showed his naturally bold and earnest disposition by some pranks which he played upon one of the toulas, or "inspired" women. Accompanied by several young fellows, like-minded with himself, he put on sackcloth, and went to the spirithouse, presenting some cava to the female Atua. She quickly became "inspired," and soon gave him to understand that she had a rod in pickle" for him and his associates. This was fully anticipated by the old woman's visiters, who instantly rose, and George drew his palalafa (stem of a cocoa-nut leaf) from concealment, and, giving her a heavy blow under the ear, sent her flying towards the takapou, where she lay quiet enough for these zealous Chiefs to paint her as black as they chose. Her terrified attendants fled in consternation; and it does not appear that any of the idolaters had courage to avenge this indignity put upon their sacred person and their religious faith. One of the Towla Egi, or "Chief Priests," told George, that now he had abandoned their gods, there was none to defend him, and that one day the sharks would eat him, if he ventured into the sea; a thing which he knew George was very fond of doing. Instantly George challenged this Priest to swim in the open ocean, which was accepted: the result was, that George came in, after a long swim, in perfect safety; and the other was so torn by the sharks' teeth, that he soon died.

21st. We weighed anchor, and sailed for Vavau. The whole day was occupied in threading our way between the reefs which lie in the passage out. Light winds from the point we wished to sail for, lengthened our passage; but a very violent thunder-storm, with forked lightning and torrents of rain, varied the scene, and sent us all to our Master's feet in prayer. This little passage, usually performed in two days, cost us eight; for we were delayed by calms and light airs. Vavau is a beautiful harbour; only the water is so deep, that it is not easy to find convenient anchorage.

I was pleased to find that, while working our way to the harbour among the numerous islets, not a single canoe came off to us: we saw only a few carrying the Local Preachers to their respective places for the day; while, more than once, as we neared the shore in tacking, the beautiful groves were vocal with the congregations singing in their usual places of worship. This was the Sabbath morning, and only one fire was seen. On my former visit to these isles, Aeets of canoes would have surrounded

us, clamorous to barter; but the pure word of God has come to the people, and they are changed from Pagans to Christians.

We landed in the afternoon, and were cordially received by Mrs. Turner and Mrs. West; but their husbands were both at out-places, and the head station, Neiafu, was left to a Local Preacher. Our reception by the natives was very cordial; so much so, that Mr. and Mrs. Davis, who are to remain here, were very greatly delighted. And well they might be; such salutations and shaking of hands could not fail to cheer us all. At sun-down, I held a short service with our crew, and the few English, and one American, who heard the word with deep seriousness. At the close of the day, I returned to the brig, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Davis at their new home, to pursue their work in a new tongue, and to acquire new habits, in this fertile tropical isle. Mrs. Turner is very ill and we fear her disease is chronic. Mr. and Mrs. West, and their infant boy, were in good health, and greatly cheered by the arrival of the brethren, and by the receipt of letters from "home, sweet home." Mr. West preaches with considerable fluency and acceptance in the native language, having been here just one year.

30th. We are busy in landing the stores and baggage. I am not a little mortified to see the idle natives, with very few exceptions, standing on the beach, and looking on, while the sailors and passengers are all landing their goods; and they utterly refuse to assist without payment, and that upon a high scale. In vain did we urge that here were men who had given their lives to the church for their benefit, and that they owed their all to the Gospel which we were sent to publish. These natives have plenty of love in their mouths; but they are sadly deficient in practical proofs of it. I am sorry to add, that, with few exceptions, this state of things exists generally in these islands. If English domestics could be procured, I apprehend few of the natives would be employed by our Missionaries. This state of things may be attributed very much to the heat of the climate, and to the ease with which the natives procure what they need. They can be supplied with no motive sufficiently powerful to induce them to engage in hard labour. In this respect

the New-Zealander stands on advantageous ground: he is not enervated by the climate, nor above working from sunrise to sunset, for better food and

better clothes than could be obtained by him without such labour.

