fclifornia : -al NA.TIVKS AND VOLCANO. TANA. GEMS THE CORAL ISLANDS. SEestern COMPRISING THE NEW HEBRIDES GROUP. THE LOYALTY GROUP. NEW CALEDONIA GROUP. EEV. WILLIAM GILL, RAEOTONGA. LONDON: WARD AND CO., 27, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1855. LONDON : BEED AND PAKDON, PRINTERS, PATERNOSTER ROW. INTRODUCTION. THE writer of the following pages left this country seventeen years ago, to proceed as a missionary, under the auspices of the London Missionary Society, to the islands of the South Sea. During this period he has been actively engaged in the Christian instruction, and the consequent civilization, of the barbarous '. tribes inhabiting those islands. Many persons who have heard oral details respecting the advancing improvement going on amongst the islanders, and who are interested in the universal education and elevation of heathen nations, have urged that a narrative of facts, connected with Missionary work, on those islands, during the last sixteen years, should be put through the press; especially illustrating the labours of NATIYE TEACHEBS. Every island gained to Christianity and civilization, west- ward of the Tahitian group, has been gained through the labours of Native Missionaries ; and many stations in the Hervey, Samoa, Penrhyn, New Hebrides, and New Cale- donia groups, are now suitably occupied and efficiently worked by Native Teachers and Pastors. The present volume contains an account of the intro- duction of Christianity into the islands of three of the largest 2071850 VI INXBODUCTION. groups of Western Polynesia ; the formation of Native churches the character of Native evangelists the work they have to do the manner in which they do it, and the results of their labours ; giving a complete Missionary history of each island in those groups to the present time. Commending this work to the kind notice of his brethren in the ministry, to teachers in Sabbath Schools, and to all who desire the universal extinction of heathenism, he hopes that, in their various circles, they will aid the circulation of information thus given ; and that the results may be, an increased acquaintance with the progress of Missionary labour in those islands, a due appreciation of what the infant Native churches on those islands are doing, to extend the blessings of Christianity to the heathen lands beyond them, and an augmentation of the resources by which Missionary Societies, in this country, shall be able to continue and to extend their aggressions upon the world of heathen darkness, idolatry, and degradation. It is intended, as soon as possible, to give, in a com- panion volume to the present, a Missionary history of the islands of Earotonga and Mangaia, together with that of the other islands of that group : to contain also a sum- mary of all the groups and islands now under Christian instruction in the South Seas, with an account of the geography, number, extent, and present state of the numerous islands yet to be visited by the Christian teacher. CONTENTS. roup. PAGE ISLAND OF ANEITEUM ..... 149 to 183 ISLAND OF TANA. ..... 225 to 241 ISLAND OF EROMANGA ..... 101 to 138 ISLAND OF FOTUNA . . . . . 139 to 144 ISLAND OF FATE 55 to 95 Eogaltg (group. ISLAND OF MARE . . . . . 1 to 47 ISLAND OF LIFU . . . . . . . 185 to 199 ISLAND OF TOKA ..... 200 to 202 ISLAND OF UEA , 203 to 206 ISLAND OF NEW CALEDONIA .... 209 to 217 ISLE OF PINES 218 to 224 ILLUSTEATIONS. PAGE Natives of Tana, and Volcano . . . . .2 Nasilini, Native of Mare . . . . 31 Natives of Fate . . . . . . .50 Rejected war weapons ..... 52 Head and Dress of a Fate Chief . . . .69 Captain Cook landing on Eromanga ... 98 Dillon's Bay, Eromanga . . . . .113 Eromanga Native expounding the Scriptures . . 135 An Eromangan Club . . . . . .136 Map of the New Hebrides . . . . . 146 A Native of Aneiteum . . . . .153 Map of Loyalty Group . . . . . . 184 View of New Caledonia ..... 208 A Native of New Caledonia . . . . . 217 CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PARE Name of the island Heathen condition of the people Their objects of worship Superstitious practices in drought and in floods Conse- cration of youth to war and to priesthood Delight in cannibalism The contrast Massacre of white men by the natives . . 7 CHAPTER II. Unfair barter of captain of merchant vessel Evil results A gunpowder explosion Natives revenged by the murder of five white men Two white men saved Their ingratitude The chiefs forbearance under great provocation Landing of the first Christian teachers in Mare Daily school commenced The chiefs sons interested in learning The difference between the language of the Western groups and the Eastern groups A general and fatal sickness on the people Heathen sacrifice to propitiate the gods The teachers devoted to death by the people Teachers ransomed by the sons of Jeiue, the old heathen chief Unfavourable reports to the natives from En- glishmen respecting the Christian religion . . . .13 CHAPTER III. The first visit of the "John Williams" to Mare Reinforcements of native teachers for the island The first teachers' report of labours during the mission vessel's absence Hopeful dawn of success in 1847 Old Jeiue's selfish schemes to hinder the good work The native teachers' adaptation to their work Commencement of evening classes for native youth War prevented Jeiue mortified . 21 CHAPTER IV. Act of incantation on the teachers The people suffer from fever and ague Illness of the chiefs sons Lives of the teachers again threatened Old Jeiue's illness His state of mind His death More difficulties from heathen tribes Advance of mission . . 27 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. PAGE First visit of Bishop of New Zealand to Mare " Havannah." ship of war Captain Erskine's visit to the island The people fear the conse- quences of the former treatment of English vessels Public consult- ation of the natives Proposed substitution for the life of the chief Captain Erskine's interview with the people on shore Articles restored to Captain Erskine . . . . . .35 CHAPTER VI. Opening services in new chapel Another morning cloud Its disap- pearance The first Christian baptism Another village occupied Another chapel built Books in Language of Mare Arrival of mission ship, 1852 A joyous day on shore Desire of natives for European missionaries. . . . . . .40 THE ISLAND OF MAEE. CHAPTER I. Name of the island Heathen condition of the people Their objects of worship Superstitious practices in drought and in floods Consecra- tion of youth to war and to priesthood Delight in cannibalism The contrast Massacre of white men by the natives. THE island of MAKE is one of the Loyalty " group " in Western Polynesia. It is a low coral reef land, about sixty miles west of New Caledonia. The natives call this island Nengone ; the name of Mare is derived from the Isle of Pines, a small island off the south end of New Caledonia, with the people of which the inhabitants of Mare have had intercourse from time imme- morial. This island is nearly 70 miles in circumference, and has a population of 6000 souls. This population is divided into four distinct tribes or clans, who were, when first visited by us, living on the most barbarous terms, they were con- tinually at war and were amongst the most degraded savage races of the South Sea Islanders. GEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. Before giving an account of our visits to this people, and of the successes gained in their education and civilization, it may be well to state, as briefly as possible, a few parti- culars respecting their heathen character, together with their idolatrous superstitions. In common with all the South Sea Islanders, the people of Mare believed in the existence of a great unseen power or personage, whom they honoured as God. They had no carved images, but worshipped this superior governing power, through the medium of sacred stones and wood, and relics of departed relatives and heroes. On the death of an individual, renowned either as priest, or warrior, or navigator, the hair of his head was cut off, and his eyelashes were carefully plucked, both of which were sacredly preserved ; the body was then buried, and ten days after interment, the priest of the district, in company with the relatives of the deceased, went to the grave, and, with much ceremony, extracted from the corpse its finger-nails and toe-nails, and certain bones of the arms and legs ; these relics were consecrated and kept with the greatest care, from one generation to another, and were honoured as a medium of communion between the people and their gods. Happy did the degraded females of a family deem them- selves who had the skull of a departed mother, to place in the centre of their plantation. Before planting yams, they presented an offering of fruit to this relic, saying, while prostrate before it, " O mother, let thy power be seen, and compassionate those thy children ; see, thou, that the rains descend, and that the sun shine on this our work. Let our fruits be abundant, and thy fame, and the fame of thy family, shall be great in the land." In the practices of incantation also these relics were used as a medium to draw down vengeance on their enemies. A priest to whom this work was committed watched his oppor- GEMS TEOM THE COKAL ISLANDS. 9 tiinity to enter, unobserved, the house of the intended vic- tim ; he then spread out the relics with an observed order ; and having thus gained his position, announced his presence to the inmates of the house by vociferating most hideous yells, while, in the name of those represented by the relics, he invoked the gods to manifest their power either in the sickness or death of the individual thus cursed. Amongst the many superstitious ceremonies of this people, those observed in seasons of drought were not a little sin- gular. In drought two sacred men, having, as an act of humiliation, besmeared their bodies, from head to foot, with a mixture of lamp-black and mud, visited the grave of some renowned person recently buried ; every bone of the corpse was then carefully cleansed, and with the skill of practised anatomists the priest carefully reunited bone to bone, until the skeleton was complete. This work was performed in a consecrated cave ; and hanging up the skeleton, water was poured on it, the sacred men at the same time presenting a prayer to the gods for rain. It was supposed that the spirit of the departed had power with the gods to convey this oblation of water into the heavens ; and by being thus propitiated, they would create clouds, and again cause rain to fall on their famishing land. Something of the same service was performed in seasons of floods, only instead of pouring water on the skeleton every bone was then entirely consumed by fire, and it was thought by these deluded people that the fire would be used instrumentally by the gods to dry up the rains which de- luged the land. The sacred men who performed these rites never left the cave until the object desired was secured. The entire male population of Mare, in early youth, was consecrated either to the office of the priesthood or to the service of war. "War was their constant employment, and in it they had the greatest delight ; in its practice they 10 GEMS TEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. were strangely clever and fiendlike. In most instances ex- cited by revenge, and at all times impelled by cannibal pro- pensities, the warriors were frantic in their efforts to secure victims. In fight they were fearless; and although many fell in a conflict, yet they kept a steady aim, until a leading warrior or chief of the opposing party was slain. During these heathen wars the warriors eat but little food, and re- garded themselves as sacred to the service of the gods. The following is a brief description of the manner the people of Mare treated victims taken in war. Using the most guarded language, and curtailing its details to the shortest possible limits, it is horrifying in the extreme. A reference to it is, however, necessary to show the awfully degraded condition of these tribes previous to their instruc- tion by the Christian teacher, and also to lead us more fully to comprehend the subduing and elevating power of Christianity in the glorious and happy change now seen in them. If the victim secured in fight was a chief or a renowned hero, the body was divided in small pieces, and distributed to every male member of the conquering tribe, and each one, young and old, was expected to cook his own portion, and eat it, performing at the same time certain religious ceremonies. In this manner the children and the young men were taught to be brave in fight. If a female was taken in war, her arms and feet only were eaten; the body was either buried or thrown into the sea. One of our first Christian teachers to this island, after describing scenes practised by the people in reference to their cannibalism, which cannot be transcribed, says, in his first letters to his missionary, " These things are so bad that you may inquire if I myself have seen them done. I tell you in truth I see them every day ; I am constantly going about in the midst of them. I dare not tell you all I see of GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 11 cannibalism in this land of darkness ; you could not bear it Not only do these people eat bodies taken in war, but on occasions of strife and jealousy a father kills and eats his son, a son his father, a brother his brother. Alas, alas ! they are more like wild beasts than men." Eepulsive indeed must have been the state of things which so much distressed a Christian islander, whose own father, only five-and-twenty years before, was accustomed to the same deeds of cruelty and savageism. But looking at the Baro- tongan Christian in contrast with the Mare heathen, we see the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus, and also how it fills the heart of man with a Divine compassion, which enables him, even at the peril of life, to devote himself for the elevation of those who are in the same state of degra- dation as his fathers were, before they knew the word of God. By the united agency of Christian natives from the Sa- moan and Barotonga islands, we shall have to record, in this narrative, details of important moral and spiritual triumph. But in tracing the difficult path through which these devoted teachers have had to pass to their present position of reward, we must notice many deeds of cruelty and bloodshed which have been committed in the first contacts of the natives with white men. In 1841, a boat's crew of six men, belonging to a small trading ship from Sydney, went on shore for the purpose of bartering for supplies of yams and other vegetables. The crew landed on the north side of the island, and under covert of fire-arms succeeded in concluding their barter on terms of comparative friendliness. As the white men were leaving the beach, the chief of the district expressed a desire to accompany them on board the ship. This proposition was resolutely opposed, and in the hurry and bustle of the boat's crew pushing off to sea, one of the oars struck the chief on the head. A shout for revenge was immediately 12 GEMS FEOM THE COHAL ISLANDS. raised, a fight ensued, and the six unfortunate -white men became victims to the cruelty and cannibalism of the savages of Mare. At a later date another English ship touched at Mare. One of the Christian teachers, then on shore, went off to it, told the captain of the former massacre, and urged on him not to attempt a landing. This advice, however, was not heeded ; a boat's crew were sent to the beach, and at the same time a number of the natives were admitted on board the ship. A premeditated signal was given, a simul- taneous attack was made by both parties of natives on the foreigners, and ten white men were murdered in the affray ! E*ekiel xxxvii. " The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he set me down in the midst of the vaDey which was full of bones, and behold there were very many ; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can Hiete lionet LIVE ? " CHAPTEE II. Unfair barter of captain of merchant vessel Evil results A gunpowder explosion Natives revenged by the murder of five white men Two white men saved Their ingratitude The chiefs forbearance under great provocation Landing of the first Christian teachers in Mare Daily school commenced The chief's sons interested in learning The difference between the language of the Western groups and the Eastern groups A general and fatal sickness on the people Heathen sacrifice to propitiate the gods The teachers devoted to death by the people Teachers ransomed by the sons of Jeiue, the old heathen chief Unfa- vourable reports to the natives from Englishmen respecting the Chris- tian religion. THE next account of intercourse these barbarous savages had with Englishmen is still more disastrous than the pre- ceding. The tragic event was minutely recorded, at the time of occurrence, by the teachers who themselves were daily in jeopardy of their lives. A chief accompanied some of his people, who went on board a small Sydney vessel for the purpose of selling yams for hoop-iron. The chief proposed terms for barter to which the captain would not agree ; a quarrel ensued, and the captain unwittingly gave the savage prince a rope's-end thrashing, and sent him on shore. A war consultation was immediately held by the natives, who resolved to be revenged for the indignity done to their 14 GEMS FEOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. chief. On the following day the wind, being light, favoured their diabolical scheme. A number of canoes surrounded the vessel; the captain and the whole of the crew were murdered, most of the moveable property was taken on shore, and the vessel itself burnt to the water's edge, and then sunk. Amongst the treasures secured by the natives of Mare, in this daring act, was a quantity of gunpowder. With this they were one day amusing themselves by throwing small portions into the fire ; unfortunately some sparks fell on the open barrels, and, greatly to the consternation of the igno- rant people, an awful explosion took place ; the large hut in which they were assembled was blown to atoms, several of their company were severely wounded, and four of them were killed on the spot. The infuriated people, thus ensnared in their own trap, concluded that this judgment was an act of revenge from the God of the white man ; and instead of manifesting either fear or humility, they resolved further retaliation on the next white man's ship that should be seen off the. shores of their land. Not long after this a large open boat, having in her seven Englishmen, visited this people. Five of this party were murdered, whose bodies were cooked and eaten with more than usual revengefulness, while they were still feeling the effects of the recent gunpowder explosion. The other two of the seven men escaped to a district where the people were being brought under the influences of Christian instruction ; and owing to the interposition of the teachers, their lives were spared. It might be supposed that these two men would have manifested their gratitude at least by kindliness of conduct towards the natives ; but, alas ! the tale to be told reveals a recklessness and a de- pravity not exceeded even by the heathen themselves. GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 15 Having resolved to escape to an island about sixty miles distant, these men equipped themselves by stealing from the chief, who had been their friend, a quantity of clothes