Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-10-12
Correspondence Of The Herald.
Missionary Meetings.
: BosroS, Oc.. 0, ls4s.

MISSIONS, III reference 10 us pTeseHt conultioi
and prospects.
DIR. Adams, at the Essex Street Church
communicated the recent intelligence received
at the Missionary Rooms; from which it ap
peared, that at the Sandwich Islands, a re-
markably interesting revival had been in pro-
gress for some time. The royal family were
specially attentive on the numerous meetings
and the king himself was among the hopeful
converts.
/ Here, within few years, had been formed
Of degraded savages, an enlightened and Chris,
tian nation, with fourishing churches,-one OF
them containing greater number of communi-
cants than any other on the globe
The Board had expended much Christian
effort on these Islands; and from their promi-
nent position, it was manifestly the design of
Providence here to shop to the worM the pow
er of the Gospel, what it could do for eleya-
ting fallen man.
II What it had done for these barbarians, it
could do for the GOO, 900 900 of India and Chi
ma, and other regions yet IN heathenism.
\ A full demonstration of the Gospels redeem
ing power was here made, in a population
about as large as Boston and Charlestown uni
ted
Letters had been received from DR.. King,
now again on his mission field at Athens
Since his return to that city, (from which, by
the advice of the government, he had been for
a year voluntary exile, on account of the
popular fury excited against him by the Greek
ecclesiastcs0 he had waited on all the minis
ters Of the State, and with his lawyer had cal
led upon the Kings prosecuting attorney, who
gave him to understand that he need give HIM
self no uneasness till called for. He was now
silently pursuing his appropriate work-dis-
tributing tracts, and instructing in religion all
who thought proper to come TO his house, -
among whom were students of the university,
and others of reputation.
Greece was at present in an excited and
very critical state; but, pursuing prudent
course, the indications were favorable, that af-
ter years of embarrassment, the pure gospel
might there soon find signal success. DR..
King regarded it as remarkable fact, that one
of the little religious volumes he had transla-
ted some years since, was now adopted and
printed by the Greeks themselves as school
book
DR.. Adams also gave late intelligence from
Ceylon. In the progress of a revival there,
six youths connected with the Seminary at
Batticotta, had recently become pious. Pros
pectively very important event, from their
great influence. Similar intelligence had like
wise been received from Mr.. Grout, in South
Africa, who bore testimony to the high intel
ect, as well as remarkable hberality of native
converts.
DR.. A. then adverted to the financial cond-
ton of the Board. They were now expecting
from the churches an immediate extra effort
for canceling their 100000 debt, $40, 900 Of
which had been promptly assumed by few
generous individuals at the recent Anniversa-
ry. Providence had wonderfully opened the
pagan world to Gospel access, in accordance
with their prayers, and it would be truly un-
grateful now to withhold the means of occupy
ing the fields "whitc to the harvest" OF
the 800 900, 900 of our race, with the excep-
ton of the Roman and Greek churches, only
about &C, 900, 900 had yet received " the light
of life;" though nearly all were now accessi-
bic to Christian missions, and many of them
calling earnestly for instruction.
DR.. A. also read an eloquent and impressive
recent appeal from the Paris Foreign Mission
Society, imploring aid in the present embar-
rassed state of France, for sustaining their 90
missionaries in the neghborhood of the Amer
lean Mission Stations of South Africa. The
calls of Providence from the four quarters of
the globe for Christian effort, he said, we've
truly wonderful Past efforts, though attend
ed with toll, and expense of life and treasure,
had been thousand fold compensated. None
had regretted their sacrifices. How prepos-
ferrous, then, that any under the full sunshine
OF The Gospel, in this land, favored above all
others, should be Indifferent!
John Tappan, Esq, one of the Prudential
Committee, said, that would the church mem
bers connected with this Board only add to
their contributions on an average, 25 cents
each, it would just double its annual receipts
How easy to place the Society above embar-
easements! He wished in the present crisis
the plan Of weekly cent contributions could be
revived. But reliance must be placed chiefly
on those already most liberal and active
They could not wait for others.
He alluded to the extraordinary financial
credit of this Board in all lands. Though en-
tirely voluntary institution, with an empty
treasury, depending solely on free will offer
ings, no banking institution in the world had
more general confidence. This was truly hon
orable to Christianity, The Committee bor-
rowed no money in Boston. The drafts of
their Eastern Missionaries were promptly cash.
ed by distinguished banking house in Lon
don; and it was a remarkable fact, that in all
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