SOCIETY ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH SEA. The information respecting the happy change of affairs in the Otaheitean mission, which the Directors had the pleasure to announce in the last Report, has been abundantly confirined by letters of subse quent date. The brethren, in a letter dated Éimeo, 23 of April, 1814, observe, that they are now able to change the language of complaint for that of gladness; they state that the good work of conversion appeared to be going forward; and that the number of those who had renounced their idols, and desired to be considered as the worshippers of Jehovah, amounted to FIFTY. They report that these persons are, in general, regular in their attendance on the means of instruction; that they are in the habit of retirement for secret prayer; that many of them pray in their families, and ask a blessing on their food; that they carefully observe the Sabbath, associate to hold meetings for prayer, and that their moral conduct is greatly improv ed. Some of them appear to have experienced an inward change, evinced by their loving what once they hated, and hating the evil ways which once they lov ed; that they are desirous of having their sins pardoned, and their hearts renewed; and that they seem to be sensible of the need of Divine influence to effect this. They add, that in consequence of this profession, their neighbors deride them, and distinguish them by the name of Bu ree Atua "the praying people." In this pleasing intelligence every member of the Society will doubtless rejoice, and give glory to God. Hereafter, let no Missionary, in any age or country, however long his patience may be tried, despair of final success. The word of God shall not return unto him void. As yet, the brethren have not left the island of Eimeo, to return to Otaheite, nor has King Pomarre recovered his sov ereign authority; but some persons of consequence in Otaheite are among the professed converts. A chief, named Upaparu, and his people, have removed From that island to Eimeo, to enjoy the instructions of the Missionaries; and although he has been importuned by his friends to return to idolatry, he appears to be steady in his profession: he says that his brother, Teirei, (another chief,) is like minded with himself, and that a great number of the people are desirous of instruction, indeed many of them, although to their present disadvantage, have remared their residence to Eimco. It is pleasing to notice among the converts Matapupa, who was a priest and a principal Aveti. Nor is this disposition to receive the Gospel confined to Eimeo or to Otaheite. Mr. Nott, accompanied by Mr. Hayward, took a voyage to Huaheine, Raiatea, and Taha, preaching to the natives wherever they could collect them together, and were much pleased with their steady and fixed attention. At Huaheine they met with a young chief, who had been at Eimeo, who treated them kindly, and expressed a desire that Missionaries might be sent to his island. He professes himself a Christian, has cast off his gods, and observes the Sabbath. Indeed "the gods," says Mr. Nott, "have fallen into great disrepute, and the people scruple not to call them bad spirits'-'foolish spirits,' while they acknowledge Jehovah to be the "Good Spirit." " : 35 The brethren are proceeding with the building of a small vessel, which, when completed, will enable them to visit other islands and greatly contribute to the extension of their usefulness. A circumstance of a singular nature has lately occurred: Captain Sir Thomas Staines, on the 7th of September, 1814, fell in with an island, which it is thought must be that named Pitcairn's, (or incarnation,) where he found forty persons, all of whom could speak English, and who proved to be the descendants of part of the crew of the Bounty, who mutinied in the year 1790, and who took the ship to this island, where it was destroyed The people had never seen a vessel since that time, except the American ship Topaz, Captain Folger, who touched there about six years ago. The people are reported to be moral and religiously inclined, and are under the instruction of an old man, named John Adams, the only surviver of the mutineers. The Directors of the Society will consider what can be done for the spiritual benefit of these people, at present eut off from all intercourse with society. The Missionaries at Otaheite have very laudably engaged in translating a portion of the Scriptures into the language of the natives, which they have printed at Port Jackson for dispersion among the island with some useful arts, particularly with printing and gardening, together with some knowledge of medicine, and will be able, when they arrive at Qtaheite, to print whatever may be wanted for the use of the mission, as well as to promote other branches of civilization. And here it may not be improper to note, that some of the brethren who many years ago left the mission at Otaheite, and settled in New Holland, have been very useful in furthering the cause of religion in that growing colony, either by preach, ing the Gospel statedly, or by keeping schools. It is pleasing to notice the establishment of a Philanthropic Society for the protection of strangers from the islands. And Mr. Shelly, formerly our Missiona The three foreign brethren, the Rev. Messrs. Kam, Supper, and