THE MISSIONARY SHIP. VOYAGE TO THE HERVEY AND NAVIGATORS ISLANDS. OUR numerous young friends, who contributed or collected for the purchase of The John Williams, will be delighted to hear of the safe arrival of their useful and beautiful vessel at the Hervey Islands on the 9th of January last; and subsequently at the Samoas; nor will they be less pleased when informed of the grateful joy which her appearance has awakened among the Missionaries and their people. The following communications are from two of our devoted brethren at Rarotonga, whose ardent language on this gratifying occasion only expresses the common feeling with which the Missionary ship is regarded at each successive island to which her course has been bent. On the occasion of her arrival at Avarua, in the island of Rarotonga, or shortly after her departure for the Samoan Group, Mr. Buzacott thus wrote : "I cannot describe our feelings on the arrival of the splendid Missionary vessel-The John Williams. It is just such a vessel as was wanted. Our people, especially the young, were much pleased to hear of the love and compassion of the children and young people of England for the poor heathen-a substantial proof of which they had now before them. We were glad to welcome the return of Brother Heath and our young friends and fellow-labourers who accompanied him. The weather was fine the day the vessel arrived, when we succeeded, by the help of canoes and boats, in getting the greater part of the goods ashore. In the night it came on to rain, and this continued for nearly a week, and in such torrents as to make the roads impassable; all the low lands being covered with water. The vessel also encountered some heavy gales and lost her jib-boom, but sustained no further damage. "Of the seven students in the Institution three of them have left in The John Williams, to be located in islands to the westward. They are all single, and will, we hope, make good pioneers, and useful working Missionaries, in some of those numerous and savage" islands. They go followed by our prayers, and we intreat for them and all the native teachers, who may be placed in such difficult and trying stations as those that have been in the New Hebrides and Loyalty Groups, the special prayers of the Church for their preservation in the day of trial." The second communication is from the Rev. W. Gill, who observes :— "It was our happiness, early in January, to hail the arrival of the Missionary ship, and to welcome our dear brethren, who have so recently left you for the work of the Lord in these islands. It was a noble effort-worthy of the children of England-to purchase so fine a vessel, as a thank-offering to the God of the Fathers and Founders of the Society, and to our God, at the close of the Fiftieth year of the Society, and as a pledge of future attachment and effort in the cause of the Redeemer. To us it was one of the most welcome sights we had beheld since the departure of the Camden for England. "We are encouraged to find, that the spirit of Missionary Enterprise, in some degree, keeps pace with the flight of time. The John Williams, as a Missionary ship, and viewed in connexion with the spirit of the churches in sending her out, exceeds the Camden by as much as 1844 is in advance of 1838. The interest is a growing one, and must be so, until the little one becomes a thousand, and the whole world is brought to give homage to Him in whose Name we labour." A view of the arrival of the ship at Rarotonga, and of the animated scene occasioned by that interesting event, is presented in our engraving for the present month. MERCIFUL DELIVERANCE OF THE REV. THOMAS HEATH AND CAPTAIN MORGAN. DURING a very violent storm, which arose on the 22nd of January, while the John Williams lay off the island of Aitutaki, our brother, Mr. Heath, with our excellent friend Captain Morgan, and five of the crew, experienced a most gracious deliverance from a watery grave. Mr. H. was exposed to the greatest peril, and at one period his preservation seemed beyond hope; but, when a few moments more would have finally consigned him to the raging sea, the hand of God was mercifully stretched out for his rescue, and our brother was saved. The circumstance will be best described in his own words, which are as follow: "I am favoured, through the divine goodness, with the inexpressible pleasure of once more addressing you from my old and loved field of labour; and, while I would be grateful for our safe arrival, especially after having been rescued from the very jaws of death at Aitutaki, I consider myself called upon emphatically to render thanks for the restoration of my spirits, and a very considerable improvement in health. "We neared Aitutaki on the 21st of January, but could not approach sufficiently near to land. We shoved off for the night, and next morning found the wind blowing di rectly into the bay or inlet on which Mr. Royle has fixed his Station. It is difficult to enter even when the weather is fine and the wind blowing from the opposite quarter. On the 22nd the entrance was very dangerous; but, as there was no near prospect of a change, and time became precious, it was resolved to attempt to land the goods. "The jolly-boat was accordingly laden, and the whale-boat attached to her to tow her in. Newman, the second mate, was placed in the jolly-boat to steer her, and Captain Morgan and myself, with a crew of five, including three English sailors, one New Zealander, and Billy, our Society Islander, went into the whale-boat. On approaching the entrance, Mr. Royle's