leave their island without telling them of the good things which God hath prepared for those that love him: I declared that salvation was come nigh unto them,-yea, placed within their reach, and that by Jesus Christ;-He is Lord of all; through the shedding of whose precious blood the gift of the Holy Spirit was received for every mortal, whether son or daughter,-for the whole human race,—even for the rebellious. I told them, that I did not come among them to persuade them to turn to this way of life or that way of life; but to turn them from the darkness they were in to the light of Christ, " from the power of Satan unto God." To this Holy Spirit I desired that their hearts might be directed, and to the patient waiting for Christ, that they might know Him to be in them, "who liveth and abideth for ever." The above is the substance of what I had to express among them; and though some individuals mocked and behaved rudely, saying aloud, I wish he had done;' so that James Watkin stopped, and reproved them for their behaviour; yet the divine power was over others, and I believe that its influence was felt by the chief, as I observed, when I had finished and sat down, that his countenance was entirely changed, and he said that, 'I had done well in coming.'

ed again, and said, that we might all come should repent, return unto Him and live; and on shore;' but now James Watkin refused to that such is the love of God to his creature accompany us, as the objection had appeared man, that he gave His only begotten Son to to be against him only. I felt a little disap-save them from their sins, "that whosoever pointed, but concluded to land, at all events, believeth on Him should not perish, but have without further debate. Charles and myself everlasting life." That I was not satisfied to were then conveyed to the shore by our native boat's crew; and although a considerable number of these people immediately flocked about us, I had not the least apprehension of danger, for the fear of man was cast out. We ascertained afterwards that at least twenty muskets were pointed upon us, from behind a strong wooden fence, in readiness, had any affray taken place. We had in our hands only an umbrella each. We proceeded towards the settlement, under an escort of the people, until we had passed through the gates of the strong hold, and at length reached the habitation of the chief. We found him at home, and with a number of his people, squatted ready upon the floor, waiting our arrival. The chief, perceiving me at a loss to distinguish him from the rest, moved aside to the log of an old tree, upon which we both sat down together: this, I thought, was correct on my part, from the signs that he made to me. He could talk a few words of English; but could understand little that I said. I made him understand that they had a shipwrecked sailor among them, of whom I had heard previously, and made signs for him to be fetched; but he did not make his appearance, and was probably ashamed of being seen by his countrymen. The chief was evidently desirous of asking questions; but I signified that without the Afterwards, by way of accounting for their missionary we could do nothing. Some peo- not setting food before us, as is their usual ple then had orders to go for James Watkin, custom with strangers, (which I firmly believe who arrived in less than half an hour. During would have been done, had it been in his this interval the number of people increased, power,) he said, that they had very little to and a root of the kava plant was laid at my eat, and that it would be about five months feet, as a token of good-will towards me. An before they could have plenty again; looking offer of some of the liquor was then tendered, forward to the rainy season setting in. This which I accepted, to show that I had nothing I knew to be the case, as the famine in all but good-will towards them. Some persons the Friendly Isles was grievous, but more so were then appointed to chew the root, and at Tongataboo, than at Lifuka, as the bread prepare this odious drink, which, in due time, fruit, banana, yam, sweet potatoes, &c., were was handed to me. I drank some of it before almost wholly destroyed by a hurricane; and them, and handed the remainder to one of the they were at this time eating the roots of the people, which I had learned was a usual prac- the banana and tea tree. It has been painful tice in such cases. James Watkin now entered to observe how many have complained to us into conversation with the chief, and believing of hunger: some would put their hands on that things were going on smoothly, I proposed that the translation of my certificate from the Morning meeting should be read. It was patiently and attentively heard to the end, with ample explanation to elucidate the cause of my coming among them. I had then to tell them, that the God whom I serve is a God of love and mercy, and willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that all men every where

their stomachs, and exclaim, 'dead, dead.' It is, however, a certain fact, that in those places where the people are under the control of the missionaries, although suffering much, they are much better off for food than the heathen part of the community. Some of these, called heathen, particularly the chief just alluded to, and the other that came on board our vessel, declare, that they perfectly understand the

are flat, level islands, no part escaped the fury of this sweeping blast.

being low, our boat could only approach the edge of the reef; but the queen being barefooted, had no difficulty in paddling over the coral bottom, a few inches under water. The king preferred taking a passage in a small canoe, with a single native to manage it.

