^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^^ /. t/j fc 1.0 ;f 1^ 12^ == 116 in IIIIIOO I.I 12.2 £ US 112.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 — ^ 6" — >■ V] <^ &. <^ oS 7 :^ > /f^ f Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBS1£R,N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 vl^ i- CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D □ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ D Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut oue certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film^es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires: L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtr^ uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m6thode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur D D D D D D Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicul^es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tanhetdes ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 film^es A nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. Thei to th Thei poss of th filmii Origi begii the li sion, othei first sion, or illi The I shall TiNt whic Map) diffei entir begii right requ metl This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est ii\m6 au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X J i 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire film6 f ut reproduit grflce A la g6n6rosit6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in iteeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet^ de l'exemplaire filmd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the bacl< cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commengant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commen9ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symboie — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmto d des taux de r6duction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■- 'S»,_ / f ) ^ * .^, / r- //. ' / f (rrcu) Ki ":) rf:\ LAbT ^ / \lftlji .•^ 4 -,-,f^ ■■# tmif ^OJOKir CAtH.EiimJK: ix^l^Slsl. irrs wiFK. "i s-jv t*«.' •i'ijmt w f^.'. >"* A itt }.,'tA frojn hcTitf forth: y*«H, siUth -, ... il'wv |(U4^ r«Ai V j4'« tttetr hil/orw ; iiruJ ihcir vrork>i tiy fo^i^/W ■ -^1 "^5^ m •.s*- ^ / f ^% ( m crfMyx ^.%i<. * -f ■£«W>--^-**U».: THE LAST MARTYRS OF EROMANGA. BEING A MEMOIR -HI OP THE REV. GEORGE N. GORDON 0v AND ELLEN CATHERINE POWELL, \ HIS WIFE. '* Blemed are the dead which die In the Lord from henceforth: ye». ealtb (he Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their wortu do fo4iow «i>t«.'>--Ki;v. xiv. 13. HALIFAX, N. S. MACNAB AND SHAFFER, 15 TRINCE ST. 1863. ..'*-.' PREFACE. Unimportant as this Memoir ma}'' appear to many, yet, to the writer it has been a " >vork of sorrow — a labor of love." Though he has spared no i)nins in its preparation and revision, 3'ct he is but too well aware that it is not what it ought to bo, and noiK» can be more keenly alive to its imperfections and blemishes than himself. No doubt it presents some indications of fraternal predilections, and precipitcney in judgment almost inseparable from inexperienctHl youth. But with all its defects he humbly hopes that, having done what he could, none may deal harshly with his work; and it is his earnest p vor that God mq,y bless it to the salvation of souls. Though the late Missionary of Eromanga hnd neither sons nor daughters, yet there is reason to believe that his spiritual children were not a few. Even in the island where he and his lieroic partner spent so trying a part of their days, and whence they ascended in their " blood-rod car," tliere is much reason to believe that, through their instnunentalily, t.*»->*i »▼ I'REFACE. fcome were begotten again of the Holy Spirit ; and, that others, born again of God» will yet arise and call them blessed. The hope may be cherished that their spiritual lineage may be tramimitted unimpaired through succeeding generations. The writer gratefully acknowledges his obligations to the llev. R. Murray and Dr. Parker, of Halifax, N. S., and to the Ucv. Mr. Keedy, of London, G. B., for their contributions to the Memoir. As the writer had an opportunity of reading only a portion of the proof-sheets, the work, unavoidably, is not free from typographical and other errors. The last part of the work partakes somewhat of the nature of an Appendix ; but as it consists princi- pally of papers affording information intimately con- nected with the history of Pol^Tiesian missions, and, in an eispecial manner, with missionary efforts on Eromanga, the writer has preferred calling it — Part Second. JuLT, 1863. J. D. G. CONTENTS. CUMBER I. Early life of Geo. N. Gordon — State of the country — Ef- flciejic/ of Schools — Religious impretisions — Colpor- teur of % Uiblc Society I ^ CHAPTER II. College 8tud!(^s — Difficulties and Trinla — Remarka by a fullovr student — Professors and prelections 16 CHAPTER III. Elallfax City Mission — Missionary labors — Ragged School — Houae of liefuge 28 CHAPTER I\^ Ilinefls — Offer of Service as a Foreign Missionary — En- couragements and Discouragements 38 CHAPTER V. Visitation of the Churches — Licensure — Last Visit to his Native Idiond — Ordination 43 t CHAPTER VI. Valedictory Meeting in Halifax — Departure for Britain — Voyage 47 CHAPTER VII. Sojourn in Britain — Extracts from Diary — Letters to the Secretary of the F. M. Board and Mr. Murray — Visit to Scotland 54 Vi CONTENTS, CIIAITKR VIII. IVp-c. Miss Powoll — Extra<.'ts from her Diary — Miirriiii^c — Tour in France — Kxtnict.s from Mrs. (Jonlon's Diary — L»t- tcr from Mr. (Jordon to Mr. Murray «!(> (IIAITER IX. Departure for tlio South Seas — Letter to Rev. ,1. HnyiK* — Arrival in Caiie 'i'own — Delij^iitf'iil Inter\ie\vs wit'.i (Jhristian Frictuls — Visit to Ilohart Town — Mclliuiiri.e — Mcitin^^s — Interest in the Missionary Kiiiterjtrise In- creasing — Sydney 7»*< ciiAFrp:R X. Eromanj?a — Partitnilars conccrnini; it — SandaIw()od tradr — (Character of ti\i' Traders — First Flforts at Iwani^'li/- inj^ Eroinanj,'a — Martyrdou) of Williams and Harris — Samoan 'J'eaclitrs — Their Efforts O."* CIIAFrER XI. Estimates of the Character of the Eromanj^ans — (!aj»taiti (.'ook's — Admiral Frskine's — Kev. .1. (ieddie's — Mr. Gordon's lO". ciiapti:r XII. Loeation of Missionaries on Eroman^a in 1857 — Extract from Kev. J. Geddie's Journal — Extract from a pai>er of Mr. Gordon - lOi) CIIAFrER XIII. Estimates of Native Aj^'cncy — Kov. .T. Gedditrs — Hi'v. .1. W. Matheson's — Kev. G. N. Gordon's — Fxtract of a Letter of Kev. A. W. Murray — Also of Kev. J. VV. Ma- theson — Dr.. Turner's Estimate 1 1 G CIIAFIER XIV. First Year op P>omanf^a — First Five Week's Work — Idolatry — Annual Report — Population — Ttineratintr — Scenery — -Interview with Natives of ]*otina Bay — Su- perstitions — Mrs. Gordon's Elforts loli CHAPTER XV. Second year on Eromani?a — Arrival of the 'Kev. J. W. Matheson and wife, and Rev. Mosars. Cf)i)e1;iud and CONTENTS. VU Tuton — Tht'lr Settlement on Tana — Christ's Example in I{«'fiTen('C' to sending- forth Laborers — All'ray hetwei-n Sandalwood traders and Kroman<:ans — Dan^'ers and Ditlleulties — Ki-port — Progress of Missionary Worli — Heathen I'raetiees — Native Account of Williams' Mar- tvrdoui — Traditions 1 *•♦ CIIAITER XVI. Third Year on rrf)man'ja — TiCttc^r to the Kev. .1. llayne — liev. r. (i. M((iii'Li(ir — Kcport — t.'onvt-rsion — IJceotr- nition of .lehovoli's Sovereij^nty — Idolatry — Stati' of Schools — Translation i:.s CIIAITER XVII. Last Year on Kroiuan^a — Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. .lohn- ston — Coiifeniiei' on Aneilcum — lli'soliitions — Lettrr from Uiv. Mr. (iordon to lii'v. 1'. (J. Mcdri'ijor — Lett<-r of Mrs. (iDrdi)!! — Attriiijit on tin- Lives o\' Messrs. .lohn- ston and I'aton — Dt-ath of the J'ornier — llurrieant's — Hfl'eets of— .Measles — Mr. dcrdon'.s last Letters — The Closini' Scene i«;.s C'liAlTKR XVIII. Assigned Causes of the Martyrdom — An Examination of two of lliesc |H4 CIIAITER XIX. Intellifjcnce of the Martyrdotn — Minute of the Roard of Foreij,'n Missions — Sympathy ot" ( 'ommittee of the iv. 1'. Church of Scotland — Minute of Synod — Resolution of Sympathy passed at the Wesleyan \Veekly Preachers' Meeting, Halifax — lA'tter of Condolence ,'Oa CIIAITER XX. Re niniscences — By llev. 11. Murray, Halifax — By l")r. Tarker, Halifax — By Rev. Mr. Keedy, London. ••••... PART SECOND. * A B fiEF Account of thi: FofjuTii Vovaok of tiii: '* John Williams" to tuk Australian Colonics, &c., IfS'tC-? : C.i')e of Good lIoi)e — Hohart Town — Mdliourne — Ky Iney — Con vie ts — .\!)()ri_:;ine.s — Tahiti — Scenerv Mi sionary Elibrts and lleveriies — Poijiiih Opposition — yiii CONTENTS, Society Islands — Ilaiatca — Missionaries — Ilervey Is- lands — llarotonga - Aitutake — Samoa — Church Go- vernment : — DucuEASE OF Population, — Causes of — Uift'erent Opinions Entertained — Disease — Polyglot- tism -- Mythology — Native Agency — State of Eastern Polync'sian Missions — Hymn in the Eromanga Tongue. . Page. 227 Letter on the Jews — Letter from Mrs. Gordon — Letters to the Uev. Mr. Buzacott on Eastern Teachers located on Eromanga, &c. Extract o^ a letter from the Rev. W. W. (Jill. I'ovms 270 U Ij INTRODUCTION. *' The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was bud- fled, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds." — Num. xvii. 8. Beautiful and expressive was that ?ilniond rod. The budding, blooming, fruit-yielding V)raiich, like Jonah*s gourd, was the product of a day, but unlike the umbrageous plant that withered in an hour, long retained its pristine freshness and vital vigor. It was miraculously preserved fbr many years, but eventually was exposed to the ravages of time. The emblem cmmbled into dust, but the things which it signified shall never know decay. Of old the Lord had priests of his o^vn appointment. Those who dared to intrude into the Aaronic priest- hood did so at their peril ; so do all who uncalled enter the Gospel ministiy. Jesus is Lord of the har- vest. Laborers chosen by liimself he sends forth at the proper time, and to the right places, to reap. Su';h were his disciples. Such were the Reformers of the 16th ccntuiy ; Eliot and Brainerd in America ; Carey, Martin, Buchanan, and Judson, in India ; Wil- liams in Pol^^lesia, and many others owned and hon- ored of their Lord. And thero were not only buds and blossoms on the almond rod, but fruit also ; so, success in the divine art of winning souls to Christ is the seal of a divine commission. Buds give promise, and blossoms inspire u with hope ; but fruit succeeding is the evidence that the pleasure of the Lord is prospering in the hands of the laborer. *' I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain/' — John xv. 16^ Distinguished is he who can say, " Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me." He shall receive from his Lord the best of all plaudits, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of th}^ Lord." \ I ,J*a CHAPTER I. EARLY YEARS. " And I have felt A preflcnpc that disturbs me with tho joy Of elevated thoughts ; a senHe sublime (»f something far more deeply interfused, Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns, And the round ocean and the living air, -Vnd the blue sky, and in the mind of man." — WOHDSWORTH. George Nicol Gordon was born at Caseiimpcc, Prince Echvard Island, April 21st, 1822. He was the fourth son, and the fifth child, in a liimily of nine. His gi'andfather, Robei-t Gordon, was a native of Inverness, Scotland, and a sergeant in the 42nd High- land regiment. He and his elder brother John enlist- ed at the same time. They agreed to go into tlie same regiment, but John was drafted for the 78th, which went to India, and the 42nd was ordered to America at the commencement of the revolution of 1774. Thus these two brothers were parted never to meet again. Robert I'emained in America till the proclamation of peace in 1782, then returned to Scotland, and was united in mamage, at Nairn, to Miss Elizabeth McAulay, of Inverness. Their first-born lived but a fx.w months. On the 2nd of April, 1784, the father of the subject of this memoir was born at Nairn, and called John, after the brother who went to India. Robert CJordon, on receiving his discharge, became entitled to 300 acres of land in any part of British THE LAST ^lAKTYHS North America. To Amei'ica he rcpaiied to seek n fortune, his son being nine months old ^vhen he bade a final adieu to old Scotia's shores, lie landed at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. In the course of eighteen months he removed to Prince Edward Island, and S(.'ttled at Richmond Bay. About the same time there settk^d there also three loyalists from Nova Scotia. John remembers hearing his mother say that these men and her husband had agreed to go together to tiu^ capital, to draw the portions of land to which eiich was entitled, but that they started i)revious to the time jippointed, and before her husband had joined them. Thus, an entire stranger, he was obliged to proceerl thither alone. At that period there were but few public roads in the country. The way to Charlotte town from remote districts was by circuitous routes close to the shores, which mr.de travelling exceedingly fatiguing, as the Island is deeply indented by immerous bays and creeks. When making his way homeward, and while walking on snow-shoes, he fell through the ice on Cove Head Bay, and was drowned. Heavy tidings for his young wife, so soon smitten a widow^, — a stranger in a strange land, far from the place of her nativity, and withal on the eve of mater- nal solicitude I It is not surprising that she coukl never afterward advert to the sad event without shed- ding tears. Her worldly resources being limited, for many a day her " skiff skirted the bleak shore of ne- cessity." During these years of adversity her children not unfrequently experienced the pinchings of cold, and endured the pangs of hunger ; but she feared God. John Ramsay, bom in Cantyre, Scotland, was a cor- poral in the British army, and served iu America five OF r.limiANT.A. 5 vt'iMN (liirine, remin- iscenees of those days are not numerous. There is, however, one incident in Ramsay's mili- tary life woithy of beinii; recorded. It occm'red one day while the resiment to which he beloni^ed. was marching* through a town in America. A younp; child was observed rurming alonji; the street before the sol- diers. The sioht was suMiclent to have awakened pity in any one ])()ssessing the ordinary feelings of Innnani- tv ; vet a ruMian was about thrusting the child through with his bayonet when IJamsay interposed. Taking the child in his arms he was carrying it along with hini when he met the father seeking it with anxious solicitude. On receiving his child from the arms of the soldier he slipped a guinea into his hand and went away with his treasure rejoicing. During the cam- ))aign he was in active service in Massachusetts, I^mui- sylvania, Virginia, and other States. At the stoi-mi ng of Fort Montgomery his hearing was yery nmcli ini- paired. On some occasions during tlie war he snid the blood of the slain used to run in over their low- u\outhed shoes. In 1\ed tlie Rev. ^It.'ssrs. Ran- tall and Fraser ; Rev. R. S. I'atterson, of liedeque, Rev. J. Canipbell, of St. Mary's, Rev. V. (i. McGre- gor, (son of Dr. jMcGrogor), of Nova Scotia, and the Rev. J. Geddie, formerly of Cavendish. At length in 1oisonous. Shortly after using a ixjitlon of these he went to a pi-aver-meeting held at a neigh- \k)Y*h house some three or four miles inland, and there took ill. The poison operated so vigorously that he raised blood ; and for eight or ten (\ii\% he was (juite prostrated. No inquiries need be made about medi- cal aid. rhysicians are not usuall}"^ Ibund in backwood settlements eighty or ninety miles from the Capittd, or forty or iifty miles distant fi-om any important village ; or, if otherwise, they are likely to be of the emperie order. lie w^as at the time residing on his own farm — one given to him b}- his father, who, in former years had bought a plot of ground in a neighboring townshii), and afterwards divided it among his sons. (leorgc's father lived on Township 4 from 1813 to IHaO, when he was obliged to leave, owing to the unrighteous ex- actions of his landlord. The then agent of Sir Samuel Cnnard — whose estates on the Island contain 134,000 acres — taking advantjige of a clause in his tenant's loase, exacted £5 stg., instead of £5 currency, thus in- creasing the annual rent 50 per cent. The vindictive spirit of the agent was still farther brought out in his next }>roceeding. As a tender for the annual rent he would take nothing save British Sterling paid in Brit- ifih coin. For a few years the rent w^as paid as demanded, but with extreme difliculty. Finally the farm was sold for £G6 13s. 4d., stg., a sum much less than the value of the buildings left upon it, and payable in four instal- ments. In 1850, the same year that his son went to college, he left the place on which his family hud OF i:r<»ma\ ui)on it. 1 asked him if the iNnnapolis man was related to Mr. Gordon. He replied that he did not care whether he was or not, the anathema woukl fol- low the farm, and coukl not be removed." •• You tliought then," said the Co.msel, "you would get clear of the cursed farm?" •• Yes ; I sold it to Mr. Cunningham, and turned tile curse over to him." Li 18-1 4 George began to improve his farm. During the succeeding year he erected a house. In 1847 his eklest brother, Ivobert, removed to New Brunswick. A correspondence* then commenced between them that ended only with the death of the foi-mer. During this year he added to that of farming the occiipation of Beter's host at Jo[)pa. But his health, not being equal to his spirit of enterprise, failed. Then came 1848, a I» (I 01 THE LAST MAIITVUS year of declining health, of mental conflicts, })iit d year of grace. In 1848 Robert returned. It was e>idcnt to him that George had undergone an inii)()rt:int cliange. Many observed it. His pastor spoke of it. He would now travel miles to a Sabbath School, or to attend a Prayer Meeting. The sick and dying, far and near, received his attentions. lie visited witlnnit distinc- tion, I'apists and Protestants, Mic JNIac^s and others. As for his neighbors, some wondered, others laughed. Some said he was an enthusiast, and others, that he was coming out a la}'' preacher: a I'resbyterian lay preacher ! quite a phenomenon in the horizon of Modc- ratism ! Notwithstanding, he gave i)(>oi)le occasion to make remarks. One evening, for exann)le, wliile re- turning from a Praj^er Meeting, stopping suddenly on the road, he said, " Let us pray." Accordingly, they turned aside and prayed. A friend, with whom he gen- erally walked home in company, remarked that in these prayer meetings held in groves by Lhe wayside, his mind seemed quite absorbed in contemplations of the love of God in Christ. But not knowing in what light t6 view such strange conduct, he consulted a confi- dant, by whom he was advised not to countenance such eccentricities. This he felt inclined to do, when, on a similar occasion he remarked, " I must become a Mis- sionary to the heathen." He then informed his friend that a few j''ears previous his attention had l)een arrest- ed by reading a treatise on Titus ii. G, — '' Young men likewise exhort to be sober-nnnded," — left at his fa- ther's by the Rev. J. Geddie. That treatise made a salutary impression on his mind. Subsequently, in 1849, in which year he made the acquaintance of Lieut. Hancock, k.n., and Mrs. Hancock, it was deepened. OF EU()MA\(iA. 11 r.V lliom his attontion was (liroctod (o a conNldoration of the Uth verse of the 1 r.)tli Psalm. Li.'iit. llaiK'ock ho rojjjanh'd as a t'nojHl, onjovcd l»is favor, and was af- terward iniic'li l)enofited ))y liis eorresiHMKhMice. Of persons in connection witii the Church of Kn^^hmd he used at a hiter j)eriod to speak, as ••' lovely and loveahle (.'hristians." IJut after liis settlemeuL in Ki-oiuanpi lie stated, in a letter addressed to his hrothcr. that he eonld then clearly truce his llrst reliuiotis impressions to the preachiiifi; of an eminent servant of (iod — Kev. Wm. Mc(;lrej>;or — and rcmai'ked : '• Could I apiin revisit 1*. E. Island, I wonhl plant tlovscrs n[)on his urave and water them with my tears." l*revions to his conversion he was })ursuin,ir thiii.<>;s of the world with a keen relish. Jle eni^^ii^cd in worldly pursuits, aninious, with a force of will sometimes merging into a dogged determination. So eager was he to compass his designs, that when defeated (as he remarked to his hrothcr) he wouM be- come almost frantic. His maxims were : Nothing for nothing, — An e i:;raee of (Jod eiianued his heart ami ol)tained domii\iou in his soul, he was not thus distinji;uished. •".Jesus," said he, '••is all my salvulion, and all my desire." Alter Robert's removal to Miramieiii he informed l)im that he felt so lonelv as seureelv to know what to do for relief. lint in the solitude eonse(|nent npon that event perhaps some may pereeive a link in the chain of (Jod's providenee that led him to rel'eet seri- ously upon the real cause of his dis([ui('tnde. Durinjj^ the winter of I.SIO, his brother occupied his house. In one of his rooms were found some scraps of i)apers Irom whiejj it a{)peared tliat in 18 IH he had dedicated himself U) the Gospel ministry, should God see lit to employ him in the service of his Son. Mr. Geddie's aiii»eals, too, for another missionary had on liim an effect similar to that produced on the mind of the Key. F(>tcr (iordon by the letters of Dr. McGregor to the Associate Synod in Scotland ; and to become (qualified for the ministry was thenceforward his grand aim and his hea.rt's desire. But on opening his mind to clergymen of the church to which he belonged, in order to ascertain their views as to his prospects, the OF KKOMANOA, 18 cnoournjromout anImcIi tlioy lioUl out not being vory soul-inspiriiij^-, his iicavcn-lKn-n aspirations wore sonio- >vliat (lamped. On this point, however, he was always reserve*!. Alhision is made to the faet in the rollowinji; extraet of a letter to his lather, dated ,Iuly 21, iHoO : '• ir the Lord will, I eNjK'ct to l>(» in Colleoe thiw winter. Were I to \io to llorton. I could };^et in lor i*2ij, or £'M). lor a term. I am sorry to say that the Chureh to wliii h 1 belong" has ehill*'(| mv Iieait ; and yet 1 love them/' At the time the letter refen-ed tf> was written lie was in the serviec of the I'rinee Edward Island Auxiliaiy liiblc Soeietv. AVhile thus emploved lie formed the aequaintanee of the Kev. 3Ir. Seott (IJaptist) whom he esteemey individual effort in the construction of such a house. Thus the difference between an ordi- nary mind and the mind of a Newton consists princi- pally in this, that the one is capable of the application of a more continuous attention than tlie other, — that a Newton is able without fatigue to connect inference with inference in one long series towards one deter- minate end ; while the man of inferior capacity is soon obliged to break or let fall the thread which he had begun to spin. This is, in fact, what Sir Isaac, with equal modest}?^ and shrewdness, himself admitted. To one who complimented him on his genius, he replied that if he had made any discoveries it was owing more to patient attention than ito any other talent." Early in the autumn of 1851 he attended the Theo- logical Hall of the Presbyterian Church, at West River, Hctou, Nova Scotia. Thence he proceeded to Halifax, and with some degree of encoiu'agement com- menced his regular college studies. But trials awaited him. His pecuniary resources being limited, he left his winter clothing — not at Troas — but at home, to be forwarded by an indirect conveyance. But the vessel in which he expected them sailing elsewhere, he met a sad disappointment ; for he soon found summer clothing insufficient to protect him against the chilling winds of autimin, and the cold of a Nova Scotia winter. Had he not a farm, however, which he might have sold ? Yes ; but he regarded it with feelings akin to OF EROMANGA. 19 those of an Israelite when requested to part with the inheritance of his fathers. December 22nd he wrote thus to his brother Archibald,* " It is almost a sin for me to have property, and be suffering from cold as I am doing this winter. From the fn-st I did not like tiie idea of parting with my farm, but now I consider it my duty to make sacrifices for the sake of my edu- cation." Thus closed 1851. Greater tiials are yet in reserve. Writing to his brother in 18o2, Jan. 24th, lie said: "Circumstances have arisen since I last wrote you which made me de- cide ui)on immediately parting with my farm." His former illness consequent upon the measles returned with renewed violence, which induced him to endeavor to procure medical aid. " You will, therefore," he continued, "' see that it is m}' duty to sell, that I may be able to relieve myself from mj'^ present sufferings. I wish you to sell it for £20 or £30 (Stg.) if you can get no more for it." So difficult was it to procure money, that sometimes his brother was obliged to pay sissurers on loans twelve and even twentj' per cent. It would perhaps be difticult for a stranger to ac- count for this scarcity of specie, without an acquaint- ance with the social and political condition of the Col- ony. In P. E. Island the leasehold system obtains. In one word, — Proprietorism, like an enormous leech» has for half a century or more been sucking out the commercial blood and social comforts of that ill-used and unhappy Colony. It is the only one of the British dependencies in which feudalism prevails. That sys- tem has cramped its energies and left its resources • Augu««t 15th. 1862, Archibald followed to the Hpirl* world the one who had preceded lilm on the 20th of May. 1801, and was called upon to ex- change worlds without a moment's previous notice: age 37 years. ; iij / I ^ 20 THE LAST MARTYRS undeveloped. To this circumstance has been justly at- tributed the sparseness of its population, — 80,000, — the Colony being capable of sustaining 300,000. " Our daughters," remarked a father when before the Land Commissioners' Court, " may cleave to their fa- thers' house, but our sons have become wanderers from home, tossed hither and thither over the face of the earth like thistle-down in autumn." The gTundees of this abused i)rovince are grasping landlords, and the tenantry their serfs. The most ex- tensive proprietors of the soil, too, being absentees is an additional grievance. Her merchants are for the most part men of small ca[)ital or none at all, while man}' are but overgrown [)edlars. In a country, then, where the first-mentioned class is voracious and the second needy, the poor tenant finds there are Atheni- ans not born in Greece whose motto is — '' Buy cheai) and sell dear." The Gulf of St. Lawrence abounds with cod and mackerel, but the men of means, though fond of fish, are too feline to catch them. But enteri)rising Ameri- cans and Nova Scotians are not so. The Americans liave drawn from the bosom of the St. Lawrence trea- sures of innnense value. It has been of more value to them than the gold fields of California. For full half a century the snow-white canvas of their fleet, number- ing some years 400 vessels, each manned by from eight to sixteen hands, and coming from the South so far as Cape Cod, has cheered its waters ; and it has beer computed that not less than 50,000 barrels of mackerel are annually taken away by this Hcf^t. The winters in P. E. Island luc long and severe. The plough is usually stopped in the beginning ol No- vember, and is not stai-ted again till the end of April. OF eh<)MAN(;a. 21 [»en justly at- „,__ 80,000, mg 300,000. ri before the to tlieir fa- ndcrers* from 3 face of the arc graspiiii!,' L'he most ex- ; absentees is s are for the at all, while oimtrv, then, ious and the e are Atheni- p " Buy cheap vith cod and fond of tish, ising Ameri- le Americans iwrence trea- nore ^aliie to For full half eet, number- )y from eight ith so far as it has beep of mackerel and severe. ming Of" No- d of April. At best there is l)ut little money in circulation, and one-half of that little does not pass current be3-on(l the liniits of tiie colony. All thinjjrs considered, then, it is rather dhllcult for a student in Theology to procure coin there, and Avhen he does succeed in collecting any he is obliged to i)art with it in the neighboring colo- nies at a discount of twenty per cent. Yet the subject of this memoir, eyen while under the ))ressure of his trials and hartlshii)S, si)oke of attending Dr. Forrester's lectures on Geology, once a week, of takinir a weekly lesson in Hebrew from the Key. Mr. McCiiegor, besides ayailing himself of other opportuni- ties of im})royement. Occasionally the Lord was showing him tokens for good. In one of his letters, written about this time, he remarked, " I deliyered aa address before the Students' Missionary Society, and the Lord helped me so much that some were disposed to offer praise where none was (^ae. It becomes me like IVIary, to ponder these things in my heart. On the ()th of March I am again to address the Asso- ciation, subject, ' Individual obUgation to save souls.* The Lord can give strength and attliction, will tend to keep me humble as I lie lowly at the cross." Some idea of him as a student may be formed from the following remarks of Mr. Murray : '• Though his early education was extremely' limited, so diligently did he labor, and so great was his apti- tude for learning, that in the space of live years he was not only a gootl English scholar, but had made ver}^ respectable progi'ess in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and in every other department of a liberal education. When he entered the Free Church Academy, his at- tainments were scarcely aboye the average of fanners or meclianics ; in five jears he was in the most impor- tant branches not much behind the foremost ranks of 90 TIIK LAST MAKTYHS our stiulcTits. lie was always exomi)lary ainl faithful iu doaliuj^ with liis fellow students, aucl at tiie same time aff'eetionate and jjentle ; and he prien- in f^entle- ness and courtesy with his jrrowth in knowledjxe. Wt' all loved and reverenced him, and from the lirst reeo}:;- nized him as no connnon man. His prayers at all times, hut especially at the Students' meetinMAN(iA. 25 jriiawcd [it the vitals of tlic Si)art:in bo}'. " Tho heart knows his own bitteriu'ss, and a stranjjfer intornieddlcs not Willi his joy." On Feb'y. 27th, 1«52, he wrote liius to his brother Archibald : — •• Of all the trials throuii^h whieh, in the providence of (lod, 1 have been caused to pass for the exercise of my faith, those of this winter exceed them all. To iiive details Avould weary yoii. When 1 wrote to you last I was only (as 1 afterwards thought) entering upon a forty-days temptation. Ihit thanks be unto (lod 1 am now delivered, and Satan's proud waves have, in a measure, lieen forbidden to come farther." At a later date he remarked : — " I ha\e been g[reatly tried duVing the last ten or twelve months by some iiieiabers of Mr. McG.'s congregation. I was under the impression that they were silenced several months ago, but they appear to have gathered fresh strength. The conduct of one man in particular is to me wholly iniaccountable." One of his persecutors was a woman with whom he lodged for a few weeks. He became ill while in her house, and the treatment which he received at lier hands was barbarous in the extreme. But her name and the particulars of her conduct he never com- nuinicatcd. To do so, he remarked, would harrow up the feelings. The only severe remark that he made concerning her was, that she was poor, and as proud as the a})ostate angels. lie never used to mention even to those with whom he was most intimate in his own family, the names of any who strove to injure him ; but with the names of his friends all were familiar. But his male adversary was the most fierce and formidable. He entered upon a systematic com'se of persecution, in which he persevered for two years with untiring as- siduity, his last extremity being an attempt to influ- 26 TIIK LAST MAIITYIW f n"' '\ cncc the Board of Foivij^ii Missionw. Wo roj^ivt tli:it the riJiture of the esiHe julmlts not of its hciii*^ statiMl. Its history, inchulin;^ ly-l:ii(l plots, diaholicjil schemes, and forged letters writteji to elergynien, of which some were of the most einming and inHlirateful for their successful vindication of his character, and to God for deliver- ance from the teeth of wolves in sheep's clothing. To his brother he wrote thus : *' I feel a strong attachment to the Rev. Mr. IMcCr. and two of his noble elders — especially to C Uobson, Esq. — for their eiforts to dispel noxious vapors which for a long time have been aris^ing from those disturbers of the peace, who seem determined upon eni])tying the cup of social bliss, lapi)ing the blood of reputation, and devouring all with slandering tongues. jNIay God al- ways enable me to glory in [ill kinds of rei)roach for Christ's sake, and with a saint to exclaim : ' All hail reproach for Jesus' sake ! ' " Towards the close of these dark days he rocei\ed a consolatory letter from Lieut. Hancock. At a prayer meeting held in the congregation of the late Dr. Keir, June, ISSf), after alluding to the coldness exi)erienced in an ecclesiastical communion with which his connec- tion was near, he referred to his parting with Lieut. (now Capt) Hancock, by saying that had it not been for the Captain's cordial letters encouraging his efforts he would not probably have been standing where he tlien was. In the autumn of 1853, he attended the Theological Hall of the Presbyterian Chmch. The IVcjfessors in that Hall were the venerable Dr. Keir and Dr. Smith. The former finished his earthly course Sept. 22nd, 1858, some weeks before the session terminated. He was iN OF KKf)MAN'(JA. 27 Itcin*^ statt'(l. trt, (liaholicjil C'U'i'jjtynHMi, oi 11*1 in.'ilijjjiinnt is rricnds the I'ir siHic'cssj'iil I tor ik'liver- L'lotirm«^. To L'v. INFr. INIcCr. :o V. Uobson, vaiKH's which ost; disturbers (Mni)tying tlio 'putatiou, and May God al- ro[)roacli lor ►m : *• All hail lio roccived a At a prayer |ate Dr. Koir, ('xi)erioncod his connec- k with Lieut. it not been fg his efforts nil where he Tlieological pi'ofessors in Dr. Smith. |22iid, 1858, He was rofjardod as a profound Tlieologian, and eortuinly was ubmidant in labors. lie was venerated l»v many and universally respected, as was manifested at his jubilee lii'ld the year previous to his decease. Dr. Smith still survives, and is Professor of iiibjicai Literature in the College of tlie I'nited Chiu'ch, liie union of the Vivv and Presbyterian Chureh(!s having been consununated at Pictou, October . 1th, IHCO. From West Uiver, (K't., '22, l.>:>a, the subject of tliis memoir wrote to his brother Archibald, and statetl how mucli he longed to be again in Halifax. In allusion to the Fah'ji Queen he said : • The sad, sad account of the loss of the Fairy Queen you have heard. The event has pierced many a tender heart here.!* The vessel that bore that name was a little, old, man-trap steamer, emi)loyed by the P. K. Island Gf>- vermncut in conveying the mails and passengers be- tween C'iuirlottetown and Pict(ju. On the 7th of Oct. 8h(» fouMd(!red at night between Pictou Island and Car- liboo ; when the Captain and a part of his civw, aban- doning both the mails and the passengers, made oJf in tiie boats. The time allotted to some to prci»are for an exchange of woi'lds was short, for seven were soon |l)ltmged into the angry waters. Of these;, four were ladies, of whom two were the IVIisses Di>W., amiable, and '• highly connected." One of tlujse, it appeared, jwas soon to have been married to a young clergyman )f ardent pii^ty and great promise in the Church of [Scotland. While all the ladies were lost, some of the nale passengers escaped on pieces of the wreck. One ^oung man, however, wx^uld not abandon the basely- leserted ladies, and with a heroism that throws a fair md unfading halo around the memory of Dr. McK. shared their unhappy ftite. 28 THE LAST MARTYRS April 17th, 1854, the subjoot of this memoir wrote ilius to yvrchibuld : " I Jini now re<^iihirly through with my l*hilos(){)liical and Tiiooloirical courses. So you see wluit ))(!rsevoranc'e with God's blessinp; accom- plishes. I could not have thought of such a thing live 3'oars ago. Tlianks to the Lord lor all his good- ness. Though I suffered nmch, and endured many hardshii)S, esp(;cially one v:iater^ in a cold room, and at times witliout anything to eat, still I got up the hill DifHculty, for a kind haiul was near to assist me." CHAPTER HI. CITY MISSIONARY LABORS IN HALIFAX. " Ili'atlions iihroiid, and hciiUions at homo ; Nut t';ir ).■< tho tuioil for your mission to roam ; Our liis^yiwiiyM and hyeways, tlie stroets and tlic lane!», (,'laim tlie lirrft t;are, and will yield tliL- first <;ains." — Tl I'l'Kll. After the close of the college term, in April, 1852, the suliject of this memoir was detained in llali- iax for sonu; time awaiting a letter ex[)ected from home. In tlie mean time he visited some settlements in the vicinity of the city. At these he said he was well received, excepting one — Herring Cove — a Ro- man Catholic settlement, and where the people were very depravtnl and lamentably ignorant. A young man, a Protestant, asked him who God was. On one occasion he said he had a merciful deliverance from a wicked man wlio set upon him with two large dogs. • But though so long reluctantly detained in Halifax, ho afterwards saw it was for his good. The condition OF EROMAN ?tA. 29 of a large mass of the citizens awakening pity in his hreast, he wrote a letter to the Committee of the Nova Scotia Bible Society, suggesting that something shoukl l)e clone for the perishing classes. His letter was well received. Some, in particular, Avere very willing to in- augurate a City Mission, but found it impracticable under the auspices of the Bible Society. Discovering that a suflii'ient amount of interest could be awakened, could it be enlisted and brought into operation, he felt " unwilling to allow inttucntial men to sle(>p over the matter." Accordingly one da}' he surprised the ac- complished Secrettuy of the Bible Society by making his appearance in his otHce, as is evident from the fol- lowing letter wiiich ai)pearcd in IMr. Murray's sketch : *' Halifax, Dec. I3th, 18G1. '• Dear Sir, — I received your note of last cAcning, and will now endeavor to send vou a few reminiscences of my ac(|uaii\;ahce Avith the late lamented Geoi'ge N. (iordon. I wish it had been in my power to h.ave written at more length, as I always I'elt deeply inter- ested in the character and mission of Mr. Gordon, tlie memory of whose friendship I shall ever cherish, but 1 have not the leisiu-e to do so. My first acquaintance with him was formed about the middle of April in the year 1852. I was sitting in my office one day when there came in a^icrson whose exterior did not at first present any of those attractions which usually erdist our sympathies. He was apparently not much accus- tomed to the polish of refined society, but I soon disco vered in him a warmth of enthusiasm, an undying love for his fellow creatures, which was both rare and beau- tiful, lie addressed me as the Secretary of the Nova Scotia Bible Societj', and was desirous of ascertaining whether something more could not be done by the So- ciety for the benefit of the masses of our conmumity. He said that he had come recently from the country-, intending to prepare himself for the ministry by at- 80 THE LAST MARTYRS ■ ii tcmling n tlioological course at the Free Church Col- lege, and that on seeing the multitudes around him he could not but feel that some effort ought to be made for iiidr salvation. lie seemed particularly in earnest that something should be done for the lioman Catho- lies of the city. I told him that an effort such as he (;ontera}/Uited was, I thought, beyond the scoi)e of the Society, whiv ii was limited to the dissemination of tlie Scriptures ; but he was so earnest in his appeal tliat 1 told him if he would write me a letter expres- sing his views, I would lay it before the Committee. At this interview I was particularly struck with the in- telligence of his eye, and the warmth of his manner, and his exhibiting at this early period so much of the missionary spirit which was afterwards more fully de- veloped. " The letter I suggested was written, and is now in the possession of the Society, and I find by reference to the minutes of the Auxiliary that it was laid before the Connnittee on 4th of Ma}^, 1852, but no action was taken on it at that time. On the 14th of Ma^', how- ever, it came up for discussion, and I find the following minute in reference to it : — ' The letter of Mr. George N. Gordon was again read, when it was unanimously resolved — That the Coimnittee do not feel themselves in a position to undertake the mission proposed in Mr. Gordon's letter, — they are willing to assist him by affording a supply of the Holy Scriptiu-es, and they highly approve of the object contemplated.' " I think that either on this occasion, or shortly after, I introduced Mr. Gordon to the members of the Committee, and I soon found that after a short conver- sation he had left the same impression upon them as he had upon me. Several of the prominent members of the Committee at once said that though we could not as connected with the Bible Society promote his objects, yet there ought to be no difficulty in forming a separate organization and in appealing to the religious public for its support. This was the commencement of the Halifax City Mission, and of which Mr. Gordon was the first missionary. siia OF EROMANGA. 31 i Church Col- around him he t to be made irly in earnest Ltomau Catho- )rt such as he i scoi)e of the isemi nation of in his appeal letter expres- le Committee. ik with the in- f his manner, D much of the [nore fully de- and is now in I by reference as laid before no action was f May, how- the following •f Mr. George unanimously el themselves posed in Mr. ,ssist him by s, and they I, or shortly ibers of the ^hort conver- )on them as pnt members jh we could )romote his tn forming a Ihe religious tmencement [r. Gordon '• I need not mention to you his self-denying labors and faithfulness in this worK nor the zeal with which lie aided ewry good object, particularly the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he took a very acti\'e part ; these are known to you and to most mem- bers of the religious community of this city. Indeed, from the ])eriod I have just mentioned until the time he left our shores as an ordained missionary of the Cross, his life was almost a public one, and I can add hut little to the record which you are so well able to give of his daily walk and conversation. I could, in- deed, give ti-aits of his character, which became more boautifully developed d^iring his sojourn with us, and wliile I, with others, was permitted to enjoy his friend- si lip, l)ut 1 have not time to do so. I will, however, merely mention that very soon the somewhat rough and warm disciple ripened into the true Christian gen- tle in an. ''lie fell at his post — the first Nova Scotia mis- sionary martyr. The tidings caused a tlu"ill of hon*or among all the Churches of our land, but we must all f(?el that this very event is only a more earnest appeal to every Christian to redouble his efforts for those who in the mysterious dispensation of Providence were per- mitted to bicome his murderers. I remain, dear sir, yours, very . ruly, S. L. Shajjnon. " Kev. R. Murray." '' Dm'ing the first six months," writes Mr. Murray, " he visited one thousand families in the most danger- ous and disreputable portions of the city — entered dens of inicjuity, explored dark recesses of immorality which no minister of the Gospel had ever penetrated. He generally prayed and read the Scriptures in each [house that he visited. He established several prayer- imeetings in destitute localities, and originated one |R{jgged School. His representations regarding the •moral condition of the city made a profound impres- Bion on the religious portion of the community which i is not yet obliterated; and the result is that three missionaries are now employed to carry on the work with which he was compelled to grapple single-handed. i! i-il !l 11 III' ' I '5 If ' i'i 1 82 THE LAST MAUTYUS Ilis successors in the Mission find that tender and grateful remembrances still cluster round his name in the homes of the poor." Seldom did he meet with acts of personal violence. One day, however, he was nearly pushed off a wharf by a rulllan crowd, but Avas rescued from his perilous situation by some persons friendlj' disposed. On ano- ther occasion, having been turned out of a house, and the door being closed alter him witli great violence, his fingers were caught and severely bruised. The dese- cration of the Lord's Day, which he was oi)lige Mr. Murray writes : — '"• We do not hesitate to point to him as in many respects a model worker in this department. The scolf of the sconier, the sneer of the worldling, the galling condescension of the purse-i)roud, as well as the keen hatred of those who smote him with tist or club, or with the slanderer's tongue, he knew how t(» endure with the courage and patience of a martyr. Me feared nothing but sin ; and shrank from no danger while in the discharge of duty." The Missionary liini' self vM'ote : — "I met with most opposition, even t<» personal violence, at the Green Market, In ni}' mis- sionary visits I was frequently threatened with injury, was sometimes cursed and turned out like a dog ; but Mas never ii\jured save once in Albermarle Street," In May 1854 he drew up a report of his labors in the 3Iission from the period of its inception. In this he mentions several hopeful cases of conversion as the result of the cit}' missionary enterprise. Subjoined nre a few extracts : '* BRIKF REPORT OF THE HALIFAX CITY WISSIOX.'