I dared not hold back, however human nature might be ready to shrink, as the hour of trial approached. Landed in good time, and proceeded to the meeting-house at Neiafu. I felt depressed from a sense of something like a spirit of opposition being present; but was soon comforted by an evidence which I could not mistake, of that power being nigh to strengthen the inner man, the all-sufficiency of which to sustain in time of trouble I have so often witnessed. I had to sit long in si lence, but eventually stood up with those instructive expressions of our Lord to his disciples,-"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disci ples." "He that abideth in me and I in him,

ment, having had literally to tear the food to pieces with our fingers. When our repast was finished, we took leave of the chief and his family and others present, and returned to the sea-side, and were safely paddled back again to the sandy bay near Neiafu. On the way from the canoes to the mission-house, we called at the king's habitation; his daughter, usually styled the Princess Charlotte, was at home, a young woman about sixteeen years of age, with an intelligent countenance; she was seated on the floor in simple native attire; her brother, a boy, perhaps twelve years old, was playing about. When returning to the vessel, it occurred to me that some of the ships now in the harbour would soon be ready for sea, and I felt as if I should not be clear the same bringeth forth much fruit; for with of the crews, without endeavouring to collect them together next first-day forenoon: to this I stood resigned, in hopes of feeling some further impression in the morning, if it should be required.

3rd.-Yesterday, the subject of a meeting with the seamen still rested upon me. On awaking this morning I endeavoured to watch over every thought that arose; and after remembering my great Creator in humble gratitude for the mercies of the past night, my mind seemed as a blank, until the prospect of holding a meeting with the seamen of the fleet came before it; this was not a little in the cross to the unmortified part, which seemed now ready to shrink. I kept the matter close until after breakfast, and then told Charles that I believed it safest for me to appoint a meeting for worship to-morrow, at eleven o'clock A. M., to be held in the native chapel at Neiafu, if that could be obtained. On stating this to John Thomas, he said that a missionary was coming down from Feletoa, to preach at the hour proposed for holding our meeting; but that he had no doubt of his being willing to accommodate me. In that case, I told him that I should give notice to the shipping, that they might know what to expect; as the meeting would be held after the manner of the Society of Friends, and would not commence with singing; but we should wait in silence for the influence of the Holy Spirit upon our minds, before we could move. In the afternoon a sufficient number of written notices were prepared and distributed amongst the shipping, leaving the result to Him who knoweth all things; desiring that His great name alone may be exalted, and the gospel of the heavenly kingdom may be proclaimed in the heart of man to the Saviour's praise.

4th, first-day. This morning much cast down and a poor creature, but as one bound to the work of the dear Master; from which

out me, ye can do nothing." From this I was enabled to show, that without the blessed influence of the Holy Spirit of the Son, we can do nothing, much less be capable of bearing that fruit, by which the holy Father is glori fied; and the impossibility of performing that worship which only is acceptable in the sight of Him, "who is a Spirit," without the help of the Holy Spirit: that therefore it is indispensable, in order to the performance of true spiritual worship, to wait in reverential silence for a renewal of that strength, which is mighty through God to the casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,-to the "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,"-even to the obedience of the Spirit of Truth in our hearts, without which none can worship God in Spirit. and in Truth. It is this influence which can alone prepare our hearts to worship, praise, and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is a Spirit, and must be worshipped in Spirit and in truth. I had to set forth the admirable adaptation of the glorious gospel dispensation to the condition of man the world over, and the blessed superiority of true spiritual worship in the inner temple of the heart, over that which is left in the outer court to be trodden under foot. My mind was particularly turned toward those "that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters,that see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep." Although such may often feel excluded from their fellow-men, shut out from every opportunity of religious instruction, and destitute of the means of grace;' this is evidently not the case, but a delusion of the great enemy of God and man; although it may be often held out by those who have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, of whom the great apostle speaks. For notwithstanding it is the lot of seafaring men to spend their days in roving upon the mighty

