Gbor, as musicians, from Kaubul, and thence were subsequently scattered over Iran, Syria, and Egypt. The Nuth in India, the Kaulee in Persia, and the Gypsey in Europe, lead the same wandering life; and practise the same feats of dexterity, musick, and palmistry. Major Harriot remarks, that whether in England,

Russia, Sweden, Spain, Bohemia, Turkey, Persia, Syria, or Egypt, we may, through language alone, still trace, with general accuracy, the oriental feature and descent of this singular fraternity, although every vestige of tradition respecting their his tory is lost. [Christian Observer,

FOREIGN.

From the Missionary Chronicle of the Evan gelical Magazine, for May, 1823. South Sea Islands.-We have much pleasure in presenting to the members of the society the two following letters, which relate to the circumstances of a most unexpected and providential opening of a new and extensive field of missionary operations in the SANDWICH ISLANDS; where the population is perhaps five times greater than that of the Society Islands. It has seldom, if ever, been our lot to introduce to our readers information of a more interesting nature; and, we doubt not, it will infuse new animation and zeal into the meetings of the society at their approaching anniversary.

Honarooroo, in Woahoo, one of the Sandwich Islands, near Owhyhee, 10th August, 1822.

Reverend and dear Sir,-It is only a short time since we wrote to you from this place, (May 8th,) favoured by Mr. Ritchie, one of the owners, and supercargo of the ship Lady Blackwell, of Calcutta, (captain Ilall,) bound for Canton, after a short trip to the N. W. coast of America. In that letter we gave you an account of the unexpected and remarkable circumstances which had providentially opened our way, and, we may say, constrained us to visit these islands.

The pleasing and prosperous circumstances of the missions in the Society Islands were briefly noticed, though we had sent previous letters, in which those circumstances are more dwelt upon. Pomare's death, (he died at Tahiti two or three days after our last interview with him) we trust, will not occasion any harm to the cause of missions in these islands..

His Britannick Majesty's cutter the Mermaid, from New Holland, called at Huaheine, in February, 1822, where we had then been six or seven weeks. The cutter was on its way to the Sandwich. Islands, to convey a schooner, as a present from George IV. to the king of those islands. Captain Kent offered a free passage to us, and a missionary, and a few

natives, to the Sandwich Islands and to the Marquesas, at which he said he intended to touch on his return; and said he would bring us back to Huaheine. His obliging offer induced us to consider whether we ought not to avail ourselves of so favouras ble an opportunity to convey the Gospel to the Marquesas. Our friends, Barff and Ellis, who are filled with charming missionary zeal, tempered with prudence, highly approved of the opportunity being seized. We found also an extraordinary solicitude among the Christians of Huaheine, kings, chiefs, and people, to send that gospel, which had made themselves so happy, to their perishing heathen brethren in the Marquesan Islands. The church unanimously selected two of their deacons, and their wives, for this arduous engagement, who all accepted joyfully the appointment, notwithstanding the dif ficulties and dangers connected with it; only expressing a fear, lest they should prove unequal to so great a work, and unworthy of so high an honour.

Our missionary friends agreed also be tween themselves, that Mr. Ellis should lead these devoted servants of the cross, and assist in stablishing them in their new situation. Under these circumstances, we could not hesitate as to the path of duty. Nor did the necessity we should be under, of going first to the Sandwich Islands, pain us; but we rather rejoiced in the prospect of seeing for ourselves the condition of those islanders, and the state of the American mission, which we learned had been established there. By the will of God, we had a prosperous voyage; and, after a month's sail, we came in sight of the islands. Our reception, by our brethren and sisters, the American missionaries, (as we mentioned in the letter of the 8th May,) was most affectionate. The brethren received us on the beach, and kindly constrained us to take up our abode in their missionary house; where, with much pleasure and edification, we have been domesticated with the four families to the present time. Mr. Bingham and Mr. Thurston are preachers, Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Loomis are not. None of them have as yet begun to preach