This morning I attended the school, and was deeply affected while there. Could you have witnessed that sight, your tears would have flowed as fast as mine. About sixty boys and girls were there, clean, intelligent, and well-instructed in useful knowledge. They sat in four rows, in the centre of a large house. A Local Preacher and his wife were at the head, and six other grave natives were assisting. All was silent order, and well-disciplined attention to the case in hand. They showed good knowledge of the Scriptures; and some of the children are decidedly pious. Of such schools we have about sixty in the Vavau Circuit. Here is the ground-work of civil and moral elevation for this lovely race of Friendly-Islanders. These schools

are a credit to the excellent Ministers under whose fostering care they have grown up. The Rev. Peter Turner is of this number.

Since I began writing the above sentence, the house where I write has been well shaken by an earthquake.

This afternoon I attended the weekly meeting of the Local Preachers, of whom there are two hundred and four on the Vavau Plan. They seem to be an excellent body of grave and zealous men, of godly lives, and trained in wholesome discipline. I measured the chapel. It is a hundred feet by forty-five.

The scenery at Vavau is fine, and the harbour very good. There are about eleven smaller islands, at short distances from, and connected with, Vavau, which is moderately elevated, and in some places tolerably fertile; and though the soil is not so rich as that of Tonga, the same trees, fruits, and shrubs are found on both islands. Twelve islands are inhabited, and one hundred and forty others are mere islets. Here are the majestic ovava, the cocoa-nut, the bread-fruit, the banana, the yam, the pine-apple, with fruits, shrubs, and flowers, elegant, delicious, and almost numberless.

The Mission-premises in both islands are adorned with large orange, citron, and lime trees, which are seldom without blossom and fruit. Beside these, I find the custard-apple, with its grateful fruit, and the melon and pumpkin in great abundance, in one place creeping on the ground, and in another running over the branches of stately and spreading trees. These are of excellent flavour in this tropical climate; and yet they are in such small repute among the natives, that I purchased yesterday eight pumpkins,

weighing in all about ninety pounds, for two empty porter-bottles. The grapevine has been introduced; but though it grows, it does not thrive.

This is eminently the land for indigenous tropical fruits; while NewZealand, failing in this distinction, bears away the palm for exotics from the temperate zone. The apple, pear, and plum of England, with the fruits of France and Spain, enrich the horticulture of New-Zealand, where the loaded grape-vine is seen growing beside the forest-oak.

Vavau is in the neighbourhood of four large burning mountains, or islands, all now in action. They are very noisy, and send forth a vivid glare, with sometimes a strong smell of sulphur. One of them has lately been divided asunder, in an extra volcanic convulsion.

July 3d.-I examined three fine native Local Preachers, who are candidates for the work as Assistant Native Missionaries; namely, Benjamin Latuselu, Jone Latu, and Jone Faubula. They gave a clear account of their conversion from heathen darkness to Christian light and life.

The following is a minute of the Christian experience and call of Benjamin Latuselu, Jone Latu, and Jone Faubula, who were examined at Neiafu, Vavau, July, 1847 :—

BENJAMIN LATUSELU related his experience as follows:-" There were two things by which I was brought to know the Lord. The first was, the death of King Zephaniah. Then my

mind was made to attend to religion, and to seek the Lord; and in a sermon preached by the Rev. Peter Turner, these feelings were greatly increased. I greatly repented of my sins, and, looking by faith to Jesus Christ, I believed upon him with trust in the very root of my mind, and found peace and joy, and ever since have felt the influences of, and been guided by, the Holy Spirit." In relation to his call to teach and preach, he said, "I know and believe it is the will of God that I should be employed in bis work, because, first, His Missionaries have given me work to do; and, secondly, while in Samoa, I received s baptism of the Holy Spirit, by which I felt moved to work for Christ, to save some spirits from sin and death: and I have seen fruit of my work in the turning of sinners to the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ."

