Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-26

JULY I, 1861.
North Lat. 8: II. Long. 1873 4C

Nearly two months have elapsed since the
date upon my former sheet. During this ill.,
terval we have been cruising among the islands
of the Kingsmill, Marshall, and Caroline
groups. We have visited all the American
missionaries laboring under the patronage oil
the American board. At the Kingsmill OF
Gilbert Islands we found the Rev. H. Brigham
Jr., and three Sandwich Is and missionaries
They were much rejpiced 10 hail the "Morn
ing Star" bringing their annual supplies and
mail. This mission has been established only
four years. but good progress has been made
Portions of the New Testament have been
translated, and ny written. Schools have
been opened.
The same facts we found to exist at Ebon,
on the Marshall Islands. At that station. we
found the Rev E. I. Doane, and one Sand.
wich Island helper. They are energetic men,
and are pushing forward their work among Il
rude, wild, and savage, but yet hopeful race,
1t would do the friends Of missions, in old
Worcester county, real good to witness the
groups Of children which are now gathered
into day and sabbath schools. ! have marked
the contrast between children, born, reared
and educated i'll Massachusetts amid christian
schools and churches, anu children Of The same
age here, and allowed to grow up amid all the
debasing and viilating influences OF heather,
ism. Although | have lived at the Sandwich
Islands Tor nearly twenty ears, yet | was not
aware of the state OF things in Il heather land
until | came hither and saw things with my
own eyes.
We have also visited the missionaries on
Str0ng's Island, and Ascension. The good
work has been longer in rOgress upon these
Islands, but it has had TO contend against a
most fearful amount of opposition, not only
opposition from the heather themselves, but
from low and vicious white men, who have
located among tue nations. Some of these
have run away from ships, and others have
escaped from the penal settlements OF New
South Wales. | can testify that some OF these
men are no better than they should be. One
poor old man, native of England, / visited
at Ascension. He was sick and approaching
his end. In the course OF our conversation,
asked him what could have led aim to hive SO
many years in that pace. His reply was in
these words, "Laziness, drunkenness, dcbauch
cry, and RIGHTEOUSNESS" This was a sad
story to tell after spending nearly thirty years
among the degraded people OF Ascension.
In reviewing the work of missions am
hopeful in regard to the future. The gus
pei leayen has begun TO operate, and great
good will be the result. The cause of
OF foreign missions is as yet but partially un.
derstOOd and appreciated by the christian
community. There is force and sound sense
in the following remarks OF Sir George Grey,
late governor OF New Zealand, at a public
meeting in London ~ feel confident that,
regarded as a money investment, the gerry besi in
veStaent that hiS country can make is to send in
adcaRce, and Jar in ddUdnce Of either coioaistS or
merchants. missionaries lcho may prepare the lcag
for those lchO are TO tohoec them"
You would be surprised to witness how
speedily the natives OF Polynesia begin to call
Tor axes hatchetS, saws, clothing, and many
other articles OF English and American manu-
tactnre, just so soon as they are brought under
missionary Influence. In whatever aspect the
cause Of foreign missions is viewed, ii merits
The cheerful support of every friend oi human.
ity and protested follower of the Saviour of
sinners
While the Morning Star was anchored at
Ascension | met with Boston shipmaster.
who had lost his vessel in a typhoon, about
one year ago, off the coast of Japan. He had
been trading some years in China, and cruising
among the islands of Polynesia. He is the
best specimen OF Give Yankees" that | ever
met WITH or certainly in this remote part of
the world. Instt ad OF returning TO Boston for
a new vessel, he had commenced building a
schooner OF about sixty tons, from the timber
of Ascension, which ne pronounees first rate
for ship building. During my stay | saw con
siderable Of this man, and made several trims
with him about the shores of Ascension, in