouds with redoubled splen dour and glory, to revive the half-slain, and to cause us still to go on our way rejoicing, though that way is but rugged.

SOUTH-SEA ISLANDS.

From the December Number of the London Missionary Chronicle.

A letter from Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet has lately been received, written at the Island of Borabora, March 18, 1823. This letter contains much pleasing information of the rapid progress, both in religion and civilization, made by the natives of Borabora, Tabaa, and Raiatea.

RAIATEA.*

Of the mission in this island the Deputation speak in the highest terms of approbation. They say, "God appears greatly to have blessed the labours of our brethren, (Threlkeld and Williams,) and they appear happy and satisfied in their work, labouring with much assiduity to promote both the temporal and eternal welfare of these interesting people."

When the brethren came to the island, the beautiful spot in which their settlement is fixed was one vast mass of brushwood, timber, and fruit-trees, with scarcely a single habitation; but now it is a beautiful town, extending along the margin of a fine bay, having several bridges over fine streams of fresh water from the mountains, which fall into the bay. The large and handsome houses of the missionaries, and the very spacious chapelt and judgment-hall, occupy the centre of the settlement; while respectable, well-plastered houses for the chiefs

* Sometimes called Ulictea. It is 30 miles from Huaheine. It is about fifty miles in circumference, and has many fine harbours.

The chapel is 156 feet long, by 44 wide.

and people extend perhaps for a mile each way, producing a pleasing effect.

From the centre of the settlement has been carried out a substantial stone pier, extending 390 feet into the bay, with a landing place for boats, &c. at the end, 48 feet square.

The premises of the missionaries are neatly formed, and well stocked. From their gardens we have frequently eaten carrots, cabbages, French beans, parsley, mint, &c. besides various native vegetable productions.

The natives also have a great number of well-fenced enclosures for sugar-cane and maias, but especially for tobacco. Our missionary brethren have appropriate places for the natives, in which to manufacture their tobacco-to boil their sugar--to make salt-to manufacture smith's work, and for making chairs, bedsteads, and sofas; all which they may be said to do well and of the extent to which they have carried the manufacture of sofas, with neatly turned legs, you may judge by the following fact. At a feast of the baptized persons, which was held while we were there, on a large PATU (or stone platform) formed in the sea, intended to be the foundation of the king's house, we counted two hundred and fifty sofas, large and well made after the English model.

TAMATOA, the present king, who is a very respectable intelligent person, and regarded by our brethren as sincerely attached to the truth, has more than once or twice remarked, that when he reflects how often he has allowed his people to offer sacrifice to himself, and to worship him as a god, he is covered with shame, and can scarcely believe that God can pardon him; only, he adds, as he was then ignorant of Jehovah and Jesus Christ, he hopes that God has forgiven him for the sake of his dear Son; and that, by his Holy Spirit, the word will so grow in his heart, that he shall not return any more to sin.

Our meetings for public worship have been extremely gratifying, both by the great numbers who have attended, the quiet, orderly, and attentive manner of their behaviour, and by the edifying truths which were faithfully and affectionately set before them. It was with much satisfaction we witnessed the baptism of 150 persons on one day, making up the number of baptized about 1,100, leaving a remainder of persons in the island, unbaptized, about 200. With the church, which consists of about 150 members, we had twice the pleasure of communicating at the Lord's table, and we could not but wish that many of our Christian brethren in England could have partaken of our happiness.

Thus happily is this island evangelized. It was formerly not only the source of all political authority to the surrounding islands, but the chief seat of idolatry. Human sacrifices were brought hither from all the neighbouring islands, and offered to ORO, the god of war, at Opoa, a place which the Deputation visited with no common interest. Here the now Christian and amiable prince, Tamatoa, was once actually prayed to as a deity, who united in himself all the civil and ecclesiastical power, so that the alteration which has taken place is almost miraculous. "Not a vestige of idolatry (say the Deputation) now remains; we search for it, but find it not." This triumph of the cross must be regarded as one of the most signal ever achieved since the world began. Glory to God in the highest. It is truly marvellous in our eyes.

Remarkable Means of the Introduction of the Gospel into Raiatea.

