68

...

God leads His servants confidently to repose on His Almighty Arin.

After describing some of the atrocious acts which they were compelled to witness, one of the Settlers writes

Dear Sir-These scenes of cruelty are very distressing to our feelings; and more than we could bear, were it not for the promises of God's blessed Word. To support us when cast down, our Lord has said, Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. We need great faith to enable us to stand our ground. At present we can do but little in forwarding the spiritual objects of the Society. The native spirit is reviving: I be. lieve that they have a greater thirst for blood than ever; and until the Lord by His grace change their hearts, they will remain the same. :

Who can read without deep emotion, in the following passages, the contrast of diabolical superstition and cruelty with the heavenly spirit of a Christian !—

Jan. 9, 1822.-Shunghee came this morning to have his wounds dressed; having been tatooed afresh upon his thigh, which is much inflamed. His eldest Daughter, the widow of Tettee, who fell in the expedition, shot herself this day, through the fleshy part of the arm, with two balls: she intended to make away with herself; but we suppose that, in the agitation of pulling the trigger with her toe, the muzzle of the musket was removed from the fatal part.

They shot another poor Slave yesterday, and ate her-a girl about ten years old. The brother of Tettee shot at her with a pistol, and only wounded her; when one of Shunghee's little children knocked her on the head! We had heard of the girl's being killed; and when we went to dress the wounds of Tettee's widow we inquired if it was so, when they laughingly told us that they were hungry, and that they killed and ate her with some sweet potatoes, with as little concern as they would have shown had they mentioned the killing of a fowl or a goat. "These are scenes which have never before taken place, under the eye of Europeans, since the Mission was established. The late events have made the people dreadfully familiar with human blood. They pay no regard to our feelings; but seem rather bent on disgusting us. There is a inystery in their way of acting which I cannot unravel. It is suf. ficient for me that my gracious Lord knows what is in every heart; and He will do all things well. To His Name be glory and praise! If I am killed and eaten by these ferocious men, I know that my Saviour will find my poor body at the Last Day!

With the hopes and prayer of another Labourer, we shall close this melancholy detail:

I do hope and pray, notwithstanding every difficulty, that the Lord will enable me to keep my ground among this people: and finally of His goodness and mercy, bless the cause which we have in hand; and in His own good time, make these habitations of cruelty the quiet and peaceable dwellings of harmony and love.

We had sent the preceding statements to press, when a Letter arrived from Mr. Marsden, of so late a date as the 8th of

September. It appears that none of the Missionaries had been obliged to quit their posts. Mr. Marsden says

I greatly lament the evils which have taken place, but they do not make me despair. I have no doubt but that the New-Zealanders will, in due time, become a Civilized Nation. God will deliver them from the dominion of the Prince of this World, and they shall see His Salvation. The way is still open, if Labourers can only be procured fit for the work; and God will find these and send them forth, when He sees meet. You have some very pious La. bourers, some excellent ones of the earth, in New Zealand, whom the Lord will assuredly bless. We must not sow and expect to reap the same day. When it shall please God to pour out His Spirit on the inhabitants of New Zealand, then will His Word have effect indeed.

To Mr. Leigh, who has proceeded to New Zealand from the Wesleyan Missiobears an nary Society, Mr. Marsden honourable testimony:

:

Mr. Leigh will be a great stay to the Cause of God, when he is settled at his own Station in New Zealand. The Rev. Mr. White is arrived, and will join him the first opportunity. Mr. Leigh always laboured hard and prudently, while stationed in this Colony as a Missionary, and was much esteemed.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
1822.

Samuel Leigh, Missionary.

Mr. and Mrs. Leigh arrived at the Bay of Islands in January. At pp. 350 and 351 of our last Volume, we gave an extract of one of his Letters, which contains a distressing account of the state of the country.

Mr. and Mrs. Turner and Mr. White, who were to join Mr. Leigh in this Mis sion, at some Station distant from those of the Church Missionary Society, had arrived at Port Jackson.

