3. After mature reflection, we have become convinced that notwithstanding the complicated structure of the Chinese language, it may be reduced to very simple rules, which will greatly facilitate its acquisition for natives as well as foreigners. Instead, however, of dwelling upon this subject, which can be better proved by trial than argument, we would again recur to the difficulties which render composition in Chinese so arduous a task. Even a native must study five or six years, before he is able to write a tolerable essay, and yet how paltry are most of those which are approved at the lite rary examinations. Whoever wishes to excel as a Chinese author, will find it as great a labor as to write Attic Greek or Ciceronian Latin, if not even more so; but his reward will be far greater, for he can benefit myriads by his works. The Chinese are more of a reading nation than any other of the Asiatics. Their literature is very volu minons, being the collective productions of many ages and numerous ⚫ writers. The press will be the great engine with which to batter the walls of separation, superstition, and idolatry. The leisure time that remains, after the elements of the language are acquired, and the missionary has become able to preach, may well be employed in forming his style according to the best models. Not that we mean to say that the strength of argument and power of conviction are solely contained in excellency of speech; far be it from us to advance an opinion so diametrically opposite to the sentiments of the great apostle; but all that is to be desired is, that our compositions may be in an easy, perspicuous, idiomatic and pleasing style, so that while they afford instruction they may be read with delight. Much has been attempted in this way, but still there is no one among the laborers now in the field, who could prove his thorough know. ledge of the Chinese language, by laying down the rules which constitute its excellencies, peculiarities and defects; and yet, such a critical knowledge is indispensable. It should be a standing rule, that none but idiomatical writings be published. The reasons for this are obvious. A nation, prejudiced, proud, and ignorant, can neither comprehend nor relish other compositions. It has been suggested that those native converts who are qualified be employed as writers. This is a good thought, but it must always be kept in mind, that the whole current of their ideas runs in the same channel as that of their countrymen, and that however excellent in point of style their productions may be, they convey comparatively but little information. The Roman Catholic missionaries tried the same plan, and the result was similar to what we have described. Before the minds of the Chinese are aroused from the lethargy under which they labor, this task will fall on foreign laborers, and, with the help of the Almighty, the giver of every good and perfect gift, it will be accomplished.

The fundamental doctrines of the gospel should be the principal topics of our writings. A Savior for lost man, redemption through his blood, grace, sanctification, a God above all to be praised for ever, his greatness and power, and our obligations to him, are subjects

exclusively Christian. These ought to employ our pens first of all; and here, eloquent, affectionate and urgent appeals should be made to invite sinners to come to Christ. A second point will be to elucidate these subjects, by historical facts referring to native works; and by these means to rivet attention, and to show the excellency of our creed, hope, and prospects. This opeus a large field, which has scarcely been trodden.

Works upon scientific subjects, which of themselves embrace a very extensive sphere, at first may be published upon a small scale, and in close imitation of Chinese works upon the same topics. Let them be gradually enlarged, until they rank among the best productions of the country. Here we have a great advantage. Science in China stands at a low state; many of their productions are puerile, or at least, unsatisfactory, and if the people can be prevailed on to examine the respective merits of the two with an unbiased mind, we flatter ourselves that we should very soon gain credit. The chief object in writing scientific works should be to humble that arrogance which opposes improvement. To effect this, usefulness should be aim ed at, and the matter be made so interesting as to induce the reader to seek for further knowledge. The whole compass of science ought to be embraced, though a certain gradation of subjects should be maintained, and it appears to us, that geography and history would be good treatises to commence the series. Little has hitherto been done in this branch, and that which is extant is defective; but the days of sloth are past, and if we meet with sufficient encouragement from our own countrymen and the Chinese, there will, we trust, be no complaint of the want of books. For the publication of religious treatises, the churches at home have pledged themselves, and we have no doubt of their readiness to fulfill their promises. The pub. lication of works upon the Chinese language, of which there is al ready a considerable number, can only be undertaken with a view of improving the labors of our predecessors, and of rendering the acquirement of the language easier. Here is a large field, but it deserves only a secondary consideration. Works in the languages of Europe, which would illustrate the literature of China, or give a distinct view of the empire, might be occasionally compiled in order to invite attention to the welfare of this people; and for this purpose they can be recoinmended.

