SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Oahu, March 10, 1823.

Rev. and Dear Sir,-Capt. CHandler, of the Pearl, being about to sail for America, I very gladly avail myself of the opportunity thus afforded, to acquaint you with our arrival here on the 5th of February last, after a safe and comfortable passage of five weeks from the Society Islands. We approached these shores, destined to be the scene of our future exertions in the great Redeemer's cause, with feelings of peculiar interest and delight. On landing, we were kindly received by our dear Brethren and Sisters, the American missionaries, who have hospitably entertained us beneath their friendly roof, till provided with a house to go into. The king and chiefs also greeted our arrival with pleasure, and seemed to have been waiting for our return, according to our promise made on a former visit, in company with the Deputation.

I was happy to find the good work had gone on more encouragingly since our departure. The king and principal. chiefs of all the islands we found very favourably disposed towards the religion of Jesus Christ, and diligent in the use of the means of instruction, several of them having made a very respectable proficiency in reading and writing, being able to write intelligibly and read the small Spelling-book published in their language. The Sabbath-day is kept as a holy day by all the chiefs and many of the people, who to a great degree abstain from labour, barter, and other worldly Occupations. Every Saturday night, Mr. Pitt sends the king's crier round to proclaim throughout every part of the

* Karaimoku, the King's Prime Minister, so called.

VOL. I.

village, that the morrow is the sacred day, that they must not plant their gar dens, build houses, make canoes, beat cloth, sell sandal wood, shoot birds, or follow any of their games or play, but go to the place of worship and hear the word of God! Few public criers have such commissions! We have very good congregations on the Sabbath days, and also on Wednesday evenings; frequently about one thousand attend, though not more than five hundred can be accommodated inside the chapel; but this is not perhaps one-fifth of the population of the village of Honoruru, where for several Sabbaths past we have had a meeting in the evening, either at the king's large house or in one of the public school-houses, which is in general well attended. Messrs. Bingham, Thurston, and myself, each share in the labours of preaching, which enables us to be more extensively useful; and we sometimes have preaching in two dif ferent places at the same time. The work of teaching goes on pleasingly, though not so rapidly as we could wish. The arrival of the missionaries from America will render very considerable aid to this department of labour. Auna, whom we left here on our former visit, is actively engaged in teaching the people to read, and, together with his wife, exerts, we believe, a very favourable influence over the people at large. Taua, the native teacher we have brought with us this time from Huahine, is, by the chiefs' request, attached to the king's mother and her connexions, to teach them to read and write. The king's mother and her husband are chiefs of considerable influence, and are very friendly; we trust, Taua and his wife will be of great service to them. We receive almost daily applications for books; as the edition lately printed is

2 R

found inadequate to the demands of the people, the Brethren intend soon to print another edition, adding sixteen pages, which will render it a very useful little book.

Ever since we have arrived here, my time has been most completely taken up with the immediate concerns of the mission, so much so, that I could not even attend to the landing of our things from the ship. The regular meetings in the place of worship and in the village, the attendance on the king, which he daily expects when employed at his desk, conversing with the chief's from house to house, occasionally acting as interpreter for the king or some of the captains in harbour, &c. who have business to transact with him, sometimes detain me from home from early in the morning till late in the evening. The numerous and various duties that every day de volve upon us, are fast augmenting, and pressing more heavily, which directs us continually to look to Him, through whose grace and strength alone we can accomplish the work given us to do. The climate is, I think, more congenial to our constitutions than that of the Society Islands. I have had my health better ever since our first visit, though Mr. Ellis has had two very severe attacks since our arrival. The air is cool and bracing, and the weather to us seems very cold. The village in the vicinity of which we live is very popuLous, containing probably between five and six thousand inhabitants, besides foreigners, of which at times there are considerable numbers. There are about sixteen merchants, including the American consul, who reside here constantly, to transact business with the natives and with the shipping that are continually arriving Honoruru, possessing the most convenient harbour of any of the islands, is a place of very considerable commerce; sixteen large vessels have arrived during the short period that we have been here, most of them whalers, wwho put in for refreshments; among them are two English ships, viz. the Indispensable, Captain Brooks, and the Princess Mary, Captain Clark, both of London.

