directed them to Him, unto whom the cattle lected together, with a prodigious quantity of on a thousand hills belong, I told them I had various sorts of vegetables, fruits, fowls, &c., no desire to multiply words amongst them, intended as a present to our vessel: the mislest I should be found darkening counsel; but sionary being present, there was no lack of that my desire was to turn them from words an interpreter betwixt us. I told him that we to the power of the Holy Spirit of the Lord could not accept of any thing as a present Jesus in their own hearts. My tongue was from these poor people; and even if we could, loosed to declare freely the things relating to that the quantity before us upon the beach was the gospel of the kingdom, for upwards of an greater than our vessel could take in with hour. No people could be more attentive; convenience; at the same time I would not my prayer is, that many of them may be en- object to take what might be useful to us, proabled to say, from heart-felt living experience, vided they would allow us to make a suitable "Now we believe, not because of thy saying: return. It appeared from the statement of for we have heard him ourselves, and know the missionary, that the people were intending that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of to build a new meeting-house at Koloa, by the world:"-unto whom be ascribed glory voluntary contribution, and that as this was and dominion for ever. After the meeting the case, the difficulty could be at once surwas over, I found that my interpreter was mounted by the appropriation of the amount greatly exhausted by the fatigue he had had of the supplies which might be taken by us, to pass through, although he offered to attend to that purpose. To effect this, the articles again in the afternoon, but added, that the we wanted were to be valued in dollar money, number of people would be much reduced, as which enabled us to pay for them in such no afternoon meetings are held in the absence commodities as could be used in the building of the resident missionary; and when at his in question as materials, or in the payment of post, the Bible class system is usually adopted. workmen employed in erecting it: articles of I told him, that if I came with a view to see clothing were much in demand for the fatter the people again, I should take care to be on purpose. The people, particularly the females, shore in time in the afternoon. The surf had brought with them on this occasion many of increased since our landing in the morning; the simple native productions of the island; but we were assisted as before, by experienced with small quantities of shells, and other ornaand skilful managers. The weather becoming mental trifles in use among them in the days wet in the afternoon, seemed to decide my re- of gross idolatry, but now laid aside. These maining on board, having been informed that articles were intended as presents from indithe islanders do not like to go out in the rain viduals then present, so that each person rethemselves, nor do they expect strangers to ceived an equivalent for what he had to offer do it; but more especially, from not feeling it on the spot; and care was taken that an ample binding upon me to return to the shore again return was made to each of them. Needles, that day. On looking at the subject after the fish-hooks, and pocket combs, were eagerly time had passed by, although in poverty and sought after in exchange. Some native dressdepression, I did not feel as one that had held es were brought in the shape of a morning back. Had there been a probability of a robe for a female, made from the bark of the meeting being held, I was scarcely fit to at-paper mulberry tree, and with thread of their tempt a second landing, from pain in my head. In the afternoon, read portions of Scripture to our own crew. Late in the night, made a copy of a short address to the members of the mission, in the Sandwich Islands; at the same time acknowledging the receipt of a joint communication from them in their general meeting capacity, signed by all the mem-cloth of stained colours. We returned on bers.

fair

own manufacture: this circumstance accounted for the brisk demand for large sized needles, to enable them to use their own thread, while a very small quantity of our thread was taken. These dresses were mostly purchased for scissors; but knives, combs, and other articles were in demand, for native

board to avoid the hottest part of the day, as the heat was extreme, and the reflection from the white sand on the beach almost insupportable. As the sun declined, we landed again and pursued our barter trade, until the natives began to retire from the shore for the night: crossed the river by canoe opposite the fort.

27th.-Engaged in procuring yams, pumpkins, with other vegetables, and live stock, in the prospect of again steering towards the Equator. Found it expedient to hire from the natives a strong canoe, to assist our operations, as our own jolly-boat is now old and very crazy, and altogether unfit to contend Some years ago, the chiefs of this island with the surf upon this side of the island, even had been prevailed upon by the Russians to when in her best condition. On landing we place themselves under the protection of that found a considerable body of the natives col-nation, and on that score had ceded one-half VOL. VII.-No. 6.

