FOR APRIL 1823. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SUBSCRIPTIONS and DONATIONS for the support of this Institution will be thankfully received by the Treasurer or Secretaries, at the Society's Office. ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Directors have great pleasure in announcing to the Members and Friends of the Missionary Society, that the following Ministers have engaged, by divine permission, to preach at the next Anniversary in May. Rev. J. LEIFCHILD, Kensington. Rev. J. M‘DONALD, Urquhart, Scotland. Rev. W. CHAPLIN, Bishop Stortford. Rev. E. SIDNEY, Lopham, Norfolk. 增 WHILE the Chronicle was passing through the press, letters were received from George Bennet, Esq. and the Rev. Dan. Tyerman, dated Wohahoo, one of the Sandwich islands, in August last. The communications are highly gratifying and encouraging, but the advanced state of the publication precludes us from doing more in the present Number than merely announcing their arrival. MISSIONARY MUSEUM. As the Museum of the Society is an object in which the Religious Public take a lively interest, while it tends to promote amongst the numerous persons who visit it, and especially the rising generation, a zeal for the Missionary cause, the Directors have judged it expedient to make suitable provision for its reception, in the premises taken by them in Austin Friars. An additional room is building in the yard of the house, to which access will be prepared without inconvenience to the Officers. A contract has been made for the erection, which, with the necessary expenses of fitting up, will amount to £500. A wish has been expressed, in which the Directors concur, that the charges occasioned by this interesting appendage to the Society's establishment, might not be allowed to fall on the Funds devoted to the work of the Missions; and it being presumed from the liberal feelings expressed on the subject of any proper measure for placing the Society on a footing of respectability and convenience, in its accommodations, that it will equally meet the views of the friends of the Society at large, they are respectfully informed that donations towards the extraordinary charges incurred by the Museum, and the Mission House (as proposed in our last Chronicle) will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, at 7, Fenchurch-street, and the Officers of the Society at the Mission House, Austin Friars, where all letters, parcels, and applications will be henceforth received. SOUTH SEAS. Report of the Missionary Stations in Tahiti and Eimeo; with an account of the Annual Meeting held at the Royal Mission Chapel in Pare: from May 1821 to May 1822, of our Lord and Saviour, he is enabled to persevere. The work of the mission at this station has been regularly attended to in public and private. The baptized this year are 43 men, 45 women, and 71 children; which makes the whole number of the baptized on the books at this station 191 men, 132 women, and the children 94 boys and 99 girls. The present number of candidates for baptism is 28. Seventeen couple have been married, which make the whole number in the marriage register 48. Several have died happily. The number that communicate monthly is 73. Our adult school assembles every THROUGH the continued kindness of our God and Saviour, we are permitted to make another Annual Report of our la bours and success. We can still repeat that the Lord's work goes forward; additions are made to our churches; many are baptized and attend instruction, not only on the sabbath and on the missionary and weekly days of worship, but many attend school daily as well as their re-morning at sunrise from 100 to 150; gular meeting in their respective class. The work of civilization is also progressive. This is evident when we compare the country and people with what they formerly were. We can refer to the public roads and buildings; the large well-built boats; the decent appearance of the females in European dresses, cut out and made by themselves; and bonnets to imitate English straw, which they themselves have manufactured. These and many other things we might mention prove a change for the better. Matavai. Brother Wilson returned to his station accompanied by Br. Hayward in April 1821, since which time the school has been attended to as usual. Br. Wilson having resumed his labours in the duties of the station, Br. Nott has been more at liberty to attend to the work of translation. The irremediable loss however of the assistance of King Pomare, who died on the 7th of December last, has been a considerable check to this work. The Acts of the Apostles, part of which the King assisted to revise, is now in the press. One hundred and fifty-two adults and 27 children have been added to the baptized. Forty-one have been received as communicants. The Gospel has been statedly preached, not only at this district, but also at Papaoa. The Queen and her sister with the young King having taken up their residence at that place, have requested that the chapel there might be supplied every Sabbath day. The whole number of adults baptized at this station is 264, children 137, communicants 75, candidates for baptism 40. About 250 adults