nature of Christianity, and the blessing that it bestows, but they say, 'If we were to follow it, we should have to give up all our present No opening presented, during the stay of delights, put away all our wives but one, our royal visitors, for any thing like edifying and all our bad habits.' They seem sensible conversation, but I believe the heat and the of the sinful condition in which they live; for motion of the vessel, made some of them a they say, in effect, it is impossible that we little sea-sick, as the wind was strong and a should be saved, it cannot be.' Their poor swell of the sea tumbled in upon us. The bodies very generally bear the marks of vio-king, however, expressed his satisfaction with lence, from the habit they are in of lacerating the visit, and they were all much pleased with and burning themselves, as an indication of the inside of the Henry Freeling. The tide mourning for the dead; this was strikingly apparent. The little fingers on both hands had been in many cases cut off, and offered as sacrifices to avert the evils they most dreaded. This we found to be very general among those who are called Christians, but more particularly remarked it to be the case with those that are grown up; the rising generation of these now retain them. This circumstance we discovered on shaking hands with them, from their kings and chiefs down to the humblest individuals of their tribes, both male and female. We parted from this heathen chief in a friendly manner: his name is Fatu. It gave me much pain, to hear from his own mouth, through James Watkin, that, amidst all the wretchedness of a heathen life, the miseries of his people were greatly creased by their intercourse with the shipping; disease was fast sweeping them away.

29th. The morning proved boisterous, but we landed for an hour about the time of high water, being desirous to speak with James Watkin, not feeling easy to let an opportunity pass away without improvement, of attending the native meeting to-morrow, if it should rest with me to do so. The fleet from Haabai, having arrived since last first-day, has greatly increased the number of people from the other islands. I found James Watkin ready as usual, to render me every assistance in his in-power, and the morning was mentioned, if it were concluded to come, and the weather did not prevent our landing. It may be the last opportunity that I shall have to see such a body of the Friendly islanders together; and such an one as could scarcely have been calculated on; and is of rare occurrence at any time, if indeed it ever took place before this season. No other motive, I trust, prompts in me a desire to avail myself of the opportunity thus placed within my reach so unexpectedly, than what is induced by that love which embraces the whole human family, and would bind all the children of men in the Lord's

It is a lamentable fact, that most of the vessels which touch at Tongataboo, come to anchor on the heathen shores, because where the missionaries reside at Nukulofa, there is not the same opportunity for the crew to indulge in their diabolical practices, and promote the sale of rum, &c. While we were at Tongataboo, two vessels under the English flag, and one under the American, anchored near the heathen settlement; where, it is true, there is much better shelter from the sea, than at Nukulofa; at the latter station, however," bundle of life" everlasting. May the shout the Henry Freeling rode sufficiently secure. Such as do anchor at Nukulofa, are uniformly respectable, and the crews under proper restraint it was quite the reverse with those who went to the other place, during our stay at the island. It was late in the afternoon before we got back from the heathen settlement of Mua.

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of a king be heard among these people, and the glorious majesty of the spiritual kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, be unfold. ed to their understanding, by the same Almighty power which opened the heart of Lydia, in days that are over and gone, to His own praise and glory.

30th, first-day.-The state of the weather 28th-To-day, Josiah Tubou, and Mary, combined with other circumstances to weigh the king and queen of the island, with their down my mind, when looking towards attendtwo sons dined on board, they brought with ing the native meeting; and the secret prayer them James Watkin, as interpreter. A pro- of my heart last evening was, Help, O Lord, digiously large fat turtle, and a quantity of fine yams, were brought as a present by our guests. These yams we understood to have come from Vavua; that island being hilly, the crops in the valleys were more sheltered from the late storm, but as Lifuka and Tongataboo

for thy great name's sake, and for the sake of Him who died, the just for the unjust, that He might bring all mankind unto Thee.' The morning was rough and boisterous; and there not being water enough for the boat to pass over the reef into a sheltered landing-place,

