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We have no apprehensions for our own personal safety, but our hearts bleed at the thought of witnessing the violence of the heathen against each other; and our prayer is, that He who rules over all will have compassion on them, and spare them the heavier judgments of his providence, in the curses of war.

The evening has. been one of intense interest, while we have listened to the narrative of our friends, and our worship a season of tender and devout thanksgiving, that our brothers and sisters, with their little ones, have been brought to our arms from amid "the ragings of the people," and the scenes of death. We hope the news will not prevent the departure of the brig for Maui in the morning. We feel more than ever anxious to reach our home and associates, and by the return of Mr. Bingham, every necessity of our remaining is removed.

Thursday, Aug. 12th. On board the brig Tamaahmaah. Much to our joy a messenger from Capt. Ebbetts and Capt. Meek came to us at sunrise yesterday, with the information that the vessel would sail immediately after breakfast. At 9 o'clock, after having parted with our friends at a throne of grace, we came on board, accompanied by Mr. Bingham, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Chamberlain. At 11, they left us with the pilot, the brig having gained the open sea; after which we fired a salute, and filled away with a fresh breeze. There never was a finer day; and under a cloud of bellying canvas, our rapid bark leapt from billow to billow, dashing every opposing wave in banks of foam back upon the deep, while the sportings of the porpoises, the hurried motions of the flying fish, and the bright beauty of the dolphin below, and the lofty soarings and shrill cry of the tropick bird above, hurried our recollections back through the voyage of two

oceans.

We had the prospect of making a very short passage, but at 8 o'clock,

were becalmed off the south-west point of Ranai, where we still are, The delay is unpleasant, but with the elegant accommodations of the brig, and the polite attentions of the gentlemen to whom we are indebted for a passage, we do not feel impa tient. All the windward islands are now in sight. Immediately before us, at a distance of 8 or 10 miles, are the lofty precipices of Kohola on Ra nai; still further to the north, the more elevated summits of Morokoi appear, with Oahu in the distance, almost lost in a bed of light and graceful clouds. On the east is Maui, more romantic in its outline than any of the others-and on the south Tahoorawa, far behind which, rise the sublime mountains of Hawaii.

I ought not to forget to mention, that two vessels sailed from Honoruru for the relief of Karaimoku at Tanai, the same time we did, carrying about 400 men, well equipt for service. Although the intelligence had been known scarce twelve hours, 900 men were mustered and ready armed for embarkation at sunrise. Scarce any thing was heard during the night but the rolling of the drum and the discharging of muskets, by way of trying their fitness for use. In the morning, all seemed to have entered into the spirit of the occasion. Scarce any one was to be seen without some of the insignia belli

caps, cartridge boxes, feathers, swords or muskets, while every step and every look was en militaire.

10 o'clock at night. We are still on board the Tamaahmaah, the calm having continued till within the last three hours. The disappointment of not spending the night at our home, has been more than made up by the uncommon loveliness of the evening. A full moon riding through a sky more serene and lucid than is often seen in ruder latitudes, throws shades of softness and beauty over the wild features of the islands, and crowns every heaving billow with a silver crest, while a fresh and balmy

breeze hurries us forward with an animating rapidity. The ship's company presents one of the happier sketches of sea life. The courses are hauled up, that the helmsman may steer by a landmark on the top of the mountains overhanging Labaina, which leaves the view of the whole deck unobstructed. The captain and officers are silently walking their respective stations, while an occasional loud laugh and exclamation from the forecastle, signify the manner in which the watch below are enjoying their partial release from duty. The rest of the crew are variously grouped some leaning over the bows, watching the dashing of the waves, as they are furrowed by our bark, or the transient illumination of the water by a sudden movement of one of the larger inhabitants of the deep-others are lounging on the gunwales or against the longboat, while a still greater number are mounted on their favourite station, the windlass-one of these last is playing with skill and taste on a clarionette, in which he is accompanied by three or four good voices, singing many of the more modern and fashionable songs, occasionally relieved, perhaps by way of kindly remembrance of former scenes and distant friends, by one or two verses of "Auld lang syne." This may be called a domestick scene at sea, and answers to the happy fireside at home, when the business, the duties, and the cares of the day, give place to the indulgences of a leisure hour, and the joys of social life. I could not contemplate it, without admiring the wisdom and the goodness of God to all his creatures, in denying to none the common sources of contentment and happiness, and in so constituting man, that all the ordinary situations of life have pleasures and joys for those to whose lot they fall. But, though interesting and pleasant, it has not been, like some of the happy evenings at sea we once knew, whilst floating on the bosom of the Pacifick. No, I have

no reason to believe that the Spirit of God is here-but the decks of the Thames did, at least at times, give evidence of his presence.

Saturday, Aug. 14th. After breakfast on board the T. yesterday morning, we once more entered our humble habitation, and met the warm embraces of our beloved Mr. and Mrs. R. Lahaina never before appeared so beautiful: nothing but necessity could induce me to exchange the fresh sea breeze and foaming surf that rolls almost into our door, for a residence near the dusty plain, and stagnant marshes and fish ponds, about the mission house at Honoruru. Notwithstanding this, Oahu is unquestionably the most fertile and most beautiful of the islands, and from the constant prevalence of the trade winds, is among the most healthy.