and other articles, and even many garments belonging to the teachers, who had been the means of sparing their lives. Thus laden with ill-gotten spoil, one morning just before daybreak, they took the mission canoe, and put to sea. Before, however, they had made much progress, their deed of darkness was discovered, and a party of exasperated semi-savage natives took to their canoes, and at a distance of about two miles at sea overtook the ungrateful delin- quents. Thinking their conduct would be punished by death, the two men attempted to drown themselves; the natives, however, dived after them, and half dead they were taken out of the sea, and returned as prisoners to the shore. On their arrival, the first thought of the heathen chief, was to kill the two scoundrels, but yielding to the persuasion of the Christian teacher, he spared their lives, and they were permitted to leave the island, on board the first ship that came after the affair. In these notices we see the inveterate revengeful and cannibal propensities of those heathen tribes; we also see how easily those propensities are excited to cruelty of action, in some instances by the imprudence, and in others by the injustice, of our own countrymen ; and we further witness the practical development of the first influences of Christian instruction taming the ferociousness of the savage, inducing him to yield to the argument of love, and securing from him the exercise of forbearance towards objects who had deserved punishment at his hands. Having thus given a brief insight of the heathen character of the people of Mare, we must proceed to narrate details more immediately connected with the introduction of Christ- 16 GEMS FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. ianity to them : the difficulties it has had to contend with, the triumph it has won, and its present advanced position amongst this once degraded, but now deeply interesting people ; many of whom are moral and spiritual gems, sought out from the deepest depths of human ruin, and who, polished by the agency of a preached gospel, are destined to shine, as the stars of the firmament, in the region of complete and eternal purity and bliss. The first Christian teachers who landed among this people on the island of Mare, were two educated intelligent natives from the Earotonga and the Samoa islands. Two years after their landing they were visited in the missionary ship by the Rev. A. Murray, who was pleased to find that a favourable impression was being made on the minds of some of the people in favour of Christianity. After this visit, the teachers were permitted to build themselves a house ; which being finished, stood in perfect contrast to the wretched hovels occupied by the people of the land. It was the first appearance of civilization seen by these rude savages. A large space in the centre of the building was set apart for week-day instruction and Sabbath- day preaching. The teachers in erecting this house were assisted by many of the young men of the island, who saw with wonder, how materials so nigh at hand, could by the proper use of the saw, aad adze, and plane, tools which they had never before seen, be formed into so commodious a dwelling-place, and also into articles of furniture and domestic use. In the first class of heathen youths gathered together for daily instruction, there were two sons of " Jeiue," the old heathen chieftain of the district. These two young men soon became deeply interested in the new instruction the teachers imparted, and were raised up, by God, to protect them, when the rage of their heathen father and of the GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 17 people would have destroyed them. Before, however, much progress could "be made in instructing the people of Mare, the teachers had to learn their language. This was no easy task. In the eastern groups we find but different dialects of the same language, but in these western groups, the lan- guage is quite different in its structure and idiom. The following translation of Mark x. 14, " Suffer little children " &c., in two dialects of the eastern groups, and two different languages of the western islands, will serve as a specimen. "EASTERN ISLANDS," " Tahitian" Mark x. 14. 1. " A tuu mai i te tamarii rii ia haere noa mai ia' u nei, e eiaha e tapea hia' tu." " Rarotonga" Mark x. 14. 2. " Ka tuku mai ana i te tamariki meangiti kia acre mai ana kiaku, auraka e tapuia atu." " WESTERN ISLANDS," " Mare," Mark x. 14. 3. " Uajiro maichaman uaam, jo hue tu nu, ake jori maru nui puiji ekereso o no re, me ne nge roi o makeze." " New Caledonia" Mark x. 14. 4. " Vano me vanikore tonie, mo ve pete me iera, nowi tene ve avetete mo toko o Jehova." Rarotonga. 1. Tai 2. Eua 3. Torn 4. A 5. Hima 6. Ono 7. Itu 8. Varu 9. Iva 10. Nqauru THE NUMERALS. Tana. Loyalty Island. New Caledonia. Liti Karu Kahar Kefa Crirum Chas Luetse Konite Eketse Tipi Chagemen Luegemen Konigemen Ekegemen Luepi Ta Bo Beti BeQ Tahue No-ta No-bo No-beti No-beu De-kau 18 GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. These brief specimens will give an idea of the diffi- culty the natives of the Earotonga and Samoan islands had in learning the languages of the western groups ; especially when it is remembered that the people had no knowledge of any letter or sign, or any character whatever by which to signify the sounds they uttered. Yet this difficulty has been mastered by our teachers ; they also make the first attempt to reduce the languages to a written form, and invariably are the pundits of the first European missionaries who resided among these tribes. Just as the teachers on Mare were getting proficient in the language, and were cheered by the daily attendance of many of the natives on their instruction, a very general and fatal epidemic broke out on the land, great numbers of the people died, the same day they were attacked, in agony most severe. The only medicine to which the afflicted had resort was sea-water, of which they drank in great quanti- ties. Various religious services were also performed by the "sacred men," but all without success. The poor people died in great numbers daily, and the land was full of lamentation. At length with a view to propitiate the gods, two of the " sacred men" were appointed to die ; a day for the sacrifice was fixed on, the people who could attend assembled around the altar the victims were murdered but there was no abatement of the disease, many of the people were taken off daily by its virulence. In the midst of this extreme distress, it was concluded, that the teachers of the new religion must die, and be offered in sacrifice to the gods. Knowing the superstitious notions of the islanders, the native Christians realized their danger, and calmly resigned themselves to the will of Grod. The time of trial was now come. An influential party of heathen natives came from GEMS FBOM THE COEAL ISLANDS 19 a distant district, to that where the teachers lived, and with much solemnity demanded an interview with the prin- cipal chief. They said, that they had brought a present of food and native property to him, and expressed their deter- mination to take off the Earotonga and Samoa teachers, to put them to death immediately, and to present their bodies to the gods ; stating that this was the only hope left to them to save their population. The old chief, Jeiue, accepted the present thus brought, and consented to the proposal of the visitors. Death seemed inevitable, but God interposed, through the means of Jeiue's sons. Much distressed at the decision of their father, they placed a ransom in the hands of the visitors, and thus succeeded in saving the lives of the two Christian men , whom they now esteemed as their best friends. A few weeks after the above took place, the virulence of the disease abated, but before the people had quite recovered from their distress, or the teachers had realized the mercy of their salvation, another cloud gathered blackness, and threatened destruction. A brother chief of old Jeiue on Lifu, an island about 70 miles from Mare, having heard that death was sweeping away so many of the people of Mare, manned his double canoe, and sent a special messenger to advise him to rid his land, without delay, of the Samoan and Earotongan teachers of "the new religion." This advice was urged on the fact, that an English sandal-wood ship had lately touched at Lifu, the captain of which had positively affirmed "that Jehovah, the God whom the Earotongans wished them to worship, was a Man-slaying God, and that the people of Earotonga and Samoa were fast dying, since they had received this new religion." These statements led the old chief of Mare again to resolve that the work of Christian in- struction should not advance amongst his people ; and but 20 GEMS FKOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. for the interposition of the young men before mentioned, the teachers would have been put to death. Alas ! that we are constrained to admit the fact, that our own countrymen give out to a heathen people such vile reports as the above. Such, however, is the fact, and god- less Britains have, in this and other ways, done more to prevent the progress of Christianity and civilization in the islands of Western Polynesia, than all the united agency of savageism and idolatry of the natives, whom we have sought to bless. Under such circumstances, the Christian teacher has to sow the seed of instruction with much weeping, and it is only as he receives from his God daily supplies of faith, patience, and love, that he labours on with present comfort, or has any prospect of a future and successful harvest. THEY THAT SOW IN TEARS shall REAP IN JOY." CHAPTEE III. The first visit of the " John Williams " to Mare Reinforcements of native teachers for the island The first teachers' report of labours during the mission vessel's absence Dawn of hopeful success in 1847 Old Jeiue's selfish schemes to hinder the good work The native teachers' adapt- ation to their work Commencement of evening classes for native youth Wai- prevented Jeiue mortified. IT must be remembered that in making a voyage from the parent missions in the Rarotonga group to the island of Mare, we have to travel some three thousand miles. Hence the joy of the missionaries, on the arrival of the Children of England's Missionary Ship, to the islands. "We had long felt the desirability of being able to visit the Western islands with more frequency and regularity than could possibly be secured by any other vessels. In 1846, accompanied by several Rarotongan Christian teachers, we left Rarotonga, in this mission ship, and after calling at the Samoan islands, where we were joined by the Eev. H. Nisbet, and several native brethren from that mission, we sailed to the islands of the distant Loyalty group. On approaching the shores of Mare we saw hundreds of the wild naked savage heathen population running along the beach, or dancing through the cocoa-nut groves, in the utmost state of frenzy, and so loud was the yelling as to be distinctly heard on board the ship as we sailed some distance from the shore. 22 GEMS TEOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. Arriving off the settlement where the teachers had been landed two years before, we were cheered by soon seeing one of them coming off to us in a canoe, and on reaching the ship we were glad to find him accompanied by two sons of the chief, who had now resolved to abide by the instruction of the word of God. Although much encouraging progress had been made, yet it was not deemed prudent for the ship to come to an anchor, nor even that we should trust ourselves on shore. The lives of the teachers were safe, yet such was the wildness and unsubdued savageism of the masses of the people on shore that no dependence could be placed on them at this period, for the security of life, for even our clothes were sufficient to present a temptation to them to commit acts of violence. The teachers had made good progress in the language, and it was pleasing to see that the people now thoroughly understood the object of our visit, in contrast with that of those foreigners who had come among them for other pur- poses. Graining much valuable information on this visit respect- ing this early stage of the people's advance in knowledge, we were permitted to land two other teachers, to strengthen and to extend the good work thus commenced. From the journals of these devoted pioneers we learn GEMS FEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 23 much respecting the difficult nature of their first labours . They give a vivid picture of the fallow ground which had to be broken up before the seed sown could take root and yield fruit. Trials and difficulties abounded, yet the faith and patience of the husbandmen were sustained by witness- ing the slow but sure advance made on the mental darkness and the degraded habits of the people. Early in 1847 the teachers thus write : " "We have been long weeping, but now we are becoming glad. We see our work is not altogether in vain. Our house is open for daily teaching. Many of the old people frequently come, and are attentive to instruction ; and nearly all the children who live near us are constant in their attendance. We have week-day services explaining the word of God, and two public assemblies on the Sabbath. These are now well attended ; but, alas ! alas ! the poor people come, almost without exception, in their heathen naked condition. Some few of them get plaited leaves, which they wear around the loins. Alas ! as we look at them, our heart is sick with compassion towards them, and we have given to them the native cloth sent by you last year. The children who at- tend school have nothing but plaited leaves to cover them. But they are making progress, and their parents are be- ginning to be interested in the " new words we teach." Brethren, pray for us. We often retire in secret, and pray that God would speedily cause his word to grow in this land." While the people were thus making progress in Christian instruction, the old chief, Jeiue, urged on by the jea- lousy of the heathen " sacred men," did all he could to annoy and oppose the teachers. Because his two sons had espoused the new religion, he just gave the Rarotongan and Samoan men the protection of his despotic power; at the same time he was secretly enraged at their successes, and resolved to banish them the island as soon as possible. To 24 GEMS TEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. save time, this heathen chieftain devised a plan that should interfere as much as possible with the schools. He ordered a new house to be built for himself in Earotonga style, and demanded that the teachers should be the archi- tects. They were to follow his servants to the felling of trees, they were to saw the trees into planks, and they were to be at the work every day from daybreak until sunset until the house was finished. Although necessity was thus laid on them, and to have resisted would have been fatal, yet our devoted teachers, in the spirit of him who became all things to all men, gave themselves to the erection of this first building on the island, for the chief's residence, worthy the name of a house. In this doubtless they were right ; their knowledge of the use of tools, in building comfortable houses, in making su- perior canoes, and in teaching the people to make articles of furniture connected with civilized domestic life, aided them much in accelerating the advance of this savage people from the degradation of heathenism, to a moral and social eleva- tion. In this instance it was intended by the old Jeiue to interrupt the daily teaching in the schools, but the restraint thus enforced gave increased impetus to the desires after knowledge already created in the minds of the chief's two sons, and also in a few other young people who were now en- tering on a new state of life. They consequently requested the teachers to have an evening class, to which they might attend after the labours of the day about the house. A class was formed as they requested, a goodly number of the young people attended, and every evening's fresh acquisition of knowledge increased their desire to gain more. Thus a double blessing was secured where the opposing heathen chieftain had designed nothing but evil. About this time, while the work of instruction was ad- GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 25 vancing amongst the people with whom the teachers re- sided, the heathen tribes on the other side of the land created an occasion of disturbance which threatened to de- stroy all hopes of success. One Sabbath day, while the people were assembled for worship, a party of these wild savages arrived in the settle- ment. The war whoop was vociferated by a hundred voices, and at an unexpected moment all was excitement and confusion. They announced to the chief that their tribes had been attacked by another tribe, that many of their people had been killed, that most of their plantations had been desolated, and their huts destroyed by fire. They had now come to Jeiue and his people as their allies, and requested that without delay they would unite with them in an act of retaliation upon their enemies. To secure this object they had brought the dead bodies of five men, secured from among the slain of the opposing tribe. These, as was the usual custom, were intended to supply a cannibal feast before uniting in the proposed at- tack. Much to the distress of the little party, who were now yield- ing themselves to the influences of Christian instruction, the old chief Jeiue gave the visitors a cordial welcome, con- firmed their old alliance, and ordered the bodies of the human beings before him to be cooked in the ovens. This was a day of great anxiety to the Christian teachers ; but nerved with more than usual boldness, they determined to present themselves before the half-deified heathen chief. After giving expression to the distress of their minds at the circumstances of the day, they assured him that if he yielded to the request made, and especially, if he persisted in having the proposed feast on the bodies brought, that his sin against Jehovah would be greater now than it would have been in the days of his complete ignorance. They 26 OEMS FEOM THE COEAL ISLAKDS. exhorted him to consider his ways, and to set aside his pre- vious wicked designs. These exhortations were sustained by the advice of his sons. Jeiue yielded, the five bodies were decently buried, the cannibal feast was prevented, and a proclamation was made to the warriors that none would be compelled to go to the war against their own desires. Still, however, the heart of this old despot remained un- changed, and he continued to create circumstances of annoy- ance to the Christian party. Soon after the above defeat, one Sabbath morning he sent his messengers throughout the settlement, announcing his determination to have fish- ing sport that morning in the sea ; and demanded that his people should accompany him, bringing their lances and their nets. This act was wantonly determined on to annoy the teachers, at the time of worship ; and to a great measure it was successful. Unexpectedly, however, Jeiue and his party attended public service in the House of God on the evening of the day, but their behaviour, in the midst of the congregation, manifested the same spirit of daring opposition that had led them on in their morning's diversion. Seeing this to be the case, the teacher, in the practical application of the sermon, waxed warm, and perhaps exceeded the limits of