or expected, has been occasioned by the absence of the Rev. Mr. Marsden, who had been some months, and was for some weeks before our arrival, in the colony at New Zealand. At Sydney, we found, on our arrival, Mr. Wilson, who had lately come from the islands to reside for a time in the colony for the benefit of his health, from whom no doubt you will receive every information respecting the islands, &c. which he has to communicate. From him, with sorrow, we heard of the death of the two brethren, Messrs. Bicknell and Tessier, at Otaheite. The death of brother Bicknell will be a serious loss to Mrs. B. and her four children, situated as they are. The Hope, Mr. Birnie's vessel, is just come in from a voyage, with distressing tidings. She has lost her first officer and five men. We hope now shortly to leave the colony for the islands, and, if we comply with the request of Pomare, not to my old station in Eimeo, but to Matavai, to join him and Mr. Nott, who are both residing there. In order to comply with the king's wish, I must remove my house, now at Eimeo, to Otaheite, and erect it again, which will unavoidably be attended with great labour and expense. How this will be, I shall perhaps be able to inform you by the return of the Hope." WE have stated above, that Mr. Wilson had thought it needful for the recovery of his health, to take a voyage to the colony, where, as we learn from a letter written by him at Sydney, Feb. 7, 1821, he arrived in the Haweis, Sept. 26, 1820. He says, "By two Russian ships which touched at the islands about a week after we left them, we have received the mournful intelligence of the death of our dear brethren, Bicknell and Tessier; but I am unable to meution any particulars. Brother B. has left his widow with four children, and she herself is but in a poor state of health." He further says, "I do not wish to remain here one hour longer than is necessary. We expect that the HOPE will sail from hence to the islands in about two months, to bring the cocoa-nut oil procured for the Society, when, God willing, brother Hayward, his partner and myself, intend to proceed with her. VOYAGE OF THE DEPUTATION. Ir ffords us great pleasure to be enabled o inform our friends, that the Tusca, conveying the Rev. Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet, the Deputation to the South Seas Islands, together with ou brethren the artisans and their wives touched at Madeira on the 28th of May, after a voyage of only nine days. After working their way against contrary winds from the 5th of May, when they embarked at Gravesend, to the 12th, they landed at Portsmouth, where they were most hospitably entertained by our Christian friends, and greatly refreshed. They got under weigh on the 19th, and passed the Lizard light-house about 12 o'clock on Sunday night. On Tuesday, they encountered two heavy gales in the Bay of Biscay, which were succeeded by a short calm; after which they proceeded rapidly to Madeira. Some of the females suffered pretty severely by sea-sickness, but were much better. Mr. T. and Mr. B. speak highly of the friendly behaviour of the captain, &c. They have family worship regularly twice a day, and two sermons on the Sabbath, besides a prayer meeting in the evening. They appear to be very friendly with each other, manifesting a truly pious spirit, which augurs well to the accomplishment of their great object. They intreat the continued prayers of their friends for their health and safety during the rest of their voyage. MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARIES. ROYSTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. ON Wednesday, April 11th, the Auxiliary Missionary Society for Cambridgeshire and its vicinity, held its Eighth Anniversary at Royston, when two appropriate sermons were preached in the morning by Rev. R. Hill, from Isa. Ixiii. 21, and Rev. Mr. Thodey, from Zech. vi. 12, 13. In the afternoon, the Society assembled for public business. Mr. Hill presided, and several interesting addresses were given by the ministers and gentlemen present. The Rev. G. Burder preached in the evening. The numerous congregations that attended were highly gratified, and the sum of 40!. was collected for the benefit of the Society. MAY 29th. The Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Somerset Association was held at Rev. Mr. Cuff's Meeting-house, at Wellington. The Rev. G. Cave began the morning worship; the Rev. D. Pyke prayed before the sermon; the Rev. W. Paull preached on the Work of the Holy Spirit, from 1 Cor. xii. 6. last clause; and the Rev. J. Buck concluded. In the afternoon, there was a public meeting in furtherance of the objects of the Association. After singing and prayer by the Rev. R. Winton, the Rev. John Saltren, of Bridport, was requested to take the Chair. The Address was read by the Rev. T. Golding, the Secretary; and the Rosolutions moved and seconded by the Rev. Messrs. Buck, Leach, Wright, Gunn, Paull, Winton, Sherring and Corp; Mr. Spencer, the Treasurer, the Rev. Messrs. Pyke, Housey, Clapson, Cave, Blair and Cuff, and Mr. Waldron. The meeting closed with prayer, by Rev. Mr. Sherring, and singing the 17th Psalm. In the evening, after the Rev. Mr. Saltren had prayed, the Rev. W. B. Leach preached from Titus ii. 13, 14. and the Rev. Mr. Horsey (Baptist Minister) concluded. The services were all interesting and well