MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. INDIAN MISSION. VALLEY TOWNS STATION. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE REV. Rev. and dear Sir, Valley Towns, Oct. 4, 1825. work was real. You, my dear Sir, will easily believe that the conversion of a dear child must occasion to her mother and myself the most lively feelings of gratitude to God, and humiliation before him. There are now several others, on whose minds the Spirit of God appears to be at work. We have now applications for the admission of more pupils than our limits allow; several from 90 or 100 miles dis tant. forbid water, that she should not be baptized. The other is our own little daughter, aged twelve and a half years. We have reason to believe, that she has experienced a change of heart for more than a year; but on account of her youth, we judged it prudent to give the most ample room for showing, by her walk and conI feel more than ordinary pleasure inversation, the fullest evidence that the addressing you at this time, as I know you will rejoice with us in the triumphs of redeeming grace, manifested in the restoration of two more of the lost sheep whom the Great Shepherd came to seek, and on account of whom, 1 trust, joy has already been excited in the presence of the angels of God. One is a white young woman, who came to assist for a short time, in the household business, while her sister, who is engaged with us, went to see her friends. Soon after she came, I had occasion to relate an account of the death of our dear brother, John Arch, who was known and beloved by almost all our pupils and family. The account of his death, and a few thoughts in which we indulged on the glorious change which he had now realized, appeared to melt the whole of our little company under a sense of the unspeakable love of God in Christ, in providing mansions so glorious, for creatures so unworthy, so deeply fallen, and so completely depraved as we all seemed then to view ourselves. The thought of a full Indian, with whom we were all acquainted, who a few years ago was enveloped in gross heathen darkness, now admitted into that city, in which "the Lamb is the light thereof," appeared to have a powerful effect on the minds of the Indian youths, and at the same time, conviction fastened so effectually on the mind of our young sister, that she resolved to seek the same Saviour that had done such great things for our departed friend. Last week she related to the church God's dealings with her soul, and no one could, had they been disposed, The friends of the children who are capable of judging, express much satisfaction with their improvement. And I trust, the friends of the Indians to whom we have forwarded specimens of their improvement, will feel encouraged to give the Board that support, which will enable them to extend their operations in disseminating light in the midst of darkness. AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMIS SIONERS. WE sincerely rejoice in the pleasing prospects which are opening before our brethren of the American Board in several of their missionary stations. The happy success of their exertions among our American Indians, has been a cause for gratitude to every one who has visited them. In Ceylon, and in the Sandwich Islands, the blessing from God has also in a peculiar manner accompanied their labours. The Missionary Herald for November and December contains several accounts from their missions which must rejoice the heart of every disciple of Christ. From these numbers we select the following extracts, which will, we trust, prove peculiarly acceptable to our readers. CEYLON. them as lambs among wolves, and ena bled them so generally to let their light shine before men, and thus publicly to manifest their firm attachment to the Sa viour. Second Revival of Religion. Though the first revival declined very considerably, we were all of us led to entertain strong hopes, that the Lord would soon visit us again in mercy. Nor were our expectations disappointed. About the middle of October last, we began to discover some very pleasing indications, that the Lord was near, and waiting to be gracious. Many of the native members of our church were unusually stirred up to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, and to intercede with much earnestness for the outpouring of the Spirit, and the conversion of sinners. Some of them, who had, for a long time, been walking in darkness, and concerning whom we had entertained some fears, were now revived, and made to rejoice in the Lord, and be active in seeking the salvation of others. EXTRACT FROM A JOINT LETTER OF THE MISSIONARIES, DATED FEB. 12, 1825. During the past year, we have been laid under peculiar obligations to praise the Lord for the manifestations of his love and mercy to us, and to this people. Verily he hath crowned the year with his goodness. He hath blessed us in temporal and spiritual things. He has preserved the lives, and in a good degree the health, of all our number, and granted us increased facilities for pursuing the work of the mission. But above all, it hath pleased him graciously to pour out his Spirit here, and grant us two special seasons of refreshing from his presence. Of the commencement of the first of these, we gave you some account in our letter of Feb. 28, 1824; and to that letter we now refer you for an account of the first six weeks of the revival. We are happy to say, that the work continued steadily to advance, for a considerable time after that letter was written, and then declined gradually. But the happy fruits of it are still seen and felt at all our stations. Some, as we had reason to expect, who appeared well for a time, went back to the world, and thus shewed by their conduct that they were only "stoney ground hearers." A goodly number, however, we rejoice to say, have "brought forth fruit with pa tience," and continued to stand firm amidst much ridicule, contempt, and persecution from their heathen relations. Thus they shew, that they fear God rather than man, and evince a willingness and determination to forsake all for Christ. Considering the youth and inexperience of most of them, the difficulties || The greatest part of the members of our of their situation among this heathen people, and the numerous and powerful temptations, with which they are surrounded, we have great reason to admire the grace of God, that has preserved About this time, also, an unusual spirit of prayer was manifest among ourselves, and we were led to make our