prudence, in his reference to the conduct of the party, whom he addressed personally. Enraged at this public reproof, " Jeiue" felt himself humbled in the sight of his people, over whom he had reigned with diabolic tyranny, before the introduction of "the new religion." He gathered together his principal people proclaimed a prohibition under severe penalties, against the people attending the instruction of the teach- ers, and vowed that he would adhere to his heathen practices to the day of his death. CHAPTER IV. Act of incantation on the teachers The people suffer from fever and ague Illness of the chief's sons Lives of the teachers again threatened Old Jeiue's illness His state of mind His death More difficulties from heathen tribes Advance of mission. UNDER the combined influences of mortified pride and inveterate hatred to the new state of things, the chief was now determined to bring things to a crisis. His priests came to his aid, and in good earnest they commenced the ceremonies of incantation, with a view to destroy the new religion by taking away the lives of the teachers. Several of the principal " sacred men" waited day by day, in acts of worship before the gods, and their devotions being complete they came one evening, and surrounded the teachers' house. The oldest of their party secretly entered, having with him his basket of sacred relics, these he arranged in due order, and then the whole company of "sacred men" wrought themselves into fanatic excitement running in and out of the house, they first flourished their clubs in the air, and then with awful fury struck them on the ground, at the same time vociferating their hellish imprecations on the devoted objects of their hate. 28 GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. At length, alike exhausted arid confounded, they returned unsuccessful to their homes ; for smiles, and life, and good humour were manifested by the teachers, on whom they had sought to produce fear, consternation, and death. Slowly yet surely the cause of education and civilization was progressing among the people of Mare, when nearly the whole population were again laid low by the general preva- lence of influenza, with fever and ague. The whole of the people were more or less affected many were seriously ill and not a few died. Jeiue, the superstitious chief, escaped an attack, but his two sons had the complaint so severely, that it was thought they would die. The father, notwithstanding many signal defeats in his opposition to the advance of Christian instruc- tion, availed himself of the illness of his sons, to manifest his continued hatred to the teachers, and in the name of his gods, he vowed, that if either of them died, that very hour the teachers' lives should be sacrificed. This was a season of more than ordinary trial to those devoted men. Con- scious that they had no power to save life, yet sure that if either of their attached young disciples should die, the commands of the chief would be executed on them, they gave themselves to prayer. Their prayer was heard faith and patience were granted to them during the days of un- certainty, and in mercy the health of the two young chief- tains was restored, and the wicked purposes of the father frustrated. Jeiue would much rather that the death of one of his sons had given him a pretext for murdering the teachers, than that the teachers should have lived, and the gospel live with them in his land. After these trials, a season of comparative uninterrupted labour was granted to the Christian party, and so great was the success gained, that before the events recorded in the following chapter took place, the majority of the people of 29 four villages, in Jeiue's district of country, had placed them- selves under daily instruction. We have now to detail the illness and death of the half- enlightened, yet heart-hardened, wicked Jeiue. The time is now come, when this old heathen must mourn the want of that grace which he so long and so obstinately re- jected. At the latter end of 1848, Jeiue was taken ill, and soon after the attack severe symptoms of dropsy were developed, day by day he grew worse, and as is usual, alike in uncivi- lized and in civilized lands, the serious illness of a chief is a season of public anxiety and alarm ; so it was now with the people of Mare. Every available means for Jeiue's recovery was resorted to offerings of food, and charms, and prayers; everything, except human sacrifices, was religiously attended to by the heathen priests ; but they were of no avail, the old man continued to grow worse. The Christian teachers too did all they could to relieve his sufferings and to instruct his mind. In one of their letters, written at this time, they say " Alas ! alas ! for the parent chief Jeiue ; our com- passion towards him is very great. "We see him every day ; we talk with him about the Gospel of Jesus : we give him what foreign medicines we have, but he gets no better : Jeiue must die ! " During this sickness, the disconsolate sufferer manifested more mental distress than is usually seen in a heathen. He often expressed a wish that " he had died ten years be- fore." And why? Alas! the light of life and love had been shining around him, but he had opposed its entrance into his heart, and its power over his people. He had loved darkness, and now in darkness of soul, stung by an upbraid- ing conscience, he must die ! As his end drew near, the faithful anxious Christian in- structors never left him ; to them the self-condemned man 30 GEMS rEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. unveiled the bitterness of his soul, in review of his idolatry, his heathen practices, and his cannibalism. In a moment of comparative repose, he said to his sons, " I have been wrong in my opposition to the word of Jeho- vah attend you to my advice, and continue as you have begun; LET THE HEATHENISM OF OUE FAMILY DIE WITH ME ; be kind to the teachers, and never again let cannibalism be practised in this land." To questions proposed to him, it was pleasing to find that, even at the eleventh hour, the dying sinner acknow- ledged that " Jesus was the only Saviour : " to every an- nouncement made to him of the love of God, and of His willingness and power to save unto the uttermost, he bowed an emphatic assent, and his last words were, " Jesus is the only Saviour." Thus died Jeiue. His sons determined to bury him with a Christian burial, and selected a natural cave, in a rock, facing the sea, as the place of interment ; where the coffin was fastened to the ground by many lengths of cable chain belonging to one of the ships, which had been cut off by the old man's commands, a few years before. Many points of character in this heathen chief might be commented on with advantage to the missionary enter- prise, but we must proceed in narrating the progress of the word of God among the people of Mare. Soon after the death of Jeiue, his eldest son, liberated from the restraint his father had imposed, gathered together the principal people of his district, representatives both of the Christian and heathen parties were there, and a long discussion took place respecting the past history of heathen- ism, and the present position of Christianity. At the close of this meeting the young Chief "Nasilini" made known his determination, that heathenism and idolatry should no longer reign in his districts of country, that he and his brother had XASILINI. 32 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. given themselves to Jehovah, the true God, and that they intended to use their influence to establish his worship throughout the whole land. Such was the pleasing condition of the principal settle- ment in Mare about the middle of 1849. There was still, however, on the other side of the island, a numerous tribe over whom all the practices of heathenism continued dominant. To this tribe the teachers looked with much anxiety, and used every practical means to induce them to receive instruction. Its chief and its "sacred men" had done much to annoy the Christian party, and soon after the death of old Jeiue they made another bold attempt to involve them in war. The scheme devised was as follows : A man and woman of this tribe were found dead, near the district belonging to the Christians. Reports were widely circulated that these bodies had been murdered by the Christian party. The plot succeeded in exasperating the warriors of the heathen party, who assembled in large numbers, on the " war ground " between the two districts, and proclaimed a war of revenge on the Christian settlement. Day after day messengers were sent, urging the Christians to come out and fight to let the gods decide their guilt or innocence, respecting the charge of murder, by their defeat or victory in the attack. Every morning and evening, mes- sengers were sent from the Christians, to their enemies, stating that they knew nothing of the murdered bodies found that they believed the whole thing had been done by some designing persons in order to involve them in difficulties, and that whatever might be the issue, they had resolved to have no more war. Finding, however, that the warriors did not leave the "war ground," JSTasilini, in company with a few of his head men, went unarmed to them, and finally announced, that OEMS FEOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. 33 they would not fight that they now feared Jehovah they were learning His word, and intended to abide by its in- structions. After this the heathen party returned to their own district ; their diabolical scheme was frustrated, and since then there has been no more war on the island of Mare. " Thus, you see," writes the teachers, " the word of Jehovah is fulfilled to us which is written by Moses, saying, ' Fear not, I am with thee ; I am thy shield and thy reward.' The work of God is growing in the hearts of many of the people here, and they are coming every day to us, to inquire respecting heathen practices that must be given up ou making a profession of having become a believer." One of the last difficulties these anxious inquirers had to overcome, was the giving up of their plurality of wives. Not because they were not now convinced that one wife in the domestic circle is better than many, but because this cus- tom had been a part of their system from time immemorial, and because so much labour was done by the women. They said, " Alas ! our wives are our hands, and if we cut them off, who will plant our food and do our work ?" Honourable mention is made, however, of a few who at this time, for the " gospel's sake," gave up their many wives, each only retaining one. These examples, by their consist- ency of conduct, united industry, domestic peace, and daily family prayer, did much good, by exhibiting the relative duties of Christians, and setting before the heathen party a practical exposition of the doctrines preached by the teachers. Before, however, closing this chapter and witnessing the further triumph of the gospel, we have to record the painful circumstances of another, and happily, the last massacre of Englishmen on this island, done by the heathen tribe some little time before their war scheme, which has been referred to. An English ship called off their station, the captain of which wished to purchase fire-wood, and yams. Vexations 34 GEMS FBOM TJIE COBAL ISLANDS. occurred in this barter, which led to a quarrel, three of the natives were killed on board the ship, and many others severely ill-used and sent on shore. The whole of the exasperated tribe vowed revenge on the next white man's ship that should come within their power. Unfortunately, about the end of the same year, a small cutter, from Sydney, put in for supplies to this station. By a well-organized plan, under the mask of friendly trade, some of the most daring of the savages went on board the little vessel the innocent and unsuspecting captain and crew suifered the fury of heathen revenge the ship was set on fire, and the whole of its company, seven in number, were murdered, whose bodies were taken on shore, divided among the tribe and eaten. The tidings of this deed of bloodshed much distressed the Christian party. They now felt that the injury done to man was also a sin against Jehovah. They had reason also to fear that this new act of barbarity towards Englishmen would bring an English ship of war, of which they had heard the teachers speak, and that their whole land would be in- volved in trouble, and the progress of the good work, now going on so well among them selves, would be much retarded. In relating the new experiences of their soul, under these circumstances, they said, " Alas for us ! we never felt before as we now feel. "When in heathen darkness we knew nothing of this kind of heart distress, on account of the evils done in our land. Surely this change has been brought about by the word of Jehovah. It is a bright light shining into our hearts. "We now see the greatness of our sin. Alas for us ! "What shall we do ? "What will be the end of these things ? " CHAPTER V. First visit of Bishop of New Zealand to Mare " Havanah " ship of war Captain Erskine's visit to the island the people fear the consequences of the former treatment of English vessels Public consultation of the natives Proposed substitution for the life of the chief Captain Ers- kine's interview with the people on shore Articles restored to Captain Erskine. Ix the preceding chapter we have seen the struggle be- tween light and darkness life and death as sustained by the few and infant disciples of Christ against the powerful and experienced emissaries of Satan ; we have now to wit- ness the advance of the struggle, and to rejoice in the steady conquest over every foe, by the power and the love of Christ, who has " spoiled principalities and powers, and has made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by his cross." Towards the latter end of 1849 we are told by Maka, the Rarotonga teacher, that " a missionary ship from New Zea- land touched at Mare, having on board a missionary called a "bisopi" (bishop), Dr. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand. " This missionary ship was accompanied by an English ship of war from Sydney. The ship of war came on account of the number of Englishmen killed by this people." 36 GEMS FKOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. As might be expected, the appearance of these vessels excited the worst fears of Nasilini and his brother. Their own participation in the deeds of bloodshed done in former years pressed heavily on their minds. In their distress they asked counsel of the teachers, who told them to con- fess all that they knew of vessels that had been cut off by the people. They were assured that the "great English cap- tain" would not come on shore, and hastily kill them, or destroy their village for deeds done in heathenism ; but that he would demand a consultation with the chiefs and the people, and calmly inquire into the whole truth. To this inquiry they were advised to submit with confidence and fidelity. A meeting of the people was at once convened by Nasilini, the chief, who stated to them that as the captain was coming on shore to-morrow, to inquire respecting the murders which had been committed by themselves and their fathers, he was anxious to make arrangements for his reception, and also wished to know their opinion as to what satisfaction they could offer, so as to prevent the consequences they dreaded. At this meeting most of the under chiefs of the tribe ad- dressed the assembly, one of whom made the following appeal: "You see the white man's fighting ship has come to us ; the great captain will be on shore to-morrow ; he is come to be revenged on us for the murders we have committed on his people. We all know that we have done wrong, but what can we now do to deliver ourselves ? We have no property that the captain will value. It may be that our chief will have to suffer. Now this is my inquiry to you all ; who is there amongst us that will compassionate our chief and our land, and of his own accord will come forward and give himself up to the English captain, either to be put to death or to be put in confinement on board ship, as may be decided on ? OEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 37 O people, think of this ; it may be by this means the foreigners will forgive our past crimes, and save our land from destruction." This appeal deeply affected the half-civilized affrighted natives, who were but just entering into the light and liberty of Christian truth, and four brave men came forward from amongst the multitude, and willingly gave themselves up to imprisonment or to death, as Captain Erskine might decide, if by so doing they could deliver their people from death. Captain Erskine, of whose kind services to our native teachers we cannot speak in too high praise, landed on Mare the morning after the above meeting was held, and we cannot do better than record the interview he had with the people, as given by himself, in his journal of a cruise amongst the islands. Captain Erskine says, " On entering the little boat har- bour, the first object which struck our attention was part of a canoe inserted at a considerable distance above the sea in a cave, to which it was fastened by several turns of an iron chain. This was the coffin and burial-place of the old chief Jeiue, and the securing chain was a part of a cable belong- ing to an English ship destroyed by this tribe " It being high water we landed easily on the beautiful sandy beach, in a little cove. The whole population wa s gathered together in solemn silence, and the two young chiefs were seated in the centre. In no instance had we yet met with so formal a reception ; and it was evident from the anxiety depicted on the countenances of all that they considered the great question of forgiveness or punishment for past offences was now to be settled. " "We took our seats between the two chiefs, and after a short pause the business of the day was opened. After re- counting the deeds of bloodshed they had committed in the seizure of ships and the massacre of white men, I alluded to 38 GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. the report I had just received from the Christian teachers respecting their improved disposition, of the abandonment of savage customs, and of their desire for instruction, and concluded by saying that in consequence of their altered habits and the contrition they had expressed for their former misdeeds, I was willing to forgive the past, and would inflict no punishment." As a proof, however, of their sincerity, Captain Erskine demanded that they should surrender to him all articles still in their possession, belonging to the unfortunate vessels they had cut off. This communication relieved the apprehensions of the people, and scarcely had the demand been made before several men came dragging many lengths of chain cable of the cutter Sisters, with iron mast hoops and many other articles, which were given over to Captain Erskine. In a speech made by the young chief Nasilini, he ex- pressed his sorrow for their former wicked practices, and said " that it was not then their good fortune to have mis- sionary teaching, and that now he hoped nothing of the kind would ever occur again. In conclusion, he said every article in their possession taken from ships had now been given up, with the exception of the chain attached to Jeiue's coffin, but it also should be sent for if required. Captain Erskine disclaimed any intention of disturbing the dead, and with much tact requested that the chain