wards the people; and they listened with ap- 13th. Yesterday sailed the brig Lady parent attention: but there was a feeling of Wellington: previous to her departure, the deadness over the meeting, greater than we crew were furnished with a set of Friends' had yet witnessed on these islands. After tracts, and a Summary of our principles. remaining some time at the house of Lazarus This morning, John Thomas came on board to refresh and rest, we again crossed the island, at eight o'clock; when we immediately proand resumed our station in the boat: we pro- ceeded down the harbour in the usual way, ceeded round the northern part of the island, and landed on the western coast of Vavau. and visited a splendid cavern, into which we The meeting was to be held at Hihifo, about rowed with the boat, having a canoe to lead a mile from the landing-place; whither we the way, conducted by Noah, one of the chiefs went, and met with the chief Solomon, at his of Otea, and two chosen natives also well own habitation; and as soon as the people acquainted with the position, and entrance of were collected, repaired to the meeting-place. this wonderful place. The great height of the The places of worship at the stations distant vaulted arches above our heads, which are from Neiafu are like large sheds, standing almost of gothic shape, from which are sus-upon props, and open on both sides; but the pended a variety of huge spiral masses of ends are made tolerably close with coarse ponderous weight, apparently ready to fall; matting. As there was no seat in the meetthe amazing depth and clearness of the water ing, I remained near John Thomas, who oc under us, together with the dark and deep re-cupied a considerable time in the native lan cesses, which could not be explored for want guage, before reading my certificates. When of a light, exhibited a sublime and magnifi- he had finished we stood by each other in cent spectacle and a specimen of those great silence, and the people seemed unsettled, as if and marvellous works, incomprehensible to they did not know what to expect next, or to mortal man. Fish of large size swam about whom they should hearken, first looking upon beneath us, without the least appearance of one of us, and then upon the other; until it being disturbed by the boat, so great was the was with me to caution them against a dedepth of water between us and them. In pendence upon the creature, but to endeavour knocking off some of the spiral crags within to fix the attention of their minds upon the our reach to bring away with us, the echo Creator, who is a Spirit and knoweth all produced was alarming, and as if the whole things. The darkness hideth not from Him; roof was in danger of falling upon us. the darkness and the light are both alike to 9th.-King George having arrived from Him, before whom the night shineth as the Lefuka, one of the Haabai Islands, this morn- day. My desire was, that nothing might be ing paid us a visit: a Saul-like man in truth, permitted to beguile them from the simplicity being higher than the rest of the people per- of the gospel of Christ,-that they might not haps by the head and shoulders; he was naked, rest satisfied with a mere hearsay knowledge with the exception of some native cloth round of his name, as a Saviour, but come to the his waist. His moral character is highly knowledge of his Holy Spirit in themselves, spoken of, and the great prosperity of the and know for themselves His gospel to be the Christian profession here, is said to be owing power of God unto salvation. It was with to his promptness in the due observance of its me to query, what a profession of the Christian rites and ordinances: the laws are said to be religion had done for them? There had been good, and he insists upon their being executed time for some of them to have witnessed somewith rigour. If any disobey, or in any way thing like fruit to be brought forth in themare guilty of a misdemeanour, they are se- selves; for without a change of heart is known, verely punished. It is much to be regretted, their religion will profit them nothing. I felt that the punishment of flogging should have an earnest engagement of mind to turn them been introduced here; it has been inflicted to the power of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus lately on several offenders, including one in their own hearts; which would, if believed woman. This barbarous practice, we have in and obeyed, cleanse them from sin, create been told, has proved beneficial to the people in them a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in a moral point of view; but I believe its within them. Although I had full opportunity tendency is rather to blunt the feelings, and to clear myself, yet so great was the stream harden the heart. In the afternoon took ex- of love that flowed towards the people of ercise on shore until dark. Captain Macey of Hihifo, that after the meeting was over, I the Wiscasset, a serious man, drank tea with us. found no relief: the desire of my heart was 11th, first-day.-Spent a peaceful day on as strong as ever, that they might not be be board, collected the crew both fore and after-guiled by lifeless forms and shadows, from noon for devotional purposes;-none of them the simplicity that is in Christ, the living and seemed disposed to attend the meeting on shore. eternal substance. After spending some time

with Solomon, the chief, who spread a table plentifully for our refreshment, according to native custom, we repaired to the boat, and proceeded forthwith to the Henry Freeling.

his conduct to injure the natives, and there being no objection in the minds of the missionaries and the authorities of the place, there seems no good reason for refusing to discharge him, agreeably with his wishes; more particularly, as we have just taken on board one of the survivors from the wreck of the Active schooner: this man was intended to work for his food while with us, but he will now come in for regular wages, by filling up the vacancy which the discharge of Pedro Nolasko will occasion.