seemed to throw difficulties in the way of our in all things. This is that heavenly Prophet, getting on shore. This being the position of of whom Moses spake to the children of Israel, affairs, I determined to take an arm-chair from whom the Lord their God should raise up unto the vessel to render the fatigue of transporting them from amongst their brethren:“ À prous more tolerable to the willing natives, and phet shall the Lord your God raise up unto divide the weight more equally between several you, from amongst your brethren, like unto men; two of these who had been watching our me, (said Moses;)—Him shall ye hear in all movements, were seen wading towards the things; and the soul that will not hear this edge of the outer reef, as our boat approached. prophet shall be cut off from amongst the We were, however, at last placed safely upon people." In due time this was fulfilled; this the beach, without any material inconvenience prophet of the Lord was raised up amongst the to ourselves, though the task was laborious for people,-born at Bethlehem in Judea; in whom our burden-bearers. I felt much discouraged the fulness of the God-head dwelt bodily; and of soon after day-break, and could almost have whom the holy Father testified and said, "This reasoned myself into a fancied liberty to re-is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; main quietly on board; but it did not appear hear ye him." This is the Prophet whom we that I should stand acquitted, unless a firm must hear in all things, as the children of Israel attempt to get through was first made on my in that day heard Moses in all things; but with part: before leaving the vessel this gloom was this difference,-Moses was only heard while measurably dispelled, and I was strengthened in the flesh upon the earth, and this Prophet to press forward, and with humble resignation speaketh from heaven, by His Holy Spirit in to bind the sacrifice as to the horns of the altar. the soul of man. How needful then for us to On account of the inadequate dimensions wait, and to watch, and to pray, that we may of the building to accommodate the thousands hear and obey Him, who speaketh unto us assembled, several hundreds were left outside; from heaven in righteousness, and is mighty but they endeavoured to keep as near as they to save the soul from sin. It is by the power could to the place where the speaker is best of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, that our hearts heard. James Watkin occupied a short space must be cleansed and purified from every deof time in speaking to the people, and then left filement: it is this that searcheth all things; them in expectation of something from my our secret thoughts and imaginations are all mouth, when a general silence prevailed. It laid open before it; and nothing that is unclean was not long before I stood up, in great weak- or impure, that worketh abomination, or that ness and fear, and told them that I felt myself maketh a lie, can stand before this heartto be indeed a feeble instrument in a cause so searching power of the Lord; which, as a fire, great and dignified; but they might remember, consumeth all that cannot bear His righteous that the Lord's servants formerly, as now, had judgments. But if this heavenly Teacher is nothing of their own with which to satisfy the heard, and obeyed in all things, with meekness cravings of a hungry multitude. But when and resignation,-if we fear to offend or grieve the Great Master was pleased to command a this Holy Spirit of the Lord,-it will purify us blessing, the few loaves and fishes were so even as He is pure; and it will prepare us for multiplied, that there was much more left, the reception into our hearts of the spiritual after the people were fed to the full, than there kingdom of Christ Jesus. This is the kinghad been before they began to eat. It is only, dom that men are commanded, above all as He is pleased to qualify any one to speak things, first to seek ;-with the sure promise in His name, and to open the understandings of our Lord, that "all things needful should of them that hear, that any can be availingly be added" unto them. What then remains to benefitted. "Without me ye can do nothing," prevent mankind from receiving the kingdom said Christ; and though some may feel desirous of Christ Jesus, but hardness of heart and to follow him in the way of self-denial and the unbelief in his spiritual appearance in man. cross, yet when an hour of trial comes, such We can scarcely suppose that any will earis the weakness of the flesh, that we are ready nestly seek for that, which they do not believe to shrink for fear of man, for fear of persecu- can be found. Hopeless and forlorn indeed tion; and are ready to deny him, who suffered is the situation of such as these: in vain do for us, who died that we might live for ever. they say, that they believe in Jesus Christ as But although without Christ we can do no-the Saviour of the world, and that there is no thing, yet through His strength we can do all things;-through the strength of His Holy Spirit, in our inner man, we can do all things to the praise and glory of God. It is in the Holy Spirit of Christ, that we must believe; and so wait to hear His voice, and obey Him VOL. VII.—No. 7.

salvation but by Him;-whilst they remain strangers to His heavenly power to cleanse their hearts from sin, for want of believing that He is come in Spirit: therefore they know him not. It is a consideration, as affectingly awful as it is true, that although he is the

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Saviour of them that believe, yet without we I am your affectionate friend, in the bonds know and witness the power of His Holy Spirit of the gospel-the soul's truest liberty.

walketh in darkness," and as "the destruction pleasure, Lazarus, the chief of the island of that wasteth at noon-day."