Bruckner, who embarked for Java at the cluse of the year 1813, arrived at Batavia on the 26th of May, 1814. They were most kindly received by Rev. Dr. Ross, the venerable Dutch minister of the city, and introduced by him to his Excellency Governor Raffles, who treated them in the most polite and condescending manner, and they had the pleasure of witnessing, soon after their arcival, in the Governor's house, the establishment of an Auxiliary Bible Society, of which Mr Supper, one of the Missionaries, was appointed Foreign Secretary, Dr. Ross lost no time in disposing of the brethren, so that they might be use fully employed. Mr. Kam was directed to Amboyna to officiate at the Dutch church, while he is engaged in learning the Malay language, there being a con gregation in that island which understands no other tongue. - Part of the island is inhabited by Chinese, . Mr. Bruckner, another of the Miss sionaries, is appointed minister of Saramang, Mr. Montanus, the former minister, being incapacitated for labor by age. Mr. Bruckner will here apply himself to the language of the country. Mr. Supper was earnestly requested by Dr. Ross to become his colleague in the church, there being far more ministe. rial duty than one minister is able to per form.-Mr. Supper's appointment, as well as that of the other brethren, was cordially approved by the Governor, who shewed himself perfectly ready to forward the views of the Society. Mr. Robinson, a Baptist Missionary, of whom our brethren speak very respectfully, preaches every Sunday afternoon in the same church, in the Malay language. the field of labor in Batavia, and throughout the island of Java, is exceed. ingly large: "Our number," say the pres ent Missionaries, "is like the dust of the balance;" and they eastly wish that more laborers may be soon sent to their assistance. The Society cannot but rejoice in these favorable events. The safety of their voyage, their friendly ree ptian, and their appointments to useful stations, in which they may exercise their ministry, while preparing for their special work among the Heathen, call for our devout thanksgivings. MAURITIUS, OR ISLE OF FRANCE, Mr. LE BRUN, who arrived at the Isle of France in June last, was received by his Excellency Governor Farquhar in a friendly manner, and the Society is much indebted to that gentleman for his kine ness shewn to our Missionaries. Soon atter his arrival, Mr. Le Brun was permitted to announce, in the Government Gazette, his intention of establishing a school for the instruction of those chil dren among the French whose parents. could not afford the means of education, He has since commenced a Sunday school, for the children of both sexes, at different hours of the day, when several of the parents attend, and seem pleasel, especialig in joining to sing the French hymns, which were furnished to Mr. Le Brun at the Society's expence, Mr. Le Brun takes every opportunity of circulating the Scriptures and Tracts, with which he was also plentifully supplied. We must not omit to mention, that some pious soldiers of the 7d regiment have voluntarily contributed 35l. to the funds of this Society, which the Directors acknowledge with peculiar pleasure, as a proof of their commendable zeal to im part to their fellow-men the blessings of the gospel which they have learned to prize. The Governor having, expressed his earrest desire to promote a mission to the island of Madagascar, the Directors have resolved to commence that work as soon as proper instruments can be obtaine ed, with which they hope soon to be fucs nished.. (To be continued.) EDUCATION SOCIETY. The American Society for educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry met, according to previous appointment, on Thursday, the 26th ult. at the Vestry of Park Street Church, in Boston, for the purpose of being organized. A very respectable number of members, from Bos. ton and several other towns, attended. As the object is transcendently important, the Society thought it advisable that the organization should be deferred to an adjourned meeting, which is to be held for that purpose, at the same place, on Thursday, the 7th of December, at 10 o'clock, A. M. As several benefactions were communicated to the meeting, a Treasurer pro tem was chosen. A very interesting letter was communicated from some unknown person, supplicating the blessing of God upon the Society, and enclosing a fifty dollar bill, which the writer styled his mite. In the evening, a very appropriate and powerful sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Pearson, of Andover, from Rom. x, 17; Faith cometh by hearing. After the sermon a collection was made for the benefit of the Society. It is expected that a sermon will be preached before the Society, on the evening of Dec. 7th, at Park Street Church, by the Rev. Mr. Bates, of Dedham; after which a collection will be made for the same benevolent object. In the mean time, benefactions may be communicated to JEREMIAH EVARTS, the Treasurer, pro tem. through the post office, or by leaving them at the bookstores of S. T. Armstrong, or Cummings and Hilliard, Cornhill. DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Oct. 4, 1815. From the Newell Society in the north parish of Bridgewater, by Mrs. Charity Jones, the Treasurer, remitted Brought forward $53 70 9. From Miss