JONE LATU stated his experience as follows:"From the time I heard of the Lord from the Missionaries, the

Lord has worked in my mind, and I was made very sorrowful for my sins; and, having believed in Jesus Christ, received the forgiveness of them. I have known

the Lord for a long, long time. But since the time I attended the school of Mr. Francis Wilson, my love has been increased and strengthened. I first received the knowledge of my sins forgiven, in the great revival in Vavau, in 1834. Then I knew the love of God, and since then I have stood in that love. I believe the Lord has called me to teach and preach the Gospel. I have seen fruit of my work in Niuafoou, and also here in Vavau."

JONE FAUBULA stated:" I resided in my own land, Feejee, and heard the Missionaries there. There went to Feejee Mr. Cross and Mr. Cargill. They came to the place where I was. They told our people to repent and believe the Gospel; and we did become religious, and we begged for Teachers. After this, others came from Tonga, and told me to lotu. I did become religious, but did not know its meaning. My mind was not yet changed: it was still dark. I heard the Missionaries preach, and then I knew the light from God. I knew I was a sinner. In my repentance, I knew great grief of mind because of my sins. Then a canoe came from Vavau to Lakemba, and about that time I received the forgiveness of my sins. But my relations tempted me again to become a Heathen; and this was the cause or reason of my leaving my own land to come and dwell in Tonga. I came here that I might still love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Whilst yet in Feejee, the Missionaries allowed me to preach a little; and when coming to Tonga I called at Niuafoou. There my preaching was made a blessing; and since I first arrived here till now God has moved my mind to preach the Gospel. This I know from the call of the Spirit in my heart."

Benjamin is one of the finest and brightest specimens of primitive Christianity with whom I have conversed in these islands. His talents are far above the usual standard among the Tongans. His spirit is excellent, and his attainments superior to those of his brethren. He speaks the three dialects of Tonga, Feejee, and the Navigators' Islands. The other two are very rich in promise; and such as I can most cordially approve as men fit to be separated to the work of teaching among the out-islands, which cannot be visited by a Missionary more than once a year. Their wives are de

voted women, willing to go anywhere with their husbands in the name of the Lord.

5th. I left Vavau, with Messrs. Turner and West, for the District-Meeting at Tonga, calling at Hapai. The wind was high, and the sea rough, and all the passengers were very sick. These little voyages cause much suffering to those of us whom nothing can preserve from sick

ness at sea.

On Tuesday morning we anchored at Lifuga, but did not recover all day from the misery we endured while "lying to the previous night. Mr. Rabone came off in his canoe, with Joel, the King, on board, who was one of my domestic lads twenty-four years ago at Tonga, but who is now a fine-looking man, a wise Magistrate, and a good Local Preacher. We were glad to meet again. Mr. Rabone is a great man here; a man of port and presence, a good sample of the fine old English gentleman. We landed, and found his wife cheerful and blooming, and a fine family of six children around her. All countenances were lighted up. The boxes came ashore; presents from uncle, cousins, grandmother, and many friends. These things occur but once a year, and are therefore times of deep interest and much excitement. The Mission here is healthy, and steadily progressing. The Lifuga chapel measures one hundred and twelve feet long by fifty wide. The whole island is about fifteen miles in length, and not generally more than a mile in width. The number of members in this island is about five hundred. The total popu lation is about one thousand, and the number of Local Preachers, thirty. A large proportion of the youth, and many adults, attend the schools. The group of Hapai has two thousand members, on its various and scattered islets. One of the Missionaries resides at Tungua, forty miles from Lifuga.