in the native language, but only in English, which, until Mr. Ellis came, was interpreted by two Owhyeean youths, who have been educated at the mission school in America. Besides these four families, there are two other missionary families, on the neighbouring island of Atooi; but neither Mr. Whitney nor Mr. Ruggles are preachers. The way was opened for the admission of missionaries here in a remarkable manner: Divine Providence having induced the king Rehoreho to cause the idols and morais of these islands to be destroyed,* just before our friends came, and, in fact, while they were detained at sea by contrary winds. As their entrance upon the islands was providentially facilitated, so their establishment here is very comfortable. They have the approbation of the king and the principal chiefs; and have been used to have one service in the convenient chapel (which stands near the mission house) on Lord's day, and one evening service in the course of the week. An unpleasant circumstance arose, which at once cut us off from all expectation of visiting the Marquesas, and placed at an indefinite distance our possible return to Huaheine. In this trial we had the kindest sympathy of our missionary friends; who, as well as ourselves, felt a persuasion that by-and-by light would shine out of darkness, and we should all perceive that some valuable end was to be answered by the gloomy providence: and this persuasion has proved pleasingly correct.

From our first reaching these islands, they appeared to us to present a missionary field of the first magnitude, and of the greatest promise; and while lying at Owhyhee, before we saw our missionary friends here, we frequen said to each other, "Would God, that missionaries were here, to speak to these people, of the wonderful works and the grace of Jehovah, in their own language!" Whilst we were at Owhyhee, the chief of that fine island, and many others, greatly desired that the pious natives who had come with us, and Mr. Ellis, would remain in these islands, "to teach them the Good Book, and all the good things which had been learned in the Society Islands." When we reached this island, many expressed the same wishes respecting Mr. Ellis and our Tahitian friends. But though our hearts yearned with compassion for this numerous, ignorant, and vicious people, yet these repeated requests were in no degree hearkened to, until the painful providence above referred to. While we were meditating, what could be intended

This was done in consequence of what he had been informed Irad taken place in Otaheite, &c.

by our way being so hedged up, as to prevent our visiting the Marquesas, and even our getting away from these islands, Auna (which is the name of one of the excellent deacons from Huaheine) and his wife, came up to us at the mission house, from the king and queen of Atooi (with whom Auna and his wife have lived ever since they came to this island) with an earnest request from those important and influential personages.

But before we proceed, perhaps it will be well to mention the singular providence which led to Auna's residence with them. When we landed at this island, while our missionary friends were requesting us, with our Tahitian companions, to take up our residence at the mission house, a respectable looking person was desiring our companions might go and reside with him, as they were his countrymen, having come from Tahiti some years ago. This was agreed to, and the deacons and their wives went with him. He introduced them inte the house of the queen of Atooi; this person being her confidential attendant. Auna's wife soon discovered, that this Tahitian was her own brother! who had left Tahiti when a boy, and they had not heard of him for nearly thirty years.

This was pleasing to all parties; the queen desired they would be her guests, and, ever since, Auna and his wife have been teaching the queen's household, which is large, many useful things, and also praying with them, morning and evening. We now turn to the message which they brought to Mr. Ellis, and to us, from the king and queen of Atooi and many chiefs; which was, that Auna and his wife might stay here, and teach them and the people to read and to write, &c., and to worship Jehovah. Also, that Mr. Ellis would go, and fetch his wife and children to settle here as a missionary, to teach them all good things.

We asked Auna if he and his wife were willing to stay in this place: he said, their hearts desired it, if it was right; and if their Ora madua, (pastor) Mr. Ellis, would settle here, then they should be glad; be. cause the Lord had brought us here, and perhaps it was his will we should remain. When we had received this interesting communication, we could not refrain from admiring the wisdom of all the divine dispensations, and remembered the exhortation:

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

We quickly invited our American brethren to a consultation. Auna related before them what he had previously told us,

and we desired their sentiments freely; which, after exchanging a few words with Mr. Ellis, they gave. Our missionary friends unanimously declared their opinion, that the thing was from God; that, at present, there appeared a decisive indication, that Mr. Ellis and the Tahitians should enter this missionary field; and that if, after due deliberation, inquiry, and prayer, it should continue to appear so, they should rejoice to receive them as brethren.

