1856.] ROMISH PROCESSION AT MACAO. 43 reasons of his change of mind, and that they found him wonderfully happy, and all his thoughts taken up with what our Lord Jesus Christ had done for him, and with love towards Him. He greatly wished that his old master, the pundit, would come and visit him, that he might tell all his mind to him. Mr. Wilkinson says that the pundit gave this account with the most perfect simplicity, and he, Mr. Wilkinson, quite believed him. I have only to add to this account a very earnest appeal for the prayers on his behalf of his future supporters. He will have many temptations to endure. EXOD. XXXV. 21, 22. A TINNEVELLY Missionary, the Rev. E. Sargent, in a recent letter writes-"I have just been interrupted by a native walking into my study, where I sat writing, with all my doors open, and saying, 'Sir, you said, in your address at the Missionary meeting last week, how greatly the men might help this work by giving up the fashion of wearing rings in their ears. What you said is true. I have brought you the pair I have now worn for a long while. They are small, and not worth much, but they will at least help a little." " ROMISH PROCESSION AT MACAO. ONE of the processions we witnessed was on the first Sunday in Lent. On that occasion a full-sized figure of the Saviour, bleeding from a crown of thorns, clad in scarlet, and bending under the weight of a cross, was borne through the streets in an imposing manner. The military with a noisy band; priests in double file, scattering incense, and chanting; office-holders of every grade, from the governor down; all the citizens of note, bearing banners or holding bauble-like sticks; a string of little girls doing duty as angels, having gauze wings and airy-like gear to correspond. These chocolate-coloured sylphs constituted the finest, if not the most unobjectionable, part of the show. In company with these were lads, bearing implements and symbols of the crucifixion, a single article being allotted to each one--they were a hammer, nails, cup of vinegar, sponge, dice, dice-board, an image of a cock, &c. &c. Former processions of this kind included a person who personated Judas, walking with a halter about his neck, and attended by a couple of unearthly figures with cloven feet, horns, and tails. An improved taste has discarded this and other grosser portions of the exhibition. [Dr. Macgowan, of Ningpo. COLD, DARK HEATHENISM. "You are now going to die," said a young Chinese woman recently in Shanghae to her mother, who was on her death-bed. "You have often heard the Missionaries preach of heaven and hell. Which do you think you are going to?" "I know not, but I go to see," the poor mother replied, and immediately expired. Such is cold, dark heathenism. [Rev. J. S. Burdon, Shanghae. 44 A MEMOIR OF PITA WHAKANGAUA. [APRIL, ONE BY ONE. ONE by one the sands are flowing, One by one thy duties wait thee, Learn thou first what those can teach. One by one (bright gifts from heaven) One by one thy griefs shall meet thee- Every hour that fleets so slowly - Hours are golden links, God's token, wwww [Anonymous, in Christian Treasury. A MEMOIR OF PITA WHAKANGAUA, HEAD TEACHER OF RANGITUKIA, NEW ZEALAND. (By the Rev. Charles Baker.) THIS worthy native had been brought to a knowledge of the truth many years ago, and for the space of ten years had acted in the capacity of teacher. By diligence and perseverance he had acquired a very considerable knowledge of the Scriptures, and his views of the divine plan of salvation were very clear. He had been ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, that he might impart it to his countrymen. He had availed himself of all the means in his reach, while any Missionary remained here, and, on the station being vacated, he went to Uawa twice to school, spending some time on each occasion, during my occupancy of that station. I saw much of him then. His quickness of perception, and 1856.] A MEMOIR OF PITA WHAKANGAUA. 45 earnestness in application to his studies, increased my interest in him: withal, there was a deep-wrought piety, and singleness of purpose, not often found so conspicuously as in him. The Waiapu Station has been subject to trials in the removal of its Missionaries. Mr. Stack had left under a painful affliction. It was many months before the Rev. C. L. Reay succeeded him; and before the latter had been a year at his post he was removed by death. Another interval of many more months now occurred, when the Rev. R. Barker took the charge. He left more than two years since, and again the station was vacant for nearly a year. The religious instruction of the people of Rangitukia and adjoining villages devolved on Pita during the intervals when no Missionary was residing at Waiapu. Having many times visited this station since the deceased entered upon his duties as a teacher, I had a good opportunity of knowing the nature of the difficulties with which he had to contend, and the spirit and temper by which he was actuated under trials of no ordinary kind. I saw much that I admired, and felt a deep interest for him. In February 1854 I came to take charge of the Waiapu Missionary district. That portion in more immediate connection with the station, and which was the scene of the labours of the deceased, I found to be in a far better state than any other portion of the district. The regular public services had been held, the adult schools and Bible classes had been continued, and the teacher was devoting all his energies to promote the advancement of his people. Soon after my arrival he began gradually to decline. The measles had a debilitating effect upon his constitution. He continued, however, to attend, wholly or in part, to his duties, until a few months before his death; and when not able to teach he would continue to attend on the public services. He took great delight in hearing the gospel preached; and when he could no longer attend the means of grace, he made diligent inquiries upon the sermon or lecture delivered. During the many months of his declining health I had much intercourse with him, and saw a gradual improvement with regard to his spiritual state: he looked forward to a glorious immortality. All was done for him that could be devised, both with a view to his restoration and the alleviation of his sufferings. Two days before his death it was evident to me that no means could be of avail: he, too, was fully aware of this, and said, "I see that all is over: I must now look to the end." I reminded him of what St. Paul said when in the prospect of his speedy departure (2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.); to which he replied, "Yes, that was St. Paul's experience, but he possessed a large measure of the Holy Spirit. All that I, a poor sinner, can do, is to cast myself on the mercy of Christ." I remarked, that Christ is the only foundation upon which a sinner can fix his hopes of salvation. He spoke with emphasis, "Christ is an immoveable foundation." We joined in prayer, and at a late hour I left him. The following morning I called to see him. He was then dozing, and I did not converse with him. In the evening I again called to see him. He seemed to be fast sinking into the arms of death. I observed to him, that the same Omnipotent arm that conducted Israel through the Red Sea was visible when they passed over Jordan. 