dest, and consistent behaviour. The other, Jessie, was placed in the school by her heathen mother. She reads and writes English and Teloogoo nicely, and is a sensible and well-behaved child. Both these children were baptized at their own particular desire." POLYNESIA. NEW HEBRIDES. THE Opportunities of communicating with this remote group being of rare occurrence, the latest intelligence is not of very recent date; but we feel pleasure in giving the following interesting particulars transmitted to our Missionaries in Samoa by the Rev. John Geddie, of the Nova Scotia Mission, now labouring at Aneiteum, New Hebrides, respecting the Mission in that island, together with some brief notices of the labours of our teachers in the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. Under date October, 1850, Mr. Geddie writes: "We have now entered on the third year of our Mission. In taking a review of the past, though we cannot discover marks of signal success, yet we can see enough to cause us to thank God and take courage for the future. During the first year of our residence on this island, the average attendance on our Sabbath-day services, after the first excitement was over, was about ten persons. The average attendance for the second year has been about forty-five. Our third year commences well, for, as yet, the number has been about eighty. It has all along been our practice to itinerate on the Sabbath-day; and thus we have access to many who do not attend our public instructions. I will now give you a very brief outline of my labours. THE SABBATH. "The Sabbath is, of course, our most important day. At half-past eight o'clock A.M. we meet for Divine service. The conduct of the natives in the chapel is, in general, decorous, and any impropriety now meets with such marks of disapprobation from the audience at large as seldom to require any rebuke on my part. At ten o'clock A.M. our Sabbath-school meets. Mrs. Geddie attends to the females, while I take the men and boys. Attendance in all, about fortyfive. At four o'clock P.M., we again asseinble for worship. I give a short sermon or address, and call on one of the natives, whom I have previously instructed to prepare himself, to give a short address also. There are three natives whom I can now call on, with some degree of confidence, to address their countrymen. Their addresses are very simple, pathetic, and effective. It would warm your hearts, could you hear these poor islanders, who have but just emerged from heathenism themselves, pleading with their 'brethren, their kinsmen according to the flesh,' to abandon their superstitions and turn to the Lord. CHRISTIAN CHURCH. "I have said but little, as yet, about the organization of a Christian church in this dark land. My object all along has been to lead the natives to 'Jesus, as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world;" but it is time now to direct their thoughts to the observance of all the Redeemer's commands and ordinances. Though I write thus, it is not my design either speedily or hastily to dispense the sealing ordinances of religion. I must know far more about native character; and I begin to feel already, that it is a difficult matter to form a just estimate of native piety. We see so much in the poor natives to admire, and yet so much to condemn, that our hopes alternately rise and fall. SCHOOLS. "Our efforts at schools have not been encouraging. The natives do not appreciate the value of being able to read, and, therefore, they are unwilling to spend the time and labour needful to this acquisition. After much patience, however, we have made a few readers, and others are coming on. But we must not be discouraged. A great many of the natives who never come to us, during the week, for instruction, know their letters, and even small words. They appear to teach each other in their own houses. I am of opinion, that the business of teaching will come on us suddenly, at no distant day; and when it does, it will be heavy work. The religious instructions of the natives must beget in them a desire to be able to read 'the wonderful works of God, in their own tongue.' "Many of the natives have thoroughly abandoned their superstitions, and, professedly at least, are worshippers of the true God. Family worship is regularly observed in many houses. A few, I trust, are not far from the kingdom of God. Several of the natives have lately cut off their long hair, and say that they wish to give up all their dark customs. The little party who have joined us are objects of deep interest, and awaken our most anxious solicitude. How very peculiar and perilous is their situation! They have not yet any portion of God's Word in their own language, and on verbal instructions, communicated very imperfectly to them, they are entirely dependent for their knowledge of saving truth. All surrounding influences are likewise of an adverse character. May Israel's Shepherd feed them and keep them! OPPOSITION. "You must not infer, from the account which I have given you of our labours and partial success, that we have been permitted to go quietly on. Our infant Mission has encountered a degree of hostility from various sources, which might have vanquished any other than a Divine cause. But the history of this Mission is not singular in this respect; for where is the Mission in which the first labourers have not 'sowed in tears?' But, after all, when I think of the arduous field on which we labour, and the severe adverse influences at work, I feel thankful to God that we have not more to endure. Satan will not give up his dominion over a people who, from time immemorial, have been enthralled in the bonds of a debasing superstition, without a struggle. How cheering to know, that He who is for us is greater than those who are against us! You will not be surprised to learn, that many of the heathen party have taken the alarm. They understand now that we aim at nothing less than the establishment of Christianity on the ruins of heathenism. A degree of feeling has, therefore, arisen between those who have avowedly abandoned heathenism and those who are still its votaries. INDISCRETION OF YOUNG CONVERTS. "I fear that the