29

of the island over to them. After this, the fort was erected; the step altogether was found to be obnoxious to some other powers, and the Russian government disclaiming the action, as having been committed without any sanction on their part, the scheme was abandoned altogether, and the blame cast upon its supposed projectors: be this correct or not, the fort is still in existence. Cannon of other nations are to be seen in it, besides those of Russia; and several may be distinguished to have come from England, by the G. R., &c., upon them. It is probable these may have been procured by the chiefs, or their own king, with a view to strengthen this place for the security of the island.

Cane' was now paid off, and all things being settled, we took a final departure, and stretched off a south and by east course; leaving these interesting isles of the ocean, amongst which, more than half a year of our time had been expended. The best welfare of the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands will be an object ever near and dear to my heart, and which, however distantly separated as to the body, my spirit will earnestly crave.

Extract from a letter of this date written to an intimate friend in England:

'Time would fail me to tell of the everlasting mercy and compassion that have been extended to us-ward, in that love which hath compassed about as with a shield, during our recent operations in dangerous bays and roadsteads, lying open within a very few points of the compass, to the whole beat of the Pacific. In most of these places, we have had to land amidst a breaking surf, sometimes in our own boat, and at others in canoes, which when managed by the natives, are by far the safer, although subject to frequent drenchings from the sea.

28th.-To-day, for most part employed in embarking yams, sweet potatoes, water melons, goats, &c., which had been purchased with barter goods. Some molasses had been spoken about to a Chinaman who is engaged here as an agent to an American master residing at Oahu; but finding that this article was entirely the gain of oppression, we declined taking it on that account.-A few gallons were purchased at last from an American, who had produced the sugar cane by his own labour, I brought with me from London, as recomwhich wholly removed all difficulty on this mended by a dear friend, a patent water-proof head. On this island, it is said that the poor belt, or life-preserver, made by Macintosh, of natives are more oppressed by the chiefs, than Cheapside; but I have been ashamed to make on any other of the Sandwich group. The use of it on any one occasion, and when we introduction of two establishments for making have been going to land, I have uniformly left sugar, with which the chiefs are connected, it it on board the vessel. How could I now be seems probable, will eventually be the cause of gin to doubt the loving-kindness of Him, whose promoting a state of slavery, as oppressive as goodness hath followed me all my life long; that which has existed in the West Indies: the and dare to distrust that never-failing arm of population, from this, and other much to be strength, that hath been so often and eminent deplored causes, is rapidly decreasing; these ly stretched forth for my preservation, by sugar plantations were set on foot by two night and day, by sea and land, amongst Americans. In one instance, the chiefs find strangers and foreigners, where no man cared all the labour, and have one-half of the profit; for my soul,-in cold and heat,-in hunger, in the other, the scheme is more plausible, as thirst, and weariness,-amid the din of arms, the natives are paid a small pittance for their the noisome pestilence and the destruction that labour: but the chiefs are compelled by con- wasteth at noon day: how often from boyhood tract to furnish a sufficient number of labour- to the present day have I been sheltered from ers for their share of the profit; for the sake the rage of the angry tempest; and how was of which, the contract is more rigidly en-I supported in the iron grasp of affliction, forced. This was spoken of as being con- when week after week, tidings of family disducted upon a fair principle; but we told them, tress assailed me, without the power to lend a nothing compulsory could be just. Our friend hand of help,-the parent stock smitten and the missionary having left us and returned to removed, and the branches withering. And his family at Koloa, we found the kind assist-after all this, shall I now, when old and greyance of the British Consul very useful in our transactions with the natives. At the edge of dark, we had all on board, and only waited the land-breeze. to waft us from the island. At nine o'clock P. M., Richard Charlton left us, into whose hands were committed our letters for England, to be forwarded from Oahu, by the first eligible conveyance which might offer after his arrival there. Our pilot Sugar

headed, begin to doubt the heavenly source of help, that still strengthens me to proclaim the unsearchable riches of his love, to the tribes which inhabit his possessions in these uttermost parts of the earth; when the feelings of decaying nature are lost sight of, and the inner man strengthened by the might of the Lord's glorious power and sensible presence, to my humble admiration. "To whom shall we go,

