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have been long waiting for a Missionary to reside among them; and one has been several times appointed; but circumstances have led to his removal elsewhere, and the promise long since made to them is yet to be redeemed. The Mission station is full one hundred miles from the Heads, and more than eighty miles from the nearest of those settlements.

As it is, the time and attention of the Missionary is so much divided among the different places, that he cannot do justice to either; and though a Missionary be provided for Kaipara, so that I could devote my entire attention Kailui and the upper part of the Wairoa, with the adjacent hamlets, I should have ample employment.

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Hitherto we have been labouring with comparatively little success among the people in immediate connexion with this station. Tirarau, the leading Chief, although very friendly with the Missionary, has never shown himself very favourably disposed towards Christianity, and, as he possesses great influence over his people and the subordinate Chiefs, he has been the means of keeping them back also. He is a shrewd, discerning man, and knows that Christianity cannot exist in connexion with polygamy, and other vices to which he is addicted; and thus he has generally been averse to it. Like many others, he hath loved darkness rather than light, because his deeds are evil. But I do hope that our prospects begin to brighten: and, if the Lord will now give us this people, I shall feel amply rewarded for the years of toil and discouragement, disappointment and grief, which I have endured on this station. My excellent predecessor laboured among them for the space of three years, with little or no apparent effect. It is now nearly five years since I came among them; and yet little, comparatively, has been done. Sometimes, indeed, the attendance of a few of the Heathen at our services, and their willingness to be instructed, have awakened a cheering hope that they were about to receive the truth; but such hopes were of short continuance. Last year I succeeded in effecting the erection of a new chapel; at the opening of which, Tirarau and his people attended; and, for a few Sundays, our congregations were large and encouraging; but this did not last very long. A short time since, we had additional cause of discouragement by the settlement of a Popish Priest in the neighbourhood. One of them had been

in the habit of visiting this quarter once or twice a year; but now a Priest has arrived, permanently to settle on the river, and I feared that Tirarau would be induced, for the sake of worldly gain, to receive him at his own settlement within a mile of our house. But I remonstrated with him on the subject, and told him the probable consequence of his so doing; and he seems to have abandoned the idea, and not only so, but to give a more direct sanction to our instructions. This Priest is at present living but a few miles up the river. In the course of my duties, I have several times come in contact with him: indeed, not many days after his arrival, he paid me a visit, and wished to form an acquaintance with me. I took care, however, to deliver my own soul. He is very zealous and indefatigable in his exertions; like his prototype of old, ready to compass sea and land to make one proselyte." But, I trust that the pernicious tares which he so diligently endeavours to sow will not take deep root in this soil. The Roman Catholic Bishop, in order, I suppose, to meet the demand of the New-Zealanders for books, has published a pamphlet, (of which an English translation is also printed, for the benefit, I imagine, of the European Romanists,) which he styles, "Instructions on the luminous Doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth." The following paragraph is a specimen of this production:

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"Do not allow yourselves to be seduced by the separated Churches. They have stolen the sacred volume from the mother Church: they have omitted certain matters of the word of God, they have retained certain others, and have added many novelties of their own invention. Therefore there is a medley of things true and false, of things ancient and things new, in their doctrine and religion. But the true and ancient tenets of the separated Churches are matters which belong to the mother Church, and to her sacred book stolen by them; but the new and false things are of their own invention. Let every one, therefore, be prudent; let every one interrogate the mother Church in the person of her Pastors, and inquire what is true and what is false, in so many different doctrines that are heard. Then this Church will reply by the mouth of her Pastor."

This book concludes with "the Litany of Mary,' ""Directions for making the Sign of the Cross," &c. Hitherto the

efforts of the Priest, so far from having injured our cause, have produced a contrary effect; for, for the last five weeks Tirarau and many of his people have regularly attended the Mission-chapel, so that it has been filled. I have received many applications for books from the Heathen, and even Tirarau manifests some desire to be instructed. I am not willing to be too sanguine, and do not consider that I can place any dependence on the constancy of Tirarau's apparently good disposition until he more openly declares it. But I certainly have at present a better ground for hope than at any former period;

and I do earnestly pray, that the Lord will graciously incline the heart of this heathen Chief to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus, and then shall I be happy in the midst of a people who will "enter His gates with thanksgivings and His courts with praise, who will be thankful unto Him, and speak good of His name."