The circumstances leading to the introduction of the gospel in Raiatea are very re markable. In the year 1816, a ship got upon the reef at Eimeo, and was in danger of being wrecked. Pomare, who happened then to be at that island, together with Mr. Wilson the missionary, went on board to assist in getting her off, in which they succeeded. A violent storm came on as soon as the ship got clear of the reef, which drove her down to Raiatea, where Pomare and Mr. Wilson, unable to quit the island, were obliged to wait for some time. Mr. Wilson wisely embraced the opportunity of preaching the gospel to the natives, while Pomare employed all his influence to induce the natives to abandon their idols and embrace the truth. Success attended their united efforts, and the king, with his chiefs and people, avowed themselves Christians.

For a time, however, they knew little more of the gospel than its name; but they desisted immediately from offering human sacrifices, from idolatrous worship and infanticide; they also built places for Christian worship; yet they continued in the indulgence of every evil desire, until, in the year 1818, the gracious Providence of God directed Mr. Threlkeld and Mr. Williams to visit and settle among them, and God has crowned their labours with wonderful suc

which is within a few miles of it. Here they were most gladly received by Mr. Bourne, the missionary, and his wife, and by all the principal people. Here they staid seven weeks with great pleasure; there is a prospect of much good being done, and that this island will not be found inferior to any other. The Deputation have sent a full account of Tahaa, which is very interesting.

BORABORA.

On the 14th of February, our friends left Tahaa in an excellent boat which Mr. Orsmond of Borabora sent for them, and reached the island next morning. Here they were received by Mr. Orsmond with the most marked and liberal kindness; the two kings, and all the chiefs, also gave them the strongest proofs of their friendship. The mission here is in a very flourishing state, and the schools are singularly well attended.

From hence three converted natives have been sent as missionaries to the Friendly Islands; two to Rimatera, 300 miles SSW, Two more have been sent to Maupiti, 40 miles to the west. Thus seven native teachers have been raised up in these islands.

MAUPITI.

While the Deputation were residing at Borabora, they accepted the earnest invitation of the king of Maupiti to visit his island,

which they did in an open boat; and in the dead of the night were exposed to the most imminent danger; but when destruction seemed close at hand, the Lord delivered them, and they arrived at the island at 6 o'clock in the morning, most cordially welcomed by the king, &c. Here also they were delighted to behold the rapid progress the people had made in the knowledge of the gospel, and had the happiness of being present at the baptism of 74 persons; 291 having before been baptized, in all 365. Here also they partook, with the church, of the Lord's Supper, and assisted at the formation of an Auxiliary Missionary Society. The subscription amounted to nearly 1000 bamboos of cocoa-nut oil. Every child that has left the breast subscribes one.

Mr. Orsmond had visited them, and the two converted natives from Borabora were the teachers.

Larger accounts of these islands have been transmitted by the Deputation, and will be published.

After spending a few weeks (since the date of this letter) at Borabora, the Deputation intended to visit Raiatea and Huahine, and then to proceed by the first opportunity to Otaheite, &c. and after settling all their affairs, to leave the islands, finally, for New South Wales, about the close of the present year.

CORRESPONDENCE

Of the New-York Religious Tract Society. Several thousand Tracts in the English, French, and Spanish languages, were presented, by the NewYork Religious Tract Society, to the Palestine Missionaries, the Rev. Messrs. Bird and Goodell, on their departure from this port in December, 1822. The

tar, at the solicitation of a committee there, Tract, and other benevolent Societies of who act equally for the Bible, Missionary, England. This committee had daily opportunities of distributing them in Gibraltar, or of conveying them into the interior of Spain, where a wide field was then opened for extensive and successful operation in this res

DEAR SIR,

Valletta, Malta, Oct. 3, 1823.