They had no doubt but Mr. Ellis's experience in missionary labours, among a people in many respects similar, and his acquaintance with the language, would prove a great blessing to all parties. This unanimous opinion of our friends, and Mr. Ellis's willingness to remove, notwithstanding his great usefulness at Huaheine, has left no choice. The path appears quite plain; and, we may add, the king of Rehoreho and his favourite queen also desire Mr. Ellis to come. Our object now is to obtain the means of bringing Mr. Ellis and his family hither as quickly as possible; for which purpose we shall endeavour to charter a vessel from this place, or from New Holland, as we may be able. He, however, who has hitherto enabled us to commit our ways to him; who has so remarkably appointed our path, will, we trust, graciously continue to direct our steps.

It is now two months since Mr. Ellis consented to settle here, in aid of the mission at this place, though of course at the expense and under the auspices of our Society. Since this determination, a very close attention has been paid to the language of Owhyee; and he now preaches in it with ease and fluency two or three times a week, to attentive and increasing congregations.

Mr. Ellis has composed four hymns, in the Owhyeean language, which are sung in the chapel. You will hardly be able to conceive the delight we had in hearing these people, for the first time, uniting to sing the praises of Jehovah in their own tongue! A scene of great usefulness appears to be opening here. One, indeed, of greater interest and importance, than that which is presented by the Sandwich Islands, could scarcely be found. A group of twelve or thirteen fine fertile islands, in one of the most delightful climates perhaps any where to be met with, rising rapidly into consequence as places at which vessels, may refresh, passing from the western side of the new world to the eastern parts of the old world, and as the port for repairs and refreshments to great numbers of Pacifick Ocean whalers; having also a population of above 200,000 inhabitants, must have great importance as a missionary field. We made a tour round the greater part of this beautiful island, VOL. I. Ch. Adv.

accompanied by our missionary "friend, Mr. Bingham, and a messenger from the king; and were every where received with the greatest kindness, both by chiefs and people. While we deeply mourned over the deplorable state of ignorance, vice, and wretchedness, in which we found the people of all ranks, we could not but rejoice at the readiness we every where found to listen to the gospel, which was addressed to various assemblies; sometimes within a house, sometimes under a tree, or in the shade of a rock. We did not find any native who had the least no. tion who it was that made the sea, the sky, or themselves; but they all said, it was maitai (good) to learn these things, and to worship Jehovah; and that as soon as the king told them to do so, they would all come to learn. At one place (Uarua) we were kindly received and hospitably entertained by an intelligent chief, who was one of the principal priests of the abolished system. He made many inqui ries about the nature of this new religion; and proposed some difficulties for solution. Among other questions, he asked whether Jehovah could understand, if they prayed to him in Owhyeean, or whether they must all learn English! When he had received answers which appeared to satisfy him, he said it was maitai, (good) and he was ready to receive instruction and to worship Jehovah, as soon as Rehoreho (the king) should order it. All seems to hang on the word of the king! The government of these islands is an absolute monarchy; there is no law but the king's will. The king (Rehoreho) says to the missionaries and to us, that by-and-by he will tell his people that they must all learn the good word, and worship Jehovah; but that the missionaries must teach him first, and get well acquainted with the Owhyeean language. But alas, the king is slow to learn! Nevertheless, these difficulties, and all others, we trust, will be overruled, and in due time removed, that the glorious gospel may have free course to promote the happiness of man, and the glory of God! Two weeks ago the names of twelve persons were given in, who ap pear to be sincerely attached to the word; so that ere long we hope, the administration of Christian baptism to the natives, will commence by the missionaries.

Dear Sir, we trust you will desire our Christian brethren and sisters, in Britain, to unite with us in thanksgiving to God, for this remarkable opening for still more extensive missionary usefulness! and in earnest prayer for the Divine blessing upon the joint efforts of the American and English missionaries in these islands, that the present most promising appearances may be abundantly realized.