This morning Capt. Meek politely sent on shore the packages he has been kind enough to bring from my friends in New York. They consisted of three boxes, and a barrel containing articles of very considerable value. My friend and classmate, E. H. Johnson, has very handsomely furnished me with a set of mathematical and philosophical instruments, including a good telescope, barometer, microscope, &c. &c. with a pair of handsome globes. Many other friends have remembered us with similar kindness. They have our gratitude-but we know not how to express it. Whatever they have given in the name of a disciple, will meet a disciple's reward.

As the duty of writing the publick record of the station will now devolve on me, and though I know of no immediate opportunity of sending this, I will close it with the present date. I would, however, first remark, that the state of the people in reference to spiritual things, was never more interesting than at present. The chiefs are making rapid advances in religious intelligence, and the subject of salvation is evi

dently taking the highest place, in the hearts and thoughts of many of the most powerful persons in the nation. For many of these we feel a strong personal attachment-and you yourself, my dear sister, would with us love them, could but see you them as they are. Their looks of affection and gratitude to us-the starting tear, at the open and almost daily declaration, "we do love the word of God, we do love Jehovah and Jesus Christ, we do rejoice in this day of light, this time of good tidings and of salvation," &c. &c. would melt a less tender heart, would touch a less susceptible bosom than belongs to my sister. If we do not find in the scenery of the islands all the variety and beauty of an American landscape-if we most sensibly feel the loss of our friends, and with them the elegance, the refinement, and intelligence, of civilized society -if we are daily conscious of a tenderness and intensity of affection for you and for all our friends, which we cannot describe, still we are happy in our work, and would not leave it without a call in providence, clear and indubitable as that of a voice from heaven. While these are our feelings, do not lead us to suppose by your silence, that we are forgotten or unloved, but by your journal and your letters-by constant communications, refresh our hearts and cheer our spirits, both, too often, unavoidably depressed by the debilitating influence of a warm climate, and the various cares and fatigue, inseparable from our work. By doing thus, you will not only be insuring us much happiness, but you will also do the cause good, by inspiring us with fresh vigour, and giving a renewed impulse to our exertions. Such we find to be the happy influence of the communications of all our friends yet received. Yours in the tenderest and best of bonds,

CHARLES SAMUEL STEWART (To be continued.)

TRANSLATION OF THE DIES IRA.

On that great, that awful day,
This vain world shall pass away.
Thus the sibyl sang of old;
Thus hath holy David told.
There shall be a deadly fear
When the Avenger shall appear,
And, unveiled before his eye,
All the works of man shall lie.
Hark! to the great trumpet's tones,
Pealing o'er the place of bones.
Hark! it waketh from their bed
All the nations of the dead,
In a countless throng to meet
At the eternal judgment-seat.
Nature sickens with dismay;
Death may not retain his prey;
And before the Maker stand
All the creatures of his hand.
The great book shall be unfurled,
Whereby God shall judge the world:
What was distant shall be near;
What was hidden shall be clear.
To what shelter shall I fly?
Oh in that destroying hour,
To what guardian shall I cry?
Source of goodness, Source of power,
Shew thou, of thine own free grace,
Help unto a helpless race.
Though I plead not at thy throne
Aught that I for thee have done,
Do not thou unmindful be
Of what thou hast borne for me;
Of the wandering, of the scorn,
Of the scourge, and of the thorn.-
JESUS, hast thou borne the pain;
And hath all been borne in vain ?
Shall thy vengeance smite the head
For whose ransom thou hast bled!
Thou whose dying blessing gave
Glory to a guilty slave;

Thou who from the crew unclean
Didst release the Magdalene;
Shall not mercy vast and free
Evermore be found in thee?
Father, turn on me thine eyes:
See my blushes, hear my cries:
Faint though be the prayers I make,
Save me, for thy mercy's sake,
From the torments of thine ire,

From the worm and from the fire;
Fold me with the sheep that stand
Pure and safe at thy right hand.
Hear thy guilty child implore thee,
Rolling in the dust before thee.
Oh the horrors of the day
When this frame of sinful clay,
Starting from its burial place,
Must behold thee face to face.
Hear and pity; hear and aid;
Spare the creatures thou hast made.
Mercy, mercy! save, forgive;
Or who shall look on Thee and live?
[Chris. Observer for Jan. 1826.

Reviews.

In a religious miscellany, of not more than 48 pages, one of the most difficult and delicate duties of an editor is, to determine on the portion of space to be assigned to the several departments of his work: and he may esteem himself fortunate if, after his best endeavours, he, in this particular, avoids giving of fence-Among those who patronize his work there is a great diversity of taste, and it can scarcely be expect ed that some will not think that their taste has not been sufficiently consulted and gratified.