In reference to Mr. Leigh's account of the cruelties which he witnessed, the Committee remark

The wretched state of the inhabitants presents a deeply-affecting picture of the effects of human corruption, and of the necessity of the Gospel. In no place are its pacific influences more pathetically invoked, by the groans and sufferings of the victims of barbarous cruelty and infuriate passions; and in no part of the earth, will its triumphs, as the Gospel of Peace and Salvation, be more strongly marked, or appeal with more powerful and delightful effect to the feelings of our common humanity. For diffi culties and dangers, in such a Mission, our minds must be prepared; but the relations which follow will give the case of these Heathen a deeper interest in our pity and our zeal: and the prayers and contributions of our friends will, we doubf not, ultimately receive an abundant reward, in the moral changes which our Divine Religion will there effect. Even in New Zealand, the promise shall be fulfilled They shall not hurt nor destroy.

Polynesia.

Georgian Eslands.

A groupe of Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Otaheite, the principal Island, is in extent about 30 miles by 20-Eimeo, 10 by 5; and 20 north-west of Otaheite Tetaroa, is a number of low islets within ■ reef, 30 miles in circuit; and 30 miles westward

of-north from Otaheite-Tapua manu is 'miles long, and 30 west of Otaheite. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1797.

The Deputation, appointed to visit the Society's Missions in the Georgian and

Society Islands, arrived at Otaheite, with
Mr. Jones and the Artizans, in the lat-
The pro-
ter part of September 1821.
mising state in which they found the Mis-
sions in both groupes was detailed, from
their communications, at pp. 396-398,
485, and 486 of our last Volume; and at
pp. 531 and 532 were given a view of the
New Code of Laws, under which the Geor.
gian Islands are now governed.

Artisans:

Elijah Armitage, T. Blossom.

The deaths of Mr. Bicknell and Mr. Tessier were stated in the former Survey. Obituaries were given of them at pp. 353. and 354 of the last Volume.

EIMEO.

W. Henry, G. Platt, Missionaries. In April 1821, there were about 100 King Pomare received the Deputation Communicants: six of them had been apwith the utmost kindness. He was indis-pointed as Native Teachers, and all posed at the time of their arrival; and died at Otaheite, on the 7th of December, while they were at Huaheine. The Missionaries say of him

What he was, as to his religion and Christian character, we leave with Him who judgeth righteously, and would remember with gratitude to God, the countenance, protection, and favour, which the Mission long enjoyed under his government.

Some passages from a recent Letter of Mr. Tyerman, one of the Deputation, give an animating view of the whole Mission:

Civilization is making rapid progress. Crimes of all kinds are almost unknown. Encourage missionary exertions and missionary prayers. If any are relaxing in these respects, or are unbelievers in the importance of missionary exertions, send them hither. I should not have thought the sufferings and inconvenience of going ten times round the world too much to be endured, for the sake of seeing what God has wrought in these idolatrous countries. We hope to see all the islands which have embraced Christianity before we return. Thirteen are known where the people have abandoned their idols and received the truth. Other islands are petitioning for Missionaries. Indeed, if Missionaries could be found, there is every reason to hope that all the islands in this vast ocean would immediately embrace the truth.

The change which has taken place among these people is what most of all delights me and fills me with astonishment. What you have read is all true. All the stations that we have seen are in the most flourishing circumstances. All the congregations are large. The profession lof Christianity is universal: scarcely is the individual known, who does not attend three times every Lord's Day at public worship. The behaviour of the Taheitan Congregations is not excelled by any in England. All is solemn all, apparently, is devotional. You would be charmed with a Taheitan Sabbath. No doubt much of this is nothing but profession; but that there is a great deal of vital piety, I doubt not.

The Missionaries are aware of the necessity for caution. They write

There are many candidates for baptism: but we have some fear that the desire of many to partake of Divine Ordinances is more for the sake of dis

tinction among their countrymen than for Gospel privileges and spiritual blessings.