and 96 children attend school. Wilk's Harbour. Brother Crook and his numerous family remain at this station, and amidst trials and encouragements, through the grace but the children's school has been very irregular; they attend best on the Sabbath, when they are catechised by the native teachers, addressed by the missionary, and walk in procession to the place of worship both morning and evening. Sister Crook has continued to meet the females. Two natives of the Paumotu Islands Moorea and Teraa, members of the church, frequently testified their desire to go and instruct their countrymen; a work in which the former has been already employed with success. An oppor tunity offered of late to send them by the brig Macquarie, Captain Hunter. The two members were solemnly set apart by the church, and embarked with the prayers and good wishes of the congregation, who individually presented them with some small article at parting. Burder's Point.' The brethren at this station have experienced much of the goodness of the Lord, and trust their labours have not been in vain. The preaching, teaching, and the meetings for catechising, and instruction, have been regularly attended to; and although some are deficient in christian experience, the plain evidence of it in others is very encouraging. Many have been baptized, and some admitted to the Lord's Supper in the course of the past year. In the month of August the two brethren visited the Leeward Islands, in order to arrange some business relating to the property contributed by the Auxiliary Missionary Societies in these Islands. They were very kindly received by the brethren and people at Raiatea and Huaheine, and preached the word to the natives at both those Islands, aud their hearts were refreshed in witnessing the work of the Lord. In December Br. Darling travelled round Taiarabu, and preached and had meetings for conversation, with the natives of every district, relating to their spiritual state. Many were desirous to be baptized, as a seal to their faith in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The death of the King about this time has tened Br. Darling's return. In February Brother Bourne left Burder's Point, and formed a missionary station at Tabaa, one of the Leeward Islands. It was feared that the printing department, of which he had the charge, would bave suffered by his absence; but Br. Darling has succeeded in learning the art, and endeavours, as far as the other duties of his station will allow, to supply the place of Br. Bourne with regard to the printing department. In addition to the gospel of John published last year, there has been printed at this station, a collection of Hymns 112 in number, a Spelling Book, and a small System of Arithmetic, (all in the Tahitian language.) The Acts of the Apostles is now in the press. The whole number baptized at this station since its commencement in August 1819 is 355 adults, and 300 children. The number of the communicants is 31. The schools are daily attended to by the missionary, and many are making great progress, not only in reading, but also in the comprehension of the scriptures, as those that can read are catechised and instructed verse by verse. The work of civilization goes forward, and is evident, in the dress and habitations of the people; and in their conduct and attention to the word of God. Br. Darling feels greatly encouraged to persevere in the work of the Lord our God. Papara. The state of the mission at this place, for the past year, has upon the whole been prosperous. The communicants and baptized have, with few exceptions, acted agreeably to their profession. The public worship, school, and various meetings have been well attended. Many families have removed hither from Taiarabu, for the benefit of instruction. The attention of the people has been diverted from their proper concerns by the arrival of ships in the neighbourhood; yet some of them have made considerable improvements in their dwellings, which they have plastered with lime; and others are preparing to follow their example, Br. Jones removed to this station in February last. The people are building a comfortable dwelling-house for him, which is nearly finished. Tati the chief, has promised that as soon as Mr. and Mrs. Jones are agreeably settled, he will erect a new chapel without delay. Br. Davies has baptized this year 107 adults and 108 children, and 32 persons have been admitted to the Lord's Sup per. Many have been received as candi dates for baptism; chiefly from Taiaraby. The number of communicants in Papara and Papeuriri, is 36 men and 34 women. The baptized in Papara and the adjoining districts Atimaono, Papeuriri, and Papeari, including 52 from Taiarabu. and 10 from Huahine, are 175 men and 168 women. The candidates for baptism 117 men and 137 women. The whole number of children baptized 321. Of the above about 700, including chil dren and adults, attend school, and their progress is encouraging, Roby's Place (Eimeo.) The state of the mission on this island for the past year, has, on the whole, been prosperous and encouraging. The brethren have erjoyed much peace and tranquillity, the people in general have shared largely