in- terred with the old chief should remain in the grave to sig- nify that all their animosities should be for ever buried. This figure was well understood by the natives, and much applauded. Thus favourably ended Captain Erskine's in- terview with the people of Mare. The Bishop of New Zealand, who accompanied Captain Erskine on shore, and who has often expressed himself highly gratified with what he saw of the people's advanced position GEMS FBOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 39 at this time, gave them a short exhortation to continue to attend to Christian instruction. Captain Erskine says, " that the men who came to the conference had no wrappers, and some of them had painted their faces in white lines as a sign of mourning. Their eyes were remarkably fine, and their foreheads high and well- formed." As a result of Christian teaching, Captain Erskine found the people very eager to barter the produce of their land for shirts, calico, and other articles of English manufacture. This desire, it is hoped, will be encouraged by merchants visiting the island, which, if met with justice and equity, will aid them to acquire the means necessary to advance their civilization. And now after a long, dreary, dangerous, and laborious night of years of toil, the devoted Christian teachers were permitted to witness the beaming forth of the bright rays of morning which continue to increase and promise a joyous day of enlarged prosperity. Up to this time Sabbath-day services had been held in small and scattered congregations ; it was now proposed that the natives who lived sufficiently near should form themselves into a convenient settlement. This being done, the people united their energies and built the first large commodious chapel erected on Mare. Under the superin- tendence and assistance of the teachers, this house of prayer, a wattled and plastered building, was speedily finished. It was 130 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 42 feet high in the roof. It would have been an interesting sight to have seen this half-enlightened, half-subdued barbarous people, busying themselves, heart and hand, in this new work. How great the change manifested then, even in their transition state, as reviewed in contrast with the entirely wild condition, in which they were found but a few years before ! CHAPTER VI. Opening services in new chapel Another morning cloud Its disappear- ance The first Christian baptism Another village occupied Another chapel built Book in language of Mare Arrival of mission ship, 1852 A joyous day on shore Native desire for European missionaries. THE house of prayer commenced in a spirit and under circumstances of so much interest, as those referred to in the last chapter, was finished early in 1851, and the people waited three months after its completion, hoping the Mission Ship would come with a missionary to take part in the open- ing services. At length, weary of delay, they resolved to open it themselves, a day was fixed and an invitation was sent to the tribes of the districts near, urging them to attend ; this invitation was very generally accepted, and great numbers came together on the auspicious occasion. Referring to this cheering event, the teachers say, " This was a day of much joy, our hearts were made glad. Early in the morning messengers were sent from clan to clan to pro- claim the joyful occasion, each one calling out as he went, ' Brethren ! Come, come to the opening of the house of Jehovah ; come, the house is finished, the feast is ready, come.'" Truly might it have been said that day, " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who bringeth good tidings, good tidings of peace." Obeying the joyful summons, tribe after tribe came to the new settlement, and with GEMS FEOM THE COKAL ISLANDS. 41 emotions as new and as peculiar as the circumstances, attended the opening services of this house of prayer. At an early hour hundreds of visitors had arrived, of whom, with the people of the districts, more than a thousand entered the building. The honoured teachers were there. Many had been the years of toil through which they had passed, and who of us can realize the amount of trial and privation which they had endured ; and who of us can know the joy they now felt while they stood in the midst of the large assembly, in this house of God, raised by their own industry, and aided by a people who a few years before were savage cannibal heathens ! While we may in some degree picture to our minds the pleasing external circumstances of their new position, it is impossible to describe the experiences of such men as they reviewed the past, and offered praise from an overflowing heart to the living God who had been their help and confi- dence, and who was now become their salvation and their joy- it would have been a season of gladness to the mission-' aries, the spiritual fathers of the teachers, could they have witnessed the scenes of that day ; and what a reward and an encouragement would have been realized by the friends of missions at home, could they have been in the midst of this people on that hallowed occasion. But although neither missionaries nor the friends of missions were there, God was in the midst of them, the place of His feet was made glorious. Jesus was there : He saw the travail of His soul, and rejoiced in the triumphs of His cross ; and the angels of the Most High were there to renew the song of " Glory to God, praise to the Saviour, and peace and good- will amongst men." After a short prayer, a hymn of praise was sung, translated into the language of Mare from the Rarotonga hymn book. 42 GEMS FEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. Only having a manuscript copy, the teacher read line by line, and while, doubtless, there were many discordant voices, yet it must have been a thrilling scene. Portions of the holy Scriptures were then read, and the whole assembly bowed in solemn prayer. Another hymn was sung, and a sermon preached by one of the honoured native teachers, from the appropriate words in the Prophet Isaiah, chap. Ixi., 1st verse. Words of mercy indeed ! " Good tidings unto the meek, healing to the broken in heart, liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison house to them that were bound." This scripture was fulfilled that day in the people of Mare. Those who had made a profession of faith in the gospel were confirmed in their profession by the hal- lowed services of the occasion, and many who had come from a distance heard for the first time the plan of God's salva- tion plainly unfolded, were led to see the folly of heathenism, and gave themselves to sincere inquiry after the truth. An interesting and somewhat remarkable circumstance took place at the close of the morning service in the dedica- tion to God, by the ordinance of baptism which was adminis- tered to five adults and two children. This was the first instance of the kind in the history of our native teachers' pioneering labours in the islands of the South seas. The missionaries advise the teachers, that in their early attempts to instruct a heathen people, they should leave the adminis- tering of the ordinances of the gospel until those instructed are well advanced in Christian knowledge and experience. The circumstances of this deviation from the general rule were peculiar, and justifying there was no doubt respecting the conversion of the individuals baptized; the teachers and the taught had evidence that the Spirit of God was with them, and who could refuse water that they should not baptize ? After the morning service above described, most of the GEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 43 people sat down under the shade of trees and partook of a feast which had been prepared by the ^inhabitants of the village. In the afternoon the company reassembled in the chapel and held a kind of public meeting. One of the teachers presided and many of the people gave short addresses. They spoke of the change which had come over them and their land, in contrast with former days ; they expressed their joy at their present altered and happy condition ; and they proclaimed their intention to adhere with constancy to the instructions they were receiving from the word of God. Thus closed a day of glorious triumph : the elevating, sanctifying power of the gospel was seen in the mental, social, moral, and spiritual improvement of these people, who had been dug up from the lowest depths of human depravity, and were destined to become bright gems of re- splendent glory in the crown of Jesus, to whom be all the praise ! Some time before these pleasing circumstances took place, the four teachers had separated, in order to occupy another district of the country where the people had become desirous for Christian instruction. At this new station the people re- solved to follow the example of their neighbours in building a chapel. Lime was burnt, posts and rafters were prepared, planks were sawn and planed ; and in three months from its com- mencement the building was finished, seventy-two feet long, thirty-four feet wide, walls sixteen feet high : all done, under the guidance of the teachers, by people who, a little time before, did not know the name of chisel, saw, or plane, much less their use. The opening services of this house of prayer were similar to those at the first station, and equally interesting, and five adults also were then baptized. 44 GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. At these stations daily schools are now established, and are numerously attended, and a goodly number of boys and girls can read well. In 1848, we printed at the Mission Press, Earotonga, a number of school books, and Scripture Extract books, com- piled in the language of Mare, by one of the teachers. These had been invaluable during the past years of pioneer- ing work, and in writing to us, the teachers urgently request another and a more varied supply. They say in one of their last letters, " Our want of books is very great. The people much desire to learn. Alas ! how long a time we have to wait before we shall get any. O that we had a press near, to print off speedily the books we need, in the language of this people ! " One moonlight night, June 1852, after an absence of nearly two years, " The Children of England's Missionary Ship" again visited Mare. It cast anchor in a fine bay, on the south-east side of the island, near the station where the second chapel was built. A great and glorious change had taken place on the island since the last visit of the ship a change for which the missionaries had often prayed, but which they were not now prepared to witness. About seven o'clock in the morning, as the missionaries looked on shore from the vessel, they saw crowds of natives travelling along the beach towards the chapel ; it was Sab- bath day, and they were going to the early morning prayer meeting. The building, the people, and everything seen from on board the vessel, was involved in mystery, until the excellent, long-tried, faithful teachers came off, and related, as well as their excited feelings would allow, the experiences through which they had passed since the departure of the missionary ship. The Eev. Messrs. Murray and Sunderland, of the Samoa Mission, accompanied by Captain Morgan, went on shore to GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 45 attend the forenoon service. The missionaries preached, through the aid of the native teachers, who acted as inter- preters. Owing to the former desperate character of these people, but few captains of merchant ships had yet visited their shores, hence but few of this deeply interesting congrega- tion were clothed ; some of them had a single garment over their shoulders, others had on native cloth which had been sent to them by the churches in Samoa and Rarotonga, but the large majority had nothing but plaited leaves or bark of plants to cover themselves. After the service, the brethren visited the schools ; two hundred children were present, being taught in classes by the more advanced young men and women. Remaining two or three days at this station, the mission- aries then went to the settlement where ihejirst chapel was built ; here the change seen in the character and habits of the people was still greater than that seen at the place above mentioned. The brethren, in their report, exclaim, " What hath God wrought ! How changed is the condition of this people ! A few years ago they were a wild cannibal race, living in continual war amongst themselves, and aim- ing to murder every white man who approached their shore. Now they are repentant, docile, humble, and anxious to be instructed. Here is a good chapel 120 feet long, neatly seated with good benches, in which we met more than a thousand natives for the worship of God. The service was conducted with the greatest order and attention. Sabbath- day services are constantly and well attended daily schools are full of children thirty-one individuals have been bap- tized and many others are consistent candidates. Instead of the thorn there is come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar there is come up the myrtle tree, and we have in them a name, and a sign unto the Lord, which shall never be cut off." 46 GEilS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. Continuing the "report" of this island, in 1854, when it was again visited by the mission ship, the missionaries, in forming the most dispassionate judgment on the present state of things, say, " that education, civilization, and Chris- tianity are steadily progressing, and that the altered condi- tion of the people is such as has never been before witnessed in so short a time, under similar circumstances, either in Eastern or Western Polynesia." The people had built a large commodious dwelling-house, hoping soon to welcome a missionary from England, who should take up his permanent residence amongst them. This house was fifty-four feet long, thirty feet wide ; walls fourteen feet high ; has a spacious veranda, Venetian blinds, and six convenient rooms : the entire workmanship of the natives themselves, and built expressly by them for an Eng- lish missionary residence. This interesting and significant fact powerfully appeals to Christians in this country to give ear to their call. A complete revolution has taken place in the entire frame- work of society. Hundreds of the people can read the word of God ; hundreds more are learning, a great number of whom are anxiously seeking the salvation of their souls. According to the word of Jehovah so it is come to pass, "Behold, I make all things new," and "the islands shall wait for my law." "All things are ready." Instead of our having to go to them to compel them to come in, they now entreat us to go to them and instruct them more fully in the way of salvation. Let it, however, be remembered, that the instrumentality employed in effecting this great change has been native in- strumentality, men whose fathers, in the Samoa and Earo- tonga groups, but a few years ago were heathen idolaters. The agents have been men, the power has been from God ; to him be all the praise. GEMS FBOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 47 May this narrative of missionary enterprise on the Island of Mare stimulate the churches in this country to sustain and increase the funds of our various Missionary Societies, that they may continue to send out many labourers to this and other parts of the mission field, where untold multitudes are with anxious desire crying, " Come over and help us." " Come let us with a grateful heart In the blest labours share a part ; Our prayers and offerings gladly bring, To aid the triumphs of our King. Let us improve the heavenly gale, Spread to each breeze our hoisted sail; Till north and south, and east and west, Shall be, as favour'd Britain, blest." FINIS. THE SECOND NUIOEE WILL CONTAIN AN ACCOUNT OF THE "ISLAND OF EATE." 48 HYMN TTH, BOOK SRD, ( WATTS') L.M. Translated into the Native Language. 'WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS," &c. Kia nana au i te Satauro, I mate ei a Jesu Christ ; Taku i kite i teianei ao, E mea viivii anake rai. Kia maara an 'te matenga, O Jesu te Ariki mou ; Taku i rekareka na, Kua akakoreia e au. Te rima e te upoko nei, Te vaevae e te kaokao rai, Na reira mai i tae mai ei Te ora e te aroa rai. Eaa te tau kia apai au, Ki toku Pu, kia Jesu rai ; Eaa, ko toku nei ngakau, Ei apinga nona uaorai. London: Reed and Pardon, Printers, Pater.ioster Row. NATIVES OF " FATE." GEMS FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. 51 THE ISLAND OF MAKE. (Continued.) SINCE the last number was put to press, the " Missionary ship " " JOHN WILLIAMS " has reached England from the islands, and brings encouraging information respecting the island of " MARE" down to the time of her leaving. Through the liberality of Christian friends in Sydney, the Directors of the " London Missionary Society" were enabled to send out two missionaries, in the autumn of 1853, to be located either on islands of the New Hebrides, or the Loyalty group, as Providence might indicate. These bre- thren, Rev. Messrs. Creagh and Jones, with their devoted wives, reached Samoa last summer, and in September were taken on in the mission ship, by the Rev. Messrs. Hardie and Sunderland, to the island of Mare. On their landing, they were welcomed by a great con- course of natives, who, with few exceptions, were all clothed, either in native or foreign garments. After expressing their joy that English missionaries had come to reside with them, they offered three of their most convenient neatly-plastered houses for their service. The offer was accepted, and our brethren took up their residence on this most interesting island, which had been so successfully opened up, by the blessing of G-od, on the labours of our native teachers. At one station, since the last visit of the mission ship, twelve good lime-plastered houses had been built ; a strong stone chapel had been erected, eighty feet long by sixty feet wide, which is filled to overflowing every Lord's-day. The whole population, except the very aged and the very young, can read ; and about one hundred persons are candidates for Christian communion. At another settlement, the same progress obtained. Heathenism and polygamy are abandoned, many good 52 GEMS FttOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. houses and a new chapel have been erected, as a fruit and evidence of the people's advance in civilization. More than two hundred persons had learned to read well, and more than fourscore of that number were giving evidence of a true conversion to Grod, and were waiting to be united together in communion with the Church of Christ. Seldom or ever has it been the lot of missionaries to commence their labours under circumstances so favourable, amongst a people so prepared to receive, and to be blessed, by their instruction. More than one-half of the entire population of Mare have abandoned heathenism, and are thirsting after knowledge. Those who have not yet publicly renounced their old prac- tices, give a kind welcome, and an attentive hearing, to the Christian teacher ; and there is every reason to hope that, ere long, the whole land will be subdued by the power, and radiant with the glory of the gospel of JESUS, to whom be all the glory ; and let the whole Church say, AMEN. "NATION SHALL NOT LIFT UP SWOKD AGAINST NATION, NE1THEB SHALL THEY LJBAUN WAK ANX MOKK." CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Flight of a party of Samoan warriors from Samoa, in heathenism Their landing on " Fate" Character and influence of SUALO, their leader His first hearing of missionaries being on Samoa His desire that they should come to Fate The first visit of the " John Williams " Description of the people A Sydney trading vessel cut off hy the people Favourable reception given to Christian teachers in 1845 55 CHAPTER II. Second visit of mission ship Joyful meeting with the teachers Confer- ence held with the teachers, who give in their report Notices of religious faith and practices of the heathen people Population, numerous and much scattered A visit to the interior Report of teachers' first successes A meeting with the heathen natives of Fate on board the mission ship Their desire for more teachers Appli- cation from " Ngos," a heathen chief A Christian volunteer The vessel's departure 63 CHAPTER III. Tairi's parentage and early life His education His decision for Christ His labours in the Hervey Group His voyage to Fate Circum- stances of his landing Protracted absence of mission ship Two teachers die Tairi's illness and death Circumstances of Tairi's wife's death An infant rescued from the grave who had been buried alive A young man's escape from the grave ... .71 CHAPTER IV. A whaling ship wrecked on Fate Crew murdered One man saved hy the teachers His note of testimony A scheme devised by the natives to take the mission ship The vessel's escape to another station Difficulties arising out of the great wickedness and igno- rance of the people Two attempts by the natives to murder the teachers Horrid deeds of barbarity by white men The missionary's lament An appeal 78 PAGE 54 COKTENT8. CHAPTER V. i Havanah harbour Fate chief desires to visit Samoa His engagements while there The mission ship returns to England Trial of teachers' faith and patience Burying alive of a widow and her daughter pre- vented Further reinforcement of the mission Very general sick- ness of the people Heathen party exasperated They murder two- and-twenty natives Hopeful progress at some of the stations . . 