21. Sandwich Islands. — The Sandwich or Hawaiian Islands constitute the most important Polynesian group north of the equator. They have been the locality of one of the most important missions of the American Board. That mission was commenced in 1820, Its history for forty years following is one of struggle, trial, perseverance, and encouraging success. The report of the mission in 1857 said, '• When we contrast the pres- ent with the not very remote past, we are filled with admiration and gratitude in view of the wonders God has wrought for this people. Everywhere and in all things we see the marks of progress. Instead of troops of idle, naked, noisy savages gazing upon ns, we are now surrounded by well-clad, quiet, intelligent multi- tudes, who feel the dignity of men. Instead of squalid poverty, we see competence, abundance, and sometimes luxury. Instead of brutal bowlings and dark orgies, ■we hear the songs of Zion and the supplications of
saints." The year 18G0 was distinguished for revivals of religion over a large part of the islands. As a result, nearly 1500 were received into the churches during that year, and 800 the year following. So great had been the success of this mission that the American Board, as early as 1848, incepted measures for creating an inde- pendent and self-supporting Church in the islands. Carefully and slowly following the leadings of Provi- dence, the native churches were by degrees educated up to this idea, which was happily consummated in 1863, and has since been put in practice with excellent results. Thus, following about fifty years of missionary labor, not counting the good intermediately accom- plished, the world witnesses the grand result of a na- tion converted from barbarism, and a native Christian community supporting its own pastors and maintaining foreign missions in islands and regions beyond. See Stewart, Missions to the Sandwich Islands; Dibble, Sandicic/i Ishiitils Jfission; Bingham, Twenty-one Years in the Sundiricli Js/uiids; Jarves, History of the Ilaicai- ian Islands ; Anderson, History of the Mission of the American Board to the Sandwich Islands.
22. North America. — The aboriginal races of the North American continent have, to a greater or less extent, been the subjects of missionary labor almost from the period of the first settlements by Europeans. Eliot's mission to the Indians of Massachusetts was be- gun in 1646. The French Catholic mission to the na- tives of Canada dates back to 1613. Spanish missions were commenced in Florida in 1566, in New Jlexico in 1597, and in California in 1697. The vast extent of the continent, the lack of national affiliation among the nu- merous native tribes, the imperfection and multiplicity of languages, together with the extreme unsusceptibil- ity of American Indians to the influences and habits of civilized life, have rendered this class of missions pecul- iarly 'difficult. Nevertheless thej' have been prosecut- ed by Christians of various denominations with a zeal and perseverance that have not been without encourag- ing results, both as to individuals and communities. A full history of these missions has never been v/ritten, yet many volumes have been filled with sketches em- bodj'ing material for such a history. In no part of the world have there been greater personal sacrifices or more diligent toil to Christianize savages with resiUts less proportioned to the efforts made. Without enu- merating or discussing causes, the fact must be recog- nised that throughout the whole continent the aborig- inal races are dying out to an extent that leaves little present prospect of any considerable remnants being perpetuated in the form of permanent Christian com- munities. Still missions are maintained in the Indian territories and reservations, and the government of the United States is effectively co-operating with them to accomplish all that may be done for the Christian civil- ization of the Indians and Indian tribes that remain. The Canadian government also maintains a similar attitude towards the Indian missions within its boundaries. See Tracy, Eliot, and jNIayhew, Gospel among the Indians; Lives of Eliot and Brainerd; Mather, History of New England; Gookin, Christian Indians of New England; Shea, Catholic Missions; Kip, Early Jesuit Missiona- ries; Winslow, Progress of the Gospel in New England; Hallet, Indians of North America; Heckewelder, Mis- sions among the Delaivares and Mohicam ; tiatrobe, Moravian Missions in North America; Loskiel, Mora- vian Missions in North America; Hawkins, Episcopal Missions in North American Colonies; M'Coy, Baptist Indian Missions ; Finley, Wyandot Mission; Hines, 7«- dian Missions in Oregon; Pitezel, Mission Life on Lake Superior ; Jones, Ojibway Imlians ; West, Mission to the Indians of the British Provinces; Marsden, Mission to Nova Scotia ; Clnirehlll. Missionary Life in Nova Scotia ; Ryerson, Hudson's Bay Mission ; Tucker, Rainbow in the North; De Schweinitz, /.//(' of Zeisberger.
23. The United States and Canada. — In no part of the world is there more enlightened and perseveruig activ-
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ity in missionary effort than in these great Christian countries. To them the tide of emigration has been flowing from Kurope for a hundred years, and of late it has set in from Asia. Hence, in addition to the provi- dential call upon American Christians for efforts to evangelize the Indians of their forests, tlicre has been even a louder call upon them to teach the (iospcl to the foreign ijopulatiinis in their midst, including the Afri- can slaves and their descendants. In recognition of this call, missions have been prosecuted with great ef- fect among the German and Scandinavian populations, tlie fruits of which are already seen in the American missions to Europe. Missions have also been prosecuted to some extent among the French in America and their descendants, but with less success. Hut, as the ten- dency is strong towards the mingling of all nationalities in a homogeneous American population, the greatest re- sidts have been secured in the normal spreading of the various churches on the ever-enlarging frontier, and in the accumulating masses of our ever-growing cities. In this work of home evangelization, Sunday-schools [see Si;ni)Ay-sciiools] have served as a most efficient aux- iliary. In addition to the various general and local liomc missionary societies, there have been missions to seamen in the ocean ports and along the inland waters of the nation, and also especially, since the extinction of slaven,', to the freedmen of the South. Kecently effi- cient missions have been established among the Chinese in California.