But, while our dear friends are thus 2 T

thankfully acknowledging the Divine goodness, which has granted the success for which they have been praying, it would perhaps be unnecessary to remind them, that fresh openings for exertion will require increased zeal in all the officers of societies at home, and also increased liberality in all the friends of the Saviour; in order to enable the Parent Society to meet the unavoidably increased demands which must, in such cases, be made upon its funds.

An American vessel has recently in formed us that she spoke a ship in the neighbourhood of Tahiti, which said she bad packages and letters for us; so that we hope to meet with these on our return to the South Sea Islands. A day or two ago we had the gratification of seeing a letter from you, accompanied by Magazines, R gisters, &c. and addressed to our good friend Mr. Bingham. They were presented by Captain Starbuck, of L'Aigle. We have had great delight from perusing the Missionary Chronicles up to January 1822. The Lord is truly riding forth in his Gospel chariot in every quarter of the world! and we trust he will proceed conquering and to conquer, until all shall bow to his gracious sceptre! What a delightful picture do these Chronicles and Registers present, of numerous associations of good men of various denominations, harmoniously and successfully labouring in different parts of the Lord's vineyard.

We write by the same vessel which conveys this to Canton, to the American Board of Foreign Missions, mentioning the wish of our missionary friends at this station, that Mr. Ellis should unite with this mission; and giving them our special reasons for concluding that it is the will of Providence that he should settle here. It was our intention to have inclosed a draft upon our respected Treasurer, for a sum about equal to the expense to which our long residence here must have put the family. This sum must have been considerable for our three selves and five or

seven natives from Huaheine; (for every thing is at a high price in this place;) whether raised in the islands or brought from abroad (America, &c.) Our obliging friends have however absolutely forbidden our offering any remuneration. We feel it justice to add that these pious, intelligent, and interesting families, have uniformly acted with as much affectionate kindness towards us, as they could have done had we made a part of their own mission, or even been literally their brethren.

Our residence among the Sandwich islands has afforded us much satisfaction; the only drawback on our enjoyment, (except the particular providence which

at first looked so gloomy, and which detained us here,) has been brother Ellis's extreme anxiety about Mrs. Ellis, who will of course be unable to account for his long absence.

The usefulness of our visit to these islands is, through the favour of Divine Providence, in several respects evident. Through the same mercy by which we are preserved in perfect health, we were saved, a few days after our arrival at Karakakoa Bay, Owhyhee, from a watery grave. A whale boat, which had been lent to us by the Captain of an American ship, was swamped, through the ignorance or carelessness of the boat steerer, and we were all overwhelmed in the breakers. But we cheerfully trust that he who hath delivered will continue to deliver, so long as our preservation shall be for his glory! -Bless the Lord, O our souls!

Entreating your prayers, and those of our Christian friends at home, that Divine direction and grace may be afforded, to mark our way, and to hold up our goings in his paths :-in hope of soon being favoured to receive communications from you and our other dear friends:-begging you to present our kind Christian remembrances to your brother Secretaries, to the Treasurer, and to all the Directors of the Society, and requesting you to accept our assurances of much affectionate regard, we remain, dear Sir, Yours faithfully,

GEORGE BENNET, DANIEL TYERMAN.

P. S. The king's decision is made in favour of the Gospel! He, his queens, and chiefs, are all learning from day to day. Two days ago, the chapel overflowed with all the royalty and other dignity which these islands afford. All connected with the mission are fully employed in communicating instruction in reading and writing to kings, queens, and chiefs, old and young! Verily Jehovah is a God hearing and answering prayer! O for grace and wisdom to all concerned, rightly to improve this remarkable providence!

To the Secretary.

G. B.

D. T.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Ellis, dated at WOAHOO, one of the Sandwich Islands, July 9th, 1822.

Dear Sir,-The deputation which I have the honour to accompany, will probably have acquainted you, by their communications sent in the Lady Blackwood, with the unexpected and remarkable manner in which a way was opened for our visiting those and the Marquesan Islands. I will not therefore detain you with a recapitu lation; yet I cannot forbear observing,

that the indications of the Divine will were peculiarly striking, and every circumstance concurred in pointing out the path of duty. The voyage seemed to be marked out by the finger of God, and we appeared only to follow the cloudy pillar of his provi. dence. The facilities it promised for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom and the prosperity of his cause, together with the favourable opportunity it afforded for the introduction of the gospel among the Marquesan Islands, (an object we had long been desirous to accomplish,) filled our hearts with joy, and called forth our most fervent prayers for the success of our undertaking.