The great population, and the very frequent arrivals of vessels, which generally want fresh supplies of provisions, firewood, &c. render those articles very dear. The common price for a hog is from six to ten dollars. Pe tatoes are about one and a half dollar per bushel; firewood, ten sticks per dollar, and other articles in proportion.

A dollar a day is also the common price of labour, though the natives sometimes work for less. Every article of clothing is also very dear, being first taken from England to America, and brought from thence to these islands, except so much as is brought from China. A hundred per cent. on the American or China price, is the lowest rate at which they are ever disposed of here; but I hope we shall receive a sufficiency for our family from England, which will save a considerable expense. It is very likely we could be supported for half the amount in any of the other islands; but I think that will not be considered a sufficient reason for our removing from this. Oahu being the residence of the king, the seat of government, the abode of all the principal chiefs of the other islands, and of most of the persons of influence in the whole groupe. The King and Queen of Tauai, the Governor of Maui, several Chiefs of Hawaii, as well as the King and Mr. Pitt, make this the place of their, constant resideuce. It is also probably the station at which many of the elementary and other books in the language will be prepared and printed, and the translation of the scriptures carried on. Some of the chiefs have expressed their wishes that we should remove to Maui, or Hawaii, but the king and Karai moku, with some others, wish us to remain. The American Brethren are also decidedly of opinion that this is the station where our aid is most needed, and where we can most effectually advance the common cause. Thus Providence seems to point out this as the station we should occupy. However, I shall be happy to receive the opinion and advice of the Directors, as to my continuing here, or removing to some of the adjacent islands.

Very considerable expense will be saved by the Directors sending out supplies from England, particularly articles of clothing and barter; among the latter, knives, scissors, axes, and files, together with printed cottons and calicos, coarse and cheap, are the most useful. I shall be much obliged if by the earliest opportunity the Directors will send out a close cooking-stove, one sufficient for a family, and to consume at the same time the smallest quantity of fuel. It is an essential in this part of the world. It will soon repay its cost by saving fire-wood, which is perhaps the most expensive article in domestio economy. It costs the Mission family

about 14 dollars per month, for this article exclusively. They have lately purchased a vessel for 400 dollars, principally for the fuel it will furnish. I have written to Mr. Marsden for a stove, but it is not probable he will be able to procure one; however, should he send one,, it will have saved its cost by the time one arrives from London, and will always be worth more than it cost. I regret exceedingly that our necessary expenses here should be so much greater than in the Society Islands; but I take this early opportunity of assuring the Directors, that the strictest regard to economy, and to saving as much as possible the funds of the Society, will invariably influence, my conduct,, both in putting up our dwelling, and procuring food and clothing. I trust, that after the first year, the expense of our sup port here will be very considerably diminished. The very extensive good to this nation, which our residence among them seems calculated to produce, will, I hope, counterhalance the expensiveness of the place.

I feel very much the loss of the. libraries o the Brethren in the Society Islands; I have brought with me but a very inadequate stock to aid me in the work before me. Any benevolent in dividuals who may feel interested in the advancement of the moral and intellectual improvement in Christian instruc tion of this people, would render no inconsiderable aid by donations and books.. Those on History and Philology, together with any critical works on the Sacred Scriptures, particularly on the Old Testament, would be most valuable.

A very considerable reinforcement of labourers is almost daily expected from America, among whom there will be perhaps five preachers; but it will be sonie time before they will be able to speak to the people; and even were they able to begin their labours immediately on landing, the field is wider than they could occupy. The population is stated 150,000 in all the islands, probably it exceeds a hundred thousand, to all of whom a preacher has now free access; but to many, even when additional aid shali arrive, only occasional visits can be paid, and those probably at distant intervals. It appears very desirable, should Brother and Sister Williams' indisposition render it necessary for them to quit the Society Islands, that they should remove hither before they finally depart for England. I think the climate such as would restore them

to health, and allow them to remain on the field, (an object I know to be dear to their hearts) in a very important station among a people literally perishing for lack of knowledge, which Brother Williams' acquaintance with a language so analogous to their own, would soon enable him to impart. I have written him to that effect by the return of the Active, and I believe the American Brethren have done the same.

