at the Island of Borabora, March 13, 1823. This letter contains much pleasing information of the rapid progress, both in religion and civilization, made by the natives of Borabora, Tahaa, and Raiatea.

RAIATEA.

Of the mission in this island the Deputation speak in the highest terms of approbation. They say, "God appears greatly to have blessed the labours of our brethren, (Threlkeld and Williams), and they appear happy and satisfied in their work, labouring with much assiduity to promote both the temporal and eternal welfare of these interesting people."

When the brethren came to the island, the beautiful spot in which their settlement is fixed was one vast mass of brushwood, timber, and fruit-trees, with scarcely a single habitation; but now it is a beautiful town, extending along the margin of a fine bay, having several bridges over fine streams of fresh water from the mountains, which fall into the bay. The large and handsome houses of the missionaries, and the very spacious chapel and judgment-hall, occupy the centre of the settlement; while respectable, well-plastered houses for the chiefs and people extend perhaps for a mile each way, producing a pleasing effect.

From the centre of the settlement has been carried out a substantial stone pier, extending 390 feet into the bay, with a landing place for boats, &c. at the end 48 feet square.

The premises of the missionaries are neatly formed, and well stocked. From their gardens we have frequently eaten carrots, cabbages, french beans, pars. ley, mint, &c. besides various native vegetable productions.

The natives also have a great number of well-fenced enclosures for sugar-cane and maias, but especially for tobacco. Our missionary brethren have appropriate places for the natives, in which to manufacture their tobacco-to boil their sugar -to make salt-to manufacture smith's work, and for making chairs, bedsteads, and sofas; all which they may be said to do well and of the extent to which they have carried the manufacture of sofas, with neatly turned legs, you may judge by the following fact. At a feast of the baptized persons, which was held while

* Sometimes called Ulictea. It is 30 miles from Huaheine. It is about 50 miles in circumference, and has many

fine harbours.

The chapel is 156 feet long, by 44 wide.

we were there, on a large PATU (or stone platform) formed in the sea, intended to be the foundation of the king's house, we counted two hundred and fifty sofas, large and well made after the English model.

TAMATOA, the present king, who is a very respectable intelligent person, and regarded by our brethren as sincerely attached to the truth, has more than once or twice remarked, that when he reflects how often he has allowed his people to offer sacrifice to himself, and to worship him as a god, he is covered with shame, and can scarcely believe that God can pardon him; only, he adds, as he was then gnorant of Jehovah and Jesus Christ, he hopes that God has forgiven him for the sake of his dear Son ; and that, by his Holy Spirit, the word will so grow in his heart, that he shall not return any more to sin.

Our meetings for public worship have been extremely gratifying, both by the great numbers who have attended, the quiet, orderly, and attentive manner of their behaviour, and by the edifying truths which were faithfully and affectionately set before them. It was with much satisfaction' we witnessed the baptism of 150 persons on one day, making up the number of baptized about 1,100, leaving a remainder of persons in the island, unbaptized, about 200. With the church, which consists of about 150 members, we had twice the pleasure of communicating at the Lord's table, and we could not but wish that many of our Christian brethren in England could have partaken of our happiness.

Thus happily is this island evangelized. It was formerly not only the source of all political authority to the surrounding islands, but the chief seat of idolatry. Human sacrifices were brought hither from all the neighbouring islands, and offered to ORO, the god of war, at Opoa, a place which the Deputation visited with no common interest. Here the now Christian and amiable prince, Tamatoa, was once actually prayed to as a deity, who united in himself all the civil and ecclesiastical power, so that the alteration which has taken place is almost mi raculous, "Not a vestige of idolatry (say the Deputation) now remains; we search for it, but find it not." This triumph of the cross must be regarded as one of the most signal ever achieved since the world began. Glory to God in the highest. It is truly marvellous in our eyes.

troduction of the gospel in Raiatea are very remarkable. In the year 1816, a ship got upon the reef at Eimeo, and was in danger of being wrecked. Pomare, who happened then to be at that island, together with Mr. Wilson the missionary, went on board to assist in getting her off, in which they succeeded. A violent storm came on as soon as the ship got clear of the reef, which drove her down to Raiatea, where Pomare and Mr. Wilson, unable to quit the island, were obliged to wait for some time. Mr. Wilson wisely embraced the opportunity of preaching the gospel to the natives, while Pomare employed all his influence to induce the natives to abandon their idols and embrace the truth. Success attended their united efforts, and the king, with his chiefs and people, avowed themselves Christians.

For a time, however, they knew little more of the gospel than its name; but they desisted immediately from offering human sacrifices, from idolatrous worship and infanticide; they also built places for Christian worship; yet they continued in the indulgence of every evil desire, until, in the year 1818, the gracious Providence of God directed Mr. Threlkeld and Mr. Williams to visit and settle among them, and God has crowned their labours with wonderful success.

[A much larger account of this astonishing work of God will probably appear in a future Number of the Quarterly Chronicle.]

We are sorry to learn that the state of Mr. Williams's health is such, that he will be obliged to leave this flourishing station for a colder climate.

TAHAA.

On the 22d of December 1822, the Deputation left Raiatea for the island of Tahaa, which is within a few miles of it. Here they were most gladly received by Mr. Bourne the missionary and his wife, and by all the principal people. Here they staid seven weeks with great pleasure; there is a prospect of much good being done, and that this island will not be found inferior to any other. The Deputation have sent a full account of Tahaa, which is very interesting.

BORABORA.

