made; "it was unanimously resolved, that the first attempt of this Society shall be to send missionaries to Taheite, or some other of the islands of the South Sea; and also that missions may be as early as possible attempted to the coast of Africa, or to Tartary by Astracan, or to Surat on the Malabar coast, or to Bengal or the Coromandel coast, or to the island of Sumatra, or to the Pelew islands." This meeting was very interesting and auspicious. Harmony and joy pervaded it, while prejudice and partiality were forgotten, Christians were revived, and the cause of the Redeemer was honored and promoted.* Encouraged by the zeal and liberality manifested at this meeting, and by almost every circumstance connected with their exertions or their object, the Society agreed to commence their missionary efforts on an extensive scale, and instructed their board of Directors accordingly. The first object to be attempted, having been determined on, the Directors proceeded, soon after the first meeting was closed, to inquire for suitable persons to engage in the mission to Taheite, to ascertain the most eligible mode of conveyance, and to make such arrangements as were practicable at this early period: also to collect and diffuse information, on the state of particular Heathen countries, and on the general subject of missions. Committees were appointed for examining missionary candidates, a duty which the Directors considered of high importance, and for the cautious and faithful performance of which, they adopted a number of excellent regulations.† Previously to the second general meeting of the Society, which was held in May 1796, a large number of persons had presented themselves as candidates for the mission,-out of whom nineteen had been accepted. The affairs of the Society had assumed a regular and promising aspect, its funds were increased by contributions from every part of the kingdom, auxiliary societies were formed in Paisley, Kelso, Aberdeen, and other places; societies also not connected with: this, but for the same general object, were formed in Edinburgh and Glasgow; and the cause of missions had rapidly gained ground throughout Great Britain and Ireland.t * Introduc. to Miss. Serm, vol. i, p. 3, 7, 12, 14, 19, 24-27. Trans. Miss. Soc. vol. i, introduction, p. 11, 12. Evan. Mag. vol. iii, p. 291. First report, p. 10-13, 19 Report to the Second General Meeting, p. 10, 12, 19, 20. The Directors after much inquiry, were satisfied that the most eligible, if not the only possible way of conveying their mission to the islands in the Southern Ocean, would be in a ship owned by the society, and fitted out for the express purpose. This plan was unanimously approved by the society, at their second general meeting, and the noble offer of Capt. James Wilson, to conduct the expedition without any remuneration, having been gratefully accepted, the society resolved, "that if possible, thirty persons, beside women and children, should be sent to the islands of the South Sea, in a ship of their own, navigated by Captain Wilson, and a select crew of pious mariners."* Shortly after this, the complement of missionaries was made up, and a ship called the Duff was purchased. The missionaries (twenty-four single, and six married brethren,) were set apart for their important work on the 28th of July, and embarked at London on the 10th of August for Taheite, where they arrived on the 6th of March 1797, after a passage unparalleled for pleasantness and prosperity.‡ There, agreeably to a previous arrangement, thirteen single and five married missionaries, were landed with a great profusion of goods and conveniences. The ship pro ceeded to Tongataboo one of the Friendly Islands where ten missionaries were left; and thence to the Marquesas with the two remaining brethren, one of whom was stationed on an island called Christina, the other discouraged by the unpromising appearance of the place, the poverty and profligacy of the inhabitants, and unhappily forsaken of his fortitude, returned to Taheite and associated with his brethren there. The Duff sailed from Taheite for London in July, carrying Mr. Gilham the surgeon, who had unexpectedly and much First report, p. 9, 18. Second ditto, p. 3. Only four of the missionaries, Messrs. Cover, Eyre, Jefferson, and Lewis were ordained; the others were mechanics, tradesmen, &c. Voyage of the Duff, p. 5, 6. Mr Veeson not having arrived in time, was absent when his brethren were designated. Evan. Mag. vol. iv, p. 432. Mr. and Mrs. Hudden were landed at Spithead on account of Mrs. Hudden's ill health, Voyage of the Duff, p. 23. Mr. Gaulton appears to have taken passage in the Duff as a probationer for the missionary work. Voyage of the Duff, p. 80. The five married men who proceeded to Taheite were Messrs. Cover, Eyre, Hassel, Henry, and Hodges. Voyage of the Duff, p. 6, + Introduction to Trans, Miss. Soc. p. 15, Second report of the Directors. to the grief of his brethren, expressed a wish to returů home. Touching again at Tongataboo, Mr. Nobbs also reshipped for London on account of his health, which had rapidly declined during his residence on the island. On the 7th of July 1798, the ship arrived at London, without having sustained the least material loss or damage in the course of her whole voyage. Through the Divine goodness the utmost expectations of the Society were exceeded in this enterprize. It had been prospered in every respect; and a day of thanksgiving was observed on account of it.