And now, reverend and dear fathers, I humbly entreat a continued interest in your prayers, that I may be "an able Minister of the New Testament, rightly dividing the word of truth," and may long "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

MISSIONS IN THE FEEJEE ISLANDS.

OUR holy religion has still to combat with the darkest and most sanguinary superstitions in the Feejee Islands. Well may the Missionaries exclaim, "Pity poor Feejee!" "Send more Missionaries to Feejee!" "O Lord, enlighten dark Feejee!" "Send forth thy light and truth!"

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. T. J. Jaggar, dated Rewa, Feejee Islands, March 27th, 1843.

DURING our visit at Viwa, a circumstance came under my own observation which may not prove uninteresting.

The Chiefs and most of the men of Viwa, after an absence of some months, returned on the Sabbath which I spent in that island. As the canoes neared the land, the people on shore became very much concerned, in consequence of some white native cloth, which they perceived flying from the masts of one or two of the canoes,-a signal that some one of their party had fallen. On their arrival we ascertained that one of their party had been shot. We walked down to the beach to welcome the Chief; and had been there but a few minutes, when one of Mr. Hunt's domestics and others came to us, begging earnestly that we would not delay, but repair instantly to the house of the man who had been killed, as they were just about to strangle one of his wives.

We accordingly lost no time in finding out the house. It lay at the top of the village; and no noise or bustle could we hear by which to ascertain the place in which so revolting a deed was about to be perpetrated. At length we were directed to the house. We quickly entered there was no time for delay. On our entering, everything for a time appeared blighted: those who were inside well knew the design of our coming; and, by reading the countenances of

those present, we had no doubt whatever of our being intruders. Mr. Hunt then publicly stated the object of our visit; namely, to prevent any female or other individual from being strangled. He remonstrated with them on the folly and sin of such practices; and endeavoured to make them sensible of the advantage of life, and the good to be derived from the lotu in making known to them the true and only God, and in leading them to an acquaintance with the truths and hopes of the Gospel of Christ, who discountenances and prohibits such wicked practices. On hearing this, a female who was present, and who seemed to be chief manager, said, that the ceremony should proceed no further; that what had been said by Mr. Hunt was true; and that their customs were foolish.

This speech, however, did not seem at all in accordance with the views of an old blind woman sitting near her, who seemed to be on the verge of the grave; for she began to mutter out her displeasure, and her mouth appeared filled with something no better than anathemas. The female first mentioned quickly replied to the old sinner, "True, true; but why do you speak? The English Chiefs are here, and therefore we are ashamed to speak."

The house was literally filled with women and children, who had congre

gated together to witness the murderous scene. The poor infatuated woman, to whose existence an end was about to be put, was sitting in a very respectful and humble posture on the native cloth which was to form her shroud, while before her lay some other masi, (native cloth,) which was to form her stranglingcord. Her body had been oiled, and she was dressed in a new lekoo, (a native female dress,) and when we entered, was, I should think, from appearances, receiving the parting kisses of her friends and children; for she was a mother. "Can a mother forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the fruit of her womb? Yea, she may forget." The two young children were standing near their mother. Independently of some tears which had fallen, the preparations for this awful tragedy appeared to be made with calmness and

unconcern.

Mr. Hunt then directed his conversation to the woman, and told her it would be a very foolish and wicked thing to throw away her life; and begged that she would show her love to him by believing his words; that her husband, could he come back again, would advise her to live; and that he did not wish her to follow him. He entreated her also to love her own life, and to love her children, and live to attend and take care of them. At all this she was very much annoyed and angry; and frequently asked, "Why should I live? Of what use is it? My husband is dead: for what then should I live?" 66 No," she added, "I will not live. If you will not strangle me, I will be buried alive, or jump over the cliffs." I could have wept over her delusion and blind infatuation; but she was determined not to live, and resolved to die.

Notwithstanding this repulse, we remained in the house, and but little was said for some time, when Mr. Hunt again broke the silence by inquiring of the woman, whether she remained regardless of our entreaties. To this query she would not for some time reply. At length she passionately said, "Yes; I will die." We were unwilling to leave the spot, fearing how the matter would end. After the lapse of a short time, two men, her relatives, entered, and took their seats in one corner of the house at a short distance from the woman, with their backs partially turned from us. They sat in perfect silence, broken only by a brief remark occasionally made to the women, sometimes

in reply to their questions. The Teacher, and some of the lotu people, who were present with us, soon informed us for what purpose these two men came,-to be her executioners; and, truly, their looks did not belie their occupation: their ferocious countenances declared them to be well qualified for such deeds of cruelty. Mr. Hunt tried to enlighten their dark minds, but they remained silent; not a word could be drawn from them.

