called upon the people who assembled to hear me to renounce the service of their supposed gods, and engage in the service of Him who hath said, "Beside me there is no god; I know not any." Some of my hearers (who withal behaved well) gave an audible assent to the truth of many of my remarks.

I visited several of the people, and, amongst the rest, the Chief of the place, a noble old man. During our discourse, he said repeatedly, with reference to the gods of Feejee, A alou daidai, "They are false gods.' Happy would it be for him, if the expression of his lips was the conviction of his heart! At a little distance from his abode, I fell in with a considerable number of men employed in thatching a temple. As I approached them, I noticed that the countenances of some indicated shame, those of others vexation. However, I knew it to be my duty publicly to testify against the folly of their proceedings, and urge the claims of my blessed Lord and Master to their hearts and services. This I did amidst considerable opposition, or rather noise. The key-note of an old disturbance was given several times, and the cry of "True are the gods of Feejee!" "Great are the gods of Feejee!" indicated too plainly the determination of many to continue in the service of those gods, a knowledge of whom they had "received by tradition from " their "fathers."

31st. I had not long returned from an appointment to the country, before I was alarmed by the cry of "Fire !" and, on running out of my house, found that one end of my kitchen had taken fire. By the prompt application of a tolerable supply of water, the fire was extinguished before it had done material injury. Its origin is not very apparent; but I am disposed to think it attributable to a small portion of fire conveyed to the thatch by one of the sudden gusts of wind of which we had many during the day. At the time of its discovery, there were only a few embers on the hearth. If it was the work of an enemy, blessed be the name of the Lord who delivered us out of his hand! Afterwards, I preached to our usual congregation from Proverbs ix. 6. It is but just to state, that, though many of the Heathen displayed their true character, and rejoiced in the prospect of such an opportunity of plundering us, there were not wanting amongst them men of better feeling, who gave us prompt and efficient assistance.

January 4th, 1844.-I set sail, with a design to visit a settlement or two to the

south-west of Somosomo. The one which I purposed visiting first is situated at the extremity of the land in that direction. We had an unpleasant voyage, especially towards the close of it, when the rain and sudden gusts of wind made sailing rather difficult. It was near evening when we reached Vuna. Finding the public house, or buri, occupied, I waited upon the Chief of the place to ascertain where I and my party were to take shelter for the night. He gave me but a half-welcome, and that was done in manner that told me Tui Vuna thought himself somebody. After a while, he ordered a man to show me to my quarters: it was a sad hut, occasionally occupied by a man famous in these parts as a skilful doctor and wizard. The poor fellow seemed willing to make me as comfortable as he could.

The evening was too wet to allow of my conducting service out of doors: I therefore endeavoured to improve the time by instructing the people in the King's house; and a number of adults, some grey-headed, whom I found in their best temple. The latter party heard me speak of our sinful state by nature, of the necessity of repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ, with considerable seriousness; and, when I concluded, requested me to continue my discourse to them. I closed the evening with service in the house where I expected to sleep. The night was a long one to me. My portion of the room not allowing me to lie at full length, I was cramped, and the roof only sheltered me in part from the rain which continued to fall during the night.

A

5th. At about seven o'clock, A. M., I conducted service in an open space near the centre of the roro. I took my stand beneath the shade of a large shaddock-tree, and called upon the people to turn from their evil ways, and live. Tonguese Assistant seconded my invitation. About three-score people assembled to listen to us; whilst others slid their doors a little to one side, and peeped at us, as I suppose they would at so many beasts of the forest. I again proceeded to the temple, where I passed a part of yesterday evening, and found, as I expected, a number of old and middle-aged men awaiting their morning draught. I endeavoured to persuade them that in serving the devil they injured both their bodies and souls, their families, and the land in which they lived; but their reply was, "Let our Chief embrace religion first, and we will follow."

As it appeared that my further stay amongst this people would be useless, I took my leave of them, and set sail for a much smaller place, named Waitua. At the public service, which I held as the sun set, most, if not all, of the villagers were present, and sat very quietly. When we returned to the buri, we held a long discussion on the utility or inutility of offerings presented to Feejeean gods. The poor people are the King's turtle-fishers; and declared it to be their opinion that it would be altogether useless to set their nets without having previously presented their god with an offering of cooked food. They told me of cases in which they had fished when the god was displeased, and all their toil was vain; but they presented their soro, and then quantities of fish (turtle) came to their net. I endeavoured to convince them that there was but one God to hear and answer prayer, and urged upon their attention Him by whom all things were created, that are in heaven above, and in the earth beneath, and by whom all things consist. They paid some attention; but, I fear, my "words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not." I lay me down amidst an abundance of company; the small floor on which I lay affording accommodation (such as it was) for ten men, four sitting ducks, and a friendly pig but, being tired, I slept soundly.