Our books may be disposed of in various ways. Scientific works, which interest the general reader, and well written religious essays may be disposed of by means of booksellers. A feeble attempt of this kind has lately been made. But we cannot expect that the in. terest felt in this new literature will at first be so great as to lead us to hope that the Chinese will defray all the expense, It will therefore be necessary to look for aid from societies, and from benevolent individuals interested in the cause, until we have gained some ground. Though it is the surest way to work by means of interested booksellers upon the mass of community, and to make our books cheap and in the best style, yet this procedure is slow, and often

uncertain. The gratuitous distribution of books, the method hitherto adopted, insures circulation, but we are not always so circumstanced as to make a proper choice of individuals on whom to bestow them. In the expeditions along the coast, many thousands of volumes have been disposed of to an eager populace, who crowded around the distributer, and actually forced the books from him. Although it is pleasing to see such impetuosity, it is more desirable to maintain a better mode of circulating the books. Under present circumstances, however, it would materially aid the cause if a vessel went annually from Haenan to Chihle, scattering them amongst the thousands who have never heard of Christ.

4. To furnish fruits is a proof of the excellency of the gospel, and an efficacious mode of convincing unbelievers. A missionary station ought to have a hospital, and a physician:-this is apostolical. If the bodily misery which prevails throughout China is taken into consideration, this is perhaps a sine qua non of a station; and it might be well to commence soon at Canton. But it should not be deemed sufficient to afford medical help merely, for which there will be many applicants; a lively interest in the welfare of individuals, kind assistance in the hour of need, or a friendly word under sufferings, open the heart for the reception of truth. By imitating our Savior and his apostles in welldoing, we shall prove our claim to be called his disciples. It is a matter of joy that some physicians are on the point of joining in the good work. But it should never be forgotten, that it is the most sacred duty of all to alleviate sufferings, and thus to show that the gospel is indeed a message of mercy. To do this, requires few directions; if we love the Chinese, and this a prerequisite in a missionary to this people, we shall show the works of love, and be unwearied in convincing them that we are actuated by the spirit of love. It is by the irresistible power of this noble quality that we hope to gain ground; if we have it not, Paul's remarks to the Corinthians (1 Cor. ch. 13) apply to us.

We anticipate that happy time when our wishes shall be realized, and our prayers heard; for we earnestly desire the salvation of -China. Even should this appeal be ineffectual, and the foregoing suggestions, which are the result of much reflection on the spot, be rejected, yet the time will come, when the Christian churches will not be content with merely saying, 'China is inaccessible;' when they will think it their duty to adopt the most effectual measures for spreading the gospel in this large country; and when laborers of different nations will unite in the work. Perhaps our mortal bodies may be then mouldering in the grave, and our spirits be with God; but could we see, with Simeon of old, the day of the Lord and the Consolation of Israel approaching, we would humbly exclaim with him, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people."

ART. V. Sandwich islands: code of laws by Kauikeaouli, the king, 1835; Alemanaka Hawaii, no ka makahiki o ko kakou haku o Iesu Kristo, 1835; Ka Lama Hawaii, 1834; Ke Kumu Hawaii, 1834.