attended. The ministers of the Association met the preceding afternoon at four o'clock, as is usual, to prepare for the general meeting, and the Rev. J. Saltren preached a sermon from Psalm xl. 9, 10. in the evening. PRESTON, LANCASHIRE. ON Whit Monday, June 11, the Preston Auxiliary held its Ninth Anniversary in Grimshaw-street Chapel. Edward Dawson, Esq. of Aldcliffe-hall, presided. The Report for the year was read by the Secretary, from which it appeared, that this Society, with its Branches at Elswick, Kirkham, Garstang, &c. had remitted to the Parent Society, since the last Anniversary, upwards of 1037. besides incidental expences. The meeting was numerously attended, and addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Griffiths, Greatbatch, Coombs, Thompson, (Wesleyan) Wild, Hope, &c. Much interest was excited, and the interesting services closed by singing "From all that dwell below the Skies,' &c. HOWDEN, YORKSHIRE. ON Thursday, June 21, the Howden Auxiliary Missionary Society held its Anniversary in Providence Chapel. The Rev. Mr. Morley, of Hull, in the chair, (who, after prayer to God) opened the business of the meeting; the Rev. Geo. Browne, of St. Albans, gave some account of the proceedings of the Parent Society, and of the Rev. J. Campbell's second visit to Africa. Several excellent addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Rawson, Mather, Earle, Mayhew, Nettleship, Milson, Hunt, and Wilkinson, &c. A Missionary spirit appeared to pervade the respectable assembly. Mr. Rawson preached from 1 Cor. xv. 25. on the evening previous to the meeting, and after the meeting, Mr. Brown from John iii. 35. A handsome collection was made for the Parent Society in London after the services. ON Monday evening, July the 2d, at the Missionary Prayer Meeting held at the Rev. Mr. Smith's chapel, Leather Lane, London, Mr. J. Monro, late of St. Neot's, was designated as a Catechist to South Africa. The Rev. Messrs. Smith, G. Williams, Elvey, Burder, Waugh, Campbell, and J. Burder, of Stroud, engaged in the service. Mr. Monro has attended for a considerable time at the British and Foreign School in the Borough Road, to acquire the British system of instruction, which it is hoped he will be enabled advantageously to practise in Africa. AMERICAN MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. THE following account of the first interview between Tamoree, the king of Atooi, and his son George Tamoree, (whose original name was Hoome-hoome) who had been absent from his father 17 years, and who accompanied the Missionaries from America to the island, will be perused with no ordinary interest. It is extracted from the Journal of Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles : "May 3. When we arrived at the house, Tamoree and his Queen were reclining on a sofa; as soon as George entered the door, his father arose, clasped him in his arms, and pressed his nose to his son's, after the manner of the country; both were unable to speak for some time. The scene was truly affecting, and I know not when I have wept more freely. When they had become a little more composed, Tamoree spoke, and said his heart was so joyful that he could not talk much till to-morrow; but discovering brother Whitney and myself, who had till then remained almost unnoticed, he inquired who we were. George then introduced us to him as his friends, who had come from America to accompany him home. The old gentleman then embraced us in the same manner as he had done his son, frequently putting his nose to ours, and calling us his hicahe or friends. A supper was soon provided for us, consisting of a couple of hogs, baked whole, after the American manner, several fowls and a dog, cooked after the style of the island, together with pota toes, tarro, bananas, cocoa-nuts, and water-melons, brandy, gin, wines, &c. The table was set in good style, and our supper indeed excellent. A new house was assigned for brother W. and myself during our stay on the Island, a few rods from the king's, and several men to attend upon us. We shall now retire to rest, after looking up to God with thanksgiving for mercies already received, and humbly praying that a blessing may attend our visit to these heathen. Perhaps it will be the first Christian prayer that was ever offered to God on this Island. "May 4. This morning early, I went to the king's house, and was met at the door by himself and the queen, who took me by each arm, led me in, and seated me between them upon the sofa; and after having several times put their noses to mine, the king inquired if it was true that I had lived with Hoomehoome (the real name of George) in America, and eat with him, and slept with him, saying his son had told him many things that he could not fully understand, and that I had been his friend a long time, and would stay here and instruct his people to read. I told him it was true, and that the good people of America who loved his son, and loved him and his people, had sent several men and women to instruct his people to read and work as they do in America. When I told him this, he, with his wife, broke out in one voice, "Miti, miti, nove loah aloha America;" that is, Good, good, very great love for America; and then burst into tears. After a short time, he asked me how long I would be willing to stay and teach his island. I told him I wished to spend