Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-10-27
From the BAPTIST .qdcoeafe.
TESTIMONY OF CAPT. WILKES IN FA-
VOR OF THE MISSIONARIES.

Captain Wilkes, commander Of the late Explo
ring Expedition Of the United States, since his
return to Washington, has delivered before tie
National Institute for the Promotion Of Science
brief but very interesting sketch of the course,
proceedings, and results of the expedition. His
! narrative occupied three evenings. On the las,
evening, Monday, June 27.h, in his closing re-
marks he alluded tothe missionaries in the Is
lands OF the Pacific ocean--and bore the follow
ing testimony to their character, and to the result
Of their lahors. The words arc not exactly those
he used but the substance is strictly correct be-
ing taken down immediately aft;r the close off the
discourse. He said:
81 cannot find words to express the high re-
spec' that is due 10 the missionaries who are la
boring in the islands Of the Pacific Ocean.
have visited many of their stations, and have la
Ken every means in my power TO obtain accurate
Information relative To their character and the eff
fects Of their Intercourse with the natives; and |
cheerluiiy bear them record, and the officers of
the expedition unanimously concur NTH me in the
opinion. that the value Of their efforts for civil.
zing the natives is beyond computation. The
Sandwich Islands especially exhibit remarka-
BILE instance oil rapid progress from barbdrism TO
state OF civilization. An idea of the presen,
condition of these people can be formed only by
one who has visited Them The various rnpo,ts
which have been circulated prjudicai to the
character of the missionaries and to the course
which they have pursued, can pronounce, from
my observation, aai that of the other officers o.
the expedition. during both of our visits to these
islands, to be without foundation.
we can scarcely conceive the lardships to
which the missionaries are exposed, and the NOR
al courage which is required to support them in
their various trials. will relate but one instance.
Ii occurred at the Fejee group. About ten DAYS
\ before M arrival baJ = 4
man victims. The missionaries had used their
utmost efforts TO dissuade the natives from this
inhuman practice; but their young king replied,
''you have your religion, and we have ours" and
persisted in celebrating the appointed feast
w hen the roasting OF the human bodies began, a
stencil arose, which, for loalhsonencss can be
compared to no other. 1t can never be mistaken
oy one who has once been exposed it, 1t soon be-
came 1ntolerabe; and the missionaries, to en-
cludo 1t from their rooms, were compelled 10 close
the windows. When the feast was over, the
young king came TO the room of one Of the mis-
sionaries, (Mr lIunt) and demanded aImit,ance.
He was permitted TO enter, and he enquired why
the windows had been closed during the crlebra
ton Of the feast. When Mr.. Hunt explained.
the young king shaking his fis, angrily in his
face, repled--''lf ever you do il again, WE WILL.
EAT You" This was related to me by IN, mis-
sonares themselves, and have no doubt of the
truth of il. Such is but sample Of the trials
the missionaries have to endure | called
upon the king, and obtained for The missionaries
as much land as they needed beyond the village.
where they will in future be free from the stencil
Of the disgusting ieas;s, should they still be con.
tinued.
In brief sketch like the present, cannot ro
into detail of The customs and habits of the ma
yves oil the different islands, nor of the chanues
that have been wrought among them by their in
tercourse with the missionaries; but feel bound
by the high sense entertain of the benefit which
they are thus bestowing upon the natives, of the
honor and profit which they are bringing upon
their country and of the influence which they
are eXer'ng In spreading the cause Of civilization
and christianity, to pay to the missionaries this
passing remark
Orr nf III. lIlH.ercc