our influence to engage them in the same blessed work. Whenever we open the BLESSED book, we must pray, "Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in thy Law." We must always feel our dependence on the influence of the Holy Spirit, to enlighten our understandings that we may understand the Scriptures, to sanctify our hearts that we may receive the truth as it is in Jesus and obey it in love.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

THERE are repasts for the appetite, for the intellect, and for the soul. The latter kind of repast was enjoyed in a high degree, at the last concert for prayer in Park-Street Church. Recent and interesting intelligence had been received from all the stations under the direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. But the attention was particularly attracted and rivetted to the Sandwich Island Mission. The joint letter of the Missionaries, imparted a thrill of delight, through many bosoms. While they passed lightly over their trials, they dwelt on their duties and encouragements. With much Christian cordiality, they had welcomed to their field of usefulness, new labourers from the Society Islands. And they were encouraged in witnessing an increasing interest in the acquisition of scientifick and religious knowledge, recently manifested by Reho-reho and his principal chiefs.

The communication from Messrs. Tyreman and Bennet, agents of the London Missionary Society, was not less interesting. The intelligence which that contained, was eminently adapted to strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of the friends of Missions.

It confirmed the most favourable accounts which had been previously given respecting the South-Sea Islands. There a wonder-working God has displayed the riches of his mercy and grace. There they have cast their idols to the moles and to the bats, and are receiving with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save their souls. Now the inhabitants of Otaheite, Eimeo, and the surrounding Isles are sitting at the feet of Jesus, receiv

ing the law from his mouth. Temples are erected to Jehovah, filled with serious worshippers, where recently idolatry reigned, and where impurity and cruelty were the characteristics of their worship.

But let us turn our attention to the Sandwich Islands. Who would have thought that an orphan boy, educated in the family of a pagan priest, was destined to be the first link in a golden chain of missionary enterprizes, for civilizing and Christianizing hiscountrymen. Yet such was the design of Providence. Discontented at home, he roamed to a foreign land. The overruling hand of God brought him to this country. Out of employment, destitute, and among entire strangers, he at length_attracted the eye of Christian benevolence in a student at New-Haven. The revered name of Mills, was the orphan youth's friend. He took Obookiah by the hand, wiped the tears of wretchedness from his eyes, fed, clothed, and instructed him. He opened to his expanding mind the sublime truths of the Bible. He kneeled by his side and poured out the voice of prayer for his soul's salvation. He introduced him to the notice of Christians, and interested their feelings in his behalf, till the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous ascended to God from many pious souls for mercy to the stranger. They were not offered in vain. The heart of the Owhyhean appeared to be touched, melted, and sanctified. Filled with love to his Saviour and to the souls for whom that Saviour died, his solicitude was great to have the blessed Gospel preached in the Sandwich Islands.In connexion with his conversion, other natives of these Islands were sought, instructed and hopefully converted. The Foreign Mission School at Cornwall was originat ed, instituted, and carried into successful operation.There Obookiah's work was to terminate. He had been reared up for important purposes, but though to human appearance, his life was immensely desirable, the Lord of the vineyard saw it best to call him away Though his heart beat high to do something as an instrument in God's hands for pulling down the strong holds of Satan in his own country, yet these labours were not for him, nor for his patron Mills. From the shores of Africa, where his benevolence had earried him, he was destined to ascend and meet Obookiah. The work of causing the

Sandwich Islands to wait for his law, was in hands able to accomplish it without these instruments. The attention of Christians in this land was strongly attracted to these Isles. Preparations were gradually making. The Lord put it into the hearts of some to offer themselves, and into the hearts of many others to offer of their substance for this good work. A mission family was collected. The free-will offerings of thousands laded the vessel in which they were to embark. The mission family left Boston in October, 1819. They were followed by the fervent prayer of Christ's own in this land. It has been thought, that an uncommon spirit of prayer attended the outfit and departure of this Mission. The hearts of many were agreed to ask of the Father, in the name of Christ, that a door of usefulness might be opened to them, and that Pagan Idolatry might be speedily abolished in Islands where it had long been deeply rooted. The first of their voyage, their progress was slow. But mark the wonderful interposition of Divine Providence. After they were embarked, while one continent and two oceans stretched between them and their destination, an unseen hand sweeps away the forms of Idolatry at a stroke. Almighty God took away the breath of Tamabamaha and he died. His Son was, with little bloodshed fixed in the throne. His heart was touched by the finger of God to inquire of the high priest whether he had best patronize idolatry. The heart of the other was constrained contrary to its wordly interests, and probably to its real wishes, to decide against idolatry. Paganism was renounced. The morais, or houses for idol worship were demolished, and their senseless idols destroyed" as good for nothing." He who has not only the hearts of kings, bat of all men in his hands, so ordered it that but little resistance was made against this change. The prince and the people were alike prepared.