It was then suggested that the presentation of some article to the two men might be the means of turning the scale in favour of humanity. A man was therefore sent down with all speed to the Mission-house to procure a whale's tooth. The key of the box which contained it having been mislaid, the messenger returned without it, when Mr. Hunt had himself to run to procure it. Soon after he had left the house, the women began to disperse. The two men then took up the piece of native cloth, and, standing up, began to twist it together like a rope. I now perceived what was about to take place; and, going up to them, I begged hard for the woman's life, and desired them to wait the return of Mr. Hunt. They made no reply to my entreaties. One of the two then went out; and in an instant the poor woman was carried out of her house, gnatoo and all, by one or two women. At this juncture I hardly knew what was best to be done; but at length resolved to keep close to the other man. He stood up and walked to the door. I followed him he soon, however, slipped into an adjoining house, whither, I soon learnt, they had carried the woman. pursued him to the house which he had entered, thrust my head in at the door, and was proceeding fully to enter, when the shutter was suddenly closed upon me by some one inside. I then ran to another door at the back of the house; but they had taken the precaution to shut themselves in, and all others out; notwithstanding, I was quick enough to see the poor woman struggling in the agonies of death. In one corner of the room the two murderers were executing their bloody commission. They looked very hard at me. I retired from the scene quite overwhelmed. Mr. Hunt had returned with all possible speed; but he was too late. The infatuated woman had taken a leap in the dark, and life was quite extinct. The messengers of mercy were unheeded. The deluded people knew not the merciful day of their visitation. This poor

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woman did not for a moment regard us as her benefactors or friends. Our feelings it is difficult to conceive or describe. But though we did not on this occasion succeed, yet we have the pleasing reflection that we attempted all that was in our power.

Such still is Feejee! Many, many widows are every year unexpectedly hurried, by such a custom, into another world! Heart-revolting thought! How closely are they enwrapped in their abominable superstitions! O Lord, enlighten dark Feejee! O Lord, "send forth thy light and thy truth!"

Burying their sick alive is very frequently practised by the Feejeeans. I have known of two instances since the "Triton" left: for the truth of them I can vouch. It was by accident that I heard of them; and how many cases must occur known only by the parties immediately concerned !

The first of which I heard, was that of a man who was buried alive at Suva. He was a middle-aged man, and had been troubled for some time with asthma and cough. He was not reduced, nor at all likely to die soon; and had he been attended to, and received suitable medicine, might have lived for some time, or have wholly recovered. An Englishman who was residing at this place, on hearing that a man was about to be buried, wished to be a witness of the Feejeean manner of burying their dead, went, and found, to his great astohishment, that the man about to be buried was living and sitting by his grave, to which he had deliberately walked. The white man was greatly shocked, and begged hard for the man, and attempted to persuade him by no means to be buried alive, but to throw away his false god, believe in the true God, and try whether he could not recover; and, even if he should not regain his former health, that it would be better for him to live as long as he could. The man said, "The god has nothing at all to do with it. I have been lying on my mat until my body is sore, and now I am about to be buried."

The men,

who were his relatives, and waiting to bury him, begged the Englishman to desist from interfering any more with them. They then ornamented the man for his grave, by tying some strips of masi on his head, blackening one half of his face, oiling his body, and attiring him in a new dress. When this was done, the sick man begged them to bring him some water it was brought, and he drank heartily of it. He then

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addressed his friends, by saying, “You, my relatives, attend! I am going first, but continue you to be brave in war.' He then requested to have a second draught of water. An old man prevented him from receiving it. He said, "What need is there for you to drink? Are you not just now about to be buried? Come, be quick." They then tied him up in mats, and laid him in his grave, which proved to be too narrow this, however, they soon remedied, by getting upon him and stamping him down with their feet. On their doing so, he cried out. "You need not stamp me in! do not do so!" They proceeded to cover him in; and the poor creature continued crying out from his grave; but all to no purpose.