boat met us, and was attached to the whale-boat, to aid in towing. This, however, turned out to our disadvantage, their steersman not being sufficiently skilful or careful. Close to the entrance there is a violent eddy, and through the entrance itself, which is only ten yards wide, with dangerous reefs and rocks on either side, there is a strong current running sea-ward, and, in addition to all, there was upon that day a high rolling sea. "Still we knew not the worst until we got within the reefs, but this was no sooner done than the jolly-boat shot by us like lightning, carried by a tremendous sea. We then saw our danger, but got nearly right again, with our knives ready to cut the ropes, in order to separate the boats, if necessary. This was very soon rendered indispensable; when both the boats, by a tremendous sea, were driven against the rocks. Mr. Royle's boat rebounded, and the natives got her through, but the whale-boat sprung all her planks at the bow, shattered her keel, and instantly went over. Clinging to her I went right under and up again on the contrary side, but she instantly went over a second time, and finding myself getting under her, I let go my hold, and at the same moment felt some hand seize the back of my coat and assist me to rise. "On rising I found the boat with her keel upwards, and two only of the crew with me, the English boy George, and Billy; one of whom then called to our aid a young man from Mr. Royle's boat, named Rupè, who swam to us and attached himself to me, placing his arms under mine, and both of us holding by the keel. But the sea was so strong that it was difficult either to keep the keel upwards or to keep hold. Billy and George stripped off their shirts and fastened them to a strap at the bow, and by these George lashed himself to the boat, so as to leave his arms at liberty. Billy contrived, with much dexterity, to balance himself on the side of the boat, the keel leaning over considerably on our side partly by our effort, as we found it the best position, and partly by the stern-oar which had got fixed crosswise. "As soon as I had time to look round I missed Captain Morgan, but the boys said he had swum to the jolly-boat. Three others were missing, but two of these we afterwards saw swimming toward shore, and the third was picked up by the jolly-boat. A heavy sea continued to drive over us, and we now found ourselves rapidly drifting out to sea through the eddy. This encouraged us on the one hand, as we were borne from the rocks, but on the other it alarmed us, as we saw little prospect of help. We knew that the jolly-boat had only the stern-oar, and was heavily laden and in great danger, and we saw no canoe coming from shore. "In the very first moments of peril, I was able to recall rapidly the few great truths on which salvation and Heaven depend, and to commit myself and those about me to God. When we afterwards obtained an occasional breathing time, I could do this aloud, that those with me might join, and they said they were praying. I had taken with me my Indian-rubber life-preserver, but had neg S$2 lected to put it on. At the moment we went over I seized it, and kept hold of it; but every attempt to use it failed until a short time before we were picked up, and then Billy managed to lay himself across the boat, and roughly tie it on. "Such was our situation for nearly two hours! the sea every moment rolling over us with such force that it was with the utmost difficulty we kept our hold. At last we perceived that the jolly-boat was approaching us, and we afterwards found that they had picked up one of our oars, and so were able to row her, though but slowly. At length they picked us up, and you may imagine our emotions. But even then our ARRIVAL OF THE JOHN WILLIAMS AT THE NAVIGATORS ISLANDS. After leaving the Hervey Group, the Missionary ship pursued her course to the Samoas, and reached Tutuila on the last day of the month. In the following passage of his letter, which is dated Upolu, Feb. 14, Mr. Heath describes the grateful welcome which he and his companions in voyage received from the missionary brethren and the natives; and the joyous excitement that pervaded every bosom on the appearance of the Missionary ship, and the announcement of her permanent dedication to the service of the South Sea Mission: "Since our arrival all has been excitement, I may say enthusiasm. We have had a tenfold kind and cordial welcome from the dear brethren and their families; while the natives have been coming from all quarters by hundreds, bringing presents, especially for the ship, with which all are exceedingly gratified. We had a public meeting on Tuesday, in the open air, with the natives, 1300 or 1400 being present. On this occasion Aperaamo gave a most graphic account of his visit to England, and I also delivered an address. Next day thousands came with a "feeding" for our numerous travelling parties and visitors at Apia, and many with presents for the ship. I am told that so large and joyous an assembly was never seen at Apia before. "My reception at Manono was most ardently affectionate-presents of food abundant, and the congregations at our three chapels unusually large and delighted." QUEEN POMARE. IN December last, while the Missionary ship was at Raiatea, four of our Missionary brethren, accompanied by Captain Morgan, embraced the opportunity of paying a visit to the exiled Sovereign of Tahiti in her solitary retreat upon that island. The following is a brief account of the interview, from a communication lately received from the