and the thunder-storms to which these latitudes ance. We then stood to the southward, are subject, we were favoured to cross the until the other missionary station was open equator about three o'clock in the morning of to our view, and near enough to observe a the 19th of seventh month, in health and number of the natives upon the look out, who safety, and at noon were in latitude forty had no doubt descried the approach of a miles south; longitude by lunar observation strange vessel to their shores. As the wind 160° west. Not a single vessel was seen still blew strongly against us, we could not get during the whole passage; and although we sufficiently near the coast to entice the canoes must have passed near several of the islands to come off before the night closed in; so we scattered upon the surface of the ocean, both hovered within a short distance of the island north and south of the line, yet none of them until the next morning, the 2nd of eighth month: were sighted until first-day, the 31st; when at when, at an early hour a boat was seen comday-break in the morning the island of Raro-ing from the shore, from the first station ob tonga was discovered about seven leagues to served yesterday, which in due time reached windward of us. The morning was then calm, the Henry Freeling. We were enabled to but at nine o'clock A. M., we stretched away understand from our visitors, that we were off to the east north-east, with a light breeze, the station of Charles Pittman the missionary, there being no alternative, but that of endea- with whom and with his wife, we became acvouring to beat up to it; although it was a quainted at the island of Tahiti last year. They little mortifying to perceive, that the settled were at that time in a weak state of health, trade-wind blew directly from it. Having by and it seemed very doubtful whether they dint of exertion gained ground, one of the would ever be able (particularly Charles Pittmissionary stations could plainly be discerned man,) to return to the island of Rarotonga. It to leeward on second-day afternoon. This was very satisfactory to find they were rewas known by the appearance of a large stored to their duty in improved health; more building, which, with some others about it, especially as our way seemed at once fairly was white-washed, and had a neat appear-opened to enter upon this new scene of labour, To the members of the Mission at the Sandwich Islands.'

'Dear friends,

'Your joint communication, replete with the expression of brotherly kindness and regard, was put into my hand just as we were quitting the shores of Oahu. Although utterly unmerited on my part, yet I feel compelled to accept it, from a belief in the purity of those motives by which it was dictated; while, at the same time, the feeling is awakened, that to me belongs only "blushing and confusion of face." I rejoice in the opportunity so soon afforded me to acknowledge its receipt, and more especially because I had felt my mind drawn towards you, before I saw its contents; desiring more and more that you may individually become acquainted with the binding influence of that love, which many waters cannot quench, "unto all riches of the full assurance of under standing, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and know ledge." I desire for you, my friends, all that you can possibly desire for yourselves; believing that your principal desire is to be true followers of Him, who said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." These are the express and explicit terms of discipleship, to which unqualified obedience is required; and from which all reservations are inadmissible: let us examine then how far these indispensable conditions are submitted to on our part. If we profess to follow the great and heavenly example of "Him who died for us and rose again," in which all the graces of earthly perfection are combined, in all our actions before men, let us, my friends, be complete, and do it also in all our words: let our language to and before!

men be like His. Surely we ought to be content to use the language which he himself uttered and accepted of men. His words are pure words: they are wholesome words: and we ought to consent to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then let us be willing to follow the Lord of life and glory: if we carry His example fairly out, our speech will bewray us and show that we are his disciples indeed: we shall find that this brings us at once to the foot of the cross-the daily cross: without this we are strangers to the self-denying holy cross; and if we do not bear the cross, we

can never wear the crown. Then let us not fear to confess our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, nor

be ashamed of Him and His word before men; remembering the awful declaration which bears upon all, and applies to all,-"Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven;" and "whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he cometh This has been put into my heart in love towards in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." you: in the same love it is written, and in which trust it will be received, from your affectionate 'DANIEL WHEELER.' friend,

'My son Charles unites with me in an assurance of grateful knowledgment and regard for your kind remembrance of him.'

'P. S.-The oppressed condition of the natives of this island is truly affecting, and prompts me to remind my constant friend Hiram Bingham, of the address that was presented to the king Kinau, &c., at his house, to whose care the printing of it was committed.'"

