all his skill in misrepresenting and vituperating the Missionaries, he has failed to correct one error or to supply a single deficiency of his French predecessors. But while he has not done this, he takes great credit to himself for introducing yans among this people, and thereby preventing them from being driven to the dire necessity of eating human flesh; whereas the Samoa islanders were never addicted to that horrid practice, and as for yams, they had them before Kotzebue was born.

As I may not have occasion to refer to this individual again, I shall embrace the present opportunity of saying, that his "New Voyage round the World," so far as it relates to Tahiti, is one tissue of falsehoods, containing accounts of persons who never existed, and lengthened histories of events which never occurred.-Pp. 478-480.

The Navigators' group is, with the exception of the Sandwich Islands, the largest and most populous in the Pacific at which Missions have been commenced, and in a few years they will, no doubt, rise into considerable importance. As they lie in the vicinity of the Friendly Islands, the extensive Fiji group, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and numerous other solitary islands, intercourse between them could be easily maintained, and thus a civilizing and religious influence might be exerted upon the countless thousands of benighted heathen, who dwell between the Samoas and the coast of New Holland; and whether we view this group as a mart for commercial enterprise, a field for scientific research, or a sphere for the exercise of christian benevolence, we must regard it with feelings of the liveliest interest.

A few years ago, it was much wished by the inhabitants of New South Wales, that the British Government would form a settlement at one of the South Sea Islands, where ships might refresh and refit, without being exposed to danger. The fate of the unfortunate Oldham whaler, and the numerous tragical events which were constantly occurring at these islands, gave rise to this suggestion. Although the danger has ceased where Christianity has been introduced, yet, should such an establishment be determined upon, the Navigators' group is a most eligible place for its formation. Its central situation, the excellence of the harbours, the abundant supply of water and provision, the amazing extent of rich and arable land, and the quantity and variety of the timber, are important prerequisites for an establishment of this description, and such as must ensure its prosperity.-Pp. 485, 486.

We have now to consider in what way the gospel was first introduced into some of these islands. The whole of the particulars are too long for insertion; but they may be partly condensed. In the end of 1821, Mr. Williams went on a voyage to New South Wales, for the benefit of his wife's health, and departing from Raiatea, determined to place two native Christians, Papeiha and Vahapata, in the island of Aitutaki. Rurutu, about 350 miles south of Raiatea, had just been visited by an epidemic, which was extremely fatal.

As the natives regard every such calamity to be the infliction of some angry deity, two chiefs of enterprising spirit, determined to build each a large canoe, and, with as many of their people as could be conveyed, to launch upon the mighty deep, committing themselves to the winds and the waves, in search of some happier isle. They felt convinced, that, if they remained, they would certainly be "devoured by the gods," whose anger they had in vain endeavoured to appease; and that should they not succeed in reaching any other land, they could but perish in the billows of the ocean.

Every thing prepared, Auura and his party launched their canoe, unfurled their sails, and were soon out of sight of their lovely but devoted island, and, as they supposed, out of the reach of their infuriated deities. They arrived at the island of Tubuai; and, after having recruited their strength and spirits,

determined on returning to their native isle, hoping that the plague was stayed. They launched their vessels, and committed themselves again to the waves of the ocean, little anticipating the perils that awaited them. Scarcely had they lost sight of the mountains of Tubuai, when they were overtaken with a violent storm, which drove them out of their course. Of the crew of one of the canoes the greater part perished at sea. The chief Auura, to whom the other belonged, and his party, were driven about they knew not whither, and for three weeks did they traverse the trackless deep, during which time they suffered exceedingly from the want of food and water. At length, He, who holds the winds in his fists, and the waters in the hollow of his hands, to whose merciful designs the elements are subservient, guided them to the Society Islands. They were driven on the coral reef which surrounds the island of Maurua, the furthest west of the group. Had they not reached this island they must have perished. The hospitable attentions of the inhabitants of this little isle, soon restored the strength of the exhausted voyagers, who related the dreadful calamities which had befallen their country and themselves. The Mauruans informed them that they formerly worshipped the same deities, and attributed every evil that befel them to the anger of their "evil spirits;" but that now, they were worshippers of Jehovah the one living and true God; giving them a detailed account of the manner in which Christianity had been introduced among themselves, and pointing to the demolished maraes and mutilated idols in confirmation of their statements.

