so, that they do not seem to have much desire to return to their own land. They work with the teachers in the plantations, and seem quite at home and happy among them. We have begun to teach them to read and write. They have made but little progress as yet; but we have no doubt they will make much more from this time than it was possible for them to do at first, and will also, we hope, have their minds, in some degree, enlightened and impressed with the great truths of our holy religion, before they are taken back to their own country. They are at present all in good health. Our earnest prayer is, that they will all be spared till the next voyage of the John Williams, when we shall, most likely, see fit to take them back to Erromanga, and with them, if possible, some suitable teachers, to make another attempt to commence missionary labours on that memorable island.

"The two natives of Savage Island, who

were also brought here last voyage of the John Williams, are in good health, and feel comfortable and happy with us at Malua. They understand things better, and have made more progress in reading and writing, than the Erromangans, the language and customs of their island being much more like those of Samoa than the Erromangan. We have had another young man with us from Savage Island for some years. He is a candidate for church-membership. Though he is not naturally of very bright parts, yet, as far as his knowledge extends, he is very consistent and exemplary in his conduct, and we have every reason to hope that he will become a faithful, steady, and useful Christian. If these three should be spared to return to their own land, they will, no doubt, be instrumental in producing very favourable impressions on the minds of their countrymen, and render valuable assistance to the teachers in their work."

DEPARTURE OF THE "JOHN WILLIAMS."

PRELIMINARY SERVICE.

A VALEDICTORY service in connexion with this interesting event was held at Finsbury Chapel, on the evening of Thursday, the 10th ult., and the friends who assembled to testify their affectionate solicitude in behalf of the Missionaries, evinced throughout the liveliest interest in the sacred solemnity.

The Rev. E. Mannering commenced the exercises by giving out the 12th Hymn, Missionary Collection. The Rev. J. Adey read the 55th chapter of Isaiah, and part of the 20th chapter of Acts, and then engaged in prayer. The Rev. J. J. Freeman having, in a brief address, introduced the brethren and sisters to the Meeting, the Rev. D. Darling, of Tahiti, and the Rev. A. Buzacott, of Rarotonga, severally replied, and, by their manner and bearing, no less than by their voluntary act of returning to the field of conflict, manifested their unabated attachment to the service of Christ among the heathen.

Mr. Darling took occasion to describe the abject state in which he found the people of Tahiti when, thirty-five years ago, they were just emerging from heathenism, and the happy contrast which, through the benign influence of Christianity, the island now presented. By the intrusion of a foreign power, the political and civil rights of the island had indeed been compromised, but the Queen Pomare remained faithful to the Missionaries; and so greatly had God prospered their labours, that, notwithstanding the severe trials with which the Mission had been exercised, there were at present twelve native churches and twenty schools in effective operation.

Mr. Buzacott, in his address, took a similar review of the signal and happy change which the island of Rarotonga had undergone since the commencement of his labours in 1827; mentioning, as a significant fact, that, since the gospel

had been embraced by its inhabitants, no fewer than 109 of the converts had gone forth as evangelists to various islands of the South Seas, many of whom were still labouring in the high places of the field: some had spent their lives in the work; others had become martyrs; and the rest, having accomplished the object of their Mission, had returned to their native land, steadily attached to the gospel, and living in accordance with its holy precepts.