85 CHAPTER YL Last visit to the island in 1854 A meditated attack on the mission ship by a heathen party Many teachers had died since the last visit Circumstances of their illness and death A native letter Two teachers barbarously murdered Present consequent painful position of Fate mission Our hope still ia the power and the grace of God . 91 THE ISLAND OF FATE, CHAPTER I. Flight of a party of Samoan warriors from Samoa, in heathenism Their landing on " Fate " Character and influence of SUALO, their leader His first hearing of missionaries being on Samoa His desire that they should come to Fate The first visit of the " John Williams " Descrip- tion of the people A Sydney trading vessel cut off by the people Favourable reception given to Christian teachers in 1845. THE first missionary visit to the island of " FATE" is con- nected with an incident of native immigration, which cannot fail to interest and instruct, and, it may be, give some idea respecting the peopling of many of the isolated and far separated lands of the Pacific. During one of those sanguinary wars which were fre- quently occurring between the tribes of the Samoan islands in " Central Polynesia," before the introduction of Chris- tianity, a vanquished party of heathen warriors, numbering upwards of fivescore, left their Samoan island home in double canoes, intending to steer their course to " Tongatabu," an island of the Friendly group, some 400 miles south-west of Samoa. 56 GEMS TBOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. Under ordinary circumstances of fine weather and fair winds, they would, in all probability, have reached Tongatabu in safety, but they were overtaken with foul weather, got into contrary winds and currents ; lost their course ; many of the party died at sea ; and, after some weeks' distress and danger, a mere remnant of them reached FATE, one of the largest lands of the New Hebrides group, and about 1,300 miles in a contrary direction to that they had desired to take. FATE was at this time thickly populated by a savage, heathen people, whose different tribes were continually at war. "SuALO," a leading spirit of the immigrant party, and who had been a great "fighting man" in Samoa, joined himself to one of the Fate tribes ; was very successful in his aggressions on the mountain tribes ; soon became a man of renown, and gained much influence over the chief and people of the district where he resided. In the year 1845 the missionary ship " John "Williams" made her first voyage round the " westward islands," having on board the Rev. Messrs. Murray and Turner, as visiting deputation. While lying off " Eromanga," endeavouring to land teachers on that dark, yet interesting, island, a mer- chant vessel hove in sight, and, on nearing the missionary ship, the captain came on board. He said, that he had just come from the island of Fate, a day's sail to the north-west of Eromanga, and that there he bad found, to his great surprise, a Samoan family. To this family the captain ex- plained, through a New Zealand interpreter, how that the worship of idol-gods in Samoa had been entirely abolished, that a new religion the worship of Jehovah had been adopted, and that a new state of things, nationally and socially, had come over- the whole of the people there. "Sualo" became deeply interested in these wonderful facts, and inquired by what agency this change had been GEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 57 effected. He was told, that the "an tavini o Jehova" (the servants of Jehovah) had come from "Beritani," (Eng- land,) and had taught them "His word," and that this word had been the means of the wonderful change brought about in Samoa. Here we see Grod in providence. " Sualo," while listen- ing to the above statements, became impatient with desire, and gained from the captain a promise, that he would visit the " servants of Jehovah," in Samoa, as soon as possible, and urge them to come without delay to Fate, to explain more fully to him the things about the new religion, and that he, now knowing the language of Fate, would assist them in doing for its people what had been done for the Samoans. Thus commissioned, the captain of the merchant vessel was glad to meet the mission ship off Eromanga, and the missionaries were no less rejoiced to receive the information, and to obey the request he had communicated. Having on board several Samoan Christian teachers, who were will- ing to risk their lives in introducing the gospel to heathen lands, the voyage to Fate was undertaken, with a confidence that God was leading the way. Early in the morning of the 1st of May, 1855, the " John "Williams" came to an anchor off the island of Fate, in a bay of immense extent. Everything on shore, as viewed from on board ship, looked lovely and fertile in the extreme, as compared with the barren beach of Eromanga. A belt of luxuriant vegetation extended, some half a mile or more, inland towards the first range of hills, which were covered with rich pasture, and were more or less under cultivation. Little groups of wild, naked natives were seen on the beach and under the shade of trees, but there was an evident disinclination on their part, to come off to the vessel, until repeated signs had been given that the visit was of a peaceful 58 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. nature. Thus encouraged, they began to come, in small par- ties, in their canoes, until a sufficient number of them, to be safe or pleasant, were on board, and now for the first time the people of Fate were brought in contact with Christian teachers, the history of whose subsequent labours, we are about to narrate in the following pages. In order, however, to give the reader a view of the Fate people as they were first found, I cannot do better than give an extract, from the descriptive pen of Captain E , of H.M.S. " Havannah," who a few years ago visited this land. " The people, although differing much among themselves, have but few points of resemblance to the inhabitants of islands in the same group. They are of large stature and regular features, some having straight or almost aquiline noses, good foreheads, and beards of moderate size. Their dress consisted of a broad matting-work, seven or eight inches wide, wrought in diamond patterns of red, white, and black colours. Many of them were tattooed with various designs, the cartilage of the nose was, in many instances? pierced, and the orifice filled with a circular piece of stone, and the lobe of each ear was also pierced, and hung with ornaments of sea or tortoise-shell. " Ingeniously- wrought bracelets, or small rings of ground cocoa-nut and shells, resembling chain armour, were worn round their arms and ankles, garters, of green leaves, were tied round the leg, under the knee, and their long crisp hair was gathered into a large top-knot, coloured yellow by lime, having a plume of cock's feathers attached to a scratching-pin, inserted in it, at one side of the head." These were the kind of men, in whose characters and cir- cumstances there was much to interest and to pity, with whom our teachers were brought in contact on the island of Fate, each one having his weapons of war, the principal of which were spears of most beautiful design, 6EM8 FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. 59 having carved barbs resembling the finest Gothic work, kept in poisoned shields of banana bark. These weapons were very numerous, and on them they set a high value. The shyness manifested by the natives in coming to the mission ship, and the evident anxiety felt by them while on board during the first day, was accounted for, by the fact that only a short time before this visit, they had destroyed a Sydney trading ship, and murdered the captain and most of the crew. As the whole blame of this affair has been attributed to the natives, we will give the particulars of its occurrence, and its issue, as they have come to our knowledge. The vessel in question came to an anchor in the spacious and beautiful harbour at the south-east of the island. Crowds of natives came off to her, evidently in a friendly manner, from the fact of having a number of females in their canoes. This fact, however, seems to have been the cause of the disturbance which ended so fatally. Amongst the crew there were eight or ten natives of New Zealand. To these, the Fate females showed more favour than to the white men a quarrel ensued, in which the captain interfered, and the enraged natives of the crew absconded to the shore. Expecting that the captain would seek after and punish them, they advised the people of Fate to murder him and the white crew, to secure to themselves as much of the pro- perty on board as possible, and then to sink the vessel. To this proposition the heathen natives of Fate de- murred, saying that the "white man" was wiser and stronger than they, and that they feared the consequences. The day after the above consultation, the captain went on shore in search after the New Zealanders, who being deter- mined on revenge, made the first attack on his life, and being assisted by some of the Fate warriors, they succeeded 60 GEMS FEOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. in murdering both him, and the whole of the boat's crew, who went with him on shore. Infuriated with the flush of their diabolical success, the designing New Zealanders got their hands bound together, as though done by the captain, and were rowed in the boat to the ship by some of the Fate natives. Getting on board, where only the mate of the vessel, and two or three men were remaining, they told a humiliating tale about their capture by the captain, who, they said, had thus sent them off, and who himself would come to the ship so soon as the boat returned. The novel appearance of these men, with their hands bound together, with the apparent truthfulness of their report, put the crew off their guard, and at a given moment, a preconcerted signal was made, the whole of the bound New Zealanders burst the bonds, which had been but slightly tied, and, assisted by the Pate savages, they suc- ceeded in murdering the whole of the remaining ship's company. Other natives speedily came to the vessel, her stores were ransacked, a few guns and articles of clothing, with other things, were taken away, the vessel was set on fire, and sunk. Eight of the vile men, who were really the cause of this massacre, died of virulent disease on the island, and the others left in sandal-wood ships, giving out a report that the natives of the island had been the sole perpetrators of the deed. The "missionary ship," on her first visit to this island, referred to in the preceding pages, cast anchor on the very spot where the remains of the unfortunate Sydney vessel lay, and hence the apprehensive shyness of the natives. Not one came off to her the first day ; early on the morning of the second day, some few men came in their canoes ; they were induced to come on board ; kindness gained their confidence, GEMS FEOil THE COEAL ISLANDS. 61 and before evening, hundreds of these wild people were seen going to and fro in the greatest state of heathen ex- citement and confusion. As soon as possible the missionaries made inquiries after SUALO, the Samoan heathen warrior, who had sent the mes- sage which led them, at this time, to visit the island. After considerable difficulty and delay, Sualo came on board, accompanied by a large retinue of savage attendants. Since his landing on Fate, he had married the daughter of the principal chief of the district, he had distinguished himself by deeds of heathen valour ; his name spread terror far and wide over the land, and fortunate did the tribes consider themselves who had him for an ally. Physically, he had the appearance of a fearless daring fellow, and now, as he appeared on board the ship, in Fate dress, with his murderous spear in his hand, it was evident that he was, even in the midst of the heathen Fate people, pre-eminently a man of violence and blood. How strange that from such a man should have emanated a desire for Christian teachers ! But such was the case, and both he and his party hailed, with no ordinary delight, their countrymen from Samoa, whom they now saw subdued, intelligent, instructed Christians. Much of the first day's intercourse with the people was taken up in explaining to Sualo, and through him to the natives of Fate, the difference between the missionary ship and merchant ships, and simply expounding to them the leading doctrines of the gospel. To these statements the people listened with great interest. Four Samoan native teachers willingly gave them- selves to the pioneering work. Two were located at a dis- trict called " Pango," and two at the settlement where Sualo and his tribe resided. In their report of this first visit to Fate, the thankful and 62 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. delighted missionaries say, " Oh that we had had forty teachers instead of four to have left with the people of Fate ! "We could have located them all with encouraging prospect of success." Such was the auspicious commencement of Christian in- struction on this island, one of the largest and most lovely of "Western Polynesia. A great advantage would have been gained could it have been visited again three or six months after this intro- duction of teachers ; but its far west position, and the many groups of islands at which the mission ship had to call, rendered this impracticable, and eighteen months, of toil and danger, elapsed before the missionary could again visit the devoted teachers left on the island of Fate. CHAPTER II. Second visit of mission ship Joyful meeting with the teachers Conference held with the teachers, who give in their report Notices of religious faith and practices of the heathen people Population, numerous and much scattered A visit to the interior Report of teachers' first suc- cesses A meeting with the heathen natives of Fate on board the mission ship Their desire for more teachers Application from " Ngos," a heathen chief A Christian volunteer The vessel's departure. IT was in October, 1846, that the second missionary visit was made to Fate. The day before reaching the island, we had passed the forbidding land of " Eromanga," where thick clouds were resting on its barren mountains, and thicker clouds of heathen delusion and degradation enveloped its savage population ; but as we drew near Pate, however, we felt that we had in view a land of hope and all nature around, seemed designed to animate and encourage us. It was one of those lovely South Sea mornings, of which people who only live in northern climes can have no conception the sea was smooth, the sky was clear, and a fine fair mode- rate " trade wind" bore us nearer and nearer to its extend- ing and richly fertile shores. Thus circumstanced, we were indeed happy in the hope of soon becoming the instruments of cheering the hearts, and relieving the wants of our devoted native brethren, who had been left so long a time without visitation. Our joy, however, received a check from the length of time which elapsed before we saw any movement made by the natives 64 GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. to come off to the ship. Crowds of natives were seen on. shore, as we lay " off and on" many hours, and at noon, the ship having drifted some distance seaward, we resolved to "tack in" but once more, and if no canoe came to us, to sail round to the other side of the land. On nearing the shore this time, we were cheered by seeing the two teachers coming off they were soon " along- side" the ship, and were taken on board. The unbounded joy of these faithful men, at again seeing the ship, after eighteen months' residence amongst such savage cannibals as the people of Fate, and in much suspense as to the vessel's return, can better be imagined than written. In the embrace of their native Christian brethren, they fell prostrate on the deck sobs, and cries, for some time, gave relief to the joy of their overflowing hearts, and as soon as they could speak, words of praise were the first sounds we heard. " Faafetai i le Atua ! Faafetai i le Atua i tona alofa tele ! Praise be to God Praise be to Grod for His great love !" Many of the incredulous heathen on shore, especially the warriors and priests, had been long since taunting the teachers, and the little party attached to them, saying, "that their ' religion skip' would not return," and "that they had been deceived by the foreigners, who only wished to gain a footing on the land." It was, however, gratifying to find, that, although it was not deemed safe for us to go on shore, yet there was no danger apprehended by our coming to an anchor in the harbour. This we did towards the evening of the day, and the ship was soon surrounded by more than a hundred canoes, each carrying from four to ten natives, of whom many, with neces- sary caution, were admitted on board. As might be imagined, there was much wildness, disorder, and confusion in the conduct of these visitors, but we were desirous to recipro- OEMS FEOM THE COBA.L ISLANDS. 