8th. I visited the Tamaha at Tungua. She remembers, not only my residence here, but the visit of Captain Cook. Her age is about eighty-five, and her sight gone; but she is ripe for eternity, having been a steady Christian for many years. On our leaving her palace, (for she ranks first among all the Chiefs of Tonga,) we were presented with a large hog, and about half a ton of yams. Mr. and Mrs. Webb live here, happy, diligent, and useful. Mr. Webb and Mr. West were upset in a native canoe, and were overboard in the open sea, about one hour, in the dark night. Their faithful natives, however, kept them up,

and, having righted the canoe, repaired its outrigger, and paddled them home in safety. Mr. Webb had been on board the brig, and was taking with him letters, papers, and parcels, which were swallowed up in the great deep. On visiting them to-day we heard not a murmur for the loss of these things; but all were thankful to God, that he had spared the valuable lives of His servants.

9th. Being detained by contrary winds, we lay at anchor at the isle of Haafeva. In the morning we landed, and found that almost all the people were members of our society, and living in peace and plenty. In the centre of this little isle, about three miles round, stands a fine old ovava-tree. We measured it, and found its girth forty-five feet round its trunk; its width, from the extremes of opposite branches, one hundred and ninety feet; its height, far more than one hundred feet. Four houses stood beneath its shade; one belonged to each of the four parts into which this sea-girt empire was formerly divided. This noble tree throws down many suckers to the earth, which grow, and become props to its far-extended lateral branches, similar to the banian-tree, to which family it probably belongs.

10th. As we lay at anchor on account of contrary winds, the island of Tofua, which is about ten miles in circumference, was clear in sight, and occasionally sent up a sudden flame from its smoking crater. There are about one hundred people living there, one half of whom are members of our society. A native Teacher conducts the school, and nearly all the children attend. This island is under the care of the Rev. William Webb, who told me that about two years ago the natives of Tofua were warned of an approaching eruption, as they usually are, by the trembling of the whole island, and by a rumbling noise. This sign was the signal of flight to a cave in a very distant part of the island, as was the practice of their fathers in all similar cases. But on this occasion they failed in their attempt to reach the cave, on account of the shower of stones falling around from the volcanic eruption. While, however, the awful process of this terrific phenomenon was raging in its grandeur, these trembling people were screened in another place, where they awaited the termination of the convulsion. They afterwards proceeded to view the cave, which they had endeavoured to reach, and where their forefathers were accustomed to find shelter; aud, to their amazement, they found it

filled with burning lava. In this deliverance they saw and acknowledged the hand of the Lord; and to this hour they speak of it with gratitude and admiration.

Tofua has a basin in its centre; and at the bottom, nearly on a level with the sea, is a pool of clear fresh water, about three miles across. The mouth of the volcano is about half-way up this basin. A few miles distant from Tofua, which is about three-quarters of a mile high, is a lofty conical island, just one mile high, with a volcano in action. The smoke has been pouring forth in clouds ever since we have been here. Its name is Kao. "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."

11th. The wind is still contrary. Several of the brethren who were on board have sallied forth from the ship to preach among the various isles to-day; while others conduct the services on board the brig. Our patience is tried on our way to the District-Meeting; but the winds are under the absolute control of Him who is our Master and Lord.

13th. We reached Tonga with difficulty, and landed in a torrent of rain. The next morning we commenced our District-Meeting, and we concluded the business in six days. Many important matters were agreed upon; and among them the immediate revision of the New Testament, and the translation of the Old, with the view of printing the entire Scriptures as correctly and with as little delay as possible. The final revision and bringing out of all the books which are agreed upon to be printed, is committed to the Rev. Stephen Rabone, in whom the District-Meeting has full confidence that he will not delay to place the word of God in the hands of the Tongans. This work has very urgent claims upon us, and those claims have existed for several years; but there is no sufficient reason why they have not been met long ago. I here record the opinion of most of the Tonga Missionaries.

Another important step taken by this Meeting is the admission of a native of Tonga into the sacred office of Assistant Missionary. Benjamin Latuselu is a Chief of high rank, well and long tried as a Local Preacher; a man of deep piety, clear understanding, and theroughly imbedded in the affections of our people. He is sent forth to take charge of Keppel's Island, where we have a flock of several hundreds without an authorized shepherd. He is the first of

his nation admitted into the Christian ministry on probation by the laying on of hands; but we may hope that by such an agency the wants of these infant churches will be much more generally and efficiently met than they could be only by Ministers sent out and supported from home. I earnestly pray the Lord of the harvest to multiply such labourers.