6th. After a short service, I again took to my canoe, and the Waitua people returned to their gardens. A short run brought us to Waireke, where I found some ten or twelve people, to whom I spoke of the evils of idolatry. A man who had often heard the word preached at Vewa declared his conviction of the truth of what the Priests of Religion teach, but said he dared not lotu, as it would bring upon him the displeasure of his Chief.

On the 31st of this month I set out with an intention of visiting some of the places at the north-east end of the island. I exchanged a few words with some people at Wailange, and at about two hours after sun-set I reached Wainekele; but it was too late to visit the town, it being inland. The tide obliged us to be on our way at an early hour on February 1st. We reached Bouma about four o'clock P. M., and I was taken by the Teacher to his new house, to settle respecting which was one of the objects of my present visit. The Chief who requested a Teacher, engaged to build him a house

gratuitously; but, when the house was built, he demanded payment for it in a very angry manner.

The Chief, Ratu-lewe-ni-lovo, hearing of my arrival, came at once to welcome me, and was speedily followed by his attendants bearing refreshments. Having eaten together, we sought a retired situation, and I opened to him the purport of my visit.

Notwithstanding he had acted so inconsistently, he acknowledged that the arrangements made between Mr. Lyth and him were clear, just, and binding. As I felt satisfied that his covetousness was at the root of his desiring a Teacher, I felt it my duty to let him know that we were fully awake to his designs; and that, should he even succeed in deceiving man, God was fully acquainted with his conduct and purposes, and would bring him to account respecting them. again repeated his oft-asserted determination to lotu truly; but I could not for one moment think him sincere.

He

Most of the following morning was devoted to this Chief. He has some excellences; but he is so intent upon dissembling, that I found it necessary to use great plainness of speech in discoursing with him. In dependence upon Almighty God, I endeavoured to undeceive him on the subject of "gain," he evidently supposing "that gain is godliness. Another subject which engaged our attention was his hypocrisy ; of the inutility of which I endeavoured to convince him. Against the charge of using his influence privately to prevent the spread of Christianity, he pleaded "Not guilty." But it is too true, that it is his custom so to exert his authority.

As a messenger from Tui Bouma was going to Lewena, a village a few miles from Bouma, I thought it advisable to send a Teacher with him, to deliver a message of mercy to the people there. The rest of my time was given to visiting the people in Bouma. In one house I was happy enough to meet with three Priests; one an aged man; the other two were of manly aspect, and about thirty years old. I suppose we conversed together for near two hours. They asked me many questions about the antiquity of the religion taught by us, and appeared half convinced that at one time all mankind worshipped the same God, and that he was the only and true God. A sick man promised to put himself under the instruction of the Teacher who has lately been placed here.

To the oldest Priest I remarked,

"Perhaps the time is not far distant when your children will be ashamed at the recollection of their father having been a Priest to the devil" he instantly hung down his head, and for a long time remained silent.

3d. The early part of this day was passed in the company of Ratu-lewe-nilovo, and his son, an interesting child of about seven years old. His father says that he is to be a Christian; and when first our Teacher was placed at Bouma, the child was placed under his care, and allowed to receive instruction. But this was the case for a short time only, his father soon after removing him to a distance, that he might be alike free from the benefit of religious instruction, and the influence of Christian example.

During the day I visited two villages. At Nasea I found but few people. On inquiring for the Priest of the place, I was informed that he had been dead a considerable time, and, as their god had not "entered" any one else, they were priestless. To my proposal that our Teacher should become their Priest, and instruct them to serve the true God acceptably, they opposed only their dread of their Chief's anger.

From hence we proceeded to the village of Navutu; and during a heavy shower of rain I continued in the Chiefs' house, conversing with several persons who from motives of curiosity had come in to see me. When it was fair, I proceeded to an open space, nearly in the middle of the village, where most of the inhabitants assembled to hear my message. A more orderly and attentive heathen congregation I never saw. They heard as though they desired to be taught. When the public service was at an end, I conversed with a number of adults, chiefly males, and endeavoured to ascertain their opinion as to the truth of what I had said to them. They expressed themselves thus: "Yours are true words." "We know you have told us the truth." "We wish our Chief would lotu: then the way would be open for us." They promised to listen to the instruction of the Teacher, whenever he should visit them.

Sunday, 4th.-Ratu-lewe-ni-lovo had left his own house; but I found him near to that of the principal Bouma Chiefs, and invited him to unite with us in the public worship of God. I was neither surprised nor discouraged at his excusing himself from uniting with us on account of his having to drink yanggona with the Chief of the place. I

observed that in all probability the setIvice would be over before the drink could be prepared: he hesitated for a moment, and then entered Tui Bouma's house, leaving us to take our course. I took my stand so near the house, that he and all within could hear me. As we numbered eight individuals, our singing was heard by those at a distance, and many came to hear. Several of these were women and children, who did not venture to draw close to the spot occupied by us, because of its nearness to the great men of the place. To remedy this evil, I spoke in a louder tone than usual, and, I think, all heard me, from Luke v. 28. I felt it my duty to say a few words to the Chief, on whose account Ratu-lewe-ni-lovo had excused himself; and, this done, I proceeded to a large house set apart for the young men of the place. Here I found a good congregation; and, taking my stand at one end of the building, I preached Jesus unto them. The young men heard with greater attention than I had anticipated, and were either pleased or amused with our singing; but I know not which.

