it has tended to mitigate the rigours of government, but not to change its form. The more Christianity prevails, the more is government improved, not directly in its structure, but in its administration. This is all the sorcery, that has produced the change, complained of so bitterly! It is precisely the kind of influence which ministers of the gospel are exerting in our own country. They are endeavouring to promote that righteousness which exalteth a nation; and if they can succeed in this, they feel little solicitude as to the particular form that government may take. The reason they have been so falsely reported, is, because the improved state of morals they have been the means of introducing, has checked the corrupt propensities, and abridged the foul practices, of ungodly men. The foreigners themselves acknowledged this, when they said, "they were never in so religious a place as Lahaina, in all their lives;" and the same thing is admirably expressed by the regent Kaahumanu-"My opinion is, that our fault is this, the people in general follow greatly after Jesus Christ!"

You may be disposed to ask, if the wicked inhabitants of civilized lands have brought such evils upon these islanders, why have not the ministers of Christ first laboured to convert their own countrymen, and then to carry the gospel to distant isles?

Doubtless, they have taken the best method to produce this result. If there are hardened sinners in Christian lands, who will not listen to the gospel; that is surely no reason why it should not be preached to thousands and thousands, who are ready to receive it. Besides, the efficacy of divine truth has another testimony in its favour, from the prevalence of Christianity on these Islands; and the means of salvation are placed within the reach of many American and British seamen, who would not otherwise come within the sound of the gospel. In short, the missionaries might well adopt the language of Paul "It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles!"

To bring this letter to a close, I will just observe, that several officers of vessels, and others, have at different times visited these Islands, who have favoured the mission with their kind attention and efficient support. Their names have been affectionately recorded in the journals of the missionaries. Many of them are still living, and will, I doubt not, accept the gratitude, though they need not the eulogy of the friends of missions. It is but recently that Captain Jones, of the United States' Navy, (an officer of the highest distinction, and whose

name is associated with his country's glory,) gave to the world his full and voluntary testimony, in favour of the Sandwich Island Mission. In comparison with those who have impeached it, his means of knowing its real condition, were ample. His ingenuous manner of writing, entitles him to the confidence of all; and the publicity given to his remarks, has been somewhat proportioned to the excitement produced by the slanders they were intended to refute.

Yours,

E. E.

MY DEAR L.

The opening of the year 1827, was attended with some bereavements and afflictions to the mission. It was necessary that Dr. Blatchley and Mr. Loomis, on account of ill health, should return to this country. The loss of the physician was severely felt. The mission press was not suspended; and the labours of Mr. Loomis in this country, in printing a large edition of the gospels, in the language of Hawaii, are important in a high degree. He also superintends the printing of other books, for the use of the natives; and it is an interesting fact, that these can here be printed, at present, more speedily, more neatly, and more economically, than at the Islands.

In February of this year, died Karaimoku, the regent, who was significantly called by the natives, the "iron cable" of the Islands. As he had been an efficient friend of the mission, his death was deemed a great affliction; but it was perhaps more eloquent in the cause of religion, than his life had been. His end was that of the Christian, peaceful and happy. After his decease, the regency devolved upon Kaahumanu, whose influence was all in favour of godliness. Never, perhaps, could the language of the Bible be better applied; "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice."

In periods subsequent to this, a gradual progress was observable in regard to the great objects of the mission. Schools were multiplying and improving, and new churches were building. Books, and tracts, and separate portions of the Bible, were put into the hands of the natives, in their own language. The preaching of the gospel was attended with great success. The number of the prayerful was fast increasing. Additions were made to the church, and the ways of Zion were prosperous in this part of her heritage. I shall not, however, detail to you the incidents, which occurred at each particular station. The means every where used, were very similar to those which I have already described. It will

be sufficient, if I relate the grand results, at which they finally arrived. In doing this, I shall present to your view the principal features and noble achievements of the mission, as they were made known by the latest intelligence.

NOV

The last reinforcement of the mission, sailed from Boston, December 3d, 1827, and arrived at the Islands on the 30th of March, 1828. It consisted of Rev. Lorrin Andrews, Rev. Jonathan S. Green, Rev. Peter J. Gulick, Rev. Ephraim W. Clark-clergymen, with their wives; Gerri P. Judd, physician, Stephen Shephard, printer-with their wives; Maria C. Ogden, Delia Stone, Mary Ward, and Maria Patten -unmarried women; and John E. Phelps, George Tyler, Henry Tahiti, and Samuel J. Mills-Sandwich Islanders.

After this reinforcement, there were ten preachers of the gospel on the Islands. Mr. Ely and his wife were obliged, from loss of health, to return to their native country; and the devoted and beloved Mrs. Bishop has fallen asleep in Jesus. In addition to the stations already occupied, others were selected as suitable for missionary operations. The Islands were more extensively and critically explored; and various new projects of benevolence designed. The number of scholars taught at the different schools, was not much short of fifty thou