The Tracts, with which the New-York Religious Tract Society kindly furnished 11s, we found to be a very important addition to our means of usefulness in the Mediterranean. Those in Spanish were particularly so. Nearly two thousand of them in all we sent, at two different times, to Gibral

tee had availed themselves, till their own stock was nearly or quite expended; and very seasonable indeed was the supply, with which your liberality enabled us to furnish them, until their Depository could be replenished from England. Others of your Tracts we have put into the hand of the sailor, the soldier, the civilian, the gay, the rich, the profane, the child of ten years, and the man of gray hairs. Those that we have not yet distributed, we have placed at the disposal of a Tract Association, that has been formed in this city; and from this we shall supply ourselves liberally for the tour,

which (except we go to Palestine) we propose soon to take to Smyrna and the Greek Islands. Happy the missionary, “that hath his quiver full of these." When we have had serious conversation with a man, whether he be of the Greek or Roman church, whether he be a scoffer at religion, or be earnest in seeking it, we are always happy at parting to give him a tract for his perusal, and an assurance of an interest in our prayers. Scarcely has a week passed, since we have been here, in which persons have not called, generally on an appointed evening, to know what they should do to be saved. Many of these we have found exceedingly ignorant of the Scriptures and of religion; and some of them, we trust, have received much light and knowledge, not only from our conversation and preaching, but also from the Tracts which we have given them, and of which they have sometimes made grateful mention-so great a change has been wrought in a few soldiers, who were formerly abandoned to almost every vice, as to be observed, not only by their fellows, but by their officers. 'This should inspire our hearts with thankfulness,and with renewed ardour in the cause of Him, who works by what instruments he pleases. All the results of benevolent effort cannot be known in this world. May we learn to wait a while for our reward; and in the mean time never "forget to do good and to communicate, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased!" "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand," should be our motto; and the reason annexed, "For thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good," should be our encouragement.

That the New-York Religious Tract Society may take an important part in enlightening the dark places of the earth,

Pray, dear Sir,

with affectionate salutations,

your fellow-servants in the cause
of our common Lord,

ISAAC BIRD,
W. GOODELL.

PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

[From the New-York Observer.]

We have inserted below, from the London Evangelical Magazine for November, some late and interesting intelligence from Pitcairn's Island. It is well known to most of our readers, that the settlement on this island owes its origin to the mutineers of the British armed vessel the Bounty. In the year 1789, this vessel, while employed in the Pacific Ocean, was taken from her com

mander, Lieutenant William Bligh, by 25 of the crew, who put the Lieutenant and 18 of his men into the launch, which, after a passage of 1200 leagues, providentially arrived at a Dutch settlement on the island of Timor. The mutineers proceeded with the vessel to Otaheite, where 16 of the 25 desired to be landed, and most of them were afterward taken and sent to Great Britain for trial. The remaining nine, after making a short stay at Otaheite, where they took wives and six men servants, proceeded to Pitcairn's Island, which was, at that time, uninhabited, and out of the common track of European vessels. Here they destroyed the ship, and remained in entire obscurity until the year 1808, when they were accidentally discovered by Capt. Folger of Boston, who learnt that, about six years after they landed, their servants attacked and killed all the English, excepting one venerable old man, (who called himself John Adams, but whose real name was Alexander Smith;) and that the Otaheitan widows arose, the same night, and murdered all their countrymen, leaving Adams alone with the widows and children. Since Capt. Folger's visit, several British commanders have touched at the island, and they agree in representing the state of the new colony as remarkably happy and interesting. The young men and women are beautifully formed, with open, benevolent countenances, and all of them have the most marked English features. The principles of religion and morality have been carefully instilled into their youthful minds by John Adams, and thus far they have been preserved perfectly chaste and free from all kinds of debauchery. The Sabbath is strictly observed, and prayers are offered up every morning and evening in the most simple and unaffected manner. We are happy to find these accounts confirmed by the following article from the Evangelical Magazine.

"A professional gentleman, who visited the island in December last, communicated to the Directors of the London Missionary Society the following particulars :

"At the above-mentioned period, there were residing on the island 54 persons, of whom 49 were the offspring of the mutineers of the Bounty. Seven of the young men were married, and had in all 27 children, of whom 23 were under 10 years of age. John Adams presides as a patriarch over this interesting population. To the utmost of his power, he has endeavoured to train them up in the principles of piety and virtue, and they appear to approach nearer to the state of primeval innocence and simplicity, than, perhaps, any other community. Their condition presents a delightful picture of social happiness. The