^ * * * * Hi * * *' It was not till nearly twelve months after the ]\Ils- sion Avas connnenced tliat I received satisfactory evi- dence of God's blessing on the work. I would tirst mention the case of an afflicted colored Avoman who died in a garret room of the Asylum, and Avho vvas sel- dom visited by any person but your missionary. T<» her my insti-uctiona were of some benefit in the Lord, and I have no doubt she died in Jesus. In her afflie- M ! hi If 1 : 1 30 THE LAST MAUTtRS tion she l)roiie of Refuge, already bear ample evidence that the labors of this Mission have not been in vain in the Lord. This then is not the time to retrogi-atle, for the Lord greatly hateth turning back in His work, but is the time for renewed diligence. The enemies of the Gospel are at l)resent more than ever active in doing the work of the great enemy of souls. And, O, shall they sur[>ass in activity and diligence the friends of Jesus I forbid I " God i 1 r. 1 f : I iw THE LAST MAICTVKS CHATTER IV. VOHEIGN MISSION FIKLD. »■• ill) jf Into all thi" world, nn Tliiw year 1 Hlept and woko with pain, I alinoHt winlu'd no more to waKe And tiiat my liold on lite would Ijrviik ISetbre 1 heard thorie Ih'IIm air tliey t-ontrolU-d me wlicn a hoy. They hiint,' me hoitdw touelied with joy, 'I'he u\orry, merry, hells of Vule.'' —Tennyson. A FOitTNKiHT previous to tlio closing of tiie .session of 1>^ "jo, the subject of this memoir was laid low bv typlioid fever. lie was at the time boarding with a iJaptist family, and the care and attention which ho received from Mrs. W. during a long illness, Avas never forgotten by its recipient, and is now gratefully acicnowledged. At the connneucement of his sickness lie wrote thus to his father : — "I have great reason to be thankful to God for providing me kind friends in my present circimistances. The stuilents sit up witli me — two each night." At one stage of the disease life was for a time trem- bling in the balance. But through the skill of Dr. Parker, whose assiduous attentions he received during six or seven weeks, he was restored to wonted health. lie arose from his bed a healthy, strong, in short, a new man. Becoming convalescent, he retmned home, and af- terwards recjuested his phj^sician's bill, which he sui)- posed could not be less than £10. It was sent, but receipted. The only eulogium we pass u^xju this dis- interested act of generosity — which is but one out of OF KHOMANCJA. 89 every crcHture.'* many — i^ moroly to incntion tlio fact. WIumv known, llu' iiu'ution of Dr. Parker's n.'iine is his paiu'i^yric. Dnriiifi his illness he thoujxiit nuicii and deeply o!i his (hity ill rehition to the heathen. We are fnrnishe Mr. A. Matthews iq the chaii* : OF KKDMANOA. n 11110 a honso. rivo the slioe- liner, Jind umv uhuiy known one." lien a triflinjj: nimity of liis IVecinently he d l»v tlistuil)- .'.H fire neither I he snbjeet of 54. A letter 'urd to the ef- il)loye(l as h itii whieh lie witlulraAv its •iniminieatioii he congi'eoa- i letter, from til respect to seen in onr ; and there I state thes<' few but the the resol li- ve directed rvof F. 31. p/i, 1854. fresbyterian agieed to. "' \st. lii's'ilrtd — That this ineetlny report relative to INIr. (leortre N. (ior- don. ai)pru'iiiit for the Foreijjfn Field, i)uri)()rtini; th:it tlie couiiTi'i^Mtiou oi' Cascumpec would withv/. Itcii( tired — Tiiat Kev. James Hayne be w- quested to inform this conijjrejiation of tlie name or names of the author of the above report, as we feel convinced that it did not emanate from a member of this congregation.' " It is only necessary to add here that the author of the slanderous report was a private member of the con- give an address on Missions in his congregation, anrl pronnised an audience of one thousand persons. As ill ! 42 THE LAST MARTYRS yot I have not acceded to his request. Some hunt :in;er [)opular ai)plause. But what is it ? A l^ubble on the water carried about by a breath of wind. May (lod save me from seeking after self praise. Were I to grow proud, I would be worthy of being cast out of the Lord's vineyard." At this i)eriod he was in receipt of £r<0 per annum, v('t on writing to his brother Archibald he remarked : •• 1 am not yet done asking jou for money. 1 suppose you think I will soon cease crying, ' Give, give.' I do not want it for myself, but I cannot ver}' well spend money collected for the Foreign Mission, except in furtherance of the cause for which it was contributed." Sometimes it was suspected at home that he was jiot expending on himself what funds he was from time to time receiving ; and it would appear such was the case from the remarks of Mr. Murray, who wrote thus : "• From the day he landed here, and while pursuing his studies with exemplary diligence, he devoted a large portion of his time to visiting the poor, the sick, and the indigent, without respect of colour or creed. Tlu'ce and sometimes four hours of every day were; devoted to this work, — readhig the Scriptures, engag- ijig in prayer, distributing tracts, relieving distress, — and all tliis done spoutaneously and gratuitously. A year of this toil was too much for his iron (?) con- stitution, especially as he lived in the humblest, plainest, and cheapest style possible, that he might ki'ep clear of debt, and at the same time have some- tliiug to bestow on the poor, who were ever near his heart." OF EKOMANOA. 43 CIIAFLER V. VISITATION or TlIK CHURCHES. " Not onjoyiiu'nt, and not sorrow, Im our (U'stinod ciul or wiiy ; liut to act, that I'aeli to-morrow Finds UH fartUor than to-day." — LoN(;iei.i.ow. .Iamaky 2nd, 1855, the sulyect of this mcmoii* wrote tlius to his brother Arcliibiikl : •' I received your note yesterday, and return thanks for the New Year's gitt. The Pi'esbjlery, at their last iiiceting, sustained my trials for hcenee ; but a letter liM\ing- been received from London stating that I could not be got away so soon as was antici[)ated, induced tJiem to protract the period of my licensure, in order tlitit I may have more time to prepare for the Mission field, by being freed from pressing demands to preach in country districts. I have now the privilege of re- nitiining here or of going to some other city for a month or two. * * * It is imi)ossible for me to disengage myself from the City Mission, Ragged School. 1 louse of IJefuge, and Young Men's Christian Association, and be happy. Still I am striving to de- vote most of my time to the interests of the Foreign Mission." Remaining in Pictou over the Sabbath, he occupied llu' pulpit of the Rev. James Bayne, in prosi)ect of which he encouraged himself by saying, " My grace is sutlicient for thee." l*roceeding to rrinec Edward Island he commenced liis missionary tour at the place of his nativity. He visited the congi'egations during the last week in Maj' and the pleasant month of June. Ilis last discouise 44 THE LAST MARTYRS was preached in the Temperance Ilall, Charlottetown. to a hirge asscm])hige. Ilis work on liis native island was now done. Ills last acts at home were carefully treasured up in a loud mother's memory. These were the closing of the gate, and his running off for some distance. At length his back was turned towards home, with all its endearing associations of boyhood days, — towards his faiin. once an object of attachment, — towards the gi-aves of many, whose tenants had grown up with and around him, — towards Christian friends, with whom he had held sweet intercourse, — towards the Sabbath-schools. which he had been instrumental in organizing, — to- wards the prayer-meetings, where God had been met. — and, finally, towards his countiy. Th}' native land ! *' Love thou tliy land, with love far brought From out the storied Past, and used "VV'itliin the Present, but transfused Through future time by power of thought. *' True love turned roimd on fixed poles, Love that endures not sordid ends, * For PiKglish natures, freemen, friends, Thy brothers and immortal souls." * His visits to the Churches, both in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, were of the most agreeabh' character. There was but a single exception. Tiie Pastor of one had appointed seven places in which he should preach, and that without his knowledge or con- sent. He refused, on account of inabilit}*, to pcrforui an amount of work so uiu'casonable, within tlie limits of a single congregation ; but for this he was in the next meeting of Synod held up by the pastor referred to as contumacious. * Tcniiyeon. OF EROMANGA. 45 Cliarlottotowii. low done. Ilisi Qd \\\} ill a loud ing of the gate. At length Jiis I its endearing irds his faiiii. s the gi-aves of th and around whom ho hatl [ibbath-sehools. janizing, — 1^>- liad been met. ly native hind ! light 1 lought. rince Edward ost agreeabh' eption. Tlie in which he edge or eon- y, to perform in the hmits 3 was in tlie stor referred The following, having reference to his visit to the congregation of the Rev. George Christie, Yannouth, N. S., was comrnunicated to the Presbyterian Witness: " The Rev. George N. Gordon is at present on a tour, visiting the congregations in the western part of the Province. His labors have been exceedingly ac- ceptalile, and it is believed profitable. On Sabbath, tlie 30th ult., he preached in the Presbyterian Church, Yarmouth, in the afternoon, and in the evening in the l>ai)tist Church. On both occasions the places were tilled with deeply-interested hearers. On Monday I'vening the regular ' United Monthly Prayer Meeting,* * * was held in the Congregationalism Church, when Mr. Gordon delivered an address on Missions. * * The collection in the l^resbyterian Church for the Fo- ii'igii IMission Fund v»'as £G 15s. 2d. On Monday Hjiiie of the ladies in connection with the Presbyterian Church collected for Mr. Gordon, for outfit, etc., £9 l."is. 4d." l»y the Presbyter^' of Halifax, on the ICth of May, [>ii)o^ he was licensed to preach the Gospel. •• He then visited nearly all the congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, addressing large and attentive audiences with much fervor and elo- (]uence. These visits are still fresh In the ^.ollection (jf our people in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. He made his name dear and familiar to all the Presbyterian Churches by his admirable corres- |)ondence in the Witness while travelling in these Pro- \ iuces and in other countries." The following notice of his ordination, which took |)hiee at West River, Pictou, Sept., 12th, is taken from the Missionary Register : '• Nine Ministers^ of the Pictou Presbytery were pre- sent, besides tile * l^ofessors of Theology, who took l)art in the service. The Rev. David Roy preached 46 TlIK LAST MAUn-RS the ordination sermon, from Psalm cxxii. 9^ last clause, ' I will seek thy good.' The discourse consist* ed of an eloquent exhibition of the person.Ml and ofliciid duties of the Christian minister. The Rev. Dr. Keir narrated the steps taken, put to Mr. Gordon the (jues- tions of the formula, and led the devotions of the Presbytery, as JMr. Gordon was by prayer and the lay- ing on of hands solemnly set apart to the olTice of the Holy Ministry, and the work of a IMissionaiy t<:) the lieathen. The llev. Pi'ofessor Ross then gave the charge to the newly ordained missionary. The Ri'v. George Patterson addressed the audience ; and the Rev. George Walker engaged in prayer, after which tlie services of the day were concluded with praise and the Apostolic I5enediction." On the 11th October he wrote to his father saviuu ; " By the good providence of God I have ended my Missionary tour, in so far as appears to me practica* ble. Since leaving yon I have ei\joyed mauN' favors from the faithful and covenant-keeping God. * * I have had my joys and my soitows, })ut, blessed ]w God, more of the Ibrmer than of the latter, (iod has. I trust, enabled me by His Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel with power to some souls. The seed was sown by a weak instnmient when the Lord sent me forth as a sower : but God can make it ett'ectual. The pait^ ing with several congregations was truly affecting, as in instances not a few the rolling tears of Christian affection manifested. Mj' special duty now is to i^ray that the seed sown, may be watered, which is the Lord's work. I have just received a note from a young person who professes to have been conveited at a Bible Class of mine while I was speaking on Esau "Weeping for the lost blessing. What a reward in the service of Jesus ! "As it is considered necessary that a missionary have a helpmeet I shall in all probability many in London. I have reasons for postponing. Several persons have spoken to me on the subject of marriage. I OP EllOMANGA. 47 1 have briefly stated that it was (loiiV)tful whether f>n this side of the Athmtic I should marry, bvit that it was likely 1 would do so in Britain." CHAPTER VL tlier saviuii' .' DKPARTURte. '• We Imvc tnivfllcd long to^fotlur. Hand in hand, and lu-arl in heart, liuth ihroii^rh fair and stormy weather, And 'tin hard — 'tin hard to part. Yet we must: — ' Farewell \ ' to you, .\n«tver one and all, ' Adieu ! ' " — MONTGOMKUY, Previotis to Mr. Gordon's departure a veledictoiy ineetiu}! was held by his friends in Halifax, on Oetobi't Dth, 18r>5. The account given of it we copy from tlie Preshyterian Witness : '' A deei)ly interesting meeting wan held in Temper- ance Hall on last Tuesdav evenino;. It was called on occasion of Hev. G. N. Gordon's leaving this country en route for the field of his future labors. llu* platform was occupied by prominent ministers and members of the various evangelical denominations of this city "' Shortly after seven o'clock the chair was taken by the Hon. Samuel Creelman. The psalm commenciui:. ' How beautiful a thing it is,' etc., was sung, and prayer ottered by Rev. Mr. Patterson." * * '"In the al)sence of Dr. Richey, Rev. P. G. Mc(ire- gor moved the iirst resolution, expressing thankfulness to God for the rapid increase of Missionary entcr- l)rises, etc. It was seconded by the Rev. Professor McKnight, who began by saying that the Missionary spirit was as old as the love of Clirist in the souls of men. w [\ I i i M in )• '. I i u 48 THE LAST MAllTillS " The iic\t, havinwn the overture to the several I'reslivteries for tlieir mature deliberation. At the Synod of 1841 it was resolved, by a majority of 20 to 11, to engage in u mission to the heathen. This was a. large and seri- ous opposition. In 1845 the sum of i*l 15 was collect^ ed to carry out the resolution of the previous meeting of Synod ; and it was resolved by a tnajority of (me to proeeeil at once to choose a hibourer and a lield of labour.' '' Rev. G. N. Gordon rose (amid great applause) to second the adoption of the resolution. Mr. Gortlon said : — '1 now rise for the tirst, and in all probability', the last time, to address you on the great subject of the missionary enterprise. I can with all my hoart second the resolution so ably moved by th(^ speaker just sat down. But ah ! I feel that my poor abilities are in no way commensurate with the dignity and im- portance of this great subject — a subject in which the glory of God and the eternal salvation of souls is so much involved. I cast myself with imj)licit contidence upon Mini who has said, Lo, 1 am with you alway. " ' The great object of Missions is the salvation of myriads of our fallen race from the dominion of the prince of the power of the air, and his debasing servi- tude ; the showing forth of G(xrs glory by leading sin- ners to a life and conversation becoming the CJospel ; and, finally, rescuing them from the wrath to come. The prophets of old were absorbed in this glorious theme. Prophets, patriarchs and aix>stles rejoiced in strains of holy song over the prosi)ect of the triumphal reign of the Messiah over all nations, kindreds and tongues. Abraham's joy abounded when the angel of Jkhov/Ui informed lum that in him all nations of the '!■ » OF KIIOMANGA. •i'.> r.'irtli slioiild be ]»losse(l ; jmd .lacob'K voice treinblod ill ('('st.'K'v wluMj lit' priMiictcd tliut tlio j^atlicring of tlu' IH'opli' sluuild 1)0 imto SiiiLoii. l):inic'l, too, prcdicttid that tho stoiu' hewn without IimikIs sIkhjUI boconie u iciv.'it nioimtnin Jiiul (ill tho whole otirth, — that tho kiuL^doni of th(^ (Jod of llcavoii should consunio tliosr offiii'ld, silver, brass, iron, and clay. *• ' The I^ord by ii;ivin<; up his only begotten Son to bo a ^lissionary to our errin^j!: raee, showa bow n(\ir this subject is to his heart. The blessed Kodeomer w;is a l()viiiart of his life. AVe learn this from a ])rivate letter addressed to ]Mr. Murniy on his arrival in Liverp(x>l, En:) "iiiadod that V It'll homo, is Master s a jijreat, an 'iisitivo am! lax without \ of his iit- idinjjf ill tiio of his life. 'ssod to ]Mr. land, dated during the ssengcrs in loway and Dr. Parker, from China, were prcstMit. 'I'hi' latter intnxhicrd liinii-cif to me to-day, :in(l threw sojue spMiks on my lindiT." We eldsc this eliapter hy iLiiving an o\traet of a IrttcT [)ui.lisheh(i Pn'shi/tcridii, sl»»)winjLr, us it does, tliat he was not the only one who coniphiined ahout tiie regnhitions of thi' Steamhoat Company : — ••On llie Sahhatli wliich we were on tiie oeoan piih- lic worship was eonchielcd in the saloon hy the Captain, who read the prcsci'ihi'il portions ol'the l>itur were three ministers of the (losju'l on hoard, any of whom would have preached if allowctj, the sng- ;^('stion was made to the Ca])tain, that some one of them he reciuested to olllciate. But it was ascertaine*! limt tiie I'egnhitions of tlu^ Hritislj North America SteamhoMt Shi|)s Com[»anv prohihited this, and re- (|uired the Ca])tain to attend to the matter liimsclf. ^^ hen a d«'sire "was expressed that passengers who iniuht wish to unite together in tlie ladies' saloon, in rciuling tlu' AVord of (iod, and prayer, miglit have permission, it was declined for tlu' same rea'^oii. As I'very facility was an'onh'd for dancing, card-playing, ainl various other amusements whicli would gratil'y the irreligious suid worldly, it was conclu{U'(l that the pri- vilege' of e([ual rights for all should have secured for the very resimetabie mimher of i)assengers who found their plensure in higher and heavenly i»ursults, eoini>li- auce with their reijuest. In the Steamers of the; Aiiiericau line we have imderstood there is no such prohihition of religious service, and no such prefei- ence given in favor of the ungodly ; and many felt that if it were at all practicable, in making their airangt'- nieuts for crossing the Atlantic, duty re(|uiied tliat that line which thus disregarded or dishonored God should not be patronized by those who loved I lis ser- vice and revered his name." f!,: ri .")t Tin: LA-^T MAUTYRS CliAlTKU Ml. .SO.JOLUN 1\ IIICH'AIN. " My tiiius arc in tiiy Imnd." OcnmKK '2'2m\ tlio youii}^ ^lissioiuiiy arrived iu Liverpool ; and on tlie ^^Jrd reaeiied London. In liis Diary the Ibllowinj:!; entries were made about that time : •• We(hies(hiy, 24tii — Felt much hin^uo?- in devo- tional exiMcises. Oil, lor the (luickeninii' spirit of <^raee ! ^Vaited on Dr. 'i'idman. Found him (initf aeeessihle and allable. Called upon Dr. Kiiip;, IMmli- eo, who re(jnested me to call ajiain, and mnnirrsted a willin;> »' Mondny, Nov. i'>t\\ — Met several IndepoTnler t. Ministers in tiie vestry of (Jrjivil St. ("luireh. IIe:ii I the \U'\'. ^^l^ Ilanlie's very interest itijij Missionary Afldress. llis success even j^reater tiiaii Mr. (JeiUlie'rf in rorniin.i!: u Chnrch in a short })erio(l. "Wednesday, 7th — Lectures pU'asinc^ and instnu- tive. Deeply moved on seein<^ a nnniiter of sulferin;; invalids crowded to<^ether wliile awaiting their recep- tion. "Saturday, 17tli — Witnessed much that was sufli- <'ient to c«)nvince me tliat the ills to which humanity is lieir are the result of sin. Tiu'ce deaths from scalds, ill the Hospital. Had a desire to speak to the patients altout the oiui thing needful. (Jh, lor grace to follo'.v the path of o girls fight. AVas distressed that I did not turn back, and endeavor to terminate the shocking contest, uud rebuke the ungodly onlookers. '• Sabbath, 2nd — Attended a meeting held by modi-- c^il gentlenuMi and students, for the purj)ose of read- ing (iod's Word and for prayer. Subject, John, -It ^. chapter. Meeting deeply interesting. Keturning sa.v an increased number of shops open. My soul w:.s stirred within me on beholding some parts of the city contenming (iod's authority. "Tuesjlay, 4th — iJreakfast with Dr. Pye Smitli. (•(juversation i)rotital)le. Pi-ayer before j)arting. "Thursday, 0th — Heard J)r. Adams on the hand, and Dr. Carpenter on food. Was agitated on hearing some of the students use profane language ; and had solenm thoughts concerning my duty. Oh, for giaco not to fear the face of man ! " From IJelle Vue Cottages, Grove St., Hackney, hh — is in my estimation the most magnilicent of any of the monu- ments which 1 have vet beheld. But while l)ehoklii)y: such I think of the beautiful sentiment inscriiicd upon a woman's tombstone : ' A woman's good name is her mom)ment.* The mi's day is nuich [H'ofaucd by al- most all classes — clergymen not excepted." The following is an extract from a letter addiesscd to tlie Secretary of the lioaixl of Foreign Missions : " T am now prosecuting my medical studies in the London Hospital and College, where I receive pri^ i- leges which cost a student eightj'-four guineas for a (H)mplete course of lectures alone. If 1 be not chtu'g- cd anything your tickuowledgments will be due to \ OF EKOMAXGA. 57 tin- Council. I lost nuu'h by not boiii«ij present two or tlirei' weeks earlier; but as the John Williams is not to sail before the sjjring I shall, if s})are(l in lu-alth, be enabled to eoinplete the winter term to mv iiivalualjle advantaiife. 1 have learned that ^Nlission- nries often find their medical knowledge defective in not havinn" studied anatomy. I am now studying descriptive and praetleal anatomy and chemistry under Dr. Clarke, besides visiting i)atients. My expenses in the dissecting room will soon l)e something more than those of an onlooker. On the Lt)rd's Day I am at my old work among Sabbath breakers ; and if I get safely tinough them without bruises until spring I shall be uiateful to the Father of Mercies." We take the following extracts fi'om a private letter to Uev. Iv. 3Iurray, dated London, Jan. 30tli : '' Xeai-ly all the ministers I have heard preach in this city art; Indej)endents. Their style of i)reaehing is very ditt'erent from that to which I have ])een accus- tomed in Nova Scotia. 'I'luv seem might v in the Sciiptures as expositors, but dellcient in soul-stirring energy, and perhaps in the wisdom that would give a portion to each in due season. 1 have not seen the author (»f the ' lioyal Preacher' yet, nor Dr. Harris. Tlic most })opular preacher here now is llov. Mr. Sjiingeon, a liaptist. lie has during the sunnner c(Vinuiandev righteousness, America, notwithstandinjr her native I'vils and imi)ort- cd vices has, l)less.ed he (iod. many riuhteous tens in all her cities, who are the salt in her midst. '* Tiie labours of the American ^lissionaries in Tur- key have heen spoken of here of late with nmch huuhi- tion, and have provoked liritish Christians to love and good Avoiks in the same cause. This appears from the sui)port granted to the Turkish Mission Aid Society, with whose history vou are no doubt acfiuainted. Jt is certainly to th(! honor of American Christians that they were moved with com[)assion for the |)erishing nullioj < of Turkvy twenttf-Jire yenr.s before liiitish ( hristiM- -, and seiit their devoted mi.-;sionaries to the Ka; .a time when prospects of success must have been sn.all indeed, liut that sterile field once bi'uutified l>y trees of righteousness which tlourished under the fosti'ring care of Christ's primitive vine-dressers though long overrun with noxious weeds, again piomises the hus- baudm:ni a rich harvest. Too long has the country of the Primitive Churches of Christendom been blighted by Mohammedanism, and the lioiiuin, (ireek, Coptic, and Armenian heresies; but their days are ntnubered. and M('in' may soon be written on their palaces. Th<' He v. Messrs. Young and Airey state that the moral no Tin-: LA^^T MAUTYIIS $ 1 i I ji ii Ml tU^'^\"A'A:\t\(m of the (Miristinns of Turkey — constitiitinfj: Ml)()ut one liiilfof tlio |u)i)ulation, and whom Hit; TurkH justly rciViii'd iis idohitcjrs — is (|uil(' iiK'rcdi))!^, boini; UJH'Utor ihiVA tluit of any other country in \\hieh they have heen. Sometime a^o a vessel was wieckod on tiie coast oi* Tin-key, and tlie Captain heinjij niueh con- (terned about 1h( safety of ins earj^o, was assured tliere was no dar.Livr siiu-i' tliere were no C'liristians within thirty miles. The Turks remark of them " tiiat they may have had a pure (lospel at some early period in their history, but if so, nmst have lost it.' Would that the intoxicated I'useyites who prowl about tombs in the couiire^'atious of the dead, there seekhijjf the way to the City of ( Jod, rather than )»y searching the li\ely oracles of truth, would ponder this statement, thouay adoration to pictures of the saints, especi- ally to the one oi'the Virj^'in Mary, which is frequently sui'rounded by liivhts. It is stated that on a certain oc<'asioii not lonji; aj2;o. one of the candles l)urnin<>' ai'duud a picture of the Viro;iu fell and set lire to it, whereupon a priest rose (luickly to extini>uisli the tlame. lint the Patriarch of the Coptic Church — who atteuvls a liible Class of one of the American .Mission- aries — bcino- present, said, 'Let it alone — let her save hervelf.' •'The American Missionaries in Turkey — thirty in all — are assisted by one hundred luitive teachers; and the cities of the Seven Churches of Asia,, so long i'dipsed are again receiving the light of the (lospel, which wlu'u taken from them as a punishment for their impenitenc.'. illuminated the Western natioir^. These missionaries are regarded here as holy and devoted men, who by living irodly lives have left iK^t only a deep impression of the excellence of the (losijel in its blessed fruits, on the minds of the Tuiks and so-called christians around them, but also upon the hearts of 1 1 OF EROMANGA. 61 oliristiaiiR from this country who visited thoin. Tlicre oflii be little doubt that the movement here in favor of this Society will be followed by the most ha^'py results in uniting tht; people of (iod on this side tlic water with their trans-atlantie brethren for the proi)ajj:ati<)n of the (iospel iii the East, for the conversion of Isruel. and the universal trium})hs of Christianity amonji" all nations. Antichrist is now urindiiiij; iiis teeth at this moment, and uot })ecause of its piesent magnitude <»r elliciency. but on account of its prospective result.^. '' In my hist I sjioke of Kcv. Mr. Spurgeon. I heard him last Saitbath morning in Kcv. Dr. Fletcher's church, and was surprised at seeing the multitudes of both rich and poor that (locked thitiier to hear thi' gos- pel j)reached l>y his lips. At an early hour the build- ing was crowded, ^notwithstanding the eli'orts of tl-.e cohstables, sonie say the doors were forced from their hinges by cn^wds of people, who. after all. could not etiect an entrance. Mr. S. is (juite young — not yet tiroitfj-ticfi. lie seems to study but little a learned style of preaching ; for he makes use of the most common, and some would say rough expressions, yet all with good ettect. Hie sovereignty of (Jod. especi- ally as ma,nifested in the election of grace, is a theme on which he delights to dwell ; and he believes it to be a false charity which can sympathize with Arminian- ism in any of its teachings. His text was liev. iii, 7. from which he preached the most impressive discourse I ever heard, and one of which Clnist was the Al[)h:i and the Omega. In letters he is self-taught : but in spiritual things, professes to l)e taught of (iod. I ve- rily believe he has those scriptural views of the plan of salvation, and a i)ower in preaching, which can only l)e given to a believer by the llolv (Ihost ; therefore I wish Iiim God-speed. I am told that Dr. Fletcher, whose praise is in all the Churches, esteems him very highly. There are, liowever, bigots ready to rebuke him because he follows not them. " According to a promise made to several Ministers here I hope in a short time to take the pulpit instealo<;ical (Jalleries of the Hritish Museum with much prolit. I enjoy excellent health, lor whirh 1 feel truly thankful." On the loth of the succeeding" uio!ith lie proceeded to Scotland. Thence he addressed the following letter to Mr. Murray, which first appeared in the Wilnctis.' *■*■ I took passage from London to Edinburgh in the Pn'itoess !\of/<(l, on the lOth of A[)ril. We encounter- ed a thunder-stt)rm oil" Flaml)ourgh, in Yorkshire ; but tiu'ough the kindness of Providence, arrived safely in Edinburgh, alter a sail of forty-six hours. The change of air atier a winter of study was very refreshing, lii steaming \\[) the Frith of Forth we had a tine view^ of the surrounding scenery. The Bass Kock, in particu- lar, attracted my attention, for it lifts it« majestic head many feet above the level of the sea. The ruins »)f an ancient habitation of the Covenanters, driven thither by their ruthless oppressors, are still visible, also a small villa. The fowls of heaven now claim it for a peaceful habitation, and by their ceaseless notes remind the passer-by of Zion's pilgrims who once kxlged there in solitary repose, and Ciilled upon the name of the lx)r(l. *" I was struck with the exceedingly beautiful ap- pearance of the city atid the surron"'^*iij^ scenery. From the sununit of the Calton Hills one iuay see the contrast between the Old and New town. Thence, tcKi, on beholding the mountains beyond one is remind- ed of the Psalmist's description of the mountains round about Jerusalem. I felt coustraiuei.i to say, surely OF EROMANCA. 63 tlioiv is not n soooiui Edinburgh for pieturesqnc l)omitv :iu«l ni!it st'onory ; imd such is tlie testimony of gontlouK'n >\ith whom 1 liavo mot from the ContiniMit and tlio Ivist. On the passage 1 enjoyed the company of a geutU'inan from New Zeahmd, and who at one time resided in I'ictou. lie had been intimately ac- (jiiainted with tiie Kev. IMr. Inglis whiU' in New Zea- hmd, and had been t(» the New IJebrides, thougli he did not hind at Aneiteum. From some of his state- ments I learned that IMr. 1. might have obtaimtd a goml congregation of Europeans in New Zeahmd had he not chosen ratiier to go to the- heathen. When nbout to leave, one congregation alone presented him with FiJ}tf po finds. "The lirst Minister of the Gospel whose acquaint- :mce 1 made in Scotland was the Hev. Mr. Thorbuni, of Leitii, \>ith whom Professor Lyall is ac(|uainted. I preached to his i)eople on the 13th inst., and subse- quently addressed two meetings in South Leitli. AVliile in Edinburgh I visited the Infirmary, Knox's Clmrch and the Scottish Antiquarian Society, in the INIuseum of which are to be seen the pulpit in which Knox i)reached, and Jenny (ieddes* stool, which me- mentos call to j^emembrance the triumphs of Scottisli Christians over l^oper}' and l*rclacy in former days. •^ On the last evening I was in Edinburgh I had the privilege of being present at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Bailey, who was soon to join the brethren in tlie Calabar Mission. Dr. Brown presided. Dr. Thomj)- son preached the sennon, from Joshua iii. 5, and the Uev. Mr. Cooper addressed the ordained Missionary. From the address I derived some valuable information. The services were all deeply interesting. l)r. Thomp- son's sermon was especially good. I would rejoice to see it published, and widely circulated. He clearly showed how few Churches are yet prepared for much success in the missionary cause, and the sins with which they are chargeable, such e. g., as the idolizing of men and schemes, and sectarian ambition, ere any one of them could bear a Pentecostal effusion of the Holy Spirit, or be prepared for the * Lord to come 64 TTTB LAST MARTYRS down to-morrow and do wonders amongjst us ' in tho missionary work. All ! sad declaration, hut too true ! * 15ut few C'luu'ehes are yet prepared for much sueeess in the njlssionnry enterprise.' A dread appreliension of such wei«!:lu!d heavily upon my mind lH'f«jre leaving Nova Scotia as sonu; of my frieuds there kuowl "• I proceeded to (jhisgow on Tliursihiy, and have since been tlie *»;uest of Dr. liates, whose company I enjoy very much. 'On Sal)l)ath 1 prearlu'd in liis ;ind tv,'o other Hi'formed I'reshyterian con_nrele object in the l*rovince, and wish that the same wisdom had been exhibited in Scotland. ." Dr. Syminiijton's eongrejijation jjavo more tlian £100 towards the John Knox, and the other Ileformed l*resb\'terian con true ! IIUJCC'SS lension caving I have ipaiiy I lis luul IS, and wliich, a ])ri('t' tia and rni von whom I mplntcd relation nitestiul t in tlu' ad beon id, there without for the they are have re- solved to be led anywliero rather than to those fields of labonr to which (jod is calling his faithful servants. " Since writing the preceding, I have been to the meeting of the Hoard of Missions of the li. P. Church ; and took the liberty of pressing the question — "Can yon not find another ISlissionary?" — They gave mo encounigemcnt to believe that they would succeed in obtaining another before the sailing of the Jolm Williams. Dr. li» and family accompanied me to Edinburgh, whence 1 purpose taking the land route to London — probably remainyjg a day at Manchester to purchase some INIission goods. The 11. 1*. brethren have claimed me as their own since I came to Scotland." The ibllowing is an extract from a letter addressed to Mr. Murray, dated London, May 8 : — " I have just returned from the Annual Meeting of the Bible Society. The Karl of Shaflesbury was in the chair. He looks as humble and as nnassuming a Christian as the lion. S. C. or my dear old friend Lieut. 11. In his speech he dwelt much upon the ex- cellency of the Bible as the inspired word of God, and pointed in terms of strong disapprobation to those who deny its plenary' inspiration, and cry out for a * new version.' The Bishop of Carlisle (Villiei's) made a noble speech. He believed that it was owing to the plain Ctdvinism of the present version that many wish- ed for a new one. The excellent Bishop was received with enthusiasm. I felt united to him in the bonds of Christian love. He is no temporizer, but a genuine Christian. *♦**»♦« " ' But what do you think of Scotland ? ' you may be ready to ask. Well I think of her what other visitors who had better opportunities of judging of her than I had, have thought, that she is the glory of all Chris- tian lands. But some portions of Scotland are blasted by the plague of intemperance. Intemperance is Scot- land's sin ! In some streets of Glasgow I saw two li- quor stores for one grocery. In Liverpool, in London, and on board the steamer I heard but one testimony " , ■ I GG THK LAST MARTYRS concerning the la])oring classes — 'Thc}' arc intem- perate, notoriously so.' That arch cnci.iy, wlio is ' a HUU'derer from the beginning,' cannot now, as he once did, destroy men's souls in Sccjtland by the maidens of Popery, but has discovered other means of destruc- tion in that highly favored land, — Liquor Stores — over which should be the superscription — The way to Hell! *' I have entered ui)on the summer term at the Lon- don Hospital and College. ," r. S. — Do not be surprised if yon hear that 1 am the ' husband of one wife " some of these days." Thus " Coming events cast their shadows before." CHAPTER VIII. MARRIAGE, MRS. GORDON. " Whoso iiudcth a wife findcth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord." Mr. Gordon had not forgotten in London what he said to his friends concerning marriage previous to leaving America. But it was a matter about which there would needs be many contingencies. His faith, liowever, was the " substance of a thing hoped for, the evidence of something not yet seen." Once located in London he was soon on the qui vive for an help- meet, and succeeded in finding that " good thing." When the prospectus of this memoir was issued the writer purposed devoting at least a chapter to a sketch of Miss Powell's life ; but from modesty and reserve on the part of her relatives he has not been furnished OF EROMANGA. G7 intem- is 'a ic once aidens estruc- ores — way to e Lon- it 1 am ft." ror of the hat he ious to which is faith, for, the located n help- lied the sketch reserve mished with a narrative of sutlicient length to form a soi)arate chapter, liut extracts from her diary will in pail make up for tliis deficiency. Mrs. William Powell has favored us with the following notices, respecting the connections of Miss Ellen Catherine Powell : — " Mi-^s Powell's grandfather, on her father's side, was a Ituilder, at B;)W, Essex. His son, her fathcM', while yet a young man, took the management of Mr. Powell's business. Miss Powell's grandfather on her mother's siile was a florist, at liichmond, Surrey. Both he and his wife were of an excellent family, and occupied an honorable ix)sition in society. Miss Powell had three brothers, who arc married, and still survive, and also a sister, who still resides with her father. She was born at Bow, on the 2;jtli of May, 1833." Mr. Gordon made the acquaintance of INIiss Powell under the following circumstances : — Some time in November, 1855, he called upon the Rev. Mr. Baiif, a returned ^Missionary from the South Seas. Mr. Bartf resided next door to Mr. Samuel Powell, brother to Miss Powell. On leaving Mr. Barfl's he knocked at Mr. Powell's door. When the servant opened, he inquired for accomodation there for some weeks, and was infoi'ined that such could not be afforded him. Not being satisfied, he bade the sei-vant enquire again of her mistress, and the second time was told that he oould not be accomodated — Mrs. Powell sending an apology for not coming herself as she was engaged with her child. This was surely sufficient ; but being a finn believer in Dickinson's Fifth point, he persevered, and for the third time bade the domestic ask if her mistress could not make room for a Missionary, at the same time remarking that he would wait until Mrs. Powell was disengaged. Mrs. Powell coinhig, and I i! i 68 THE LAST MARTYnS Ikmiijj: '* j)loasc(l witli him, yieldod to his rofjnosl." Iii tho course of :i \'v\y diiys he romovod IVom Hi'lh» Vue CottiijjfcH, drove St., IlJU'knoy, to Mr. Sannu'i Powell's. The residence of Miss Vowell's fntlier was distant from that of liis son Samuel half a mile, and Mins 1*. was in the hahit of visitinj>" her brother's house. It was on one of these occasions Mr. (1. brokt* Job's covenant. Miss l*.'s happy, (|niet an'h" woiiM 1>;' ciHod to llu' ^luii\ of a ni'>v hiii- ^•lajji', rtv. All iinniml could utti'st to the sw^'ctui'ss ol' lu'f aware, made t!i(» suh- Ji'ct one of earnest prayer, and set apart one day to prayer and fasti no-. Some time iu .laniiary the (jues- tion was dcci(h> 1. Not loiiiV al\er uiv sister's health declined — partly from excitement, no doubt, and part- b- 1 rom minj;led iov a!id sadness. So ill had she become that it- was thought the euLra'jjvMu.Mit muit be lirokeii oti". •'About this time Mr. CJordon went to Scotland. Tiieace he addressed a letter to votion : no spiritnality : Oh ! for warmer aspirations alien* that life that shall iiave no sorrow, and shall know no end. ** Wednesday, o — Health somewhat inii)roved : sj)ent the day at Sophiti's ; practised music : a short lime with IMi'. (J. ()h I that I could spend my time U> the <;lory of (iod the (j^iver of all «j:ood. '' Friday, 7 — At home : read the Scripture^ ; while ru?adin<»; the im[)ression made np. ; feel better. O Lord make me liumblt^, and submissive to thv will in all thinjj;s. "• T'.uu-sday, 10 — Went to the evening prayer-meet- ing. From several causes feel rather d'»presseil, " ' How can I sink witli such a prop As my eternal (ioliglitfui "f-", i 72 TIIE I.AST SIARTYRS I i ii i: i I I t i ! ir-- trip across the Channel arrivetl in Dieppe at seven » p. m. Proceeded to tlie lloyul Hotel, whence we had a commanding view of the sea. "•Wednesday, 11 — Started from Dieppe for Taris at eleven o'clock, where we arri\ed at half-past four. Took apartments in the Hotel Windsor, opi)osite the Tuilleries. '* Thursday, 12 — Visited some of the principal streets in this magnificent city of Paris. Asceiuled Niipoleon's Column ; from the top of which we had a line view of the city. ''Friday, lo — Still suffering from toothache; ap- plied chloroform without avail. JMr. (1. took me to a skill'ul Dentist, who extracted several teeth, and after that painful operation 1 felt greatly relieved, though suU'ering still from the soreness of tiie gums. '' Saturday, 14 — Health improved. In the morn- ing visited the beautiful Cardens of I'arin ; was much attracted by the beauty of the (jl roves and orange trees. IMet our friend Mr. Ashby. In the evening went to the Tuilleries. "Sabbath, 15 — Went to the Protestant Church in the morning, and to the Wesleyan in the evening. W'as introduced to Dr. (Juthrie. "Monday, IG — Visited the Exhibition and the Dome of the Tuilleries in comi)nny with Mr. G. and Mr. Ashby. Afterwards dined at an Ilot(»l, where wo parted with Mr. A. : appointed to meet again in the evening at the Uailway Station, but could not keep the engagement. My husband held a loug con\orsa- tion with a shop-keeper about the state of his soul. AVe close this chapter l)y inserting one or two ex- tracts from a letter addressed to Mr. Murray, dated London, July 15th, 185G : — " If the Board of Foreign Missions had sent me fortli merely to seek heathen, Mithout defining the term, I could have written them months ago, stating, ' Lo ! liere in the cit}'^ of London have 1 found heatheu — one viillion tico hunO.red thousand of them, who go ^ i OF ETIOMANCA. to no |)l;ict> of worslii[> I ' Now if any of the Cluirehoa ill Nova Scot'ui — espcciiilly lliose whose Missioiiiiries run :ii»:iiiisl each other in sueh pUiccs as Ihirvev iind liiuldeck — wish ii more extended and inviting lield of luhor, I Ik'ix to reeominend Jjondoii to their notiee. Aeeordiiiii' t.) :i statement Just pui)lislied on tlie liea- thenism of this eity ten tliousand souls would have died in it jjist year, ignorant of tiic way of salvation, had it not lieen tor the lay ageney engaged in Mission- aiT work. "Many Churehes have too great a number of empty [jows on ihc Sai»l»ath. Several things are mentioned as antecedt'uts to this cheerless and nielancholy state of the saiictuaiy ; hut I am disposed to believe that in many parislies it is. in a great measure, to be attrilmt- ed to a non-attention to the duties of the i)astoral olliec aeeording to the exam],)le of I*aul at Kphesus, who, with a heart l)leeding and eyes weeping over the eareless and im[)enilent, went from house to house, (lav and niuhl, wi. iiing and teaehing all men. Ano- ther cause is tl'v: eneouragcmeni given of late years to Sabbath dt'seerailon by pleasure exeursions on the Lord's d;iy. Wherever yon go sueh advertisements as these are t(/ 1)e seen : '■Trains run frejects than she ever can be in an imperial coach. The En>})ress would have ai)pearcd to advantage even OF EROMAN(iA. t:i tie oven tlionj^h she liu<] boon unadorned by r.uiny thousand pounds vnhie ol' jewels. The Emperor pH'sents the ai)})earjin('e of a man >vliom the rhiviiolou'i?4s woiild probably pronounce destined to bear iiih'. IMueh pains Avas tak'-n to exhibit th(j I'rinee to tlic pizinij: multitude. He was healthy-lookiuix, and had he been oldei- miulit have asked, " Is all this display on my account?' I'iie Sabbath was considered a meet time on vdiich to mnke a j^rand oxhii)ition of lin-works. Jiut accofdinjr to the real import of the teini liiere is no Sabb:'Jh in Paris, (ienerally spcMkimj; tiu; lirst day of li:e week is the laineipal one for business and carnal ])leasun>s. So their Siuuldi/, viewed in con- nection v/ith a future state, can only be used by them as by all lovers of j)leasure more than loveis of ( iod, as one on which to mako some kind of i)repnraiion for an entrance inb) a Mohannnef all kind.s are open on this ted by a novel siiiht — d clo^ied shop. One shop-keeper in- formed me that he took 1,000 franks on a Sunday : as many iis he iXM-civi d on the other days of the wtM-k put t^nieiher. The Sabl^ith is their cliief d;iy for balls aniiey as they exhibit when ari»iun<^" agMinst tl;e J^ord's day. Jhit thus it is : • because sentence aeainst ungodly sinners, under the Gospel dispensation, is not m n r'::< ¥. M I, I Hi ! i I TIIK LAS'! jiA..iifuj spcolily cxcciilod, thoy go on ubiising the lon^^-sufTer- iiig p.itieiico of God by spoakiiiij; and doing ovil.' '• Wiiilci :ii :i sni;ill Protcstunt mooting in Taris I met sc'vcrnl gontlcmon from Scotland and AiiiLTica. Seeing one wUoin I Huppo.sod miglit liave been a SeoLcii iMiMrliant, I inquired of liim if he JvU^Mv wliethor Dr. (iiiUii'ie (Mine to J)iei)pe by llie same i-teanier in wliich we \v<'r(^ Ijrought tliithcr, and was informed by him that he was the person. I had thns t!ie i)leaHnre <»f meeting, thongh bnt for a few minutes, tlii.s prince among moileru preaeliers. Ai'ter tlianking me for intro( hieing myself, tli(; Doctor remarked: "If wo give iiji oin Sahbatii in Britain all is gone.' "•Thougli tliere is much evil in liritaln tliero is also nmc'ii good. Wherever one goes tliere are to bo found pious inen and women, l)oth in and ont of the Kstab- llshnunt. who are unweariedly contending for the faith once deiiven'd to the saints, and dilfusing the truth as it is in Christ. Wlien the enemy, with his Infidel, Popish, and Puseyistical armies, endeavors to come in openly or covertly like a Hood, the .si)irit of the Lord is thus seen lifting up a standard against him. There is such a veneration and love for the liible in the ma- jority of !