The Rev. Dr. Leifchild, in an effective address to the Missionaries and their wives, expressed, first, the deep emotion with which he and the assembled Meeting regarded their approaching departure to the field of labour;-he then adverted to the great social and moral movements that were in progress throughout the civilized world, and, after remarking upon the singular exemption of Britain from the calamities which had overtaken the nations of the Continent, he showed that, even in the judgment of thinking and candid 'foreigners, this exemption was attributable to the prevalence of more deeply-seated religious convictions among our people; and, though we had our own peculiar causes of apprehension and anxiety with regard to the future, the signs of the times were clearly indicative of the near approach of a great crisis in the world's history. In the meanwhile, we had ample proof that God had blessed, and was abundantly blessing, the efforts put forth by his people for the establishment of Christ's su premacy over the nations of the earth; and Dr. Leifchild pointed to the trophies of the South Sea Mission, as a visible token of the reality of the work in progress. He then adverted to the wide and growing diffusion of the Missionary spirit among the young, of which the noble response they had given, on two separate occasions, to the appeals on behalf of the Ship, furnished a signal proof; and, as a stimulus and encouragement to them to persevere in the good work, their thoughts were directed forward to the dawn of that brighter day which the church was led to anticipate, and which some of them might live to witness. In conclusion, Dr. Leifchild addressed a few words of affectionate counsel and sympathy to the wives of the Missionaries, showing, by reference to the examples in Holy Writ, what singular honour and privilege were conferred upon pious females who devoted themselves to the service of the Saviour.

The Meeting then closed with prayer.

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PROCEEDINGS ON BOARD THE METEOR STEAMER.

The Directors, from a desire not only to testify their own respect and sympathy for the Missionary band going forth in the John Williams, on this her third series of voyages to the islands of the Pacific, but also to gratify those friends who might wish to accompany them to the ship, engaged the Meteor steamer for that purpose.

At half past ten on Tuesday morning, the 15th ult., the Missionaries and their wives, together with a large company of friends, assembled on the deck of the steamer, below London Bridge; and, from the interest of the occasion, it is almost needless to add that the scene on board, and also on the quay, where great numbers of eager spectators were in attendance, was highly animating. Proceeding down the river, the steamer touched at Blackwall Pier, where the company was reinforced by a large accession of friends, who were there waiting to embark, and who swelled the total number on board to above four hundred.

As the incidents attending a water excursion to Gravesend are pretty well known to most of our readers, it will suffice to remark, that the passage down was as delightful as the free and unrestrained intercourse of Christian friends, and the

reciprocation of kindly and benevolent feelings, aided by the influence of a bright and sunny day, could combine to make it.

The John Williams was lying at anchor about a mile below Gravesend, and, with all her streamers flying, presented a striking object to the eager gaze of the company on board the steamer. On coming alongside, the excellent Captain Morgan joined the friends on the steamer, and arrangements were promptly made for holding the valedictory service. The ministers who were to bear part in it having taken up their position on the quarter-deck, surrounded by the Missionary party, and as many of the friends as could be accommodated, the service was opened by the Rev. J. J. Freeman giving out the 119th Hymn in the Missionary Collection" Ye messengers of Christ," &c. The hymn having been sung, the Rev. E. Mannering offered prayer. Another hymn was then sung-the 120th, Missionary Collection-" Father of mercies, condescend," &c.-after which the Rev. Dr. Morison proceeded to address the Missionaries and their wives.

In opening his address, which was delivered throughout with great force and animation, Dr. Morison took occasion to advert to the two memorable occasions on which the ship Duff, on the 10th of August, 1796, and the Camden, on the 7th April, 1838, set sail for the Islands of the South Seas. He then proceeded to remind the Missionaries of the reciprocal obligations which they and the Directors and friends of the Society owed to each other. He assured the Missionaries that, on their departure for their great enterprise, they would be followed by the affectionate solicitudes and earnest prayers of the friends they left behind. He next exhorted them to the cultivation, during the voyage, of every holy temper and affection, so that the Missionary Ship might exhibit a scene of Christian love and devotion, and all their mutual intercourse be "sanctified by the Word of God and by prayer." He further expressed the hope and confidence that they would be prepared, by the grace of God, to enter upon their allotted spheres of honourable toil-the veteran Missionaries, with undiminished ardour; and those who were girding on their armour for the first time, with holy and emulative zeal. Dr. Morison then reminded the brethren and sisters that the friends with whom they were so shortly to part, hoped to meet them in heaven, there to rejoice with them in the results of their mission of mercy to the perishing heathen; and, in conclusion, he addressed a few impressive words to the unconverted, reminding them that, without a change of heart, they could have no hope of meeting their Missionary brethren in heaven.