19th. On seventh-day, with the exception

15th. It was with difficulty that an opportunity could be found, on account of the increased number of natives upon the deck, to sit down together; notwithstanding which, the way opened to our comfort. We understand that earthquakes frequently occur among these islands, at times so violent as to stop the clock at the mission-house. On first-day last, whilst in the meeting appointed for the seamen of the fleet, and before standing up amongst of taking exercise on shore towards evening, them, a considerable shock was sensibly felt we were employed on board through the day; by the missionary families then present. Of yesterday, (first-day,) remained on board all this, I was not myself aware, although the frame work in the roof of the building we were in, was heard to make a cracking noise at the time. Last second-day evening, about nine o'clock, another shock was witnessed at Neiafu, but was not perceived by us upon the water: we are told, however, that they are sometimes felt on board the shipping, and occasion a rumbling noise, as if the vessel was passing over a rugged rock, and sufficiently loud to alarm the crew.

day with our own people, having no attraction to the shore. It was a season of selfabasedness and poverty; but however humiliating, I trust not altogether unprofitable, and one that I have found not unfrequently to precede, and perhaps prepare for further service in the Great Master's time; for which the prayer of my heart is, that I may be ready; confiding in Him, whose power can raise up from utter weakness, and make strong for His use. To-day sailed the American ship Wiscasset, Captain Macey. This vessel was supplied with some tracts and writings of Friends. This evening it seemed best to arrange to attend a native meeting at Matika, a few miles from hence; the greater part of which distance can be performed by boat. As John Thomas was not likely to be at liberty, John Hobbs kindly offered to supply his place as interpreter; but the situation of the neighbourhood is such, that the weather must be consulted in the first place.

16th.-Remained on board the fore part of the day, while Captain Keen and Charles, accompanied by Philemon an intelligent native, ascended Talau, a considerable hill on the island of Vavau, to form a plan of Port Refuge, for the benefit of those who may follow us at a future day. From this point they were enabled with sufficient accuracy to describe the position of this group of islands, which are said to be one hundred and two in number, known by the name of Haafuluhau; so that any stranger may direct his course to 20th. The weather apparently likely to Port Refuge in perfect safety, by keeping a answer for our going to Matika; and John good look-out, which is of course one of the Hobbs having arrived with a suitable crew of means dictated by common prudence in such natives, by nine o'clock we proceeded on our cases. The depth of water varies at the an- way, and landed at Feletoa before eleven chorage from sixteen to thirty-six fathoms, o'clock, A. M. Here we got a cool resting with holding-ground of sand and coral. From place, and after an early dinner proceeded to the direction in which the trade-winds usually Matika. Feeling unwell soon after, I was blow, a vessel has generally to beat against not in very good trim for moving forward in it as soon as she comes round the southern- the hottest part of the day, nor for attending most bluff upon the main land of Vavau. the appointed meeting; but I well knew that The deepest water appears to be on the left hand, the whole way up to the port; the distance from the entrance point may be from ten to twelve miles, and there is ample room for the largest ship to work with common care. In the evening went on shore to consult with John Thomas on the subject of leaving our cook, Pedro Nolasko, a Spaniard, who is desirous of getting to the Fiji Islands, having heard of the probability of meeting with a vessel bound to Manilla, his native place. As he is a man of good character, and not likely by