\)iglish hearts, and such an abhon-ence of Popery, 1 am })(M-sua(led thtit even thongli a lew more of Britain's rulers a\id Jiierarchy — several of whom are related to Popish families both in England and on the Continent — were to Join tlu; llomish ranks, and even tranii)le her in the dust, tlitit. notwitlistanding, while in exist(Mice, the country would be emphatically I'i'olestant. The excitement occasioned by the Koman r.iil) has t(» a great extent passed away, and English- men are jigain too mnch at ease over their wine and beer, while an arch-enen.y of the Po[)e is obtaining largo sums from the Continent tor the construction of more b'omish Chai)eis in liritain. He is playing his gimie more skilfully this time, by avoiding to tonch tliat ciiord v.hieh once vibrated so sharftly to his aston- ishment. Ife had forgotten that Latimer and liidley Rtill liM' in IJritain — that Smithlield s[jeaks — that Pishop Bonner's l*alace still re-echoes with the agon- OF EROMANGA. 77 izinj; cries of God's * slmipjlitorcd saints.' A fire teas kindled in Brittiin by dyint? martyrs tli:it lius never been qnenclied. The iron fetters were broken in snn- der, and IJritain is free. Tiie trnth luis made i»er free. O thou enemy tluit didst tyranize over kin^^s smd bind witli fetters nations at tliy will, thou art nt)t iiated in IJritain as tlu y of Britain sliould hate thci' : liut thv iron fetters are abhorreefore anht with much interest. The riesby- tery of London have doubled the number of tlM-ir con- grcjj^ations within the last few years. l*resbyteii:u»s here desire to be recoear or so previous to her acquaintance with the sul)- ject of this memoir she had been earnestly desiring a more extended sphere of usefulness, wished to ' ad a more useful life, and manifested a particular inclina- tion for teaching. [ ll I I 1 :!! 80 TllK LAST MAUTYIIS IVlvate loiters roooivod from tlio Ciipc of Good IToi)0, llobart Town, nnd Sydney, niiiiht he inserted here, but we give instead some of more general in- terest : — " On board the John Willkwiff, JS. L((t. t) 1 ' :)(] ', ) "i;. Long. 13 = , .Sejd. 21th. 18o0. ] *' TJkv. Mr. Baynk, — Dkau Sir, — F wrote a few lines from (irave.-.end on Tuesdjiy the 'l'2m\ of July, a.e({UMiii(iiig you with tlie sailing ol'thc .hihn WiUiauta, We left (Iravesend next morning ami ere the IViends of the IMission in th.'tt town had time U) make us a visit. AVe proeecded slowly through the Downs iuid Knglish Channel, for on the following Kridny we wcrt; onl}' at Deal. Afterward we were nearly a week in elearing Landsend. *' Deal, you are aware, is a small English town, memorable in eonneetion with British history, inas- nuieh as it was built by iree sons of Britain on the very spot on whitrh Cjesar landed, n. c, 5.'). There he met the fierce Britons, who struck tei-ror into the hearts of their armor-clad conquei'ors ; though the Romans for many years subsequent considered them but stupid barbarians, and incapable of improvement — just as certain liritons now regnrd sonu; lieathen tribes of the present day. Such parti(;s woidd do well to rertect upon the opinion the civilized once enter- tained of their ancestors while unblessed by the Gos- pel. They might profitably listen to Cjesar as he thus addresses Atticus : ' Do not obtain your slaves from Britain, because they are so stupid and utterly incapa- ble of being taught that they are not tit to form a portion of the household of Atticus.' But when the banner of the Cross took the place of the Roman eagles in Britain the estimate of the natives was modified ; and such shall be the result wherever heathen tribes • icceive the blessings of the Gospel. What, think you, •would Cicero now say were he, having awok(» from the slumbers of the tomb, to behold what the light of reve- lation has done even on the Thames alone — to see the commerce of the world floatjing on one river of >*' ■/?*^^'i*feafiTiifiaL'i?feii»r'g&a£ OF KROMAJICIA. 81 lluit siimll island — the land of the free and the hravo — and to see a ship huildinfr on its banks of the fol- lowin^i; dinuMisions : length 075 feet, and hcijiht (iO ; built entirely of iron, anJothing, in my estimation, ean surpass in magnificence the grandem* of some tro pical sunsets. It is ^ grand sight to sec the orb of " no connection with the introdnctioii of the Gospel anion"- them, lie hath said — 'God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Sheni.'' Tlie Gospel has nlready saved many tribes among ihcm from diseases to which they -were subject pi'cn'ious to its introduction. "Though still several degrees from the Cape we T)egin to east penetrathig glances towards objects seen in 'the eastern horizon in hope of descrying the long- looked-for Table Mountain. The first land seen after passing the Isle of Wight was St. Antonio, one of the Cape Verde Islands, which lifts its lofty head 7400 feet above the level of the sea. On a moonlight Jiight the cry — ' Land ho I' — caused a rush on deck. Kext day ^\c saw another of these Iteautiful islands, but the clouds settling down over it greatly diminished its beauty. 1 climbed one of the masts and gazed on it as an' expatriated traveller on first seeing his native country after a long absence. W'e would gladly liave landed, for some of us feel our knee joints becoming like hinges rusting on closed doors." Arrival at Cape Town: Letter to Mr. Murray, dated — "On Board the John Williams, olf the coast of South Africa, Oct. 8, 1856 : "In a short note written to you at Table Bay I pro* mised a fuller account of our stay at Cape Colony^ On September 30th wt sighted the Cape of Good Hope to the great py of all, especially those purposing to remain there. But as the wii!d kept increasing till it nearly blew a gale, and was withal unfavorable, we were obliged to sail off from the coast for the night. He, however, who rules the raging of the waves said to the angry billows — 'Peace, be still,' and there was 11 calm. Next day about noon we again descried the land. We saw the Lion's head and Table Mountain rearing their tops to the clouds. By a light breeze we glided gently into Table Bay with flags flying. I OF KROMAXGA. 85 .esp(K'bvHy tli»'> one linviiio- the motto — •• Mcssor.gor ol"' l\;iico,' tiiid bouriii^; the representation of ;i Viiruini8 having" been Hi.ii'nalied spread through tl.te tvit!ioiit feeling constrained! to acknowledge that the soul is indeed that which makes the man, for his stature is only about three feet. " ' Wore I ?o tall to ronoli tlie Polo, Or metf the oceun with a s])an ; I must be niensured by jny soul, The mind 's the measure of the man.' " At length we had to bid adieu to Mi-. Thompson and other Christian friends, among whom were Mrs* Pasick and ]\liss Montgomery, who are connected with the Baptist Mission in India. These embarked a short time before we did. They stood on the quarter deck of their own galhint ship — the SutleJ — Avaving their Avhite handkerchiefs until "vve lost sight of theni on the wide ocean.'* The day they sailed from tlie Cape of Ciood Hope was so fair that they thought if Admiral Diaz had dis- covei'ed it during the fii-st week of October he would not have called it the '- Cape of Storms." After a boisterous passage of nearly six weeks thej^- reached Ilobart Town. During the voyage they expe- rienccxl two gales, in one of which their ship lost a boat, and in the other the bowsprit. Two days pre- vious to the gale an iceberg was seen half a mile in length and about loO feet in heiglit, in S. Lat. 43° 10 ^ and E. Long. 4G°, at which time the thermome- ter fell nearly to zero. The foUoAving account of their visit to Ilgbart Town was given by the Rev. Mr. Miller i— OF EROMANGA. 87 " Tho Rev. G. N. Gordon and INfrs. Gordon — tojxo- thcr with the Rev. JVIr. Btirff and Mrs. 15arir, and Isaiah, a native of Rarotonga — arrived at IIo])art ToAvn, in the missionary barque John WilUama, Nov. 16, iyf)(5. The vessel was reported in the nioniino- as c'oinin<^ np the Derwent, and about midday retielied the harbor. Other friends and I going on board brought tlie missionary party on shore. Mr. and Mrs. Barli'became tiie guests of Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. nud Mrs. Gordon those of Mr. Rout — Treasurer of the Tasmanian Missionary Soeiety — a Society tliat lias lono- fiided missions to the heathen. After this visit Mr. and Mrs. Rout always clierished a warm regard for Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, with whom they after^\•ards corres})onded, and to whom tliey afforded many prac- tical tokens of sympathy and kindness. " In the evening of the day on which the}' landed — the Sal)bath — Mr. Gordon occupied my pulpit and preached an earnest and impressive sermon. He took part in two meetings held during the week — one in liobart Town, the other in New Town. On Sabbath 23rd he again occupied my pulpit in the morning, with a, view to advocating the Missionary cause. In the afternoon he, Mr. Barff and Isaiah addresscyl a large company of Sabbath School children in St. Andrew's (Presbyterian) Church. The assembly was so large that some schools with their teachers and friends had to remain outside. These, however, formed a second congregation, that occupied an enclosed place in front, and were afterwards addressed by Mr. Gordon and others from the steps of the Church. In the evening Mr. Gordon preached a missionary discourse in Coliijis St. Chapel, of which the Rev. G. Clarke Avas pastor. On Monday evening, Nov. 24th, the monthly i)ra3'er meeting of the Evangelical Union was held in lU'is- bane St. Chapel. In the meetings of this Union, held on the first Monday of each month, Prcs))yterians, I5aptists, Wesleyans and Independents take ptut. An address is usually given, and on this occasion it was given by Mr. Gordon. Other services and meetings, chiefly of a missionary character, followed, both in 4 r. t' i',11 H 1^! h' ! ( I '\ J ■ m II ■ , .:, I ;|S i 88 TIIK LAST MAKTVRS town iiiid couuiiy, ill which Mr. Gordon took part. IIo WHS invited to jidvoojite the euuse of ]Miswi(jus in two Presbyterian Chnrciies, and thns ol)tuin(;d contri- butions wiierc they had not usually been o'iven. '•On December ord a jmblic breakfast was jL^iven to the I\lissionary parly in Temperance Hall, in which addi'csses werl; gi\en by Mr. Cordon and ^Ir. Darlf. In the evejiing the Lord's Supper was dispensed in ]h'isbane St. Chapel* ; after which several friends accoin})anied Mr. (Gordon, and those associated with him to the John Williams. During Mr. and Mrs. Gordon's visit much interest was awakened by their missionary devote(hiess and by a consideration of the l)erilous Held to which they were proceeding." Arriving at Mel})ournc a letter was written to the I'Alitor of the Presbyterian Witness^ from Avhich the annexed are extracts. It is dated Dec. 15th, 185G : — " Early on the morning of November 15th, while the sun was making a glorious exodus from his eastern cliambcr, and dispelling the darkness of night from land and ocean, the mountains of Tasnuuiia wTre opened up to our admiring gaze. At the entrance of the Dcrwent — a beautiful river on whose banks 20 miles up the stream llobart Town is situated — our Barque was for some time becalmed. " IJeaching Town w'e w'ere soon apprized that w^e would have abundant work to perform, while remain- ing, in the delightful service of the Lord Jesus. It fell to nie to preach for the Rev. Mr. Miller. ScAcral members of Mr. Miller's flock were surprised to hear me speak on the subject previously announced by their i)astor, as the one on which he himself Avould discovu'se, and supposed it w^as so arranged between us. But it w^as merely a coincidence, though a some- what singular one. " Mr. Miller, like other Christians who haAc read the INIemorials of my late esteemed friend Captain * Rev. Mr. Millcr'a. union. OF i:i!<)MANGA. 89 Hti'llov Vicfirs, was $o iniicli iin})rossod by roadinj^ tlie uci'oimt ot* his (levotcMl litv in the .service ol' Clocl that Ik* resolved to preach on tiie lol!o\vii)y one of the missionaries present, on (Jhrii-'ilan nnfon, was well received, and some hoped abiding impressions were produced. '' Dr. Fry is now delivei'ing a series of able lectures on the past, i)resent, and future of the Jews. Seven or eight of the out-casts of Israel were at the first hicture. 1 went in company with a Mr. Daniel. Mr. D. (.luring his earlier years was an unbelieving Jew ; but subsequently was converted in Britain, and stud- died under Dr. Chalmers. He afterward proceeded to l\alestine, and his labors there among his bretln-en according to the fieah were not in vain in the Lord. Mrs. Daniel's health failing, the Society appointed him to the Australian Colonies, where many »Jews are sure to be found in search of the precious metal, gold. •• On Saturda}^ I accompanied him to thei'* Syna- gogue. Portions of the law were read wi. '= vjucli solemnity, whicli presented quite a contrast wi ii the irreverance of nearly all assembled, for some kept their hats on, and others conversed audibly during the time of worship. •'We had the pleasure of being present' at two tea- meetings gixQn at the opening of new places of wor- ship. The rooms were very tastefully decorated with wreaths of tlowers, and the Hags of the John Williams. On these occasions I was reminded of the last delight- ful evening that 1 })assed in Pictou, when the youthful friends of Jesus united the beauties of Eden with the Carmelite attractions of Nova Scotia, to render happy Ill l-i I ■ 90 THE LAST M.MITYIJS those present on that eveiiini; of socinl mid spiritiuil CDJoyiruMit. liy n'sohitions [Kissed ut piiMic ineetini:;s, and most eordiul weleoincs oivcii in privnte \V(! were led to understand that aniltassadors ol' Kn!j;iand or America in tlie serviee of the (.^neen or Fre icU'nt could not liav(; l)een more welcome than the humbk'st messen<^ers of King Jesus. " Two weeks and three days were spent in Ilohart Town. In tiie <2;oo(l pi'ovidenee of (iod I was phieed in favoral>k? eircnmstanees. Mr. Kout Aery kindly allowed me the benefit of liis library — stored with a thousand pounds wortli of the choicest literature — and showed me how to loclv myself witiiin. The Union meetings were of the most interesting charac- ter ; especially so were those held by the juveniles. Not any one church would have accomnKjdated all the children who assembled with their teachers. St. Andrew's, though larger than Chalmers' Church, Hali- fax, would not contain two-thirds of tluyii. Aged men from the Old Country said they had never, in a town of the same population, witnessed a scene so delightful. When the assembly within the church lifted up their voices, and the multitude witliout re- echoed the high-sounding praises of the Lord, the efiect produced on the soul by the united streams of melody was exceedingly blissful and transporting. On a subsequent occasion about 1,000 childreu visited the John Williams, among whom were many fn^m New Town, brought down in iine style l)y tJie Kev. jNIr. Strongman. After being addressed at the ship, and refreshed by their generous friends, Mr. and Mrs. Rout, tlie}' gave us all many hearty cheers. " Having expressed a desire to see the aborigines of the Colony located at Oyster Cove — distant fifteen miles — Mr. Rout invited a few fricnuls and accom- panied us thither in one of his steamers. The few remaining natives have an establishment i)rovided for them by the Government. It api)ears the}^ were treat- ed in a very inhuman manner by the convicts, and sometimes were shot iH like brutes. Such conduct provoking retaliation, the Government sent an armed OF EUOMAN(^\. in force to (':i])tnro thoni, but succeodcfl in only olttuliiiiiir one individunl. Subsequently Ji 3Ir. K<)l)ius()n volun- teered to <4'o on the perilous mission, and liy kindness — the key to l)oth the SMva7 : — •• Ai-i'iviii^' at ,M( ll)oui'ui' on tlic li^lli of Doccniber, ls;»(;, Iv'cv. Al'.'^srs. Howe and Suudeilaud caiuc oil to M'(»lt'ouu> I'lS, aud uiak(> us af([ualiit('d with the arrani)roa('liiu<:; Sah- lijih. We i-(Miiain('(l two weeivs autl :i hall*. s|KMidiu^ our tiuH' hetwt'iMi Mclhournc aud (leidoujj;, iioldiuii; scr- \ ices in the I'resliyteriau aud Judepeiideut C'hureiies. Tliese have aLirei'd to hold a I'uiou I'l-ayei-uieetiujj; • luartei'ly, ou beh.ilt' of l*olyuoslau .Missions, aud to extend their ellorts in Fori iu;u Mission work. ••More than 2,000 ehildri-n visited the Jo/ni Wil- h'iun.s. I \u)\)0 i.>;o(^v^ iinpi'essious niadi! on their youth- t'ul minds may be i'ound abiding,' lonii,- all^n* the ship shall be numbered with tiie thin,n-s tliat were. '■On the ;>lst inst. ti ^)reak^a^^.t was (^iveii us at Avhieh several Ministers «2;ave sh(jrt addresses. After- ward a steamer was in readijiess to convey us to the shij) wher(^ we bade our kind Irlends at ]Mel1)oarne an alleetionate t'arewell. The Ivov. Messrs. Ijallantyne and ]\[iller wei'O ainonjij the kind(!st of tiiese. T\Ir. M. was once a mv'ml)er of Trofessor Kin;j,'M coi)'ed to solicit the ladies to [!ro\ ide a Ijox of clothing for the benefit of the mission by the return of the Join/. Williu/jiL.H. •' 'riirough the goodness of God we arrived at Syd- ney in the course of six days. AVe were quite - Sj»I)- mncli. r trust wo iuivo done soiiio i»r)0(l to llio cause of our Master .Fcsus Cln'ist. We have all been busily engaged in and around Sydney lor two Sabliatlis. preaehini;" and ad{' these Colonies have beiMi slaughtered like wild beasts; and in<]uisilion ibr blood has not been made. Such atrociiics have l)een i)eri)eti"ated in Australia, bnt i)rinci|)ally ))V convicts. jN'oble ellbrts have recently l)een })ut I'ortli lioth by Societies and the Goverinnent to ameliorate tlie condition of th(^ ill-used aborigines of these Colonies: but for the most part these efforts have been too s[)asmo(lie to effect any extensive or al)id!n;4' im[)i-ovement. Tlieii" Jntemper- ate habits is one of the chief barriers ai>ainst mission- ary success. In many settlements Europeans left them in a nmch Avorse condition than that in which they found them. The aborigines of Australia and Tasmania are ra])idly fading away, through the influ- ence of the vices of nominal Christians. From the degraded renmants found wandering about the piinci- pal sea-port towns, it is quite impossible to form a correct estimate of the intellectiuil capacity of j)iany tribes. "The latest news from Western I^olynesia is encour- aging, especially from the Loyalty Islands. Lifu, with a population of 10,000, is white to the harvest. The agents of the London Missionary Society have opened a way of access to 100,000 heathen in \\ . Polynesia. The Churches here are in a special manner called upon to arise and take possession of the lands in the name of King Jesus. Several inlluential friends of the Mission cause are sanguine in relation to important results following our visit to these Colonies, From ■i' f ilia 94 THE LAST MARTYRS I* -^ all I have lonrat, however, I do not think the Clmrches here are yet pi-epared to enter into union to compass this graiid end. Probably the Presbyterians may soon ibrm an orji^anization of their own for the pro- motion oi" Missionary work in Polynesia. In the mean time they will contribute to tlie funds of the London J^lissionary Society, as the more elficiei^t way of aiding- tlie cause. " Since our arrival in these Colonies I have preach- ed to nearly as many congregations as I did when visitinir tiio Churclies in Nova Scotia, besides addre.-s- ing numerous meetings on missionary subjects — a work which I little anticipated when leaving my b^ loved friends in Halifax. In a speech given a fe-,v days ago at a breakftist party I spoke of the conditir n of the aborigines of this country, and referred to your example in Nova Scotia in reference to the MicMacs.'* We close tliis chapter with a letter addressed to ^' i Rev. Jas. Baj'ne, and dated, Tahiti, March 14, 1857 ; " I am ha[)py to inform you that the John WiUhms arrived here on the 12 th inst. The good thinr i of Provider '^e in our cases far exceed the evil. ' Uess the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his ben its.' Mr. Howe returns to resume his circumscribed 1; 3ors, much invigorated ; and Mr. Barff proceeds to Hi iiine. The French Government appear quiet just nov/ .i rela- tion to missionary operations. I have enjo ad Mr. Howe's company very much and lejimed a £ od deal of the native, habits and modes of thoufjlit inroujyh l^'m. I was greatly interested in that island. But a swallow visitor like me needs stritistics and personal observation before he can write on the moral condition of an island such as this. I visited the Mission pre- mises of tlie London Missionary Society, at which printing and book-binding are efficiently executed by natives. '' Previous to leaving London I was requested to write a tract on my visit to mission stations in Poly- nesia, and am collecting material for that object. I II OF EROMANGA. 95 have no reason to regret not rjetting directly to the New Hebrides from Sydney, though our passage was long and wearysome. Probably a deputation from Samoa may accompany us to the New Hebrides, who by their counsels and those of our own missionaries, will relie-ve our minds considerably from anxiety as to our destination. I have labored nearly as much in the Australian Colonies for the London Missionary So- ciety, as for our own, and trust some sincere friends have l)een made to the good cause. Yesterday the thermometer ranged tit 88° in the shade. The heat towards evening was oppressive. But change of diet seems to aifect our health on coming otf the water more than the heat." CHAPTER X. PROGRESS OF MISSIONARY LABOURS ON EROMANGA ' PREVIOUS TO 1857. '* Notwithstanding all t^at has been effected in the Tahitian and Society Islands, in transforming their barbarous, indolent, and idolatrous inhabi- tants into a comparatively civilized, industrious, and Christian people, I never considered this group alone as worthy the lives and labours of the number of Missionaries who have been employed there." — Williams. The southernmost islands of the New Hebrides are Aneiteum, Tana, and Eromanga. Eromanga is about 100 miles in circumference, and of a triangular figure. The coast is in general rugged, of coral formation, and has several large caves. The shores are skirted by a narrow, rich tract of land, on which are thousands of acres of good pasturage lying nearly 2000 feet above the level of the sea. In the interior, mountains, not visible from the coast, rise to a great elevation, and I 96 THE LAST MARTYRS , I ;s are clad with impcrisluxble verdure. Oil the low grounds are swamps which scud forth noxious exhahi* tions. Dillon's Bay is the sea-port, and opens to the northward. Captain Cook landed on Eromanga in 1774. He was, probably, the first white man the natives had seen. They treated him Avith so much kindness, and courtesy that he was at first charmed with their be- haviour ; but ere leaving them he became a victim to his own apprehensions. " The fathers," wrote the late missionary there," of some of those who stood around us on tliat occasion saw Captain Coolc, and honored him as the Nobu or Creator of the world. It is almost certain they did not iiiteml to have injured him when he fired on them." Since that sad era in the history of the Eromangans, the intercourse which traders have held with them has been prolific of the very worst results. For the most part, the dealings of this class with the natives have been at entire variance with all the generally recog* nized principles of right, justice, and equit3\ Every beach on this ill-fated island has been stained with the blood of foreigners, and the sandal wood itself has been taken away besmeared with native blood. A detailed account of the outrages perpetrated on these much abused savages would fill volumes. We shall, however, only insert a paragraph on the subject from Dr. Turner's valuable work, " Nineteen years in Polynesia " : - — *' The mate of this schooner tells sad tales of his brethren in the sandalwood trade. He names a vessel now in the group, and says that they fire upon every tribe that will not let themjiave the wood. He says they take natives from one place to another and sell I OF EROMANGA. 97 them for wood. Over and over again he assured us that he and his party never do such tricks ; but at the same moment his own boat's crew were tellins: our men on deck tales which, if tnie, made them out to be as bad as any in the trade. They say they get a cliief on board and keep him until they get boat-loads of wood for his rescue. After getting the wood they take away the poor man still, and sell him for more wood at another place, there to be a slave, or, more likely, a roast for the next meal. At this place they will pick up some other person, and off' with him again. If the}'^ take some Tanna men in this way to Eromanga, they will return to Tanna and say, * Oh, they were kill- ed at Eromanga.' And at Eromanga tliey will say the same of any Eromangans who have been left here. Dogs and cats, also, it appears, are in great demand at Eromanga. A dishonest trader will show a cat ; a boat-load of sandalwood is brought for it ; he tells them to bring more, they bring more ; and after all he keeps the cat and, laughing, sails off with the wood. In retaliation for injuries, if accoimts are true, some of these white men are as barbarous as the natives. It is reported that this veiy party now at anchor [Port Resolution, Tanna, July, 17th, 1848] took a Chief of Cook's Bay lately, first mangled his body on board, then threw him into the sea, and shot at him as at a target. This is a horrid trade. Every year discloses more of its atrocities. And yet how marked are the judgments of God on those who prosecute it ! Baling from a sandalwood expedition which was at Eromanga not long before Mr. Williams was killed, up to the present time, I can reckon no fewer than three hun- dred and twenty-two souls who have perished in the traflac." The first efforts at raising the standard of Chi'ist on Eromanga were put forth in 1839 by Rev. John Wil- liams. He perished in the noble enterprise ! Mr. Williams, with three other missionaries, Rev. Messrs, David Darling, George Piatt, and Robert Bournie, G 1 98 THE LAST MARTITIS 1 sailed for the South Seas in 181 G. At Rio they were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, and at Sydney, by Mr. and Mrs. Barff. On the 16th November Tahiti was descried, and on the following daj^, just twelve months after their first cnibarkation, thev landed at Eimeo. Mr. and Mrs. Williams, with two or three otiier mis- sionaries, settled on Raietea, Sept. 11th, 1818. Sub- sequently, this island w^as made the basis of mission- ary' operations. At Rarotonga in 1827 he performed that most wonderful feat — the building of the Mes- aencjer of Peace^ a schooner of 50 or CO tons — an ftchievement invested with ten-fold more no\cltv and interest than any romance. In 1834, after an absence of about eiijrhteen years he revisited Kno-land. During; his sojourn there he created an unparalleled interest hi the Polynesian missionary enterprise. 'J'hat in- terest extended from the King on his throne down to the cabman who drove him from a missionary meet- ing. In 1837 his " Narrative of Missionary Enter- prises in tlie South Sea Islands " w^as published. This book has had a wider circulation than any other mis- sionary work ever issued from the press. In five 3'ears 38,000 copies were sold. It was dedicated by permission to the reigning Sovereign, William IV. On proposing to the Directors of the London Mission- ary Society to send a copy of the Narrative to each of tlie most distinguished nobles in the kingdom, they acquiesced, and placed at his disposal for this purpose fifty copies. Having obtained a list of names of noble- men and others, he sent a volume to each, accompa- nied by a suitable letter. Gracious answers were returned. Through Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, he presented a copy to her august daughter, OF EROMANGA. 99 Princess Victoria, who ascended the throne that same year. May not the perusal of Mr. Williams' Narra- tive have produced a very salutary impression upon the youthful mind of our Gracious Queen — Victoria, Consort of " Albert the Good ? " In the beginning of 1838, thi-ougli Mr. "Williams* exertions, the Camden was purchased. In all £2,600 were expended on this vessel. On the 11th of April of this year, the Camden^ under command of Captain Morgan, sailed for the South Seas, having on board Mr? and Mrs. Charter, for Raietea; Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, ]\Ir. and Mrs. Joseph, and Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, for Tahiti ; Mr. and Mrs. Gill, Mr. and Mrs. Ro^'le, for Raratonga ; Mr. and Mrs. Day, Mr. and Mrs. Stair, for Samoa ; and Mr. Thompson, for the Marquesas. In November 1839, Mr. Williams sailed from Sa- moa, in the Camden^ for the New Hebrides. The last discourse which he preached to his sorrowing flock was on Acts xx. 36 - 38, in which he dwelt principally on the words — "And they all wept sore, and fell upon Paul's neck and kissed him ; sorrowing most oi* all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more." " Dejected and weeping," for him unusual, he departed. The last entry in his journal, like the Acts of the Apostles, stands unfinished : but the history of Eromanga is being extended. It standa thus : — " Monday morning, 18th. This is a memorable da}', a day which will be transmitted to posterity, and the record of the events which have this day transpir- ed, will exist after those who have taken an active part in them have retired into the shades of oblivion, and the results of this day will be " I i,^' ■I ! |;.i 100 THE LAST MARTYRS This is the last passage written by Mr. Williams' own hand, and Dr. Campbell, author of that able and deservedly popular work, " The Martyr of Eroman- ga," thinks he wrote, " though unconsciously, under a supernatural impression, a feeling of high, very high excitement." Dr. Campbell well remarks — The day of the martyrdom of Williams is indeed '^a most memorable day, a day which will be transmitted to posterity." His reception by the Tanese — with whom he lett three Samoan teachers — was so encouraging that Ills mind for a time recovered its wonted chlsticit3^ So sanguine was he as to the success of his erit^^rprise that on the evening of the 19th he even spoke about taking his family from Somoa and settling in the New He- brides. But on the morning of the fatal Twentieth, and just previous to stepping into the boat which car- ried him to the shores of Eromanga, he informed Mr. Cunningham that he '' had passed a sleei)less night from the consideration of the magnitude and import- ance of the work before him, that he was muc^h oppressed by its weight, and feared he might have undertaken more than he would be able to fulfil ; that so extensive were the islands which he had engaged to survey that many years of anxious toil would be requi- site ere he could realize his own designs, or meet the expectations of his friends at home." Before and after landing they gave presents to the natives, who seemed extremely shy. Messrs. Harris, Williams, and Cunningham, who had walked one hun- dred yards towards a bush, wert seen running, shortly after, by Captain Morgan, who was proceeding in the direction in which they had gone. Mr. Williams made straight for the sea, being pursued by a savage. On OF EKOMANGA. 101 entering the water, he fell forward. He ditl not at- tempt to swini, but dashed his he.'id under the water to avoid the club of his murderer. Aftc^r all he re- ceived several blows on his head and arms. " A crowd of boys," wrote Mr. Cunningham, " surroimiled the body as it lay in the ripi)le of the beach, beat it with stones till the waves dashed red on the shore with the blood of their victim. Alas I that moment of sorrow and agony — I almost shrieked in distress." Thus fell John Williams — the '-Apostle of Toly- nesia" — a man who had won the most splendid reputa- tion pei'haps of any missionary since the days of the great Ap(j.stle.of the Gentiles. * lie was born on the 29th of June, 1706, at Tottenham, High Cross, Lon- don — was bound by indeviture to jVIr. Enoch Ton- kin, ironmonger, on the 27th of March, 1810 — was accepted as a missionar^^ by the L. M. Society- when in his twentieth year, seven months before the expiry oi' the term of his apprenticeship — was an Independent — had nothing more than an ordinary English educa- tion — was married to Miss Marv Chauner in his twenty -first year — same ,year, 1816, embarked for the South Seas — in 1881 had seven children buried on different islands in Eastern Polynesia — had travel- led one hundred thousand miles — died a martvr on that ever memorable day, November Twentieth, 1839, aged fort3'-three years and five months — and now ill glory sliines as the stars for ever and ever. Intense was the grief of the Samoans and the Raro- tongans on hearing of Mr. Williams' death. But expression was given to feelings of \Aiy and forgive- ness, not to those of indignation and revenge. The * We mention these particulars for the bouelit of an}- who may never have read liisj biography. 102 TIIK LAST MARTYRS '.'« \ following is part of a spoecii dolivorod ])y jiii sxou. What about tlie work? AVho will stand where ^Vi]iamu fell? Who will go and eon)})leto the battle which he began? '^Brethren, 1 have been remeinbering the prayer of .lesus when he hung upon the cross, ' FatluM-, forgive them, they know not wiiat they do.' Should not this be our prayer. Now, in conclusion, I look to the mis- sionary and I look to you, and 1 tell you that the desin* of my lieai't is to Ijc put on board the next sliip that comes to our land, to be taken down to that dark land of Eromnnga, and to lie put on shore in the midst of the heathen wholnurdered Wiliamu. " 1 will tell lliem wiiat we once were, and what the Word of God has now made us ; and, it mav be, thev will understand what I say : but should I iaJl b}' tiieir hands," — looking tow^ards another Church member, he said, — '•' If 1 fall you, my brother, folloAv me ; and if you fall let another come, and another, and in this way the land of Eromanga, and all its people, shall be gained for Jesus, and become as we are this day through the preaching of His Word." On the following year two Samoan teachers were located on Kromanga, and under circumstances con- sidered favorable. Next year, 1811, the Camden re- visited the island, and removed the teaclieis. Much diOiculty was experienced in getting them away. They gave a sad accoimt of their i)rivutions and sulfcr- ings, and of the perfidy of tlie chief who had promised them i)rotection. In 1819 the Rev. A. Miu-ray succeeded in getting four Eromangan young men to accompany him to Samoa. These, excepting one, wIkj died on the pas- sage back, returned in 1852. Mana was one of the survivors. •I 'i3 OF EROMANGA. 103 In 1852, Akatangi of Rarotonga, and his Avife, and a teacher from Aitiitaki and hin wife, were located on Eromanga. " These native teachers," Buyn the author of the ' (ieniH,' " have been the means of subduing tlie savagism of the people, of instructing them in the Word of (u)d, and of leading the very men who nnir- dered Williams and Harris, to the blood of Jesus that cleanseth from all sin." As to the reputed conversion of the murderer of Wil- liams, he was a painted savage long after the late IVlis- sionary settled on the island, and is yet unconverted. The scenes enacted there in May, 18()1, are a Bufiicient connnent on the following extract from the same author : — *' At the station last occupied, Bunkil, a village about six miles from Dillon's Bay, the teachers are kindly treated, and their instructions well received. A small chapel has been erected, and about thirty individuals have renoiuK;ed heathenism, and placed themselves under Christian instruction." '" Mr. Vj\\\ finds Christians here," remarked the late Missionary, " and perhaps I may too some day ; but at present none but heathen are to be found." Rev. C. Ilardie, in 1854, reiterating a stf.tement to the same eft'ect made by the author just mentioned, wrote thus in his journal: "Sixty-seven, young and old, have renounced heatlienism, and attend instruc- tion regularly. Only one-third of tliese arc females. With the exception of seven young men who were at Samoa, who can read and write, none of these know much beyond the letters of the alphabet." These disciples of the native teachers were at Dillon's Bay. *' They will have it at Sydney," remarked the late Missionary, " that I am preaching to the Christians of 11 •■% I lOi THE LAST MAUTVU3 Dillon's Bay.** *' Some Mission})v'''rj " he observed on another occasion, " seem to know more abont the state of the mission than we onrselves do. They appear to bolonu; to a class of errorists who ' believe too nnieh.' '* When Akatangi and others were on Eronianj»'a about scNcn months they wrote encouraging letters to tliose who had sent them thither. They also ibrwarded " rough translations of Scripture extracts, and first class school books, in the Eromangan language, urging that an edition of each should be printed oil' hnnuMli- atcl}' and sent to them by the first shii), because of the desire of the people to learn to read ! " These " extracts " were the " Samoanized tracts," of which the late Missionary could make no use. Neither did he find one of the natives — saving those who had been to Samoa — who knew the letters of the alphabet, and he was there four years after^^'ard. At this period, it would ap[)ear, Akatangi was employed as a cook on board a Sandalwood vessel. One can well imagine what kind of translations would be made by foreign native teachers after seven months' residence among a l)eople speaking a language difficult to acquii-e. AVil- liams preached his first sermon to the natives of lluahine ten months after landinii; : but that success suri)rised his elder brethren who said it was as nuich as miglit have reasonably absorbed thi*ee 3'ears. The i)receding were the efforts exerted on behalf of the Eromano'ans previous to 1857. Before diviner an account of the labors of the late Missionaries on Ero- manga we shall devote a chapter to a consideration of the character of the natives of that island, as it is a subject upon which very different opinions have been entertained. OF EUOMAN(JA. 105 CllAFrER XI. KSTIMATKS OF TlIK CIIAUACTEU OF THE KUOMANOAXS. " Tho dark places of the earth are full of the liabitutioiia of cruelty." FA VO II ABLE. " I put in to tho sliore in two or tinc'o places, hut not likinij: llio sitiuition did not hind. IJy this time I hidiove the natives (;on(!oivc'd what I wanted as they directed ine round to a rocky point, where on a fine «andy heach. I stepped out witlumt wetlinj? a foot, in the face of a vast multitude with only a green lirandi in my hand which I liad already gc^t from one of them. * * They received me witli f?reat court- esy and politeness, and would retire hack from the boat on my making the least moti(m with my hand. A man, whom" I took to be a chief, seeinf;' this made a semicircle round the boat's bow, and beat such as at- ten\pted to break through this order. * * In short I was charmed with their behavior, and the only thing which could give the least suspicion was, that most of them were armed \\ith clubs, spears, darts, and bows and arrows." — Cajttain Cook, Avjjud, 1774. UyFAVOUABLK. " Signs and throats having no etlect, our safety became the only consideration; and yet I was unwilling to lire uiK)n the multitude, but resolved to make the chief alone fall a victim to his own treachery ; but my mus- ket at this critical moment miss- ed lire. Whatevi^r idea they may have formed of the arms we held in our hands, they now must have looked upon them as childish weapons, and began to let us sec how much better theirs were by throwing stones and darts, and by shooting ar- rows. Tliis made it absolutely necessary for me to give orders to lire. The first discharge threw them into confusion, but a second was scarcel}'^ sufficient to drive them otf the beach ; and, after all, they continued to throw stones from behind the trees and bushes, and every now and then, to pop out and throw a dart. Four lay, to all ap- pearance dead, on the shore; but two of these afterwards crawled into the Vmsbes. Hap- py it was for these people that not half of our nmskets would go oil", otherwise many more nmst have fallen. We had one man wounded in the cheek with a dart, the point of which was as thick as my linger, and yet it entered above two inches ; which shows that it must have i i J, • 'I ! lOG Tlir LAST MARTYRS I '' As soon as wo jrot or 1>oai'(I I orfKn-oil tlio anclinr to i; * woi^jlu (I, with a view ofaiiclior- iii^f near tlic laii(lin,n- place. — WiiiK' tilts \vas doinsj; several people appeared on the low rocky point. (li>playin,<,'twoour.s we had lost in the si-iitfle. J looked upon t'lis as a siuni of submission and of their want- ing to give lis the oars. 1 was, nt^vertlieless, ])i'evailed ni)on to lire a fonr-]>ound .shot at them, to let them see the effect of our great fJiuns. The hall fell short, but frij^htened them so nuich that none were seen afterwards, and they li'ft the oars standin<^ up against the bashes." — Idcui. "The Hrromangan.s tlions^h they bear a bad name, are ])er- haps the mildest and most (hi- cilo nativt's in this part of the world. If they iiave been .unilty of some .'drociities the icliife savages wlio lu'ovoked them are to l)lame. i'lic teacher * * menti\>ns us inducements to settle on that i.>hind~ 1st. The natives ilo no steal the property of the teacher liowever miieli exposed. 2nd. Tiie JM'roman- gans do not entertain the idea that Christianity brings disease come with great force, tliough indeed we were vi-ry near them." — ('opt. Coo/:, Aicj. 1774. "I was happy to hear from th(! liishop. wliom I visited on board his little \essel, tliat all harl gone well with isim since he left New Zealuid ; 'tit his crt'W, who had iml-iliid ail tjie dread of savages felt by tlie Sydney traders, did not disguiM' their satisfaction on luing at last under the i)rotection of a man- of-war. It must be admitted i at the sami' \\\\v.