When these islands were discovered by captains Cook and King in 1778, they had, it was supposed, a population of 400,000 souls. Between the time of their discovery and 1819, the number of inhabitants was reduced more than one half: this was occasioned partly by the wars which raged during the reign of Tamehameha, and "partly by the ravages of a pestilence which was introduced by foreign vessels." Previous to 1819, idolatry, superstition, and ignorance, went hand in hand through the islands, debasing and destroying their inhabitants. "These people," said those who had visited their shores, and who were opposed to any efforts being made to improve their condition, "these people are so addicted to their pagan customs, that they will never give them up. They will not abandon their tabus, and their sacrifices. You may attempt to teach them better, but you will never succeed." Yet in great mercy, Jehovah has looked down upon those deluded inhabitants; idolatry has been overthrown; superstition and ignorance have received a deathblow; and a work has been commenced which, as it advances, will place the people of the Sandwich islands among the most enlightened and happy nations of the earth. Fifteen years ago the islanders were wholly destitute of the means of instruction: they had no books; no written language; and no laws. But in all these, and many other particulars, there have been rapid and most pleasing changes. We have letters from the islands to the 15th, and the 'Ke Kumu Hawaii,' to the 18th of February, 1835. The prospects of the mission were then more promising than they had been during the last twelve months. The work of improvement in every department was progressing. The number of pages printed in the year ending June 1st, 1834, was upwards of four millions. Some efforts, we understand, are about to be made to instruct the inhabitants in the business of manufactures: and these, it is hoped, will lead to the adoption of some measure for the improvement of the agriculture of the islands.

Our correspondents have kindly favored us with specimens of all the works, the titles of which stand at the head of this article. The third and fourth are newspapers; the former was commenced early in 1834, and the other in November of the same year. They are both neatly printed, in good style, and so far as we can judge are well calculated to accomplish the objects for which they are designed, to interest and instruct the native inhabitants. The Kumu Hawaii, or 'Hawaiian Teacher,' for November 26th, notices the death of 73

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the Scottish traveler and naturalist, Mr. David Douglas. The 'Alemanaka' is, we suppose, the first ever printed in the islands. The code of laws is also an original production, and the first written statutes that ever were promulgated in the land. The laws are only five in number. The following translation has been forwarded to us; and we give it entire, as a very curious specimen of legislation. The laws are prefaced by the following preamble:

"We make a proclamation. and obey. Let him who hears transgresses, he will be guilty."

All ye people of every land, hear these laws obey them; but if he Then come the laws:

"1. We prohibit murder. Let no one of any country commit murder here. Whoever takes the life of another with a malicious design to kill, he shall die. Whoever in anger destroys human life, yet not intending to kill, he shall be imprisoned four years. Whoever aids in destroying human life with an intent to kill, he shall die. Whoever aids in destroying human life, yet not designing to kill, he shall be imprisoned four years. Whoever with malice incites or entices to the commission of murder, if the murder be actually committed, he shall die. Whoever incites or entices another to kill, and no life is thereby taken, he shall be imprisoned four years.

Whoever

"Whoever in anger stabs with a sharp instrument, or strikes with a weapon, or throws missiles, and the life of an individual is thereby destroyed, he shall die. Whoever stabs with a sharp instrument, or strikes with a weapon, or throws missiles with malicious intent to kill, yet no one dies thereby, he shall be imprisoned four years. threatens to take the life of a person, and the deed is actually committed, he shall die. Whoever threatens to take the life of a person and actually beats him but not to death, he shall be imprisoned four years, Whoever robs and kills a person, he shall die. Whoever robs a person but spares his life, he shall be imprisoned four years.

"Whoever kills a shipwrecked person, whoever drives fatally a person into a place of death, whoever destroys a child after its birth, whoever (maliciously) burns a house with fire,-all these are reckoned as murderers. And if the criminal sentenced to imprisonment chooses to commute with money, he shall pay fifty dollars for each of the four years, and then be lawfully discharged; but in failure thereof he shall be put to labor till the four years expire, then be discharged. If the said criminal is again guilty of the same crime, he shall be fined one hundred dollars for each year, and, in this ratio shall his sentence be increased till the fourth offense. This shall be the judgment of those who escape capital punishment. Furthermore, whoever plots the death of the king, and prepares the means of his destruction, his crime is similar to that of murder,-he shall be put in irons and banished to another land, and there remain till he dies. KAUIKEAOULI.

"2. This is the second. We prohibit theft. The person who steals property whatever it may be, shall restore double the value of that which was stolen. If the amount stolen was one dollar, two dollars shall be restored. In the same ratio shall he pay, to whatever sum the property