Meeting of the Missionaries.

March 30.-A little before sunset, a brig came in sight. A gun being fired on board, I went off to her, and found her to be the Dunnottar Castle, from London. After the ship was safely anchored, I returned with the welcome intelligence that there were on board six Missionary brethren, five of them accompanied by their wives, appointed by the Society, to the Navigators group.

Mar. 31.-This morning our dear brethren and sisters came on shore, with Capt. Paterson and his lady. So many European females have probably never been seen at these islands before, certainly not at one time. The natives were greatly interested, and were particularly persevering in their efforts to see as much as they could of our visiters; consequently, during the day, our intercourse with our friends was subject to considerable interruption. In the evening the natives departed; we had some interesting conversation, and united in prayer, which was very gratifying, and, we trust, profitable to us all. The visit of our dear friends is indeed a great pleasure and privilege. We heartily pray that it may prove a lasting blessing to us, and that it may produce a good impression on the minds of the natives.

April 2.-Mr. Stallworthy went on board in the morning before breakfast. Mr. R. and myself, with our two little ones, followed immediately after dinner. We then seated ourselves around the table of our once dying but now exalted Saviour, where we offered united thanksgiving and supplication; where we beheld the symbols of our Saviour's love, and partook of the same as an acknowledgment of our discipleship, and as a declaration of our determination, with Divine aid, hereafter to live not unto ourselves, but unto him that loved us, and gave himself for us. After the service, our infant son was baptised. The child's name is John Iotete. Mr. Hardie administered the ordinance of baptism.

Altogether, we had a very interesting meeting, and we trust that the good effects of it will abide on our hearts for many days to come. A little after sunset we bade our dear friends farewell. We may see them no more in the flesh, but this visit will give us a feeling of peculiar interest in them, and we hope to correspond with them by letter for our mutual advantage. After taking leave, we came ashore, and the vessel was soon under weigh. May the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, go with them, and abide with them.

Regard of the principal Chief for the
Sabbath.

April 3, (Sabbath.)-Early this morning there was some drumming by Vahanatehe's people, and we were afraid it would be continued through the day, but it soon ceased. It should be remembered that Iotete has not allowed this particular diversion among his people, for some time past, on the Sabbath.

In the forenoon, Mr. S. had two companies of people, one about 12 in number, the other 18. About 30 were present at Hanamiai in the afternoon.

Efforts to improve the social habits of the people.

April 5.-We had five of the principal chiefs of this valley and their wives to dine with us. Dinner being prepared, which consisted of two roast pigs and flour pudding, all, men and women together, were seated round the table, and behaved with propriety.

Shortly after dinner, we presented Iotete with a coat and pantaloons; the other chiefs each with a hatchet, and their wives with a fathom of blue cloth. To Iotete's wife we gave a large upper garment of red baize; and after a little friendly conversation, our company retired, seemingly much pleased. Iotete, perceiving that we had obtained a supply of European property, wished us to write to the king of England to send out a ship-load for him. During the evening one chief sent us a small pig and a bunch of bananas, as an expression of his gratitude.

We hope this meeting will be followed by some good effects. We have frequently besought the men not to exclude their wives from their feasts, when they have plenty of pigs, fish, &c., but to give them a portion; and we have now, by inviting them to our house, and causing them to sit round the table together, proved how anxious we are that no distinction should exist between a man and his wife. May the Lord bless our feeble instrumentality among these benighted people, whether of a more public or private nature, whether by the proclamation of the Gospel, conversation, or example; and to his name we will ascribe the glory.

Increase of religious inquiry.

April 10.-Great excitement has prevailed among the people to-day. This morning upwards of 100 natives were assembled at our worshipping place, when I arrived, dressed in their best cloth. During service they were more quiet and attentive than usual. When I concluded, several expressed their wish to repeat something after me. I

therefore read a prayer, in which they followed me, sentence by sentence, with much apparent interest.

We scarcely know to what cause to attribute this excitement. The circumstance of so many Missionaries proceeding to the Navigators Islands, led them to surmise why so large a number were sent there, while only two remained here. They have held many consultations among themselves on this subject, and have also inquired of us. We tell them that the people in the Navigators Islands are more numerous, and are very anxious to have Missionaries to instruct them. This intelligence, together with other recent circumstances, seems to have produced a good impression, and has, probably, induced them to assemble in greater numbers than before, to hear the Gospel declared unto them.

The people of Hanamiai have partaken of the feeling so strong and general in this valley, and about sixty now assemble for worship. It is cheering to us to see such goodly companies, and we pray that we may have a continuance and an increase of what our eyes have thus been favoured to behold.

Death of the Queen.

