before, and the evil of drinking rum was clear to me. Here is the reason why I thought it an evil. I am constituted a father to the people and the kingdom, and it belongs to me to regulate all the other chiefs. I have therefore become really ashamed, and I can no longer persist in rum-drinking. This is the reason why I subscribe my name to this pledge." The premier (Kekauluohi) and all the inferior chiefs, with the exception of two or three, being convened to attend their annual meeting for business, followed the king's example in taking the pledge. Their people also, among whom were some of the stoutest veterans in the cause of Bacchus, came forward with great promptness, and took their stand on the side of cold water. Two days previous to this a large temperance meeting was held in Honolulu, at which governor Kekaunaoa, and Kouia, a female chief, the wife of Paki, and some hundreds of the common people took the pledge. The occasion was one of interest; it inspired our hearts with the sweet hope that the peaceful days of the excellent Kaahumanu were about to return, and the fires of alcohol to be again extinguished. National Temperance Society-Laws against the Traffic enforced-National Legislature. On the 16th of May another temperance meeting was held at Lahaina, at which a national temperance society was formed, of which the king is president, and some of the other chiefs members of the executive committee. After this the king ordered his cellar to be cleared of whatever of the deadly stuff it contained. Seven barrels of rum, brandy, gin, etc. were rolled out and returned to the merchant who had furnished them, and who thought it best on the whole to take them back. Immediately on the king's abandoning his cups, an order was issued by himself and the premier to enforce the laws with regard to the retail of intoxicating drinks -laws which were good on paper, but had well nigh become a dead letter for want of an executive. This has diminished the amount of spirit retailed very much, though a good deal is yet sold in secret. It was feared that this movement would rouse the wrath of the whole crew of rum-sellers, and even of some public functionaries; but we have as yet heard of but little excitement of any kind on the subject among foreigners, and most of what we have heard is by way of approval. This is an evidence that, for some cause or other, a considerable change has been effected in the public opinion of this class of our community. A few small and local temperance societies have been formed among foreigners on different islands, but none as yet in Honolulu and Lahaina. Were it not for excluding wine, it would not be difficult, perhaps, to secure the names of a good many residents of respectability; but we feel satisfied that, in the present state of the temperance question, nothing short of totalism will effect a thorough reformation, especially among natives. We have been thus particular in regard to the chiefs, as they were the class most involved in this evil, and through them calamities untold were threatening the nation. We are happy to say now, the whole aspect of things about them has changed for the better, surprisingly so. The hulas (native dance with songs and drums) and other follies, which had pained our hearts for several months, have been suppressed. The king looks and acts like a new man: he is prompt and attentive to business, and seems to take pleasure in it. He has also attended church more frequently since he laid aside his cups than for several years before. Thus you see that the same invisible Friend, who has so often been our refuge in trouble in former years, has again plucked his hand out of his bosom, and thrust it forth for the deliverance of this nation. Blessed be his name. Oh that we may always have a heart to run to him when dangers threaten. His care and protection are to be prized higher than the smiles of all the kings and governments on the earth. If this reformation in the king and chiefs is of the Lord, as we cannot but hope that it is, may we not hope it will stand amidst all the assaults of the enemy, and be only a precursor of a much more thorough spiritual reformation in the inner man. But we must confess we are not without fears on this subject; yet there will doubtless be seasons, especially when ships of war and persons of distinction come along, when the king and chiefs will need great firmness of purpose to withstand the temptations that will be thrown in their way; and be not surprised if the next letter that follows this, conveys to you the sad intelligence, that our hopes are blasted, and that those of whom we now entertain so pleasing expectations have gone back to their wallowing in the mire. May heaven avert such a reverse of things! Will not you and the churches continue to pray for them with increased earnestness, that they may be kept from the snares of their enemies, and be made nursing fathers and nursing mothers indeed to this nation and the church? The national legislature has just closed its second annual meeting. It continued some weeks, and is said to have been a very orderly and pleasant session. Several important enactments were made, the principal of which relate to the manner of appointing juries and levying duties. The whole subject of their financial concerns has been thoroughly discussed, and such measures taken as that government property may be husbanded and government debts liquidated. This will be a great improvement if properly carried out. The old and wretched common-stock system of the government is to be superseded by regular salaries to government officers. You will be duly informed, no doubt, of the fact of Doct. Judd's having left the mission, and engaged in the service of the chiefs. Common Schools-School Laws-Need of Teachers. The table below, though incomplete, will give a general view of the number of schools, teachers, and pupils, in the vicinity and more or less under the