my life here, and die here. He then embraced me again, and said, "Kacke vo'u oe, mahkooah oe o-ou wikena o ou mahkooah oe," that is, You my son, 1 you father, my wife you mother. I endeavoured to tell him something about God, but the subject was entirely new to him, and he could understand but little. "May 10. This morning Tamoree sent for me-said his interpreter was going away, to be gone several days, and he wished to say a few things to me before he went. I want to know, says he, if you love Hoome-hoome, if you love me, if you like to stay here and learn my people. I assured him that I loved his son and him, and I wished to spend my life in doing them good, and not only I, but Mr. Whitney, and all who came with us, wished the same. Hoome-hoome tell me so, says he. He then shed tears freely, and said, I love Hoome-hoome; I love him very much more than my other children :* Tamoree has two other children besides George, a daughter and a son, younger. I thought he was dead; I cry many times because I think he was dead: Some Captains tell me he live in America, but I not believe; I say No, he dead, he no come back: But he live, he come again; my heart very glad. I want my son to help me; be speaks English, and can do my business. But he is young; young men are sometimes wild, they want advice. I want you stay here and help Hoome-hoome, and when vessels come, you and Hoomehoome go on board and trade, so I make you Chief. I told him I wished not to be a Chief, neither could I do any of his public business, but was willing to advise his son and assist him in every thing consistent with the object for which we came to his Island. He expressed some surprise when I told him I wished not to be a Chief, but when I explained to him what we wished to do, he appeared satisfied and pleased. "This afternoon the king sent to me, and requested that I would come and read to him in his Bible. I read the first chapter of Genesis, and explained to him what I read as well as I could. He listened with strict attention, frequently asking pertinent questions, and said, I can't understand it all; I want to know it; you must learn my language fast, and then tell me all. No white man before, ever read to me and talk like you. "May 16. Visited the king, and read to him in his Bible. He expresses an earnest desire to know all that is contained in the Bible, saying frequently, I want to understand it; and when you learn my language I shall know it. He often says he wants Atooi to be like America. To-day he told me he would support all the mission family if they would come to Atooi-that he would build as many school-houses as we wished, and a large meeting-house, and have a sabbath-day, and have prayers and singing. It is reviving to my heart to go and converse with the old gentleman, and see his thirst for knowledge, and desire that his people should be informed. "June 2. For several days since, the king and queen bave manifested a great desire to learn to read, and sent for us frequently to instruct them; they say they will spend ten years if they can learn to read well in that time. Whereever they go they carry their books with them. I have seen them while bathing in the water, stand with their books in their hands, repeating their lessons. They have expressed fears that we shall I WISH to write a few lines to you, to Accept this from your Friend, Samuel Worcester, D.D. LETTER FROM THE QUEEN OF ATOOI TO THE MOTHER OF MRS. RUGGLES. This letter was dictated by the queen, interpreted in broken English, written down verbatim, aud copied by herself in a plain legible manner. DEAR FRIEND, Atooi, July 28, 1820. I AM glad your daughter come here, I shall be her mother now, and she be my daughter. I be good to her; give her tappa; give her mat; give her plenty eat. By and by your daughter speak Owhyhee; then she learn me how to read, and write, and sew; and talk of that Great Akooah, which the good people in America love. 1 begin spell little: read come very hard, like stone. You very good, send your daughter great way to teach the heathen. I am very glad I can write you a short letter, and tell you that I be good to and tell you I am your daughter. I send you my aloha, Your Friend, CHARLOTTE TAPOOLEE, Queen of Atopi. AMERICA. IN the 22d Report of the Connecticut Missionary Society, Jan. 10, 1821, it is stated that forty Missionaries have been employed by them during the past year, in the states of Vermont, New York, Pensylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ken tucky, and Missouri. The preachers em ployed by this Society spend from six to 20 or 30 weeks in journeys from place to place, as Evangelists, with great and good effect. In the introduction to this Report, the Secretary remarks: "Every revolving year has elucidated, with brighter evidence, the utility of Missionary efforts, and added new trophies of Divine grace to the rising kingdom of the Redeemer. In the good work of spreading the Gospel among the destitute, of establishing Churches, and of comforting the people of God throughout the widely extended frontiers of the United States, the Trustees believe the labours of the Missionaries whom they have been enabled to send into the field, have held a prominent place, and been crowned with signal blessings. We copy from the concluding remarks the following pleasing passage: "The amount of labour which has been