number of them can read very nicely. As I pass through some of the villages on the Sabbath-day, I generally hear from most of their dwellings the sound of reading. What a mercy to know that they are reading only what will do them good! They have not yet any poison put into their hands.

I have not found the children so forward as the adults. To stimulate them in learning, and their Teachers in instructing them, on Sunday, between the services, I hear them myself, giving them a little admonition or encouragement, as appears needful. This I find an excellent plan. Since I commenced, which is four or five months ago, they have made considerable improvement. They are quite capable of being ashamed when they do badly, of which I endeavour to make a good

use.

I have commenced a boys' and girls' Feejeean school. I began with trembling, scarcely entertaining any hope of success; but I am happy to say, that, though the number has been comparatively small, it has exceeded my expectations. The children now are as pleased to attend as they were at first. I find it necessary to connect a great deal of amusement with instruction, as they have but very little application. Some pictures belonging to Mr. Calvert I have found very helpful.

One little girl, who did not know the alphabet when she came to the school, can now read the New Testament without spelling, several with spelling; and many others have learned the alphabet, and are getting on in spelling a little. Their untractable habits make the work arduous and trying; but the Lord helps me, and I go forward, praying that the bread now cast upon the waters may be seen after many days. I feel the vast importance of teaching them to read, that wherever they go they may take with them the Guide to heaven, be able to understand it, and be qualified to instruct others. means, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, will strongly fortify them against Heathenism, Popery, sin, and the wicked one; and will provide a good substitute for our great deficiency of labourers.

This

I have a young man's Tonguese school in the afternoon, which goes on tolerably well, considering the characters I have to do with. They are very often voyaging, of which they are passionately fond, so that regular attendance is impossible; and they are so dissolute in their habits, that it is surprising, and a matter of great thankfulness, that they have any disposition to be taught at all. May the Lord bless them, and reclaim and save them!

Upon this island Popery seems to make no progress; and Heathenism is in ruins. Every where we see buris, or "Heathen temples," but most of them dropping to pieces; and the people appear to pay no more regard to their gods than they do to their habitations. Most here have lotued, or embraced Christianity; and those who have

not, are halting betwixt two opinions. Very lately many more have lotued. Until they lotu, or professedly renounce Heathenism, and embrace the religion of Christ, they will not come near to hear the Gospel; nor will they bow their knee to the Son of God. We feel it, therefore, to be a blessed thing to get them thus far, that they may be brought within hearing of words whereby they may be saved.

Tui-ni-yau, the King of this island, with others in this part of Feejee, of whom you have before heard, is one of the exceptions to the generality. He still tenaciously adheres to his idolatry, notwithstanding the repeated and faithful warnings he has had from Mr. Calvert and other Missionaries. A few weeks back he was taken very ill of dysentery, and was brought to his wits' end to know what to do to save his life. He first took our medicine; but as it did not succeed so quickly as he desired, he tried Feejeean skill; for they have many Physicians, and some of high repute. Finding this of no avail, he determined to make an offering to his gods; and accordingly had prepared a large quantity of food to be presented to them, and requested the Priest to invoke them concerning his case.

I was present during the invocation, with which I was much amused, though grieved at the practice of such deception.

I managed to get to the temple before the Priest arrived. I went and stood at one of the door-ways, looked inside, and saw several Heathens waiting his coming. They appeared confused, and were very much annoyed at my presence. One old man looked at me rather angrily, and said, “A tamboo, a tamboo ;" meaning that I was on forbidden ground, and that it was unlawful for me to be looking in upon them. I replied, "Tamboo? Tamboo in what? Why tamboo? Our place of worship is not tamboo. We invite all to come, to come to the great and true God through Jesus Christ, that they may be saved; and if what you are engaged in is a good thing, why be ashamed, and object to my being here?" This had a powerful effect upon the old man; for his countenance and tone of voice directly softened down, and he invited me to go inside. I said, "O no! it is very good for me to remain where I am."

Presently the Priest made his appearance, hastily entered the temple through the doorway at which I was standing, and took his seat upon a mat that was spread upon the floor, puffing and blowing, and occasionally uttering a loud shrill cry, to make believe he was so full of godly influence, that he could scarcely contain himself. After calling upon various gods in an imploring manner for some time, to interpose on behalf of his Majesty, he took hold of a large bunch of cocoa-nuts, which were prepared for his use, and worked them backwards and forwards, rubbing them hard against the ground to make

them fall off. All came off except one, which was considered a favourable sign. Soon after this performance the ceremony ended. At the conclusion, I said to the Priest, "How is it to be? Is the King to live or die?" This question so confounded him, that he was some time before he could give me an answer. At length he said, Sambula, or, "He will live." I then said to him, "Why do you speak falsely to these people ? You know that you are telling lies. Why do you try to deceive them ?" He made no reply; but evidently felt conscious of his hypocrisy, and looked quite ashamed.

A great number of persons were sitting round the outside of the temple, and appeared gratified with my interference.

If the King had recovered immediately, the true prophecy of the Priest would have afforded a fine triumph for Heathenism; but three weeks have now passed away, and his recovery is still very uncertain. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision."

