no part thereof deny Him before men, nor be ashamed of Him and his words before men, lest He should also deny us, and be ashamed of us, before his Father and the holy angels, according to His own awful denunciation against such unworthy followers. It was a solid and solemn season, the power of Truth was over all. Before leaving the shore, I mentioned the probability of my again attending a meeting of the natives on the following first-day morning, to which no difficulty seemed likely to present. 15th. In the afternoon we went on shore, with a view to getting things so settled as to insure no failure in my seeing the natives tomorrow. James Watkin again kindly undertook the office of interpreter; and I returned on board satisfied with the arrangements agreed upon, and strengthened to look forward with some degree of confidence and resignation. commands the morning, and causeth the day- against the nature of flesh and blood,—it does spring to know his place; and after dwelling not suit our inclination; if it were not so, and a considerable time in silence, it was with me our will was consulted, there would be no to bow the knee in supplication unto Him, cross to take up, it would be a sacrifice who inhabiteth the praises of eternity, and which costs us nothing. We must be willing "covereth himself with light as with a gar- to part with and to suffer the loss of all things ment ;"and to ask in the name of our Re- | for Christ's sake; and in following the great deemer, that His life-giving presence might example which He hath left us, we must in be near on the occasion, to subdue in us every thing that stands opposed to His righteous principle of light, life, and love;-that His power alone may rule, and preserve our hearts, &c. After sitting down again, a quiet season was vouchsafed, though a further time of silence was to be passed. There seemed much to travail under before the way was fairly opened for me, to declare the indispensable necessity for each of us to know for ourselves the will of God, seeing that Christ has said, "not every one that sayeth, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." That before we are in a state to be entrusted with the knowledge of the Divine will, the will of the creature must be laid low, and subjected to the will of the great Creator; our bodies must become living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God; we must be altogether transformed, and our minds re- | newed by the power of the Spirit of the Lord 16th, first-day.-This morning went to Jesus, believed in, and operating in us, "that Charles Tucker's house, to wait until the we may prove what is that good and accept natives were collected together. On the way able, and perfect will of God,"-as defined was much gratified to learn, that it was conby the apostle Paul to the Romans. Every cluded to dispense with many of the exercises thing depends upon this,-to know the will of usual at their meetings on first-days. This God in the first place, and then to do it. circumstance had come about without my "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to knowledge, although I had before-time menhearken than the fat of rams." It is those tioned, that the meetings lasted longer than only who do the will of the Father, that shall the people were able to bear; being densely know of the doctrine of His well beloved Son, stowed upon the floor, almost without a cirin whom he is well pleased. It was with me culation of air, in a tropical climate. After I particularly to urge this upon all present, both had taken my station by the side of James male and female, for both are one in Christ;- Watkin, a general silence prevailed over the that all might, by implicit obedience, know multitude assembled; and in due time my for themselves the will of God, and Christ to mouth was opened to revive in their hearing, be unto them wisdom and righteousness, sanc-that-"Whoso is wise, and will observe these tification and redemption. The whole of our things, even they shall understand the lovingLord's precepts must be regarded as binding kindness of the Lord." But the first thing upon His followers; we cannot choose for to be done in order to partake of the Lord's ourselves, by selecting some parts and leav- | loving-kindness, which is better than life, is ing others. His example must be followed to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; without in every thing, in every part, to the denial of this, none can behold his wonderful works, self in all things. "He that will be my disciple must deny himself, take up his daily cross and follow me,"-these are the terms which he prescribes; we must take up a daily cross to our own corrupt wills and inclinations. It seldom occurs, that the path chosen for us, or the thing required of us, is what we, as creatures, should choose for ourselves, or can very readily yield obedience to; it is nor praise Him, for his great goodness to the children of men. When the Saviour of the world was on earth, and dwelt among the sons of men, he did not many mighty works in some places, because of the unbelief of the people; and it is the same at this day. There is no way unto God the Father, but by the Son; and we can never know the Son, to be "the way, the truth, and the life," unless we believe in His power to save to the utter- 17th.