requests unto Him who heareth prayer. On the 21st of October, our quarterly season of communion was attended by all the brethren and sisters. It proved a joyful day to our souls, and a season of sweet communion with each other, and with our ascended Saviour. We trust that rather an unusual spirit of attachment to each other, and to all the members of the body of Christ, was manifest on that day. What we saw among ourselves, and among the native members of the church, were evident tokens that the work was begun. Accordingly, soon after this time, some special seriousness was manifest at || all our stations. A considerable number, who were awakened in the former revi. val, but had lost most of their serious impressions, were now awakened again. Charity Boarding Schools, several assistants in our families, schoolmasters, and native assistants in the schools, were more or less affected by divine truth. Several of them hope that they have been born of the Spirit. But on this point, we || decent, the top and sides were lined with white cloth, and the floor covered with mats. The mats were sent from our seve would speak with great caution, and rather wait till we see abiding fruits of their conversion. Judging from their conductral stations, and the cloth will be used for during the last two or three months, we may say, however, that we indulge a hope that a considerable number have passed from death unto life. Admission of Native Converts to the our Charity Boarding Schools. The cholera morbus being prevalent, and there having been rain the night before, many persons were prevented from attending. The number of people present, however, could not have been less than from twelve to fifteen hundred. The number of persons received into the church at that time, was forty-one. Of these, thirty-six belonged to our Charity Boarding Schools, and five were from among the people. All, except eight of this number, were baptized at that time." The missionaries then state what were the publick exercises on the occasion, and proceed to remark :— You will rejoice to hear that the first fruits of the revival, at the commencement of the year 1824, have already been gathered into the church. This was done on the 20th of last month. As that was, on many accounts, a day of peculiar in- || terest to us, you will undoubtedly be pleased with a short account of it. As many of the hopeful converts were young, and liable to deceive themselves and others, we thought it prudent to keep After the address, the following questhem on trial for a longer time than is tion was proposed to the people: "Who customary in our native land. It has among you are sincerely desirous of bebeen our usual practice heretofore, to re- coming Christians, and are determined ceive the hopeful converts into the church || earnestly to seek the salvation of your at the several stations with which they souls ?" All such being requested to rise, were connected; though we consider || immediately more than one hundred, unourselves, and all our native members, as connected with the church, stood up beforming but one church. But on this ocfore the assembly, and then publicly deeasion it appeared important to us to de- clared their belief in the Christian Reliviate from our usual course, and to re- gion, and their intention to become the ceive them all together. To induce many || disciples of Jesus Christ. Some of this people to come together on the occasion, || number are already, we trust, the humble even more than could be accommodated followers of the Lamb, and will probably, in any of our places of public worship; in the course of this year, publicly proalso to strengthen the hands and encour- fess their faith in Christ, by being receivage the hearts of the native members of ed into the church. We have determinour church, and to honor the Lord in the ed, by leave of Providence, to hold anosight of this people; we were induced to ther general meeting, in the same place, erect a temporary building for the servi- on Thursday, the 21st of July next, for ces of the day, in the village of Santille- the purpose of receiving the remainder of pay, which is nearly in the centre of all those, who have been hopefully convertour stations. Though the building was ed during the past year. Should this let100 feet long, and 66 feet wide, yet as it ter reach you before that time, and in seawas not more than twelve or fourteen feet son for our patrons and friends to be high, with a flat roof, and covered on the|| made acquainted with our intentions, top and sides with badjans (the braided may we not hope that they will rememleaf of the cocoanut tree,) the whole ex- ber us in a special manner at the throne pense of it was small. Considering that of grace on that day; and that, in anwe have the materials, of which it was swer to their prayers, the Holy Spirit will constructed, on hand, the whole cost of be poured out upon the assembly? preparing it for the occasion, was not probably more than 40 Spanish dollars. To render the appearance of it neat and While the audience was dispersing, we united in singing, "Come let us anew our journey pursue." Though the exercises were long, the attention of the audience || patrons and friends. As the ship does not was kept up till the end. Many of the touch at the windward islands, and I people appeared to be greatly interested know not that the brethren have written in what they saw and heard; and we to you of late, you will doubtless expect may hope that good impressions have me to give some account of the mission been made by the services of the day. generally. I am happy to assure you, What we have said above, will convey that the work of God still prospers. For to your mind but a faint idea of what we six months past, there has been an unuwitnessed on that occasion. It was a sual attention to learning and religion. new era to us, and to this people; a day || Most of the chiefs, and many of the peoof peculiar interest; and one which calls ple, are much devoted to the work. for peculiar gratitude. We are constrained to say with the Psalmist, "Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us, bless his holy name." "This is the Lord's doing; and it is marvellous in our eyes." May we always be enabled to say from the heart, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory." On the sixth of last month, the Blonde frigate arrived at Woahoo. with the bodies of the late King and Queen. The minds of the people were, in a measure, prepared for the distressing scene, having had about