65 cate the friendly disposition they seemed willing to manifest, and this being done, at sunset we gave them to understand that we would like them all to leave the ship until morning. This intimation was given through one or two of the leading men, and in an instant, scores of these wild unseemly looking savages, were seen scrambling down over the sides of the ship, in what to us was confusion confounded, by their hideous yells and shouts each, however, understood what he was about, and getting into his own canoe, paddled off to the shore. Left alone with the teachers on board, we spent most of the night in listening to a report of the various incidents that had occurred to them during the protracted absence of the ship, and in gaining from them an account of the habits and customs of the people. It was found that these ignorant and degraded people needed not a divine revelation to teach them the existence of a Grod. In common with all the Polynesian tribes, yet visited, they believe in the existence and dominion of a God, which they called " Maui-tikitiki." They were found to have no carved idols or images, but had many objects and places con- nected with events, and persons, which they held sacred they also rendered worship to their departed chiefs and renowned warriors. They believed in a state of future existence, and this had a practical influence in leading them to make pre- paration to enter it happily, by attending to certain rites and ceremonies. When asked, where the happy place is, whither they desire to go at death, they invariably point towards the "west," and call it " Lakinatoto." The population is scattered over the country, and is divided into tribes, numbering from one to three hundred each the largest tribes inhabiting the bays and mountain districts, and some forming extensive mountain villages. Each tribe is governed by its own chief, and hence constant r 66 GEMS FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. jealousies occur, which frequently lead to war, in the horrors of which, the male population delight to revel. Cannibalism, polygamy, infanticide, and immolation, were found to pre- vail beyond all restraint, in their most barbarous and revolt- ing forms, among the people of Fate. Subsequent to our visit, the worthy captain of the ship " Havanah " found the people still averse to strangers pene- trating into their country. One day, however, as a great favour, gained through the kindness of the Bishop of New Zealand, who was on a visit to the island at the same time, a party from on board that vessel were permitted to visit the spot, where the teachers had erected a house ; they were not, however, allowed to go along the shore, but were conducted some distance round by an inland route. The native houses were found to be of tolerable dimensions, of oblong form, with curved roof, closed at the sides, but open at the end. The first of these seen was taken for a temple, and from all the rafters were suspended quantities of bones, supposed to be offerings to the gods. On reaching the village, they were ushered into a large building, one hundred feet long by twenty-five feet wide, having the whole of one side open, and the interior of the roof entirely concealed by bundles of bones which were hung from the rafters ; vertebrae of pigs, joints of their tails, merrythoughts of fowls, and every conceivable bone of birds and fish, mingled with lobster-shells and sharks' fins, were suspended from the roof. These, we have found, were more or less connected with their religious ceremonies, and could they have been examined, and their history told, would have revealed most fearfully, the inveterate cannibal habits of the people. On this second visit of the mission ship, we were gratified, by the testimony of the teachers, to find that"Sualo," the celebrated Samoan heathen chieftain, who had been instru- mental in introducing the Christian teachers to Fate, con- GEMS FBOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. 67 tinued steady and firm in his attachment to them ; but as yet there was no evidence of his having received the gospel of Jesus, in power, into his heart. We found him still a heathen, yet desirous to lend his influence in aiding the establishment of Christian instruction throughout the island. Each teacher had been permitted to build himself a house, a part of which was appropriated as a place of assembly, to give instruction to the people. The first day of the week had begun to be observed, by many, as a day of rest schools, adult and juvenile, had been established, and were daily attended ; and more than a hundred persons at each of the stations, where the teachers resided, had nominally re- nounced the belief and the practices of heathenism. This success, however, created a struggle in which the powers of darkness, embodied in war, and other deeds of heathen cruelty, were aroused to more than usual activity and strength. One deadly conflict had been engaged in by tribes, amongst whom Christian truth and light had become an antagonistic power. The conflict continued many weeks, and many were the slain of both parties, whose bodies were brought to the stations, and on which the chiefs and war- riors feasted with hellish delight. Determined on every possible occasion to denounce this horrid practice ; and anxious to bring it to an end, the teachers frequently went out and met the warriors, as they returned in triumph with their victims, and in some in- stances dissuaded them from their cannibal purposes, and succeeded in getting the bodies decently buried. The cruel practice of burying alive, old and infirm people, and new-born infants, especially females, was found to exist to a fearful extent, against which the benign influence of Christianity, through the instrumentality of the teachers, had exerted its power, in some instances, successfully. Having gained thus much of report from the teachers, we 68 GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. resolved to have a public service with the people, on board ship, the following day. Early in the morning messengers were sent on shore to announce our wishes ; and in a very short time the entire deck of the missionary vessel was com- pletely crowded, with a novel company of tall, black, naked, wild, yet attentive savage people. Taking our seats in the middle of the "quarterdeck," and having near us the teachers and principal chiefs of the districts, we expounded to them, through our interpreters, the doctrines of the t gospel, concerning God and Christ; sin and death; resur- rection, and heaven and hell. We were solemnly in- terested, and deeply affected, with the sight before us ; and the people evidently understood much of our address, to which they listened with profound attention ; rays of divine light penetrated, for the first time, into the inner soul of many in that assembly, where the densest darkness had Before held absolute dominion ; convictions and emotions had been created by "the word," through the Spirit of God, which commenced a new history, a new life, in many an immortal being, to be developed either in happiness or misery through- out eternity. On board our mission ship, in the midst of the vast sea, surrounded by such a congregation, we felt that we " were fishers of men," letting down the gospel-net into the abyss of deepest moral ruin, and degradation, and bringing up to heaven's light, many thickly-encrusted pearls of inestimable worth, who were, when polished, to be bright gems of eternal splendour in the crown of Jesus, the Saviour of men. At the close of this address, the people desired that we would not only leave amongst them the former teachers, but that we would add to their number. Consequently, four tried and devoted young men were set apart to reinforce this mis- -gion. They were instructed to use every prudent means to make a tour of the whole land, and to locate themselves, at different stations, as soon as opportunity should occur. GEMS FEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 69 Amongst the company, in the assembly above alluded to, there was an old and influential chief, called "Naos," who, with his tribe, inhabited a small, but pleasant island, situated in the bay where our ship was lying at anchor ; and, after having made arrangements to locate four teachers on the main land, " Ngos" requested, with great importunity, that we would allow one to take up his residence with him. We 70 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. were much pleased with this request, but how to comply with it was our difficulty. Already, we had drawn too largely from our limited supply of teachers, and, having yet to visit many other islands in the group, we felt that we could not, from those who remained, select one for " Ngos." While, however, consulting with my colleague, the Rev. H. Nisbet, as to what we should do, a young man, who had been for some time a tried, consistent junior deacon, in one of the Earotonga churches, and who, with his excellent wife, had accompanied us this voyage, as a friend and assistant, came, and said, that he had been spending the previous night in prayer to God, that He would open a door for himself and wife to enter on missionary labour amongst this people ; and, that now they were not only willing, but anxious to be allowed to go with " Ngos," and to become missionary pioneers amongst the savage tribe over whom he reigned as chief. This offer was thankfully accepted by us ; and " Tairi," for that was the young man's name, was landed on the island of "Mele" under circumstances of peculiar interest. A short narrative of Tairi' s early life, together with his early and painful close of missionary career, we will give in the following chapter. Having thus accomplished as much as could be expected on this visit to the island of Pate, we commended our brethren to the protection and blessing of God, and set sail. Much had been gained, but we were sad, as we sailed away from this large island, remembering that every district was thickly peopled with tribes yet unknown to us, and whose jealousies made it dangerous for our teachers to visit them. "We deeply felt the greatness of the work to be done, the fewness and feebleness of our means at command ; and we were in sadness at the thought, that two long years would, in all probability,pass away, before Pate could again be visited by the missionary ship ! CHAPTER III. Tairi's parentage and early life His education His decision for Christ His labours in the Hervey Group His voyage to Fate Circumstances of his landing Protracted absence of mission ship Two teachers die Tairi's illness and death Circumstances of Tairi's wife's death An infant rescued from the grave who had been buried alive A young man's escape from the grave. " TAIEI, " the Christian teacher left with " Ngos," as mentioned in the last chapter, was born in Rarotonga, just about the time the gospel was introduced to that island. His father was a great "mataiopo," or independent land- holder, in one of the largest districts, and, was the son of one of the most savage cannibal warriors, who had gained a high pre- eminence in deeds of cruelty and bloodshed, in times when idolatry and war were rampant there. Tairi's father, however, was one of the first of his tribe who gave attention to Christian instruction, and who, pub- licly, made profession of his having received " the word of Jehovah" as his guide and portion, Tairi himself, was among the group of heathen lads who first attended the schools, established at Arorangi, Rarotonga, by the native teacher " Papehia," and there, in 1832, he received from the hands of Mr. Williams, the first printed elementary book which he 72 GEMS FEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. could call his own. He gave great heed to instruction, made steady progress in reading, writing, arithmetic, and geo- graphy, and was soon distinguished in the midst of his com- panions as a thoughtful, prayerful, pious youth. At the age of eighteen, he made a public profession of his attach- ment to Jesus, hy uniting himself to the Christian church, and henceforth gave his time, and talents, and influence, with constancy, humility, and zeal, to the work of instruct- ing his fellow-countrymen. Three years after joining the church, he was set apart as an assistant teacher, to Maretu, an excellent native pastor, who had the entire charge of Mangaia, then an out-station to the Earotonga mission, and for two years, Tairi filled this office with ability, consistency, and success. On the appointment of an English missionary to Mangaia, Tairi returned to Earotonga; was elected assistant deacon to the church at Arorangi; and, surrendering his claim to a large inheritance of landed property in favour of his younger brother, he gave himself to daily theological and general studies, with a view to the office of the ministry. Such was Tairi' s character, and position, in 1846, on the island of Earotonga. He was truly one of the numerous gems, gained from Polynesian tribes, through a preached gos- pel, alike the fruit and the glory of our missionary enterprise. His Christian excellency shone with a steadily-increasing strength. In the church, in the settlement, and in the schools, he was loved ; and in the light of his instruction, and example, both the aged and the young delighted to follow in the paths, in which he led the way. We had hoped, his life would be spared, and that in future years, he would be an efficient pastor, over one of the Polynesian churches. On the arrival of the mission ship, in which we were to visit the heathen tribes of the New Hebrides, and Loyalty groups, Tairi, and his excellent wife, expressed their great GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 73 desire to accompany us, but did not disclose their intention, in reference to missionary work, until we were off " Fate," when "Ngos," the chief of "Mele," requested that we would leave a teacher for his tribe. It was then that Tairi came, and told us that he, and his wife, had been praying to God, to open to them some field of labour in a heathen land, and, that they had both made arrangements not to return to Earotonga; in proof of which he showed us a basket full of mallets, and other tools, for making native "bark cloth," which he said, his wife had brought with her, in order to teach the naked heathens how to make cloth, and thus to aid him in his labours to elevate and civilize the people. Finding that we hesitated to accede to his desire, on his parent's account, he said, " My father understands and approves of our intentions. On bidding him farewell, I said, ' Father, do not again think of me in reference to our land, give me up to do the work of Jesus amongst the heathen.' My father said, ' Well, my son, if it so be the will of God, I do give you up. I, and your fathers before me, have done much service for Satan, during his reign over our country go, my son, I give you up go, and may you be a good warrior in the service of Jesus.' " Under such circumstances, we were glad of such a volun- teer, and to the apparent high gratification of old Ngos, the heathen chief, Tairi and his wife were put on shore. While bidding us farewell, on landing, they were much affected ; a native savage young man, a son of Ngos, about twenty-five years old, seeing their tears, took one hand of each into his hands, and mimicking the act of eating human bodies, looked up, as mildly as a savage could look, and shaking his head, tried to subdue in them, what he thought, was an expression of fear, by saying, " No fear no cry me no eat you !" 74 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. Such were the interesting and affecting circumstances under which Tairi, and his companion teachers, were left with the people of Fate, and twenty-three months passed away before they were again visited ! The " John "Williams " was bound to England. No other vessel was available, and had there been, the responsibility, and expense, of engaging it, would have devolved on the missionaries ; but during the absence of the mission ship, both we on the Hervey Islands, and our brethren on Samoa, were few in number, and so fully engaged with the imme- diate duties of those groups, that a voyage to the western stations, was rendered impracticable. Just one year and eleven months of toil, trial, and joy, mingled with no small degree of sorrow, had been endured by our native brethren, when the Rev. Messrs. Turner and Nisbet, of Samoa, conducted the third missionary voyage to the island of Fate in 1848. This lengthened absence of the vessel was most disastrous to the best interests of the mission. Some of the teachers were found alive, but in ill health ; others had been removed, by the hand of death, from their trials and labours, to rest and reward. After about ten months' successful progress in their work, one of the teachers was taken ill, and in a few days died. His companion's health at the same station soon began to fail, he lingered some little time, and as the disease advanced, became delirious. This circumstance was unfor- tunate, as it was the practice of the " Fateans," on the first symptoms of delirium, to put an end to the existence of the person so affected. As the report got about, that the Samoan stranger was in this case, a number of the heathen people came to his house, with murderous weapons in their hands, and demanded admission. The poor fellow, con- scious of their design, resisted them for some time, by putting his boxes, and other available articles, against the OEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 75 door but he was feeble, and alone; they forced an entrance, struck him to the ground, and he died. At " Mele," where the devoted Tairi and his wife, had been placed with the tribe of old Ngos, we were called to mourn over disappointed hopes, blighted under circum- stances deeply affecting, and, which for the time being, involved the abandonment of that station. " Tairi," on his landing, had visited the tribes near his residence, had explained to them the object he, and his brethren, had in view in coming among them, had got a few both of adults, and children, to attend to daily instruction, and had succeeded in getting together a congregation every Sabbath-day, to listen to the exposition of God's word. But before these new influences had gained sufficient power, so as to subdue the old habits of the people, Tairi was taken ill of fever and ague, his strength failed, he gradually grew worse ; there were no remedial agencies at hand, and submitting to the command of his Master's message, he fell, saying, "Not my will, but thine be done." His end was peace, and we have a well-grounded hope of his glorious immortality. His attached and faithful wife was spared the pains of disease, to fall under circumstances still more distressing. She was in health at the time of her husband's death, and soon expecting to give birth to her first-born child. The other teachers were at their distant stations, but arrange- ments had been made to remove her to one of their stations, as soon as possible. Some time, however, elapsed before this could be accomplished, and she was left alone in the midst of a cruel heathen population. Taking advantage of her desolate, and unprotected, condition, these degraded people proposed, that she should be given to one of the chiefs, who already had many wives, and with whom it was proposed she should live. 76 GEMS PEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. This proposition she, day by day, determinately opposed for some time, until one night, a party of savage men came to her house, and said, that they were now resolved to accom- plish their object, by carrying her off to the chief's house ; she succeeded in resisting them until morning, and then ran into a narrow part of the sea, which divides Mele from the main land of Fate, hoping thereby to escape to the other teachers ; she was pursued by the infuriated heathen, and getting out of her depth, she sank, and was drowned thus preferring death to degradation! We do