\ that the i enterprise undiTtiiken by ttu; I IJishop, who would not itermit I on arm of (uijj ihscription on I board his vessel, was one of no I little risk ; aiul when informed I by him that he had pi-rmiited ' several of the lOrroujangans whose hostility to white men is notorious, to come on board in Dillon's liny, 1 was ready to allow tluit it ri'tiuirtnl tlu' per- fect presence of miiui and dig- nified bearing of liishof) Sel- wyn, which seemed never to fail in impressing thiiso savages with a feeling of his su))eriori- ty, to render !>uch an act one f)f safety or prudence." — (kipt. Efiikine, Stpt. LSoO. '*Tiu' natives now fV)r tlu; most ])art fear foreig.iiers, be- cause too strong for them by tho use of lire-arms. Tiie few na- tives, therefore, which now ap- pear about the sea coast, aro sonu'wiiat su' dued, and ar»^ afraid to steal from those vho have mualctfs, or to injure them as formerly. '^^ * During the first montlis of (uir resi- dence here, they did not steal frotn us, but it is not so lately, since they have learned that we have nut the nroans of pu- ftnd land hav( aril 10. t> to e to 0X0 inih proi rhi of ( beoi duct otht not woo ftroi atno fear OF rUOMANOA. 107 nnfl (lo!itl'. Ilk' iriM'^t of tbf i«- liiiKltTs. Ilnlly. '!'!)(• u;i(iv(!a liiivd a y;r(';!l: (li-si;.- for tnissioii- arii's." — /\'. r. J, (!nh?ie, Nov. 10, iHofl. *' In th;'.t i; ]:\vA tlicn^ is mucli to rneonv,i'.;'i' 111, •,),'. It iipjjt'ur.s to 1)1' fi'illy opc'i 1'i»r (Mirislian exorlifm. 'V\u' ii ilivi's art' the niildi'st ;in 1 r.ior t dociU' on tl)(^ fjrouj*. an.l t'n' r^'-ipcrstition that Christianity i •: llw.' forcrnnner ofdiscasi' an,! iK'.it!i. whicli lias horn th(^ l)anii'r to tlio Intro- dnction oi'CIiilsiijsnily into the otlu-r islands of l!n' v:i"<)i!|), doi's not exist tl'Mv. Tlio Sandal- wo(;d tr.'.d' rs n;\\ s(^ttled all around tli" i Iwtd and live atnoii'^ l!i • niMives without foivr."'— /,7:;.-,'. (H. r,, ISoS. '•Then;'(lv.'s..,f CooU'.s Hay, on the tv'.st side of I'W'onian;j;a, hav(^ lon^4' heiu d-.sirous to have t('a(;lu'rs. A i'">v months aj^o Mr. CopelMi 1 visited >^ina, in the John /w'v.r, and niet tliort; a laru'o o:;nMo c'.ii'.tiilnin,!;' a chief and several people from Erro- nuinu^a wiio li;'d vMni' to that island iKipiti;.^ tu !:i't ono of our teacihers iht vv to return with him. Findin;.!,' tliat neither of them could le;)ve they pleaded that one of tlie erovr of the John Knox slunild iieeonipany them. The chief took a youn;.? man m his arms to whom lie had taken a fancy and seemed inclined to take him ly toree. Som(i time a.sxo throe eluefy and a num- ber of jieople from the same l)laee sent a i;ein in searcii of teachers. lie first Avent to Dil- lon's r»ay, hut the Missionary there had none to },?ive him. lie next went to Tana,, but the tea(^her.s could not be .'jpared from that island. He came to this island aboiii Lvro weeks ago, nishiti;^' tlu m." — /T- ?•. (ifn. A'. (jordon, June, is.*,s. '• If I v.ere to n late to yon sotne of f he l)lo()dy s^eenes wliieli have taken plar-e of late on tliis island, eil''cttd lioth ]>y fo- ri'i^iurs in ri'ven;.'.e for some of their p;u-ty who have he-en killed and <-:!ien, ai;d by th.e natives at some of thi-ir fi a^ts. you would ]i( riiaps tiiink our situation re.illy Avor.-e tlntn what it is; tlier 't..?e I merely f.^^tiee these eiit umslani:e;> witiioiit details. '' None of the chiefs liave yet i';iv(!i-t'd us in our w(jrk, and wlun I iuM/ of tlie terms • de- liuht' and "d'-'.-ire' used in relation to iliis people in their sujjposed vv 'lies for mission- aries, J oi" (i.'irse have my own thou-hls on tlie subji'ct. With the exec i.tion of those who have been to Si'.n.oa, and two or three m m-.'. so deli!j:lited are the natives li. re with a nn^^ion- ary, that lln'y will not assist me in beJldini^a house, ori^ive me even a y;nn or tiiro wilJiout l)ayment; aial the principal chief s[)(ken of as wantinj.^ a mission;' ry woidd not consent to allow iiie a iiath in a suitahlf phnu' to tlie mountain, th.ouj.di death was siiirinjA' us in the f :ee. aiul I Wc ^ oMij^ed to i)ure!;a.'e the ])rivjh.'j,e of a jiatli frive the t:lu)ico.st of their hiiid to them, jiiid eiulciivor to make them eomfortahle. lie was present on the Sahluith day and heard me f^ive an account of ^ Jo/ni Kno.c's' voyage, and mention the nan.es of \\w teachers who were to jro to 'I'ana, when he was told that none were an- nounced for Erroman.i>a, he Inirst into ti-ars, and was so oveiconK'. that one of our El- ders spent tile remainder of the (hiv with him endeavorinif to console him. Wlien w U'e sucli instances of intense (iesire for the AVord of (iod, we are wiirranted in numberin<»' Erro- TiKiuya atiiong' the isles that are waitinijf for tlie law." — Idem, (hi., mw. fore, am not in the least disap- point(!d." — Jdcm. " Were I to give you a cata- logue (d" the crimes winch thi.s peo[)le have comn\itted upon foreigners and among them- selves for the last three years you would be astonislied; and will not he sur{)rised to learn that (jiod has cut off two-thirds of them, in some settlements, if not in all. This terrible judgment will. T trust, open up Tana and Eromanga to the Gos- pel which, hitherto, have been so obstinately shut against it. A few idle, vagrant lads come about a missionary on an island like this, v.hich are our first material to v-'ork u])on. Their d'H'eption is so great that our lirst hopes of tliem vanish, hav- ing been ill founded. The chiefs am.! heads of families have ever opposed the word of (Jod since the time when they first began to understand it." — Idem, April, i8()l. TIio preceding extracts, excepting the first two or tliree, were tukeii from letters published in the periodi- cals of tlie Cliiirch. We clox' tlu' cha[>ter by inserting an extract of a letter v/rilten to Mr. Murray, dated Dillon's Bay, Nov. •20, IS;")?: — "As \x>ii have no doubt read in several missionary rejiorts of i;I;c desii-e of the Eromangans I'or mission- aries, iind perhaps of their delight on the leception of one, I irhnI not say much for your information on that point farther than this, to assure you that such state- ments are true onl}- of the young men who Avere several years under the care of Rev. Mr. Turner, in Samoa, and perha])s of one or two more. Not one of the fonr chiefs at Dillon's Bay has shown nie any personal OF EUOMAXGA. 109 favor, excepting one who gave me a part of a cocoa* nut a few days ngo when I was at his residence. Were it not for the young men just mentioned, our situation would be very trying. *' Infanticide, war and cannibalism, etc., are among the dark tliiisgs i)ractised by this pe()})h'. The ^ery stones of oiu- nnssion premises were stained a few days ago by the blood of those who had been slaughtered for a feast. Nevertheless some of the natives ai'e friendly to visitors \vlu?n tliev treat them kindly. "Tlie chief who killed Mr. Williams, and v,' ho is vet a painted savnge, showed me a few days ago the spot where he first met him in the bush, and struck him with his chib. He ai)})eared quite iii: Nova Scotia it would ap[)ear he had sometimes spoken about ICroman- ga as an island on which he desired to l-e located. In an article that appeared in the Record of November, 18G1, it was stated: " Mr. Gordon's henit jiad long ])een set on that island as a field of labor, and he had made it the su])ject of many prayers." Tiie inform- ation offered iri this extract was unknown e^ en to his oldest brother, with whom he had conversed fully and freely up to tiie ])eriod of his departure. But even though it were so he had not the choice of his own field of labour. Under date, Nov. 10, 1856, Rev. J. Geddie wrote : " In the meantime we are do- ing what we can to prepare the way for the settlement of Mr. Gordon on Tanna." And on (he 22nd of April : " W(3 still look to Tanna as Mr. (Gordon's field of labour." And while at Molua, Upolu, Samoa, when on his way to the New Hebrides, he v:as for some time employed in analyzing and copying a ^ocabi'.lary of a Tanese dialect, tliat had been prepared In- the Rev. Messrs. Turner nud Nisbet. On the oth of tJune, 1857, the John Williams arrived at Aneiteum, having on board llev. I\Iessrs. Ilarbut and Drummond, a deputation from Samoa, and Mr. and Mrs. Gor<]on. After four days spent on Anei- teum, the l)rethren embarked for Tana. Tana was fo hi OF EllOMANGA. Ill found unprepared ; and being closed against them, '' tiie brethren from Samoa," wrote Mr. G., " and Messrs. Geddie and Ingles advised Mrs. Gordon and me to proceed to Eromanga, to see if the Lord would not open a better door for us on that island than is open on cither Tana or Fotuna." The following is from the journal of Rev. J. Geddie : — • *'June 13th. To-day Miaki, Nauwar, Kuanw^an, and other persons of intluence, came off to the ship at our request to consult about the settlement of a mis- sionary. * * We urged our Tana friends to deal candidly and honestly with, us and to do nothing to deceive us. They told us it would be well to delay the settlement of a missionary at Tort Resolution at present. lie would liave nothing to api)rehend from the people at the harbour, but there are seAcral inland districts ()i)posed to missionaries, under the impression that they cause disease and death. The strongest op- position was expected from a district called Kasuru- mene in the vicinity of the volcano, where there is a large number of sacred men. It was the people of this district who formerly made war on the people of 1*011; Resolution, because they would not kill the mis- sionaries Turner and Nisbet. It was their opinion that in the mean time we should settle Aneiteum teachers in several of the inland districts, and this would prepare ^he way for a safe and hopefid settle- ment of a missionary. And Miaki very candidly told us tliat he wished to be a little more enlightened him- self, that in the event of anj'- opposition to a mission- ary or the cause he might not be faint-hearted in the defence of either. We could scarcely have visited Tana at a more unfavorable time than after a severe epidemic ; but it is well that we have seen things in their worst aspect. Under these circumstances we thought it inexpedient to settle Mr. Gordon at Port Resolution, especially as there were other doors of usefulness open to him. 112 THE LAST MARTYRS " JuiiG 19th. Our first object at Dillon's Bay wms to see the principal chief Nawan, but we were sorry to learn that he was not at homo. lie had gone to another part of the island to consult with his brother chiefs about a war wliich had been going on for some time. We sent for him but his friends would not con- sent to his leaving them, lie sent word to us tliat he wished IMr. Goi'don to remain and occupy the piece of land which he had formerly given to the toacliers. Tlie people also were most anxious for a missionary. — Under these circumstances we felt no diill julty in re- commen liiio: Eromangja to Mr. Gordon as a field of labour, and he approved of it himself. "■ On the afternoon of Wednesday, the I7l;li inst., all the supplies belonging to IVlr. Gordon being landed we went on slioro to visit him in his own liouse. Our party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Ilarbut, Mr. and ]Mrs. Ingles, Mr. Drummond, Capt. Williams, and myself. After an early tea we had a prayer-meeting, wliich in our circumstances was A'cry solenm. Our brethren and sisters then bade us adieu, and the Jolui WlUtanis was soon under way for the other islands. Instead of going to the John Knox 1 spent the night on shore with Mr. and jSIrs. Gordon, which was their first night on Eromanga. It was pleasing to see them so com- fortable in tlieir new home." We close the chapter with the account of the vo3'age from Apia to Aneiteum, as given by the subject of the memoir, and of the labors of himself and his partner on Eromanga, during the first five weeks of their residence on that island : — " On the 20th of May, after attending a large I'llay- meeting at Apia, addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Turner, Ilarbut, Murray, Drummond, Mr. Ella, and myself, we sailed /or Western Polynesia, and called the next day at Savaii, the largest island of the Sa" moan group, where we spent a few hours pleasantly with the Rev. Mr. Pi'att. Soon after we were ofl' for Aneiteum, having on board Rev. Messrs. Drummond OF EROMANQA. 113 and Ilarbnt — a visiting deputation from the Samoan bretlu'en to the Western Islands. Mrs. Harbut and two cliildren accompanied Mr. Harbut. We had plea- sant weather and favorable winds till the third of June^ when at midnight we were suddenly overtaken by a iuuTicane, while our barque was under lull canvas. * All hands on deck ! Let go the topsail sheets ! ' soon reechoed through our trembling barque, awaking the l)assengers, who felt the ship going over on her beam- ends. The sheets having been let go she soon righted again, and skipped over the mountain billows, as if she were a flying fish ; but while mnning before the fierce wind, two of her topsails, ere they could be taken in, were torn to pieces. When thus driven off to leeward, we were only about forty miles from Anei- teuni : thus our anxious expectations of seeing our dear b/ethren there on tlie following day could not be realized. On the evening of the fourth we got the first sight of long-looked-for Aneiteum, by flashes of lifjhimng,* and on the following day at even, we anchored in the harbor, thus having abundant cause tor thanksgiving for our own safe preservation and that of the missionaries and their families, whom we found in health and prosperity. The captain stated that if the wind had not changed at the time the squall struck the ship we would have been in danger of being shi[)- wrecked on Aneiteum. Mr. Inglis came to us on the following day. After- ward Mrs. Gordon and I went round with him to his Mission premises, where we spent the Sabbath and part of the next day »'ery agreeably and profitabh'. My expectations in relation to the prosperity of the Mission on this island were high ; and as regards the moral and physical improvements effected on it they have been fully realized. Mr. Inglis' and Mr. Ged- die's Mission premises are set off very tastefully. The educational building is very suitable for the object for which it was built, and one of the doors has for a step- ping stone one of the idols of Aneiteum. Mr. Geddie ■jj. n * The italics are our own.— Au. H 114 THE LAST MARTYllS ,i I Jooks cxeeodiii^ly moII, and Mrs. Ccddie is also healthy and active in the Lord's work." '*0n the 10th, liaving got some scantling, poles, and rods for a lioiise, on board, Ave sailed for Fotnna, on our way to Tana and Eronianga, having in addition to our party Mr. and IVIrs. Inglis, and Mr. Geddie in the little; Knox, with which he seems exceedingly pleased. On the 11th we landed at Fotuna, and met the teachers and two or three hundred of its savage natives, with whom we were neariij all very nnfavor- al)ly impressed. They were iu a state of nudity and all were armed. For the most part they refused to allow us to touch any of their weapons or to shake hands with them. The late sickness which visited this island nnd the neighboring islands has left an unfjivor- able impression on the heathen mind in relation to Christianity. •• In so far as wo conld learn the Aneiteumese have not produced any change for the better on the natives of Fotuna though the island is more in proximity' with Aneiteum than any of the others, and teachers from Aneiteum have been laboring on it for several years. That 'their hearts are open to' receive the Word of God,' as I have seen somewhere stated, seems to lune no foundation in fact, and shows how liable teachers iire to err in their judgments in the reports which they give to missionaries. After the baptism of one of the teacher's children, and a few efforts were made at la- vorably impressing these savages in regard to the nature of our peaceful mission, we sailed for Port He- sohitiou. On arriving there next morning we were exceedingly delighted with the appearance of an island ' Where every prospect pleases, And only man is vile.' *' Wc found the natives of Tana in a state similar to that in which the Kev. Messrs. Turner and Nisbet had left them fourteen years previous ; viz., a few werp f*»- vorable, but the great majority were unfavorable to Christianity. The statements of the teacliers concern- ing the state of the natives, did not differ materially OP EROMANGA. 115 from the accounts given by former teachers. I believe we must look to the missionaries who miiy be Jiere- aller located on Tana for reliable re])orts concerning the natives of this island, and the amount of intluence for good which the teachers may have exerted. 1 wouhi not have had any objections to commencing missionary operations on this island had God in his providence not called me to Eromanga. "After receiving an unfavorable answer from the chiefs, on the evening of the loih we sailed for Dil- lon's Bay, where we anchored on the Lord's day. On encjuiry, we discovered that thougli tlie natives were then engaged in war, there was no direct opposition to the landing of a missionary. Accordingly on the 1 7m Mrs. Gordon and I with the native teachers and tluiir wives, landed on the shores known to the world as tin; place where Williams and Harris lost their lives in th<5 mission cause. After a solemn prayer-meeting o\ir dear bretlu'en bade us an affectionate farewell ; but Mr. Geddie did not leave till the following day. '• Up to the present time, (July 24th,) we have been prosecuting our work with some success. Mana, an Eromangan who lived in Samoa for several years, is bv far the most valuable assistant which I have, excepting Ilea, a Samoan teacher, whom Mr. GeddiM, Sept. 22, 185(1. '• Tlio Avork on the other is- Inids. so far as we know, is in :i hopeful state. Our latest news from the teachers residin}^' on them is eneourajiinj;. * * These simple and devoted men have been honored ])v (Jod to do much in prei)arinnnpathies and prayers of the Church. But while native teachers are indispensable as pioneers, and Avhen wisely led, prove valuable auxiliaries in the Avork of evangelization, yet our great want at present is missionaries." — Mem, October, 18(J0. '• I read Avith surprise and ' regret some remarks which ap- ' peared in the Missionary Re- (ji>:tf'r about the native teachers of these islands. They must have been Avritten under some strange and unhappy impulse. It will perhaps satisfy you to know that the men Avho have been so unjustly assailed enjoy the confidence of the mission- aries at large. Our mission is in a great measure indebted to these humble men for its ex- istence and for mueli of its pros- time. The native toachor« are. 1 believe men of piety, but they are Avanting in the knoAvledge, discrinnnation of characti'r, jirudence, and eni'rgy, essen- tial to the siiccessful prost'C\i- tion of Christian missions in ncAV and arduous fields of la- bor. Thi'U they are exposed to sickness and also to dangers of a moral and nu)re serious nature. When teachers are left alone their ])iety is apt to sutler and their interest in their work declines. But Avhile 1 Avrite thus do not suppose I lightly regard the value of na- tive agency. In most cases Christian missionaries should be preceded by them. In gi'n- eral they are received by .i.eii of their oAvn color and !ial.its with a coniidence that would not be aAvarded to strangers. They form acquaintances, col- lect infornuition, teach the na- tives to look forAvard to a more advanced agency. All that 1 maintain is, that native teachers ought not to be I ft on their own resources, as, '.vhen this is the case there is a danger of the object for Avhich they are sent to heathen being defeated." — Idem, July 21, IHoil. " Native agency is indispens- ible in opening up ncAv islands, or ncAv stations ; and if native teachers are regularly viiuted and carefully superintended they are capable of doing a great amount of preparatory Avork. It is hoAvever, only- preparatory work that any na- tive agency can accomplish in these western groups. When they have brought the work forAvard to a certain stage, un- less it is taken up by resident missionaries at that point, it noli OF KUOMAXC.V. no jK'i'ity ; and If they liavo t'lnltM, tlicy (tii','ht to he (L'lilt with in tin- sjtirit ot' i'orl)c';iraii(!o and love. If tlit'-Ji' nuMi were not ii>< ii class wliat tlu'v pi'otV'ss to hf. it is hard to account for their readiness to encounter I'very d in.i?cr and sulmiit to t'very trial for the saki' of (,'lirist and liis cause. The fact ouijlit to he known totiie Church tiiat our risks and i)rivations arc small when compared with theirs. It is they wlio lead the way in the hattle a;^ainst hea- thenism, anil it is our honour to follow. Several teachers from llarotony-a and Samoa have fallen l»y the hand of vio- lence on these islands, and Aneiteutii has already j^iven two of her cluldren to the noble army of martyrs. I believe that the presence of native teacliers on Tana has contri- buted much to the safety of our i)rethren on tliat island. Dur- int"' the late excitement they were often ur,!j;ed I)y the Tanese to leave, and for what reason they well knew. Hut Alirani, the teacher, who lives with Mr. Paton said to tiiem : ' 1 am a (ihief on my own island anil do not live here from necessity. I will not djsert the missionary. If you kill him we will die to- iLcether.' The work on these islands cannot he carried on either extensively or safely, without a larg'c amount of na- tive a[^ency. I will close this subject by an extract from a ser- mon preached l)y Bishop Sel- wyn of New Zealand, before the University of Cambridsjfe. lie has visited these islands occa- sionally for the last thirteen years, ajid knew most of our teachers. Speakinj? of the very class of men in question he says, only stands still hut it ffoes back, and the i)reparatory witrk itself is in diu.LTer of beinu' lost. The fi'reat want in this },'rouj> is the want ot missionaries. Na- tive a.u'ency to any amount can soon be raised ; but unless there are missionarii's to direct that aj^ency it is of little value." — Iter, lilf^.-irs. (inlcUc and IiiijUh. Noi\ 11, isr.c. '• Vou would, I presume, na- turally infer that several teach- ers have been laborinif oti this island; but you nuist remember that the term teacher diffirs very widely from that given by most Lexiconra])hers. Per- haps if some of the terms employed — such as feacher. iiafire ar/e/irt/, insfifufwn, roii- rcrt, and profcfiscdli/ Christiau — were understood by readers as defined by writers, those who read would be better i)re- pared to form correct ideas of the lamentable condition of this peoi)le ; and those who in the i)rovidence of God, may yet visit these dark islands of the sea, would experience less dis- appointment, and be prepared to find that these I'ithiopians have not as yet ))ej^nin to stretch out their hands to (xod, and that these isles have yet to begin to learn to wait for God's law. — The following is tlie New Ile- bridean definition of the term teacher : A man who leaves home, goes to a heatlien land, builds a house, makes a plan- tation, assists a missionary in building a house, and sets a good example before the na- tives. There have been seven families from Aneiteum living on this side of Tana with their relations, who before leaving home were probably requested to fulfil the duties just mention- i mi' ,,■«■ 120 TIIK LAST MAKTVIW " Many oftlioso islands I vifMt- vi\ in their days of darkni'ss. luul tlicrcforr 1 can rt'joici> in tlu' li^dit tliat now hursts on tiicni, from wliati'viT (luartrr it may t'omc. 1 fi'td that thi'rc is an i'i)is('o]iatt' of love as Midi as of authority; and that thi'sc sim|>k' ti'achcrs, scattered over the wide oci-an, are ohjec's of tlie same interest to me that Apollos was to Aijuila. I find them instructed in the way of the Lonl, fervent in si)irit, Kpeakinj^ and teaclunj,^ dili- •rently the thinj^'s of the Lord; and if in anythin;^ they lack knowledj^e it seems to he «)iir duty to oxi)ound to them ' the way of God more pertV'ct- ly,' and to do this as their friend and hrotlicr, not us hav- inuf dominion over tlieir faith, hut as lielpers of their joy." — Jiti\ J. (j'tddie, Aug. 2G,"l8()l. ed. Of these families four have jjone home. 'I'wo otlu'rs having; left their stations arc at ]>ri'sent livinj? on the mission premises, and one only remains at his station. (!onse(|ucntly nothin;;' has yet hi'cn done'in the way of estahlishin}.':schools. and our prospects in this r"- sjK'ct are anything ''»t chcer- in<,'." — liev. .1. W. Matlieaoii, Aug. U, 18(;0. '• Tlioro is miicli, very much, I I'oar out hoi'C in Poly- nesijiii missions, wliich is us sonndino- bniss, Jincl tink- linii' oymhals, iind perhaps none so nuich .so as that of l)laciitMANf;A. 121 four lu-rt* •«' lit .-ion liiiiiM ntl.v in doIh, v>- it'cr- *' riio liisliop of Xcw Zculnnd has (Um-'kUmI tljo point by ninUiiiLT lil'ty iK'ncoahlt' ltiii(lin.i»;s jim<)n<,»; lioatlu'ii tribes Inst yvtiv. If tcachors, tiicii, j^ivo no moro sccn- rity to life, no nood not spend time in looixin^' for tlie «i()oy teaeliin<>", at least in tlie New Hebrides Avliere they are lost in its p(>ly|i,iottisni. The *»"()0(1 wliich they elfeet is meehanleal. In this wav tlie Harotoniians assisted nnssionaries, and in some instanees may have Ijenelited souls. '• liut liave these men done no injury to the cause of (Christ? We are not unfre(]uently reminded — and not too freciuently — that ice may be instrumental in ruininjj; souls, and therefore by Avatehfulness over our own spirits, by prayer, and takinji; heed to the doc- trine, we may save ourselves and them that hear us. liut who ever thinks about these teacJiers ruining .souls? They, poor children, nia}' do some good, but no harm. I have reason to believe that on this island but one young man sustained the Christian character belbre the heathen ; and his inlluence was but passive ; Ibr, though better acquainted with the language than his fellows, he only succeeded in imparting a few wrong ideas. The natives themselves say tliat they cx)uld not understand the teachers. "• I can assure you that in so far as my experience goes, I have not yet found any of these men ^vho will b(j taught anything — not even Mana since his ba])- tism. Would (iod that the lirst representatives of the (iosi)el on this island had left behind them better views concerning Christianitv, — and that the teachers here now could sec that they are not yet jjeriect in knowledge ! ]Vone of our trials aie oqmd to those which Me have in this respect. Twice was I. threaten- ed with death by a murderer, who is now no more ; and one dav after leaving my boat a ball was sent in- side, and another passed close by, the meaning of Avliich 1 of course understood quite well. I remarked to my wife that it was necessary for her to exci-cis(^ strong faith in CJod, and not be surprised were 1 to meet with a violent death. '•• Some of the missionaries at the King's Mill Group 1 i i J fi I I i 122 THE LAST MAUTYItS Kfiy tliJit foroiii,'!! luitivo tcjieliors sot tlioiuselvos above them. I li:ivo not Ibund tlicin ([\i\U\ so Coolish liiTO, thoiiij^h sorely oi'icved ]>y their coiuhict. lint surely ii' siii'li men lis the Aiieiteiiiuese ni:iy be sent forth by li:iH-(lozens, as some kind of representatives of Cla-is- tinnity, you nee(l not jnit miiny seareliing (]uostions to younji; men ])roi)osiny have o{)p()i'tunities of exercis- ing tiie power of independent ciiiefs. Thu .gh I have lavished loving kindness on some of tiiese, and endea- ^■ored to induce them to receive farther instruction, still, it was [dl in vain : they are perfect, and seem de- termined to remain so. '• Of seven young men taken hence to Samoa, IMan.i learned to read. Some missionaries thought he was a lit subject for luiptism, and to my inexju'cssible grief he was bnj)tized. lie is at present taking care of the mission premises at l^otina IJay, but is evidently igno- rant of himself. Of tluvse men, one out of ten, after having lieen carefully taught in the Sc)'ii)lures for sev- eral years, n:ay be selected as school-teachers under the sii])er vision of missionaries ; but a no^•ice is sure to fall into pride and under the condemmition of the Devil — an event fatal to missionary hibour among tiie heathen." — G.JSf. Gonlon, June, 1(S,V.). Tlie preceding extracts arc selections made; from ar- ticles which were ])ublished in missionary pei'iodicals. Under date, Aneiteum, Nov. «Sth, bSGl, the Kev. A. AV. Murray wrote as follows to the Rvv. J. Bay no. Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, Nova Scotia : " Ilev. and Dear Sir, — You will no doubt be some- what surprised to receive a letter from one who sus- (ai gi' pr pr ev fe OF ek()max<;a. 123 (iiiijs no rclMlion to you from wliieli iriiLiiit aiise aiiv mountl to nddrcss you on the score of riuiit or ])ro- pi'iety. Indeed I feel inisolving.s myself us to the propi'iety of ohtrud'mii; myself upon you. 1 yield how- e\er, to the urvi-ites a flattering account of missionary work in remote fields it is clear that ♦' Distance lends enchantment to the view." In the Sixteenth Annual Report of Foreign Mission Board are these remarks; " While we advert to the testimony of an Erroman- gan Agent, it may be well to observe that Mr. Gor- don's estimates of the people around him, and of his own labors, do not partake of the bright so much as of the dark side of the picture. We trace this to con- stitutional temperament, and as it is apparent in all his correspondence we may fairly conclude that he reports no favorable circumstance which we need take at any discount." ).; m .■ ft H ^i ft Mil fii ! % 12G tUE LAST MAUTYRS Thus bright pictures, liowCvcr imaginative, com- mand a premium, Avliile tliosc trutlituUy sliaded pass slowly at a discount. We have heard it stated on undoubted authority that some American l^oards feel not onl}^ disappointed but disi>leased, when flattering reports from their Agents in tlie Foreign fields ai-e not forthcoming, as such are deemed necessary to prevent contril)utions from falling off. Does the cause of Jesus ne(?d the aid of sucli Jesuitical deception? Need we wonder that the kingdoms of this world are so slo\sly becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Cluist. Farther on in the Report is the following ; — ^ *' It may be of some service to add here the testi- mony of other missionaries as to the state of Eromari' ga. Extracts I'rom th(; journal of the Rev. George Gill, published in the Mi.ssionarij Miujazine and (Jhronide of the London jNIissionaiy S(^ciety, furnisii us with tlie following particulars : ' But one chief has any direct intercourse with My, Gordon. The wars in Eromanga are not very destructive of human life, as the natives have many large and ffess to l)e followers of God, I set al)out a careful iuvestigation of the motives by whicl) they were actuated in attending public worshij). 1 commenced Avith the chiefs, without wliose peimission none dare attend. J began by inquiiing abuut what they expected to derive from the religicm of Jesus ; and why they were so punctual in their attendance upon the liouse of (Jod, and at the same time were re- fusing to give u|) {iny of th?ir heathenish ))ractices. The following are soiue of the reasons which were assigned. ** Yaresi, who was the first on this side of the island to apply for teachers, had been to Aneiteum several years before, and jilso recently — and was delighted with the temporal advantages which he saw the Anei- tumese enjoying, and with the property in their poss- ession, all which, he knew was obtained by having missionaries residing among them. Taking it lor granted that he and his people would enjoy simihu' advantages if they had teachers and missionaries, he asked for teachers, and got ten Aneiteum families to come and live upon his land. These were supplied with native and foreign property, nnich of which was distributed gratuitous!}^ among his people. He himself got many presents for protect?ing the Aneitum(?fee and professing to be favorable to the new religion, until eventually his sanguine expectations "were more than fully realized. As regarded spiritual blessings he had not the most i-emote idea, nor the least desire. When told that in order to be a sincere worshipper of thetruc God they must renounce every false god, abandon U ■i'" t !■ 128 THE LAST MARTYRS their heathenism and sacrifice to none but the only true and living God, he thought 1 was requiring more of him and his peojjle than God would require. " To interfere with their long established customs is in their estimation rai unpardonable sin. Tell them they cannot serve God acceptably, and at the same time renonnce none even of the worst of their abomi- nations, and they do not believe you. Finding that the Gospel designs to strike at the very foundation of their heathenism, to restrain their corrupt appetites and passions, to regulate and reform their hearts and lives, and to bring them under the government of a religion pure and undefiled, neither Ya-esi nor one of his peo- [Ag have been to worship during the i)ast month. "Namua, one of our chiefs, attends regularly during certain months, bnt during others never makes his ai)pearance. Upon inquiring abont the reason, and of the advantages which he hoped to derive from being afuace — a worshipper — I learned that he liad been promised a passage to Aneiteum in the John Knox two years ago, and was given to understand that none but afuace persons should go in her. On receiving that promise he attended every Sabbath during the sailing season. It so happened, however, that voyage after voyage he was disappointed in getting away. Lest being absent even one Sabbath day should lead them to conclude that he was not ajuace, he and some of his people attended regularly till the vessel was hauled up at the end of the sailing season. From that time till she began sailing again last year neither he nor any of his people came to church even one Sab- bath day. As there is no good anchorage on this side of the island she did not call often at this station, so he was^gain disappointed every trip last j^ear. He at- tended, however, until she made her last voyage, since which time he has not been inside the church door. * " They consider that if they suffer teachers and missionaries to live among them to supply them with temporal things, and in a measure to insure th ^ secu- OF EROMANGA. 129 rity of foreigners trading with them, thej- are a praise- worthy people. But so soon as you get a sufficient acquaintance with their language to recommend to them the Gospel of Jesus, to interfere with their idol- atry, and request them to receive and embrace Christ as freely offered in the gospel, they consider them- selves justified in treating you as badly as they can in every imaginable shape and form, — in threatening to take your life, nay, even in killing you — if you persist in speaking to them of Jesus. In short, they will let you live if you let them die in their sins." If the Rev. A. "VV. Murray had acted as judiciously as did the Rev. J. W. Matheson, perhaps, notwith- standing the experience of the one and the non-exi)eri- ence of the other, he would not have estimated the avowed Clu'istians of Vate — where there has never been a European missionar}' — at about tivo hundred; nor would the Author of the " GemS from the Coral Islands " have reported thirty Eromangans at Bunlcil^ and sixty-seven at Dillon's Bay, as having " renounced heathenism, and placed themselves under Christian instruction." — Alas ! for the diadem of King Jesus if studded w^ith no better gems than these ! Neverthe- less thus we read: — "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble ; every man's work shall be made manifest ; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire ; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon he shall receive a reward. If an}' man's work shall be burnt, he shall sulfer loss : but he himself shall be saved ; yet so as by fire." — 1 Cor. iii. ll-lo. Dr. Turner in his " Nineteen Years in Poljuesia," 130 THE LAST MARTYRS has the following observations on native teachers. With his remarks, which bear the stamp of a matured judgment, we conclude this chapter : — " People in England hearing of the native teacher and 2)reacker^ are apt to think of an educated man, fully qualilied for the work wliich his name indicatt^s ; but such is by no means always the case. If it is an infant mission where no institution for training native teachers has been in operation, tliey are likely to be at the very bottom of the scale of literary ac([uirements. Take, lor (!xample, teachers in the (U.strict where J couunenced my labors in Samoa ; If I asked them to write down on a slate fifteen^ tlu'ee-fourtlis of them would write x5, or perhaps 105. Tluit, too, is a fair specimen of wJiat they were in Bible knowledge. At that early stiige, also, it is connnon to lind out that the strangest errors have been made, and propagated as Scripture truth. 1 discovered one day that some of the teachers had been preaching up and down tlie district, giving poor Nebuch.'idnezzar a tail, snout and hoofs, and declaring that he had been actually changed into a real four-footed beast ! " Nor are such misunderstandings and specimens of imperfect knowledge to be wondered at. AVhere could the instruction come from? These men have grown up in heathenism. They have been but just converted. They have the gift of utterance, seem anxious to tell their felloAv-creatures that Christ died to save them, and are selected by the missionary as the best he can get to take the oversight of a village, conduct religious services, and do what he can in teaching the people to read, etc. My teachers being so much scattered I could only assemble them once a week for instruction. This 1 found very inadequate to meet the case. 'tin far from the mark of Christian experience aixi intelligence which it is desirable to reach, but which cannot be reasonably expected either in this or the next generation. I may perhaps best illustrate this by a fact or two : I devote an hour every day to the profitable exercise of hearing and answering questions out of class. At 2 p. m., an^' one who wishes infor- mation on any subject is at liberty to come to my study privately for a few minutes ; and at that hour there may be seen waiting their turn at my study door ten, fifteen, or twenty of the young men. The follow- ing are some of their questions given almost verbatim «s I noted them one day out of curiosity :— " 1. What is the meaning of the hottomless jjit? *' 2. What is meant by tears put in God's bottle? "iJ. Why (lid Christ ask the lame man whether he believed ; •did he not know ? " 4. What is meant by tlie body going whole to hell? " 5. If a person calls me while I am at prayer should I •answer him? *' (). What does plucking out a right eye mean? " 7. Why does Paul say to the Corinthians that things oflferod to idols are not to be eaten; and to Timothy he says every x-'reature of God is good? " 8. If we feel sleepy at prayer should we open our eyes? "9. What is meant by the two daughters of the horse-leech? '• 10. Why is Athalia called the daughter of Omri as well as the daughter of Ahab? "11. How tall was Zachacus; how many fee^ do you sup- II)ose ? "12. Why could not the wise men of Babylon read the writing on the wall? "13. If the people go out to fish at night should they have prayer in the canoe at day-light? " 14. What is meant by killing the passovcr? " 15. What is meant by the evening and morning in Genesis being called a day? " 1(3. If Christ knew that Judas was bad at heart why did he not put him down? " 17. What is the meaning of Cymbal? is it an animal, or "what ? " 18. Should people shave their beards on the Sabbath? " 19. Is it right to beat a child on the Sabbaih day? "20. If we are repairing a chapel, is it right to take our -dinner inside ? "21. What is the meaning of the people being measured with lines in 2 Samuel, viii, 2 ? 132 THE LAST MARTl'RS •' 22. Wliat is meant by Satan falling from licavciY? *' 23. What is meant by saluting no man by the way? ♦'24. iXitl Isaiah live before Christ or after him? *' 2"), Is Joseph of Arimithea the same as the Joseph who* vas sold by his brethren ? " We find it difflciilt," adds Dr. Turner, " to ham- mer chronology into tlie minds of the natives, as the last two questions indicate ; and it hitely occurred to me that perh: os we ourselves have increased the diffi- culty by prir.ting the New Testament before tlie Old r but time will remove this. 1 need scarcely add that sometimes I was amused with tlieir questions ; at other times I was pleaseil to see indications of close reading and careful thinking ; and now and then I was startled at their ignorance, and felt that it was one of my most difficult tasks to dive into its depths," CHAPTER XIV. FIRST YEAR ON EROMANGA. *• Our prayers be with them — we who know The value of a soul to save Must pray for those, who seek to show The heathen hope beyond the grave." —■ Landon. The labors of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon on Eroman^a commenced on the 17th of June, 1857, and terminated on the 20th of May, 1861. The whole i^eriod falls short of four years by nearly one month. Four years, less tw^ent3'-eight days — a short period, some may say. Its length or brevity, however, will depend upon the standard by which it is measured. When compared with Moses' term of human life — three- score years and ten — it is brief ; but long beside one- II ' OF EROMANOA. 133 Juilf of four-sooro years passed in affluence and ease. Who will say that tlie time over Aviiicli tlio personal rninistr}' of tlie Saviour extended — three and a half years — was ii brief period ? Time should not be measured apart from a consider- ation of the circumstances in wliicJi it has been passed, A year soon glides away in situations where are plea- sures to allure, companions to enliven, friends to trust, comfoi-ters to console, and religion to bless, as the ever-varying exigencies of human life require. But tardily do the months go b}^ in a moral wilderness iu which darkness covers the land and gross darkness tlie l)eople, — where few and feeble are your friends, and many and malignant are your foes, — where men from the same nation thirst for your blood, and the canni- bal longs to feast on 3'our flesh, — where attempts upon your life are made by dny^ and j'our hiunble dwelling is beset bj' murderers at night, — where the war-conch — at Avhose blasts heathen tribes meet in isavage aniiy for deadly conflicts — is sounding at but short intervals of cessations, — where the wailings of the vanquished, the oppressed, the defenceless, the down-trodden, and of those sorrowing without hope, fiiU upon the ear, stirring the more tender emotions, moving the finer sensibilities of humanity, and evoking sympathies which not unfrequently only find a suit- iible expression in sighs, in tears, and in groans. A week spent amid scenes such as these is surely equl- valent to a year passed under ordinary circumstances j and a year is a long period indeed when passed in a land where no Sabbath is remembered, — where are 110 sanctuaries filled with devout worshippers, and no you, with the l^)yal pi'oacher, in your bitterness exchiinunjif " Vanity aud vexation of spirit : all is vanity." At the close of the first live weeks forty persons — men, women and cliildren — were receivin*;' instruction^ The Ten Connnandments, and a few verses of the D.Oth I'salm were translated. At the end of ten wtjcks Mr.. (jortlon wrote as follows to Mr. Murray : — *' Now for a few words about the blessed Master's work. And» first, what we have not been the means of* doing-. Well, we have not yet been the means of tm-ning any of the natives of this dark island from the power of Satan unto God — at least in so far as wc- know. We have not yet been instrumental in termi- nating the war, in which on our arrival we found the natives of Dillon's liay engaged. We have not been tlie means of delivering any of the women, who are- fading away, from their Egyptian burdens. Nor have- we yet taught any to read well. *' While writing this letter I was interrupted bj' an ©Id chief and his war party. Mana informed me of a diabolical scheme for the killing of a neighboi'ing chief ajid his men who have fled to the rocks a short dis- tance from the mission premises for refuge." — i)rop- l)ing his pen he went out, and on leturning wrote ; — ''^1 t'ho iire- or Iiave- I hy an lie of a ig chief ort dis- - Drop- ote ; — ehovah ?. He )ut the 7 refer- God's ( is the ) more- ;onsid~ OF KUOMANOA. i:v ered it c.'i|)!il)le of sustaining at least r>0,r)00. Tiiese spoke the same hniguaue with but little dialect ie vari- ation, 'riiough some of the natives at Dillon's l>ay were of small stature, in the inland tribes tliere were men six feet higli, having dwellings fiftein feet in height and capable of aceonnnodating twenty jH'rsons, Some of their plantations were as neatly fenceti tw gentlemen's gardens in England, if not more so. Women made neat baskets, and fabrics, used as clotli- ing, from the bark of a certain plant, and in some ))hices canoes of a. superior quality w(M'e constructed. Caves — some of them stroniilv fortified — are numer- ous, and seldom if ever unoccupied. The vanquished in war llee to these. ''1 have lately" he adds, " visit- * ed several of these caves for the purpose of getting their wretched occupants to return to their houses and plantations." The Eromangan system of idolatry originated, ho thought, in a veneration for the dead. "Its name — Xatinias — is the one api)lied to the dead. They mourn for Natimas, and pray to Natimas-nivat^ that is, dead man's stone. Th<_' priests, or sacred men, take these stones to their sacred groves. To the gloves few are admitted. Death is the penalty paid by an intruder into these consecrated spots. In times of distress offerings are presented to the nicatti. With the exce{)tion of charm-shells the}' have no penates — household gods. These shells are used in sickness. CUrcunicision is practised, and i)olygamy i)i'^'^'^il^- (iraves are known by a depression of the earth to the }< U '!! t -.. 