Most of the statements in the last Report of the Directors, relative to the different Stations in both groupes, were anticipated, from the correspondence of the Missionaries, in the full account which we gave of them in our last Survey. Where any additional information has appeared, we shall notice it,

OTAHEITE.
Missionaries:

Robert Bourne, W. Pascoe Crook, David Darling, J. Davies, James Hayward, T. Jones, H. Nott, C. Wilson.

promised well: at every place the people receive them gladly. The Missionaries, on their journeys round this island, are uniformly welcomed with joy: on these tours, besides preaching and exhortation, they make particular inquiries into the state of religion, and take the names of those whom they deem proper Candidates for Baptism.

The attendance of Adults and Children at the School is good, and their improvement rapid.

A visible improvement had,` of late, taken place in the conduct and manner of the people: their attendance on Public Worship and other means of religious instruction was encouraging.

Society Eslands.

Of this groupe of Islands, which lies north-west of the Georgian, Huaheine is 20 miles in circuit, and 90 from Otaheite-Raiatea is from 15 to 20 miles west-south-west of Huaheine, and more than double its extent-Taha is 3 or 4 miles north of Raiatea, and about half its size; both enclosed in one reel-Borabora is 12 or 14 miles north-west of Talia, of less circuit, but surrounded by a reef full of populous islands-Tubai is a cluster of islets, a few miles north of Borabora; and Marua a small island westward of Borabora.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

1818. HUAHEINE.

C. Barff, W. Ellis, Missionaries. The Third Anniversary of the Auxili ary Society was held May 9 and 10, 1821. The contributions amounted to 12 balls of arrow-root, and 6349 bamboos of cocoanut oil-each bamboo containing, on the average, about half a gallon.

A Code of Laws, adopted in several of the Society Islands, had been printed and distributed: it consists of Twenty-five Articles, in the last of which Trial by Jury is instituted. The Press was also employed on the Gospel of St. John and other publications.

Of a Public Examination of the Scholars the following interesting account is given:

On the day after the General Meeting of the Auxiliary Society, the people again assembled in the place of worship, which was nearly as much crowded as on the former days. The object of the Meeting was to catechize publicly some of the School Children. Two of the Female Children repeated

the whole of the 25th Chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. Six of the Boys repeated the 16th chapter

罪

We have made some advances in horticulture; and can have, through the year, most of the American Vegetables, besides others common to the islands. We have manufactured some sugar, and the greater part of the molasses which we have used since our arrival.

Our progress in the language has not been rapid, but such as with perseverance will ensure success We are blessed with the privilege of quietly attending our public and private duties; and have hoped, that, ere long, the light of the blessed Sabbath will dawn on this benighted island. Tamoree has assured us of his willingness to keep that sacred day, and that he wishes only for the appro

bation of Reho-reho. John Honooree is now with us, by whose assistance we are permitted to tell these poor Heathen of Christ, and the way of salvatiou.

If we do not wholly mistake the indications of Providence, there are tokens for good to this people; and while we call on our friends and patrons to unite with us in gratitude to our Redeemer, they will not forget, that we need a helper, leader, counsellor-one, who shall feed us with the bread of life. It is more than six months, since we sat under the sound of the preached Gospel; and with the keepest emotions we tell you, that we long, yea, even faint for the courts of our God.

South America.

THE separation of the Colonies of this Continent from the Mother States of Europe, and the rapid progress among them of Knowledge and Liberty, are opening a way for the diffusion of Christian Truth and all its attendant blessings, beyond any expectation that the most ardent mind could, a few years since, have reasonably formed. From Columbia to Patagonia, through the whole extent of this immense Continent, covered until these days as with the shadow of death, the germ of intellectual and moral life is beginning to expand. We adore, in grateful surprise, the working of the Almighty Iland in preparing these vast regions for a participation in those blessings which shall assuredly come on the whole world.