Here we behold the fabric of idolatry which many ages had been employed in rearing, touched by an invisible Power, and it vanishes like smoke. No knowledge appears to have been there possessed that a mission from this country was preparing to visit them. Little or no correct knowledge of Jehovah and his worship had been received. Their religion was not therefore changed, but

it was renounced. "Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods," at once? Yet here is a case of an idolatrous nation's abandoning their idols without substituting any forms of worship instead of those rejeeted. This seems to be manifestly the work of God, that he might put new honour upon his preached Gospel. Here we have something similar to God's preparing Cornelius to receive the words of eternal life and at the same preparing the Apostle Peter to bear to him the messages of heavenly mercy.

The recent intelligence disclosed interpositions of Providence scarcely less remarkable. But the friends of missions will soon receive the interesting particulars through the appropriate channel, the Missionary Herald. The intelligence was accompanied by able and impressive remarks from the Secretary of the Board, and from the Rev. Messrs. Dwight, Wisner, and Humphreys. A numerous audience felt it good to be there.

"The sorrow of the world worketh death.”

A few days since, a young man of this city, about twenty-five years of age, committed suicide.

The particular causes which led to this awful exit from time into ETERNITY are little known. We have been told that "sin found him out”—that he left a letter, stating that he was published to a female whom he could not love, and a connection with whom would make him wretched, and that of two evils he chose the least. None but those who disbelieve Revelation altogether, or deny the doctrine of future punishments, could have stupidly and presumptuously reasoned thus No evidence of previous insanity had been observed. The presumption is, therefore, that he yielded to the sudden impulse of temptation and madly rushed uncalled into the presence of that God, whose mandate is, “ THOU SHALT NOT KILL," and whose veracity has determined, that "No murderer hath eternal life abiding IN HIM."

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This distressing event, connected with a recent dis closure, which has consigned to the State Prison a young

man who but lately stood fair in public opinion: should not only be a BEACON to Boston young men; but should impress on every youth acquainted with the circumstances, the admonition, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." It should compel us all devoutly to pray, Suffer us not to be led into temptation.

OBITUARY.

Though the event has been long expected, it gives us pain to announce that RICHARDS, the devoted Missionary at Ceylon, is called to rest from his labours and receive his reward He departed this life on the 10th of August last, in the 36th year of his age, enjoying abundant support and comfort from that Saviour and that Gospel which he had made such sacrifices to proclaim. Our intimate acquaintance with him makes us not only feel that the missionary cause and the Church have sustained a severe loss, but that we have lost a brother. Few men would sooner entwine themselves strongly about the affections of Christian friends than Mr. Richards. His intellectual powers and scientific acquisitions were considerably above mediocrity. His manners were remarkably amiable and affectionate. His piety was unostentatious, ardent and fruitful in good works. And he has been honored as an instrument of very considerable good in Zion. O that his mantle might fall on thousands of our youth!

We shall never forget the attitude in which we once saw him in the grove. While a member of the Theological Seminary at Andover, he was present at a meeting of the Mountain Association of Ministers, convened at Hinsdale in this state. Before sun-rise in the morning, he invited two Licenciates to walk in a neighboring grove. By the way his conversation was eminently spiritual; flowing from a heavenly mind. When they arrived at a retired spot, Richards proposed prayer. First a Licentiate, now actively and usefully employed in the interior of New-York prayed in an impressive manner. Then with a short interval, Richards prayed, with a solemnity, a fervour. an importunity for the souls of men and especially of the heathen,