Christian party are not always prudent in their intercourse with the heathen. They have just given up heathen ism themselves, and now that they see their former folly, it is no wonder that they speak of the old system in a way that is displeasing to its friends. But this is not all; indiscreet acts are sometimes committed. One of my neighbours, not long since, went to a sacred grove, broke down the altar on which offerings are presented to the gods, and cooked his food with it. Another altar was also broken down by a party of women; and they felt themselves justified in the act, because they saw the fragment of a Samoan canoe in it. Our servant boys are likewise blamed for eating the bananas, and destroying other food given in offering to the gods; and, I fear, they are not guiltless. act, at one time, would have been regarded as the certain forerunner of death. But a more serious affair than all occurred some time ago. We were making some alterations on our premises, and sent off a few natives for wood. They found some, very convenient for our purpose, in a spot that has been held sacred from time immemorial. Fearless of the spirits who inhabited it, they Such an set heartily to work, and cut all that they wanted. As soon as the heathen party found it out, they were filled with horror and rage. They threatened the lives of two, who were more deeply in the affair than the others (one of them the chief's son), and the destruction of the plantation of a third. As soon as I heard of the affair, I went to the offended party, and endeavoured to allay their excitement. They seemed satisfied, when I promised to forbid similar conduct in time to come. They say that their gods will send sickness and death among them, as the punishment of these sacrilegious acts. "It is hard to control the feelings and acts of natives, who are, in a great measure, guided by momentary impulse. I have always warned our natives to guard against every act that would unnecessarily outrage the feelings of their benighted countrymen. The plan which I have recommended is, to visit their heathen friends, converse with them, and pray with and for, and endeavour to win them over by love. PERSECUTION OF CONVERTS. "But while I lament such indiscretions as I have noticed, which, in an abstract sense, cannot be said to be morally wrong, yet, I must say, that in some instances our friends have much to bear. They have been reviled and, in some measure, persecuted, and all manner of evil falsely said against them. We could record many interesting incidents relative to the intercourse of the Christian party with their heathen friends, but they would be out of place here. I would just mention one fact, which came under my own observation some time ago. I went into my yard one day, and saw a native woman standing there with a large club in her hands. I soon recognized her as the mother of a young man and woman who had, for some time previous, been living with our native domestics. They had come for religious instruction. The old woman was much excited, and had apparently been scolding her son, who was there also. I asked her what was the matter. She made no answer; but her son replied, that she had come for him and his sister to go and do some nedo aupat (dark customs), in view of an approaching feast. I remonstrated with her on the wickedness of her conduct, and told her that they were welcome to remain on the Mission premises, and that no person should compel them to leave for such a purpose. While I spoke to her, she shed tears-whether of affection or rage, I know not; but she left, threatening to kill the daughter when she could find her inland. I have been reminded by the above, and similar incidents, of our Lord's words, Matt. x. 34, 35: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughterin-law against her mother-in-law.' STRANGLING. "The horrid practice of strangling goes on to a much greater extent than we had anticipated. Mothers are often strangled when a son dies. I have known a young man and woman to be put to death when a petty chief's wife died. An instance occurred, since we landed on this island, of two women being strangled when a child of some rank died. During the past year, I interfered in three places; and, in two of the instances, the women were saved. Truly, 'the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.' WAR. "You will regret to learn that this island has lately been visited by war. It broke out in July last, and fighting continued every day for about two months. The war was commenced by the people of Annauntehai making a sudden and night attack on the people of Aneito. The district of Annelligauhat, where we reside, unites with Annauntehai; and, in the present instance, their aid was expected. As soon as I heard of the war, I went to Nouhat, the chief, and intreated him not to interfere; and, I am glad to say, that the Christian party here declared, with one voice, that they would not fight, as that was opposed to the word of God. The aggressive party, finding themselves in the minority, sued for peace. Hostilities are suspended for the present. Three men were killed, and, I think, as many women strangled. One of the killed was cooked and eaten; the other two would probably have shared the same fate, but their bodies were saved by their own party. A great many have been wounded. ENCOURAGEMENTS. "During the past year, many stirring events have occurred. But if the monotony of our course is occasionally disturbed by exciting incidents, in these we can usually discover as much to encourage as there is to discourage, so that the mind is kept in a kind of balanced state, and we are still enabled to go heartily on in our work. My own opinion is, that heathenism in this island has received its death wound, and now we shall only have to combat with its expiring struggles. The contest may yet be severe; but, with a vigorous agency and the Divine blessing, it will not be of long continuance. But another Missionary is indispensable for the work; and may I cherish a hope, that one will soon come from some quarter or other 'to the help of the Lord against the mighty' in this dark land? An evangelized island in the midst of