in these blessings. They are in a state of progressive improvement, in a moral and spiritual view, and also in the arts of civilized life. The meetings for instruction and edification, both public and private, have been kept up as usual. the regular preaching of the word has been well attended; the hearers have been attentive, and, at times, apparently much impressed with what they have heard. In the course of the year 41 adults were baptized, and a number of their children; also many infants of baptized parents: 15 were admitted to the Lord's Supper. Brother Platt travelled round the island preaching and visiting the schools. The preaching was well attended, but the schools were not in so good a state as might be wished. On the 20th of February the brethren had the pleasure to lay the foundationstone of a new chapel, which is to be of an octagonal form, and built with hewn coral rock. The people are carrying on the building with spirit, observing that it will be the first house of stone erected in these islands. ANNUAL MISSIONARY MEETING. Most of the brethren stationed in these two islands attended; met the officers and members of the Auxiliary Society at Papaoa on the 8th of May. Some preliminary matters were settled by the missionaries and chiefs, and at 11 o'clock they entered the Royal Mission chapel. The people made a much better appear ance than they did last year. A great number were clothed in the European style, and not a single female was ob served without a bonnet, some few of English manufacture, but the greater part made by themselves out of the bark of the Puran, plaited and sewed in imitation of English straw bonnets. The people filled the middle part of the house, and seated themselves around the central pulpit, in number about 3500. The service commenced with a short address by Br. Crook, who then gave out the hymn, Fauoto adu te lu, i. e." Blow ye the trumpet, blow:" which was sung with great spirit by the congregation. Br. Wilson then read the Scriptures and prayed; Br. Darling preached from Isaiah Ix. 3. "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." The people were very orderly and attentive, and many seemed to feel a lively interest in what was spoken. Captain Potton of the Westmoreland, and two gentlemen, passengers with him, attended the service, and dined with the missionaries and a few of the principal chiefs, at the king's house. Pomare Vahine, in the absence of the queen, entertained them in the English style, as far as her means would allow. About 4 in the afternoon, they assembled as in the morning. The people, however, were not so numerous, principally, on account of the difficulty of getting food and lodging, however about 1000 remained. Br. Crook read the scriptures, &c. and Br. Platt preached from Isaiah 1x. 11, 12. Thursday, May 9th. The brethren assembled again this morning, and met the officers and members of the society in the chapel, this being the day for business. The meeting commenced with singing, and prayer by Br. Nott, after which he addressed the society at large, lamenting the death of their late president, king Pomare, who had given rise to this society; and concluded with moving, that the young king, Pomare III. be appointed president, in the room of his deceased father. Tati, in an animated speech, supported the motion, enumerating the good qualities of the deceased, and expressing his hopes that his son would be raised up to carry on what his father had so successfully begun. This being agreed to, Hitote, with the young king in his ́arms, as his representative, took the chair. Piapa, a chief of Faaa, in the absence of Br. Wilson, who was unwell, addressed the chairman. and moved, that the secretaries of Tahiti and Eimeo be requested to read their respective reports. Upaparu, the secretary of Tahiti, came forward and read his Report: from which it appeared, that the contributions for the present year amounted to 9226 bamboos of oil, 24 pigs, 267 balls of arrow root, and 191 baskets of cotton - wool. Upaparu made some lively remarks, tending to excite the liberality of the people, and to put to shame such as had been negligent; exhorting all to be more diligent in future. Pati, the secretary of Eimeo, followed with his Report, from which it appeared, that 2829 bamboos of oil, and 12 pigs, had been contributed for this year, by the people of Eimeo. Ahuriro of Pare, rose and made some remarks on the Reports, lamenting the smallness of the subscriptions, and exciting to fresh exertions. Where," said he, "do we lay out our strength? Is it for God or the devil, for this world or for the next?" He moved that the Reports be received. Vara of Eimeo se conded the motion, and spoke in a very able manner. The king, he observed, had kept his promise and supported the society to the last; "and now," said he, "let us not let it go, but hold it fast till death." The reports being received, and ordered to be printed, Tati moved, that the Society's oil be collected for the future into one place, and sold on the spot, to any merchant that would send for it and give the best price; and that the money received be forwarded by the Treasurer to the Treasurer of the Parent Society in