The astonished strangers, on hearing that white men, who had come in ships from a distant country to bring them good tidings, were living in islands, the summits of whose mountains were in sight, determined to proceed there immediately. A westerly breeze setting in, Auura and his friends again launched on the deep, not to fly from the anger of their gods, but in search of those who could explain more fully to them the nature of the astonishing news they had heard. Not being acquainted with the coast of Porapora they missed the entrance, and were driven to Raiatea. There their astonishment was again excited; the Missionaries, their wives and families, the natives in European dresses, with hats and bonnets, their neat white cottages, together with the various useful arts which had been introduced amongst the people, filled the strangers with admiration and surprise. They were conducted to public worship on the Sabbath; beheld with astonishment the assembled multitude; heard them sing the praises of the One living and true God, and listened with the deepest interest to the message of mercy. They were convinced at once of the superiority of the christian religion, and concluded that God had graciously conducted them there for the purpose of making them acquainted with its inestimable blessings. They placed themselves immediately under our instruction, when we gave them in special charge to our deacons, and supplied them with elementary books. Auura was exceedingly diligent in learning, and made most rapid progress. In a short time he completely mastered the spelling-book, could repeat the greater part of our catechism, and read in the gospel of Matthew. They were only with us a little more than three months, and, before they left, he and several others could read, spell, and write correctly; although they were previously ignorant of the formation of a letter, or a figure. Auura expressed to us very frequently his anxious desire to revisit his own island, to carry to his relatives and countrymen the knowledge he had obtained of the true God and his Son Jesus Christ; expressing, at the same time, in the most affectionate manner, his fears, that on his return he should find very few of his relatives and friends alive, as "the evil spirit was devouring the people so fast when he fled from the island."-Pp. 38-41.

The following statement is too interesting to be omitted.

A vessel, belonging to our kind and liberal friend A. Birnie, Esq. touched at Raiatea, on her way to England, whither she was conveying the very first cargo of native produce that was shipped from that part of the world. It was a cargo

of cocoa-nut oil, contributed by the converted natives in aid of the funds of the London Missionary Society. His late Majesty King George IV., upon being informed of the circumstance, graciously commanded that the duty should be remitted, which enhanced the value of the property 4007. The total amount, therefore, contributed to the funds of the Society, by this produce, was 1800% -Pp. 41.

The captain of this vessel conveyed the people to their native island; but, at the request of Auura, attended by two of the deacons, carrying with them the contributions of the congregation towards their equipment, together with elementary books, and a few copies of the Gospels in the Tahitian language.

After an absence of little inore than a month, we had the pleasure of seeing the boat return, laden with the trophies of victory, the gods of the heathen taken in this bloodless war, and won by the power of the Prince of Peace. On reading the letters we received, and seeing with our own eyes the rejected idols, we felt a measure of that sacred joy which the angels of God will experience, when they shout, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ."

A meeting was held in our large chapel, to communicate the delightful intelligence to our people, and to return thanks to God for the success with which he had graciously crowned our first effort to extend the knowledge of his name.-P. 43.

The idols were exhibited from the pulpit.

One in particular, Aa, the national god of Rurutu, excited considerable interest; for, in addition to his being bedecked with little gods outside, a door was discovered at his back; on opening which, he was found to be full of small gods; and no less than twenty-four were taken out, one after another, and exhibited to public view. He is said to be the ancestor by whom their island was peopled, and who after death was deified.—Pp. 43, 44.

On this occasion several addresses were delivered by the natives. Tuahine, one of the deacons, observed :—

"Thus the gods made with hands shall perish. cords! Yes! their very names also are changed! 'Te mau Atua,' or the gods; now they are called spirits. There glory, look! it is birds' feathers, soon same for ever.'

There they are, tied with Formerly they were called Te mau Varu ino,' or evil rotten; but our God is the

Tamatoa, the king, also addressed the meeting; and perhaps, a finer illustration of the similitude of the knowledge of the Lord covering the earth, as the waters cover the channels of the great deep, will not readily be found, than was used by this Christian chief:

"Let us," said he, "continue to give our oil and arrow-root to God that the blind may see, and the deaf hear. Let us not be weary in this good work. We behold the great deep: it is full of sea; it is rough and rugged underneath; but the water makes a plain, smooth surface, so that nothing of its ruggedness is seen. Our lands were rugged and rough with abominable and wicked practices: but the good word of God has made them smooth. Many other countries are now rough and rugged with wickedness and wicked customs. The word of God alone can make these rough places smooth. Let us all be diligent in this good work, till the rugged world is made smooth by the word of God, as the waters cover the ruggedness of the great deep. Let us above all, be concerned to have our own hearts washed in Jesus' blood; then God will become our friend, and Jesus our brother."

He concluded by an interesting allusion to the natives of Rurutu. Another speaker, with warmth and animation that produced great impression, said,

"Look at the chandeliers! Oro never taught us any thing like this! Look at our wives, in their gowns and their bonnets, and compare ourselves with the poor natives of Rurutu, when they were drifted to our island, and mark the superiority! And by what means have we obtained it? By our own invention and goodness? No! it is to the good name of Jesus we are indebted. Then let us send this name to other lands, that others may enjoy the same benefits." "L Angels," added Uaeva," would rejoice to be employed by God to teach the world this Gospel of Christ."-Pp. 44, 45.

On the arrival of Mr. Williams at Rurutu, he records the following anecdote:

Here our eyes were struck. and our hearts affected, by the appearance of certain simple yet signal trophies of the "word of God," which in these islands is really going forth conquering and to conquer." These were spears," not, indeed," beaten into pruning-hooks," but converted into staves to support the balustrade of the pulpit staircase; for the people here "learn war no more,' but all, submitting to the Prince of Peace, have cast away their instruments of cruelty with their idols.

Not a vestige of idolatry was to be seen, not a god was to be found in the island. So great a change effected in so short a time is almost beyond credibility; but we witnessed it with our own eyes, and exclaimed, "What hath God wrought?"-P. 50.