Polly Ware, of Conway, (Mass.) by the Rev. James Richards, From Miss Betsey Carleton, of Lyndeborough, (N. H.) by Mr. Richards, 11. From the Female Cent Society in Stoddard, (N. H.) by the Rev. Isaac Robinson, From Mrs. Hiram Johnson, of Hopkinton, (N. Y.) by the Rev. James Johnson, From Miss Sally Johnson, of Potsdam, (N. Y.) by Mr. John son, From the Foreign Mission Society of Wiscasset and the vicinity, for a mission to the west, 14. From a lady in Litchfield South Farms, the avails of ornaments formerly worn, From the Rev. Heman Humphrey, of Fairfield, (Con.) by Mr. Meigs, From sundry persons in Weston, (Con.) by the Rev. B. C. Meigs, 16. From a lady in Newburyport, by Mr. S. Tenney, From three young men in Woodbury, (Con.) by the Rev. B. C. Meigs, 19. From a young friend to the cause of the Redeemer, 20. From an unknown person, put into the letter box, 23. From associated females in Charlestown, by the Rev. Dr. Morse, 25. From female friends to missions in the Rev. Oliver Cobb's Society, in Rochester, remitted to the Rev. Dr. Morse, by Mr. Jesse Haskel, $11 50 From Mr. Seth Haskel, 2 00 From Mr. James Rug From Mr. William Rug gles, gles, 1.50 1.00 1.00 S 00 11 37 2.00 100 50 00 5 00 5 00 5.00 2.00 3 00 10 00 2. 00 8 31 From Mr. Jesse Haskel, 5 00-21 00 26. From Mrs. Alice Wild, by the Rev. Daniel Huntington, $35 70 by the Rev. R. S. Storrs, of 1815. Obituary... Rev. Andrew Fuller. Rev. Claudius Buchanan. 357 Brought forward $308 38 Spring addressed the throne of grace.. From the Female Cent Society for missionsin Rowley, by Mrs. Harriet A. Tucker, the President; viz. for foreign missions, $22 48 for missions to the west, 52 From a poor woman, for the translations, by the Rev. J. W. Tucker, 50 The utmost stillness and solemnity per vaded the attentive multitude. A mission ary farewell hymn was then sung to the tune of Old Hundred. Many were deeply affected and bathed in tears. After the -23 00 hymn, the visitors on deck immediately stepped on shore; the brig left the wharf, spread her sails to the breeze, and quietly entered on her course, followed by the gaze of many deeply interested spectators. The continual fair winds that prevailed for several days afterwards, accompanied by clear weather, bore her pleasantly, we doubt not, far on her destined way. We commend the little company and their floating mansion, to the guidance and protection of the Head of the Church, whose providence extends even to the sparrow and lily, who maketh the clouds his chariot and walketh upon the wings of the wind. $331 88 N. B. We have received from donors several letters, from which we propose hereafter to give extracts. DEPARTURE OF THE MISSIONARIES. THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, jun. DANTEL POOR, HORATIO BARDWELL, BENJAMIN C. MEIGS, with their wives, and the Rev. EDWARD WARREN, missionaries to the east, sailed from Newburyport, on Monday, 23d of Oct. on board the brig Dryad, Capt. Buffinton, for the island of CEYLON. The day was very pleasant. A large concourse of people assembled on the wharf at which the vessel lay, and on the adjoining wharves, and at other places which commanded a near view of the scene. The deck of the vessel was filled with vis itors, mostly females, the particular friends of the missionaries, assembled to bid them a final farewell. The time approaching when it would be necessary for the vessel to avail herself of the tide, between 1 and 2 o'clock, P. M. the Rev. Dr. Christians, friends of missions, they go as almoners of your bounty. They have left fathers and mothers, houses and lands for the service of Christ, and to bear your offering of love to the gentiles. They go as your messengers, to say among the benighted heathen, that God reigneth on a throne of graçe, reconcileable to the guilty. Let the breath of prayer, then, speed them on their voyage. Let them share, while on their embassy of love, an affectionate remembrance in your intercessions and your aims. God grant that they may be faithful in delivering their message, that many Asiaties may welcome it with faith, and come at last with them to the heavenly Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. OBITUARY, DIED, in Middleborough (Mass.) the Rev. JOSEPH BARKER, aged 64; formerly a representative to Congress. In London, on the 7th of July, by suicide, SAMUEL WHITBREAD, Esq. aged 57, a celebrated leader of the opposition in the British House of Commons. At Kettering, (Eng.) on Lord's day, 7th of May last, the Rev. ANDREW FULLER, D. D. The Christian world have long been acquainted with Dr. Fuller, as a man of piety, a zealous friend of missions, and an able theological writer. He was one of the most active of the few Baptist Clergyman, who formed, in 1792, "The Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Heathen;" and continued to be its Secretary, from its formation till his death. He lived to see this small Society rise to importance; its friends numer ous, its funds enlarged, its missionaries many, its effects extensive in diffusing the knowledge of salvation among heathen souls in India. His Gospel its own Witness, Gospel Worthy of all Acceptation, Calvinistic and Socinian Systems Compar ed, Memoirs of Pearce, and other useful writings, have been read very extensively; and by them, though dead, he will continue to speak to the consciences of thousands. At Broxbourue, in Hertfordshire, (England,) on the 9th of February Jast, the distinguished friend of mis sions, the Rev. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, D. D. The following notice of his death is given in the Missonary Register. "he had removed thither, (to Broxbourne) for some time, from Yorkshire; in order to superintend an edition otthe Syriac NewTestament for the use of the Syrian Christians. "Dr. Buchanan brought from India an enfeebled constitution. His exertions in that country were greater than he could sustain without injury. But the activity and energy of his mind never forsook him. "In his character were united remarkable simplicity, great comprehension and grasp of mind, with the warmth and glow of genius; and these qualities were all sanctified by Divine Grace, and directed to the promotion of Christ's Kingdom among men, with a bolduess and fortitude, ander difficult circumstances, the success of which will endear his memory to generations yet unborn. "We allude, in particular, to his per. sonal investigation of the moral and religious state of our fellow-subjects in India; the courage with which, in the face of enmity and contumelies, he unfolded to the nation the scenes which he had wit nessed; and the promptitude and ability with which he triumphantly defended his representations before the highest tribunal of his country. India will never forget her obligations to him. To the latest age, her sons will name him with veneration and love. "We have before us a letter from India, which bears a strong attestation on this subject. "As I am aware," says the writer, "that it is the wish and endeavor of many to discredit Dr. Buchanan's account of India, and particularly I believe of the abominations of Juggernaut, I enclose a report of this year's festival, inserted in all our Madras Newspapers from the Calcutta Papers. India is under unspeakable obligations to Dr. Buchanan; and England too, I think, will soon very generally acknowledge it, and redeem its Indian as it has its African character. Dr. B.'s late Charge to the Missionaries (Norton and Greenwood,) is so very correct, so admirably appropriate, that I hope it will be a STANDING CHARGE to every Missionary coming to India." "His early history is not less interesting than his more public and active life; as it marks very distinctly, the over-ruling hand of Providence preparing him for that station of eminence which he occupied for many years. The works of Dr. Buchanan, we have reason to hope, will be collected, and pub lished in a handsome edition; which will be enriched, we hope, with Memoirs of his Life, and a view of his Character. "He was called away from his labors without much previous warning. On the evening of the 9th instant he complained of internal pain. Medical assistance was sent for; and he retired to rest, apparently better, about ten o'clock. His servant also retired; but, feeling some anxiety respecting his master, and being on the watch in the next room, he was disturbed by a noise about eleven o'clock. He found Dr. Buchanan with his hand on his for head, complaining that he was much worse. The servant immediately went in search of his medical attendant but, be fore he returned, his master had breathed his last. "Dr. Buchanan was twice married, and survived both his wives. By his first lady he has left two daughters, of sixteen and fourteen years of age. "The preamble to Dr. Buchanan's Will, with a sight of which we have been favored, is so expressive of the simplicity and piety of his mind, and conveys so clear a testimony of his dying faith, that we are sure it will much interest our readers. "1, Claudius Buchanan, of Little Ousebourne, make this my last Will and Testament. I commit my soul and body to Jesus Christ the Savior of lost sinners, of which sinners I am one-the chief of sinners; but I trust I have obtained mercy; and look for eternal salvation through the obedience of Christ unto death, even the death of the Cross. I account the origin of my salvation to be the love of God the Father, who loved my soul in Charist its Head, before the foundation of the world. I renounce all works as a claim of merit. All my works have been mixed and sullied with sin and imperfec tion. Whatsoever has been acceptable to God is his own, even the work of the Holy Spirit; it is not mine, Glory be to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen." At Wilmington, (Del.) on the 6th July, the Hon. JAMES A. BAYARD, one of the late American Commissioners at Ghent. At Guilford, (Con.) the Rev. Elipalet LESTER, aged 87. At his seat near Georgetown, the Hon. PHILIP BARTON KEY, aged 58, formerly a member of Congress from Maryland. At Nashville, ('Ten.) JOHN DICKINSON, Esq. aged 35, an eminent lawyer, a na tive of Charlestown (N. H) He was graduated at Dartmouth College in the year 1797. At Dalton, on the 25th of August, CALVIN WALDO, Esq. Counsellor at law, aged 55. He was graduated at Dartmouth College, in the year 1785. In Boston, the Rev. JOHN MURRAY, senior pastor of the first Universal Socie ty, in the 75th year of his age. In New York, the Rt. Rev. SAMUEL PREVOST, D. D. Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of N. Y. aged 78. At New Haven, the Rev. AARON CLEAVELAND, aged 71, formerly of Nor wich; for many years a missionary in the western country... |