Rev. Thomas Powell, who was himself present on the occasion. The expression of the Queen herein recorded clearly indicates her sentiments on the subject of French Protection, while its gentleness and piety cannot but augment the pity and admiration now so generally and so deservedly felt for this deeply-injured woman : "On Tuesday, December 17, a party, including Messrs, Barff, Heath, and Morgan, together with two young missionaries, went about ten miles in a boat to visit Queen Pomare, who had for several months past taken refuge from the French among the people of Raiatea, and was then residing near one of the war-camps. We found her in a native house by the seaside, with three of her children, one about a month old, her husband, and a number of attendants, principally females. She was well, but looked careworn. She appeared consoled by the assurance given her by Mr. Heath, of the deep interest which is felt in her cause by thousands of christian friends. Mr. H. observed that it was supposed in England that she had no wish for the protection of France, but that if she wished it, of course neither England nor any other people had any right to interfere. To this her emphatic answer was-"I don't wish the protection of France—I desire only the protection of Jehovah and his truth.” INDIA. CALCUTTA.-NATIVE HOSTILITY TO SCRIPTURAL EDUCATION. THE rapid extension and successful progress of Christian Education in India have produced the most violent and envenomed opposition among the defenders of Hindooism, especially in Calcutta, where a large number of the more wealthy and intelligent natives have united in a course of organized hostility to the labours of the Christian Teacher. The enemy has taken alarm; and, by intolerance and oppression, eagerly attempts to uphold his cause and subvert the rising structure of intellectual freedom and moral enlightenment. The opponents of Christianity are aiming to establish schools of their own, expressly intended for the preservation and maintenance of Hindoo laws and customs; and, in the excess of their bigoted zeal, have forbidden parents sending their children to Missionary Institutions on pain of excommunication. But, while education, even as conducted on the principles adopted by these ungenerous antagonists, would ensure the defeat of their own object, they enjoy not the faintest prospect of success-their efforts will, eventually, serve but to strengthen the cause they aim to destroy. The spirit of discord has already entered their ranks, and the scantiness of their pecuniary offerings alone seems likely to secure the early failure of this unrighteous undertaking, or reduce it to insignificance. The following communication on the subject from Rev. A. F. Lacroix, of Calcutta, received under date of July last, will be read with interest and hope:— We have lately had quite a stir among the native population of Calcutta, owing principally to several pupils of the Free Church Institution having embraced Christianity, in consequence of the religious education they had received. This greatly incensed and alarmed the whole Hindoo community, both the idolatrous, and the Vedantic, or liberal party, who, though very inimical to each other, united in this instance against the truth. They had several meetings, where they gave utterance to loud complaints at the progress of Christianity; and, in order to stem its current, they resolved upon establishing a large Free School, in which the doctrines of the Shastres are to be promulgated, and Christianity systematically opposed; and they backed this resolution with a decree that all parents, who, after the establishment of that Institution, should send their sons to the Missionary schools, would be expelled from their respective castes. It is not expected, however, that the enemies of the Gospel will be able to enforce this latter threat to any extent. A sum of three hundred thousand rupees (£30,000) was voted as necessary to accomplish this great plan; but, as is usual with the natives, their zeal has already begun to cool; and, although more than a month has elapsed since the matter was started, only forty thousand rupees (£4000) have been subscribed. is most probable, therefore, that this un It dertaking will come to nothing, at least so far as the grand scale is concerned on which it was designed to prosecute it. As the Missionaries do not dread much injury to their own schools from this heathen opposition, they would not be very sorry to see an Institution established like that contemplated; because, as European Science is to be taught in it, as well as Hindooism, that circumstance alone must lead to the down-. fal of error, and thus accomplish what the Missionaries themselves would have done. The fact is, that many of the declarations of the Shastres on the subjects of Geography, Astronomy, and Natural Philosophy in general, are so utterly absurd and erroneous, that no Hindoo youth, who has been properly instructed in those Sciences, can possibly view any longer books, containing so many palpably false statements, as of divine origin, and binding on him. I am happy to say that this stir has, even already, done good; and, as is frequently the case, the wrath of man has, in this instance, been made to praise God. Numbers of Hindoos, who before never heard or cared about Christianity, have been roused by this opposition to inquire into its merits; and, I doubt not, that, all things taken together, the result will eventually prove diametrically the reverse of that which the champions of Hindooism contemplated. |