these dark groups, where the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace' have never trod, would be a lovely spectacle. OUT-STATIONS. FATE, TANA, MARE, AND LIFU. "The remarks which I have made about this Mission have a particular reference to the station at which I reside. At the out-stations, the work has been interrupted by the sickness of the teachers; and, therefore, at most of them little has been done during the year. "A sandal-wood vessel touched at Fate, and saw both the teachers, on the 5th of June last. They heard no complaints from them. So I hope they have not suffered much from sickness. "I had letters from Tana, last month. The teachers were well, and had much encouragement in their work. The natives behave kindly towards them. I had about fifteen Tanese living in a spare house on the Mission premises, between two and three months. They behaved very well. I am not aware of their stealing a single article from me, though they had much in their power. "I had letters from Mare, about two weeks ago, and a visit from a native of that island who lives with the teachers, and speaks the Samoan language with ease. The teachers are well there, and give an encouraging account of their work. One of the teachers went over to Lifu lately. Peace has been restored on that island, and all parties are now anxious for teachers." IDOLATROUS WORSHIP OF CAPTAIN COOK BY THE SANDWICH ISLANDERS. THE Poet Cowper, in one of his letters addressed to the Rev. John Newton from Olney, dated October 9th, 1784, after referring to the amusement and instruction he had derived from the journal of Cook's last voyage, makes the following impressive remarks on the deplorable circumstances connected with the death of the illustrious navigator: "God is a jealous God, and at Owhyhee the poor man was content to be worshipped. From that moment the remarkable interposition of Providence in his favour was converted into an opposition that thwarted all his purposes. He left the scene of his deification, but was driven back to it by a most violent storm, in which he suffered more than in any that had preceded it. When he departed, he left his worshippers still infatuated with an idea of his godship, consequently well disposed to serve him. At his return, he found them sullen, distrustful, and mysterious. A trifling theft was committed, which, by a blunder of his own in pursuing the thief after the property had been restored, was magnified to an affair of the last importance. One of their favourite chiefs was killed, too, by a blunder. Nothing, in short, but blunder and mistake attended him, till he fell breathless into the water, and then all was smooth again. The world, indeed, will not take notice, or see that the dispensation bore evident marks of Divine displeasure; but a mind, I think, in any degree spiritual, cannot overlook them." Hayley, the biographer of Cowper, in a note appended to the letter from which the foregoing extract is taken, expresses his conviction that the writer must have "utterly misapprehended the behaviour of Captain Cook in the affair alluded to." But gratifying as it would be to rescue the memory of the distinguished navigator from the deep reproach of allowing himself to receive Divine honours from the savage islanders by whom his life was afterwards sacrificed, the lamentable facts of the case appear to rest on evidence that removes every ground of dispute. From the Reporter, a semi-annual publication, conducted by our Missionaries in the Samoan Islands, we extract the following article on the subject: "Not long since, a lady well known in the literary world inquired of us, whether or not it has been established as a fact, that Captain Cook, previous to his death, submitted to have Divine honours paid him by the natives of the Sandwich Islands. We, of course, can only refer to what has already been published by those who have possessed the best means of ascertaining the truth of what has been alleged against this great navigator. As the interesting works of the Rev. Sheldon Dibble and Mr. Jarves are but little known in England, we make no apology for quoting the passages referring to the event:" 'On the day of his arrival, Cook was conducted to the chief heiau (temple), and presented, in great form, to the idols. He was taken to the most sacred part, and placed before the principal figure, immediately under an altar of wood, on which a putrid hog was deposited. This was held toward him, while the priest repeated a long and rapidly enunciated address; after which, he was led to the top of a partially decayed scaffolding. Ten men, bearing a large hog and bundles of red cloth, then entered the temple, and prostrated themselves before him. The cloth was taken from them by a priest, who encircled Cook with it in numerous folds; and afterward offered the hog to him, in sacrifice. priests, alternately and in unison, chanted praises in honour of Lono (their principal god); after which, they led him to the chief idol, which, following their example, he kissed. Two 'Similar ceremonies were repeated in another portion of the heiau, where Cook, with one arm supported by the high priest, and the other by Captain King, was placed between two wooden images, and anointed on his face, arms, and hands, with the chewed kernel of a cocoanut wrapped in a cloth. These disgusting rites were succeeded by drinking awa, prepared in the mouths of attendants, and spit out into a drinking vessel; as the last and most delicate attention, he was fed with swine-meat which had been masticated for him by a filthy old man. 'No one acquainted with the customs of Polynesia could for a moment have doubted that these rites were intended for adoration. Captain King, in his account of this affair, only surmises that such may have been the intention; but affects to consider it more as the evidence of great respect and friendship. The natives say, that Cook performed his part in this heathen farce without the slightest opposition. The numerous offerings, the idols and temples to which he was borne, the long prayers, recitations, and chants addressed to him, must have carried conviction to his mind that it was intended for religious ho |