Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-07-08
should be liable to six months ilnprison.


returned TO our vessel, and after spending
season in prayer and consultation, de-
cided unanimously not to forsake the
missionary work, but to proceed forward
and join our brethren, who were so sue
cessfully proclaiming the gospel in the
favored Sandwich Isles.
Again our willing canvass was spread
to the breeze; the stormy cape was doub-
led, and ere long the lofty summit of
Mouna Keah was rising to view. We
eagerly landed and fastened to greet
" brethren" with whom, in years past, we
had taken sweet counsel together, espe-
cially on the missionary work. Gazing
on their banching brows and toil-worn
countenances, we saw affectingly miro
red to us, the passing measure of our
own days. Better, however, we thou ght
10 wear out in the service of Christ than
in the slavery of man; laboring to bring
others, as we'll as ourselves, to the wei
come rest that remaineth Cor the people of
God.
Providentially we found the brethren
| assembled in their Annual Convention, as
were also all the principal chiefs at the
quarters OF the king. Wealistened with
the deepest interest to review of the
history of the mission from its beginning,
and especially to the recent displays of
the converting grace of God. The Ian
guage had been acquired and reduced 10
writing; the Bible translated. and por-
tons of it with: other useful books printed;
thousands of pupils had been taught 70
read; churches erected, and more than
ten thousand converts gathered into church
fellowship. In view of these and similar
details, we could not but excIaim with
| wonder, "What hath God wrought p"
After long discussions on the present state
of the mission, intermiugled with frequent
devotional exercises. the missionaries unit
ed IN opinion, that notwithstanding some
recent adverse occurrences. there was on
the whole steady progress ofthe gospel.
The great obstacle in the way Of the civ
ilization of the people, and of their rising
at no distant day to the rank of an en-
lightened and Christian nation, all were
agreed arose gfrom the absolute right
which the king claimed over the entire
soil and native population of the islands.
After much prayerful consideration, it was
resolved that the brethren and sisters
should go in body. and with all becom-
ing respect and Christian eafnes,ness.
beseech him TO relinquish his claim.
We were permitted to join in the pro-
cessloA, and seldom had we witnessed a
more moving scene. These precious
brethren and sisters. some of whom had
been permitted to- cast into this prepared
soil, the first smallest seed of the kingdom
OF heaven, and had watched and witnessed
its gradual progress until it had become
the present great tree. urged their suit BY
the most conclusive arguments and the
most melting prayers and tears They
showed the immense advantage in point
of revenue. from assigning small portions
OF land to each family in fee simp pie, and
taking off all restraints upon industry.
The king was evidently moved by their
entreaties. but undisciplined as was his
mind. he could not be persuaded that he
should become richer by giving away all
his territory and granting freedom to all
his subjects. His treatment of the mis-
sionaries was kind and respectful, but he
met their appeal to Bible principles. by
talking of " Patriarchal institution" read
ing extracts from !" Slavery as il ISL and
appealing 10 the arguments and examples
OF many protesting Christians in the
goodly land from which, and bv some of
aohom the gospel had been sent to them.
AS we retired in mournful silence to the
dwellings of the missionaries, whisper
ed IN the ear Of one of the brethren who
had accompanied me from America.
"PAycician, heal thyseyf"
Happily for our world Of trial and our
imperfect nature. hope is principle which
springs up continually in the human
breast. like a fountain of living water
Dlscouraging as was the kings response.
and lessened as was thereby the demand
for additional laborers, we remembered
that we were but short distance from
the inviting shores of the Oregon Terri
tory. Taking an affectionate leave of
these brethren of the Congregational and
Presbyterian denominations. ACTING. as is
well known, under the direction of the
American Board, we embraced the earIi
est opportunity of whale ship touching
at the mouth of the Columbia, TO Join our
Methodist brethren already established
West of the Rocky Mountains With
deep emotion | set foot OH the soil, where,
IN my earlier missionary schemes, stand
ing on the plymouth rock. | had fondv
hoped to find its counterpart.
We were gratifed to learn that he
large reinforcement which had sailed
some months before US, had all arrived in
safety. Enlarged as was now their self.
denying band, the dear brethren here felt
called on 10 lengthen the cords & strength.
en- the stakes of their establishment. For
this purpose they had invited a general