-Unmoored at the earliest dawn of most, all those that are willing to come unto day. Soon after we were ready, our passenGod by Him." For he that cometh to God, ger James Watkin came on board, with the must believe that He is, and that He is a re- whole body of missionaries then at Lifuka. warder of them that diligently seek Him." Their stay was necessarily short indeed, Without faith it is impossible to please him: scarcely longer than while they delivered up but how great is his goodness to the humble their letters and parcels, for not a few of believer that feareth him,-to them that wait you and 'Signed on behalf of the meeting, JOHN THOMAS, Chairman. 'JAMES WATKIN, Secretary.' for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Yea, 'We beg leave too to offer you our best thanks eternal life is the reward of all those, who by for the kindness you have manifested in bringing patient continuance in well-doing, thus seek five of our members, with our families, to this the Lord with believing hearts. While tribu-place; and we pray that He, who does not forget lation, anguish, indignation and wrath, will the smallest kindness done to the least of His disbe the portion of unbelievers, and of those ciples, may reward you with every needful blesswho are contentious; who disregard the shin-ing, both for soul and body: and finally grant unto ings of the true light that lighteth every man yours, Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ that cometh into the world, who obey not the truth, or the manifestations of the Spirit of truth, which convinceth of sin. My heart was enlarged, and the way fairly opened before me, to proclaim amongst the people the truth as it is in Jesus; and to tell them that salvation was nigh unto them that day :-it depended upon themselves,-it remained with themselves,-to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved." Not merely to believe that he came in the flesh, and died for the sins of the whole world; but to believe in the coming of his Holy Spirit into their hearts, to sacrifice the blessings of civilized society, and We admire the principle which induced you to purge away their sins, and save them from to quit the land of your fathers, in order to witthe wrath to come, while the day of their vis-ness the glorious effects of the gospel among itation is mercifully lengthened out. In the heathen nations, and preach among the Gentiles same love which brought me among them, I the unsearchable riches of Christ. bade them all an affectionate farewell in the Lord. 'Lifuka, Haabai, October 17th, 1836. DEAR FRIEND, 'We, as Wesleyan Methodist missionaries, labouring in the Friendly Islands, beg leave at this our annual meeting, to express our sentiments to you, in reference to your visiting the various mission stations in these seas. 'We doubt not but you have been richly rewarded in your own mind for all the sacrifices you have made, and the privations you have been Many of them with whom we were person-called to endure while prosecuting the great work ally acquainted, flocked round us to shake in which you are engaged. We rejoice that the hands, amongst others, the king and his prin- Lord has so signally blessed you hitherto in your cipal chiefs. And now believing myself clear undertaking; and pray that his kind Providence of the island, we paid a short and final visit may still preside over you, and make your way to the mission-house, and then returned to plain. the vessel, having no other prospect before me, but that of sailing in the morning to wards Tongataboo.* 'We have been very much gratified by your visit to this part of the great mission field. We hail you as a fellow-labourer in the gospel, and wish you God's speed. The very great kindness which you and your excellent son have manifested to us in a variety *The following are copies of letters received of instances, has produced a deep impression on while at the island of Lifuka : 'Lifuka, October 10th, 1836. 'DEAR SIR, 'We, the Wesleyan missionaries, assembled at our annual district meeting, beg leave sincerely to congratulate you upon the hitherto successful prosecution of your missionary voyage; and to express the unfeigned pleasure we feel in seeing you in this part of the great missionary field; and we trust that your efforts to promote the knowledge of the true God, will have had the blessing of God; and that you will have the pleasure of seeing at the right hand of the Most High, many who, from among the Gentiles have been turned from darkness to light, by your instrumentality. our minds; be assured you will long live in our affection; and we hope, that your addresses and conversation will produce their desired effect. 