April 11.-This day we were much surprised to hear of the sudden death of the Queen, lotete's wife. For several months past, her health had evidently been declining; she had frequently been supplied by us with medicines, but did not obtain any permanent relief. A few weeks ago her relatives sent to Taoa, a valley in Dominica, for a Tuhuna, who, we understand, holds the combined office of doctor and priest, but his medicine and his incantations were alike ineffectual to her recovery.

Early this morning the Queen, her husband, and two of their children, had left home with a view of going to Hanatetena, to attend a marriage ceremony. Before leaving, she said the journey would be too much for her to accomplish in her weak state, but, being urged by those about her, she reluctantly complied.

The Queen died at Hanateio, a valley on the windward side of the island, and about six miles distant from the one to which she was going. After ascending and descending the high mountain which divides the windward side of the island from the leeward, she sat down, being quite exhausted, and died without a struggle. A little before noon the intelligence reached us; the whole valley was instantly thrown into perfect consternation, and nearly all the men went off to lend their assistance.

About sunset the body was brought home, accompanied by a number of men and women; many of the latter appeared to be almost frantic, tearing their hair, cutting their bodies, throwing themselves into the

most extravagant attitudes, and yelling in the most fearful manner. We could not refrain from tears, whilst contemplating fellow beings, born for immortality, degraded to a level with the beasts that perish. Sometime after the body was brought, the people became a little calmer. We all went down to the house; a number of women were sitting silently around their lifeless Queen, with grief pictured in their countenances; others continued to cry, hanging about her, clasping her hands, and putting her feet upon their heads; many of them rested not during the night.

April 13.-Toward evening I went again to the house. Iotete and several others were busily employed embalming the body with a mixture of turmeric, cocoa-nut, and other ingredients. They said they were tabued for a month, so that we should not expect their company during that time. During the day the body is kept in a sitting posture; occasionally it is placed outside in the sun, and laid down at night. They maintain that her death has been occasioned by sorcery; and it seemed impossible to convince them to the contrary, as they continue to affirm that there are no natural deaths among them, except in the case of very old people.

April 15.-Nearly all the inhabitants of Hapatone came early this morning to manifest their respect for the Queen, and sympathy for Iotete. They brought several pigs as presents to Iotete. As soon as they came in sight of the house, all cried aloud, many appeared as though they had lost their reason, and continued to dance, in a most frantic manner, for a considerable time.

They then proceeded to the house where the corpse was placed, and continued to dance in the same manner as before, and cry nearly all the forenoon. In the after part of the day upwards of one hundred of the natives came to see the Missionaries and their dwelling.

April 16.-A large canoe arrived from Dominica to-day; among the persons on board was the Tuhuna who had lately attended on the Queen. He had several pigs, which he presented to Iotete. Some of the people here accused him of having killed the Queen by sorcery.

April 17, (Sabbath.)-Much excitement continuing to prevail among the people, in consequence of the death of the Queen, we thought it probable that they would not assemble for worship to-day. However, Mr. S. had two congregations in the morning. Among his hearers were several persons from Dominica, who were very attentive whilst he endeavoured to show them that death was the consequence of sin, and that those who believe in Jesus will, hereafter, be freed from suffering and death, and raised to the enjoyment of heaven.

In the afternoon between sixty and seventy of the natives assembled at Hanamiai, and, upon the whole, were attentive, whilst I endeavoured to improve the death of the Queen; to point out the impropriety which had lately been exhibited in the conduct of many of them, and to remove their erroneous ideas concerning the influence of witchcraft.

We hope the death of the Queen will be overruled for good. Nearly all the people have been here from the principal valleys in the island. Many have continued with us for several days, and we have had frequent opportunities of conversing with them, and of proclaiming in their hearing the way of salvation. Several have promised to commence making cocoa-nut oil, and for this purpose have been furnished with pieces of hoop-iron, with which to scrape off the kernel.

May 3.-The body of the late Queen has been put into a kind of coffin, made by hollowing out the trunk of a bread-fruit tree. The coffin was covered with white native cloth, over which civet was bound, in such a manner that the cloth appeared through the interstices in diamond network. Early this morning the body thus enclosed was removed from the house, erected for its temporary reception, into a dwellinghouse belonging to Iotete, and in which he

and some others sleep. Here it is to remain.

Mr. Rodgerson subsequently visited Dominica, and closes his journal with a brief account of the state of the people in that island. Some of them treated his message with neglect, but the greater number listened with more than ordinary seriousness, and expressed a wish to have Missionaries sent to reside among them, and communicate to them instruction in the Christian religion. To Mr. Rodgerson, personally, the natives all evinced a friendly disposition, seemed anxious to win his good opinion, and promised to cease from fighting with their countrymen in the neighbouring islands. Mr. Rodgerson was considerably cheered by his visit to Dominica, and on one occasion felt particularly gratified to hear a native youth observe to a number of people by whom he was surrounded, that "the spirits of those who believed the word of God should go to a good place when their bodies were dead, but those who would not believe, to a bad one.' "On the 7th of May Mr. R. returned to Sta. Christina. During the period now under review, Mr. Stallworthy also made an extensive Missionary tour, instant in season and out of season, to communicate to the people the unsearchable riches of Christ.