Henry Freeling, in the road of Waimea, Isle of Tauai, 27th of Sixth month, 1836.'

by the means being thus marvellously provided, as there was no other resident missionary at that time upon the island. I sent a note back by the boat to say, we were now permitted to greet them from the very edge of Rarotonga; and only waited information, as to the practicability of our vessel finding a place of safe anchorage. This boat was soon discovered to be again coming off, and on near approach, Charles Pittman himself proved to be on board of her. We had scarcely time to congratulate each other after he had reached the deck, before he became sea-sick from the tossing of our vessel. As he was unable to converse, we concluded to return to the shore with him immediately: he remained in the air while we threw off our sea-garments, and we then put off together for the shore. He began to revive as we got into smoother water, and after landing he soon came round again. As we drew nigh the strand, it became densely covered with an innumerable host of children, who at once hailed us as their friends: it was with difficulty that we could pass along for them, as these delighted little naked fellows completely choked up the avenue through a Eighth month 3rd.-The morning was grove of bananas, which leads to the mission- beautifully fine, but having crept a long dishouse, struggling who should first get hold of tance from the island during the darkness, our hands; and if but a finger could be laid and the breeze now being very light, our prohold of, it seemed quite to satisfy them: this gress shoreward again was very slow. Albanana grove was of Charles Pittman's own though about one-half of our masts only could planting. Soon after reaching the house, the be seen above the horizon when the day broke; floor was studded over with natives squatted yet the natives had the sagacity to perceive, on every side, the elders of the people coming by the position of our sails, that we were steerforward to salute us, and welcome us to their ing towards the shore, and immediately put off island. After some consideration and inquiry with Charles Pittman's boat. Our own boats had taken place, it was concluded that the had been too long in a dry state, to be trustpeople should be generally convened to-mor-worthy; and 'as there was no harbour that row morning in that district, and a meeting could be entered with prudence, all our hands held at eleven o'clock A. M. The afternoon, were required on board, as the vessel was towards sun-down, would have been preferred liable to be blown off to sea at all times. on some accounts, but this would unavoidably Charles Pittman's boat, although a clumsy have thrown us into the dark, and thereby one, was therefore regarded as a privilege and rendered our return to the Henry Freeling doubly hazardous. After partaking of some simple refreshment, we looked round the village Gnatagnia, and then prepared to return to our vessel. When leaving her in the morning, we took with us an English union jack, for the purpose of hoisting upon a lofty bamboo, or cocoa-nut tree, as a signal for Captain Keen to stand in as close to the reefs as was prudent on seeing this flag displayed upon the shore, to save the labour of the people in the boat, and to afford us every chance of smooth water. When this flag was put up, we were told that it was the first time the English flag had been planted upon the island of Rarotonga; very peaceable possession had been taken of the island on this occasion at any rate, and one in which a most cordial reception was

strongly evinced, in a degree of that love which casteth out fear from every breast, and makes every man a brother. We were favoured to get well on board, and then purchased a few fowls and vegetables of the native crew, more with a view to please, than from a want of fresh provisions. Our meeting with the natives to-morrow is now entirely dependent upon the elements, a shift of wind may compel us to seek safety, by flying from the island before the returning morning; but having done our best, we must cast all our burden and all our care upon Him, who alone can bring it to pass; before whom my mind is humbled and bowed down, imploring help and strength; that the righteous cause may not be tarnished in our feeble hands, but rather that the Lord's name may be exalted and glorified, and the gospel of the dear Redeemer's spiritual kingdom faithfully declared to these people; until the thanksgiving of many shall redound to the glory and praise of the riches of that all-saving grace and truth which came by Him, bringing salvation unto all mankind the world over.

addition to our comforts. From our distance in the offing, it was nearly nine o'clock A. M., before this boat got to the vessel; but desirous of rendering every assistance in his power, Alexander Cunningham (a person whom we had known last autumn at Eimeo, and now endeavouring to establish a sugar plantation on his own account at Rarotonga,) came off in her: having some knowledge of the language, he came principally to interpret between us and the natives, should occasion require it. While the breeze freshened a little, and the vessel was enabled to steer towards the mouth of the channel through the reef, we kept on board; but on approaching the coast the wind began to die away, and we then proceeded more rapidly in the boat. On landing we were met by several hundreds of the na