superintendence of each station, so far as reported, with the branches usually taught and the number who have made some proficiency in each. about five hundred teachers. These schools the last year have been attended by between 18,000 and 19,000 children and youth, about one third of whom are able to read. Many of these are studying arithmetic, geography, and other elementary branches usually taught in common schools. During the last year, in some of the districts, children have been drawn away from school by the influence of the popish priests. What number of children may have gone to them we have no means of ascertaining accurately. At an examination of their schools on the island of Oahu, some months since, they numbered 700 children. Not all these had been scholars in our schools, though many of them probably had. On the island of Kauai, the brethren report one or two schools, where by promises and presents from the Roman catholic priests, the children, with three or four exceptions, have been induced to go to the papists. Under such circumstances we greatly feel the need of more and better qualified native teachers in our common schools. The papists are pressing us hard on every side, and are unwearied in their efforts to draw children and youth away after them. Last year a class of thirty left the seminary, and most of them have been successfully engaged in teaching during the year, but many more are urgently needed in every part of the islands. At most of the stations where teachers of the Board are located, they have a general superintendence of schools through the district, besides teaching a station school, with particular reference to qualifying annually a class to enter the mission seminary, and also to qualify teachers for common schools. A law has been enacted by government, the object of which is to promote the interests of common schools in the islands. This law requires parents to send their children to school, makes provision for the erection of school-houses, and provides for the pay of native teachers. These laws have, we think, operated favorably in securing a better attendance of children at the school, and if fulfilled on the part of government, will promote the cause of education on the islands. We find, however, that the same efforts are necessary on the part of missionaries and teachers, to keep the schools in efficient operation, as were before there were any laws on the subject. In many parts of the islands the teachers have hitherto received but a small part of their stipulated pay. If such should continue to be the case, the effect will be to dishearten the teachers, and induce them to leave their employ ments. Boarding Schools at Hilo, Wailuku, and Waialua-School for Chiefs. stitution has, almost from the commencement, suffered much from sickness, which, in many cases, has proved fatal. The prospects of the school have at times appeared dark. It has been an object with the teachers to observe the probable causes of so much sickness, and to introduce such changes as would be likely to remove the evil. The grounds inclosing the seminary have been enlarged, to afford more room for exercise; fewer hours have been devoted to study, and more to active labor. The rooms occupied by the scholars have been enlarged, and a new, large, and well-aired room has been occupied for a recitation room, and the scholars required to take systematic exercise daily in the semi The boarding school for boys at Hilo, on the island of Hawaii, has numbered sixty-five scholars the past year. The boys are taken from the different districts on the island, in numbers preportioned to the number of inhabitants in the several districts. Since its commencement it has admitted 142 boys, of whom forty, after a thorough preparatory course, entered the mission seminary.nary. The sickness has been less the Two have died, a few have been dismissed as unpromising, and sixty-three now remain members of the school, twenty-three of whom are church members. An increasing interest is felt in this school. It has secured the confidence both of parents and children, and is highly approved by those best acquainted with its operations. More applications have been made the past year for admission to the school, than in all previous years since its commencement. past year, than in some previous years, and we most sincerely hope that the voice of health may be heard throughout this valuable institution. The present number of scholars in this female seminary is sixty-nine. Eleven new ones have been admitted during the year. We have hitherto regarded the boarding school for boys, at Waialua, rather as an experiment, being in some respects on a different plan from any other boardThe boarding school for girls, at Hilo, ing school on the islands. It being deunder the care of Mrs. Coan, has now signed to be a self-supporting institution, been in operation three and a half years, more time is devoted to labor. The boys and an increasing attachment to the are taught the use of the hoe, shovel, school is manifested on the part of the plough, cart, and other implements of girls. They have made very pleasing husbandry. So far it has succeeded progress in their studies. Eight hours well, and promises to be useful in cultiin a day are devoted to study and labor. vating a very important branch of HaA new school-house has been erected waiian education, viz. industry and econthe past year, fifty feet by twenty-five, for omy. Twenty-three boys have been conthe better accommodation of this school, nected with the school the past year. the whole cost of which has been de- Three hours each day are devoted to frayed by the church at Hilo, and by do- study. The studies pursued are much nations from the friends of the school. the same as in other boarding schools. The health of the scholars, in both the A grant of excellent land has been boarding schools at Hilo, has been al-made by the government, for the use of most universally