A third matter of great consequence was the education of this people. For the more efficient working of our educational operations in the Friendly Islands, the Parent Committee has sent out Mr. Amos, who has studied the training system at Glasgow, and will forthwith start his training-school at Nukualofa, composed of three divisions; namely, 1. Children, 2. Catechists, and, 3. The most hopeful of our young men, who are likely to become Teachers of their countrymen, and in some cases, it may be hoped, rise to the rank of Native Assistant Missionaries.

The Native Institution, which had declined after the death of Mr. Francis Wilson, is again revived; and from it I shall fully expect to see the same beneficial effects as we witness in New-Zealand from the Institution there. Upon the whole, I shall be ever grateful for this meeting with my Christian brethren, who have gone forth for a long period, sowing precious seed; and now they see the ripe sheaf and golden harvest bowing before them in all directions; a sight which many righteous men desired to see, but they did not witness this happy and holy gathering around the Saviour's mediatorial throne, of those who sow and those who reap rejoicing together.

At the close of our sittings the Meeting presented me with the following paper :

"Resolved, That this Meeting cordially expresses its thanks to the Rev. Walter Lawry, for his visit to the Friendly Islands, the scene of his early labours; and also its deep sense of the kind, judicious, and Christian manner in which its business has been examined and conducted; and begs to assure him that any future visit will be hailed with pleasure. (Signed)

"JOHN THOMAS,
"PETER TURNER,
"STEPHEN RABONE,
"MATTHEW WILSON,
"WILLIAM WEBB,
"GEORGE R. H. MILLER,
"THOMAS WEST."

21st. We weighed anchor early in the morning, and reached Hapai in the

evening, close hauled all the way. The following day the wind was right a-head; but we were snugly anchored, and landing the stores of Mr. Webb at Tungua, (thanks, under God, to our fast vessel!) or we should now have been at sea beating about among reefs and islets. It would be difficult to say how much we owe to this admirably well-constructed brig, both in point of safety and comfort. The "John Wesley" is every way a very fine vessel; so clean and wholesome, and so well fitted for the service to which she is appointed, that I have seen nothing yet to be compared to her. She has not and could not have a poop, but she has very lofty 'tween-decks, and is therefore airy and pleasant in warm climates, such as she has to navigate. She sails well at all points, and under all circumstances: generally she is a very fast vessel, and remarkably easy. Those who constructed this strong, handsome, and efficient brig, (Messrs. White, of Cowes,) have conferred important benefit on our Mission cause in these seas, and earned for themselves an increase to their high reputation.

August 3d. Having made our voyage to Lifuga, and back again to Vavau, removing the brethren Turner and Rabone with their almost endless luggage and lumber, I have had an opportunity of observing the operation of these removals in these parts of the Lord's vineyard. I doubt if they do much good to the natives, who, I believe, would be less restless and unsettled if one Pastor were stationed permanently among them. In New-Zealand the natives will not permit their father, as they call their first Missionary, to leave them. If these islanders are more fickle, it may be traced to their different training. The Mission premises suffer greatly in these changes. The gardens lie waste, and improvements are looked for in vain: the tenant is soon moving away to another station. ship has hereby not only a great increase of work, extra voyages among the reefs, and the loading and unloading of luggage, but she will soon be filled with vermin, (cockroaches, rats, and ants,) as the "Triton" was. By these, almost everything is destroyed, all on board are subject to perpetual annoyance, and in course of time the vessel herself will be frittered and injured.

The

This is my birth-day; and, by God's mercy, health, strength, and peace are Vouchsafed to me, with an increase of pleasure in my Master's work, at the end of fifty-four years. The day has been signalized by the various schools assem→