* At a special meeting of the Society soon after the return of their ship, it was resolved; "that the Directors be authorized, to employ a ship belonging to the society, on another voyage to the Pacific Ocean, for the purposes of supplying our brethren who have settled there, with assistance in their labors; of adding to their number where circumstances may render it necessary; and of planting the Gospel in other islands of that ocean, where it shall appear most eligible from their extent, population, or other favorable circumstances." Accordingly the Duff was speedily refitted and put under the command of captain Robson who had been one of her officers in the former voyage: nineteen single and ten married missionaries after the most faithful examination were approved and prepared to embark, and in December the ship sailed under the most favorable circumstances. But on the 19th of February 1799 she was captured by a French privateer on the coast of South America. The missionaries were carried into Rio Janeiro, whence they sailed to Lisbon, and thence to London, (two excepted who were detained by sickness;) where they arrived before the end of 1799.† The society were suitably affected by this disappointment. They had anticipated and were happily prepared for difficulties; and so far from being discouraged, they were roused to more vigorous exertions to increase their funds, to strengthen their infant mission,-and to extend their labors in every possible direction. In May 1800, twelve single missionaries (two of whom were ordained,) embarked at London in the ship Royal Admiral for Taheite. One of them however being danger 473. Evan. Mag, vol. vi, p. 249-455, do. 382-335. ously sick, was sent on shore and left, one of them died on the passage, and one renouncing his engagement to the society stopt at Fort Jackson in New Holland. The arrival of the remaining nine at Taheite, will be noticed in its proper place in the following account of the Taheitean mission, which comes first in order, among the missions of the London Society; and which, it is hoped will not be wholly unprofitable, if it should be found to contain less to gratify the anticipations of the reader than may be afforded by the history of some other missions. MISSION TO TAHEITE.† The missionaries (Messrs. Cover, Eyre, Jefferson, and Lewis, ordained ministers; Messrs. Bicknel, Broomhail, Cock, Clode, Henry, Hodges, Hassel, Main, Nott, Oakes, J. Puckey, W. Puckey, and Smith, artisans; and Mr. Gillham, surgeon,) who settled at Taheite were favorably received, and comfortably situated. They were treated with respect, and with great hospitality. When their intention to reside on the island was made known to the inhabitants, they were highly gratified. Familiarity and apparent good will were manifested by all except Otoo the sovereign of the island, whose character and appearance were quite unpromising. But as he was only 17 years of age, his dominions were under the regency of his father Pomarre, who warmly encouraged the settlement of the missionaries, and did every thing in his power to render their situation agree able. He readily ceded to them the district of Matavai on the north side of the island, where a large house which he had built was appropriated to their use, and every facility afforded them to erect inclosures, and to make such improve, ments as their convenience required. Manne Manne, the Chief Priest of the island, manifested similar friendship and hospitality; and the same may be said of the chiefs, and of the people generally. *Sixth report, p. 8, 9. Seventh, do. p. 4. Evan. Mag. vol. viii, p. 255. Trans. Miss. Society, introduction, p. 16, 17. Taheite, (first called Taite, afterwards Otaheite, and by the missionaries Taheite,) is situated in latitude 189 South, and longitude 150° West from Greenwich; and is about 90 miles in circumference. VOL. II. 2 Encouraged by these intimations of friendship and affability, the missionaries soon began to remonstrate against the most barbarous practices of the natives, and to explain to them something of the character of the true God, and of the nature of his worship. This was done through the instrumentality of Peter Ha gerstein, a Swede, who had resided on the island several years, had acquired the language in some degree, and who, from his acquaintance with the English language, and his willingness to act as interpreter, bid fair to be highly useful to the mission. Pomarre and the priest received their communications with attention, and promised to use their influence to suppress the obnoxious customs of the people. Otoo, and the wife of Pomarre, who were as profligate, as they were influential, discovered their determination to countenance the most enormous practices, and were totally indifferent to the expostulations of the missionaries; though anxious to obtain their favor, and to be thought friendly -themselves. The common people expressed their satisfaction with what was said to them, by pronouncing it "very good." These first efforts of the missionaries were attended with some encouraging circumstances, and they were not altogether lost; some improvement in decency, both of dress and manners, was soon visible; and their example, together with what they were enabled to teach of their institutions, their principles, and their object, so far restrained the levity and overawed the familiarity of the natives, that they behaved with decorum on the Sabbath when near the missionary house, and rarely committed any indecency, in the presence of the missionaries. But these efforts were, also attended with circumstances highly discouraging; particularly as they contributed to the developement of the real character of the Taheiteans, which it was soon found had been but little understood. The missionaries, sensible of the benefits of civil and religious society, and of the wretchedness of all Pagans; under the influence of Christian principles and feelings, and under the impression of all the favorable things which had been reported of the Tabeiteans, engaged in their labors of love in a manner highly honorable to themselves. Although they saw much in the common conduct of the natives to confound their expectations, and to disturb their feelings; |