The provision made by the rising States of this Quarter of the Globe for securing General Education and for the gradual Abolition of Slavery, are, at once, strong indications of improving knowledge and principles, and among the best means to confirm and extend such improvement. On this last subject, the Abolition of Slavery, we quote, with much pleasure, a passage from the last Report of the African Institution:

Throughout the whole range of Spanish America, now become independent, not only has the Slave Trade been effectually prohibited, but the very incentive to this crime has been removed, by providing for the early and gradual Abolition of Slavery itself. All persons of every colour, born subjects of the Independent States, have been declared free from their birth. And whatever other variations may appear in the a plan of the Constitutions to be adopted by the several Independent Governments, all have agreed, that difference of colour shall not produce any difference in the civil condition of their subjects.

The Christian Societies of this country and those of the United States, are on the watch to embrace every opportunity of promoting the emancipation of this Continent, not only from the fetters which have galled the limbs of its oppressed inhabitants, but from the tyranny of the God of this World, which has still more fatally enslaved and ruined their souls; and they have good encouragement in this benevolent labour.

The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society state, that, in various parts of this Continent, the Spanish and Portuguese Scriptures are sought with eagerness and received with gratitude: the American Bible Society, entering zealously into the religious interests of South America, has circulated great numbers of Spanish Testaments, and finds the facilities for effecting this object continually increasing; while the Board express their detern ination, to improve to the utmost every opportunity of communicating the Scriptures to the multitudes who till lately possessed scarcely a single copy.

Chili.
SANTIAGO.

EDUCATION SOCIETIES.

The arrival and favourable reception of Mr. James Thomson at Santiago were stated in the last Survey. The Committee of the British and Foreign School Society

report:

Mr. Eaton, who studied the British System in

the Central School, for the purpose of establishing Schools in Chili, arrived at Santiago in September, and was favourably received by the Supreme Director of that Government. He was engaged immediately to superintend a School for 150 Boys: another School, on a larger scale, was also opened, in rooms provided by Government; and two other Schools were in progress, to be established in the Literary Institution.

blishing the System at Santiago, was proceeding to Peru, in his most useful career. He finds every where considerable anxiety to receive instruction

Mr. Thompson, having succeeded so far in esta

and is determined to visit all the States of South America, with a view to examine into and promote the means of education on the British System.

La Plata.

BUENOS AYRES.

EDUCATION SOCIETIES. When Mr. Thomson proceeded to Santiago, he committed the Schools at Buenos Ayres to the care of an intelligent and ac. tive man, a native of the country: but no accounts of his proceedings have appeared. Guiana.

The latest return of numbers in this Mission shews a considerable increase :The Congregation consists of 1295 persons: of these, 53 are Candidates for Baptism, 110 New People, and 109 Baptized Members living dispersed on various plantations. In 1821, there were 96 Adults and 17 Children baptized.

The Brethren thus state their practice, with reference to a particular class of the people: it may furnish a hint to other Labourers!

We always give the New People and Candidates for Baptism an opportunity to come and converse with us. Some Negroes avail themselves of it, who are not able to tell us why they come; and who do not show the smallest trace of that knowledge of themselves, which would make them seek spiritual comfort or advice. But we admit them all; and improve the opportunity to make them attentive to those things which concern the salvation of their souls, as we find that frequently the Lord grants to our words His blessing.

of the Gospel by St. Luke. The children being neatly dressed presented a sight highly gratifying.

The Chiefs and people generally appeared deeply interested, and earnestly entreated that a similar Meeting might be held in the month of May every year, in order to stimulate their children in learning the Word of God, and to instil it into their minds.

The children were afterwards conducted to a

place on the side of a mountain, to partake of refreshments provided for them by the Chiefs and people. They were seated on the grass, in the form of a circle; the Female Children, with their female Teachers, on one side; and the Boys, with their Teachers, on the other. The Chiefs and parents of the children, together with the Missionaries, occupied the centre.

When the repast was ended, and thanks were returned, Mr. Ellis gave an appropriate exhortation, and one of the Natives concluded with prayer. All departed to their habitations, apparently much pleased with the occurrences of the day. The number of children present was 350, of whom 120 were Girls.

-

RAIATEA.

L. E. Threlkeld, John Williams,

Missionaries.