two months notice of their death. Their remains were interred with many tears and much solemnity. On the day of the ship's arrival, the In our letter of February 1824, above survivors, who returned from England, mentioned, we gave you some account of together with the chiefs and many peothe first public meeting that we held with ple, proceeded to the church, where diour schoolmasters. We are happy to say, vine service was attended: after which that similar meetings have been contin- Boka, the chief who accompanied the ued quarterly to the present time. These King, called the attention of the assemmeetings have been evidently attended bly to what his majesty, the King of Enwith the divine blessing, and productive gland, had told him: viz. "to return to of much good. We stated that at our first his country; to seek instruction and relimeeting with them, 30 out of 70* profes-gion himself; and to enlighten and resed to believe that Christianity is the only form the people." true religion. At our last meeting with them in November, out of about 70 who were present, all but two professed to believe that Christ is the only Saviour of As many as ten or twelve of this number give pleasing evidence, that they have "passed from death unto life;" and many more of them appear to be in reality convinced of the vanity and folly of heathenism, and of the truth and importance of the Christian religion. sinners! This number includes the schoolmasters from Nellore. SANDWICH ISLANDS. LETTER FROM MR. WHITNEY TO THE COR- Very dear Sir, By an unexpected opportunity I have again the pleasure of writing to our dear JAN. 1826. our Advice so congenial to the minds and interests of all present, and from one whose word they consider law, could not but make a deep impression. A new impulse has been given to work. Schools are establishing, in every district of all the Islands. The chiefs are taking decided measures for the suppression of vice. Our churches are crowded with attentive hearers: and I am happy to add, that an increasing number are inquiring with solicitude, What shall we do to be saved. With the exception of Mrs. Stewart, all the members of the mission were in comfortable health, three weeks ago. It was then feared that she was in danger of a decline. Mr. Stewart and family were about to visit Owhyhee, in the frigate; hoping that she might receive benefit from medical advice and a short voyage. I am still alone; but Mr. Ruggles is ex-. pected in a few weeks from Owhyhee, 5 And besides While I was writing this, our governor || but an omnipotent God. Kaikioeva came in, and inquired to whom I was writing. On being informed, "Give them," says he, with much warmth of expression, "my affectionate salutation. Tell them I thank them much for the good news of salvation they have sent us— that learning and religion shall be the business of my life." He has lately built a new church thirty feet by ninety, which is probably the best house, that ever was erected on Tauai. The week past he has sent out a message to every chief and landholder to appear in council, on the 7th of next month, when he says, "I shall tell them my views in regard to religion; appoint each one of them a teacher; distribute the spelling books as far as they will go; and charge them to follow me in the good work." He is indeed in earnest, and should his valuable life be spared, we have reason to believe that much good will result from his exertions. With kind regards to yourself and all|| our friends, I remain, dear sir, yours in the Gospel, S. WHITNEY. the peril from the hostility of the government, serious fears were entertained in Calcutta that they might even perish from famine. No assistance, nor supplies could be furnished them from their friends, and it was known that the Burmans were dying by hundreds of hunger and its aecompanying diseases. Nearly two years had elapsed since a word had been heard from them; and every one who knew the dangers to which they had been exposed, began seriously to fear that their labours on earth were ended, and that from the midst of their usefulness they had been called home, perhaps by a violent death, to receive their reward. BURMA H. Just as the last sheet of our December Number was going to the press, the intelligence arrived in Boston of the safety of our missionaries at Ava. We were obliged then to insert it without any remarks; and now we fear the time for them is almost gone by. The subject is, however, so interesting, and the information has been received both in our own country and in Europe with so lively a burst of gratitude, that we cannot refrain from adding our feeble voice to the general expression of thanksgiving. In the first place, there is cause for gratitude that the lives of our brethren are preserved. That they were, so far as man could foresee, in great peril, every one of us has already been aware. Perfectly within the power of a capricious, a mortified, and an enraged monarch, it was evident that nothing but an Almighty arm could preserve them. Cut off from every human succour, nothing could shield them And who can tell how full of calamity would have seemed such a dispensation of Divine Providence. To say nothing of the individual mourning which such a stroke would have occasioned, to pass by the hundreds who would have grieved as though a friend or a brother had fallen, we turn to the disastrous consequences which in human view must have followed so sad a bereavement. Our missionaries at Ava had resided in Burmah until they were familiar with the manners, habits, philosophy, and religious opinions of its inhabitants. They had also become ac quainted with a great number of the common people, and with not a few of the most influential of its officers of state. Some of the latter had already paid very respectful attention to the doctrines of the gospel, and it was hoped had in some degree been enlightened by the Spirit of truth. But above all, they were the only Europeans, sufficiently acquainted with the language to translate the Scriptures for these 19 millions of perishing souls. This connects an indescribable importance with the preservation of their lives. And had they been removed, it would seem as though the propagation of the gospel in this empire had been retarded until a great part of the present generation had entered an awful eternity. In this solemn suspense, prayer was without ceasing made by the church to God for them. He, who is a God afar off as well as a God at hand, said unto kings, Touch not mine anointed, and do |