'And now, as you are about to take your departure from this place, we commend you to God, and take an affectionate farewell, until we shall meet in our Father's house above. We remain dear friend, 'Yours affectionately, their friends and connexions in Sydney and England. On their departure the anchor was weighed, and we immediately proceeded towards the opening in the reef; making all sail, if possible, to clear the principal dangers of the Haabai group, before nightfall. We had a pilot with us, a native of Tongataboo, well acquainted with the different channels; but who could not understand many words of English. The wind became more opposed at sun-set; and instead of our being in tolerably open water, we were entangled with the long and dangerous reef off the island of Anamooka; and were at last compelled to run down to its leeward-most point, in order to get clear of its crags. Whilst the sound of the breakers thundering upon the reef could be heard, we were still within its reach; but as the noise became fainter, we considered ourselves beyond its outermost point, and ventured to haul up to the south south-east, for the night. mitted, which are occasionally witnessed by these islands, her destruction would have been inevitable. The very day after our arrival, (as before noticed,) the wind came in upon us, and the atmosphere assumed for a time a threatening appearance: but after having been shown our critical and helpless situation, and renewedly made sensible that there was no refuge, but in that power which winds and waves obey,-the storm was hushed, the wind gradually shifted to its usual trade-quarter again; and the rod was no more lifted up during our stay of about a fortnight. Some of the missionaries, who well knew our dan gerous situation, were perhaps more alarmed for us than we ourselves were, who were comparatively ignorant of many circumstances, peculiar to that neighbourhood; indeed, one of them afterwards acknowledged his not having been able to sleep on our account, when the change of weather took place, and the clouds gathered blackness in the stormy quarter. We find that a large portion of the inhabitants of Tongataboo still retain their heathen. ish practices, and hitherto could never be prevailed upon to cast away their idols. They keep those who have embraced Christianity in constant alarm, and cause them to keep up a strict watch, and to live within strongly fortified places, as in a state of actual warfare. 20th.-A few of the natives came off this morning with some poor hogs and a few vegetables; but for these and for their shells, they have learned to ask very extravagant prices, which is owing we are told, to their having calls not very unfrequently from our men-ofwar, who purchase largely their hogs, yams, shells, &c., without regard to price. In the forenoon Charles and myself sat down together in the cabin. It was a low season with me, as when the bridegroom is taken away; towards the conclusion, a degree of strength was graciously afforded, although my soul's enemies were still felt to be lively and strong. At one o'clock P. M., landed for the first time 19th.-About ten oclock were favoured to get sight of Eouaigee, owing to a strong current, which had, during the night, hurried us away to the eastward; and the wind being strong, by noon the island of Tongataboo was distinctly to be seen, though the weather was thick and hazy. By two o'clock we were abreast of the settlement of Nukulofa, and were favoured to anchor safely in fourteen fathoms water, in a place well sheltered, except when the winds blow from the northward and westward: the north side of this island is one mass of reefs, rocks, and small islands. Twenty-two of these islands are in sight from the vessel; and in several directions the surf breaks incessantly upon sunken reefs, which form the principal shelter between us and the main ocean. A brig under English colours was entering the narrow channel from the southward at the same time as ourselves; but she took a different route from us, and anchored off a heathen settlement, several miles distant from Nukulofa: she proved to be the Guide, a Sydney whaling vessel in want of supplies. Soon after having anchored, a canoe arrived, and carried off our agreeable at the settlement of Nukulofa; but the tide passenger and companion, James Watkin, whose wife could be seen on the shore waiting for her husband. Having had but little rest for the two past nights, we remained on board; and the afternoon turning out wet, but few of the natives visited the vessel. It is indeed renewed cause of humble thankfulness to be again and again preserved amidst these dangerous and little frequented groups of the Friendly islands; and particularly during our stay at Lifuka, where there were but few feet of water to spare between the rocks which were visible, and the bottom of our vessel. Had one of those furious hurricanes been per being low we were compelled to submit to being carried over a part of the reef, the water being too shallow to float our boat. James Watkin, with two children, was on the beach, ready to conduct us to his house; and we spent an agreeable afternoon with his family. In the course of the time, we were there, Abraham, a brother of Josiah Tubou the king, came in to see us: he seems a serious steady man, from forty to fifty years of age, and is considered a religious character. The settlement of Nukulofa is surrounded by tall trees, so thickly planted, that a man cannot pass between them, having several sally ports or entrance gates, which are secured at night in a substantial manner. Outside this wall of trees, which have rails connected with them, is a very deep trench, the coral taken out of which forms an additional barrier of defence outside the trees, and renders the approach almost inaccessible. It was pleasant to find that the missionaries have lived latterly entirely outside of these fortifications, without any defence beyond a fence of slender canework. On returning to the vessel at sun-set, we found a large shark hanging to her side, which had been struck with a harpoon, by some whalers who had called on board. 