homage to the noble spirit of this Christian woman, and to the principles of God's grace, which made her what she was ; and while we deprecate the awful wickedness of the degraded men who caused her death, let us redouble our efforts, to bring them under the full influence of the benign gospel of Jesus, which will lead them to a just estimate, and to a proper discharge of relative duties in this life, as well as prepare them for glory, honour, and immortality, in the life that is to come. Amidst the many sad events revealed by the visit of 1848 to the island of Fate, there were circumstances which indicated an aggression on the heathen habits, customs, and principles of the people. The teachers, whose lives had been spared, had made good progress in the language, had visited many of the distant inland tribes, by whom they had been well received, and not a few of the aged and the young were receiving the first principles of the gospel the power of God to salvation, to every one who believeth. Just before the arrival of the mission ship, a little child had been born in a family near which the teachers resided. Because this new-born infant was a girl, the parents wished her to be put to death, and the relatives, in order to hasten the deed, had with all possible speed dug a grave, brought the poor child, and actuaDy buried it alive ! The teachers, who GEMS FROM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 77 had been apprized of the fact, went to the grave, removed the earth, found the babe still living, and rescued it from early death. Not only were the majority of female infants doomed to an untimely end, but all the sick and infirm were buried alive. The grave having been prepared, the victim was bound with tough green thongs, and lowered into it, his cries and groans, being drowned in the frantic yells of the assembled multi- tude. A deeply affecting instance of this kind had just occurred. A young man, in the prime of life, had been, on account of his illness, buried alive, in the manner above alluded to, but he had burst his bonds and escaped. He was again taken and buried, a second time he struggled to the surface, and was about to flee to the mountains, when he was again secured was taken by "his friends! to a valley, where his body was firmly fastened to a tree, and compelled to die of starvation. Alas ! how truly are the dark places of the earth full of the habitations of cruelty ! arm of the Lord, awake, awake ! Arouse thy church to prayer and effort, in some degree commensurate with the wants and claims of the heathen world. Give love, and zeal, to thy people, to obey thy com- mand, and send out thy word to all the nations, and give strong faith, and enduring patience, to thy servants, who live in the midst of the heathen, that ihej faint not in the great work committed to their hands. CHAPTEE IV. A whaling ship wrecked on Fate Crew murdered One man saved by the teachers His note of testimony A scheme devised by the natives to take the mission ship The vessel's escape to another station Difficul- ties arising out of the great wickedness and ignorance of the people Two attempts by the natives to murder the teachers Horrid deeds of barbarity by white men The missionary's lament An appeal. JUST before the events recorded in the last chapter took place, circumstances of a most disastrous nature interrupted the labours of two teachers, who were located, on the last voyage of the mission ship, at Olatapu, a large station on the east coast. A Sydney whaling-ship had been wrecked off this place. The day after the wreck, two of the sailors, starving for want of food, were discovered by the savages of the Olatapu tribe, who immediately determined to kill them. The teachers interposed, and succeeded in saving their lives that day, but on the following morning, the bloodthirsty natives, watch- ing their opportunity, slew one of the unfortunate ship- wrecked men, and before the feet of mercy could reach the spot, his body was being prepared for a cannibal feast. The other man, took up his permanent residence with the teacher, and was saved. GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 79 A few days after, on a Sabbath morning, the captain of the wreck, and some twenty men belonging to the crew, reached Olatapu, en route to a large harbour on the south-west side of the island. At first they were treated kindly, and sup- plied with sugar-cane and cocoa-nuts ; and it was hoped, by the teachers, that they would be allowed to pass on uninjured. Suspicious preparations, however, were seen, and in reply to questions, they said, they were going to fight with a neighbouring tribe. But it was too evident that they were intending to make a wholesale onslaught on the company of white men. At length, having assembled together in great numbers, arrangements were made, as was said, to conduct them on their journey ; the whole party proceeded to walk, single file, along the road, a native between every white man, and other natives, as guards, on either side. Thus they marched some little distance, when the daring leader, wheeled round, gave the signal, and the whole party of strangers were struck dead to the ground. Ten of the bodies were cooked on the spot ! and others were distributed amongst the friendly tribes ! Alas ! the awful barbarity of such incarnate demon spirits ! The wonder is that they spared the teachers' lives ; but the God in whom they trusted, was their confidence and strength, and we shall see, in this narrative, how, rather than give up their work, by fleeing the island, these heroic Christian men themselves fell victims to the cruelty of those tribes. The Christian teacher, both native as well as foreign, has been too often calum- niated by our own countrymen, whose wicked deeds he has opposed ; but in such cases as the above, even our enemies, have been constrained to do honour to the gospel, by wishing, that all the savage tribes were brought under its subduing power. The following is a note left on " Fate" by the white man, 80 GEMS FEOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. who was rescued by the teacher from the hands of the natives : # * * This is to certify that 'Mose' (the teacher) and his partner, left Olatapu on the 16th of May ; we had to run for our lives to get clear of them. J. Jones was the only one saved out of the crew; they killed them all. Mose, and I, were saved, and I beg you to give him something. He is a good man. He ventured more than any man would think, and, after all had to run. I hope the Lord will pay him for his trouble with me. JOHN JONES." On the arrival of the mission ship to this island in 1849, the Rev. Messrs. Hardie and Murray were the visiting de- putation. The vessel cast anchor in the beautiful bay of the settlement of " Pango ;" but it was soon found expe- dient to quit her moorings, for a strong heathen party had planned an attack on her. The tribe, inhabiting Pango, was at war with an inland tribe, and they had resolved to bring off to the vessel, a large quantity of yams, pigs, and other articles, as a present to the captain, and to demand thereupon that the ship's crew, and guns, should come to their service, in fighting their enemies. If this was refused, it was arranged that they would show no signs of displeasure, but go on shore, and collect large quantities of provision for barter, and bring it off to the ship, in an apparently friendly way, and so locate themselves about the deck, as to engage the attention of every person on board, and, on a given signal, make one simulta- neous attack, murder every individual, and secure the vessel as a prize. This daring scheme became known to a native attached to the teachers, through whom it was made known, during the night to the missionaries, on board ; and before morning dawn, without being placed in the awkward position, of GEMS FEOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 81 either receiving or rejecting the present, the anchor was raised, and the ship put out to sea ; and was thus, in the good providence of God, preserved from what might have proved a fatal attack. Sailing round to another part of this large land, the mis- sion ship was brought to an anchor off another station, where teachers were also residing. Here the people were found more mild, and disposed to give attention to instruction, but the great masses of them, were still in their heathen ignorance, wildness, and degradation. They had demanded that the teachers should join them in their wars, and because they would not, but rather did all in their power to prevent war, they were often in danger of being murdered. If sick- ness prevailed among the people, they were blamed for it ; and, if they fell sick themselves, it was urged as a weakness on the part of their God, who did not preserve them from its influence. They thought Jehovah, was just such a God as their own false gods ; and so deluded were they, that one day, a pig near death, was brought to the teacher, accompanied with a large oblation of native food, as a sacrifice to Jehovah, requesting the teacher to pray for its life! It is impossible to convey, without these details, any idea of the gross darkness into which the mind of man is sunk, as found in these islanders. The native Christians themselves, are equally astonished, and disgusted, at the conceptions, and the prac- tices of their heathen brethren, and feel, that nothing but the patient, faithful, and constant teaching of the word of God, can enlighten, and subdue. In endeavouring to accomplish this, they have to endure dangers and privations which baffle all description, and which never could be sustained, were not the living principles of gospel love, and power, strongly ope- rative in their hearts. Their faith is simple and strong, and they are doubtless favoured with special communications of consolation, and special interpositions in time of danger. 82 GEMS FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. An instance of this occurred to the teachers, at this stage of the mission on Fate, that we must not omit to record. Determined to prevent the further spread of the " new religion," thirty armed savage warriors came from a distant settlement, in the bay, to the place where the teachers re- sided, and, in company with a few of the most daring there, determined to put an end to their lives; they were as lambs among wolves, but an invisible hand was their de- fence, and not a hair of their head was then injured. For many days, the warriors continued their schemes and ex- periments to strike the fatal blow, but all without success ; and they returned home, declaring it a wonderful thing, and as an evidence of a power, that they could not understand, that the teachers, without weapons, should escape from their hands. Again, and again, these wicked men came in contact with the teachers more than once they actually raised their hatchets ; but their arms were restrained, they trembled, and could not strike. Some time after, another party from another district, set out on the same bloody errand, and determined that they would not suffer a defeat, as their neighbours had done. Many canoes were fitted out, in which not less than sixty of the most savage of heathen warriors set off on their murder- ous expedition. Could we have seen them, skirting the shores of the land, passing quickly along to the spot of their expected conquest, we should have heard their profane war- song, already chorused with shouts of victory ; we should have seen them whirling their paddles and their spears in the air, dancing about, as the limits of the canoe admitted, with diabolical frenzy, as their bloodthirsty desires, seemed even already gratified, in anticipation, on the bodies of the devoted teachers, whose errand of mercy, had induced them to leave all the pleasures of their own happy, peaceful island home, to live on Fate, amidst such scenes as we are GEMS FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. 83 now describing. But God was near to save. The above party had not proceeded more than two-thirds of their journey, before they were overtaken by a storm, their canoes were dashed in pieces, and the whole company re- turned to their homes, more unsuccessful and more humbled than those who had gone before. "While, however, thus speaking of the horrid deeds of barbarity practised by these degraded tribes, our sympathy is excited, and our blame much modified, upon the remem- brance that ships had visited the shores of Fate, before the missionary ship, commanded and worked by men of our own colour, born in Christian Britain, and cradled in the Chris- 7 ' tian religion, but, who had committed deeds of outrage on the persons, and the property, of the natives, which for ever shame, and degrade, the white man's name. Many a heathen young man, on the island of Fate, has this day, fresh in his remembrance, a smart fleet of three English sandal-wood vessels, which cast anchor in one of their finest bays, some little time before i}\e first visit of the mission ship. The crews of these vessels were landed, and because the natives stood in the way of their gaining the sandal-wood, without proper remuneration, a quarrel en- sued, in which nearly one hundred of the defenceless, unsus- pecting islanders, were killed on the spot. Alarmed at this slaughter, about thirty others, of the aged, and women, and children, fled to a cave, there hoping to find refuge from the fiend-like fury of the white foreigners ; but the white men pursued them, filled up the mouth of the cave with dry brushwood, a fire was kindled, and kept burning until the groans and shrieks of the whole company of guiltless natives, were silenced in death ! * * * This being done, the foreigners were left masters of the district ; they cut down sufficient wood to fill their ships, and, stealing a good supply of pigs and yams, they sailed away glorying in their shame ! 84 GEMS FROM THE OOEAL ISLANDS. Oh that Christian enterprise, in the form of Christian missions, had reached Pate before such men, as those of the above expedition, had reached its shores ! Then, how much our views respecting their cruelty would have been modified, and their first experiences of the white man's character, would not have been connected with barbarity and crime. Mournful, indeed, is the lament sent forth to the world, some time ago, in the following language, by brethren who had visited Eate. Truthfully they say : " The evils committed by the white man on these shores who can estimate ? As we approach, we find them red with blood, spilt through th_e cupidity and avarice of the foreigners. The natives, after the first visit of the white man, know him only as a savage, and, standing at a distance, terrified at our approach, bid us begone from their shores ; or, bent upon revenge, they allure us to come nigh, and devise a thou- sand schemes to ensnare us as their victims. Alas ! what can be done ?" The churches of Christ are now replying to that question. The mission ship and the missionary are now becoming known to the natives as their best friends, and, although we have yet to narrate events on Fate, which cause us to mourn that our mission there was commenced so late, yet, there is more than sufficient in past delay, and present encourage- ments, to urge on the church of Christ, to sustain, and to extend its mission of mercy, even to the most degraded tribes of the earth. CHAPTEE V. Havanah harbour Fate chief desires to visit Samoa His engagements while there The mission ship returns to England Trial of teachers' faith and patience Burying alive of a widow and her daughter prevented Further reinforcement of the mission Very general sickness of the people Heathen party exasperated They murder two-and-twenty natives Hopeful progress at some of the stations. ON the south-west side of Eate, there is a splendid bay, known as " Havanah harbour];" it is unequalled in either Eastern or Western Polynesia, being some nine miles deep, by three miles broad, and completely land-locked. In this lovely bay, the mission ship had been lying at anchor during the day of the visit to Fate, mentioned in the last chapter. " Sema," is the name of a district of land which surrounds this beautiful bay, and considering the many disastrous circumstances which had so recently occurred, retarding the progress, and counteracting the influence of Christian instruction, it was peculiarly gratifying to witness the con- fidence of the " Sema" people towards the missionaries, who desired that their young chief, and his brother, should go in the ship to Samoa. They had now seen educated Christian men of their own colour from Samoa and Rarotonga, whom, they were assured, 86 GEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. but a few years ago, were in a state of idolatry and heathen- ism. They had also heard of the great change that had been effected by the preaching of the Gospel in those eastern lands, and how that, in schools and institutions there, promising young men were educated for future use- fulness ; and they wished some of their own countrymen to go, and to see if these things were so, and to remain under instruction by the missionaries, so as to return home on the next visit of the ship. " TONGALTJLU" the chief, and his companion, were pro- posed, and the request was gladly acceded to by the mis- sionaries ; they were brought to Samoa, and took up their residence in the institution for the education of native teachers. Here they remained more than two years ; they learnt to read the word of God, and were brought under influences which wrought favourably on their minds and their habits. The only thing regretted was, that during the residence of these semi-heathens in Samoa, some of the Samoan clans themselves were unhappily engaged in war, and they con- sequently saw and heard much evil, fitted only to their own dark land; yet, even under these circumstances, the character and effects of the " word of Jehovah" were strikingly seen in the educated minds and consistent Chris- tian lives, of thousands of the Samoan population; and it was hoped they would gain much that should prepare them, on their return to Fate, to render good service to the mission there. At this point of our missionary efforts for the island of Fate, we have again to mourn over the unavoidable length of time which passed away before the "John Williams" again visited its shores. It was her return voyage to Eng- land, here she was detained for repairs, and nine or ten months elapsed before she set sail again for the islands. On GEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 87 her voyage westward, she called at Rarotonga, where several native teachers were ready to go on in her, and calling at Samoa, several others were added to the number, and the visiting of the stations was undertaken by the Eev. Messrs. Murray and Sunderland. But, alas! more than " thirty moons" according to native calculation, had passed away since the departure of the vessel from the island of Pate. The " windmaTcers" and priests, and warriors, among the people, were now quite sure the "religion ship of the foreigners" would no more return. The teachers, too, whose faith was usually strong began to doubt, and their patience oftentimes was well nigh exhausted. Day by day, for some months, they had fre- quently gone to the furthest point of land, and ascending the highest elevation, looked seaward, with anxious hope, for the vessel's return. The friends and relatives also of " Tongalulu," the young chief, were also filled with much anxiety respecting his safety, and had frequently visited the