May He work powerfully upon the King, and turn his heart! His not embracing Christianity prevents many others who would be glad to do so.

By his request we have again given him medicine, which has been beneficial to him. We pray that he and all his people may be fully convinced that his gods are no gods, and that the Lord Jehovah only reigneth.

The work is spreading rapidly in the outer islands, and it is likely will soon be more than we shall be able to attend to. I almost fear the people will perish for want of help. A few weeks back a native told me that the people at an island named Mango had lotued, but had lotued walenga, or "uselessly; that some were sitting in their new religion, and knew not what to be at; and that others of them, for want of instruction, were turning back to Heathenism. I mentioned this case to Mr. Calvert. With sorrow his reply was, "We have no proper person to send." "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." O let us, as far as lies in our power, not merely endeavour, but actually obey the command of the Saviour, "Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." O let us make an extra effort, let us strain every nerve, to save these "for whom Christ died." If we do not obtain

them, the Pope and the devil will, and be the means of their eternal torment in hell.

This is a fine, a delightful, field for Missionary toil. There is very little sailing against wind and tide, very little swimming against the stream, at present. Most receive our instructions with gladness; and very many have received it into their hearts, and have brought forth the fruits of righteousness unto the glory and praise of God.

Much credit is due to our predecessors, who, in imminent danger of their lives, have broken up the fallow ground, and have cultivated it so extensively and efficiently. In the great day the Lord will award them a crown of righteousness. He will say to them, "Well done, good and faithful servants," and everlastingly will be their exceeding great reward. In the language of Him who shed his blood for Feejee, I entreat you, "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to the harvest," and beseech Him to send us more workmen of his own choosing; that both they that have sowed, and they that reap, may rejoice together.

But in the midst of our rejoicing we have to mourn. Mr. Ford's health has entirely failed; and he will leave us this year, for which I am very sorry. Many of the brethren, with their wives and families, have had to endure much affliction; the particulars of which you will, no doubt, hear from other

sources.

Two of our Native Teachers, it appears, have been murdered during the year. One, whose case we have a certain knowledge of, was shot by a Heathen party, on an island belonging to this Circuit. This island we shall have to visit; but I do not know that there is any danger of our losing our lives. The Lord will take care of us. Hitherto He has been round about his servants as a wall of fire; and if we are faithful, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

The other Teacher, we have heard, and the information seems to be correct, was drifted in his canoe to a cannibal island, where he and his wife and children were clubbed and eaten.

We shall continue to need your sympathy and prayers. The brethren who have been here a long time, from doors which have lately opened, say, the roughest part of the work is yet to come.

But that you may know further the state of the people, and what I am doing, I will copy some extracts from my journal, commencing nearly from the time I wrote you last.

August 10th, 1848, Somosomo.-We received a copy each of the Feejeean New Testament complete. We hailed it as the greatest treasure which had yet appeared in Feejee, and regard its appearance as constituting a new era in the moral history of Feejee. As requested by the Chairman, we set about revising it; which work took up as much of our time as could possibly be spared from other duties, for rather more than a month. We read it with great satisfaction and pleasure, and some passages with astonishment, having thought that some portions could not possibly have been rendered so well into Feejeean. We discovered a few omissions, and some errors, but chiefly of little account. Our plan in revising was, to read it by ourselves in the day-time, noting down the passages where we thought corrections might be made, and come together at night to compare our labours, and write down the result. We sat hard at it, and got through it in six weeks.

Sunday, 29th.-I set out early for Weilagi to preach, where I had a laughing, talking, and otherwise very noisy, congregation, to whom I endeavoured to show that it was "a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." But, alas! they could not, or would not, receive it. I begged that they would listen once more to a Mbete ni lotu, (or Priest of the lotu, as they term us,) as they would probably never hear one again, but henceforth be left to listen to their own Priests and gods, undisturbed by the call of Jehovah. I told them that if they refused now to receive the Saviour, they might die in their sins, and be cursed for ever. I said that the time was not far distant, when they would be glad to hear the voice of a Priest of Jehovah, and would not be able; and that if they rejected the Saviour now, they would some day repent of it that they would believe him true when he came from heaven, "in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that knew him not, and obeyed not his Gospel." But all was in vain. I was only beating the air. They were determined not to hear of Him, except a few children, whose attention was very pleasing. O that they may be wiser than their fathers! My mind dwelt on the awfulness of leaving these sinners

to perish in their sins; considering this

as

most probably the last time they would hear the Gospel preached to them. But why should others, who will hear, be deprived of the privilege for the sake of those who will not?

I returned, and preached in English at eleven, and in the native language in the afternoon.

Mara, a professed lotu Chief, left Somosomo, with his men and large canoe, to proceed to Lakemba. I warned him of the wickedness of breaking the Sabbath, but in vain. He said he should stay to hear preaching first, and then go inland to Wainikeli, where his canoe would be waiting for him.

Sept. 12th. My dear wife was delivered of a third daughter. The Lord is always gracious; but his hand seems to be especially stretched out to help at such times as these, where we have no human dependence. We all have to be accoucheurs in turn, though, God knows, it is trying enough to us.