21st.-Landed in the afternoon and made our way to the mission-house, taking with us a variety of drugs, and numerous articles of clothing for children, for the use of James Watkin's family, with a quantity of dresses suitable for the native children. It is a great privilege, through the kindness of my dear friends in England, to be able to administer, in some degree, to the wants and comforts of those to whom I am most certainly very greatly indebted; and without whose kind and brotherly assistance, my mouth, in most instances, must have been closed, as regards declaring the word of life in the different islands. 22nd. In the morning some of the heathen part of the community came on board, and appeared pleased at the treatment they met with; some articles they brought were purchased, by way of gaining their good-will rather than from necessity. Abraham, the king's brother spent a part of the day with us; after dinner he was presented with a broad axe. Landed in the afternoon, and called upon Thomas Wellard, a person connected with the missionaries here, who is about to return to Australia, and has applied to me to give him and his wife a passage to Sydney; I can give no answer, it being at present uncertain whether a direct course to Sydney from hence will be a peaceful one; time must decide our future destination. All that man can do, is to endeavour to stand in the counsel of the Divine will, and in humble resignation wait for its unfolding to the finite understanding; and when once ascertained, then to do it with all his might. Go thou and do likewise, with all thy might, whoever thou art, who may perhaps read these fragments, inscribed by one who has trodden the narrow path before thee; but who, however unworthy of the least of all the Lord's tender mercies, is at seasons comforted in believing, that he is on the way to the heavenly city, none of whose inhabitants can say, "I am sick." Finding the necessary arrangements had been made to open the way for my seeing the people to-morrow, when collected in their place of worship, we returned on board, and found some of the poor despised heathen waiting with a quantity of cocoa-nuts for sale. These nuts are such as are only fit for hogs, being too old and rancid for the use of the people, who are very short of food at this time. 23rd. On going to the meeting we found the house quite filled, with many standing and squatting outside, and others coming towards it. My truly kind and faithful interpreter, James Watkin, did every thing in his power to open the way clearly for me, by explaining the translation of the Morning meeting's certificate, which he read. The reading was succeeded by a time of silence, until I stood up, and was strengthened to express the desire of my heart, that they might all come to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and be saved. That a mere profession of the Christian religion would avail them nothing: truth in the inward parts, the Lord desired. They must come to know the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus, (which is the Spirit of Truth,) in their own hearts; which the blessed Saviour promised should come in his name, even into the hearts of his followers, and abide with them for ever. I had to speak of the greatness of the love of God, in sending his Son into the world to save sinners. I doubted not that many of them believed in His coming in a body of flesh; but I wanted them to believe in His coming in the Spirit into their hearts. I had to contrast their present state, although it is to be feared, in too many instances, making but an empty profession of the Christian religion, and remaining as yet, in great measure, strangers to the power of Christ,-with the dark and heathenish condition they formerly were in, without hope in the world; laden with sin, hateful, and hating one another. Many of them had lived long enough to see and know the difference between the past and the present; and to be able to discern what are the works of the flesh, and what is the fruit of the Spirit. "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death,"-the sure wages of sin: "but the gift of God is eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." They were earnestly entreated, in the love of the gospel, to come to this precious gift of God, to turn inward to this light; and they would find to their inexpressible comfort, that it is none other than the Holy Spirit of Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write. It was a precious meeting the people sat as if afraid to move, such was the solemnity that prevailed over us. Power belongeth unto God; and the praise and glory are his for ever. Remained on board in the afternoon with our own people. 