136 THE LAST 3IARTYRS On November 23, he wrote thus to the Secretary of tlie Board : — " Yon will be happy to learn that Ave are all in health and strength, each one engaged at liis and her proper work, lilce a number of diggers, sowers, and l^lanters on a farm in spring. The good things of God's providence are preponderating — as they gene- rally do — far above the ,evil, so that we have more reason to sing than to weei) at our work : still the silent tear sometimes steals down the cheek. " A\'ere I to state some of the bloody atirays which have occurred of late, between the foreigners and the natives — the foreigners revenging the death of some of their numl)er who were killed and eaten, and among the natives themselves at their feasts — yon would, perhaps, think our situation worse than it really is. '* 1 am now busily engaged translating some portions of Scripture, such as the lirst chapter of (ienesis. In May, (Jod willing, I hope to be able to preach the first principles of the Gospel to nearl}'^ all the Eromangans while (^n a missionary tour wliich I purpose making, and for which much prei)aration is necessary. None of the duels iuue as yet favored us in our Avork." To the same he wrote thus on the 2nd Jan. 1858 : — "The natives are now pretty generally acquaintehting, — killing some, but wounding many more, and destroying i)lantations, is their oc(;u- pation. Two teachers whom 1 sent to this part of the island retui'ned to the Bay : 1 however found the na- tives frieudly. In December 1 ])roceeded northward, and found an interesting inland establishment near Elizabeth's Bny. Subsequently I visited this settle- ment monthly, got the natives to build me a little meeting-house, and lateh' settled the only Aneiteum teaclu^rs which I had among them. '• The rainy season approaching I could not itinerate much till March. I then proceeded to the north end of the island, but only foimd remnants of former tribes. Some yetirs ago many of the natives in this quarter were taken oif by disease. Those living there at pre- sent say it was brought by the hatcliets of a sandal- wood vessel. This disease, which 1 think was the small-pox, and an ei)idemic which visited the island se- veral years ago (from the clouds, they say), appears to iiave cut olf at least one-third of the entire })()pulation. — As this i)ait of the island contains chielly line pas- ture lands, the horses, cows, and goats of foreigners are thriving on its })leasant mountains. '• Having thus become acquainted with the island in tiie north, south, and west — since I had no boat — I felt anxious to cross the mountains to visit the eastern portion, which is the most populous and important part of Eromanga. This missionary tour, through the goodness of (Jod, I was enabled to make in May. "• On the morning of the 2Dth taking with me two 11 OF EROMANGA. 13^ small. I ives geu- ts in the ir (riinips 'OS iusuie L*en miles silly in a ate they nl physi- Fii^hting koimdiug r^ir oc(!ii- rt of the I the na- rthward, lit near s settle- a little iieiteum itinerate )rth end r tribes, quarter at pre- sandal- ^'as the [and se- )oars to ilation. le pas- eigners land in }at — I L'astern i)ortant gh the y- le two tc'uolicrs and two natives — we ascended the mountains of Dillon's I5ay by torch-light. About mid-day we had the [)leasure of seeing, from the top of a mountain^ tlie blue ocean to the east, and the eastern side of Kromanga, which appeared in Tahitian grandcnr. We continued to prosecute our journey along the native paths, which led through splendid forests containing large trees, and over li\'ing streams whose murmuring waters with the solitaiy laj's of the feathered tribe reminded us of life even in this land ^vhore death still reigns. Never before had I seen such charming scenery as hcie presented itself to view, on the right hand and on the left, as we journeyed towards Potina Hny. In some places, on the narrow ridges of moun- tains, we walked beside natural gall-ries, whence, looking down, we beheld on either hand gorgeous val- l(\vs decorated most tastefuU}'^ by the Creator's hand. I felt, then, that 1 had something more to admire than when walking through the magnificent galleries of the Crystal Palace. By sunset we reached Potina Ba}^ around which the country presented the same rich and fei'tile aspe<*t. Here a lofty mountain — visible from the west side of the island — stands in Tiihitian ma- jesty and grandeur, between Potina and Cook's Bays. It is locked by the land, though at a distance it ap- pears detached. '• On reachiuo; the sea-shore I sat down to ease my Aveary U'gs, mid was soon surrounded by out thirty natives. Tlu^se seemed not a little surjnised on hearing a stnniger s[)eak in their own tongue of the wonderful works of (iod. Before leaving, 1 r(}f [nested them to come next nun'ning, and bring their friends, when I would speak to them more of tln^ words of life. Next moiniiig, nc^arly one hundred men, women, and children, cniie, and we [)reached to them the lirst prin- (;it)les of our holy religion. They manifested consider- able attention, l)ut fre(iuently interrupts me by asking each other questicms on the new doctrine, some of which tliey continued repeating. The Fifth Conunand- mentn and Clu'ist's new connnandment elicited much attention. 'J'liey have quite an Oriental ear for ligures, 1: h! n !l r 140 THE LAOT MARTYllS and readily understand some imp rtant truths when thus iUustrated. " Having obtained a spot of ground for mission })re- mises at Totina Bay, I left one of the j'oung men with his countrymen and returned. On our way home we spent a niglit with an inland tribe. Vie were treated very kindl}', for a pig was killed and a feast made for us. Now, we are very well acquainted with natives in every important settlement, by our visits to them arid theirs to us. They come to see the inside of our house, and to hear ]\Irs. Gordon play on the Ilarmo- neiun. On first hearing instrumental nuisic some are quite frightened ; but wlien assured no strange spirit is at work they become quite charmed and go through a variety of grotesqne manoeuvres. I need scarcely say that it is absolutely necessar3^ to treat the natives with the utmost kindness and allow them to take unpleasant liberties, till by and b}^ the}' may leani to appreciate some of the excellencies of etiquette. Some mission- aries say natives of these islands cannot feel as do Europeans, and that in correcting them they may be spoken to more sharply ; but such does not accord with my experience among them. " The danger to which missionaries arc ex[)osed in these islands generally arise fi'om two sources ; first, from the existence of silent, secret hatred, on account of inu'cvenged injuries ; and, secondly, from a deceit- ful, malignant hatred cherished by sacred men on find- ing that tlie new religion weakens their influence. I was, therefore, under the necessity of acting prudently when visiting new places. IVut now, having a pretty good knowledge of the language, I am enaljled to spend nights among them with more confidence than formerly ; and in places, too, vrhere tliC}' are actually killing and eating each other, and even where fo- reigners have been Ivilled since we came to Kromanga. There is not nuich to fear so long as avc keep our quiver well filled with arrows steeped in the love of Christ. These on reachin'j; their hearts disarm them of tlieir native enmity. On a late tour I only met with one' man who, after the first inter\ie\v, continued to OF EROMANGA. 141 iis when non pre- leu with oiue we treated lade for tives in em and of our Ilarmo- •nie are ^spirit is ough a ely say es with leasant reciatc lissiou- as do lay be ■d with sed in ; first, :'Coimt leceit- 1 fiiid- L'e. I lently t)retty ed to ) than biially •e fo- anga. 3 our ve of thorn with • id to manifest a deadly hostility. Finally, he too became much subdued. ''Let it be understood, however, that they do not esteem me or any one bearing the name of missionary , on account of the doctrines which we preach. In general they onlj^ show kindness when they have some hope of beijig repaid. They tell us th( y will make newt — worship — if we pay them ; and, having at- tended service a few Sabbaths, they demand payment as a right, and call us liars if refused. Of course they are yet but heathen serving their own false gods. "Their dark superstitions are prolific of horrid cruelties. The patriarchal form of government ob- tains. After death a patriarch is deified and called Natemas — dead patriarch. Each family has one such god. They frequently worship Natemas where there is neither temple or idol. Otferings to the gods are presented in mean little temples erected in sacred gloves and elsewhere, with this praj'er : ' Accept this offering. Protect me, and kill my enemies.' The rats accept all and live well by these altars. Their idola- try has less materialism about it than that of some heathen tribes. Like some of the North American Indians, they r^ay be induced to receive Christianity without ha\'iug any right views of its natm'e. They say their ancestors worshipped a species of serpent — still found here — and for which they have 9 supersti- tious regard. " They have some notion of a Hades but none of a Paradise. Niswate is the name given to the unquench- able fire of their Hades. Like the Tanese they believe no one dies*' a natural death. A neighbor is blamed ; and thus the most deadly enmity is perpetuated from generation to generation. This accou? *^3 in part for their interminable wars. In these many have recently been wounded, and some slain. " The wounded are generally women and children, who are in great terror on such occasions. One of these, trembling like a leaf, one day ran and caught hold of Mrs. Gordon for protection. When fleeing I! I ; :i 11' I f h 142 THE LAST MAIITYKS before their pursuers, they scale rocks mul mountains with the swiftness of roes. "After several months' persevering efforts, Mrs. Gordon succeeded in getting a little girl — not es- poused — to >ive with her. In handiwork, and learn* ing to read she made considerable progress. One calm morning, all nature beijig at rest (though this child Avas not so), while sweeping th ; l >or, the broom suddenly dropped, and she was souii out of sight among the mountains. — Wiuit has frightened the child? we enquire. An enemj'^ was near — the enemy of her i)eace and future happiness. ^\\q heard tlie voice of her unbeloved, intended husbnnd, and his approach struck terror into her gentle soul. The accents of his voice gave a su[)eriuitural tieetness to her feet which enabled her to distance all her i)ursuers. " A consultation was then held concerning putting her to death. When found, next day, she was in a valley' near the mission premises. 8he was beaten unmercifully, then dragged off and not allowed to re- main with us to learn the new i-eligion. That wavS to us a dav of bitter grief.* a. \7 " Women are all betrothed when very young, and marked with the figure of a leaf stann)ed by charcoal on each cheek. Henceforward that is the bivand of slavery. Their existence is thus so mucli embittered that death is fretjuently chosen rather than a life dur- ing which all the finer feelings of their natures are out* raged. They connnit suicide by blind-folding their e3^es, and then casting themselves down headlong from the tops of trees or projecting rocks on the sea-coast, and are thus dashed to pieces. Some of these down- trodden creatures on hearing the first blasts of their Jubilee trumpet, said : ' O but we do love you ! \ But a deliverance proclaimed for them on one occasion well nigh cost me my life. The one who made the attempt to take it was afterwards cut oti* by savage handst The disparity between the sexes is nearly as great as in India. Infanticide is the principal cause. * This poor, haplcBB girl never got back to her mistress. — Au. OF EROMAN«A. U3 ' *' The cloth made here is rougher than ihc seapa of the Samoaii women ; but some of tlicir ch'ewses arc more neatly wrought than any that 1 lune seen either in Tana or Aneitenm. The chiefs ai-e generally active men. 1 lately attended t>vo councils of Avar held at Dillon's 15av and succeeded in makinir one of them at least, of none ell'ect. One mountain tvilie states that after 1 had spoken to them on the suhject of Avar, they went on several occasions and planted themselves near those Avhoui they desired to kill, but could not fight as in times past; and having eaten their food^ returned home j)eaccful!y, and were afterward oi)posed to war. " As this island has been the princi\)al emporium of the Sandalwood trade in the New Hebrides, the con- ductor of one establishmeht has stations jdl around it. By concentrating his Ibrces he has Ijcen able to punish t)ie natives for crimes connnitted against foreigners. Several in his employ were killed during the last year ; and on that account two Kromangans, unconvicted of crime, lost their lives. Many lives are lost in this un- liallowed trade. In nearly every boat-lane ing place which I have seen the natives pointed out spots where foreigners were killed. But the Lord reigns and over- rules for good the wickedness of men. He gives us access to heathen lands, though he still leaves the wil- derness infested with liery serpents. From the late interesting report of Bishop Selwyn it is obvious thc^ natives of l*olynesia are most accessible where the people have not had intercourse with foreigners. *'This excellent missionary is now doing all that can be done for the heathen of these islands, until occupied by foreign agents ivho can acquire their i)0- Ivglottism. It is indeed cheering to see a Christian gentleman so learned as the Rev. Mr. Pattieson spend- ing and being spent for the benetit of these lost is- landers. No visits which we receive are so profitable to us as those made by these men of (iod. " 1 find medicine of much service in gaining an in- fiuen(!e over the natives. It would have gone ill with me, I think, in two remarkable cases had it not been I I I ! 144 THE LAST MARTYRS for the seeds of gratitude sown in their hearts by thR? means. On one occasion I lost considerable influence by the death of a patient from sloughing ulcer. He would not persevere in the proper use of lotions. But I am happy to be able to state that my reputation is so far established that messengers come for me a dis- tance of five or six miles to go and visit sick persons. Some declare we have brought health with us. In March some Tanese went about this island, and put evil thoughts into many minds b^'' saying evil was brought to Tana by missionaries — that the new reli- gion brought sickness and death. A meeting was held at Dillon's Bay, at which it was decided, alter serious deliberation, that the reverse had been the case in Eromansrtx. *' I am now beginning to preach the Gospel, and I feel confident that in those places where it shidl be preached the bright star of the Eromangan's resurrec- tion morning from sin and death will soon arise. Even now I perceive indications of his approach on the dark horizon. — I hear a sound — What is it? Behold, he prayeth 1 Another too, and — Behold he prays ! " ;.; CHAPIER XV. SECOND YEAR ON EROMANGA. " Ah, be not and, although thj- lot be cast Far from the flock, and in u boundioss waste ! No shepherds' tents within tliy view appear, But tlie cliiet Sheplierd even tliere is near. Thy tender sorrows and thy plaintive strain Flow in a foreign land, but not in vain ; Thy tears all issue from a source divine, And every drop bespeaks a Saviour thine — So once in Gideon's Ueeee the dews were found And drought on all the drooping herbs around." — COWPER. Encouraging features presented by the Mission this year were accessions made to the band of missionaries. July 8th, 1858, the Rev. J. W. Matheson and Mrs. lilU I by thfe :ntluence ;er. He IS. But tation is e a dis- persons. us. In and put 3vil was lew reli- vas held serious case in il, and I shall be •esurrec- n arise, •each on - is it? lold he on this >naries. i Mrs. I OF EROMANGA. 145 1 Matheson arrived in the New Hebrides, as agents of the Presb^'terian Church of Nova Scotia ; and the Rev. Mr. Paton and Mrs. Paton and the Rev. J. Copeland, of the R. P. Church of Scotland, on the 27th of August. On the morning following the airival of Mr. Mathe- son, the brethren of Aneiteum met for consultation concerning the location of the missionaries who had recently arrived. The deputation of the London Mis- sionary Society present were invited to correspond. The Rev. Mr. Geddie, who presided, presented the claims of the New Hebrides group, and of the Loyalty Islands, "adding," writes Mr. Matheson, that he "had been requested by some of the brethren of the L. M. S. to co-operate with them as far as possible in locat- ing teachers and missionaries upon that group. To (comply with that request neither he nor Mr. Inglis felt jiistified, from the fact that it would in all probabilit}'- bring them into collision with members of other deno- muiation£; ; therefore, after mature deliberation it was unanimously agreed that we should remain on Anei- teum till the arrival of the Rev. Messrs. Copeland and Paton, of the Reformed Pi'csbyterian Church of Scot- land, who are expected about the latter end of this month." When Mr. Matheson arrived in the New Hebrides his health wp ^ considered too delicate to enter immedi- ately upon the arduous duties and trials of missionaiy work in a new field. His own wish was to become engaged in the work with as little dehw as possible. From a letter of Rev. J. Inglis dated Aneiteum, Jan. 25, 1859, we are informed that it was Mr. Matheson's desire to be located on Lifu. Mr. Inglis writes : — " Mr. Geddie and I received several letters from our > J I ') !i i I iL 140 TJIfc LAST SIAUTYKS missionary hrothron in Samoa, suggostinoj that as the Loyalty Islands tire so much more healthy than the New Hebrides, it might be well to consider the pro- l)riety of settling JNIr. Matheson on Lifu : or if that should not be agreed to they woukl willingly ai)point liim to a station on Samoa. The deputation and Mi*. Creagh were very desirous that lu; should ha setth'd on Jiln ; and Mr. ( .'reagh ottered to leave his station on IMare and take up a station on Lilu contiguous to Mr. Matheson. jNIr. Matheson himself was also very desirous of being located on Litii. His instruc-tion?* from the Mission IJoard wore, that in the selection of ti tield of labor he was to be guided l)y JNIr. Geddie's views and mine. Had we given our sanction to these jH'Oposals they would have proceeded at once to Lifu in the John WilUama." The following is an extract of a letter written I)}' the Kevs. Mc&ir ;. Copeland and Paton after their ai--' rival in the New Hebrides ; it is dated Oct. 2JJ, I80.S : " A few days after our arrival a meeting was held for the purpose ot arranging about our settlement and that of Mr. Matheson, and Mr. (rcddie then stated that there were several places on this group where a missionary could be located, viz., on Fotuna and Aniwa, at l\)rt Resolution and Anaicaracka, on Tana, Potina Bay, Eromanga, etc. — After some conversa- tion, it was agreed that Tana, from its importance, should be the lield of labor for all of us, and that as the sailing season was far advanced, two missionaries should meanwhile be settled at Tort Resolution, and one on the south-east of the island." Nov. 30th, tlie Rev. J. Inglis wrote as follows to the Reformed Presbyterian Synod's Committee on Foreign Missions : — **Mr- and Mrs. Paton are settled at Port Resolution, and Ml- and Mrs. Matheson at Umairareker, on the south side of Tana. Mr. Copeland remains in the OV KUOMAXfJA. 117 moan timo with Mr. l^iton ; but as Mr. Mathcson's liealtli contiruiOH still dolicato Mr. Coi)olan(l will go between the two Htatioiis till the; hurricane months are over, and lend his assistance at whichever place his presence mny be most beneticial. Before the arrival of Messrs. l*aton and (,Vji)elan(l, Mr. (leddie and I agreed that we should open these two stations lirst." In connection with the sending forth of laborers imd their sul)seqnent location in a foreign held, the wide i)y to state that a few se(}m to be<'in to understand this truth. A consider- M,!)h^ number of interestin<>' women now attend on the nutans of grace, and seem to think there is a sjiecial blessing in the 'Gospel for them. But we have nmdi diliiculty in getting femakis inside the school-n^om, l)e- cause for coming there some liave been cruelly treated by wicked men. I have but little hope of the few na- tivi tli(MW- Some ran off. On being asked by others wliy they were riinnin<»; tiway they rephed, '(), Missi has spoken to us.' Some go to war now witli a conscience not quite so clear as formerly. The cliiet' wiio took part in Mr. Williams' nuuxler is now beside me anromises to resist the re(iuest of those who urge him to light." Again on April 4th he wrote : — "• Never before has it been my painful lot to record no many CMhimities as during tlie })ast few weeks. Oh ! my heart is smitten with unutter:d>le grief, whiU> writing the sad tidings of the death of Mrs. Paton, and liei- child, ;it l*ort Resolution. We have just heard of their death, but none of the particuhu's. It is (juite impossible to de.scril)e our feelings this morning since the receipt of these sad tidings. Tlie circumstances are of a character so painful, none but those living among heathen can realize them. AVhat disturbed nights they had there recently, as the heathen were threatening the?'' lives ! and the de[)ressing inlluence of the climate, too, whei'e the atmosphere is j)ent uj) as in Dillon's H:iy, and iu)n)ortal souls j,)erishing around them — all pressing so heavily ui)on our brethren, too heavily for humnn endurance without the aid oi' our never-dving friend I Who but the unfailing Friend can comfort those cast down, as our dear lirother now is in sorrow that must be overwhelming his soul? '• Some of the io?'eigners have Just killed an ICro- maugan and taken his wife in revenge for those recentr ly massacred. 1 fear a general rising of the natives for they are now threatening all foreigners. W-; are tiuly living in the midst of perils. An old woman, loo much crip[)led to run for her life h.'is just been killed ; and those seeking the lives of their fellows are walking about our place to-diiy, armed. Four foreign natives were massacred with the three Europeans. Two others died, l)ut were not killed in so far as I can J earn." r^ 11 4 t ■ i> 'I ' m I y 8 * i' u 152 THE LAST MAUTYR5 i ' li •i The death of jVIrs. Paton oecnrred on the Sn] of ^Mareh, and that ol' lier child — horn on the l*2th of February — on tlio 20th. Tlie lir.st was an evtpnt as sudden as it was unexpected, a circumstance wliich increascMl the severity of the stroke. Loved ami resi)ected while living, her decease was a source of great grief to her nieri- enced. As regards health, Mrs. (Jordoii has sufiered from the climate much more than I have. In July she had an attack of fe\'er, and again in Febmarv and ^March, was in a low state for six weeks, but at pre- sent has [u-ospects of enjoying excellent health. Hith- erto the Iword has helped us ; and in the retrospect of another year we have much — very much reason to call to grateful remembrance merciCul deliverances from sickness, death, and numerous evils by which we have been surrounded. OF EPiOMANGA. 103 " The c'liaiijTO of residence to the mountain ROiith of Williams' river eost us no little labor and toil anionj; ungrateiiil heatlien, who in their awful darlvuess (:an have no sympathy whatever Avith us in such labors. Ilavino- nt an early p(»riod seeji the absolute necessity for niakiuij^ this chani»"e, I Avrote to our constant iriend, Mr. S. Tiiompson of Sydney, for a thousand feet of boards grooved and tongued, and some scantling with which to make a house lit to inhabit. I would not receive as a gift the crooked, unworkable scantling furnished In- tliese islands, unless it could not be ob- tained elsewhere. Tlie next missionary coming here should attend to this matter before leaving Sydney. Our mission ]>remises are half a mile from ihci har})or. and the church, in course of erection, al)out one mile, each commanding a line view of tiie Iki}^ We shall cndea\or 1o send sketches of them by the return ot* the John Williams. A small house has l)een erected at Potina liay, and there are materials thei'e for a better one. Such have been some of our mechanical labors dri-ing the hist year. — But what is the chaff to the wheat? — Wiiat the mechanical to the spiritual? " I could only state last year that some of the Ih'st principles of the (lospel had been connnunicated ; but can now say that the truth is so i)reached to tlie under- standings of the natives as to affect their cousciences. And never again shall 1 lift up my htuid to baptize an individual unless 1 have some evidence that the S})irit has couvinred of sin. 1 ihink I asked every missi ii ary whom I met in EasteiTi and Western Polyv '-- important questions on this subject, but seldom le- ceived satisfactory answers. Oh ! tiiat ;>()U would not cease day or night to beseech (Jod to 'send His Holy Spirit among us to convince this dead daik world of sin. We may all do much, very much good among the heathen without any becoming really converted. 1 Ijclieve that (iod has given me some i)()\vei' to i)r(nuh to the coasciouces of this people ; but 1 feel that the real j)owcr of preaching to conversion rests not so much in this as in that precious gift which Isaiah had of exhibiting Jesus Chi'ist in the bowels of compassion. '^. ,t1 I i ■! 154 THE LAST MAIITYR8 ill I US the propitiatory sacrifice for sin. Ilcroiu lies the power of thiit wlstloin given to those who are wise in winning souls to (Jlu'ist ; and in tiiis I am especially (ieticient. Oh ! pray for its supply. •' On questioning the heathen about their horrid practices they do not manifest any signs of shame, but simply reply : Suiikii kam menumpi — thus wo do.. I wish you could have been here when, a few days ago, I lectured on Dent, xxvii. 14-20, and witnessed the })ower of the truth in the exceeding shame which caused many heads to bow. 1 cannot venliu'c to lift the veil to give you a glimpse of their abominations without insulting modest3\ Fathers dying, the eldest sons take their wives — yea, their own avowed mo- thers. The heathen require much instruction out of tiie Old as well as the New Testament. They are much affected bv my addresses on caimibalism, for some of tlu^m afterwards go out and say — '■Would tlcit we could vomit up all the human flesh we have ever eaten ! ' '' Idolatry, in its various forms, enmity, and war, still abound. Even at our door we hear prayers of- iered to the deceased. Wa fretpieutly see large num- ))ers LCoing to light. A woman dying near us a few davs ago, was l)uried bv a woman. Siiveral have been ciuellv beaten this year for attending on our instruc- tions. Some who have beaten them are becoming ashamed of their conduct ; and several woinem say that tin; days of wife-beating will soon p:iss away. Little girls wish very much to come with us but are not allowed. In pride, lying, and deceit, the image of Satan is deeply enstamped on the souls of these lieii- then. Among themselves they are very dishonest : and from us they have stolen nmch both this yeiu" and last. For a benelit conferred, they have no sense of gratit;ude beyond the time of receiving it. Several would be ver\^ sorry for a short season, were we to !(>ave them. Our constant friends, jNIr. llout Miid Mrs. Uout, of llob.art Town, have clothed the liist congre- gation which Ave succeeded in collecting on Kromanga. The native women made for themselves lifty garments. i OF KUOMANGA. 155 I caiiiiot report any benefit wluitevor derived from the Jiihn Knox. JVIr. Turner's remarks on this subject are perfectly correct. '-'- Durini? this year I found two of those who had struck with their cUibs, nnd i)ierced Avith their arrows, Williams and Harris. These are Koweyou and Oven- lou. With difllculty I got the man to show me tlio oven. AVhile proceeding to the spot, he used to sit down occasionally, so that I was obliged to urge him on. Wokosu, th(» son of the man who ol)tained liis head, and got some of his clothes, showed me the spot where the skull was dei)OHited vuider a cocoanut tree. He succeeded too iu getting me a i)iece of sealing-wax which was in IMr. AVilliams' pocket. Two other young nun pointed out the place Avhere the body of Mr. Harris was carried. In so lar as I can learn the most of iheir bones are here and In all probal)ility will re- main liere till the resurrection morning. The following is their explanation of tiic tragedy: — Koweyou took the lead that day, and was not revenging the death of a son, tor he had not had any killed. They were so- licitous about the protection of their property. It Avas a feast day, or a day of pre[)aration for a feast, when the mission ship arrived with the Ovnate-mas nisehau — white devils — on board, as some foreigners arc called. The}' thought if these new comers Averc allow- ed to delay about the river, they would soon lind their way to the feasting-gi'ound and rob them of their food, {js other foreigners had previously done, and kill some oJ" them, as live Eromangans had lost their lives at this ()lace before the arrival of the mission ship. They, therefore, made signs to them to go away. \Vheu stMue advised to kill them others opposed tlui measure. When one gave the water to Mv. AVilliams, the usual signs were made for them to quit the phicc without delay, and that it was not until they f)egan to walk u\) the river they resolved to kill them. One day Koweyou acted the scene ovei' again, showing me how he slipped into the bush, rushed out again suddenly, and struck Williams a stunning blow on the forehead, lie made my heart ver}' sad, fcr he seemed not tho least penitent. i !, J 'r 'L^ 156 THE LAST MARTYRS (.( Since acquiring thoir lnngnaj2:e I endcavoiTd to ascertain tlie facts connected with that tragic occur- rence ; and have come to tlie conclusion* tliat IVlessrs. Williams and Harris were not in the path of duty when tlK\y attemi)ted to walk up the river against the manifes' aI ill-will of the natives ; and while we vener- ate the names of these men of (iod, we should lujt fail to learn the lesson of admonition Avliich their death teaches us. " 1 think the statistics of these islands indicate that most of the crimes of the natives, connnitted against foreigners, are in strict a(;cordance with their own notions of justice. One foreigner, e. g., residing on this island has taken ten wives from ditferent partic^s ; and he, acconhng to their laws, is worth}' of death. In no other island have they so much intercomse with foreigners. Traders atlirm that more sandalwood is procured here than on all the other islands collective- ly ; consequently the amount of crime, which is very great, is about proportionate; between the natives and the foreigners. Every beach accessible by boats has been stained by foreign 1)lood ; so Eromanga may in truth be styled a ' blood-stained island.' " In general they hate foreigners of every name and color ; and liave killed and eaten ten or tweh e of these since we landed. Kecently tliey have been i"e- ceiving muskets in exchange for wood ; and now the more populous districts say they will be Avomen no longer, but men who will rid themselves of foreigners. A common practice with the latter in punishing the natives, is to destroy plantations, burn houses, etc. Ships of war also follow this practice. ]\Ieasures of this kind led to a massacre at one establishment last March, and would have resulted in a still greater or»e at Dillon's liav had the tribes been able to unite for the purpose of putting to death all the foreigners " Captain Edwards ])repjircHl for the wors y mak- ing a Avooden wall, and mounting cannon. At one time he expected to be iittacked by 2000 natives. For several days the rei)ort of camion would lead one to * Wc sluiU rt'lVr to tliis coiicluHiun again. — Au. i OF EROMANGA. 157 VO 1*0(1 to io occur- IVIi'ssrs. of duly liiist tho e \'ciK'r- ould not ir dentil ate tlint ai^^ainst KM*r own idiiiiT oil l)arties ; )t' death. rse with wood is jlU^ctive- is very ivos and oats Jias I inay ui aine and rehe of been I'e- iiow the men no eio-ners. ih\ers from Xova Scotia will be necessary — put of course to our account. Mr. Geddie says he does not liet his either. '•'' The Ji)Jiii Willams arrived about a week ago, hav- ing' on boai'd tinee missionaries. Of these two have gone to liifu. 'IMiey spent with us three days of im- perishable interest to this mission — days of hallowed associations — blissful, refreshing days — an oasis in our desert. When cast dl)ath, in an admir- able acUhess, he deseribed his first interview with them, and read the names of some wliom he met on that occasifm. He was listened to by men, women, and children, with the deepest interest, especially by the younor object, they refi^ard ns ap disturbers of their false pence who 'turn tlie world up- Kide down.' Amid such a stnte of matters then, we can but strive to imitate our (Jreat Master, who went about doin«ij <^ood. Thus we make way for the en- trance of the Word, which, thr()U<2;h the spirit enlightens and makes free. Wc now witness several instances of reformation, but no case, I fi'ar, of real conversion. Pray, oh, i)ray that another year may not j)ass away without hearinir of converts to Christ on Kromanyfa. if "THE SOVERKIC.XTV OK JKHOVAII UICCOGNIZHD. " The devil and his angels could not but exult over the state of alfairs here of late, lifit (lod vindicates the honor of his great name, and causes his enemies to acknowledge his power and majesty. I nuiy notice a few instanci's in point. One tribe, for e\am})le, that forsook the house of (iod to figlit, lost its chief in the course of a few days, by a sudden attack of illness. He was carried toward the mission premises, and n messenger came running for me ; lait he flied before I could altbrd him any relief. I was instrumental, how- ever, in saving the life of his brother. A line young man was shot dead, and many are sulfering from their wounds because they will not submit to an operation for the abstraction of pieces of broken arrows. These Kromangaus are 'mild and docile' when sleeping or smoking tobacco, but certainly not so when lighting, which is not often. If thi^y ever become ' docile,' our Mast M' flcKus nuist hav(» the honor of making them so. This tribe is alHicted in other ways. They think the hand of (iod is upon tliem for forsaking his worship. '"Some, again, who openly profaned the Sabbath and desj)iscd the authority of Jesus, died in dreadful agony. One ])oor young man recjucsted to be shot- The head chief of Dillon's IJay made his annual feast on the Sabbatli, but tlui chief for whom it was pre- pared died on the day a})pointed for tlu; feast. This* induced another to hold his on a Monday. ** A few weeks ago a party near to us who forsook OF KUOMANOA. icr. ns as )rld iip- 1011, wc lo went the en- i«^litoiis IK'O.S of oivsioi). ; awiiy llo;a. 1). lit over (licatcs lilies to otico a (', that in the ilhiess. and M elbre I il, how- '■ vomijT ni tiieir leratioii These )iii<2: oi" ohtiiip:. le,' our lein so. iiiiv the ship. al)l»ath read fill e shot- il feast tis jjre- This» brsooli the worship of Cod throui»;h the inthieiice of the chiefs, went to a iieathen feast at Uovilion, Totina Hay. WliiK' away tln'y spoke linhtly of tiie ordiiiaiiees of (iod, if not of the liord hinisi'lf, and profaned the Sah- V>atii. Thi'v returned on a Saturihiy evening, hrin<>;iM^ back two u;od-iiua, worship .b^hovah, for some of them openly ♦ leclare it is the reversi^ — that while they worshippi'd .lehovah it was well with them. " IDOLATllV AS rr WA8 AND AS IT If. " Idolatiy had a strong" hold on this people twenty- live years a;i;o, wlu'u their priests were mnnerous and inlhientlal, and their propitiatory and free-will ol!erin;i;s abundant. At that tinu? an epidemic swv ^ t olfa lar^e pro})()rtion of the poi>ulatiou, am()n<>; wiiom were many of their sacred men, who left no suc('<»ssors. 'I'he <;hiefs i)resent their first ri[)e Iruits to their deilied ancestors. Yoiinu;' men when obliin'c'd by the chiefs, present food to the ji;ods, and in some instances i);»r- ticipate in this idolatrous i)raclice even when they have souk; knowledini in time of drought. ?■:! '» <■ ''STATE OF SCHOOLS. " It is obvious that schools cannot })rospcr in any country unless they be supplied with good teachers. Every island, then, in this gioup, if not every mission- ary, nuist have a normal sclu)ol, ere the natives can be raised above a very low state. Ours, among a people so ignorant, mny properly be clcsignatctl — Infant Schools. " When we came hither we expected that the young men who had been at Samoan and New Zealand nor- mal schools would come to receive further instruction ; and with this cxpecttation 1 proposed opening a school for their beneiit ; but we were (juite disappointed in this resi)ect in all save one. Out of twenty, ten, last year, made some piogress in reading, etc. ; and of these I think one or two will make ellicient teacheis. Among them all I could lind, I dare say, hulf-a-doyx'U inca[)ables, whom I Uiiglit now send to teach others, but who would, no doul)t, do some good and much in- jury to the mission cause. Our first grand object nmst be the general prca(?hing of the (jlos})el in and out of schools, for without this our work will drive like Pharonh's chariot wheels. "Mrs. CJoi'don has been very nmch tried in her de- partment of Ji\e work. Just as she was beginning to succeed with a few pupils two years ago, a chief of Dillon's Bay coming, hvoki}. up h(;r class, and took the women away. Again slu? succeeded in forming one on the sonth side of the river, but the destruction of fruit ti'ces, etc., hy foreigners, and otluu- circumstances, scattered this one also. Snbscciuently she was suc- cessful in getting a number to come to her several ^ i OF EROMANGA. 167 days in the week, till a war broke out in October last, and other species of opposition to the Gospel arose. Only five are now with her daily ; but the number will soon increase if they are not again persecuted and compelled to leave. " Mana's school at Potina Bay wps i)rogressing favorably till a chief opposed it. He was one of the principal chiefs, and would have killed Manu ere this had the others not opposed so rash a step. The Tancse are now exciting them to more oi)en acts of opposition than formerly ; but 1 hope the diirnsion of light will soften down tlic ast)eritv of their dui'lvciied souls. 1 fear the j)resence of another missionary here now would excite some opposition. It would not have been so eigliteen months ago. I pur[)()se riMuoving hence one or two promising .young men to my school as I have from other settlements. We, however, lind great didiculty in providing food for them ; for war and foreign occupation of lands have left this part of the island in great destitution. I got a ton of rice and some Hour and biscuit through friends in Sydney which have heli)ed our school for two years. We give them food onco a day and get them to school twice a day. Some of these are becoming industrious and will soon provide for themselves. Had we a larger supply of food, or the means of obtaining it from tribes that have it to s))are, we could turn some of their evils into blessings by bringing tliem within the reach of the Gospel. " TRANSLATION. *' I have translated the book of Jonali, and a cate- chism during tlu; last year, and am well on with the Gospel by Luke, whicli, with the Acts of the Ai)ostleH, I hope to have printed a year hence. The (;()s})el is now^ being resid in school from Mrs. (Jonlon's auto- graph : and this i)lun we trust will save many pounds for i)remature printing. We expect to got tiie print- ing done In Auckland. The Bislioi) of New Zoalancl has some knowledge of this language and will, no r, 1 tC8 THE LAST MARTYRS doubt, if he can, ttikc the superintendence of the printing. Unless unothor missionary come and take my place, I cannot well leave for tln-ee months to come, th()nj»h I need s(,'arcely state how important it is that the translatoi- of any portion of the Word of God t^ho'.'ld superintend it while passing through the press." i ■ I J t: CITAITER XVI. FOIJTTII AND LAST YEAR ON EROMANGA. " A f«w more Htornip 8hall beat On tlirs wild rocky Hljorr, And w(! hIv.iU bo wlicrc tnnpcsts ccrbc, And suryoa swell no more. "A few more Htru>f;?lo8 here, A few more partings o'er, A few more toils, a few more toarii, And we shuU weep no more." — BONAR. On the 2r>th of June, 1800, the missionaries in the Now Hebrides had the pleasure of welcoming two ad- ditional laborers, viz : IMr. and Mrs. Johnston. July 17th a Conference meeting was held at Anei- teum, and the ibllowing resolutions passed : — "Met this day the nieinl)ers of the New Hebrides Mission. Tresent Messrs. (icddic, (Jordon, Matlieson, Copehind, Johnston and Taton — and Mrs. Geddie» Mrs. IVIatheson and ]\lrs. Johnston. *" Mr. (ieddie was appointed to the chair, and open- ed the meeting with praise, reading of the Scripture, and pi'nyer. '• Mr. Johnston read his instructions from the Board of Foreign Missions in Nova Scotia, after which it was nnanimously resolved : — '"'l. That this meeting record their deej) sense of gratitude to our gracious God for the prosperous OP EUOMANGA. 169 ston, voyjiu,'o, MHfl s;if>.) arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Jo and cordially wcilcomc tiioni as lello\v lahorors in the Lord's work on those ishmds. "• ' 2. Thtit leaving hoard a statoniont of tho ehiima of tiio sovorid islands, and asc'(M't;iinod tiio minds of Mr. and Mrs. ffohnston — thoy sliould bo ItKtatod on Tanna, after liaving made some necessary arran^e- monts on iVnoitonni, and that tlie members of tliia mission render them all the assistance in their power. '" ' 3. That as i\Ir. (iordon is alone on Eromani»a, tliis meetino- doei)ly sym})athlze with hinj, and as Aneitenm and Tanna have received mi:;sionai'i(*s fioni both our churches, a, missionary from the lleformed l'iosI)yteriari Church of Scotland be placed with liimlis aoon as pos- Mible. " ' 4. Tiiat Mr. Geddie be appointed to write a letter to the lioard of Foreitifn IMissions of the (church in Nova Scotia, and that Mr. Copeland bo appointed to write a letter to the Foroii»'n IMission (Jonnnittee of his Church in Scotland, regarding a united ri-esbytery or 1/rosbytories boini^ formed in this mission, and espe- trially HHiuost information as to what ought to be done in tills matter. '•' ' T). That in conductint>' mission work on these islands native agency cannot be dispensed with, and that the natives of each island are the best and most persevering agents for that island ; but till such can be prepared pioneers to go among tho heathen and aid the missionary in conunencing his work, nuist be got fi'cjm Christian islands. '• • (). That Messrs. Johnston and Paton be a{)pointed a connnittee to i)rovido for the sui)plios of teachers on islands of this group when^ no missionary is located. '^ ' 7. That the visits of tiio John. Knox have boon of ^reat advantagi^ to tho mission, and as tlu^y are more benolicial when made by a missionary than a lavnian, a missionarv accomi)any her in future, and keep an account of her voyages, so as to gratify and soeure tho continued interest of her Irionds and su[)i)ortors, and that this mooting fool grateful to tho brethren on AneiUnnu for tho continued interest in our mission < 1 1> . 