The Litchfield County post., 1827-07-05

When we have been requested by the chiefs or people to give instructions or advice, we have uniformly and perseveringly withheld it on all points where we could not refer the decision of the question either to the scrip lures, or to the uniform practices of christian nations. But where the scriptures are plain, or the practices of christians uniform, we have felt, and still feel. at liberty to speak with freedom, although we are opposed by the prejudices of the people, and the practices of the profigate.
 We have incucated on the ceiefs not only the common duties of morality, but we have also taught them that he who ruleth must he just ruling in the fear of the Lord; and have endeavOured to convince them that they are set for the punshme mt of evil dOers, and for the praise of them that do well. We have given them general principles derived from the word of God, together with script ure ex amples of their application and when these have not been clearly understood, and they have asked further explanations, we have sometimes referred them to modern examples in christian nations. We have thus pursued one undeviated course, neither withholding instruction, nor interfering with their author ity as rulers of the land.
 We have not been blind to their defects, by which they have sometimes screened the guilty from deserved punishment, neglected their promises, and even encouraged iniquity. We have sometimes too known of their chil dish, i'll timed and improper punishment, and more improper threats. But while we have with sorrow witnessed these things, we have also felt, that should we interfere with direct and positive remonstrances and advice, we should not only go beyond the limits of our instructions, but should also incur the dis pleasure, both of the rulers themselves, and also of all those who are witnesses of our dp- crations.
 While we have thus been endeayouring, both from the scriptures and the example of pious kings,to point out to the chiefs their du- ty Gs rulers, we have also endeavoured from the same authorities, to inculcate on the people their duties as subjects. We have taught them that they ''must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience's sake," rendering to all their dues.' We have also distinctly held up the doctrine of the apostles, "that if any did not work neither should he eat"
 We have to all both chiefs and people, in- sisted not only on belief of the doctrines, but also obedience to the precepts of the bi- ble, including justice, honestA, integrity, pune tualisy, truth. purity, good order, union, kind ness and peaee.-These we have always told them, are signs of good heart and evidence ofa preparation for heaven. We appeal to all our candid observers, and to an enIlghten- ed public, whether the objects accomplished are not worthy the exertions we have made
 Is it nothing that the vices of the drunk ard and the gambler, with which the land was formerly almost overrun, should now be lm ited, to a comparatively small number !-that She observance of the sabbath should be al most universal !-that schools should be es- fablished in every part of the islands, and be attended by 25.OOO scholars among whom have been circulated more than 40, 900 tracts, containing various texts of scripture besides the decalogue, and all intoxicating the duties mentioned above Is it nothing that nearly all the chiefs and leading persons on the isl ands, and many others too, should be taught to read and write so as to correspond by let ter ? ls!t nothing that thousands who former iy devoted their time to gaming, quarreilng. and the practice of iniquity in all it's varied forms: and the thousands who wasted f eir days in idleness, should now be assembled in schools, and spend their leisure time ID read ing scripture tracts, and listening to nstruc- tion [? Is 1t nothing that number of leading persons in nation, as well as several others of lower rank, should publicly declare their belief m the doctrines. and render obedience to the precepts of the bible If all this is mo- thing, then we confess that our labors have been vain, and our object is proved unwor- thy the patronage of the wise or even of the benevolent.
 While we allude to these changes, we are far from being blind or indifferent to the bar barism, fickleness, duplicity. neglect, laziness, and other varied vices and crimes, which to some extent still remain, and which are more or less visible even to transient visiter; nei- ther do we vindicate or in the least degree offer paliatIon for these things. We only complain and remonstrate against these H. liberal and unmanly charges, by which the mission IS made accountable for the daily blunders, the childish actions. the long estab- lshed customs, and even the inheritent depra vity of the people; and all forsooth because we attempt to make them better.
 If the doctrines and duties of christianity in which the church of England, the church of Scotland, the Presbyterian and other churches Tn America are agreed, are not a. dapted to correct the evils which exist in hea then nations ;-if these doctrines and duties, when faithfully taught by precept and exam pie, have no good influence to cure the hu- man heart, and to promote virtue, order and happiness in society, then the missionary, ,and the Philanthropist too, may sit down togeth- CT in dlspair, and pronounce the evils among heathens incurable for if these fail, we may VNn1 ! I