Otea, also David Afu, the chief of Haalaufulu, and others, as people dear to my best feelings. We have now been here more than a fortnight, and I do not yet see a way open for leaving the island, an event anxiously desired by some on board, on account of the exposed situation of the anchorage, when some particular winds set in. Two English vessels, and one American, have anchored off the heathen settlements, while we have been here; there the sailors can indulge their licentious habits unrestrained; but as a striking proof of the utility of missionary establishments, it is not so at Nukulofa. I desire to stand in humble resignation, as to any further proceeding here, or to leaving the place, and bending our course towards New Zealand; and I trust to be enabled to decide with clearness before we sail.

These remarks have reference to Tongataboo only at Vavau and the other islands which compose the Hafulauhau group, and those of the Haabai, the people almost if not altogether are subject to missionary control, with their king at the head of religious affairs, nominally at any rate. It is from these islands that the heathen of Tongataboo, have every thing to fear, while Taufaahau lives: they know that he is a desperate warrior, and never fails to carry all before him, when once roused up. Josiah Tubou is a very different character, and though leaning to the missionary party, is more despised by the heathen, than feared; his power is much greater than that of Taufaahau, who being a much younger man, is very submissive and subservient to him. If Tubou inclined to go to war, the 5th. The weather being more favourable other would probably unite with him at once; for landing, we went on shore at four o'clock and furnish strength and skill not to be resist- P. M.; and having found my mind drawn toed, which the heathen are well aware of. It wards the remnant of English and other white seems that a number of these poor people people here, I told James Watkin on his inhave now gone on board the canoes of Tau- quiring about arrangements for to-morrow, faahau, that they may get to Vavau, and Li- that I had nothing in view towards the nafuka, and become Christians, without risking tives; but to sit with the English, seemed to the loss of life from their own kindred; and be my present business, if that could be we are told that many of them would be glad brought to bear. This was readily assented to lead peaceable lives, but dare not join the to. I have felt a poor creature indeed, for missionaries here, for fear of their neighbours: the last day or two, owing perhaps to the inthe same time the different tribes are imper-creased heat of our vessel under deck; but ceptibly mingling together by marriages. All the Lord can deliver, and strengthen him that these circumstances serve to diminish the hath no might, either in body or mind; and strength of the heathen party, and gradually can at his pleasure make quick of understandto prepare them to renounce their abominable practices.

ing in His fear, those that trust and hope in his mercy. May He be graciously pleased to cause the opportunity to-morrow, to be a time of visitation to some; cause the earth to tremble at His power and presence, as in days of old, when the sea saw it and fled, and Jordan was driven back; so may every thing in us, comparable to the unstable element, flee before Him; and the ever blessed truth reign over all to His glory.

4th. From the swell of the sea setting directly upon the landing-place for boats, we remained on board all day; and Josiah Tubou, with his brother Abraham, spent the afternoon on board with us. I feel comfort when looking back, that the opportunity of speaking to the people last first-day, was not suffered to pass over unembraced on my part. It is plain now, that if the return of another 6th, first-day.-Landed about ten o'clock first-day had been waited for, or an excuse in the forenoon: the natives were coming from the state of the weather been listened to from their meeting as we approached the the precious moment would have been lost shore: soon after this the white people assemfor ever; and instead of a peaceful retrospect, bled together. On going into the place apnow at seasons vouchsafed in mercy to a poor pointed for us to meet in, I observed that unworthy creature, an accusing blot of an- James Watkin had taken a side seat, to show guish would have rested upon my mind; which the people that he had no part to take in that the few yet remaining days of my pilgrimage meeting, and as no hymn book appeared in would have been too short to obliterate. It the hands of any one, it seemed as if some was a remarkable circumstance, that so many pains had been taken to inform them, that it hundreds of the natives should be brought to- would be held after the manner of the Society gether at Lifuka, and again at Tongataboo; of Friends. I sat down near a table, and as with many of whom we had become acquaint- those who attended came in, they joined in the ed, first at Navau and its neighbourhood, and silent sitting of the rest. We had not remainat Tongataboo. I recognised with heartfelted long in this exercise, before I was made