27th. The "John Wesley " arrived, and dispersed those fears which na turally arise as to her safety, when behind the usual time, as this year. We praise the Lord, and heartily thank you, our dear fathers, and the builder, and all the dear friends of Missions and Missionaries at home, for such a vessel; essential to our comfort, and, we might say, to the success of the work of God in these seas. May she long be preserved to visit us, and may great glory redound to God through her means!

On the 28th, after a very hard day's toil and anxiety, we got all our goods on board, and slept on board at night. If we had not done this, we should have had what might have remained on shore stolen during the night, as it was in vain to attempt to keep the natives out of our houses.

29th. We set sail, and, on the following day, when sailing inside the Vewa reef, a short distance from our anchorage, we ran aground, on which I shall say no more, as you have received particulars from the Captain and others.

Oct. 2d. In the evening I was examined by Mr. Lawry, and hope it was not an unprofitable time to my soul.

Sunday, 3d.-I felt exceedingly at the services this day, both English and native. What a change has taken place at Vewa since I was there three years ago! Then the Christians were a few and feeble folk: it was indeed the day of small things. They have now increased into a multitude of sincere and devout worshippers, Chiefs and people uniting

hearts and voices in celebrating their Saviour's praise. I had heard of the work of God there; but now I saw and felt it. Having been shut up amongst Heathen, and savage Heathen too, for three years, and having scarcely had any Christians to speak to, I felt the change to Christian society to be as much as I could well bear. My feelings were such as none but those in similar circumstances could imagine.

Messrs. Williams, Watsford, and myself were this day set apart for the work of God, by the solemn service of ordination. Who is sufficient for this awful work? O God, enable me to be faithful to the important charge of immortal souls, that I may "save myself, and them that hear me."

11th. We set sail from Vewa, and thus were once more separated from our dear brethren and Christian friends there, for how long, God only can tell, perhaps till parting shall be no more. I never felt much at parting till I came to Feejee. Here it is sore work.

25th. After calms and foul winds, and calling at Lakemba to land Mr. Calvert and the goods for that Station, we this morning came within sight of Ono. When we approached the entranc of the reef, the natives came off in a canoe to take us and our goods ashore. We were no sooner with the Ono people, than we felt ourselves safe and at home. They had to work with all their might, as the current was running fearfully out at the entrance. But as love feels no load, the people here think nothing too difficult, or too much, to do for a Missionary. They also gave the Captain as many yams as he could stow away, as their contributions to the work of God; besides some native curiosities to Mr. Lawry, for the bazaar at NewZealand.

Sunday, 30th.-I preached at Onolevu, the chief town of Ono, from 1 Cor. i. 23, to a deeply-interesting and serious congregation. How different even the external appearance of these Christians from that of the Heathen! These indicate in their countenances the dreadful state of their minds, whilst the Christians as evidently show the change which has taken place within.

Nov. 1st. Having brought sixty copies of the Feejeean New Testament, as the share for this place, I this day began folding the first half-sheet. Folding, stitching, and binding is new and strange work to me; but I found the advantage of the little instruction I had received from Messrs. Williams and

Calvert on this subject, and did them, not elegantly, but as well as I could, which perhaps would be almost as strong and serviceable as others more engaging to the eye. A few days after I had begun, four or five of our Native Local Preachers came, and kindly offered their assistance, which was gladly accepted. I taught them to fold and stitch, and they were a very great help to me, so that we finished them in five weeks, which, for us novices, I considered a great achievement. Our humble efforts at binding might be laughed at by librarians, but were highly appreciated by the untutored eyes and minds of the natives.

They paid for them well in native produce, chiefly in sinnet, which is very needful for Mission purposes in Feejee.

4th. I went with my wife and children to Matokana, a village about two or three miles from Onolevu, and preached from Eph. iv. 30, and baptized four children. The people showed us every mark of respect and kindness. We visited two or three very aged women, who, it was said, had never seen a white woman or child before. They expressed great astonishment, and seemed not to know how to make enough of us.

5th. I had the Teachers and Local Preachers together, to hear them read, and lecture to them, and examine them, and answer such questions as they might propose; which practice I continued every Tuesday and Friday.

Sunday, 7th.-I preached in the morning at Onolevu, from Matt. iii. 11, 12, and afterwards baptized ten children and one adult. I endeavoured to show the nature of baptism, as the sign of our covenant with God, its obligation on us as a command of Christ, and the necessity of keeping this covenant constantly in remembrance, &c.; and we had a good time. May the Lord baptize us all with the Holy Ghost, and with fire! In the afternoon I went to Waini, and preached on Philip and the Eunuch, and baptized three children.

Our weekly services at Ono are as follows:-Sunday: morning, prayermeeting; forenoon, the adults and children assemble to chant the Conference Catechism, or Taro Lekaleka, a shorter Catechism prepared by Mr. Hunt; immediately after which we have preaching; afternoon, preaching. Monday: forenoon, the children's school, at which each one repeats as much as he or she remembers of the sermons preached on the preceding day. The children's school is held in the forenoon of every