of instruction, on Sabbath day, July 25th, at the close of a public meeting for worship in the native language, we gave out that there would be a meeting next evening different from any we had ever had here before; to this meeting we invited all that were truly desirous of being instructed in the word of the true God; all that really and sincerely renounced their false gods, and desired to cast away all their evil customs; all that were willing and desirous to receive Jehovah for their God, and Jesus for their only saviour; all such we invited, and would be glad to see next evening; and moreover, that we would write their names in a book if they desired it, that we might know who they were. When the time appointed arrived, about forty attended, and after prayer and singing in the native language, and an appropriate address by brother Nott, on the design of the meeting, thirty-one of those present most cheerfully came forward to have their names put down as of the character above mentioned; some others declined it for the present, and we pressed no one, but urged upon them all, attendance on the means of instruction. With those whose names are written down, we have had several meetings since, beside our common and general meetings for the instruction of the natives, and have had the satisfaction of adding eleven more to their number, which makes in all 42. Among these last are the young chief of Huaheine, and a principal Arreoi, who is also a priest." The letter from which the preceding is an extract, was signed John Davies, in behalf of the Missionaries. In another

letter of January 7th, 1814, they mention the death of a young man of the name of Mui, who was one of those whose names had been written in July, 1813. When his illness prevented his attendance on the means of instruction, and public worship, he would often say, as he saw his friends passing to enjoy these privileges, "My feet cannot go, but my heart goes with you." His dying testimony was simple, but satisfactory: he did not pretend to much knowledge, but one thing he knew; he knew he was a sinner, and knew also that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and the knowledge of this, removed from him the fear of death. This, from him, appeared to us as implying much more than he expressed." In another letter dated April 23, 1814, they state that their assemblies for worship, when Taheitan, were numerous and attentive, and that it was necessary to enlarge their place of worship. UPAPARU, a chief from Taheite, with his family, came to Eimeo, to attend their meetings for worship; UTAMI, an intelligent man, a chief of the island of Tahaa, had joined the society of professing believers, with a decided approbation of the religion of Christ; and several others had come up from Taheite and Raiatea to attend on religious instruction, though they suffered by so doing. The converts are represented to be steady in their profession, and exemplary in their conduct. They observed the Sabbath, had family prayer, and asked a blessing on their food. They held frequent meetings for prayer among them-selves, and hence they received from their scoffing

countrymen, the appellation of "Bure Atua," or "praying people." The Missionaries made a tour of the islands Huaheine, Ulietea, and Tahoa. The gods of the natives began to fall into disrepute, being called every where "bad spirits," "foolish spirits," and Jehovah the "good spirit."

. In a letter dated Sept. 17, 1814, the Missionaries say: "Here at Eimeo our congregation has increased greatly. Upaparu, mentioned in our last, together with his brother Vaiturai, both chiefs of Taheite, have come over with a number of their men, on purpose to seek instruction. The King also, after an absence of two years from us, has lately come over with a number of people, most of whom profess to be worshippers of the true God; most of these attend our meetings regularly; and our place of worship, which was lately enlarged, is again too small to contain the people."

On the 9th of February, 1815, the Missionary service was deprived of one of its most active agents, in the decease of Mr. William Scott; as he had attained such a knowledge of the language of these islanders, as enabled him to convey instruction in an intelligible, as well as an affectionate manner. Danger was not apprehended by him or his friends, until the morning of the day on which he died. He took little notice through the day of any thing; only now and then he dropped a few words expressive of his reliance, as a helpless guilty sinner, on the all-sufficient Saviour. He was, apparently, of ten in prayer. In the afternoon he quitted his sta

tion among mortals, and went to join, we hope, the glorious company above."

At Otaheite and Eimeo there were, in 1815, five hundred worshippers of the true God; among whom were several leading chiefs; and there were in the schools, principally adults, two hundred and sixty. The praises of God were sung by a goodly number of native voices, and not unfrequently the sound of prayer was heard from among the bushes.

Persecutions arose against the praying people; a house of worship was burnt to the ground; several of the worshippers were banished, and an attempt was made to kill one of them, to be offered a human sacrifice to their God Ooro. A large proportion of the natives in the district of Pare, at Otaheite, and in the neighbouring one, Matavai, where the missionaries formerly resided, had cast away their gods, and embraced the true religion. The King had also sent a book to his daughter, as a testimony that she was to be brought up in the Christian faith. This, together with the rapid increase of the "Bure Atua," or "praying people,” excited in the idolatrous chiefs a violent spirit of persecution. Those of Pare and Hapyano induced some chiefs of Matavai to join them in a conspiracy to cut up the converts, root and branch. strengthened themselves also by an alliance, for this cruel purpose, with the chiefs of Atahooroo, and Papara, though their ancient rivals and enemies.

These

The night of the 7th of July was appointed for the horrid massacre of all the praying people. In

telligence, however, being secretly conveyed to the intended victims, they embarked that evening for Eimeo, where they all arrived in safety next morning. The confederated chiefs, enraged by disappointment, and reviving old feuds, wreaked their vengeance on each other, and fell in numbers by mutual slaughter. Thus the weapons, meant to be plunged in the bosoms of the "praying people," did He, "who heareth prayer," direct, by his righteous providence, against the lives of their enemies.

The following extracts are from letters received by the Directors from the Rev. Mr. Marsden, senior chaplain of the colony of New South Wales, dated Paramatta, Oct. 2, 1815: he writes "There is war at Otaheite; but I think this will eventually turn out well. Pomare has no hand in he is in the island of Ei

the war, nor his people; meo, with the Missionaries, and many of his people who have renounced idolatry, and turned to the living God. The Missionaries appear to be very contented, and still anxious to promote the conversion of the heathen. They are all tried men, and have proved themselves, by their patience, perseverance, and labours, worthy of the confidence reposed in them by the Society." In a previous letter he had said, "The last accounts I had were of the most gratifying nature. The Missionaries had the most promising appearances of the gospel prevailing in those dark parts of the earth. The labours of your Society will, no doubt, be eventually attended with success. The work was great, the arts