At Aitutaki, the chief Tamatoa paid the Missionaries a visit on board their vessel.

On the arrival of the vessel at Aitutaki, we were very soon surrounded by canoes; the natives were exceedingly noisy, and presented in their persoLs and manners all the wild features of savage life. Some were tatooed from head to foot; some were painted most fantastically with pipe-clay and yellow and red ochre; others were smeared all over with charcoal, dancing, shouting, and exhibiting the most frantic gestures. We invited the chief Tamatoa on board the vessel. A number of his people followed him. Finding that I could converse readily in their language, I informed the chief of what had taken place in the Tahitian and Society Islands with respect to the overthrow of idolatry. He asked me, very significantly, where great Tangaroa was? I informed him that he, with all the other gods, was burned. He asked me where Koro of Raiatea was? I replied, that he too was consumed with fire; and that I had brought two teachers to instruct him and his people in the word and knowledge of the true God, that they also might be induced to abandon and destroy their idols, as others bad done. On my introducing the teachers to him, he asked me if they would accompany him to the shore. I replied in the affirmative, and proposed that they should remain with him. He seized them with delight, and saluted them most heartily by rubbing noses, which salutation he continued for some time. On the chief's promising me that he would treat the teachers with kindness, and afford them protection, taking with them their little store, they got into his large canoe, and the natives paddled off to the land, apparently greatly delighted with their treasure. We had with us our only child, a fine boy about four years of age. He was the first European child they had seen, and attracted much notice, every native wishing to rub noses with the little fellow. They expressed their sorrow that so young and lovely a child "should be exposed to the dangers of the wide-spreading boisterous ocean," and begged hard that I would give him to them. I asked them what they would do with him, for I feared they were cannibals. The chief replied, that they would take the greatest care of him, and make him king. As neither his mother nor myself were ambitious of royal honours for cur dear boy, we declined their offer. The people 3 F

VOL. XX. NO. VII.

becoming clamorous in their demands for the child, and a good deal of whispering going on among them, with significant gestures, first looking at the child, then over the side of the vessel, his mother was induced to hasten with him into the cabin, lest they should snatch him from her, leap with him into the sea, and swim to the shore. In the course of conversation with the chief, I learned that several islands, of which I had heard our natives speak when reciting their legendary tales, were not far distant, and that some of them were very populous, especially Rarotonga. This information much increased in my estimation the interest of the Aitutaki Mission.-Pp. 50-52.

On Mr. Williams's return from New South Wales, the following report was made to him of the Missionaries at Aitutaki ::

In April, 1822, we received letters from Papeiha and Vahapata, stating the dangers to which they had been exposed, and the partial success that had attended their efforts, and requesting that two more labourers might be sent to assist them. The vessel which brought these had touched at Aitutaki, on her way from the Society Islands to New South Wales, by which we had sent books, presents, and letters. With these Faaori, a native of Raiatea, was sent on shore. The idolaters crowded around him, seized him, led him before the marae, and delivered him formally up to their gods. Faaori, looking up at an immense idol, struck it, and said to the idolaters, "Why do you not burn this evil spirit, and this narae? They are Satan's: why do you suffer them to remain? What you are now regarding is all deceit." The idolaters replied, "We are all ignorant; we have been kept in darkness by Satan a long time, and we do not know the truth." Faaori answered, "This is the truth that your teachers have brought you; receive it and be saved." Upon hearing which, they said to him, "When you return, tell Viriamu, (Mr. Williams) if he will visit us, we will burn our idols, destroy cur maraes, and receive the word of the true God." Together with this communication, we received the very important information, that there were several natives at Aitutaki, from an adjacent island, called Rarotonga, who had embraced the Gospel, and were very anxious to return to their own island, with teachers, to instruct their countrymen in the same blessed truths. These circumstances appeared to us providential openings for the introduction of the Gospel into the whole group of islands, respecting several of which I received information when I first visited Aitutaki. Of Rarotonga, also, we had heard much from our own people; for, in many of their legendary tales, especially in those of their voyagers, Rarotonga is frequently mentioned.-Pp. 54, 55.

On a subsequent occasion Mr. Williams himself visited Aitutaki, and he gives the following as a specimen of incidents that occurred there :— While walking through the settlement, we saw two grim-looking gods in a more dishonourable situation than they had been wont to occupy, for they were sustaining upon their heads the whole weight of the roof of a cooking-house, Wishing to make them more useful, we offered to purchase them from their former worshipper. He instantly propped up the house, took out the idols, and threw them down; and, while they were prostrate on the ground, he gave them a kick, saying, "There-your reign is at an end."

On receiving two fish-hooks, he was highly delighted. What a revolution of sentiment and feeling! A few months before, this man was a deluded worshipper of these senseless stocks!-Pp. 63, 64.

The first favourable impression at Aitutaki was made by a tour through the island.

The teachers stayed a few days at every district, conversing with the people, and teaching them the alphabet, and the Lord's prayer. On reaching the district of Tautu, they held, in the presence of a great assemblage of people, an