48 POETRY THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. and had formed a plan for murder- Turner, "they went on board. The ing her crew. Four of the natives were to rush upon each sailor and tie his hands, while a fifth struck him down with his club. But though surrounded, the captain struggled out of their grasp, ran down into the cabin, took a musket, and shot a man, which so frightened the rest, that, happily, they jumped overboard, and swam off to the shore, leaving two of their number, and one white man, dead upon the deck. Not long after this, another ship, called the "Sisters,' "anchored off the island. The natives went on board to barter. Unhappily the captain and a chief quarrelled about a mere trifle, when the captain struck the chief with a rope. At once, the chief ordered his people on shore, when they formed a plot to take the vessel. "Next morning," says Mr crew were at breakfast, quite off their guard. The natives divided themselves into groups. Presently the crew came on deck, the signal was given, and in a minute or two all on board, consisting of eleven individuals, were overpowered, and fell. Seven of the bodies were thrown into the sea, and four were taken on shore to cook." They then stripped the vessel, and set her on fire. Amongst the things on board, however, were some kegs of gunpowder. They did not know what this was; and so, one day, as they were amusing themselves by throwing some of it into the fire, a spark reached the kegs, and blew up the house. Four men were killed, the chief amongst them, and many more were wounded. Price 6d. per doz. or 3s. 6d. per 100; 20 copies sent free by post for 10d., paid in advance. Published by GALL & INGLIS, 6 George Street, Edinburgh. HOULSTON & WRIGHT, London. Mr Danon, seaman's chaplain, Honolulu, to insert an appeal in the "Friend," to the captains of whalers coming this way from the Sandwich Islands, to call at Manihiki and bring back Maretu and wife, promising that we would do what we could to remunerate them for their services in provisions, &c. Captain Smith, of the American whale-ship Scotland, most promptly and kindly responded to the call, and we were delighted, on the 5th of December last, to welcome back our beloved brother and fellow-labourer at a time when his services were much needed among us. Maretu on board the Whale-ship. Maretu speaks very highly of the kindness of Captain Smith, officers, and crew, in supplying the wants of the teachers and their wives at Manihiki, and shewing Maretu and wife, &c., great kindness on their passage here. The first night they were on board, Maretu did not know how their minds were affected on the subject of religion, and, not understanding the English language, he could not well make himself understood to those on board; still he could not retire to rest without bearing, in a most unostentatious manner, a public testimony for Christ among the strangers. During the twilight, in one corner of the quarter-deck, he assembled the five Manihikians accompanying him, and offered up solemn prayer to God, committing themselves and fellow voyagers to his kind care. This attracted the attention of the captain, and he gave Maretu to understand that, when he prayed again, he would like to join with them; and from this time, morning and evening prayers were attended by the captain, officers, and crew, the scriptures read, and prayer offered by Maretu in the Raratonga language, while, as Maretu relates, the sailors and all were hushed into silence, and those who were obliged to move about to attend to the duties of the ship, did it with as little noise as possible during the time of worship. Captain Smith refused to take any remuneration for his kind services. A MISSIONARY'S TRIALS. THE following is the substance of a in his native land. letter addressed by a German missionary to two young friends of his He writes from Christiansburgh, a town on the west coast of Africa. It will give you a good idea of some of the difficulties as any one is dead, the people cry and discouragements that a faithful out frightfully, then dig a grave in servant of the Lord Jesus must ex- the very room where the dead man pect to meet with in that country. used to live, and in this grave he is buried. But instead of having a funeral service, they do all sorts of wicked and horrible things. They meet together in an open place in the village, and drink rum till they are drunken, and then make a frightful noise. Some beat drums, others play fifes; others again shout, clap their hands, and strike one another; while in a moment others fall down and pretend to be dead. Then again, others fight with knives, or shoot with their guns; and this they continue sometimes for a fortnight or even for a month together. If you looked at them, you might well believe that the devil dwelt in them; and it is but too true that he does. What pains me most, however, is, that the little children take the greatest delight in all this. "About a month ago," he says, "I received from your dear father a very kind and friendly letter; but, lo and behold! as soon as I opened it, out came two other little letters, from dear Selma and Sophie, which pleased me very much. You, dear Selma, ask me, first of all, how I am getting on in Africa? Now, what shall I say ? I will say that I am getting on well, for the beloved Saviour, who was with me in other places, is with me in Africa also. But you must remember that I am now a soldier in the field, and when one takes his place in the field-I mean the battle-field-he has to go through thick and thin; he hears the deadly balls whistle past him, and often sees a beloved comrade struck down by his side and killed. "Now, as I said, I was lately at Adanse when a funeral festival was held. "A short time since, I was in Adanse, where very wicked people live, who are extremely ignorant, After looking on for a time and worship almost anything that at their horrible actions, I could do they think sacred, and call a fetish. nothing but say, 'Oh, my Saviour, They were holding a funeral feast, have pity on these poor darkened and I watched them for a time. people.' While I was thus sighing When any one among you dies, he is secretly, a black and frightful-looking buried with solemnity, and a minister | heathen ran up and stared in my conducts a funeral service. But here | He was thoroughly drunk, was the case is quite different. As soon carrying a gun on his shoulder, and face. was quite naked. I did not feel afraid of him, and stood quite still. However, he took his gun, held it before my breast, and tried to fire it off. I could do nothing at that moment; but, as I have already said, the Saviour is with me in Africa, and he helped me at that dangerous time. The man pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off; it only flashed in the pan. Thus I was saved, and gave most hearty thanks to my Lord for it. "A few weeks ago, one of our catechists was shot in the breast at another funeral festival. The ball is still in his body, and we cannot tell whether he will recover. See, Selma, that is how the balls whistle around you when you are in the battle-field. But I referred to other balls, which I hear whistle past me quite as loudly-balls which not only destroy the body but also the soul, and are, therefore, more dangerous than any others. There are a great many snakes here, and it is not long ago since I killed one which was five feet in length, and there are many scorpions as well. Some of these creatures are very dangerous, and if they sting or bite a man, he is sure to die. But I do not fear these SO much as another poisonous serpent, which has power here, or as other poisonous scorpions, "Your second question, dear Selma, is, whether the accident I met with, when I tumbled out of my hammock, did me any serious injury? To that I can answer, No. But since then I have been very ill, and the fever of this climate has sometimes made me so hot, and driven the blood so much to my head, that I have quite wandered in mind, and, during the burning fever, have spoken in German, English, and Ga (the native language), all mixed up together. When the violent heat left me, I have always been very weak, and obliged to learn to walk, just like a little child. In the beginning of July I had a very severe fever. For about two hours and a half I was so cold that my teeth chattered in my head, and I could hardly do anything for myself. I put on my warm clothes, lay down on an easy chair, covered myself with two carpets, and drank some very hot tea. Soon I began to perspire a little, but then my mind began to wander. In this state Ilay in the chair, and how I got from it into my bed I cannot tell you. During the night I recovered my reason, and, on opening my eyes, noticed that the boys of my school were sitting round my bed looking |