To the Friends and Church in England, and Brethren, and also to the Minister of our Minister, Mr. Pitman.

May you be saved by the true God, by Jehovah the real God, who has looked upon us with compassion, and blessed us. These are our words, which we declare unto you, that ye may know. Our true state in former times was heathen; what we did was entirely evil; we worshipped idols. Tangaroa was the name of our great god: we slew men and offered them to that idol, because we thought him to be the true God, and we were well pleased in worshipping him. When the word of God came to our land, then it was that we were rightly informed that Jehovah was the true God, and Jesus the sacrifice whereby sin is pardoned. We held that word, but did not strictly regard it. It was on the arrival of our minister, Mr. Pitman, that we were more fully informed that Jehovah was the true God, and Jesus the true Saviour whereby we are saved: we were then instructed in the word of God, and our minister has taught us to read and write. Men, women,

and children, understand. When the true season arrived, then sprung up ordinances, the ordinance of baptism and the eucharist.

Many have been admitted into the church. The people are also baptised, and are coming forward for baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We are now dwelling comfortably, meditating on the wonderful compassion of God, and we rejoice to think that you pray to God for us, that we may be blessed, that we may obtain salvation for our souls.

Through the amazing compassion of God we are made one; you are brought nigh to us, and we are brought nigh unto you. May our joy continue, even till we meet face to face in the kingdom of God, in that place of which our Lord Jesus has said to us, "I go to prepare a place for you." Let us be glad for these words.

This is another word to you, brethren; we pray to God for all heathen lands, that they may also become the people of God, even as you prayed to God for the heathen, and God has heard your prayers, inasmuch that the word of God has reached Rarotonga.

Cud

EAST INDIES, 1837.- Calcutta, Rev. A. F. Lacroix, Oct. 3. Rev. C. Piffard, Sept. 29. Rev. Messrs. Stronach, Lessell, and Lyon, Dec. 20. Benares, Rev. R. C. Mather, Sept. 23. Surat, Rev. A. Fyvie, Sept. 15, and Dec. 15. Madras, Rev. J. Smith, Aug. 14, (two,) Sept. 11, and Oct. 2. Rev. W. H. Drew, Oct. 2, Oct. 31, (two,) and Nov. 11, (two.) Vizagapatam, Rev. Messrs. Gordon and Porter, Aug. 4. Rev. J. W. Gordon, Aug. 1. dapah, Rev. W. Howell, July 15, (two,) Sept. 30, (two.) Chittoor, Rev. J. Bilderbeck, July 28. Bellary, Rev. J. Read, July 19, Sept. 3, and Sept. 8. Bangalore, Rev. Messrs. C. Campbell and Rice, Aug. 8. Rev. C. Campbell, Sept. 8. Salem, Rev. G. Walton, Aug. 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Combaconum, Rev. J. E. Nimmo, Sept. 30. Coimbatoor, Rev. W. B. Addis, Sept. 30. Nov. 11. Nagercoil, Rev. Messrs. Mault and Miller, Oct. 3. Ne

yoor, Rev. C. Miller, July 6. Quilon, Rev. J. C. Thompson, Sept. 1. Rev. Messrs. Thompson and Miller, Aug. 25.

SOUTH AFRICA, 1837. - Cape Town, Mrs. Philip, Dec. 1, and Dec. 8. Paarl, Rev. W. Elliott, Oct. 30. Tulbagh, Rev. A. Vos, Dec. 20. Caledon Institution, Rev. H. Helm, Nov. 1. Pacaltsdorp, Rev. W. Anderson, Nov. 25. Bethelsdorp, Rev. J. Kitchingman, Nov. 18. Port Elizabeth, Rev. A. Robson, Nov. 10, Nov. 14, Nov. 18. Mr. R. Edwards, Nov. 26. Graham's Town, Rev. J. Monro, Dec. 15, Dec. (no day specified.) Graaff Reinet, Rev. A. Van Lingen, Nov. 23. Theopolis, Rev. C. Sass, Nov. 14. Griqua Town, Messrs. Wright and Hughes, October. Mr. J. Hughes, Nov. 1, and Nov. 3. Kuruman, Mr. R. Hamilton, Nov. 3.

AFRICAN ISLANDS, 1837.-Mauritius, Rev. D. Jones, Dec. 6.

WEST INDIES, 1837 and 1838. Demerara, Rev. J. Scott, Dec. 18, and Dec. 19. Rev. C. Rattray, Dec. 11. Rev. R. B. Taylor, Dec. 7, and Dec. 26. Jamaica, Mr. J. Howell, Jan. 11.