The prospects of usefulness here are very great and encouraging; the set time to favour this people seems indeed fully come. The indications that God is about to smile upon them in a remarkable manner are daily becoming more numerous and striking. The ear of the people seems given to the words of instruction. The balance with respect to all the people of authority and influence is decidedly turned in favour of Christianity. The united and continued prayers of the American churches in behalf of this people appear to have been most signally answered in the very pleasing attention which they pay to the onutward means of grace. Let British churches unite their prayers with those that arise fron the western shores of the Atlantic, and I feel convinced that the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon them, i all its mighty energies and operations. His holy influence alone seems wanting, in order to another nation's being, as. it, were, born in a day. May God in mercy stir up the churches, both of England and America, to united, fervent, special prayer, not only for thiss nation, but for every groupe and every solitary island upon the bosom of the vast Pacific, till they shall all become evangelized; till all shall rejoice in the pure rays of gospel truth, and bask in the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, which shall chase away the ignorance, darkness and cruelty, that now envelop their delightful abodes, I have since our arrival here, had several interviews with a native of the Marquesas (lately arrived from thence), with whom I could converse intelligibly. He informed me several Tahitians had occasionally visited them; that the chiefs and people were desirons mise sionaries should be sent to them, that they would not molest them. It has long been a matter of deep regret to us all, that they should remain so long in the neighbourhood of the Society Islands, unvisited, degraded by idolatry and wretchedness, without a friendly guide to conduct them to the temporal and

spiritual enjoyment of all those inestimable blessings which Christianity is calculated to impart.

The frequent arrivals bring a great number of British and other seamen to this place, and I have occasional opportunities of recommending to their attention the one thing needful. I think Bibles and Testaments, and religious tracts, could be distributed with considerable advantage, and I should be very glad to receive a supply.

The letter of the king, I think, will be peculiarly gratifying to the Society, not only as a specimen of his progress in writing, but also as an indication of his views and feelings with respect to Christianity. The matter and manner is entirely his own, and the translation very literal. The copies of the letters between Rev. Messrs. Thurston and Bingham and myself, will show the amicable manner in which we commenced and, I hope, shall carry on our arduous work, and will, I trust, be gratifying to the patrons under whom we respectively labour.

I shall feel very considerable anxiety till I have the pleasure of hearing from you, though I am confident you will approve of our removal from Huahine. I hope to be favoured with communications by the earliest opportunity.* In the mean time, I remain,

Rev. and Dear Sir, Your obedient Servant in the Gospel, (Signed) WILLIAM ELLIS.

P.S. I have occasional applications from the people to bind books for them, which I should be happy to do, but we want materials for this purpose. A standing press, cutting-press, sewingpress, and plough with boards, &c. would be very useful.

*It is probable that in course of the next month, Mr. Ellis will receive letters notifying to him the Directors' approbation of the measure.

Letter from the American Missionaries in
Oahu, to Mr. Ellis.

Honoruru, Feb. 19, 1823. Dear Brother Ellis,-SAFELY and seasonably arrived at this new missionary field, as the scene of your future labours in the gospel of our common Lord, you will permit us as your brethren to tender our sincere congratulations and affectionate welcome. We have with admiration witnessed some of those striking movements of Providence which led the way and brought you hither to unite

your experience, your counsels, your prayers, your labours, and your influence with ours, in the great work of giving to this nation the inspired word of God, with ability to read it intelligibly, and leading them to the obedience of the truth as it is in Jesus; and we regard your arrival and settlement here as an important means of comfort and aid to us, and an accession of strength to the cause of missions here; and as one of the special tokens of God's merciful designs towards the benighted and degraded inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands.

We have long ago opened our arms and our bosoms to receive you; we now gladly hail your arrival; and with unfeigned satisfaction and unreserved approval, as your brethren and fellow labourers, embrace you as a minister of Christ, and as a missionary of his cross; and while we feel and cherish an ardent desire that we may ever be mutual helpers and comforters in the toils and trials of a missionary life, you will in all matters relative to the acquisition of the language, the translating and publishing of the Scriptures, recommending important measures to the government, devising and executing plans for urging forward the intellectual and moral improvement of this nation, allow us with special confidence to rely on your experience and opinion, your counsels, and your aid. Fully persuaded as we are that nointerest separate from, or opposite to, that which we seek in the sacred cause will ever be embraced in your designs, it shall be our steady aim to afford every facility in our power for the promotion of your most extended usefulness in these islands of the sea,. whose salvation we would unitedly seek. "Thine are we David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse, peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy God helpeth thee."-" Lift up thine eyes and look around on the fields, for they are white already to the harvest; and he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

We are, dear brother,

Very affectionately yours, in the la-
bour & fellowship of the Gospel,
HIRAM BINGHAM,
ASA THURSton.