stations where the teachers resided, to inquire whether they knew anything ot the cause of the vessel's delay ; and getting no satisfactory intelligence, they at length returned home, and with the people of their district, made general lamentation, and at- tended to various heathen funeral rites and ceremonies, mourning over their absent relatives, whom they now be- lieved to be dead ! Under these circumstances, both the teachers and people were much rejoiced at again seeing the " John "Williams" at anchor off their island, after an absence of two years and a half. A number of canoes soon surrounded the ship, and as early as possible a meeting was held with the teachers. It was gratifying to find, that encouraging progress had been made among many of the clans ; not a few of the heathen party had ceased to unite with other stations in 88 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. war ; had discontinued many of their superstitious customs, and had given up their former inveterate cannibalism. Under the superintendence of the teachers, they had also built the first chapel, exclusively set apart for the worship of God, in which regular services were conducted, and were well attended ; several families had established morning and evening prayer at their own homes, and a few persons gave hopeful evidences of their true conversion to God. The teachers had been able to itinerate among other tribes of distant stations, where they had been for the most part well received, and their message listened to with en- couraging attention. The horrid custom of burying alive the old and infirm people, and children, had been broken in upon by Christian instruction, and among the instances of prevention, was one which occurred at a neighbouring village, a short time before the return of the ship. An influential young man had died, and his relations de- termined that his wife and little daughter, should be buried alive, with him. But a chief of the station, who had for some time been attending to Christian instruction, deter- mined, if possible, to prevent this purpose ; he visited the family, reasoned the matter with them, and explained, as far as he knew, the better principles under which he had been brought by the word of God. He happily succeeded in his mission, and had the pleasure of seeing the body of the young man buried alone, and was the means of saving the lives of the wife and the daughter from a premature grave. Thankful and encouraged for the position gained at this station, a Earotongan teacher and his wife were located there, to assist in the work thus begun, and the ship sailed round to Havanah harbour, whence it will be remembered, the chief Tongalulu, embarked for Samoa. GEMS FROM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 89 His return was hailed with frantic joy ; hundreds of wild savage warriors, accompanied with as many women and children, gathered together on the beach to welcome him, who had been so far from home, and for whom they had mourned as for one dead. It must be remembered, that at this period of our mis- sionary efforts in Fate, we had six stations, more or less under the influences of regular Christian instruction. At three of these, a desperate struggle between heathen- ism and Christianity was now going on, and was marked by signs which indicated that a still greater conflict would have to be endured before the old system of things was broken down. At one village, where a chapel had been built, and things had been going on favourably, a fatal epidemic had prevailed, by which many of the tribe had died. The inveterate heathen party availed themselves of this visitation, and de- termined that Christian instruction should cease. The teachers, however, continued their services, until the more daring of the tribe set fire to the chapel, burnt it to the ground, persecuted the little Christian band, and effectually resisted all further aggression. About this time, a party of nine-and-twenty natives came from Havanah harbour to this station for purposes of barter. Just now the people of Pango were urged to heathen cruelty, by influences more strong and active than usual, and they resolved to murder the whole of the visitors. To accomplish their purpose, they gave out a report that a ship was in sight this brought the unsuspecting victims to the spot selected for the tragical deed, and two-and-twenty of them were killed, whose bodies, with one exception, were distributed to the cannibal warriors of the neighbouring tribes. At " Erakor," one of the most promising villages, sufn- 90 GEMS FBOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. cient progress had been made in 1853, to induce the hope that the time was not far distant, when all its people would be brought under the power of the Grospel.' The mission- aries visiting that year, spent a Sabbath-day at this place, and were much pleased with what they saw. Two hundred and fifty persons came together for worship, who evinced much desire to advance in knowledge and civilization. At " Sema," two hundred of the natives were constant in attendance on religious instruction every Sabbath-day, and more than fifty children were in the schools. " Lolopa," in Havanah harbour, was also taken up as a new station. Two teachers landed there under circumstances most favourable, and the brethren were again permitted to leave the island, mourning indeed over much evil, and many hin- derances, which yet existed, but rejoicing that so much of this unpromising soil had been "broken up." In many places the "seed of the kingdom" had been sown; and although harvest time had not come, yet there were suffi- cient encouragements to invite the Christian husbandman to continue in his toils believing, that " he who goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless, in due time, come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him " but, the " harvest home" is not yet on Fate. CHAPTEE VI. Last visit to the island in 1854 A meditated attack on the mission ship by a heathen party Many teachers had died since the last visit Circum- stances of their illness and death A native letter Two teachers har- harously murdered Present consequent painful position of Fate mission Our hope still in the power and the grace of God. IN bringing this narrative of Missionary efforts on Fate to a close, we are not permitted to record details of triumph, like those gained on "Mare," and other islands of this group. The enemy has marshalled his forces against us, and we are at present suffering a retreat ; a record of which, however, will show the friends of Missions, the diffi- culties we have to contend with in introducing the gospel to those heathen people, and we trust lead them to deeper sympathy, and more dependent, constant prayer to Almighty God, that He would give his servants continual supplies of sustaining grace, by which they may endure to the end, and ultimately triumph over every foe. The Eev. Charles Hardie, who, in company with the Eev. F. Sunderland, last visited Pate, in October, 1854, gives a deeply affecting report of troubles which now prevail there, of which the following is a brief account : As we approached the district of Olotapu, we were at 92 GEMS FEOM THE CORAL ISLANDS. first cheered by seeing natives coming off in canoes, but much to our surprise and annoyance, as they came near the ship, they paddled off to the other side of the island. Not long after, however, another canoe came off, having on board a man who had formerly been at Samoa, and from him we learnt that some of the teachers had died of disease, since we last left the island, that others had been murdered by the heathen tribes, and that only one remained on shore to give us a full detail of the mournful facts. Deeply affected by these sad tidings, and anxious to gain further information, we shortened sail, and lay " off and on," some time, until a great number of canoes, filled with warriors, all heavily armed, were seen making for the anchorage. Prom their hostile appearance, an attack on the vessel was feared, and the captain determined not to come to an anchor. After some delay we succeeded in getting off Setephano, the native teacher, and " Pomare " the chief of Erakor. Poor Setephano! on coming on board, he was deeply affected, sobs and cries for some time prevented him utter- ing a word. At length he told us that he was the only teacher spared amidst the afflictive events of the past year. "Vaaru," a devoted intelligent man, left at "Erakor," died of fever after eight days' illness. Tauri, another Earotongan teacher, stationed at this place, under date Pebruary, 1854, writes encouragingly, saying: "I am glad to tell you that I and my wife, the last three months, are getting on in the language. The heathen party, inland of my station, are very numerous, but I am permitted to go among them, and many of them are coming to our Sabbath- day services. Oh, what a sweet thing is prayer to God ! It may be this whole land will soon be filled with praise to Jesus, for the power of His word." " I and Tauri Vaine, my wife, have two classes of young people, whom we are instructing, every morning and even- GEMS FBOM THE COEAL ISLANDS. 93 ing. These young people are much pleased in learning, they are diligent, and we hope they will soon help us in teach- ing the old people : " . . . But in the midst of Tauri's com- mencing prosperity, his hopes are blighted his wife was taken ill and died. Thus bereaved, the young man, while his heart is full of sorrow, on account of his loss, writes, "Death has separated us has released us from the law which united us in the flesh, but it was well with her in death. Alas ! for the heathen, they were just beginning to understand, and to rejoice in her instruction." Before, however, the father's wounds, on account of the loss of his companion brother, and his wife, were healed, his only child was taken ill, and in one month after the death of the mother, the child also was carried to the grave. The distressed father again writes : " This is a severe blow my heart is full of sorrow: Eautoa, my son, is dead I am weeping but I lean my trouble upon Jesus." In concluding this letter Tauri says, "What I have written will show you the 'tu' or nature of our work among this heathen people; but now our greatest anxiety is for those who have come to us for instruction ; they are constantly tried and tempted to turn aside." Not many months after the date of the above letter, Tauri's own health gave way, there was no hand nigh to administer to his wants, he lingered some time, and died also! At another station, the prevalence of disease led the dis- affected party to determine on the death of the teachers, but nothing daunted, at this time, the faithful, ever-constant Christian men, went to preach to an inland tribe, and were accompanied by some of the kind people of " Erakor." On their return home, they were attacked by a party of the savages ; one of them was severely beaten another was only saved from a spear wound, by his garment receiving the 94 GEMS FBOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. weapon ; four of their native friends were murdered, and the teachers were only spared, by paying a ransom of two large pigs each, and six native mats ! But the most distressing event to our Mission on the island of Fate, took place on the 20th of November, 1854. Two Rarotongan teachers, " Pikikaa" and "Kaveriri," with their wives, were all barbarously murdered, at Lolopa, a station in Havanah harbour. The horrid deed was made known to the people of Erakor, two days after it had been perpetrated, by a man to whom part of one of the bodies had been sent ; and who, with his degraded companions, rejoiced in the triumph thus gained to their cause. A little boy, a son of one of the teachers, was at first spared, by order of one of the chiefs, who afterwards com- manded that he should be taken out to sea, and cast away ; this was done but the poor little fellow, escaping from the deep, had his hands cut off", and after being otherwise tortured, he was killed; and a party of the most savage spirits in human form revelled with delight on his body, in a cannibal feast. But now the question arises in the reader's heart, Are these beings men? and can such beings ever be educated and blessed by Missionary teaching ? Yes, they are indeed men our fellow men ; and thanks be unto God, who for our encouragement, has, by His grace, through a preached Gospel, subdued and sanctified " an exceeding great number" of such men as they. Among the " spirits made perfect" around the throne of God, and of the Lamb, they shine as holy and as happy as any of the "jewels" saved by grace; and, in our infant churches, in heathen lands, there are hundreds, concerning whom, it can be truthfully said, such were they but they have been " sought out" and " polished," by the Spiritual Refiner of men, and now, reflecting His image, they shine as lights in the world, exhibiting as great GEMS FliOM THE COBAL ISLANDS. 95 and as glorious a contrast as can be exhibited on earth, between the heathen savage and the truly Christian life. " Fate" is at present under a cloud this is the hour of the powers of darkness there but there is a light still shin- ing at the station of " Erakor." A considerable number of its people, with its chief, have abandoned heathen customs, are delighting in the word of God, constantly observe family, and public worship, and otherwise give evidence, of having ex- perienced a saving change of heart. It has been thought well that " Sualo," the Samoan warrior, who first led our Mission to " Fate," and " Sete- phano," the surviving teacher, should retire awhile to " Samoa," where they now are, with the churches there, praying God to interpose, by his providence ; and, on the return of the " John Williams" from England, cause the people of Fate again " to see their teachers," and to rejoice in their return. Brethren, re-peruse this missionary narrative respecting Fate, until your tenderest sympathies are awakened on its behalf ; and by believing, expecting, constant prayer, accom- panied with generous practical assistance, doubt not the issue. On Fate, as well as on other fields, where the enemy has already fallen, we shall yet spoil the opposing powers and the principalities of darkness, make a show of them openly, and triumph over them, through the Gospel of JESUS, our SAYIOUB, and our KING. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. . PACK Notices respecting sandal-wood Its growth, purchase, and sale Deeds of injustice and atrocity by traders in sandal-wood Captain Cook's discovery of Eromanga His intercourse with the people His landing among them Subsequent difficulties Captain Cook's fire upon the natives Unfavourable impressions of the white man's character on the minds of the natives 101 CHAPTER II. First efforts to introduce the gospel to Eromanga Missionary brig " Camden " off the island, 1S39 The Kev. J. Williams' and Mr. Harris' landing on the island Their death by the hand of the natives Unsuccessful attempt to obtain their bodies The service of H. M. S. " Favourite " granted by Sir G. Gipps Eelics of Wil- liams and Harris obtained Their interment in Samoa . . 109 CHAPTER in. Christian forbearance and compassion manifested by the native converts Their mourning on account of Williams' death A public service held A native convert's speech on the occasion His sympathy and proposition Second visit of mission ship to Eromanga, 1840 Two Christian teachers landed on the island Painful incidents of their twelve months' residence among the people Their providential preservation by the kindness of a native 116 100 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. PAGE First visit of the "John Williams," ]845 Favourable interview with the people The landing of the Bishop of New Zealand, in company with a Rarotongan teacher Eromangans taken to New Zealand Early history of a native youth His desire for the office of " bell- ringer " His education His dedication to missionary work His marriage His landing, in company with another teacher, on Ero- manga Hopeful prospects of their mission 125 CHAPTER V. Four natives of Eromanga taken in mission ship to Samoa Their edu- cation and consistent deportment Their return to Eromanga, 1852 Interesting address by one of them to his countrymen Beneficial influence of their reports Portions of Scripture and school-books printed in the Eromangan language Reinforcement of the mis- sion, 1853 Pleasing interview with the murderer of Williams Last missionary visit, 1854 Notices of the stations now occupied A native teacher's letter A call for European missionaries . . 133 THE ISLAND OF FOTUNA. Geographical position of the island Its discovery by Captain Cook Its size, productions, Obedia, now write to you. I, and your relative, Tumataiapo, have dwelt together in this land ; but now he is dead, and I am left at my station alone. He lay ill a long time, but Jesus was near him. My friends, this is my word to you ; receive it. Do not grieve on his account. He is now in the beautiful mansions of heaven, with his Master. He has rested from his work ; he has gained his reward. Do not grieve for him. Like him, may you all be united to Jesus, by faith, like branches in the true vine ; then you will again see him, and our King, in joy and glory, which will abide for ever. Amen." In addition to illness, induced by the unhealthiness of the climate, at certain seasons of the year, this mission suffered much last year, 1854, by the introduction of small- pox, from a Caledonia vessel, bound to Sydney. A great 240 GEMS FROM THE CORAL ISLANDS. number of the natives died, and several of the teachers also fell victims to the virulence of the disease. So great was this calamity that it had well nigh caused the breaking up of all our stations on the island. But, thanks be to God, just in this time of distress, the island of Aneiteum had attained the position of a prosperous Christian station ; and its natives, our first converts there, came to our help. Two of these have already been set apart to the office of evangelists, and are now labouring on Tana. Reports of the happy change on Aneiteum, have so excited and interested the people of Tana, that many of them recently visited that island, and were much gratified at what they there saw and heard. They made a tour of the island ivithout club or spear, and in delighted astonishment said, " that they had never before thought it possible for a people, of different tribes, to live together on an island without fighting." Thus instructed, and inspired with confidence, they re- turned to Tana, and are now assisting the Aneiteum brethren in making,what we trust will prove, the final and victorious struggle over the various evils of their heathen land, which have for so long a time opposed our advance, but which have; never entirely defeated our plans. A large sandal-wood depot has been established at Resolution Bay, and the time has come when the success of this mission demands the residence of European mis- sionaries. The churches in Nova Scotia have nobly come to our aid, in meeting this demand. Already they support the Rev. J. G-eddie on Aneiteum, and they have now sent to this country, at their own expense, the Rev. J. Gordon, to proceed in the " John Williams," as their second mission- ary, to the New Hebrides ; and, moreover, they are willing to remit, through the London Missionary Society, funds for the support of TWO OTHERS, as soon as their cry shall be heard saying, " HEBE ARE WE, SEKD us." , / &** _. , Los Angeles NOV10 A 000 075 065 3 Bi W.\