Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1838-10-04
From o. Ssndau sehool luurnal. Z.


TIE SANDWICH DEMONSTRATING obtained
information Of the present situation Of this
interesting portion of Polynesia, from one
who has observed it in person, we have set
down some hasty and detached memoranda
of our gleanings.
-Four hundred children usually assemble
in the Sunday school at Wailokui. About
$50 of these read very well, and are capable
otcomprehending almost any subject in NOR
ais or religion which is plainly exhibited.
Diseases introduced by Europeans during
the visits of Cooke, Vancouver, and others,
have devastated the Islands, and still exert
fatal influence on the population.
Books cannot be prepared in sufficient
variety to meet the wants Of the people, as
they learn to read. This want is particular
ly felt in the schools.
One of the pupils of the high school exc
cutes very correct maps by copperplate en-
craving. es
The Sandwich Islands are chiefly noun
tains. The SUBMITS of the two highest are
covered with snow. The population live on
or near the shores. The mountains are EVIL
IDENTIFY of volcanic origin, and the surface,
even now is almost covered with lava. Not
a twentieth part of the surface has been Gull
tivated.
Forty square feet Of we'll watered land
will produce taro enough to sustain one per-
son year.
The productions of the Island are taro, po-
tatoes, yams, onions, sugar cane, corn, beans,
cabbage, melons, tomatoes, bananas, bread
fruit, grapes, a species Of apple, guavas, figs,
oranges, lines, pine apples, mulberries, &c.
Two Americans have obtained lease of a
large tract of land for the cultivation of silk
Cotton may be raised with very little la
Dor. The body and mind of the Sandwich
Islander are in strong contrast the former
being large and strong, the latter dwarfish
and feeble. Education and religion have
improved this native imbecility of intellect,
but it is still one of their greatest obstacles in
the way of their elevation. The minds of the
children, however, are found to be as capa-
cious and ready as those of any nation, and
their progress at school is very encouraging.
The missionaries are often astonished at the
industry in study which they eyince, COM
pared with the Incidence and stupidity OF
the nation in general. Some of them are
successfully taught the higher branches Of
mathematics.
The native temper is docile and plant, but
capable Of deep malice and cruelty. The
people are naturally improvident and idle.
Notwithstanding the existence Of many vi
ces which habit has rendered national, it
may be said that the islanders are now
moral people. With small exception they
have become temperate, and with the Excess
sive use Of ardent spirit that once prevailed
have passed away the impure and violent
amusements which attended it. The Sab
bath is virtually observed as day of rest,
and if the school and place Of worship are
not attended they remain at home. The
characteristic crimes of the nation are licen-
tiousness aRd theft. They are ready to con.
form to the outward duties of religion
Hence arises great difficulty in judging Of
the sincerity of professed converts, and great
liability of their yielding to some system of
religion that will be satisfied with nominal
adherence. The conscience is weak there
is little strength Of purpose OF perseverance.
There are many bright exceptions to this re-
mark in the churches that have been found
ed on the island but this is one of the diff
culties of their evangelization.
There are between twenty and thirty thou
sand who can read the New Testament intel.
lightly. Multitudes have committed to men,
ory short catechism, containing a summa-
ry Of christian truth, and many of these have
learned it from each other, without being
able to read.
In the immediate vicinity Of the stations
the majority of adults probably know what is
right and wrong, according to the Bible, and
what they must do to be saved but owing to
their habitual want of thought and reflection
The most successful way of preaching to
them is by reducing every statement to the
simplest possible terms. They do not under
stand general principles. Every item of in
Struction and inference must be brought
down to their apprehension by the plainest
illustrations. They understand the Savior's
parallels better than any other part of the
scripture; and are interested by the person.
al history of Christ.
The boys in the high school are making
fine progress in learning, and this source is
looked to for supplying good teachers for the
nation, and eventually preachers.
A few men are now employed in giving
public instruction to the people, under the
direction of the missionaries. One of these
is named Bartimeus, middle aged man, and
nearly blind a decided christian and elo-
quent speaker. His acquaintance with the
Bible is remarkable, and his services are
very valuable. David Malo, another native,
is superior to Bartimeus in education and
intellect, but not so powerful speaker, or as
strong in influence, though also a very use.
full assistant to the mission. E
The civilization of the islands is advance
ing. In dress, dwellings, and domestic hab-
its there is gradual change, though slow
progress Of improvement. rt. i..
r.s- $500. u-s..s ~ s4-t O..
A LOVING CouPLE.-The Hereford (Eng.)
Herald relates marriage anecdote which
may serve as " caution to your beginners"
The story is, that Mr.. T. Powell brought
his newly married bride before the magis-
trates at Hereford, and charged her with
"absenting herself from home at those times
she ought to be at home" The complainant
stated his grievances at great length. Mr..
and Mrs. Powell had been eight weeks mar
ried. The fifth day of their union was ter
minated by the lady receiving sound drub-
bling, and the husband being locked in the
watch house for the night. The wife took