The Rev. J. Burnet closed the service with prayer.

After an affecting scene at parting, between the Missionaries and their friends, the signal was given for a last farewell, and, after making the circuit of the Missionary Ship, and saluting the dear friends on her deck so long as they remained in sight, the steamer, with her company, returned to London.

The Missionary party who have sailed in the John Williams consist of the Rev. D. Darling, Mrs. and Miss Darling, returning to Tahiti; the Rev. A. Buzacott, Mrs. and Miss Buzacott, returning to Rarotonga; Rev. W. Lind and Mrs. Lind, Rev. G. Spencer and Mrs. Spencer, appointed to Tahiti; Rev. W. W. Gill, appointed to Mangaia, Hervey Islands; and Rev. W. Law and Mrs. Law, appointed to Samoa. Miss Cobden, the sister of Mrs. Murray, of the Samoan Mission, is also proceeding to the same destination. The Directors have likewise granted passages to Miss Barff and Miss Simpson, daughters of Missionaries. Miss Ross, the sister of their respected agent, the Rev. Dr. Ross, has also sailed in her to Sydney.

The Missionary Ship, besides being freighted with ample supplies for the various islands, carries out five thousand copies of the Rarotongan Scriptures, which have been printed in this country under the auspices of the Bible Society.

It is intended that the period of the Ship's absence from England shall be exended to four years, instead of three, as heretofore.

ORDINATION OF FOUR MISSIONARIES FOR
POLYNESIA.

Mr. George Spencer, late student at Hackney College, was ordained at North-street Chapel, Taunton, on Tuesday, June 10th. Rev. J. Taylor, of Fulwood, commenced the service by reading the Scriptures, and prayer. The introductory discourse was delivered by Rev. H. Addiscott, of Taunton; Rev. Richard Penman proposed the usual questions; Rev. H. Quick, of Taunton, offered the ordination prayer; and the charge was delivered by Rev. J. Watson, of Hackney College.

Mr. Wm. A. Lind, late student at Hackney College, was ordained at Orange-street Chapel, London, on Thursday, June 12th, when the following ministers engaged: Reading and prayer, by Rev. S. Ransom, of Hackney College; introductory address, by Rev. J. J. Freeman; followed by a brief account of the field of labour, by Rev. D. Darling, who alsa proposed the usual questions: Rev. S. Luke offered the ordination prayer; Rev. J. Watson delivered the charge; and Rev. A. Buzacott concluded the service.

Mr. Wm. Law was ordained at Rotherham on Wednesday, June 25th. Rev. E. Jukes described the field of labour; Rev. Dr. Loxton, of Sheffield, asked the questions; Rev F. J. Falding, Tutor of Rotherham College, offered prayer; Rev. J. H. Muir, of Sheffield, (in the unavoidable absence of Dr. Stowell,) delivered the charge; and Rev. J. C. Harrison, Camden Town, addressed the congregation. Rev. A. Raleigh, of Rotherham, with other ministers, also took part in the service.

Mr. Wm. Gill, late student at New College, London, was ordained at Spafields Chapel, on Friday, July 11th. The following was the order of the service: reading and prayer, by Rev. W. Lacy; description of the field of labour, by Rev. A. Buzacott; questions, by Rev. E. Prout; ordination prayer, by Rev. T. E. Thoresby; and charge, by Rev. G. Smith.

ARRIVALS.

Mrs. Sugden, the wife of Rev. John Sugden, of the Bangalore Mission, arrived in London, from India, April 4th.

Rev. T. H. Clark and family, accompanied by Mrs. Alloway and children, arrived in London, per Albion, from Jamaica, July 12th.

LONDON: REED AND PARDON, PRINTERS, PATERNOSTER ROW.