170 TIIE LAST MARTYRS ' vessel, and appoint INIessrs. Geddie, Copeland and Johnston a connnittce to superintend her sailing until the next annual meetini^. '* ' 8. Tiiat our next annual meeting be held (D. V.) at Eronianga, in July, 18(11. *' ' i). That this meeting eannot close Avithout ex- f 2ssing their gratitude to God for the harmony and brotherly love that have characterized the proceedings, for they return to their respecttivc spheres ol' labor anew endeared to each other, and relreshed lor the Lord's work. '''John Geddik, Chairman, " ' John G. Taton, Clerk: " Expression is given to the feelings and sentiments of the subject of this memoir, on the same subject, in the armexed private letter, addressed to the Rev. 1*. (i. McGregor : — I \'- if "ylnciteMm, July^ 18, 18G0. *' Rev. and Dear Brother, — " You will rejoice to learn that in the good provi- dence of oui" gracious («od we are all here asseml)led, with the exception of Mrs, Ciordon, an this, rit of nis to (irvcci (Jo.I. lyers, iceiiis [d go AVC'l'l. es in hesi- i tation about leaving ; but Mrs. Cordon decided tliat 1 shouM go by all means. ''1 am not going to pass any eulogiums on 31 r. Johnston, I'oi" it sometimes happens that those who are forward to do so are frequently hasty in doing th(^ o|)- posite. I merely state that he has not in anything dis- appointed our expectations. He goes to Tana, as you will see by the resolutions passed at our last meeting. *' Mr. l*aton f-;ays ho has derived eonsideraljlc benefit from th(; Jolui Knox^ though the Tanese have not yet eml>raeed llie (iospel; and unless the contemj)lated arrangement ibr the sailing of the John Williams come into openition there will be no opposition to the John Knox on account of the expense of keeping the vessel in repair. This is one benefit derived from union. The contemplated arrangement for the sailing of the Knox will give more general satisfaction. * * * Alas ! how far short in all thiugs we come of the perfect example of our blessed Master. Oh ! to be like Christ I '" We have to return our sincere thanks to the friends of missions in your congregation for the articles sent us. Our plan for disposing of such things is this : to give them to the natives in exchniige for food, and then estimate tlie v:ilue of what we receive in return, and give an acc(junt of it to the Hoard that it may In) de- (hicted from our salary. Ihit Avhatevcr is received for our sciiool is placed in the estimates of school ex- peuses. I am sorry to s;iy that we lost £14 last year by parties connected witli vessel-; ; and £10 this year by not having an ngent in Sydney. "■ While travelling over Kromanga in December, I nearly fainted from fatigue. Finding that 1 could pur- chase a horse for £2o 1 felt justified in buying one. Since that time I rode out seve?"al tiuuis to settlements, and preached tlie (Gospel, wliich J could not have done BO lixMjuently without a horse. As I\lr. Copeland has furuislu'd me wiih a saddle, if spared to return, 1 f;hall be enabled to travel with more ease and comfort than formerly. In respect to roads there are few islands like Eromauiia. 172 THE LAST MARTTR3 ''Typo, printinof matoriiils, modicinc, oto., arc all frwly supplied by our (^(instant frioiids in tlu» Austra- lian Colonlo,^. I purpose' puttiiiijf up u now printing ollii'C wlicMi I return, for which 1 rc.uuitly roooiviMl a supply of hw'y-}. ty[)c. I purpa.^e h iviu'jj all printing done on Erouianjja for years to ooin^', e.'v('ej)ting the all ' yea and amen in Christ Jesus,' our consolation in the darkest hours. We have realized our Saviour's pre- eious promise — ^ Lo ! I am with you alway.' His manifestations of ^oodness to us in this flark, dark land, eall loudly for our most heartfelt thankl'ulness. '' 1 felt yvvy irrateful to you for your considerate care' and attention in reference to the mission <>(Jods which 1 am glad to say arrived safely and in good condition, by the care of the liev. Mr. Johnston. It may be gr;v- titying to the liberal c )ntributors to know thit the articles arc exceedingly suitable for the wants of th<' mission. The hoines})un cloth is of special service at this season of tiu^ year. Much of it has already been appropriated ; and the young females on tlu; premises are still busily engaged in making it into garments. May our kind friends experience the satisfaction which arises from doing good, and still abound in fruits of charity to the glory of God. '' 1 would also avail myself of this opportunity to tender my l)est thanks to the following ladies trom whom I have received so many unexpected tokens of Clnt'istian reganl, and which I accept as a testimony of their interest in me as a fellow-worker in tluj service of Christ ; viz : to Mrs. Antliony McLeod and Mrs. Clark, West River ; to the ladies of Rev. J.I. liaxter's congre- gation, Onslow ; to the ladies of Truro Ladies' Society : and to the ladies of West River, in comiection with Central Church. To each and all of these ladies I beg to convey through this medium my Christian love ana 174 THE LAST MARTYRS ft beat thanks ; and thoiij^h it may be that we sliall never meet face to I'licv. till we arrive at our I^'ather's house above, yet 1 wisii to assure them 1 cordial ly recipro- cate these expressions of their regard, and will ever bear them before a throne of grace, that as they are extending theirs to us, greater blessings may descend upon themselves. '' Our hearts are especially cheered, and spirits re- vived, by being assured that we and our work are so frequently made the sulyect c" praycu- among you. We repose much confidence in the prayers of God's people : for the effectual earnest prayc^r of the righteous availeth much. May not our deliverariec from past dangers have beeJi in answer to your prayers ? Eter- nity alone can disclose to us all the ha[)py results. Cease not then, dear friends, to pray for us, that the Lord may still ccmtinue his goodness ; and that in due time the great work may prosper here as it does in your highly tavored laml, until the whole; earth shall be filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. " With many kind regards to Mrs. McGregor and . family, in which Mr. Gordon unites, " I am, my dear sir, yours, with much esteem, " Rev. P. G . ]\lcGregor. E. C. Gordon." The following incident, with the accompanying ap- propriate remarks, is from the Journal of Rev. Mr. Johnston — date July 23, I860 :— *' In the evening we took a walk of about a mile, to visit a man whose wife had died during the past week. We found the man with the poor little orphans, seated near by, sad and disconsolate. The missionary spoke to him of the joys beyond the grave, which come through Christ Jesus. When we left, the poor man seemed affected and gave indication that he was grateful for our visit, and that the word of life had not fallen from the lips of God's servant without etfect. How sad to mourn Avithout hope I OF EROMANtiA. 176 *' All Hint this poor heathen loved in this v/orld ia gone^ and he (;unnot look forward to a hai)py meeting in tlie world to come. There is nothing upon which he can rest his hopes. To him the future is dreary, gloomy darlvness and uncertainty — a great unfathom- Hble mystery. It is a fact wortliy of notice, that ou last Saubath this woman, for the Jirst time, (.'ame to church ; and, in the absence of the missionaiy, heard the joyous message from the lips of his devoted wife ; and she promised to attend in future. Tliis incident has its solejim ynd instructive lessons. She came to hear the (iospel for the tirst time, promised to con- tinue, and before the next sun had sunk in the west, her soitl had passed from time and entered ujmn the unseen realities of the eternal world. * * Fricnids of INlissions, observe that through your agency, Christ and the resurrection were spoken of to this woman, ere she entered the etenud workl ; and it may be that through this word she is now in glory among those redeemed out of every kindred, and tongue, and peo- ple and nation." The closing months of 18C0, and the first in 1801, are memorable in the history of the New Hebrides mission. On the 15th of February, 18C1, Rev. Mr. Paton wrote : — " For the last two months this island has been fear- fully scourged with measles and other diseases. A vessel landed four young Tanna men ill with measles about three months ago, and in a short time this epi- demic spread over the island. Some of the lads were killed for bringing the disease. Many have died, and yet the people are djing in great numbers from the subsequent effects of the disease. The mortality is so great in some places that many persons are lell dying here and there on the earth, imburied ; or the door of the house is closed and the dead body left to decay in the house. Heathen are trulj-^ without natural attec- tion, and take but little care of their health. The disease is cutting off hundreds inland, and the people IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 1.0 I.I Hi u ■yui. 1^ 1^ 2.0 1.8 1-25 1 1.4 I 1.6 nil lll=— < 6" ► V] ^J A /A "<-V^ '/ .1^ Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. MSRO (716) 872-4503 > - ^ w « ^ k ^ V^\^^ '^ i ) 176 THE LAST MARTYRS are for klUini^ us and burning all that belongs to us, because they say we are ibreigners, and foreigners brought the disease which is killing them all." On the 10th of September Mr. and Mrs. Johnston commenced their missionary labors on Tana. At these tliey wrought faitlifull}^ and with much success for a few mouths. On the 1st of January, however, a vigorous attempt was made to take tlie life, first of Mr. Johnston, and next of Mr. Paton. AV^e give the account in the words of the latter : — "On the 1st of January, when Mr. and Mrs. John- ston were retiring from family worship in my room, he turned back to say that two Tanna men were at the window with huge clubs, etc. I went and asked what they wanted, when one answered, ' medicine foi* a sick boy ; ' so wltli much difficulty 1 got tliem urged to come into the house, when I saw from tlieir agitated appearance tluit they did not want medicine, but were about some evil. As Mr. Johnston was leaving I said they must all leave as I was going to sleep ; but if they would come in daylight I would give them all the medicine tlicy wanted. Outside Mr. Johnston bent down to lift a kitten that had got out, when one of the savages got behind him, and aimed a l»low with h's huge club, which, however, Mr. J. warded otf, and the ground received. He drew a second blow, which my dogs observing, thc}^ sprang between them, and so saved Mr. J.'s life. Hearing Mr. J. call out, I ran out of the house, and called the two men to me, not know- ing what they had done. Again they turned and both ran at me with their ponderous clubs ; but when about to inflict the deadly blow, again my dogs sprang be- tween us. One club struck one of the dogs, and the other the ground, and I was saved, and in a short time the dogs had them running away from us as fast as possible. As they lied down the path I reproved them for their sinful conduct, and entreated them to give up hating Jehovah, his worship, and his people. — OF EROMANGA. 177 Though a large body of armed men were concealed in the path, and all ready to give assistance at a mo- ment's warning, and though they had come eight or ten miles to take our lives, yet they fled. ' The Lord is our refuge*' > » Mr. Johnston's death occurred on the 21st of Jan- uarv, 18G1. Rev. Mr. Paton wrote of him thus: "I found Mr. Johnston a very agreeable companion, full of missionary zeal, and alwa3's ready to tr}' and do good to the poor heathen." On the 15th of March a hurricane swept over the islands with desolating fury. It was preceded by two others, one of which occurred on the 3rd and the other on the 10th of January. The damage sustained by mission premises and other places was very consider- able. Trees were torn up, houses blown down, and much food destroyed. Eromanga was not exempt from the desolating scourges of the neighboring islands. Under date April ord the missionary there thus wrote to the Sec- retary of the Board : — '• The chiefs are nearly all dead. Of young men and children — about one hundred persons — who sub- mitted to my treatment, only two have died. One of these was otherwise diseased. Of twenty who did not abandon the house of God, and five or six at Roviliou, not one, to my knowledge, is dead. The hand of God has been so marked in shielding these that a profound impression seems to have been made on the minds of many, even of those still living in sin. '' Mana has taken refuge with us during the lasc three months. I am obliged to keep watch at night, not constantly, but while the natives are assembled for the purpose of taking our lives. Six lads keep by us in time of imminent danger. Two months ago I just <- f n. 178 THE LAST MARTYRS ^1 i I escapod being shot at one place, and consequently wa« obliged to discontinue my visits, "which >vas a loss to the inhabitants in that locality — poor blinded souls ! " One young man in whom we placed conlidence died belbie the measles began to spread. I would have baptized him ere now had he survived. , We be- lieve he died in the Lord. Glory to God tiie Father, the Son, and Holy (jihost ! We rejoice to know that in our alilictions we are filling up that which is behind of the suflerings of Christ, for his body's sake, the Church. Oh ! for grace ^ rejoice in our sull'erings I " His last pul)lished letter, dated April Gth, appeared in the London Evangelical Christendovi. lie wrote as follows : — "We are passing through a season of imminent peril on this island, which has been occasioned by tlu; introduction of the measles — Ilvheola onalt'gna — a disease that has destroyed two-thirds of the poi)ulation in several villages. The natives in general regard us as the cause of this scourge ; and, maddened with enmity, have risen np to destroy all foieigners. A few days ago they nearly succeeded iii killing all the Europeans ; and have since made another bokl attack on a sandalwood establishment, and succeeded in burning one house and in setting tire to some others. They held a council before our door about killing us, but were divided : the fear of God appears to be upon them. It is truly awful to live among a people so savage, at a time like the present. But ' the name of the Lord is a strong tower.' " The wickedness of this people has been very great during the last two years. Crimes, such as the burn- ing of villages, and the killing of helpless women and children, were increasing. In warning them of their danger but one week before the measles came I taucjht the doctrine of a retributive Providence with umisujil earnestness. That day will not soon be forgotten, for the chiefs are now nearly all dead. Many now exclaim that the Word of God is certainly true ; still they hate OF EROMANGA. 179 itly Avas loss to souls ! liidenoe [ would We be- Fathcr, lOW tllJlt 5 behind iko, the iugs ! " ppeared wrote as umiueiit I by tlM! gna — a })ulation s>;ard us ed Avitb !rs. A »• all tbe I attack }dcd in others. ling us, je upon ople so lame of y great burn- len and of their taught unusufU ten, for exclaim ey hate ns as being the chief cause of bringing their sin to renienibraiice in the light of this new doctrine. Idol- atry has received a death-blow. Some of them feared Jehovah so much as to remove their images out of the villages where the sick were lying ; and 1 hope they Avill soon destroy them. They arc now sorely wound- ed and seem to re(iuire nothing but the balm of Gilead, after which they are beginning to inquire. '' But few of the juveniles have died, and I entertain the hope that they may become like the generation of the Israelites that eutered the promised land. This interesting portion of the people is daily coming more rmder our iniluence. Their fathers were nearly as atrongl}' opi)osed to the Gospel as were the Jews in their worst da3's. The causes, too, are similar : the new teaching interfering -with the time-honored tra- clitiones of the old. 1 m;iy state tliat woruen on Ero- manga are shut out of the camp seve7i days of cA'cry month, and cannot be received in again till after their puritication. Other traditions of this kind are extant. Above all things it is hateful to them that the salvation by Jesus embraces women — as it does the lords of the earth. "It is exceedingly painful to see a people upon whom 3^ou have set your heart to bring them to a knowledge of the truth, fading away in unbelief. When we lie down at night and rise up in the morning we hear the long, loud, and bitter cry of those who mourn without hope. None died of the measles on our premises, and but two of those in all who had come properly under our treatment. Cases of phren- itis and meningitis were very troublesome, and were ascribed to the influence of evil spirits. 1 found our most powerful astringents ineffectual in cases of chro- nic diarrhoea. " The man regarded as the murderer of Mr. Hams is dead — I cannot say 'in the Lord ;' and the only survivor of Mr. Williams' murderers is in a very hum- ble state. After oppressing widows and orphans by robbing them, he lost his teeth in a singular maimer : they became soft like sponge and fell out. He saya 'I " 1 ,i; 180 THE LAST MARTYR9 n ■■A I I I Jehovah took them out — a veiy uiiiisiial confession. " The hurricane which visited this island in Janiuiry must have been moving at the rate of 100 miles an hour. It left desolation and famine in its track, and greatly increased the severity of the measles. Every thing was blasted. This disease has prevailed in at least eight islands. '' We had a catechuman who died five months ago, we believe in the Lord. He was the first and only one Avhom we have reason to believe was a Christian. Being delirious for a few days he could not recognize his friends ; but when asked — ' Do you know then who Jesus is?* — he would answer — 'O! yon I He is our dear Savior.' That name that is above every name is a divine charm for the soul whose ears arc unstopped. " I have just finished the translation of the Gos])cl bj' Luke. I have translated Dr. CampbeU's Catechism and ' Principles of Saving KnoAvledge,' omiting of the Catechism the Scripture names, and some of the hymns in the first edition. The capacity of this peo- ple for receiving scriptural knowledge is not greater than that of European children five years old. I therefore doubt the propriety of translating the Scrip- tures in full until a work of so great importance can be done with something approaching thorough accu- TViCy. — I have recently published another tract of twenty-four pages, which contains the history of Jo- seph, an account of the ten plagues of Egypt, and of the glorious Exodus. A s^^nopsis of the four Gospels will follow, God willing, containing some of our Lord's most striking parables and sayings ; such^ c. g., as children would readily apprehend, and which shall be the most suitable for young and old. *' While writing the foregoing a young man from the south side of the island, called to enquire for the Word of God. He said the Bishop of New Zealand — whom he calls his father — took him thence several years ago and taught him about Jehovah, but that, on his return, he followed his old ways, thinking little of the Word of God till he became sick with the measles. OF EIIOMANC.A. 181 re SSI on. aniuiry iles an 3k, and Every in at IS ago, id only ristian. cognize w then ! He every tars are Gospel techism r of the of the lis peo- greater old. I ; Scrip- ice can h accii- Tact of - of Jo- , and of Gospels • Lord's • g-, as iliall be i'om the for the Zealand several that, on little of neasles. Thus that noble rniKsionary is found doing good even in places quite unexpected." The last letter Avritten by the subject of this memoir was addressed to his brother Kobert. It Ix'ars date April 9th, 18G1. In it he says :—" The pilhus of Satan's temple have fallen with a terrible ci'ush : Tlie sound thereof has gone up to heaven. Oh ! tlie cry, the loud bitter cry of those who have no hojxi ! Oh ] <;ome spirit of the Lord and rear up the new tenjple on the ruins of the old ! " The closing scene was not far distant. Death re- ceived a commission to hasten awa}^ two more laboix^rs from tliis dark island. It was executed with relentless speed. The fourth missionary year was an awful one, — a year during which deep called unto deep, and arrows from the Lord's quiver flew thick and fast, leaving the " tents of Cuslian in aflliction," and caus- ing " the curtains of the land of Midian to tremble," — a year during which "Jehovah marched through the land in indignation and thrashed the heathen in his anger." But liis servants encouraged themselves in the Lord, like David at Zikhig, where "the people lift- ed up their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep ; and the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons, and for his daughters." — Yet amid iill the clouds and thick darkness his servants clung to the promises, — "Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings slialt thou trust : His truth shall be thy shield iind buckler. Ye shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor for the arrow flying by day, nor for the pes- ^ii' 1 i '\ 182 THE LAST MAHTYR3 IJlciicc wtilkin^ in (Iniknoss, nor foi* the (losttiK'tion wasting ul noon-day." A 'thousand loll at their .side, but it came not nigh thorn. J3nt "with their eyes they Ix'held the reward of the wicked. Ileeause they made the Lord their refuge, and the Most High their habita- tion, no evil befell them, nor plague came nigh their dwelling.' " On the morning of the Twentieth of May, 1801, the subject of this memoir and his wife worshipped together for the last time on earth. The psnlm sung, cliaptcr read, and prayer otfered, are unknown, but all was done in an humble dwelling, on the sunnnit of a hill called by some Mount Zion. Before the rising sun iiad gained too great an elevation, the missionary^ with a little band of youthful disciples, leaving that lowly abode in the keeping of his devoted helpmeet, descended the hill to resume his work at a winter re- sidence farther down the slope. At that house he was engaged till noon. The lads were at a distance ga- thering grass to cover the roof of the new dwelling. A band of savages, nine in all, with nuirderous intent, drew nigh. The}'- came from Bunkil, a place distant seven or eight miles. In a small thicket, situated be- tween the abode on the hill and the new one in course of erection, eight lay in ambush, w'hile the ninth — Na'Tibuleet — proceeded to the spot where the object of his deadl}' designs was at work and accosted him thus : "1 want some calico for myself and some mein waiting at the mission house." Taking up a piece of board the missionary wrote on it with a piece of charcoal — " Give these men a yard of cotton each " — then handing it Narubuleet, said, " Take this to Mrs. Gordon, and she will give you what you want." " Lova wishes to see you to get y OF EUOMANOA. 183 tl'llC'tlOll .'ir side, cs tliev y nijido luil)itn- ;li their , 1861, si lipped 11 .simg, but all lit of a ? risiiig- doiiary, im' that Ipineet, iter re- he wa3 ice ga- velliiig. intent, distant -ted be- conrse inth — object pd him iic men rote on a yard , said, vo yon to get some medicine for a sick man ; yon had better come yourself," rc])lied the savage. " See, I have not eaten yet ; l)ut nevcu' mind I can do so as well at the house," said tlie unsuspecting missionary, pointing at the same time to a plate on wliich his wile had sent him some food. \Vra[>i)ing the phite in a handkerchief lie started for the house, followed bv the sava<»e. The ambush I'oached, Xarubuleet plunged a tomahawk iiit(j his un- suspecting victim's spine, and he fell, uttering a loud cry. The others immediatel}' rushed upon him and all was soon over. Thus fell the Third Martyr of Ej'omanga. The breeze speedily wafted liis expiring cr}^ mingled with savage yells and fiendish shouts, to the ear of his partner. One victim secured, the assassins, save one, remained to haCk the bod}'. That one ran to the house to seek the other object on whom their venge- ance must be wreaked. Alarmed by tlie noise she hastened to an out-housc, and standing there, listened with a fluttering heart. The murderer approaching with tomahawk concealed she inquired : '' Ouben, what is the matter? wdiat is all that noise about?" "No- thing : it's only the boys playing," Ouben re \ 3. Awful momoiit for her trembling spirit ! •' Where are the iioys?" she asks, and in her agitation and anxiety turned round to look, when the murderer, seizing the opportunity, struck his tomahawk into her shoulder blade. 8he fell on a heap of grass, and one more blow nearly severed her head from the body. Thus fell p:ilen Catherine Gordon, the Fourth Martyr of ICromanga — and most a martyr of the four. The tragic scenes enacted the clock struck one — the first toll of their funeral bell ; at least to us as such ili \ i 184 THE LAST 3IAUTYR9 that stroke has since appcaivd, wliother lieard at the beginning of day's decline or after the niichiight honr. "" They were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their (h^ath they were not divided." ClIArTEll XVIII. ASSIGNED CAUSES OF THE MAIITVIIDOM : AN FJCAMINATIOK OF TWO OF THESE. "Charity rojoiceth in tlie trutli." The greater number of the particulars concerning the sad events recorded iu the preceding chapter were connnnnicated by Mr. Milne — a young man connected Avith a wandalwood establishment at Dillon's Bay — to the Rev. Wm. Cuthbertson, Sydney. IMr. Milne'ft letter, dated Eromanga June 7th, 1neeriiiii2; )tcr were oiinected Bay — to Milne's niblished and from i.se, is as iiieli had trance in :he excr- t rapidly le result. JUS trad- •• islands, r among a, Saud- s died — depopu- us never T white uuMi and ealled it ' the white? man's eui'so.' i no consfMiueiu'O ot* tliis idea, especially amonti; tiie more savage tribes, was naturally a bitter hostility a!j;ainst Ibrcigners, and sinn to the Gospel, and much murder and idola- try. I felt sure that God would visit them in judgment, and warned them most solemnly but a few days l)efore they were attacked. The chiefs, who inaintaiu that to give up their idols is the cessation of their rule, can hardl^^ now persuade their peo})le that this is not the linger of Jehovah. 1 Avarned them to llee from the 'I : I ' 180 tiif: last m.vutyus v.rntli to ennio, 1>ut they took not >vtiniiii|L!; till too Inti'.' From tlu> discusc^ rolKnviii^* close on tlii*^<* wnriiiui^'H, tlic n.'itivi's lu'licved tli'it \\w iiiissioiKiry litid |»r:iy(Ml to (iod to s<'nd it. on tluMii ; and this lu'licl" ri'iidily uc- I'orcU'd vvllli tlio fixed idoiis ol' AvitclK-raCt wliicii obtains universally in this island. About two wci'ks a^jfo, 1 e writes: — • It seems that I was nearly shot about two Sabbaths a'j:o, at liunUhill, as 1 was o(.ttini>' on my liorse. »S()ni(» eircmnstance preventod — i)erha|)s tiie torrents ol" rain that Cell, Avhile I was en_ii:a, Judgments on the i)e()p]('. in the slja))e of temporal pnnislunents for their idolatrous anr, and which iias cidled forth e(litorial remarks. The Jomnal came into my pos- e-sion a few days au'o. and I lind in it the statement alln(h'(l to. S[)C':ikinL!; of the disease Ik; wi-iti's: Mt was prcMHuled by nearly an universal opposition to tlu; Gospel, and much mm-der and idolatiy. I felt sure that (lod would visit them in Judj^nient, and warned them most solemn- ly but a fi'W days before they were prostnited.' As the warning was so soon followed by the disea'-e, the natives not unreasonably concluded that he had some aiiencv in biinuin^' it on them. j\rucli as we may ad- mire the faithfulness and j)lain (h'alinii; of IMr. (iordon with till' heathen, yet the jtropiiety of (UMiouncini»; tem- poral Judpnent is questionable, 'i'lie i)roplicts of old did so, but they had a special connnission from heaven. The (losjiel is a mess;i:!:e of mercy and love, and should be addressed to the heathen in its most attitc- tive iV)rm. The tirst missionary to the heathen said, ' I determined not to know anything among you, save J( s is Christ, and him crncilied.' '• Ihit in the next place some of tlie traders told the Erroinangans that Mr. (k>rdon was the cause of the disease ^\hich i)roved so fata! to them. In a letter to myself written in January he says: 'The Dhie Bell carried the measles to Dillon's I'ay in November, and the results ha\e been fearful and continue to be so. The nati\es ai-e for the most part like mad tigers, having been stirred up to believe that we are the cause of their alarming distress.' In looking over his jour- nal I llnd the following statement, written about the same time : '• jNIany of thejn believe really or feigi.vJly that I am the cause of this singular disease which is strange and alarming to all. They have been conlirm- ed in this l)elief by some foreigners' . There is no allusion to this important fact in the account sent to the Sydney papers. Among those who endeavored 188 THE LAST MARTYRS to stir up tho natives njjjiiiiist Mr. Gordon Avas a man named Uanji;c, a native of India, and a Britisli suhjeet, I l)elieve. lie lived on tliis island formerly, and went to Erromansra about eii>'lit or ten years auo. lie is Ji Mahometan and has several Avives. lie is well ac- quainted with the langu;i the irassacre of our friends than the imhapj)y « enunci- ation of Divine an^er alluded to. Thev all sa that if JSJ'hcan had not died. My. and ]Mrs. (iordon av aid not have been injured. You will be surprised to ear that it is tlie practice of some of the traders sail' .g among these islands to aviu'u the natives against n isionaries, as beinii; the cause of disease and death." The reasons assigned for the martyrdom ma}' be summed up as follows. First, those given by Mr. Milne : 1. The ravages of the measles. 2. The death of NiAA'an. 8. The Avarnings of the missionary ad- dressed to the natives. 4. Universal belief in Avitch- craft. Additional reasons assigned by jNEr. Geddie: 1. De- nunciations of temporal judgment. 2. The etl'ects of traders in mukin.u' the natives believe the missionary J f: OF EROMANGA. 189 was a man tish subject, y, and went :o. lie is ji is well ai*- (uii-'Hl much 10 has kill(Kl liiol* of ])il- t infiuential essG(t great f his (leatli. chMr. r-or- lere wae no lissionanes, Mr. Gor- Ranoe ac- ho natives, rei)ort bat il mortality nony of the the words of e to o with ipy < onunei- l sa tiiat if n w aid not to ear that ... \ 11 ig, among jvsionaries. )ni maj' be en by Mr. The death donary ad- .'f in witeh- lie: 1. De- e eti'ects of missionary '* was the cause of the disease. 3. The influence of Kani^e. Of the preceding causes, No. 1 on the second list — to use the words of the Rev. George Patterson as con- tained in an article that appeared in the Record — was the one " first published, and which has been chiefly talcen up by the public. " Before examining that reason it may not be un- necessary to make one or two remarks on an observa- tion occurring in the precedsng extract ; and 1 . In reference to Paul's style of preaching. Who, one may ask, anticipates a period when the preachers of the Gospel will agree to take any single individual as a paragon ? As it is now, so no doubt, it ever shall be, one will be for Paid, another for Apollas, and another for Cephas. The gi-eat Apostle of the Gentiles himself asserts that " every man has his own proper gift." From the lips of a John the message of re- deeming mercy may drop on hard hearts in meltin|f accents of love, while the pointed and cutting reproofs of a Peter may prick others to the heart. " Wisdom is profitable to direct." The Rev. Mr. Patterson, in the article referred to, remarks : — " We do feel that one error has been committed in the management of the mission. That error loas the occupation of Eromanga by a single missionary. Hu- manly speaking had there been another missionary at the other side of the island, and he blessed with equal success, this catastrophe woidd not have happened. We know, too, that as our Lord saw meet to send forth the self-confident Peter and the loving John in C(mipan3', so there are still deficiencies in one servant that require to be supplimented by the deficiencies of another." I? , U I U: n 1' u ''! 190 THE LAST MARTYRS Whatever may have been the general character of Mr. Gcrdou's preaching, one thing is evident, it not unfrequently reached the consciences of those to whom it was addressed, and who will aflirm that such preach- ing is ever in vain or imprudent ? or assert that the conscience is not the right place at which to begin when dealing with obstinate sinners? AV^hy not ciill Stephen's address injudicious and imprudent, seeing it cost him his life ? Had it been more conciliatory pro- bably his days might have been prolonged. 2. It appears that Mr. Cuthbertson's corres^ o ident while writing for a Colonial paper went to tlie mission- ary's diary seeking causes to account for the martyr- dom, but quoted just so much as suited a purpose. Brief, however, and incomplete as the quotation from his diary was, it furnished a Sydney editor with a theme on which to animadvert. Perliaps it would have been better had that journalist reserved his stric- tures, and suspended his judgment on the case, till he had the whole entry before him. The following circumstances connected with the sad events of May 20th afford clear indications that No. 1 of the second list of causes assigned for the martyr- dom, had but little, if anything at all, to do with the fact. 1. Mr. Milne states that on the death of JSfhcan the ' tribe of which he was chief attempted to destroy all the whites; but about ten minutes previous to the time appointed for the execution of their " ingeniously art- ful " plot, it was divulged, and the white population escaped. Now, why, Haman-like, did that tribe scorn to lay hands on one jjoor Mordecai alone ? For the space of nearly four years both natives and foreigners received the benefits of the little medical skill which i ) OF EKOMANCfA. lai character of doiit, it not )so to whom such preach- 3rt that the cli to begin liy not cjill lit, seeing it iliatory pro- rresi o ident tlie niission- the martyr- a purpose, •tation from itor with a »s it Avoukl d his stric- caso, till he ith the sad that No. 1 ;he martyr- lo with the Niwan the destroy all to the time liously art- population tribe scorn For the foreigners skill which the missionary possessed ; and both reposed confidence in his treatment of their diseases. But, although nn- successful in effecting cures in every instance, yet sus- picion never rested upon him of having [Poisoned any of his patic>nts. In reference to the plot Mr. Milne remarks : " Of course when the party came to carry their intentions into elfect we were prepared, and they Winit away disii\)pointed." B\it who are inelud'Hl in the " we " ? certainly not the mission family. They never made bulwarks mounted with ordnance around their premises, nor armed themselves in self defence, as the sandalwood traders were wont to do. When, however, the latter were within their battlements, ex- pecting every hour to be attacked, the following laconic notes addressed to Mr. Gordon indicate what their re- s])ective writers thouoht about an innnediate exehaniie of worlds : — " Dear Sir, — One of my Tanna men was killed and eaten yesterday by some of the people of the rivei*, without any reason that I can learn. 1 am really at a loss to know what to do." "Dear Sir, — Yesterday I was nearly shot by an Krromangan, and in the night time the premises were set on fire, but fortunately extinguished with little da- mage done. I fear this is only the prelude to other attacks." "Mr. Gordon, — Please let me know if you have heard about the natives going to attack us to-day or to-morrow. One of the natives that is trading for us told me this morning they were going to kill all the whites on the island on account of the ships bringing this disease. 1 believe they are going to commence to-day." " Dear Sir, — Do you think yom-self safe up there ? jilljll I i I 192 THE LAST MARTYRS : ,1 l! I ; .,11 1 I It is obvious these natives do not care who they are revenged on," * Unbarricadoed and unarmed, but enabled to use this sublime declaration of the Inspired Word — " The name of the Lord is a strong tower ; the righteous runneth into it and is safe " — the missionary replied : " We feel it to be our duty to remain at our post till compelled to flee." The " *ue " who were prepared for the reception of the party of natives who came with murderous in- tent, must have been the traders. The natives had savage cunning enough to endeavor to take the forts first. Had these been taken, the unarmed mission- aries could have been quite easily despatched at any time. Since, then, the native enmity was not in this in- stance concentrated on one individual alone, but ex- tended to the whole white population, — and since they made no attempt on his life after being frustrated in their grand aim, we may fairly conclude that very little weight is to be attached to the Niwan poisoning story. 2. In Mr. Geddie's annual Report of the same date, — Aug. 26, 1861 — a circumstance is mentioned, which though painful to relate, appears to corroborate the view taken of the point under consideration : — " You will be sorry to hear," he writes, " that a white man and a New Caledonian woman who lived with him, were killed on Erromanga since the massacre of our friends. I mention the fact here as the one event seems to have arisen out of the other. They lived at ♦ The preceding notes were found among the lettere of the mis«jionary'» correspondents." -— Ao. I i '■■> OF EROMANGA. 193 lio they are I to use this ,i.d _ '' The e righteous iry replied : ur post till reception of irdorous in- natives had ke the forts ed mission- died at any in this in- >ne, but ex- - and since g frustrated e that very n poisoning same date, oned, which aborate the n : — " You white man with him, acre of our one event ey lived at je miMionary's SI place called Norass, which Mr. Gordon had occasion- all}'' visited. When the Norass people heard of his death they were angry, and said, ' Why kill the mis- sionary for he was a good man, and did us no injury ; but these men (the traders) take our women, destroy our plantations, steal our sandalwood, etc. ; ' and so saying they went and killed the poor man and woman, who, perhaps did them no harm, though the class to which they belonged have been guilty of the darkest deeds. The other traders on the island are unmolest- ed, but they are more cautious than formerl}', and do not go abroad much without fire-arms." 3. In the same report, referring to the flight of some of the Eromangans the writer states : — " The death of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon was not suffi- cient to appease the anger of Range, and he has since sought the destruction of the natives who lived at the mission and others favorable to Christianity. He threatened to kill Mana himself, the only Erromangan who had been baptized, and told the natives to kill the others. Fourteen males and females have fled to this island for safety and are at present with us. Others favorable to Christianity have been ordered to burn their books and destroy their clothing, and have comj plied in most cases. It is said that a few have con- cealed their books in the bush, and sometimes steal awa}' to read them." 4. If it were on account of the denunciatory charac- ter of his preaching at Bunkil that they resolved to take his life, what was there under the circumstances to prevent the natives of that locality from carrying out their intention then and there? AVhy allow a fort- night to elapse, and then walk a distance of six or seven miles to execute their purpose? The second last time he was at Bunkil, about six weeks before, an M ii m f "S i!;^^ ii:ii| m )iii '•Hi ■ii '. ' ! i I ,; ii ' !". liiii' 104 THE LAST B1ARTTR3 attempt liad been made to shoot him as he was mount- ing his horse ; on the hist occasion he was, we pre- sume, unprotected, and far from his friends, what better opportunity could they have expected by wait- ing a fortnight ? 5. They killed Mrs. Gordon with equal barljarit}^ Poor Lamb ! represented by l)i'* Turner as " quiet, amiable, intelligent, and possessing a heart full of love to the heathen," what had she done to incur their resentment or savage ferocity? Her name, too, must have been on the death-list pre\'iou:s to the start* ing of the murderers for Dillon's Bay. But even apart from the preceding considerations, what is there in the extract itself to lead an unbiassed mind to draw inferences from it prejudicial to the memory of the writer? He wrote, "I felt sure that God would visit them in judgment.'* In this clause he states his impression ; then added, " and warned them most solemnly but a few days l)efore they were attacked." But what was t)ie nature of this warning? What is there in the words or structure of the sentence to justify an}'' one in characterising his notes of admO" nition as " denouncing temporal judgment" on the people ? As to the kind of warning he liimself affords the necessary information in a succeedinii; sentence (quoted only by Mr. Milne), " I warned them to flee from the wrath to come." This is Scripture phraseo- logy, and in whatever sense the phrase — " wrath to come" — was understood by the auditors of John the Baptist, it is now generally regarded as having refer- ence to future punishment. The writer then added : — " But they took not warning till too late." Did he wish to convey the idea by this reniaik, that a du© OF EROMANGA. 195 was mount- >'iis, we pre- ioiids, what ;et;l by wait- 1 barljarityof as it. quiet, eart full (A' lie to incur r name, too, to tlie start* isidcrations, n un1)iassecl icial to the It sure that this dause and warned e they were is warning? he sentence es of admd- mt" on the nself affords g sentence hem to flee re phraseo- " wrath to )f John the iving refer' n added : — ." Did he that a d\x& attention to his solemn admonition would have secur- ed for his hearers an exemption from disease ? It may liave been so, and may be accepted as snch b}'^ any who think it reasonable. Would it not be more rea- sonable to conclude from the scope and import of his remarks that he nrged upon the natives an innnediato renunciation of their evil practices, and an acceptance of the proffered salvation, but that they repented not, and consequently perished in their sins? Notwith- standing the Lord may have left his erring servant so far to himself as to become emboldened to invade the province of the propliets, and afterward reap the bitter fruit of his temerity. Would it not. have been jnore in accordance Avitli the spirit of the most excellent of the three christian gi'aces to have put a more favorable constniction on the language (when it admits of it) of one who can now no more raise his voice in self- vindication? l^^ight months after the mart3'rdom the Rev. George Patterson expressed his judgment of the case in these words : — • " All that has been adduced does not convince us that he had gone farther than every preacher of righteousness is warranted in warning sinners of what God may do. Besides it does not become us to judge of his conduct in circumstances of which we can have but a slight conception." It is indeed somewhat sad to think that men wear- ing the badge of Christianity, should, with so much apparent facility, become oblivious of the ever-pressing claims of that charity that " thinketh no evil but re- joiceth in the truth."* * \Vc purposed inserting the entire entry in Mr. Gordon's Diarv, but tip to this date — more than two yeara after hia death — it in not forthcom- ing. — Au, ^(1 -1 !■; iti! 