The other case occurred but a few weeks since. A young man, (a Heathen,) who has been staying on our premises for some time past for the benefit of surgical advice and attention, in consequence of having an ulcer in his leg, went one day to visit his relatives, and to view his plantations. He was absent some days; and, on his return, stated, that when he left us he had not intended to remain away for so long a time, but that the Chiefs of a relative prevented him from coming back. On my making particular inquiries about the circumstance of the case, he told me that his relation had been buried alive! He informed me that he was a middle-aged man, who had been ill a long time; that he had lost his appetite; that the bones of his legs were protruding through the skin, through lying on the mats.

The poor man one day begged his friends and relatives to be "of a good mind toward him, and bury him." His friends said, they would, if it was his particular wish; but that, if they did so, they would not see each other again, for he would at once go hence. "Yes," said he; "only let it be easy for me to go. Go and dig my grave." He then blackened his face and body, and tied on a new head-dress. He cautioned his relatives not to come near him, lest his disease should seize them; for he and a very bad disease had met together. When thus prepared for burial according to the Feejeean custom, they called him out, and seated him on the ground a few yards distant from the spot where they were still employed in digging his grave. On looking at the men who were thus engaged, he remarked that the hole which was being dug was exceedingly small, and scarcely big enough to cover bananas; and added,

"Let it be mine only: dig away, children." The undertakers then laid him back, in order to wrap him up in the mats and masi which they had prepared for that purpose. On their doing this, the sick man began to cry out in good earnest, and asked, "What! are you going to bury me? Have you no love, then, to me? O desist! desist! and let me live." At this they derided him, charged him with cowardice, and asked whether they were not doing thus in compliance with his own request. They soon tied him up, and trod him down into the narrow hole. The poor man bitterly cursed them from his grave for trampling on his body; and he continued for some moments to cry out from beneath the

sod, until the sounds grew fainter and fainter, and at length dwindled away.

These and many other things are revolting to human nature. Pity poor Feejee! The natives need the Gospel! The Gospel can, yea, does, put a stop to such unfeeling practices. May its sound of mercy and life soon be heard in every isle and town of Feejee; and may its beneficial, hallowing, and saving influence be felt and enjoyed!

Heathenism is truly a system of superstition, jealousy, and revenge; and it is but too often seen here in its worst and most hideous forms. The desire of my soul is, that I may live and preach to these Gentiles the law of love to God and to man.

MISSIONS IN HAYTI.

THE unsettled state of the island of Hayti, or St. Domingo, has given occasion to some anxiety for the safety of the Missionaries, and the permanence of the Mission. The following letter from Mr. Bird states the most recent intelligence :

HAYTI.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. M, B. Bird, dated Port-Republican, 1844.

May 7th,

I HASTEN to give you, by this packet, the latest information with regard to the unsettled state of things in this country.

Since I last wrote, the affair of the south, of which I made mention, has fully declared itself; and it now plainly appears, that the citizens of that part of the republic consider that the President Riviere has not adhered to the constitution to which he had sworn fidelity. Several regiments have been sent into the south to subdue the insurgents; and, within the last few days, we have been informed that a conflict has taken place, and that many have fallen. We had heard, previously to their contest, that they had been very cruel, and that they had massacred the mulattoes; but this is untrue. On the contrary, we are now informed, that the insurgents have every where protected life and property.

A few weeks since, one wing of the President's army was marched from the north, under the command of General Piero, to attack the Spanish city of Santiago; where a battle took place, and the President's troops were entirely routed by the Spaniards, and it is said, that the victims on the French side were many.

A short time before this, the forces commanded by the President himself

encountered and defeated the Spaniards at the town of Azaa, which was taken by the President, who, up to the present date, has remained at this port. The Spaniards, it appears, have fortified themselves at St. Domingo, and are evidently resolutely bent upon a separation from the French part of the island. But the Spanish war appears to have become unpopular, and the northern part of the republic (of which the fallen Cape is the chief city) has declared its independence, and named a Provisional Government. In the mean time the President has made every effort to augment his force at Azaa; and with this view, the National Assembly that drew up the new Constitution, has been closed, the members ordered to march, and a military guard placed at the door of their house to prevent their re-assembling. The municipality has also been closed; and, in fact, everything has been done, by press-gangs, &c., to empty the capital of its citizens, and to force them to march and join the army in the east. The result of all this is, that Riviere is viewed as a military despot, and is now, therefore, as unpopular as formerly he was popular, as may be seen from the following facts:the north has declared its independence, and offered the Presidency to General

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