To the Rev. Mr. Ellis, Missionary
of the London Missionary Society.

P.S. We subjoin a copy of the Resolution passed at a Meeting of Brethren at

the Mission House on the 8th inst. with reference to the arrival of yourself and Mrs. Ellis

Mission House, Oahu, Feb. 8, 1823. As Divine Providence seems so conspicuously to have marked the way for the entrance of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis into this missionary field, and as they have come hither with the hearty approbation and affectionate recommendation of the agents of the London Missionary Society, the Rev. Daniel Tyerman and George Bennet, Esq. and of the Rev. Messrs. Orsmond, Bourne, Barff, Williams and Threlkeld, fellow-labourers in the South Sea Islands,to unite with us as colleagues and fellow-helpers to the truth in turning this nation to the service of Christ our common Lord, the Proprietor and Redeemer of nations. Resolved, That we affectionately receive them as such, tendering to them heartily our christian and missionary fellowship and aid, with the earnest hope and prayer that our union and co-operation may be affectionate anduninterrupted, until we shall be called from our labours to eternal rest. Done by the Mission.

Dear Brethren,-The warm congratulations on our arrival here, and the very affectionate welcome to these shores conveyed in your kind epistle of the 19th inst. I received with unusual emotions of pleasure and satisfaction; and should have answered it at an earlier period, had not the immediate and more pressing duties of the mission so completely occupied my time and attention, as to put it entirely out of my power.

It is peculiarly encouraging to our minds to enter these interesting fields under such animating circumstances as those which mark our introduction to this enlarged sphere of Missionary exertion, preceded and accompanied by a train of events which so strikingly display the divine direction and approbation in our removal from the Society to the Sandwich Islands. Nor do I reckon among the least auspicious of those events, the ingenuous and benevolent manner in which we have been received by you, though coming from a different country, patronised by another Society,

Missionaries belonging to the Leeward Branch of the Mission, in conuexion with which Mr. Ellis formerly Jaboured.

and originally designated to a different field. The broad and catholic principles which you have in the present instance so generously evinced, indicate an eminent degree of that disinterested and christian liberality and benevolence so uniformly inculcated in the New Testament, and so conspicuous a feature in the signs of the times, when the principles of union and co-operation are so much better understood, and more universally acted upon, than in any preceding age of the church. Our union in the great cause which we have combined our energies to support, will be hailed by christian philanthropists both in America and England, as an indication of the approach of that happy period, when minor distinctions among the ministers and people of God shall vanish, when they shall recognise each other as brethren, wherever they may meet, and be as 66 one fold under one shepherd." Allow me also to assure you, that in complying with the solicitations of the chiefs of these islands, and your own deliberate recommendation to remove hither, I have been actuated solely by a sense of duty. I have no interests whatever to promote, other than those equally dear to us both; no plans to pursue but those exclusively connected with the pure and unmixed doctrines and principles of the Bible, nor any object to accomplish, but to aid in laying the foundation of that glorious kingdom, the stability and extension of which we mutually count it our happiness to spend and be spent in advancing. I feel that it is unnecessary for me to add, that it is the undisguised wish of my heart to combine my efforts with yours, and uniformly employ any facilities which my acquaintance with the language, traditions, popular character, and general habits of the Society Islanders, may furnish, for the great object of ameliorating the wretchedness of the long-neglected and degraded people around us, and conferring on them all the blessings Christianity is calculated to impart.

May our union be uninterrupted and permanent. May we ever walk in humble dependance on the great Teacher of mankind; may his Spirit pervade our hearts, anddirect our steps and our every effort; and his abounding grace, crown our feeble exertions with divine and glorious success.

I am, dear Brethren, Very affectionately yours in the bonds of the Gospel, WM. EL. To the Rev. Messrs. Bingham and Thurston, Missionaries in the Sandwich Islands.