'ill I' ,1 il!!i! ! ij ■i; i . ;! i:i ::! I i 19G THE LAST MARTYRS We wonld now vciy willingly dismiss this subject, were it not for the fact that it is kept before the public with untiring assiduity' ; but what good object is thus to be attained, it is difficult to conjecture. We are obliged, then, to solicit the reader's kind forbearance while directing attention to another phase which the subject has more recently assumed. And we first in- sert an extract of a letter of the Rev. J. Geddie, dated, Sept. 11th, 1861: — "It was with painful emotions that we entered Dil- lon's Buy this morning. The day was fine, and the island never appeared more lovel3\ It was hard to think that so interesting a spot of God's creation should have been desecrated with the deeds of dark- ness that have been perpetrated on it. A death-like stillness prevailed around the bay and very few natives could be seen. The fatal disease which swept over the island, has fearfull}'^ reduced the population, and the survivors, whether friends or foes, were ashamed or afraid when they saw the ship. " A boat was soon lowered and sent on shore under the charge of Joe, one of the Erromangan natives of Anciteum, whom we brought as an interpreter. The boat soon returned bringing several friendly natives, and among them Kauiaui the man who killed Mr. Williams and Harris, the son and successor of Niwan, the late high chief. Our inteniew with these poor Erromangans was an aflecting one. It was some time before they spoke, and they shed many tears. They gave us full infoimation about the massacre of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon. The account we received of the sad event is substantially the same as I have already forwarded to j'ou, with some additional particulars. A full statement of the whole affair has been carefully written out by Mr. Murray, from information collected on the spot, and will probably appear in the Mission' ary Chronicle of the London Missionary Society. " It ought perhaps to be mentioned that Mr. Gordon 9 I OF EROMANGA. 197 this subject, re the public )bject is thus re. We are forbearance se which the 1 we first in- eclclie, dated, entered Dil- ine, and tlie was hard to Dd's creation seds of dark- A death-like y few natives wept over the ion, and the ashamed or shore under m natives of preter. The ndly natives, killed Mr. or of Niwan, these poor as some time tears. They sacre of Mr. eived of the have already 1 particulars, een carefully tion collected the Mission- Society. t Mr. Gordon was not ijijnorant of his dann:or. lie did not live nt the bay wliore the native settlement is, but on a liinh hill, iibout two miles distant, and very inaccessible. This locality" appears to have been chosen for health. In this secluded place he was in a measure beyond the reach of his friends, and nnich in the power of evil- disposed i)ersons. The only natives near him were those on liis own premises. As soon as the natives at the bay lieard that the heathen intended to kill the mission family they sent word to Mr. Gordon of their intentions, and urged him to remove to the old mission premises, where he would be in the midst of his friends, who would protect him. These warnings were repeat- ed three days in succession, on the last of which the massacre took place. We do not know the reason why these warnings were not attended to, probably ]VIr. Gordon thought the natives were not sincere in their threateuings. There is no probability that any injury M'Ould have befallen the mission family had thej- been at the bay." Had the mission family remained at the Bay, it is more than probable that Mrs. Gordon would ere that period have been beyond the sound of alarm. But why endorse native stories with so much readi- ness? If Mr. Gordon really received three emphatic w^arnings on the days mentioned, how did his mind come to be so entirely free from suspicion, as it ap- pears to have been, at the time, and subsequent to Narubuleet's parley with him on the day he was killed ? What satisfactory explanation can be given of that ch'- 'Cumstance, if native stories noted down from the lips of an interpreter five months after the event, be endorsed ? The subjoined extract is from the " statement " of the Rev. A. W. Murraj', which first appeared in the Missionary Magazine and Chronicle of the London Missionary Society, April, 1862 : i I ■ .[ HI 198 TIIK LAST MARTYRS "But to rotiini to onr conforouco wita the cliiofsj. Tlioy and tlie pcoi)le prosoiit doclarcd it to bo their conviction that if Mr. and Mrs. Gordon had remained in the Hay, instead of reniovlno^ to a i)hice two miles distant, and living alone, they would have been safe, notwithstanding the misrepresentations of Rangi, and tlie conserpient anger of the people at a distanee. In tliat case they would have been among* their friends, wno would liave stood by them and made connnon canse with them. That Mr. G. took the step referred to, is matter of nniversal regret among all his friends and the friends of the mission. His reason for doing so was a conviction that it was necessary to the health of jNIrs. Gordon." No one, surely, blessed with a donble baptism of the Holy Spirit would have ventured to disturb on grounds so slender the slumbers of the sleeping dead. November 3rd, 1860, the Rev. Mr. Coi)eland wrote as follows to the Rev. J. Ka}^ : — " I was particularly struck on my late visit to these two Islands [Tana and Eromanga] with ono point of difference between the mission stations. At Eroman- ga you see very few natives and there is no stir ; on Tana, you meet them everywhere, and find them in corners and places where you do not at all times wish to see them. Eromanga is Acry thinly populated, at least about Dillon's Bay." Shall we conclude, then, that the "native settle- ment" at Dillon's Bay has only a recent historical existence ? Shortly after the Rev. A. W. Murray's communica tion to the Magazine and OJironide was published, the Rev. Robert Murray, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was in Britain ; and, having an interview with Dr. Turner, the latter called his attention to the extract just quoted, / OF KUOMANGA. lO'J to 1)0 their id romaiiuHl •c two miles ; been safe, Runji'i, and Istanee. In leii* friends, do connnon itep referred his friends n for doing o the health ptism of the ► on grounds ,d. •eland wrote isit to these no point of A.t Eroman- lo stir ; on lid them in I times wish )pulated, at itive settle- historical ?ommunica blished, the )tia, was in )r. Turner, ust quoted. and remaiked that it was fitted to make an unjust impression in reference to tlie death of the late mis- sionaries of Eroinaiiga. Tlie doctor had reason i'or thinking as he did, for a remark with which the editor of the Mav1k) have lost their lives nobly in the noblest of enterjirises ! Dr. Turner spoke of the (lordons with the most eoriliul nll'eetion. lie evidently nppreeititecl them rightly." Iltid there been no other cause for removing from the Bay to a more healthful loealit}', the preservation of the life of a member of the -Mission family would, in the view of most persons, have been deemed sullicient. In the annexed extract we have the views of Williams on this point : — "'But, while rejoicing in the work which he had now resumed, and clu^ered by the hainionv and eueiuv of the people, disease again assailed his Uelo\ed partner. In a short time the nitolerable fecfee had reduced her so low, that the necessity of speedily removing from Kaiatea, was once more forced up(jn his attention. Mrs. Williams, indeed, was too generous and self-de- nying to lu'ge this course upon her devoted husband. She knew that he had promised to re-visiwt Samoa, and that i)rior to their embarkation for England, it was most important that the Karotongan Testament should be prei)ared for the press ; and she Avas most unwilling to depart until these designs had been completed. But, on the other hand, he sympathized too deeply in her sulierings, and felt too great [i dread of the conse- quences to allow any public claim to supercede the prior duty which he owed to the beloAcd anel laboi'ious partner of liis days. He had,, therefore, resolved to depart. ' Should Mrs. Williams continue so unwell,' he writes, ' it will be impossible for me to re-visit Ra- rotonga and Samoa. My full determination is to. impose upon her no longer. l*erliaps I might etiect as much by going to England immetliati,4y, as by waiting ten or twelve months ; though I could not do it with sa much satisfaction to my own mind. 1 believe I am blamed by many and thought imkind in having re- mained so long. The}^ consider that the strength of her constitution is gone. Most earnestly do 1 wish OF EUOMANGA. 201 that thoiT was somo o!in on tlio spot to take Ralatoa. It Would 1h' a givat rclierto my luiiul.'" 4 111 tlu' Tionl'H providential dispensations events aro ol)serval)i(! wliieii may be reijfanled as instaiieos of retribution. Sueh, e. i ml ixn 202 THE LAST MAUTYUS Did they do so? We believe they did not, and for tlie following reasons : — 1. The late missionary obtained his information from the guilty tribe, and of that tribe, a part at least of the account was given by the only two surviving parties innnediately implicated. 2. Under these circumstances, and considering the lapse of time since Nov. 20th, 18o9 ; and farther, knowing what the general character of the heathen is, their account cannot be relied npon or received with any degree of coniidence. 3. Mr. AYilliams' . ographor remarks "that it was one of Mrs. Williams' latest and most earnest entrea- ties that he would not land at Eromanga," and Williams knew how to appreciate the counsels and admonitions of his wife : though he did land, yet no doubt they tended greatl}- to induce the circumspec- tion which he manifested just before and after landing. 4. On that day his mind was " not free from a gloomy tinge," and the previous night had been to him a "sleepless night," caused by a deep sense- of the danger of his enterprise, and by a consideration of the magnitude of the work which he had undertaken. 5. The accounts of the scene given by Cjiptain Mor- gan and Mr. Cunningham are, we presume, alone en- titled to confidence, and in them is nothing to show that Williams did anything against the manifested ill will of the natives. On the contrary, the reverse is apparent. AVe regret, the^i, that he arrived at such a conclu- sion, on such grounds — we regret it for his own sake. It is but a si)ecimen, however, of what well-disposed men occasionally do in their vnignarded moments. The noble "Martyr of Eromanga" won a most splen- 1 U: OF EROMANGA. 203 lot, and for information art at least o surviving idei-ino^ the nd farther, heathen is, ccived with (lid reputation, and we feel assured that the hunil)le subject of this memoir would not eonsciously have written anything having a tendeiKy in the slightest degree to dim the resplenaent halo which encircles the memory of his living years and dying hour. But what of the coincidence? It is obvious. "VVc add no more. May posterity do justice to the living, and mete out the same to those reposing in the land of silence. tliat it was lest (uitrea- mga," and unsels and md, yet no 'ircumspec- er landing. ec from a een to him use- of the tion of the iken. )tain Mor- alone en- >■ to show lifested ill reverse is a conclii- own sake. m l-disposed moments. Dst splen- CIIAPTEE XIX. INIIMATIONS OF THE MAT^T^T.DO^Sr KF.CEIVHD AT HOME AND BY THE CIlUKOII. *' DeaUi hatli made no hroiu;li In love and Hyinpathy, in liopo and truHt ; » No outward sij^n or sound our cars can reach, l^ut there's an inward, spiritual spoecl\, That greets us still, though mortal tongues he dust. " It bidn us do the work that they laid down, Take up the song wliere thi'y broki! oU'the strain, rSo jouriu'ying till tliey reach the heavenly town Where arc laid up our treasures and our crown, And our lost loved ones will he found airain." — EUilOTT. It was a cold, stormy day in Octol)er, 18G1, when a letter was recei^'ed fro n Mr. William Powell, brother of one of the deceased, bearino; sad intellitrcnce. It was freighted with heavy tidings, and written by one whose heart was weighed down with grief. Without, the rain was pattering on the roof, and trickling down the window panes, and anon a briny shower falls within. A mother cries — " My son ! my son ! " and, like Rachel, for her missing children wei)t. Her sight- less eyes could never more behold that son ; and now n ' 204 THE LAST MARTYRS I %W ■1 :i«; ill that the fountam is again unsealed what could impede the flowing tide? " Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him ; but weep sore for him" that goeth away : for he shall return no more, nor see his native coun- try." — Jer. xxii. 10. The one part of the prophet's exhortation she did, the other left undone. On the 23rd of the same month, the Board ©f Foreign Missions, having met at New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, recorded the following minute : — *' Tlie Board of Foreign Missions, in receiving the sad intelligence of the death of Mr. and JSIrs. Gordon, would embrace the opportunity of recording on their Minutes the high sense they entertain of the personal character and self-denying labors of those eminent servants of Christ. From the time of Mr. Gordon's connexion with the mission he manifested a zeal and devotedness to his work amounting even to enthusiasm — a diligence in labor that never wearied — a bold- ness that was not appalled in the hour of greatest peril — a faith in God which bore him tlirougrh tlie severest trials — a perseverance which never yielded to the greatest discouragements — and an earnc^itness and constancy in prayer which sanctified all his efforts. Of Mrs. Gordon the Board knew notliing b}' personal intercourse, but from the uniform testimony of those who met her, and from what they have known of her labors since her connexion with the mission, they feel it not onl}' tlieir duty to record the high sense of her personal excellencies, her devoted zeal in the cause of missions, her self-denying, arduous and persevering labors on behalf of the heathen,, and the exalted Christian heroism which she displa^^ed in scenes of the greatest i)eril. Reviewing tlie past labors and suffer- ing of both these eminent servants of Clu'ist, they would express their conviction that they deserve an honorable record in tlie annals of Christian heroism, and to occupy no mean place in the glorious army of the martyrs, and the Board would also express their i\ OF EROMANGA. 205 admiration of that divine grace, which enabled them to be faithful unto death, and through which they have both, we doubt not, obtained a crown of life. " They would also express their deepest sympathy with the bereaved relatives of both in the present severe trial, and tender to them the expression of their earnest hope and prayer that the God of all comfort may impart to them largely of the influences of his Spirit, that as their sufferings in Christ have abounded, so their consolations also may abound by Christ. '' Looking at God's dealing with our Mission, in thus ' breaking us with breach upon breach,' and in visiting us with so severe a stroke so closely upon our former heavy trials, the Board would feel that there is a loud call upon the whole Church to deep humiliation before God. ' Humble thyself under the mighty hand of the Lord that he may exalt thee in due time.* They would adore the inscrutable wisdom of the dispensa- tions of Him whose " wa}?^ is in the sea, and his path in the mighty waters, and whose footsteps are not known ; " and they would stand in awe as they con- template the sovereignty of Him ' who taketli away and none can hinder him ; none can say unto him, what doest thou ?' Yet knowing the righteousness of all His procedure, the}^ would seek to be able to bow submissively to His will, saying, ' Thy will be done !' And they would now call upon the Church to unite with them in earnest prayer before the tin-one of Al- mighty power, on behalf of the Church at home, that she may profit by this painful dispensation of his hand, — On behalf of the guilty murderers of our be- loved friends, saying in the spirit of Him whom we serve, ' Father, forgi^'e them, they know not what they do ; ' and on behalf of the poor heathen at large, that God would pour out his Spirit from on high, that he would make his word as the fire and the hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces, and that the wilderness be counted for a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. And especially that the good seed sown by his servants with so much toil and self- denial, and watered not only with their tears and ! t ll t :l M ';| J t » <■ " ■" r 20G THE LAST MARTYRS prayers, but cyen by their blood, may yet spring up and bring forth an abundant harvest to the praise and glory of God." In due time sister and kindred Churches, with much Christian sympathy, gave expression to their feelings and sentiments. The following is from the Foreign Mission Committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland : -— a Gkisgow, Sept. 27t7i, 18G1 *' Met the Committee on jNIissions, Rev. Dr. Svmini);- ton in the Chair. Intei' alia. The Secretary reported that intelligence had been received in this country, through Rev. William Cuthbertson of Sidney, of tlie murder of JNIr. and Mrs. Gordon on Eromanga, on the 20th May last. "The Foreign Mission Committee hear with pro found regret of the trials which, during the last few months, have fallen upon the New Hebrides Mission. It has pleased God to try in a remarkable manner the faith of the brethren by disease, wide-sjjread and at- tended by extensively fatal results to the natives of Eromanga, Tana, and Aneiteum. On the two last mentioned islands a fearful hurricane destroyed not only the fruits of the earth, thereby threatening famine, but has also to a great extent injured the mission pro- perty. On Tana, the Rev. S. F. Johnston, who had not long since left Nova Scotia to labor as a Mission* ary in the New Hebrides, died suddeidy when only entering on his work. Brief as the months were dur- ing which he labored, thej'' were amply sufficient, not only to test his zeal, but also to show the ability of this young soldier of the Cross, who has thus early entered upon h's rest. One trial has rapidly followed another, rising in magnitude and terror, till at last the Committee are called upon to mourn over the muixler of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon on Eromanga* This deplor- able event took place on che 20th of May last. The heavy cloud which thus rests upon the New Hebrides OF ehomajiga. 207 spring up praise and with much 3ir feelings lie Foreign resbyterian 7i, 18G1. )r. Syniiug- ry reported is country, ley, of tlie iiga, on the with pro- le hist few s Mission, nanner the id and at- natives of e two last 'oyed not ng famine, ssion pro- who had Mission* liien only were dur- icient, not ability of ;hus early Y followed It last the le muixler is deplor^ ast. The Hebrides Mission at the present moment fills the Committee with trembling of heart. They desire nevertheless, following tlie example of the disciples of John who took \\\^ the mangled body of their master, to lay their sorrows at the feet of Jesus, ami tell him who has all power given to him in heaven and in earth, and gave the commission to his servants to go into all tlie world. They would call up even amidst their heaviness of heart, the ])a8t goodness of God to the Mission, and the confirmntlDU which its history has given to tiie words — 'the gospel is the power of (ioil unto salva- tion.' AV'itli Kiiirits chastened by the Divine dealings, they desire to be ' still, and know that the Lord is God,' feeling that it has not been written in vain that * he will be exalted among the heathen, that he will be exalted on the eaA*th.' They would sympathize with the IMisslcmaries who are laboring on 'I'juia, and Anei- teum, and send to them words of comfort and hope ; the symv>utliy of their hearts go towards Mrs. J{ hnston, whom God has so soon smitten a v/idow in Israel, liuI to relatives, both in Nova Scotia and England, of those who on the 20th jNIay, won on Eronianga the crown of lilartyrdom. They record also their deep sympathy with the Churcli in Nova Scotia, on whom wave after wave of aftUction has come in connection with their Mission. The bond of union, formed by the common hopes and joys which have aiisen out of the on-carrying of the INIission on tb.e New Hebrides, renders it no ligure of speech to say ' that they weep with them that weep/ '• The Committee would earnestly point out to the Church, the necessity of continued and importunate prayer on behalf of the brethren who are still laboring on the high i)laces of the field. They cannot conceal from themselves, nor would they conceal from the Church, that the Missionaries on Tana are placed in circumstances of very considerable danger, the hostile feeling of the natives having been much excited by the recent ravages of disease. They urge the Church, then, to cry unitedly to Him who hath the hearts of all men in Ms hands, that he would turn away from 208 THE LAST MARTYRS I K'il f i" m fi). I ii It! i'ii, H if ill I 1 111 his servants tlic fury of the heathen, and hide them under the shadow of liis win«2;s until these sad calami- ties be wholly overpast. Meanwhile, they desire to see in the trials, only an incentive to fresh effort. The "war must not be given up. It is Christ against the prince of the power of the air. The issue is not doubtful. " 111 the name of the Foreign Mission Committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland. John Kay, Secretary^ "Rev. Jjimos Bayne, Secretary to the Board of Foreign Mis- sions of the Lower Trovinces of Britisli North America." From the Minutes of Synod — Fourth Sederunt — June 26th, 1802, tlic following extract is taken : — " The Rev. James Bayne then read the Report of the Board of Foreign Missions, giving full details of a succession of calamities whicli, during the past year, have befallen the islands of the New Hebrides, from hurricanes and infectious diseases, and of the exasper- ating effects of these on the native mind, leading to the death of Mr. Johnston, on Tana, and to the barba- rous murder of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon by the savages of Erom.inga, and to the expulsion of Messrs. Paton and Matheson from the island of Tana. Tlie Report, being read with feelings of deep sorrow, was received, and the diligence of the Committee approved. '' At the request of the Synod the Rev. Professor King offered special prayer, acknowledging the hand of God in the recent trials which have befallen the Mission, with confession of sin, acknowledgment of past mercies, and earnest prajj'er for further direction and blessing." " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.'* The Rev. Messrs. McCurdy, Bayne, and G. Patter- son were then appointed a Committee " to prepare a suitable statement respecting these trials to be entered OF EROMANGA. 209 1 hide them sad calami- 3y desire to effort. The against the ssiie is not lommittee of kind. Secretary. rorci{?n Mis- I America." Sederunt — aken : — lie Report of II details of le past year, brides, from the exasper- 1, leading to o the barba- lie savages Gssrs. Paton The Report, as received, led. V. Professor ig the hand )efallen the edgment of er direction 'hteous man G . Patter- prepare a be entered i on the Minutes ; " and the following was submitted : — " The Committee appointed to prepare a statement to ))e entered on the Minutes of Synod relative to the trying condition of the Foreigii Mission during the past year, and the duty of the Church in view of them, beg to submit the following, — " ' That, in the ravages of disease, by which so many of the natives, both Christian and heathen, have been cut down, in the removal by death of Mr. Johnston, in the cruel and barbarous nmrder of Mr. and Mrs. Oor- don, and in the appalling circumstances which com- pelled Mr. Paton and Mr. and Mrs. Matheson to abandon their stations, the Synod recognizes a series of trials which call for deep searchings of heart, and for luimility and contrition on account of our manifold short comings. "' ' Tliat the Synod while recording its high sense of the zeal, fortitude, and self-denial of the fallen mis- sionaries, would express its deep sympathies with the widow in a strange hiiid, and the surviving relatives of the deceased missionaries, Avith the missionaries who have had to flee for their lives, and with the whole mission ])and, over whom wave after wave has thus been made to pass. " ' That while called on to contemplate judgments, the Synod would hail with gratitude, and as incentives to a renewal of trust in God, various evidences of the success of missionar}^ labor on both Tana and Eroman- ga, seen only since the laborers have fallen, or have been comi)elled to abandon their posts. " ' That the Synod recommends to the pastors of all oin* congregations to make special reference to these m^'sterioiis dispensations on the third Sabbath of August, that the people may have an opportunity of uniting in exercises of humility and penitence, and of wrestling together in prayer to him who hath said — * In a little wrath I took my face from thee, but with everlasting mercies will I gather thee ; * and ' all the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ.* N 210 THE LAST MARTl-RS (( ( t '!ii I: ,1 i Hi X- M mmn That the Clerk of Synod be directed to transmit a copy of these resohitions to the surviving missionaries. "'John McCurdy, Convener.*" The reference to the Lord's dealings with the Mis- sion in the New Hebrides, made on the third Sabbath of August, merged into the ordinary services of the Lord's day. When the Rev. H. Martyn sailed for India in 1805, his flock at Cambridge devoted the day of liis depar- ture to prayer and fasting. He sailed on a Tuesday. — At the last meeting of the General Assembly of tlie Free Church of Scotland, held at Edinburgh, May 22nd, 18G2, it was resolved that a week — commencing June 22nd — be set apart for daily congregational pra^'er throughout the Church. During the course of two j^ears the calamities which befel the New Hebrides' Mission were almost without a parallel in the history of modem Missions. Mrs. Paton was first called awa}'. Then followed in quick succession — her child, Mr. Johnston, the missionaries of Eromanga, Mr. Matheson's child, Mrs. Matheson, and on October 14th, 18G2, Mr. Matheson. The Rev. Stephen M. Creagh, of Nengone, Mare, with whom Mr. Matheson was residing at the time of his death, makes this kind remark about his deceased Brother — a remark, we presume, as just as it is gener- ous : — " I consider that you have lost a most devoted and pious missionary. Had he enjoj'ed his health and possessed a •''igorous frame I think he would have been equalled by few and surpassed by none.' » Leading organs of various religious denominations expressed deep sympathy with the Presbyterian Church I'll OP EROMANGA. 211 3ted to transmit ng missionaries. , Convener'" with the Mis- e third Sabbath services of the • India in 1805, ,y of his depar- ►n a Tuesday. — Assembly of the LU'gh, May 22nd, )mmencing June jgational prayer calamities which almost without Missions. Mrs. llowed in quick the missionaries Mrs. Matheson, ison. ^engone, Mare, at the time of ut his deceased ist as it is gener- >st devoted and his health and would have been e." denominations byterian Church in relation to the calamitous reverses which slie met in the New Hebrides. The following very cordial re- solution of sympathy was passed at the Weslej'an Preachers' Meeting, Halifax : — " At our Weekly Preachers' Meeting held in the Veftry of Argyle Street Church, the following resolu- tion was passed, — ''''''Resolved^ — That having heard with deep emotion of the martvrdom of the lamented Gordon and his be- ft.' loved wife by the natives of Eromanga, this meeting expresses its unfeigned sorrow, and tenders its sincere Christian sympathy to the Committee and friends of the Nova Scotia Mission.' " I remain, affectionately Yours, " John Brewster, Secretary, "Rev. P. G. McGregor." Such manifestations of Christian fellow-feeling are pleasing evidences of the oneness of the body of Christ — of the union subsisting between the members of which it is composed — a union so intimate that if one member suffer all the others sjTupathize. — " That they all may be one ; as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us : that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." John xvii : 21. LETTER OF CONDOLENCE FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, DATED BEDEQUE, NOV 7, 1861. "Dear Christian Friends, — The Presbytery at its first meeting after the news of your distressing be- reavement had reached it, takes the opportunity of expressing its sympathy with you in your deep afflic- tion. It has pleased God that we should stand con- nected with each other in a variety of relations, such i! I i iil I l»! iliiil 212 THE LAST MAUTYU3 as of husband and wife, parent and child, brother and sister. Out of tlicse rehitions, and tlie pleasure spring- ing from them, nmeh of our happiness arises. In pro- portion, however, to the pleasure j-esulting from them is the distress experienced Avhen they are torn asunder. Of this you have had painful experience. You have been deprived of those connected with you by very tender ti(js. The circumstances, too, attendintr your bereavement have been peculiarly alilictive. Your re- latives did not depart peacefully ui)on their beds. It has not been your privilege to watch over them in their dying moments, to give them the parting embrace, or close their eyes when they expired. They have fallen in a foreign land, fid* distant from relatives and friends, by the fury of savage men for whom their hearts were full of love, and for whose salvation tiiey parted witli home, friends, and the sweets ol civilized society. We deeply sympathize with you in 3'( ur sad bereave- ment. ^^'e trust that He who has promised : ' As thy day is so shall thy strength be,' may afford you effec- tual support. Cast your burden upon xiim and Ho will sustaiii you. He will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to bear. He will mixke His grace sulllcient for you. " The dispensation that has removed your relatives is indeed mj'sterious. Why, after so nmch prepara- tory training for their work, they should be removed, just when they were, as we would think, conmiencing it, we cannot tell. It is not for us shoil-sighted crea- tures to scan the divine procedure. God's ways are past finding out. Still, we are sure He doeth all things well. In his method of procedure there is no false step. If we be not brought to see this in the present world, we shall in the world where mysteries are un- veiled and perplexities made plain. Let us then bow in submission to the Lord's dispensations, painful though they be, and humbly acquiesce in them, fathom them though we cannot. Let us say : * It is the Lord ; let Him do what seemeth Him good.* ' The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' OF EUOMAN(iA. 213 child, brother and le pleasure spring- is arises. In pro- iiilting from them ' are torn asunder, lience. You have with you by very 0, attending your Hictive. Your re- >n their beds. It over them in their u'tin' ''I w '.\: I 214 THE LAST'MAKTYIJS pointed time on earth comes to Ji eloso, wo may nil meet in that land where no sorrow enters the heiirt, no tear bedews the eve, and no want is felt. '^This world is not our home. It i)lea«es our heavenly father to deepen the impression of tiiis truth upon the hearts of his dear eliildren as they ai»proach the termination of their earthl}' ciU'cer. For this pur- pose he sunders those ties that have a tendency to attach us to this world. This, though painful to them in the mean time, is done in love, and throujjfh His l)lessin<5 is made to issue in their si)iritual benefit. Instead, therefore, of murnuninj»' at His dis[)ensation8, ns unwise, unkind, or unjust, they ought to be thank- ful to Him who thus makes them increasinp^ly meet for the inheritance of the saints in li<>ht. When they arrive at their Father's House, and look back npon His dealings with them, they will see that He has led tliem forth by a right way tliat they might go to a city of habitation. ** Dear Christian friends, our heart's desii'o and prayer to (Jod for you is, that you may be fully sup- ported under your severe trial ; that, through God's blessing, it may eminently promote your growth in grace ; and that, as your trials are great, so the conso- lations of God may not be small with you. *' Yours in the bonds of Christian love, " RoBEUT 8. Patteksox, " RoiiERT Laird. " On behalf of the Presbytery of V. E. Island in eonneetion with the Presbyterian Church of the Lower Provinces. " To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon and family." OF EROMANCA. 21ft p may nil meet loart, no tear ])lo{i<>!e.s our I of this truth they ni)prouch For this pur- L tendency to iiinliil to tliem throujjjh His I'itujil benedt. Lllspensiitions, to be tliank- ngly meet for When they k buck upon !it He has led it go to a city 5 desire and be fully sup- u'ouoh God's n- growth in so the conso- love, riEKSOX, • ^ E. Ishind ri:iu Church CIIAPTETl XX. RFMINISOEKCKS. " Tho broken ties of hnppler daya, Kow ofti'ii do tliiy Houin To coi.ii' iK'fort' our inciiitul ffuzo fjiko :i ri'tiu'inbcrod (lr(>aiii ! Arour.il us ( lu-li di^suvfred uh:iin III HpiirkltiiiL? ruin IIoh, And oartiily liuiid c:iti iiu'or again Unllo those broken ties." — MON rUO.AIERY. The following paper, dated, London, Oct. 1, 1862, is from the pen of the Rev. liobert Murray : — " Starting from the Bank, near the heart of London, the traveller passes eastward through thyce miles of streets, — crowded, smoky, squalid streets, and then reaches the confines of Victoria Park. Here the streets widen ; the houses are villas surrounded with gardens, and frequently overshadowed by trees. You breathe fresh country air ; and you only hear the din of tiie city and see its smoke to sweeten the contrast. Twice have I with pilgrim feet and under friendly guidance gone over the scenes which are associated with the memory of my lamented friend. This is the cottage in which he spent more than six weeks of his time. It verges on Victoria Park. The ivy clusters abundantly upon the walls ; honey-suckles, sweet brier, the lilac, man}^ a flower bursting into blossom, delight the eye and perfume the air. The paths and avemies of the Park, its fountains and mimic lakes and streams are visible from the cottage window. Close by the garden is an elegant Episcopal Church, surrounded on three sides by a populous grave-yard. Here, close to the cottage, and sheltered by a luxuriant yew, rests the remains of Mrs. Gordon's mother ; and here, had she died in London, would Mrs. Gordon's ashes also rest. iJweet spot; secluded yet not too lonely ; quiet but not 216 THE LAST MARTYRS i i;,4 sad ; peaceful as becomes the restful home of the weary body, yet scarcely beyond the sweep of the great currents that rush through the world's capital. " It was on a quiet autumnal evening that Mr. Gor* don, for the first time, saw this cottage. Its retired and beautiful situation pleased him exceedingly, and he resolved to secure lodgings here if possible. * * " Beside this window, open now to the soft evening breeze, was Mr. Gordon's favorite seat. These blos- somino; trees bloomed for him five summers i\g:o : and he rejoiced as I do now in the fragrance of this honey- suckle. In front of the house is his favorite i)i'ome- nade, where, book in hand, he often drank in the air of early morning. In London, as elsewhere, he was an early riser. Often did he 'prevent the dawning' with his prayers, and profit in his studies b}^ the earliest o^leams of sunshine. " Wandering through Victoria Park we mark the spots where he was wont to preach in the o[)en air on almost every Lord's day. On sunny Sabbath after- noons many thousands congregate here to enjoy the fresh air and the sight of green fields and the smell of flowers. Careless of everything but physical enjoy- ment they come and go like tlie grasshopper, or the gaudy ])utterfly. Mr. Gordon was most constant and energetic in his attempts to warn and save the multi- tude. However harrassing his week-day toils — how- ever long his missionary rounds in the city on the Lord's day, here he takes his stand in the alternoon ; and having addressed a crowd in one place for a short tune he proceeds to another point where ji fresh audi- ence soon clusters around him ; anvi thus he prosecutes his INIaster's work, regardless of toil — regardless too of the finger of scorn and the cold scott'er's sneer. 8upported by a small band of faithful friends he con- tinued thus to labor during the whole of the time that he spent in London. The mellow chimes of the city bells float on the perfumed air of the Park ; but their invitation is scomed by the .thousands who throng these walks and avenues. ' God is not in all their thoughts.' To all practical purposes they are infidels. OF EROMAXGA. 217 omc of tlie ) of the great ital. lat Mr. Gor* Its retired edinoly, hikX sible. * * soft evening These blos- rs ago ; and ; tliis lioney- orite j)i'ome- ik in the air ere, he was 10 dawning' dies by the e mark tlie open air on bbath after- to enjoy the tlie smell of \sieal enjoy-- l)per, or the onstant and 3 the multi« toils — how- city on the I alternoon ; s for a short fiesh aiidi- 3 proseeutes ^ardless too tfer's sneer, inds he con- le time that of the city c ; but their ivho throng in all their are infidels. — thoy are heathen. But see how they crowd around that tall, strong man — how eagerly they press within sound of his earnest voice. They listen unmoved till the service closes, when many retire with an aspect of unwonted gravity. *"' Here in the heart of Hackney, is the Presbyterian Church which he most frequently attended ; and its jjastor was his constant friend, his conlidential adviser, in eveiT way kind and brotherly. He used to preach occasionally in tliis pulpit, and always with accept- ance ; and when the tidings of his death came tears not a few were shed in this Church while the pastor preached an appropriate funeral sermon. '' In the same neighborhood is the house in which he was married. Most of his wife's friends and relatives still live in this vicinity ; and as is to be expected they all cherish the fondest recollections of the departed ones. Mrs. Gordon was a j'oung lady of good po- sition, of superior education, of excellent talent ; ' a devoted daughter, an atfectionate sister. 8he was brave-hearted, unselfish, deeply pious ; in every re- spect well qualified to be a , Missionary's wife. She proved wholl}^ worthy of the noble sphere to which she was called. It was a consolation to her sorrowing father and her other relatives when I assured him and them of their interest in the affection and in the un- ceasing prayers of the Church whose Missionary she l)ecame. We cherish her name as if she were (what she indeed became) our sister ; and we love and re- member them for her sake. '' Those who like myself knew Mr. Gordon intimate- ly and followed his career with an e3'e of brotherly af- fection, Avill, if opi)ortunity offer, wander as I did over the scenes of his labours in London among the outcast and the poor — from the Hospital to the Kagged School ; from the wretched lanes of Bethnal Green and vSliore- ditch to the nestling retreat beside Victoria Park, and to those portions of the Park where he was wont to spend his Sabbath afternoons. They will then learn to ad- mire the courage of the man who, himself a stranger, plunged boldly into the desolating sea of iniquity if by i: II; f 218 THE LAST MARTYRS any means he might save some. The full results of his labors hei'C are known only to God ; but even at the time it was manifest that a peculiar blessing attend- ed his efforts. Sinnerr, long hardened in a course of iniquity, were in some cases subdued and brought into the communion of the Church. P^ver active, ever hope- ful, he was never greedy for present evidences of suc- cess. He knew that the work was God's, and he left it joyfully in God's hand." FROJI DK. PARKER. "-Halifax, April Gth, 18G3. *'My Dear Sir,— " In accordance with your request I have much plea- sure in communicating to you some facts and remini- scences relative to j^our deceased brother, my friend and former student, the Rev. G. N. Gordon. '' My acquaintance with him commenced in the Spring of 1853, when I was called upon to attend him professionally through a very serious and protracted illness. His health had been impaired by close mental application, and a daily attendance on several classes at College throughout the session. Besides which, I have reason to believe that much of the time usually taken by students for exercise and recreation, was spent in visiting the spnitually destitute of our city and its environs. From these combined causes his system was depressed, and fitted for the reception of disease, which attacked him in the form of T3q)hoid fever. So tenacious was its grasp of his weakened frame, that he was confined to his bed, and the house for seven weeks ; and for many daj^s his life was in imminent danger. But, finally, it pleased the Great Physician gradually to restore him to health and use- fulness. " God's dealings with those who love and serve him are frequently, to the finite mind, most marvellous. — Here was one of his faithful followers laid low, and placed on the verge of the grave ; yet raised up again by His strong arm to labour for a brief period in His OF EROMANGA. 2ia suits of even at y attend- )iirse of gilt into er liope- of sue- 11 he left 18G3. ich plea- remini- y friend in the end him otraeted e mental I classes which, I usually on, was our city uses his option of lYphoid eakened le house was in e Great lid use- rve hira lous. — w. , and p again in His vineyard, and then to die a martyr's death farfi'omthe home of his childhood, and youth, and relatives, and friends to whom he was endeared . "He lived to originate the Haliftix City Mission, and to labour, I am aware from personal knowledge, as few men know how to labour, among the poor, the distressed, and the profligate, as its lirst missionary. He has passed away, but this child of his afleetion and prayeri^, still lives, and is fostered and cared for b}' Him who has called the labourer home. " My next meeting with Mr. Goi'don after we had parted as physician and patient — if my memoiy serves me — was in his closet. Having had occasion to visit the house in which he lodged, and not being aware that he resided there, I was, l)y mistake, shown into the room which he occupied. He was on his knees, at mid-day, absorbed in prayer, no doubt carrying to a thi'one of grace the subject of Missions, and especially that one for which he was then, or very shortly after- ward, earnestly and successfully labouring. " Having subsequently offered himself to the Pres- byterian C'hurch of this Province, as a Foreign Mis- sionary, and been accepted, he desired to acquire some knowledge of medicine before leaving a Christian, for a heathen land ; and consequently sought admission to my office as v otudent. He was thus occupied^ when not absent from the citj^ — if I mistake not — from the closing months of 1853 until the period of his depar- ture from Nova Scotia. Being well aware of the ad- vantages likely to accrue to the mission by being skilled in the healing art, he assiduously devoted his spare hours to professional study. It was evident, however, from the bcffiuninsj to the end of his attendance that the salvation of the souls of men, was the primary ob- ject and moving principle of his life. No opportunity was lost of preacliing Christ, or of giving a word of admonition to those with whom he came in contact. Being •• instant in season and out of season,' he thus, indirectly, by his continued faithfulness, admonished me of my own short comings in these important par- ticulars. The title — 21ie Earliest man — given to 220 THE LAST MARTYRS ivs. the Biirman Missionary, Judson, might appropriately be repeated {iiid appUed to Gordon ol' Eronuinga. No one could have known my deceased friend without esteeming him I'or his many estimable qualities. " His memory still lives fresh in the liearts of those who were familiiir with his character and lil'e, as also with many of those who profited by his s[)iritual advice and scri[)tural teachings. ' He being dead yet speak- eth.' " Ever yours truly, '' D. McN. Parkkr." EEMIKISCKXCE BY TIIK KEV. MR. KKEDY, OF JOHN KNOX CIILUCII, LONDON. " In the summer of 185 G, I first had the privilege of making the acquaintance of the late Rev. G. N. Gor- don, lie was at the time prosecuting his medical studies at the London Hospital. I remember w'cU the earnestness and enthusiasm which he manifested in entering into these studies, believing, as he tinnly did, that the knowledge which he was acquiring, would, under the Idessing of God, prove a valuable auxiliary in furthering the great missionary work on which he was so eairer to enter. One of the Professors wliose prelecti(^ns he attended was Dr. Carpenter, the emi- nent Piiysiologist. I remember very distinctly how tliorouglily Mr. Gordon agreed with him in his views in regard to the use and effects of alcohol ; its conse- quences and injurious effects when used as an ordinary beverage. He was soon impressed with the prevailing vice of Britain ; espccifdly so as it meets the eye of the stranger entering our large towns and cities, in poverty, tilth ard wretchedness of the lower strata of society. Not only did he deplore the drinking cus- toms as a grie^■ous curse to be wept over, but by prac- tical abstinence from strong drinks, never failed to testify against them. His convictions on this point as regards missionaries were clear and decidetl. I re- member how calml}'^ he spoke of this as a requisite qualification f(jr any who Avould conve}^ to heathen lands the unsearchable riches of Christ. AVhile en- gaged in his medical studies he was also diligently iii OF ER03rANGA. 