It is in the department of reviews that the difficulty to which we here refer is the greatest of all. Authors, as well as readers in general, are likely to think themselves neglected in this department. The editor, too, may not only be restricted by the want of space, but may not be able to publish as many reviews as he would willingly do, if he either had time to prepare them himself, or could have them furnished by his correspondents. For ourselves we can say, that our whole time would not suffice to review all the works that are sent us; in such manner as we think every work ought to be reviewed, on which we deliver our opinion to the publick. We have stated this, as an apology for ourselves in the matter of reviewing. It has been with regret, and some mortification, that we have omitted altogether the notice of several publications, of which we wished to give even an ample review.

The foregoing remarks seemed to be specially called for on the present occasion; because we are now going to review a single sermon, and thus to make a discrimination between it, and at least a dozen others, which perhaps, in point of composition, are equally meritorious. We have also heretofore done the same, in several instances; and in all this we may be suspected either of neglect

or of great partiality. We believe, however, that any suspicion of this kind would be entirely groundless. From the causes already stated, we have, in instances not a few, found ourselves compelled to pass in silence many single sermons of sterling merit; as well as several pamphlets of the same character, treating on topicks not altogether of a religious kind. The preference we have given has commonly, if not always, been occasioned by the general interest of the discourse or pamphlet reviewed; or by the local situation of the writer; or by a desire to aid some effort in the promotion of an important design: and by such like considerations we must continue to be governed.

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THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE SAB

BATH. A Sermon, delivered November 27, 1825. By Samuel Blatchford, D. D. Pastor of the United Congregations of Lansingburgh and Waterfood. [Published by special request.] Waterford. Printed by William L. Fish. 1826.

It is seen at once from the title of this sermon, that the subject of it, however trite, is of the greatest publick interest; and although the venerable author, in replying to a request for its publication which appears on the second page, says, "it was written without the most distant view to publication," yet it will be found well deserving of the careful perusal of all into whose hands it may fall. The text of the discourse is Ezek. xx. 12.

Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.

After a short and pertinent introduction, the preacher says

"Let me then at present ask your attention, whilst I attempt to revive upon

your minds a sense of the important obligations which lie upon us for the sanctifying of a weekly Sabbath, for the ends for which it is instituted.

"By a Sabbath, in general, we are to understand a certain time, which is set apart from other time, and is appropriated as a day of rest, for the purpose of divine worship, and which is so appropriated by divine appointment. It is to be considered as a cessation from ordinary employ ment; a time, devoted to the duties of worship.

"Now, all who are acquainted with the Old Testament scriptures, will have per ceived that there were several times, which, by the authority of the Divine Legislator, were set apart for the observance of the Jewish nation; and these are called Sabbaths; because God had commanded his people to spend them in religious services, and forbidden them on such occasions to engage in any worldly business; such, for instance, were several feast days enumerated in the books of Moses, and such was the great day of expiation. These are to be regarded by us as parts of their ceremonial law, which, is now abrogated by the dispensation of the gospel; but over and above these, was a weekly Sabbath, which is solemnly and emphatically impressed in the moral law, and was not designed particularly for them; but is of moral obligation to all, and under every dispensation. In confirmation of this we ask you,

"I. To observe, that the law of nature, itself, which teaches us that there is a God, doth necessarily pour conviction on our minds, that such a Being is to be worshipped by all his intelligent creatures. And, if worshipped by mankind, that it is highly reasonable that some part or proportion of time should be set apart for this purpose."

Little is said on this first head of discourse, and that little we must forbear to quote. The preacher's second position is thus stated

"II. Reason would naturally suggest to us, that, if it be proper that God should be worshipped at all, that it is suitable and highly desirable, that some particular portion of the time which he gives us should be devoted to his service-some time in which the family of man should meet for his service."

Here it is shown that reason clearly dictates that some portion of our time should be sacredly set apart to the worship of God; and that as reason might have erred, and men would have differed, in forming

a judgment as to the proper portion to be appropriated to sacred use, it was wise and merciful in God to tell us what that portion was. It is then added

"Now this arrangement was as early as the completion of the creation; so that, when man entered upon the first day of law of the Sabbath. In this we are inhis first week, he was brought under the structed by the divine historian. The heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them, and on the* seventh day God ended the work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Nor can it be denied, that it is most reasonable to suppose, that man, immediately after his creation, when a sense of his Maker's kindness and glory was fresh upon his mind, amidst the guiltless scenes of Paradise, would begin his life with the adoration of his Creator; and that his Creator would call him to the re

ligious observation of the first day of his existence, which was the seventh from the beginning of God's mighty work, for the same general reasons as he afterwards prescribed to the Jews a weekly Sabbath.

"These rational deductions, says a learned writer,+ are confirmed by facts. It is a fact that the Patriarchs, long before the Jewish Sabbath, and all, even the most ancient heathen nations, distinguished time into weeks of seven days; which no appearance in nature could have suggested; and which therefore, must have resulted from the appointment of a weekly Sabbath. It is also a fact, that the earliest Pagan writers, particularly Homer and Hesiod, speak of the seventh day as pecu. liarly sacred.§ The latter styles this day the "illustrious light of the sun," and the sun was the Supreme God of the Pagan world. Homer hath this verse, then came the seventh day which is holy.'

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