At pp. 533-535 of our last Volume, a series of Extracts from the Addresses of the Natives at one of their Public Meetings was given; and at pp. 535 and 536 some indications of the spirit with which the Reformation of the Laws was proceeding.

A Society has been formed among the Communicants for promoting the extension of the Gospel. The subscriptions had amounted to 1050 measures of arrowroot, each containing upward of 6lbs. avoirdupoise.

BORABORA.

J. M. Orsmond, Missionary. This Island renounced Idolatry with the rest of the groupe in 1816. Mr. Orsmond, in compliance with the wishes of many of the Natives who had long been desirous of a Missionary, settled among them in November 1820. The inhabitants were formerly noted for more daring ferocity than those of any of the neighbouring islands; all of whom, at one time, they held in subjection. The prospects are

now

very promising, and the Natives advancing in civilization.

RAIVAIVAI AND RURUTU. The knowledge of Christianity has extended from the Georgian and Society to another of the countless Groupes of Islands which are found in the Pacific Ocean. Of the Reception of the Gospel, by means of Otaheite, at RAIVAIVAI, we gave an account at pp. 552 and 533 of the last Volume; and of the Renunciation of Idolatry at RURUTU, by means of intercourse with Raiatea, at pp. 536–539.

Raivaivai lies, it is said, about 400 miles from Otaheite, in a south-easterly direction; and Rurutu 350 miles east-southeast of Raiatea. The groupe, of which

these two islands form a part, is stated by Auura, a Chief of Rurutu, to consist of six islands-Raivaivai, Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatora, Rarotoa, and Rutui: which he describes as being all out of sight of one another, which is probable if the above bearings and distances be correct. He represents Raivaivai as the largest, and, Tubuai as the most desirable; and says that the inhabitants of the whole groupe bear a resemblance to one another.

Sandwich Islands.

Of these Islands, Owhyhee lies to the south-east of
the rest, which extend from it west-north-west.
Owhyhee is 97 miles by 78: the following is the
measurement of the other Islands, with the dis-
tances of their nearest points from the nearest
point of Owhyhee :-Mowee, 48 miles by 29, distant
30: Tahoorowa, 11 by 8, distant 38: Ranai, 17 by 9,
distant 60: Morotoi, 40 by 7, distant 75: Woahoo,
46 by 23, distant 130: Atooi, 33 by 28, distant 250:
Oneehow, 20 by 7, distant 290. Tahoora, little
more than a rock, is 23 miles south-west of Onee-
how. The distance from the eastern point of
Owhyhee to the north-western side of Onechow
is about 390 miles.

AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS.
1820.

The Missionary Stations are now confined to the islands of Woahoo and Atooi; that in Owhyhee having been given up, in consequence of the removal of the King, Reho-reho, to Woahoo.

Another Native Youth, brought up in the Foreign Mission School, George Sandwich, arrived from America, April 20, 1821, to assist in the Mission. Dr. Holman has been separated from the Mission." see p. 303 of our last Volume.

Messrs W. Richards and Artemas Bishop were ordained at New Haven, Sept. 12, 1822, to labour in these Islands: a strong reinforcement of the Mission was in preparation in America, consisting, with these Missionaries, of no less than Thirty Persons.

On the want of additional assistance, the Missionaries say—

The prospect of more extensive usefulness is brightening; and we have good ground for believ ing, that a great and glorious harvest of souls will be gathered from this now wretched and degraded people. We could find employment for many more Missionaries; and, in a few years, should the Lord prosper our efforts, we shall need a host of faithful servants of the Lord Jesus. Many such we shall need, to complete the work which God, in His providence, has permitted us to commence.

In July 1821, the fund for the support of Orphan Children amounted to more than 2000 dollars: this fund had been raised chiefly among the visitors. Of the advantages and disadvantages attending the Mission, from the conduct of the visitors and resident foreigners, the Board say

Though the Missionaries had experienced many acts of kindness from various classes of persons at the islands, yet there had been instances of opposition to the progress of Divine Truth. It is well