London. Haapae, the chief of Toahotu in Taiarabu, secon led the motion, which was put and carried. Br. Crook next addressed the society, and reminded them, that Tahiti was the first object of the Parent Society's com passion and liberality, and that therefore they ought to take the lead of all the islands in these seas, and exert themselves to the utmost to do good. He moved, that Branch Associations be formed at each of the missionary stations, and that they hold quarterly meetings, in order to forward the ends of the institution. Hue, of Burder's Point, seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Br. Platt addressed the chairman, and showed the propriety and effect of the chiefs and governors going before the people in this good work, and setting them a proper example. He concluded with moving, that the thanks of the Society be given to the governors of Tahiti, for their past services. Horoinu, of Eimeo, supported the motion, which was put and carried. Br. Darling rose to move thanks to the officers and governors of the Eimeoau Branch of the Tahitian Society, for their past services to the society, and that they be requested to continue in their respective offices for the ensuing year. He called the attention of the meeting to the extent of the work yet to be accomplished, and also to the success that attends missionary exertions at the present moment in various parts of the world, as an encouragement to all who love the Lord. Utami supported the motion, which was agreed to. The other speakers were, Hamaino and Ahuriro of Moorea, and Paraita and Maiobu of Tahiti. At the conclusion Hitote received the thanks of the meeting, for his conduct in the chair. Br. Platt concluded the whole by singing and prayer. After a short conference among the brethren, they returned home, well pleased with the orderly and quiet manner in which the Anniversary had been conducted. The Rev. Daniel Tyerman and George Bennet, Esq. being deputed by the London Missionary Society to visit these islands, arrived among us in September last. After visiting the late king at Eimeo, and most of the missionary stations at Tahiti, they sailed for the Leeward Islands in December last, and have subsequently proceeded to the Sandwich Islands and the Marquesas, in company with our Br. Ellis and some of the native converts. Mr. Thomas Jones, Missionary, who accompanied the deputation from England, has been already mentioned as settled at Papara. Messrs. Armitage and Blossom, also, who arrived at the same time to introduce the manufacture of cotton cloth, and other mechanical arts, were induced by the natives to settle at Pirae, in the district of Pare. They have met with great impediments to this design, but appearances are already more encouraging, and we doubt not but that the object will eventually be attained. However, the progress will necessarily be slow, from the indolent habits of the natives. That grace, mercy and truth, may rest upon all that are engaged in teaching the perishing heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ, and upon all that serve the cause of the Redeemer, is the prayer of the undersigned. TAHITI. Henry Nott, Charles Wilson, and Jaines Hayward, Matavai.-William P. Crook, Wilks's Harbour.-David Darling, Burder's Point.-John Davies and Thomas Jones, Papara.-Elijah Armitage, manufacturer, and Thomas Blossom, artisan, Pirae. EIMEO.-William Henry and George Platt, Roby's Place. SINCE we have been lying here, many very distressing circumstances have transpired. I went on shore the other day, and saw the head of a very great chief belonging to the River Thames, with whose party Shungee has gone to war. The chief's name was Hinakee, a very large fine man; it is said he received four balls before he fell. Immediately after he fell, Shungee, with a revengeful glee, caught his blood as it was streaming from his veins, and drank it with all the cagerness possible. O, how horrid how debased! Lord, what is man! But this is not all; they cut him limb from limb, roasted him, and ate a delicious meal of him.* The large canoes are now returning from the war in every direction. The day before yesterday three returned, one or two of which had a man's head at the head and stern, and several prisoners they had taken in the war. One of our seamen went on shore at a chief's place, whose name is Pomare, and saw ten heads, all preserved, brought from the war, one of which was a little child's, about 18 months' old, probably the child of a great chief. Poor Hinakce had two brothers, the one almost as fine a man as himself; the other a fine young man about 18 or 20 years old-all massacred, and all eaten except their heads, which they preserve either as tokens of Victory, or to sell to Christians for muskets or powder, to enable them to execute. more effcctually their wicked deeds.. Oh that the Lord would send more missionaries to New Zealand. It is true that there are several gentlemen here from the Church Missionary Society, who have all behaved very kind to us: they are very industrious, some in agriculture. I never was in a place so well adapted for the itinerant labours of *These dreadful facts are corrobo rated by other missionaries, |