good from their commencement. In the girls school no death has occurred, and only one case of serious illness. Out of the 142 connected with the boys' school two have died. the school. You have already been informed of the success which has attended the past efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, in the boarding school for the young chiefs. On the removal of Mr. Armstrong from We will only add that it has continued Wailuku to Honolulu, the care of the the past year in the same prosperous church and congregation devolved on condition. The attachment of the chilMr. Green, who had till that time had dren to their teachers and to the school the superintendence of the female semi- is unabated, as is also the confidence nary from its commencement. Owing to of the king and chiefs in the school. the multiplicity of labors devolving on The children are making considerable Mr. Green, in consequence of Mr. Arm- progress in the study of the English strong's removal, it was thought best for language. The king and chiefs have, Mr. Bailey to take charge of the female the present year, assumed the entire supseminary, which he did at the com- port of Mr. and Mrs. Cooke. We may mencement of the last year. This in-add, as a general remark, that the inter est which the government of the islands take in schools for the instruction of the children and youth of the nation, is almost a matter of surprise to us, and should be the occasion of unfeigned gratitude. Mission Seminary--Teachers--Pupils sent forth-School for Children of Missionaries. en the seminary, at some sacrifice in another part of the field. We feel that our seminary must be kept in vigorous and efficient operation. We long to see it annually sending out a large class of well disciplined young men, who shall act as efficient helpers in the work of saving the Hawaiian nation. The following particulars, relating to those who have left the seminary in past years, will give you some idea of the influence this seminary is exerting on the nation. Of those who have been connected with the seminary, there are now living 144. Of these 105 are usefully From the report presented to the general meeting of the mission by the teachers of this institution, we collect the following items, which will give you a view of the present state of the semi-employed as teachers; thirty-five are ofnary. A class of fifty-six boys was admitted soon after the last general meeting, who, with the fifty-one already in the seminary, made in all 107 scholars the past year. Of these six have been absent most of the year, leaving 101 in the seininary at the present time. The progress of the scholars, in the various branches to which they have attended, has been respectable, and their general conduct good. For a considerable part of the year the interests of the seminary have suffered from the ill health of the instructors. Mr. Andrews, who had been the principal of the seminary, from its establishment in 1831, having resigned that office, and the health of the other teachers, Mr. Clark, and more especially Mr. Dibble, being so much impaired as greatly to diminish the amount of labor which they could perform, the prosperity and even the existence of the seminary seemed to be threatened. The difficulty of providing suitable instruction was much increased by the fact that no one of the other missionaries could be removed from the field he was then occupying, without endangering important interests there. The following arrangement was decided upon. It has been with us a serious and difficult question, how we should meet the case. Every station in the islands needs all its present strength, and many parts of our field imperiously call for help. No post ought to be weakened. After mature deliberation on the question, the mission voted to remove Mr. Emerson from Waialua to the seminary at Lahainaluna, to take part in the instruction there. Mr. Emerson has occupied a large and important field, and one that ought not, especially at the present, to be weakened. Yet in view of the exigencies of the school, and its vital importance to the interests of the nation, the mission have felt it duty to strength ficers of government, of whom eight devote a part of their time to teaching; seven are engaged in other useful employments; eleven are doing nothing or worse. Of the above number seventythree are church members in regular standing; nine are officers of churches; ten are openly immoral; a few are occasionally employed as preachers, though without a regular license. The graduates of the seminary are generally reported as efficient helpers in the missionary work. The school noticed below, though the first of the kind opened in connection with the missions of the Board, is not altogether au experiment, as a number, designed for a similar purpose, have been established by missions connected with other missionary societies. It is hoped that the children gathered into it may, on the whole, be under a better moral influence, and receive a more thorough instruction, while more of the time of their parents will be saved for other appropriate missionary labors. At the general meeting of the mission in 1841, measures were adopted for the establishment of a boarding school at Punahou, on the island of Oahu, for the children of missionaries. Teachers were appointed to that station, the sum of $2,000 appropriated for the erection of buildings, and a board of trustees were appointed, to carry into effect the measures adopted by the mission. During the past year the buildings have been erected, including rooms for the teachers, and a school-room, dining-hall, and rooms for the accommodation of boarding scholars. The appropriation made by the mission was not sufficient to finish the buildings, and nearly $1,000 have been furnished by private subscription. A grant of $1,000 has been made by the mission, at this general meeting, to finish some of the rooms, and to meet the |