REBEL PRIEST OF ORO SPARED.

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immediately offered to join Pomare's army. These were magnanimously pardoned, and received into his service; so that, on that very day, idolaters who had fought for Oro and his priests united in rendering thanks to the only true God for the victory which the Christians had obtained. Others of the dispersed adversaries, when they saw and heard how differently the king acted on this great occasion from the inhuman usages of their country, gave themselves up at discretion, coming with their weapons in their hands, and words of peace on their lips. They were all made welcome. Thus ended that glorious day for Tahiti-glorious, not for Tahiti only, but for all the islands in the Pacific whither the gospel has subsequently been carried from that Zion in the West.

On the evening of the battle, the aforementioned prophet of Oro stole down from his retreat to the beach, with one attendant only. There they seized a small canoe, and put off to sea; but the courage of the attendant failing he flung himself into the water, at the reef, and swam on shore. The prophet, therefore, pursued his voyage alone, through the darkness of the night; and, by almost incredible exertions, reached Eimeo in safety. On landing he went and delivered himself up to the queen, whom Pomare had left behind under the care of Mr. Nott. The Missionary was consulted as to what ought to be done with this strange and terrible being, who was known to be at once one of the most implacable of the king's enemies, and the most malignant of the opposers of Christianity. A hesitat ing word from Mr. Nott might have caused him to be massacred, without mercy, on the spot. "Let him live; do him no harm; give him food," said the Christian teacher; and his advice was obeyed. The humbled and astonished captive was overcome by such unexampled kindness; and,

震

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IDOLATRY RENOUNCED.

being allowed his liberty, he began to attend the school for adults: soon afterwards he made open profession of the faith of the gospel, and has thenceforward conducted himself as a sincere convert.

Such was the effect, upon the minds of the natives at large, of the clemency shewn to the defeated rebels in Tahiti, that a spirit of prayer came upon the whole population; and the voice of penitence, of supplication, or thanksgiving, resounded at all hours of the day from the bushes, under cover of which the people-men, women, and children, socially or singly-retired to give utterance to their desires, their fears, or their exultation, under the conviction of sin, alarm at the judgments which they heard denounced by the new religion against the wicked, or their joy, hope, and peace in believing. The priests of Oro were maddened by this change, which they could not prevent; they threatened the king, the people, the Missionaries, but their rage was impotence. Their idols could not save either themselves or their worshippers; all the former perished, and many of the latter turned from them to serve the living God.

CHAPTER VII.

Visit to Bunaauia-Maubuaa, or the Swine-owner-Man punished for Swearing-Return to Matavai-Coral-groves-King of Borabora's Solicitude to have a Missionary-Eagerness of the People to obtain Books-Anecdote of Pomare-Visit of Captain Walker-Simple Substitute for Bellows-Interview with Pomare-Sail to Eimeo-Examination of Candidates for Church-fellowship-Public Fast and Prayers for the King— Anecdote of Raiatean Affection towards a Missionary-Shaving Process -Singular Species of Crab-Native Generosity-Evils resulting from the Use of Stills-Taro-Plantation-The Hoop-Snake-A Court of Justice-First Burning of Idols.

Nov. 15. WE sailed coastwise, this afternoon, to Bunaauia, to visit the Missionary station where Messrs. Darling and Bourne labour. By the way we touched, in our slight boat, upon many sunken rocks, which lie thick between the reef and the shore; but in every instance we escaped without injury.

We have been gratified with a sight of the printingoffice, from which, besides portions of the Scriptures, a translation of Dr. Watts's Catechisms, and a complete edition of Tahitian Hymns, have recently been issued. We afterwards proceeded to the chapel; it occupies a piece of ground formerly desecrated by a vast marae, of which there is yet a relic undestroyed—a memorial reminding beholders of what hath passed away, and from what thraldom the children have been delivered whose fathers Satan

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ments.

VISIT TO BUNAAUIA.

had bound, it may be through a series of ages, since these islands were first colonized by sinners, who, descended from Adam," have gone in the way of Cain." The country hereabout is well cultivated, and proportionately fruitful. We were glad to see many dwellings in progress of erection upon the improved plan of wattling and plaster ; having the interior divided into convenient family apartProofs of industry and advancement in civilization were discernible every where, in the persons, the dress, the manners, and the habitations of the natives. Formerly the desultory, roving, and indolent habits of the whole population of these islands prevented them from taking any unnecessary pains to build their houses for permanent occupation. The provident and well-regulated modes of living, introduced with the gospel, have proved favourable to improvement in every way, and perhaps in none more than in their domestic economy, from which, decency, good order, and comfort have expelled the grossness, confusion, and filthiness of what might be called promiscuous intercourse-when men, women, and children, inmates and strangers, ate, drank, and lodged, in one long, narrow apartment, of which the whole structure consisted. So much are the residents in this district pleased with the happy innovations lately adopted, that at a public meeting, expressly convened for that purpose, a resolution was passed, that any house thereafter built in the old slovenly style might be pulled down by any body, and the dilapidator should be exempt from punishment.

A few mornings ago a woman, with an infant in her arms, called on the Missionaries here to beg a little milk. Being asked whose child it was that she carried, she answered, "mine." To a second question, as to its age, she said, "It was born last night, when the moon was

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yonder," pointing to that part of the heavens from which the beautiful planet had lighted her babe into the world. The pains of parturition are comparatively mild in this genial clime, and under the favourable circumstances which freedom from artificial restraint in clothing, and bodily exercise naturally produce. Yet there are here occasional cases of death among the women from that

cause.

Nov. 17. Several chiefs of this district have waited upon us with presents of fruit and hogs. Among these was one named Maubuaa, or pig-owner. His office under the idolatrous system was to provide human sacrifices when the king required such from this neighbourhood. With a stone, or other weapon, he used to spring upon his selected victims, unawares, and, when slaughtered, packed the bodies in cocoa-leaf baskets, and delivered them to be hung up, according to custom, on sacred trees, round the maraes of Oro. This man has slain many for such horrid offerings. He is now a member of a Christian church, and, to all appearance, a new creature."

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The Missionaries have sometimes much to bear with in the conduct and conversation of their converts,-even those who have given satisfactory evidence of their genuine change of heart. The day on which Upaparu, a chief of the district of Matavai, had been baptized, he addressed Mr. Bourne in a very improper spirit, rudely demanding, "What are you teaching us? And why do you not instruct us in English, and other things besides religion ?" "A soft answer" turned away his wrath, though it did not satisfy him; he went away offended. A day or two afterwards, reading the words of our Saviour to his disciples, "He that despiseth you, despiseth me," he was smitten to the heart, and became so troubled on account of his bad