He who had sustained me thus far, could strengthen me at his pleasure, to stand before the people for His great name's sake. Having now an interpreter, to whose abilities and qualifications in the native language I was a stranger, it seemed like venturing upon untried ground. I soon found that I had no cause to fear on this head, but rather to dread the quickness with which he at once comprehended the drift of what I had to say, and interpreted it to the people; however, although every sentence as soon as uttered, was rapidly

conveyed to them without hesitation on his part, yet with thankfulness I can say, that I never felt less difficulty in getting on. I had to caution them particularly, not to be deceived in looking without for that which is only to be found within; that so they might come to the knowledge of Christ, the light of whose Holy Spirit shineth in every heart; and that they might believe in it to the saving of the soul,-that so Christ may dwell richly in their hearts by faith,-that He might be theirs, and they might be His, in His Father's kingdom for ever. It was a comfortable meeting, and ended well. Great is my desire for these people, that their hearts may be directed to the love of God, and to the patient waiting for Christ. How great the responsibility of those, who take upon themselves to introduce the religion of Jesus amongst a simple-hearted people, lest its beautiful simplicity be hid from them, by forms and shadows of man's own invention!

[1836.

board, we were enabled to set aside our bartering, and sit down to wait upon the Lord, but it required firm struggling to get into quiet introversion of mind; towards the end a little of that strength was witnessed, by which only the foes of a man's house can be cast out, and himself left in peaceable possession.

exception of taking the needful exercise on 24th. Both yesterday and to-day, with the shore, as the sun declined, we were engaged on board getting things into train, with the prospect of shortly sailing for the Harbai group of Tonga isles. Since it has come to my knowledge that the strength of these islands is to be assembled at Lisuka with king George of Vavau, and Josiah (Tubou,) the king of Tongataboo, I have not seen the way open for me to move in any direction but to Lifuka; and the more I have dwelt upon this subject, the more it appears to be 21st. This morning the Mary Anne, of existing circumstances connected with persons the right track for me to pursue. Owing to London, sailed for the whaling grounds; sun- and places, it doth not seem practicable for dry tracts were furnished for the crew, also a me to complete the object which brought us French Testament for one of them, a native to Vavau, of visiting the people, before the of France. A few days ago, a native offered end of this month; and allowing that it could amongst other articles for sale, a copy of the be satisfactorily accomplished at an earlier Holy Scriptures in English. I found on ex- period, it would be useless to sail for Tongaamining it, that it had been given by the Sea- taboo, as those competent for the important men's Bible Society in London, probably to office of interpreter, will have left the island some ship's library. I purchased this book to join their brethren at the general assembly for about eight pence, merely to show the about to take place at Lifuka. necessity of inserting, not only the donor's desire is, to be found in the counsel of the My earnest name, or that of the institution by which it will of our heavenly Father, to be preserved had been bestowed, but the name of the per- in faithfulness and humble resignation thereson to whom it was originally given, or the unto, and favoured to possess my vessel in ship's library to which it belonged: it would, patience to the end of the race. Could I have I think, help to deter from such a misapplica- contrived for myself, I should certainly not tion. It is very probable that this Bible had have selected Lifuka, as the Haabai group is belonged to the library of the Mary Anne, of a dangerous archipelago of small islands, London, but this was not specified, or it might shoals, and reefs, without any secure place of have been returned to that vessel before she shelter from every wind that blows, and not left the port, and have served to prevent a the least dependence can be placed on the similar occurrence in future. We find that published charts of it. sailors, our own not excepted, regardless of eth with His wind, and the waters flow," is But if He that "blowthe future, do not hesitate to give articles for graciously pleased to direct our way amidst a shell or two, far exceeding the value of the lurking dangers of the deep which await them; they will part with a woollen jacket, a stranger vessel, who hath so mercifully and as a thing perfectly useless to them, because so often in appalling seasons said in effect, at that particular time, in a hot climate, it is "It is I, be not afraid"-and this too acnot wanted; and the natives will accept of companied with an evidence so indisputably almost any thing for their shells. of a pernicious tendency in the English lan- could exclaim in that humble faith and confiIf books strengthening, that a poor helpless mortal guage are found in the hands of the natives, dence which condescending heavenly love such are immediately destroyed; and books alone inspires, "It is the Lord,"-all fear is of various kinds fall into their hands when then cast out, except what is filial. bartering with the shipping; they are pleased when they can obtain writing-paper, pen and ink, or a pencil.

22nd. Although many natives were on

on board. Collected the sailors twice in the 26th.-Yesterday, (first-day,) spent the day Engaged the fore-part of to-day on board, course of the day for devotional purposes.