In vain with lavish kindness, The gifts of God are strewn, Bows down to wood and stone. 3. "Shall we, whose souls are lighted The lamp of life deny ? The joyful sound proclaim; Till each remotest nation, Has learn'd Messiah's name." The missionaries at Oahu translated this hymn for the benefit of the heathen, and published it in a tract, containing other religious matters, in the following words of the Hawaiian tongue : "HIMENI MISIONARI. “No ka hooulu ana i ka olelo a ke Akua i na aina a pau loa.* * Ua hooleaia'ku ia Jehova, mahope iho o ka ke Alii olelo ma Waimea a me Kailua, Hawaii This hymn, faithfully and correctly rendered back into English, will, we are assured, be found to read as follows: 1. "Hail, inhabitants of the mountains Still covered with snow With those of Ethiopia, India, and China; Old rivers, Isles, and mainlands, Your captives are 2" Wo to the people Of strange gods, The perdition of nations, The Africans in darkness, The Asiatics in ignorance, The Mahometans, and The ROMANS returned to their wickedness. 3. "How can we, Who are enlightened, Refuse men in darkness The light of life! The life! the life! Let us diffuse it That the world may hear the Messiah And be converted." We have endeavoured to find, particularly in the second verse, something corresponding to the original of the eminent divine, of whose celebrated hymn it is said to be a translation. But admitting it as having been intended as a mere imitation of the original, the blending of the Mahometans and the Romans together, as having returned to their wickedness, may, for aught we know, be highly poetic, but is certainly no imitation of the spirit which actuated the benevolent author of the original production, or of that charity, and forbearance, and brotherly love, which are ever warm in the heart of the truly pious, no matter to what sect or denomination he may belong. We honour the labours of the missionary, who, in singleness of heart, and with rational and pious zeal, goes forth to labour in the vineyard of his Divine Master, whether it be among the ignorant and needy in his own country, or among the heathen in far distant isles; for good may come from his labours in the one instance, if not in the other. At Oahu, it is not to be disguised, that a most unhappy state of things exists between the missionaries and other foreigners and resident traders on the island. They are constantly arrayed against each other. The missionaries complain that they have been opposed in their views and endeavours to introduce the Christian doctrine among the natives, and we have no doubt their complaints are but too well founded; that every act of theirs is viewed in an unfavourable light; and that they would have proceeded faster and farther, had it not been for the influence of the traders, who were generally devoid of all religious principle, and practised the greatest frauds upon the natives in their dealings with them; which tends to corrupt their morals, and to preclude all hope of fairness of trade among them! The foreign residents, as may well be supposed, are composed of people of all nations, the English and American predominating; and though there are a number of very respectable individuals settled at Oahu with commercial views, yet it is not to be denied, and no one can regret it more than we do, that the white population, generally speaking, are of the very worst order; among whom every thing like that decent restraint which civilized society imposes upon its members is at war with their vicious propensities, and of course resisted by them to the extent of their power. What then? Shall the missionary sanction their evil deeds? Certainly not. But let him mingle with them-not in austerity, but in mildness-reprove and reason with them. Let him reflect that commerce, though it carry evils in its train, is indispensable as a helpmate in the work of civilization, without which, four hundred years' experience, in all parts of the world, prove how little can be done by the missionary! Let him be careful to abstain from all unbecoming interference in the civil affairs of the island. Of such interference he should not only be innocent, but above suspicion. Let him give no cause of complaint, that he exercises, or attempts to exercise, any control over the natives in matters of trade; these things will regulate themselves. There is no reason that he should not provide for himself and his family; but in doing so, he should be cautious that he gives no cause for belief that he looks for the reward of his labours in the good things of this world. Let him be foremost in teaching the natives the arts of civilization; let him even join in their labours, and not frown on their innocent amusements; teach the industrious how to improve his taro patch-how to make two blades grow where only one had grown before. Let him offer rewards to the most successful cultivator of his little farm-as well as to the one who shall best get his lesson at school, or be most regular in his attendance at church. Should missionaries of any other denomination come to the island, go forth to meet them-extend the hand ere they have touched the shore-bid them welcome. Differ they may in many things; but what of that? The harvest is great, and the labourers are few. Let them live in peace. Let us be distinctly understood in the remarks we have made, in reference to the foreign residents and missionaries on this island. As to the question, which party is on the right side of virtue and good order, there can be but one opinion, where there is not even room for comparison; we are not the advocate nor the apologist of the improprieties of the former; and we have been free in our remarks of what we deem the errors of the latter, because all should rejoice to see the great objects of the benevolent and Christian world realized, in the extension of civilization and the gospel to earth's remotest bound. The very efforts made in such a cause assist to keep alive the charities of the world. When will our government become sensible of the necessity of placing at these islands a consular agent, on a salary which' shall render him independent of trade, and who might be enabled, at all times, to exercise his influence for good? CHAPTER XXIII. Passage to the Society Islands-Island of Otaheite, or Tahiti-Matavia Bay-Description of the natives-Dress, houses, food, &c.-Appearance of the countryA banquet champêtre-Divine worship-Increase of temperance among the natives-The queen-dowager-A sprig of royalty-Dinner on board the frigateState of the Island-Sail for Valparaiso. THE day after leaving Honoruru and the Island Oahu, found the Potomac bounding on her way to the south and east, with a fresh northeast tradewind. Although a month had been spent, and happily spent too, at the lovely island we were now leaving far behind us, we were not displeased at finding ourselves once more upon the ocean. A month is a long time for a sailor to be cooped up in port; he pants for the exhilarating, darting spring of the ship, when met by the high rolling swell-the spirit-stirring, onward motion. Even the passing squall has its charms and its attractions. But these again soon tire; and we look forward, with new interest, to the coming port. In fact, there is nothing like variety; it has been aptly called the spice of life of a sailor's life, we are sure that it is sothough replete with hardships, dangers, and privations; for, after all, his life is a merry one. It is not only a useful life, but a pleasant one, to all who choose to make it so. As long as the northeast tradewind lasted, we looked forward with pleasure at the prospect of stopping at the Marquesas Islands; of which the most considerable are St. Christiana and St. Pedro, the first of which is situated in latitude 9° 55' south, longitude 139° 9' west. We had already gained the longitude; and a few days more would take us so far to the east as to reach them on the other tack, or with the southeast wind. Unfortunately, on the twenty-third of August, the wind died away; it then became calm; variables followed; nor did we get the northeast trade, until the third of September; when, close upon the larboard tack, and standing to the south and west, we found ourselves only able to fetch the Society Islands. |