On the 14th of February, our friends left Tahaa in an excellent, boat which Mr. Orsmond of Borabora sent for them, and reached the island next morning. Here they were received by Mr. Orsmond with the most marked and liberal kindness; the two kings, and all the chiefs also gave them the strongest proofs of their friendship. The mission here is in

a very flourishing state, and the schools are singularly well attended.

From hence three converted natives have been sent as missionaries to the Friendly Islands; two to Rimatera, 300 miles SSW. Two more have been sent to Maupiti, 40 miles to the west. Thus seven native teachers have been raised up in these islands.

MAUPITI.

While the Deputation were residing at Borabora, they accepted the earnest invitation of the king of Maupiti to visit his island, which they did in an open boat; and in the dead of the night were exposed to the most imminent danger; but when destruction seemed close at hand, the Lord delivered them, and they arrived at the island at 6 o'clock in the morning, most cordially welcomed by the king, &c. Here also they were delighted to behold the rapid progress the people had made in the knowledge of the gospel, and had the happiness of being present at the baptism of 74 persons; 291 having before been baptized, in all 365. Here also they partook, with the church, of the Lord's Supper, and assisted at the formation of an Auxiliary Missionary Society. The subscription amounted to nearly 1000 bamboos of cocoa-nut oil. Every child that has left the breast subscribes

one.

Mr. Orsmond had visited them, and the two converted natives from Borabora were the teachers.

Larger accounts of these islands have been transmitted by the Deputation, and will be published.

After spending a few weeks (since the date of this letter) at Borabora, the Deputation intended to visit Raiatea and Huahine, and then to proceed by the first opportunity to Otaheite, &c. and after settling all their affairs, to leave the islands, finally, for New South Wales, about the close of the present year.

AFRICA.

CHARACTER OF AFRICANER.

BY DR. PHILIP.

OUR readers are in some measure acquainted with the character of this remarkable man, whose conversion and subsequent conduct display one of the most striking instances of the power of renewing grace with which we are acquainted. The following testimony to the reality of his piety will afford delight to every intelligent and serious reader.

، Wenders of grace to God belong, Repeat his mercies in your song!" In a former letter I gave you the

account received by Mr. Moffat, of the death of this chief: I have not yet received so much detail on this subject as I could have wished, but such as I have obtained since I last wrote you is interesting. All the accounts I have received of Africaner since Mr. Moffat left him to support the mission at Lattakoo, agree in representing him as having conducted himself, in his family and among his people, in a manner the most honourable to his profession. In his household he exemplified in a high degree the graces of the christian parent and master; and from the day Mr. Moffat was taken from him he continued with much humility, zeal, diligence, and prayer, to supply as much as in his power the place of a missionary. The labours of a missionary were assumed by him from necessity, not from vanity or the love of authority, for while he was meeting with his people on the Lord's Day, expounding to them the word of God, and conducting the public services of religion, he was constantly inquiring, whether he was likely soon to have another missionary, and expressing the most earnest desire on this subject. Africaner was a man of considerable natural talents, of undissembled piety, and he possessed an experimental and an enlarged acquaintance with his Bible. Such as recollect the questions put to him in the presence of the Deputation On our arrival in South Africa, will be willing to admit what has been said respecting his knowledge of the scriptures; and to show his good sense and the subdued character of his mind, the following anecdotes may be noticed..

When he was in Cape Town in 1819, the Colonial Government made him a present of a wagon, an article of considerable value in this country. Re-marking to him, on this occasion, that he must be very thankful to the Go vernment for this mark of esteem, I shall never forget his reply. I am (said he) truly thankful to Government for the favour they have done me in this instance; but favours of this nature to persons in my circumstances are heavy to bear. The farmers between this and Namacqua land would much rather have heard that I had been executed at Cape Town, than that I had received any mark of favour from Government.

This

circumstance will, I am apprehensive, increase their hatred against me ; under the influence of this spirit every disturbance which may take place on the borders of the colony will be ascribed to me, and there is nothing I more dread, than that

the Government should suppose me capable of ingratitude.'

The intimate acquaintance with human nature, and the refinement displayed in this remark from a man who had been six years before the savage leader of a savage tribe, added much to the favourable opinion I had previously formed both of his talents and his piety. It I will be recollected that Africaner accompanied the Deputation on their first journey as far as Tulbagh, when we separated, taking different routes, the chief pursuing his journey along the Western coast of Africa, while we were called to visit the missionary stations on the Eastern coast.

While at Tulbagh, the temper of Africaner was exposed to a trial which furnished him with an opportunity of showing his christian spirit. A woman, under the influence of prejudice excited by his former character, meeting him upon the public street, followed him for some time, vociferating with all her might, and heaping upon him all the coarse and bad names which her vocabulary could supply; reaching the place where his people were standing by his wagon, with a number of people whom this woman had drawn together still following him, his only remarks were, This is hard to bear, but it is part of my cross, and I must take it up. In the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Edward Edwards, Wesleyan missionary at Khamiesberg, will be found a corroboration of what I have before stated respecting this singular man, and it shows that my estimate of his character has not been influenced by a partiality in bis favour arising from his connexion with our Society.

"I regret much that Africaner is no more. His influence among the Nas macquas was very considerable, and with a little assistance from Government would have rendered the cause of God in that country essential service. Again, Africaner was a living witness of the power of divine grace in changing the heart of one who was formerly so much dreaded by the colonists, and no less so by the surrounding tribes. I believe he adorned his profession, and I have no reason to doubt but his conversion to God was sound. Africaner had a tolerable share of common sense, and was upon the whole a very superior Hottentot. His mind had been much improved by his intercourse with missionaries, and their instructions were by no means lost upon him, for his profiting appeared unto many. He was a Hottentot, and I