When the Son of God was on His Mission, womenmany women, testified the deepest interest in it; ministered to him of their substance; attended him in his journeyings and labours; and even followed him, when his disciples forsook him and fled, and earth and heaven were in dismay;-followed him out to the scene of his crucifixion. They loved the Saviour; loved his cause; and were happy in the privilege of doing what they could for him. And among the Helpers of the Apostles were Phebe, a succourer of many, and of Paul himself,-Priscilla, who was not less forward than her husband, to expose her own life for the safety of the same Apostle,-Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Euodias, and the beloved Persis; all of whom laboured much in the Lord; and their names are recorded with marks of distinguished approval, for a sweet memorial to everlasting ages, and before the throne of God and the Lamb they share in the imperishable honours and felicities of Apostles and Martyrs. These favoured Daughters of Zion, then, who, with so much tender cheerfulness, have given themselves to their Saviour and Lord, for this arduous service, are not without warrant, for thus leaving the world to its own opinions and pursuits. He, it is not to be doubted, kindly approves and accepts this sacred self-devotement, and these many sacrifices; and they may assure themselves, that by the Directors and Patrons of this great enterprise, they are regarded, and will be remembered, with most affectionate confidence and interest, as an important part of the Mission. Upon them, under Providence, depend in no small degree its comfort, its harmony, and its success. In the domestic concerns,-in the education of the Heathen Children,-in the various cares, and trials, and labours, of the Mission,-by their assiduous attentions, their affectionate offices, their prudent suggestions, their cheering influences, and their unceasing prayers, they will help the Brethren, And to them it will belong, to shew to the rude and depraved Islanders an effective example of the purity, and dignity, and loveliness,-the salutary and vivifying influence, the attractive and celestial excellence, which Christianity can impart to the Female Character. JOHN HONOOREE, THOMAS HOPOO, and WILLIAM TENNOOE, little did you know, when you left the dark dwellings of your nativity, for what purpose you were coming to these unknown shores. Little did you think that here you were to be born again; to be made the children of Him, who created the earth and the heavens,-the everlasting God, whom your fathers had never known,-and to receive a title to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and which shall never fade away. But the purpose was well known to Him, who leadeth the blind by a way that they know not; and is found of them that seek him not. Unspeakable is the grace which he has bestowed upon you; unspeakable and everlasting are your obligations to him. It is not, however, for your sakes only that this grace has been conferred. It is to be gratefully recognised and hailed as a precious earnest of exceeding riches of mercy to be ere long bestowed upon your nation, and to descend with multiplying blessings to successive generations. You go back to your native Isles with the richest treasure, which the high Possessor of heaven and earth could place in your hands. You must go with your own hearts filled with this treasure; and burning with the desire, and fixed in the purpose, of communicating it to your poor perishing relations, friends, and countrymen. To them you are to carry back GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY; and to make known all that you have here learned, of utility and importance, for the life that now is, and for that which is to come. What would have been the feelings of Obookiah, had he lived to see this day!-He does live,-and he does behold this day; and amid the ten thousand times ten thousand before the throne of God and the Lamb, he is raising a new and immortal note of praise, for the light which is dawning upon Owhy hee and the kindred Islands. You will never forget Obookiah.--You will never forget his fervent love,-his affectionate counsels,-his many prayers and tears for you, and for his and your nation. You saw him die;-saw how the Christian could triumph over death and the grave;-saw the radiant glory in which he left this world for heaven. You will remember it always; and you will tell it to your kindred and countrymen who are dying without hope. To the hearts of many thousands in this land, Beloved young Brethren in Christ, you are dear;-they have borne you often before the mercy seat of heaven: and upon you as the First Fruits of the Sandwich Islands to Christ, hopes of unutterable tenderness and interest are placed. Oh, should you disappoint these hopes!-Should you, the first of your nation who have had the privilege to know and confess the TRUE GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE-should you turn away from Him, make shipwreck of your faith, and plunge again into the corruptions of your former state of ignorance,-earth and heaven might be moved!But who can tell the temptations that await you? 'And whose heart does not tremble, while it hopes concerning you? Put on, dear Youths, the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. We beseech you, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and to please God, so you would abound more and more. And this we pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence, till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Beloved Members of the Mission, Male and Female, this Christian Community is moved for you, and for your enterprise. The offerings, and prayers, and tears, and benedictions, and vows of the Churches are before the throne of Everlasting Mercy. They must not be vio lated; they must not-cannot be lost.-But how can you sustain the responsibility!-A NATION to be enlightened, and renovated, and added to the civilized world, and to the kingdom of the world's Redeemer and rightful Sovereign!In His Name only, and by His Power, can the enterprise be achieved. In Him be all your trust. To Him, most affectionately and devoutly, and to the Word of his Grace, we commend you. By the Prudential Committee. S. WORCESTER, Secretary. BOSTON, OCT. 15, 1819. MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. Brig Thaddeus, Boston, Capt. ANDREW BLANCHARD. Rev. HIRAM BINGHAM, A. M. Mid. Coll. of Bennington, Vt. ASSISTANTS. Mr. DANIEL CHAMBERLAIN, Agriculturalist, Brookfield, Mass. Dr. THOMAS HOLMAN, Physician, Cooperstown, N. Y. Mr. SAMUEL WHITNEY, Mechanic & Schoolmaster, Branford, Con. Mr. SAMUEL RUGGLES, Catechist & Schoolmaster, Brookfield, Con. Mr. ELISHA LOOMIS, Printer & Schoolmaster, Middlesex, N. Y. NATIVE TEACHERS. JOHN HONOOREE, Native of Owhy hee. THOMAS HOPOO, Native of Owhyhee. WILLIAM TENNOOE, Native of Atooi. FEMALES. Mrs. BINGHAM, [late Miss Sybil Moseley,] Westfield, Mass. Mrs. HOLMAN, [Miss Lucia Ruggles,] Brookfield, Con. Mrs. WHITNEY, [Miss Mercy Partridge,] Pittsfield, Mass. GEORGE TAMOREE,-son of Tamoree, king of Atooi and Onceheow, two of the Sandwich Islands,-who has been educated with the other Native Youths, at the Foreign Mission School, Cornwall, Con. returns with the Mission to his Father. |