performed can scarcely be estimated. Were it expedient to specify the distance which has been travelled by the Missionaries_in the discharge of their duties; the number of sermons they have preached; the meetings for prayer and religious con ference they have attended; the schools and families they have visited; the number of believers they have received into the family of Christ; the churches they have organized; the multiplied instances in which the sacraments of the Gospel have been administered; the di visions in churches they have healed; the sick and afflicted they have consoled; the dying they have commended to divine mercy; the multitude of saints they have comforted; the number of sinners they have instructed and guided to the Saviour; the moral influence they have spread around them in every direction, increasing the peace, harmony, and temporal prosperity of an extended community; such a catalogue would swell the amount of missionary labour beyond all ordinary conception. The good which may result from such labour is, literally, immeasurable." BASLE MISSIONARY AND BIBLE SOCIETIES. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Blumhardt, in Basle, to the Rev. Dr. Steinkopf: dated 23d June 1821. WE have enjoyed a most delightful season in the week just passed. The Lord has indeed crowned us with loving kindnesses and tender mercies. Already on Saturday the 16th of June, Christian friends both of the Bible and Missionary Society arrived in large numbers from the vicinity, and from a distance, to attend the General Meetings; and from day to day the houses of our brethren in this place were filled with visitors, many of whom, constrained by the love of Christ, had come a distance of 25, and some even of 120 miles. On Trinity Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Gessner, of Zurich, delivered a most appropriate introductory discourse in the principal church; and on Monday evening, the friends of the Bible first met together at Mr. Schnell's house, when arrangements were made for conducting the Meetings, and several important points relating to the dissemination of the Scriptures in Switzerland, discussed. In the afternoon of Tuesday the 19th, the General Meeting of the Bible Society was held in the church of St. Martin, and was attended by a large proportion of gentlemen distinguished by their station both in church and state; besides an attentive auditory of more than a thousand persons. The Report, read by the Rev. Archdeacon Burckhardt, as well as a comprehensive view of the operations of Bible Societies in general, exhibited by the Rev. Dr. and Professor Merian, produced a strong sensation in the minds of all present, and greatly raised their estimation of the high importance and value of the Biblical cause. On Wednesday morning the 20th inst. a public examination took place in our Missionary Seminary for want of room, those only of our friends who came from a considerable distance could be accommodated. The students were examined in the leading doctrines of the Christian faith, in Greek and Hebrew, the Arabic of the Koran, and in the English language. The audience expressed both surprise and satisfaction at the progress they had made. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, our Missionary Meeting began in St. Martin's church. Hundreds of persons flocked from every quarter, and the church was quickly filled with anxious auditors. After a very interesting discourse from the Rev. Mr. Von Brunn, on Rev. xiv. 6, 7. I read the Report, containing a mass of cheering information respecting the work of the Lord within the short period of the last six months of our Missionary Society. The Rev. Mr. Larosche concluded the Meeting with a most suitable and affecting appeal to the assembly. On Thursday morning, a Meeting for business was held at the Mission-house, which was attended by deputies from our Auxiliary Societies at Schaffhausen, St. Gall, Zurich, Toggenburg, Bern, Strasberg, Stuttgardt, Mezingen, Tuebingen, and Tuttlingen. A great number of other friends were also present; it was truly a time of refreshing for us all. After several extracts had been read from the Society's correspondence with the distant Societies of Nurenberg, Darmstadt, Barmen, and Bremen, the Annual Report was laid before the Meeting; the Rules of our Society, and the general plan of the Missions, were submitted and approved, and a vigorous co-operation was promised. The Lord was evidently in the midst of us; not a dry eye was to be seen; and this delightful assembly broke up, after the most ardent expression of praise to God. In the afternoon, four of our dear Missionary brethren took leave, two of whom had been solemnly ordained by our Antistes only three days previously. On this occasion they were furnished with instructions. Messrs. Werner and Lang proceed to Halle; Messrs. Dieterich and Zaremba to St. Petersburg, and from thence to the Black Sea. This was an afternoon which will not be forgotten by An audience of more those present. than 600 persons, clergy and laity, was assembled within and without the hall. After a solemn prayer, I gave them their instructions; my address was listened to with deep attention; Messrs. Dieterich and Lang replying in most affecting farewell speeches, when the Rev. Mr. Von Brunn set them apart for the Missionary work with laying on of hands. These |