At noon I preached in the Teacher's house, to him, his family, a second Teacher, and to those Christians who accompanied me in my canoe, from 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2: "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not," &c. As the Chief Ratu-lewe-ni-lovo was absent, some poor heathen women came into the house, and stayed throughout the service, to whom I directed a few plain remarks.

In the afternoon I visited that part of Bouma named Gota; inhabited by strangers, chiefly fugitives from Vuna. I took my stand upon what appeared to have been the mound of a temple in bygone days. Our singing drew a great number of people about us, who behaved well during the whole service. listened attentively to me, while I endeavoured to show them that there is only one God, and that he is a God of love. This was the largest congregation I have yet seen on this island.

They

The congregation in the remaining division of the town, Vune-pepe, was of another description, indifferent as to number, and worse than indifferent as respects behaviour. Yet, after a time, these outcasts became more orderly, and listened attentively while I called upon them to "turn from their evil ways, and live." O that some of the words this day spoken may fall upon good and honest

ground, and bring forth much fruit unto perfection!

As I returned home, I crossed a piece of ground on which a number of young men were dancing. One or two of them stepped aside, and with great good-nature accosted me thus: "Priest, you preached to us this morning, and now we will dance to you, if you will stay awhile." The Teachers visited three villages at the cool of day, and gave in a good report: the people received them well, and heard them attentively. Some said, "Come often to instruct us."

5th. I prepared to take my leave of Ratu-lewe-ni-lovo. From the above extracts you will learn his character. He behaved with great kindness to me, and supplied the best of native food in abundance. But it is my confirmed opinion, that he neither designs nor desires to serve the Lord. Yet the circumstance of our having access to this district, and permission to preach the Gospel in Bouma and the surrounding villages, is encouraging: it excites our gratitude, and encourages our hopes. Many who are "poor" will have the Gospel preached unto them; and O that they may become rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him!

22d. During the past three months we have been endeavouring to do good to the body and soul of a poor afflicted Feejeean, named Dredre. He came to this place to be under the care of Mr. Lyth, hoping to benefit by his medical skill, and trusting to his friends for such other assistance as he might need. They, however, soon deserted him, and but for your Missionaries he would have been starved or strangled. He was left dependent on his friends for nothing more than a resting-place, beneath the shelter of a deserted hut; but even this they grudged him; so he was removed to the Mission-premises to prevent his being murdered. Whilst there was hope of his recovery, Dredre did not pay such attention to spiritual things as we could have wished. As he drew near the grave, he was more attentive to things pertaining to his peace. He would sometimes inquire anxiously, whether thought God would save him; and towards the close of his life expressed a hope in his mercy. Having renounced Heathenism, and professed himself a worshipper of Jehovah, he was, at his own request, baptized. We were at his mat-side when he expired, and are not without hope of his being accepted of

we

Him, who "accepteth according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." We buried him to-day.

29th. This day a poor man died who for some months past was a member of the Mission family. His last effort at speaking was to pronounce the "name to sinners dear," Jesus.

March 13th. We were visited with a hurricane, which, in addition to other mischief, rent open the roof of my house from end to end, and obliged us to seek shelter in the less-exposed habitation of Mr. Lyth. He kindly accommodated me and my family until I was able to get my house into repair, which was not until the expiration of a fortnight, or more. We have done the best we could to it; but it is such a slight structure, that a new one must soon be built. Such was the effect of the storm upon the vegetable world, that the whole island appeared as though it had been exposed to the action of fire.

29th. I returned to my own house. At an early hour this morning I accompanied Mr. Lyth to witness the last moments of a young man, who, for some time past, has been the object of our prayerful solicitude. The Lord in mercy heard prayer, and blessed our labours in his behalf. He repented of the sins of his youth; and sought and found salvation through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. During the past ten days, his light, his confidence, and his joy, had gradually increased. We found him very weak, but able to make a few remarks, and express his continued assurance of an interest in the Redeemer's blood. Feeling his end approach, he embraced his weeping relatives, his Pastors, and those friends who were near him. He then distinctly, though feebly, said, "You will sit, but I shall go; I am going;" and his peaceful spirit took its departure to a better world. Surrounded as we are by the darkness of Heathenism, it was peculiarly refreshing to our spirits to witness the happy death of this young Christian. We feel encouraged to renewed exertion by this cheering instance of the power of Christ to save. We endeavour to sow our seed in the morning, and in the evening not to withhold our hands, seeing plainly that we know "not which shall prosper, this or that." Abel Vakathere had long attended the ministry of the word, both in this place and at Lakemba, but had manifested a want of decision; so that it was not very evident that he profited by what he heard.