After a most agreeable voyage of thirtyone days, land appeared in sight; and we soon afterwards found ourselves within a few miles of the most easterly point of the large island usually called Owyhee, but the proper name of which is Ha-vai-i. We continued sailing along within a few miles of the shore until March 31st, when we came to anchor in Karakakua Bay, about 10 A. M. The bustle occasioned by the boats passing from ship to ship, the natives paddling about in their canoes, surrounding our vessel with vegetables, &c. for barter, crowding our decks, hallooing to each other, singing their heathen songs in honour of their late or present king, produced a scene of confusion which, contrasted with the quietude of the Sabbath among the Society Islands, very powerfully affected our minds. In the afternoon, I preached to our little Tahitian congregation, from 1 Cor. vi. 11. "And such were some of you." The ship was crowded with natives from the shore, and many were in their canoes alongside during the service; they all behaved very quietly, and listened with attention. The singing of our Tahitians appeared to interest them very much. While our vessel remained at Karakakua, we made frequent visits to the shore, and conversed almost daily with the people, whom we always found kind, and attentive to what we conversed with them about. I also made two visits to Kairua, the residence of the king's brother-in-law, who is governor of the island. He appear. ed pleased with our visit to the islands, and supposing that we were all missionaries, expressed his wishes that two of us would remain with him, to instruct him in reading and writing, also in the knowledge of the true God and the religion of Jesus Christ, saying, that the king had missionaries residing with him in Woahoo, but that he had none with him in Owyhee. Several others also seconded his request by asking some of us to become their teachers.

After waiting a fortnight for the Prince Regent (the schooner sent out by the British government as a present to the king

of these islands,) our captain weighed an chor, and proceeded to Woahoo. We called at Kairua and Tevaihae on our way; and on Monday the 21st, we came to anchor in Kou harbour, off Hanarooroo. Shortly afterwards we accompanied cap. tain Kent on shore, and were met on the beach by the Rev. Mr. Thurston, and Messrs. Chamberlain and Loomis, missionary brethren from America, who have been here about two years. Our meeting was peculiarly gratifying, and they kindly invited us to the mission-house. After paying our respects to the king and other branches of the royal family, together with foreign residents of the place, we accompanied our brethren to their residence, about half a mile from the landing place, where we were very kindly welcomed by our sisters Thurston, Chamberlain, and Loomis, who repeated the invitation we had before received, to spend in their family the time we might remain on the island, which we gladly accepted, and have been very comfortably accommodated during our very protracted detention here. Our brethren and sisters are very laudably employed in studying the language, and teaching several of the natives; preaching also the gospel by means of an interpreter. They appear to possess the spirit of their office; and though they experience much opposition, and are exposed to many trials, yet are enabled to persevere in their benevolent attempts to propagate the gospel of the Son of God among the benighted tribes around them, who are literally perishing for lack of knowledge.

Our Tahitian companions were soon invited to the house of Kaahumanu, queendowager of Temehameha, lately married to Taumuarii, king of Atooi. They had met with a countryman of theirs, whose name is Moe, who had formerly been with the mutineers in the Bounty, but had been residing here many years as steward to the queen's brother, the governor of the island of Moui. The intelligence and amiable manners of Auna and his wife, together with their truly Christian deport ment, soon gained them the esteem of their host and hostess, who became remarkably inquisitive about the change that had taken place in the Georgian and Society Islands, and the present state of things there. Every necessary information was cheerfully given, and every inquiry fully answered by Auna and his companions, to the entire satisfaction of the chiefs and people; contradicting entirely the false reports that had been maliciously propagated among them, as to the degraded state of the people of the Society Islands, and especially of the kings and chiefs, who were represented as poor and miserable. They were also frequently inquired of by Rehoreho, the present