25th.-Fakafonua, a heathen chief, who can talk a little English, paid us a visit this morning. He had been invited to breakfast and was treated with kindness. He behaved in a solid manner, whilst a chapter in the Testament was read, and during silence. An axe was presented to him before leaving the vessel. In the afternoon it was with me to inquire, whether it was practicable to obtain an interview with these poor heathen people, who though apparently lost sight of, are still the sealed inheritance of the Lord Jesus. James Watkin said it might be done, and thought the best way would be to take them by surprise; for if notice was given, as I had suggested, they would only get out of the way. It is true, it may only tend to exposure, without any beneficial results; but this must be left to omit, however, making an attempt to visit them, might make work for repentance at a future day, when the present opportunity presented to me is for ever gone by. May the Lord Most High prepare their hearts to receive, and mine to declare to them salvation by Christ Jesus. 26th. This morning the fleet from Lifuka made its appearance, consisting of seventeen large double canoes. The first which reached Nukulofa had on board Josiah Tubou and king George, (alias Taufaahau,) the kings of Haabai and Tongataboo. We afterwards, in company with James Watkin, attended the king's kava party, assembled in the neighbourhood to welcome the arrival of the different parties from Lifuka, who had been to attend the general congress. banana leaf; these cups, were finally collected, and their contents emptied into a large bowl, employed solely for the purpose. Water was then poured into the bowl, and when the chewed root was sufficiently saturated, a large bunch of very fine shavings, prepared from the purau bark was used as a strainer, and the liquor repeatedly passed through it, until clear of all apparent sediment. When pronounced ready, it is ordered to be served up, and every cup that is filled is retained, until the name of the person is declared to whom it should be handed. We had to take a share of the nauseous liquid, but of course, a little served the turn. Many heavy burdens of baked food, each brought upon a pole on the shoulders of two men, were laid in front of the king and chiefs; who directed to whom a basket should be given. Many of these were ordered to the men of the fleet, who were numerous on the occasion, as the largest canoes carry at least an hundred men. Thanks were repeatedly given to those who had the fatiguing part of the work, especially to the kava makers, the food bakers, the chewers, the carriers, and the cup bearers. Returned on board as soon as the tide was high enough to carry us over the outer reef. 27th. Before eight o'clock A. M., James Watkin came on board, bringing with him five natives, to accompany us in an attempt to procure an interview with a body of the heathen, residing at the settlement of Mua, in a fortified position. We left the vessel forthwith, and proceeded towards the lagoon, at the entrance of which a bay of islands in miniature is formed. At eleven o'clock, we were abreast of the settlement; but the boat The kava ceremony was performed in the grounding upon a sand-bank, at a consideraopen air, the heads of the islands only ble distance from the shore, one of the natives, being under cover, and the strangers, when Isaackee, waded to the landing-place, where any are present. The people were squatted a number of the people were collected on seein regular order, forming three sides of a ing the boat approach their territory. On square, in front of their king and chiefs. The being informed by Isaackee who we were, and fourth side was an open building, on the floor what the object of our visit, they denied that of which sat Josiah Tubou, with three of his the chief was at home. Our man returned to principal men on each side of him; the ad- us and said the chief was not at home, and miral of the fleet directed the different pro- that Charles and myself might land, but not ceedings of the meeting, but Taufaahau min- the missionary. Appearances on the shore gled among those who were to prepare the were not very inviting, as the war clubs were kava. As strangers, we were allowed to sit plainly seen in the hands of some of the naupon the floor of the building, with the rulers tives. James Watkin advised us not to land. of the people, which afforded us full opportu- I was not satisfied, however, without making nity of seeing the whole process. The kava some further attempt to get among them, and root, after being well crushed with a heavy Isaackee was despatched again, to say, that pole, was separated into small parcels, and our coming on shore would be useless, without handed to different individuals, whose names the missionary to interpret. He did not at all were proclaimed aloud, being chosen for hav- hesitate to go; but, apprehending some mising good clean teeth and sweet breath. When chief might arise, said, on leaving us, if they they had chewed a mouthful of the root suffi- kill me, it will be nothing.' After a consideciently, it was placed in a cup made from the | rable parley had taken place, our man return |