46 A MEMOIR OF PITA WHAKANGAUA. [APRIL, He raised his head, and assented to what I said, remarking further, "I cannot say much, I am so weak: this is all I have to say, Christ alone! Christ alone! Christ alone!" This thrilled through my soul. What more could he say? And what stronger evidence could I have that Christ, whom he had served, was sustaining His servant in the hour of his extremity? I left him with indescribable feelings, and breathed a prayer that my last end might be like his. On the next morning I called on him again. He recognised me, and seemed in joyful hope, saying, "I am now near my departure." I commended him to Christ, who had purchased him with His own blood, and said, "Now you are going to see the Saviour as He is. Yes, and to join the church above, containing some of every age of the world, from Abel to the present time-some from among all nations, and also from New Zealand." This was the last time I saw him. I had occasion to go some few miles to see a sick man who was reported to be near his end. On my return I was met by a messenger, who said that "Pita had slept." He died May 30th, 1855, aged about forty years. On the 2d of June his remains were interred, followed by about 200 of the people, all of whom evinced a sincere regard. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours." On the 3d I preached two sermons, with a view to improve the event. In the morning, Christ the only foundation (1 Cor. iii. 11); in the evening, The life and death of the Christian (Phil. i. 21). The congregations were large, and deeply attentive. In conclusion, I may state some things as the chief features of his character-the cleanliness of his person, and comparative neatness of his dress; the order with which he proceeded with his public duties; the superior style of his house and premises; and the consequent commanding respect which he secured from others. He had adopted the novel plan of having the morning prayer bell, rung before sunrise, called the "washing bell." This was to give timely notice to prepare for prayers and school, and to appear with clean face and hands. The second bell rung at sunrise. This practice is too good to discontinue. Another trait was his eagerness for a large and substantial church; and he had done much by way of preparing material. During his illness he witnessed with great delight the progress of its erection, and contributed largely towards the support of the native workmen. He had a great abhorrence of native superstition, and loudly proclaimed against it; and when he witnessed any conduct he deemed inconsistent with the Christian profession, in any of the people, he reproved the individual, while he watched with jealousy the conduct of all. In his last illness, he on several occasions warned the careless, and reproved the unruly. For the old of both sexes he felt a strong solicitude, and urged them to reside in the village, assuring them that the only way to promote their spiritual interest was to be diligent on the appointed means of grace. He rejoiced in seeing provision made for the instruction of the young, saying that "the perpetuity of the church of Waiapu rested with them." His attachment to those who had been instrumental in the progress of the Mission was strong: he frequently expressed himself in terms of the 1856.] CANOE TRAVELLING. 47 highest admiration of their labour of love. He also evinced sincere regard for the little attention shown him in his affliction. When he perceived that his end was near, he sent a very affectionate message to all the several members of my family residing with me. "The memory of the just is blessed." CANOE TRAVELLING. In our last Number our readers had presented to them some of the difficulties of sledge travelling. There is another popular mode of transit in Rupert's Land, when the rivers and lakes are open-by canoe, which also has its dangers. The canoes are made entirely of birch bark, and are gaudily painted on the bow and stern. They are of various dimensions: sometimes they are thirty-six feet long by five or six broad, and are capable of containing eight men and three passengers: others are not more than from fifteen to eighteen feet long by two feet and a half broad in the middle, and tapering from thence to nothing at each end. It makes a great difference whether you are ascending or descending a stream. If the former, you have the portagesplaces where the river flows downward in a succession of cascades. Here the luggage has to be taken out, and carried to the head of the rapid, where the water again becomes level, the canoe itself being similarly dealt with, or else pulled up with great care by the men, some tracking with a line, others pushing it from behind. Sometimes, when the rapid is such as to permit it, the rapid is ascended without a portage. The voyageur in the bow points out the direction to be taken, the canoe is shot into the boiling flood, the water rises to within an inch of the gunwale. There is a large rock rising above the impetuous torrent, behind which the waters are calm. The canoe gains this haven, and makes this a step from whence to gain the shelter of another rock, lying some few yards higher up. Thus, after much effort, the top of the fall is reached, and the river, for a time, is tranquil. But how is it when the course lies down the stream, and the canoe shoots the falls? We are inclined to think that this would try the nerves of our readers more than when clambering upwards. But they must judge for themselves; and, that they may be enabled to do so, we place before them the following description of running a fall, which our Missionary, the Rev. R. Hunt, has forwarded to us With regard to what is called a rapid, those least worthy of the name, and by far the pleasantest to run, according to my opinion, are successions of such deep streams as pass through the most dangerous arch of London Bridge when the tide is fast flowing or ebbing. The more exciting ones are those that dash and foam, and rise and fall, and cross and whirl, over and among large masses of rocks and stones. They are generally commenced by a gradual gliding together, and sinking, of the |