221 devoting a portion of his time to the acquisition of Pol3'nesijxn languages, and mastering by persevering application the ditticulties peculiar to each dialect, occasionally regretting the little assistance he could have in what would subsequently Ibrni so important a feature in his missionary life. '' What very specially struck and impressed the mind of any one whose privilege it was to become acquainted witli Mr. Gordon was his earnestness and sincerity. One could not meet him without soon feel- ing that he was thoroughly in earnest in his calling, in his works, and devotion to missionary labors. His going to the heathen he regarded as a call from God, who in all the wise arrangements of J lis j)rovidcnce through a series of events had shut him up to the necessity of devoting himself to the great work to which he was looking forward. With this conviction deei)ly graven on his mind and heart he prosecuted his preparatory studies with enthusiasm, spoke of his futm'e missionary labors with conlident iiope in the mercy and faithfulness of a covenant-keeinng God, and went out full of zeal to sow the seed of divine truth, the fruit of wdiich will doubtless yet api)ear. *' His views of divine truth were clear an(l definite, and his awful sense of ministerial responsibility very affecting. With him the great aim and end of living was the promotion of the divine glory in the salvation of souls. We had very striking proofs of this in the evangelical labors in which he found time to engage while in London. If not the first, he was certainly among the first, who attempted to address and gain the attention of those vast crowds which desecrate the rest of the Lord's day in our London Parks. He was never afraid or diffident in speaking for his Divine Master, whether in private or in public. On se/eral 8abbatli afternoons he proclaimed the Gospel to large audiences in the immediate vicinity of Victoria Park. *' He giae several Sabbath-School addresses in the Tower Hamlets. On four or five occasions he address- ed the children attending the John Knox Schools, always, too, with a fervour and unction that were felt I ft , I: i< !! if In i. i i ■I' I I I 222 THE LAST MARTYRS both by teachers and pupils. It was on these occa- sions that lie impressed so powerfully the youthful mind with pictures of the fearful wretchedness and degradation of the heathen world, and by his winning appeals to their youthful hearts succeeded so admir- ably in drawing forth their sympathies for the perish- ing heathen. From these Sabbath-school addresses it was easy to see how truly they reflected the workings of his own heart and soul. " But not only in the waj's mentioned did he mani- fest his fervor and sincerity in the promotioi- of God's glory, but also in the more private conversations held with individuals concerning the one thing needful. He rarely lost an opportunity in this way of speaking a word to the careless and unconverted. In doing this, which was so needful, he was in so far as my observa- tion extended, discreet and kind. An incident in illustration of this remark may be related here : — *' The sanctification of the Lord's day was a subject of deep interest to our devoted missionar3\ As most sincere Presbyterians do, he held most firmly the di- vine authority and peipetual moral obligation of the Fourth Commandment. The Sabbath desecration pre- valent ill London was to him a source of deep regret ; especially so was the trading in open shops, or half- open shops — as if ashamed of their unholy traffic — which greatly moved him. In the immediate neigh- borhood of my church a shop is regularly opened and business systematically carried on till early evening, when, for the sake of a walk it may be presumed, it is closed. The fact has been a continual source of annoyance to myself during my ministry in John Knox church, since I am obliged to pass by it on every occasion of public worship. One Sabbath after- noon when Mr. Gordon had been addressing the children of my Sabbath-school, and was afterward returning to my house in company with one of my elders, he halted when opposite the shop, and proposed to go in and remonstrate with the parties within. My elder remarked that he thought it world not be of any use. To this Mr. Gordon immediavcly replied OP EROMANGA. 223 that with the result they had nothing to do, as conse- quences were God's, duty theirs. Accordingly he went in and spoke kindly, but remonstrated faithfully with the parties on the sinfulness of their conduct. He spoke of the insult which they were ofl'ering to God in dishonoring the day of rest in such a manner, of their neglect and cruelty to theu* own souls, and of the pernicious example they were setting to thousands Rround. The answer given was a very common, though most fallacious one, viz., that if they did not do so others would. * Oh ! ' replied our faithful mis- sionary, ' but j'ou must remember that the wrong-doing of others is no excuse for your present conduct ; on the contrary all the more need is there for your testi- mony against evildoing, and your example in what is right.' With many similar words did he exhort and testifv for the Lord Jesus. " It is not necessary that I should attempt to give a description of Mr. Gordon's preaching, which is better known to those who had more frequent opportunities of hearing him. He preached in John Knox Church on two different occasions. His discourses were solemn and impressive. His preaching was of that kind which induced one to believe he thoroughly realized his posi- tion as an ambassador of the Cross, while standing in the presence of the living God, seeking the conversion of souls. He spoke because he believed ; und thus speaking he reached the hearts of his hearers. One of his sermons delivered in my pulpit was on these words : ' For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.' — Titus, ii. 11, 12. I well remember the marked effect produced by his discourse on a large and attentive audience, and more especially on the minds of the young, on some of whom, in particular, his appeals made a deep and abiding impression. On another occasion he took for his text, John iii. 16 : ' For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eteinal 224 THE LAST JIARTYKS 1i| I K V life,' and preached a very characteristic niissionary sermon. Though in regard to logical arrangement it was less formal tlian the former and not so elaborate and full of illustrations, yet it was a full and affecting exhibition of the love of God as manifested in the gift of His Son for the redemption of the world, and an earnest exhibition of the Church's duty to clierish a missionary spirit and spread abroad the Gospel to the ends Oi.' the earth. " Such are some of the reminiscences which I clierish of my pleasant intercourse with my late beloved and martyred, but now sainted brother. They leave upon my mind a distinct and vivid impression of a man of great excellence of Christian character, of good natural endowments, of considerable attainment in science and sacred literature, of unwearying perseverance, of in- domitable courage and fortitude, exhibited in meeting and mastering difficulties, of ardent love for the lle- deemer, and the souls of men, of a sweet and gentle disposition, and of strong faith in the promises of God concerning the universal dffusion of His Gospel. He has gone to his rest and reward — cut down in the vigor of manhood, in the morning of promising useful- ness, and while girding up his loins for fartlier con- flicts in the prosecution of his arduous work. But we know who has done it — even Him who, ruling in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, disposes of all events for the promotion of his own glory. *' In many respects Mr. Gordon resembled his great predecessor in the field on which he too fell — the illustrious Williams — the first Martyr of Eromanga. In all the high qualities of missionary zeal and fervor, compassion and burning love to the poor perishing heathen, ardent and unwearying perseverance, and endurance in the performance of his work, he was worthy of being the successor of that illustrious man. Like Williams, too, there was reserved for him a martyr's death and crown, and, as time will show, a missionary martyr's fame. From his ashes the Re- deemer's cause will rise again with renewed vigor and energy. The blood of the martyrs will yet prove the H OF EROMANGA. 225 ; missionary ningcinent it so elaborate 111(1 art'ecting 2d in the gift orld, and an to cherish a rospel to the ich I cherish beloved and Y leave upon of a man of good natural 1 science and ranee, of in- I in meeting for the Re- t and gentle nises of God Glospel. He down in the lising useful- fartlier con- )rk. But we iiling in the disposes of )ry. led his great )o fell — the f Eromanga. 1 and ferA'or, or perishing erance, and L>rk, he was istrious man. for him a will show, a hes the Re- jd vigor and 3t prove the seed of the Church, and over that long benighted land of Satan the sun of righteousness will yet arise. In the future history of missions and missionaries — among the many honored and truly noble names that the universal Church will revere, I do not think I claim too much for mj'^ beloved friend when I say that his will not be the least among the thousands of the Church's illustrious standard-bearers. " It now only remains for me to add a word about Mr. Gordon's dear young wife, whose lot and glory it was to fall by the side of her honored husband. She was a woman of great excellence of Christian charac- ter, of deep piety, and of a fervent and intense mis- sionary spirit. She was in all respects worthy of the husband whom — forsaking father, mother, brothers and sister, and sundering the most sacred of earthly ties — she followed willingly to the scene of his future toils and subsequent missionary labors, and also ac- companied in his death. She, too, will have a name and a place in the Father's house. In the future his- tory of Christian missions her name will be honorably mentioned, and occupy a distinguished place in the hearts of thousands who love the Lord Jesus in sin- cerity and truth. Of both these eminent servants of Christ we now can say : ' They rest from their labors and their works do f^:>llow them.' " PART SECOND. ■« A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE FOURTH VOYAGE OF THE JOHN WILLIAMS TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES AND TO MISSION STATIONS IN EASTERN AND WESTERN P0LYNESIA.-1856-7. " Having been requested by a minister of the Gos- pel in London to write a narrative of our voyage through Polynesia, in the John Williams^ and his re- quest being in accordance with the wislies of other esteemed friends, after due consideration, and feeling the force of some reasons urged for doing so, I feel that it is my duty to make an effort to fiu'nish my friends with more information concerning Mission sta- tions visited by us, than I could give in an ordinary letter : at the same time I must remark that I feel as- sured I have but little ability for writing anything either interesting or edifying. In writing then of per- sons and things as these have appeared to me, I trust I may be guided by the Spirit of truth, and that what shall be communicated may meet with acceptance. As I have previously written an account of the Voyage to Cape Town and the Australian Colonies, these places, in this paper, shall only receive a passing notice. I shall endeavor more especially to confine my observa- tions to missionary operations in the ' Island World,* and as requested notice some of the features in Polynesian Missions. " On the 23rd of July the John Williams left the busy Thames, and arrived at South Africa on the 1st 228 THE LAST MARTYRS |i' ' •1 I'd of October, where the ship remiihied for five (hiy.s, — During this period I accjuired much vuhiiibU) informa- tion relative to tlie rehgious and poHtical state of CJapc Colony, which enjoys the advantages of Ihitisli rule. The climate of this thriving Colony seems favoi'able to Europeans gcnerall}', though it is stated that but few of thv, Anglo-Saxon race there li\'e to an advanced age. Some of the missionaries sent thither labor among Dutch farmers, Avliile others penetrate into tlu; interior of the country far beyond the bounds of the C'olony. — The Dutch and. Episcopal Churches are supported by grants from the Government, but these, in all probabi- lity, will soon be withdrawn, as there is a strong feel- ing rising up here, as in the Australian Colonies, against State support to any Church. The Trans Vaei Boers oppress the aborigines very much since they have been jjermitted by the British Government to ob- tain fire arms ; and the latter, while weeping in the bitterness of their souls, like Rachel, for their dear ones who are not, ask the white man tlie stern ques- tion, — ' Why do the English help the Boers who de- stroy us and our children ? ' When parents lie down at night they ask for their children, and in the morning ere the drops of the night are dried up reiterate the same — ' Where are our beloved children?' and, be-' cause there is none to answer, they weep and still en- quire — 'Why do the white men (who are bound to obey the word of God as much as the black man) help the Boers ? ' " After a delightful visit, made especially so through the kindness of the Rev. Mr. Thompson and family, and the arrival from England of the Sutlej for India, ■we sailed from Table Bay on the 6th, for the Austra- lian Colonies, and amved at Tasmania in forty days. We encountered several gales, and were mercifully de- livered from shipwi'eck in the Indian Ocean. *' On a peaceful Sabbath morning we entered the beautiful Derwent. A gentle breeze soon wafted our ship up to Ilobart Town — now a town, but a place at one time the home of the savage and oi Britain's vile outcasts. OF KUOMANGA. 229 five (lays, — il)lo inlorma- tstuto of C'apc IJiitisli rule. 4 Invoiiible to tlitit but few jiu advMueed I" bibor anioui^ () tlu; iuterior iie C'oloiiy. — KUi)i)orte(l bj" n all ])robabl- i wtrouj^ feel- iau Colouies, le Trans Vael •h since they rnnieiit to ob- L^epiiiiz; in the or their dear e stern ques- »oers who de- ents lie down 11 the morning reiterate the 3n?' and, be* ' and still en- are bound to lek man) help dly so through II and family, llej for India, r the Austra- n forty days, mercifully de- !an. e entered the m wafted our but a place at Britain's vile '* For the most part tlie convicts njjpcar to have been like the Devil, unrcformed and unrcfonnablc. IJut few of Ihi'Hi ever gave evidence of reformation. One, banished ()() years ago to New South Wales, came un- der tlu! inlhience of divine teaching, and for several years proved himself worthy of much conlidence ; and there is some reason to believe that he was benelicial to the souls of his fellow sinners, but on his return to Scotland he Ciune under the baneful inlluence of some of his former companions, and was in the end executed for house-breaking. This sad circumstance teaches us an important lesson, and one which missionaries know how to im))r()V(>, for they ilnd a- sad tendency in their converts from heathen practices to return to their for- mer hal)its. Where the duties of the [)astoiat(; are neglected in any way, the consequences are most con- spicuous even in the cases of the strong. It was, to say the least of it, a very inconsiderate act of the Brit- ish Government to s(!atter such incarnate demons as the convicts generally are by thousands, among unof- fending heathen. The inhabitants of Cape Town cer- tainly had mercy on the heathen of South Africa, as well as upon themselves, when they refused to allow a convict ship a few years ago to land her destructive cargo ; anil, if the Home Government had not desisted from sending them to New South AVales, the colonists would have been excited to rebellion. As there was a science or philosophy among the ancients — falsely so called — so there is a philanthro- py among the moderns — falsely so called — a i)hilan- throi)y which at the expense of justice too frequently screens the culprit from the sword of the civil magis- trate whom the apostle designates the ministei- of God to execute vengeance on the guilty. This philanthrojiy which ignores the prin-ciple of capital punishment for any crime, has brought forth some of its legitimate fruits in the Australian Colonies and Polynesia, and its advocates would do well to consider this passage of Scripture, ' He that justilies the ungodly, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.' The Colonists of Van Dieman's Land ; k !l lit I ! I M 0m 230 THE LAST MARTTKS prevailed upon the Home Government to send the- convicts to Norfolk. From that ishiiid they liave since been removed to give pUiee to the IMteuirn Islanders. Some, however, escaped from Norfolk — though at the expense of the lives of some mariners — and are now exerting their baleful influence in Polynesia. '• The climate of Tasmania is very salubrious. The soil is fertile e^'en to the summit of lofty mountains^ where grow trees of a prodigious size. There is a tree lying in the vicinity of llobart Town into which, I was informed, a man can ride on horse-ljack. A gen- tleman who returned to Britain a few years ago, hav- ing on one occasion sai4 nettles grow in these Colonies to the height of twenty feet, was told that some after- ward remarked : ' He thinks we are such fools as to believe him.' That gentleman informed me that when he retiu'ned to these Colonies again he discovered that nettles grew to the height of fifty or sixty feet. " Our passage to Melbourne was anything but plea- sant. The country around lloljson's liay appeared beautiful. As we neiu'cd JMelbourne and observed the large number of splendid ships lying off Williams Town, and saw the stirring population of Anglo-Sax- ons — steamers moving about the l\iiy — locomotives running on the land, and a large city amid all — we felt that Cjlod's desijjcns in relation to this country — wliicli may be termed teiTa jxu'cidoxa — nnist surely be higher than those of gold-seekers. From observations which I obtained by the glass of the land about the Bay before we landed, I felt confident that much of it imist have been submerged not many years ago. — Of this we had ample evidence when we landed. Some are of opinion that the whole country originally exist- ed in sepanite islands. - — That a country like Austra- lia with such immense treasures of wealth — m'ueral and agricultural — also having a good climate, and situated in the Southern hemisphere amid myriads of heathen — should have been reserved till the Nine- teenth century for British Protestants, drawn towards it by the attraction of the precious ore, discovered in OF EROMANGA. 231 to send the- oy liave since ni Isliiiiders. though at the and are now 5ia. brious. The y mountains^ There is a into which, I Lck. A gen- ii's af!^o, hav- lesc Colonies - some after- fools as to ^le that when icovered that feet. no- but plea- ay appeared observed the olf Williams ' Anoio-Sax- - locomotives nid all — we s country — list surely be ol)servation& d about tlie liat much of ears ago. — ided. KSoine inally exist- like Austra- h — nrneral 'limate, and myriads of 11 the Nine- ,wn towards iscovercd in the providence of God in due time and for higher ends than man's ambition contemplated, is a remarkable fact, and one which illustrates the wisdom of that God who has promised to enlarge Japhet. The aggregate population of these Colonies is now not far short of 1 ,000,000, the nucleus no doubt of a great nation. — There were but three houses in Melbourne in 1838.— The sj'stem of letting land by auction in all the Aus- tralian colonies at too high upset prices is much inferi or to that followed in the American liepublic ; and, as it is unfavorable to agricultural emigrants must, if not modified, retard the prosperity of these Colonies. " Soon after landing a prayer meeting was held on behalf of the Mission cause. At the close of the meet- ing there was heard an alarm of lu'e, and many ran, who no doubt were never moved by a cry of still greater alarm from God's holy mountain. The Rev. Mr. Cooper and I proceeding to the scene of the conflagra- tion, endeavored to save all the property in our power. I worked on the roofs of some of the houses till quite exhausted, and feared ill consequences. Some, in one hour loft homeless, were much troubled by the aftlictive event. Others went into perilous situations, while striving to snatch their goods from the flames. Oh ! that I may profit by the lesson thus taught me by that conflagration, and strive more earnestly to rescue sin- ners from the unquenchable fire.* The property lost was estimated at £50,000. We received but £70 for the cause of Ilim who gives men power to get wealth, and who takes it at pleasure ; and some thought we did well. " I visited the Chinese boarding houses while in Geelong, and got some young men to take copies of the Scriptures in their own tongue, from the depot of the Bible Society. There are several thousands of them in the Colonics ; and still they come although obliged to pay each £10 on landing. Some of these have subscribed towards the building of a Church. * " Tlie most muj?nanlmouH flood done on tliat occasion was porformofl by a young woman. One with whom who had b«;en at otiinity liaving boon loft dostitnte was tioatod huinanoly by hor. Boing in di.stroHS she «pako kindly to her, took hur own bonnet and put on bcr enemy's bead." 232 THE LAST MARTYRS m We retiirnecl to Melbourne on the 30th, and concluded our meetings in that city by attending a farewell meet ing held at the Mechanics' Institute, after which a steamer waited on the Missionaries, and bore them and a large number of sincere friends down the Yara to Hobson's Bay, where, on board of our barque, we were affectionately commended to the care of the God of Missions, and in a few hours were off for Sydney. "January 6th, 1857, we arrived at Sydney. The scenery around Port Jackson pleased us much, and gave a magnificent aspect to the landscape. The Port, narrow at the entrance, gradually expands, and swells out into a capacious basin extending twenty miles inland. In this splendid Port are about one thousand coves, formed by rocky, ^''et wooded necks of land, and all around are narrow cliffs and woodland hills. Sydney is built of white freestone and exhibits the wealth and greatness of a first-rate English town. Its situation is the most delightful of any town in Australia. "• A few days after landing, Mr. Howe and I visited Newcastle and Maitland — the latter being distant from the former twent}'' miles on the banks of the Hunter, which, like the Yara, resembles a narrow canal cut through a meadow. The soil of this river is formed of an alluvial deposit many feet deep, and being irrigated by the streams which flow from the melting snows of tlie Australian Alps, yields two crops annually without much culture — some sa^- — for forty years ! I spent some happy hours while in Maitland with the Rev. Mr. McInt3Te, who is making some self- denying and laudable efforts to promote Academic education in the colony. Newcastle is a small town, whose progress is retarded by its convict population. It has a fine harbor, and abundance of coal, which might be made a source of much wealth to the place. There is a magnificent hill above the town, from the summit of which Mr. Howe and I got a fine view of the suii'ounding country. OF EROMANGA. 233 id concluded irewell meet fter which a I bore them 3 down the ►ard of our I to the care hours were ►'dney. The ; much, and . The Port, I, and swells wenty miles ►ne thousand 3ks of land, xiland hills, exhibits the iglish town, kny town in md I visited 3ing distant anks of the s a narrow >f this river et deep, and w from the Is two crops ' — for forty in Maitland g some self- e Academic small town, population ► coal, which o the place, vii, from the fine view of " "While in Newcastle I had a strong desire to see some of the aborigines of this part of the country, and having been disappointed on the morning of the 14th by the steamer not callnig in due time, I had my de- sire fulfilled about noon by part of a tribe coming in from Port Stephen. AVith these I sat down upon the grass in one of the squares, in wigwam fashion. The chief and one or two more could speak English, and I was therefore enabled to converse with tlicm about the salvation which is through Jesus. They seemed to have much better ideas of God as the Creator than of God as the Redeemer. The tribe of this district, like those of Maitland, Sydne}^ and Melbourne, may now with a few individual excei)tions, be numbered among the things that were. Why do they thus fade away before Europeans ? is a question which has frequently been asked and to which many suppose it difticult to give an answer. I shall merely endeavor to remove some of the difficulties connected with this question, which, however, may be sufficient to ^low that the ' Piu'itanism' which the Westmi7iste7' Revieio denounces as the cause of the destruction of the Polynesians has not injured this race. The Wesleyan Missionaries in their report make the following statement : — "'The condition of the deplorable as colonization advances. Their lands are rapidly passing into the hands of the sett^ v-s, their grain is driven away by the new comers, and u.jir escu- lent roots destroyed by the white man's sheep. Thus deprived of the means of subsistence, and not daring to venture into the interior lest they should be mur- dered as intruders by otlier tribes, they generally resort to begging and pilfering from the Colonists, with whom they are in consequence often brought into pain- ful collision. Loathsome diseases still aggravate the evils under which they are wasting away.' '•' ' The shooting of a native,' says Mr. Jameson, ' is not regarded in the jurisprudence of the bush as a mur- der.' Their traffic with Europeans is almost exclusively in intoxicating liquors, which their constitutions cannot stand as well as those of Europeans ; and the demoraliz- aborigines ]3ecomes more 234 THE LAST MARTYRS 1 : : i) ing influence of the convict population can hardly be esti- mated. The renniants of tribes found scattered about the seaport towns are poor specimens of this race in general, an(( these circumstances account for those erroneous views which have been entertained by some ethnolo- gists, that they are an inferior race to whom the term Alforas has been restricted. Some tribes are much blacker and more diminutive than others, which are not inferior in personal appearance or in intellect to the New Zealanders. The former obviously belong to the black race of Polj'nesia. Missionary operations have been almost exclusively conluied to tlie remnants of tribes scattered among the European settlers, which circumstance goes far to account for the faihn*e of Missions to this ruined people. Their Polyglottism throws peculiar difliculties in the way of missionary success, but not more than the Polyglottism of the "Western Polynesians. " The Moravian Missionaries who were laboring among them in Victoria have of late returned from their work unsuccessful, and complaining of Govern- ment interference as the cause. I3ut few now seem to care for their souls, as there is a general prejudice against them as an unimprovable race — a great mis- take. Those who have been taken into schools leani readily, and some travellers speak in high terms of their aptness to learn the English language. Major Mitchell remarks : ' I am convinced that the New Hollanders are not so debased in intellect as some writers would lead us to suppose, and by kind and good treatment it is easy to gain their lasting ati'ection.' Mj"" heart yearned over those with whom 1 con^ ersed, and for whom I could do but. little more than pray. The chief had his war club bound up in a piece of cloth, and when I found out what it was I gave him a handkerchief in exchange for it. In the evening two New Zealanders called at our hotel, one of Avhom was tottooed, and the other had rosy cheeks like a good- looking European. They are a superior race and far advanced in tlie arts and sciences. Some are ship- owners and captains of vessels, and transact business OF EROMANGA. 235 at the Banks of the Colonies. Those two young men had been to tlie New Hebrides and knew the Mission- aries on Aneitenm. The number of aborigines in Australia has been estimated at fifteen thousand, but as there has yet been only a small part of this great country explored, the population cannot vet be cor- rectly estimated. In the evening the steamer called, and we were soon off for Sydney. Meanwhile the heavens were black with clouds and loud peals of thunder broke over our heads, wliich soon gave way to serene sunshine, and everything in God's temple utter- ed His praise. On the 28th, after fulfilling our mission to the colonies by preaching missionary sermons and addressing religious meetings, at which about £900 were collected for Foreign Missions, we sailed for Eastern Polynesia. Sydney and Melbourne, in proportion to their popu- lation, are much better supplied with ministers of re- ligion than some small towns and districts. A goodly number of faithful ministers and pious, intelligent church members who migrated thither, organized some of tlie existing thriving congregations. Among these were two or three excellent Episcopolian Bishops, among whom was Bishop Perr}', whose company I enjoyed very much. " When on the platform of the Bible Society in Mel- bourne, turninir to the ministers around him he said : *lt would be too little for me to say you are ray brethren — you are my fellow-labourers in the Gospel of our connnon Lord.' My heart's desire is that Nova Scotia may be blessed by men of a kindred spirit. " Innovations, I am sorry to state, which modif}' the simplicity of the worship of God in t'-.o Sanctuary among English non-conformists, are not w^anting in the Austridian Colonies. Such things are too fre- quently the concomitants of a smooth-preaching minis- Uy. From severid numbers of the Ecclesiastical lie- view of LSoG, and reports of Evangelical Alliances, it is obvious that a considerable number of ministers in England wish to be smoother preachers than were )l ' 1 i ' % 236 THE LAST MARTYRS Christ and his Apostles ; and hence they have smooth- i^d eternal punishment out of their sermons altogether. I fear that a 'vorld-pleasing spirit too frequently linds its way into tiie pulpit in these Colonies as well as in Britain, to the injury of souls. I endeavoured on a. certain occasion to preach a plain sir^nle sermon to a congregation (in which I trust 1 s * ; ,eded), but Avas subsequently told by the pastor tliat such plain preach- ing would be unacceptable to many, and that from him- self would injure his standing in the community. This he seemed to deplore. " The civil governments favor Antichrist as much, if not more, than Clu'ist, and infidels have no reason to object to the views entertained by some Cln-istians in relation to subjects which sometimes demand the Scriptural attention of Governments. The Roman Catholics have considerable influence in all the Colo- nies, and if the Emigration Company send out five thousand Irish women to lessen the disparity between the sexes, as proposed, they will rapidly gain more in- fluence. In this, however, they are opposed by the Victoria Government which is now a powerful rival of the Government of New South Wales. '^ While the reli^'ious communities of these Colonies are forward in many good works, it is somewhat sur- prising to find how backward they are in the support of religious periodicals, several of which they have al- lowed to die and be buried without any obsequies, al- though worthv of a nobler end. The Wesleyans of the Colonies are very active in the Missionary cause, and have taken the whole responsibility of the Wesleyan Missions of the South Seas upon themselves. The Congregational Churches of Sydney have had a Foreign Mission Board for several years which of late supports Messrs. Creagh and Jones, at Mare. But it is in vain to think of obtaining sufficient missionaries from the Australian Colonies to labour in Polynesia for many j-^ears to come. We did something towards promoting union among the Independents and Presbyterians, but I ara not sanguine about any important results further than an increase of contributions. The last contribu- OF EROMANGA, 237 liavc smootli- s altogether, queutly linds IS well as in voiiied on a sermon to a ed), but was plain preach- uit from him- iunity. This ist as much, e no reason le Clu'istians demand the The Roman ill the Colo- end out five rity between gain more in- )osed by the 3rliil rival of ese Colonies )mewliat sur- the support they have al- )bsequies, al- 5ieyansof the •y cause, and he Wesleyan iselves. The lad a Foreign late supports t it is in vain ies from the ijia for many ds promoting tyterians, but 3sults further ast contribu- tions which I received for the cause of Christ were from the children of Dr. Fullerton's congregation after having preached to them from the text, ' Lovest thou me ? ' w^hich I endeavoured to improve practically by answering the two following questions: AVhy should we love Christ ? and how should we show our love to Him? " Isaia the Earotongan interested and amused some of our meetings very much, by relating the changes efi'ected in the domestic state of the natives of Karo- tonga by the introduction of the Gospel. He never saw an idol till he saw the idol of his forefathers in the Museum of the London Missionary Society in London. Said Isaia : " ' He is a great big fellow and when I saw him I was greatly astonished and climbed up and bioke otf a piece of liis nose to take to Rarotonga, and 1 asked Dr. Tidman to let me take him back to Rarotonga, to show the young people the queer thing their fathers worship- ped, but he say, ' No let you do that.' The preseni; kin"" of the Sandwich Islands in like manner never saw an idol till a few years ago he saw that of his fore- fathers in a Museum in Boston. * The idols he shall utterly abolish.' " On the 8th of Feb. we sighted the Three Kings, small islands to the north of New Zealand, and on the 12th crossed the meridian of Greenwich ; and, being at the Antipodes our barque began to look homeward. We felt nnich satisfaction in knowing that we could not get much further from Britain. In W. long, we were soon called to the exercise of patience by having to contend with head winds for nearly three weeks, during which time we m.ade but little progress ; for striving to get onward in the right direction, like the soul contending with opposing elements, we were ob- liged to beat, beat every inch of the way against wind and tides, and had consequently much reason frequent- ly to enquire if we were making any head-way at all. Subsequently a dead calm stole upon us which hinder- ed us more in om* progress than all the contrary ele- 1 1 ! i '1 !( 'm j H j : 1 Ml <'i ' 1' 238 TIIE LAST MARTYRS ments with which we had to contend, for our barque then rolled lazily on the ocean, notwithstanding all our efforts to propel her forward. Ah me ! thought I, may there not also be something worse to contend with in the spiritual voyage than opposing powers of which so many complain?. After some wearisome hours our eyes were at length on the 8th of March greeted with a pleasant view of Raivavai, one of those Polynesian Islands which, in the wide expanse of the ocean is like an oasis in the desert, and on which the mariner, like the weary traveller, delights to fix his eyes and desires to plant his wandering feet. Raivavai is one of the Austral Islands on which native teachers from Tahiti have laboured with some success for thirty years. — The population of the group has decreased rapidly, es- pecially where no European Missionaries reside among the natives after they come in contact with foreigners. The London Missionary Society has no European Missionaries on this or the Marquesan group (the lat- ter is of much greater importance than the former,) but the Tahitian missionaries have sent native teachers to each. The Sandwich Island missionaries have been directing their attention for several years to the Mar- quesas, and their agents are now labouring there with encoiu-aging success in converting the debased canni- bals. Strange to state, they are opposed by the agents cf Home, who in the name of France and the Pope are already hindering the Gospel very much in these seas. " While in 'Britain I heard remarkable statements made relative to a great work of reformation wrought among the savages of this group by the instrumentality of an American sailor who got cast away among them. He married the daughter of a chief. She afterwards accompanied her husband to America, whither they went for the purpose of obtaining assistance in the good work, which was too readily granted tLjm. — Now if the friends of Missions in America who sup- ported this villain had communicated with the Mission- aries at Honolulu on the subject of the runagate's self-imposed mission, they would have saved themselves the trouble of exhibiting him and his wife at public OP EROMANGA. 239 ' our barque iiding all our 3ught I, may tend with in of which so 3 hours our greeted with ! Polynesian ocean is like iiariner, like i and desires one of the from Tahiti ty years. — rapidly, es- eside among 1 foreigners, o European >up (the lat- he former,) ive teachers have been o the Mar- there with ased canni- y the agents le Tope are these seas, statements on wrought I'umentality mong them, afterwards hither they mce in the d tL3m. — ;a who sup- le Mission- runagate's themselves i at public meetings, and the burning shame which they must have felt when they subsequently obtained a true account of his character from San Francisco. "On the 11th inst. we sighted the peninsula of Tahiti, where Capt. Wallis first landed, and early on morning our barque sailed round the the following: Island to the harbor, a distance of forty miles. We had a pleasant view of the island as we sailed to Pa- piete. Every eye was intently fixed on the suipass- ingly grand scene opening up before tis. It is quite impossible for those who have not visited Polynesia to form any right conception of the charming landscape of this truly beautiful island. We have not here the romantic mountains of South Africa, with their bald heads, but a country clothed with a rich garment of imperishable tints, from its fertile banks, which em- brace the ocean, to the summit of its loftiest moun- tains. Some of these lift their majestic heads far into the clouds, which frequently rest upon them ; and while the thunder peals above, the traveller is reminded of Sinai 'n all its hallowed and awful associations. Mount Orahena is 10,89y feet high and very beautiful, pre- senting from its base to its summit, on the north-west side, the appearance of a curiously wrought piece of workmanship richly embellished. Brutish must be the soul which could contemplate such a scene on the wide ocean without entertaining some of the feelings of Moses when he said, ' I pray thee let me go over and see that good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountaii and Lebanun.* " Tahiti belongs to the mountainous class of islands of the Pacific, which are in general more beautiful than the hilly or low coralline islands. The immense heights of these islands present every variety of shape — pyra- mid and spire — their beauty and grandeur being so blended as to awaken the most delightful emotions. The landscape is so adorned with hill and dale, lawn and woodland, gentle stream and dashing cascade, that it cannot be much sui-passed in beauty even in the fairest portions of the globe. Tahiti is the country by li N ^ ii \ '^1 I ^ ^n\ I 1 i 240 THE LAST MARTYRS whose murmuring streams, spreading banyans, noble mountains, and gorgeously ornamented amphitlicatres, Plato and his eompeers would have delighted to revel. The banyan has a peculiar manner of extending itself, by dropping down sprigs from its lower branches to the ground, in which they soon take root, and grow up, as if independent of the parent stock, till they suddenly unite with it again and thus form one luige tree. I measured one of these trees of a recent growth, and found it twent^'-seven feet in cir- cumference. It is one of the few species which an- nup^'v sheds its foliage in the tropics. Vegetation advances so rapidly in these islands that a few days before this tree parts Avith its old raiment the new is found prepared in neat folds, ready to take its i)lace ; and, as if impatient for an opj)ortunity to praise the Creator, it suddenly casts off the old and exhibits the new in all its freshness and beauty. "Through the coral reef — forming a semicircular break- water — there are t^vo entrances to the harbor of Papiete. The white foam marks the boundary. But I must not dwell longer on the physical appear- ance of this paradisian island, but endeavoiu' to des- cribe some of its moral features. *' Tahiti was discovered in 1767. Popish mission- aries from Peru landed on it in 1774, who, leaving the heathen a wooden cross, quit the island in less than a year, the field being too clifficalt to work with wood- en crosses. The Protestant missionaries, who arrived by the Duff, landed in 179G. The results of their labors, and those of their successors, are well known. A little before their arrival the island was visited by a dreadful earthquake which produced great fear in the ' minds of many of the natives. "When the Duff came into the harbor they went on board, and were not a little astonished at the manners and habits of the new comers, especially at the worship of Jehovah, to them at that time 'the unknown God.* These men, said they to each other, must be the servants of the great God about whom the Pitcairn Islanders spoke to us, i ifil: 015" EROMANGA. 241 lyans, noble iphithcatres, ted to revel, niding itself, branches to »t, and grow ck, till they s form one trees of a I feet in cir- is which an- Vegetation it a few days nt the new is ve its place ; to praise the exhibits the semicircnlar ,0 the harbor le boundary, 'sical appear- Lvour to des- ^ish mission- , leaving the in less than V with wood- who arrived ults of their well known. visited by a fear in the e Duff came I were not a s of the new vah, to them se men, said of the great spoke to us, I as the men who teach all nations tlic knowledge of the true (iod, who has sent tlie earthquake before them to shake our ishmd. At that time they received the missionaries witii some ilegree of fear, but which, as subsequent events proved, liad little hallowed intluence on their lieaits — and to this day they call the l.)iilf tarapu — earthquake. A somewhat similar circum- stance is related as having taken place in connection with the introduction of the g()si)el into the Fiji Is- lands about twenty years ago. It was preceded by a fearful thunder-storm which produced great terror on the minds of several natives, and influenced them in sparing the native teachei's and receiving theni as the servants of Jehovah, even when they were making preparations for having their bodies served ui) at a feast. From the early statistics of the mission it ap- pears that the London Missionaiy Society sent to this tield about 70 missioiuu'ies in the brief space of two or three years. Of these ii8 only landed on Tahiti on account of the capture of the Dutf on her second voy- age. Some of the excellent friends of Missions about that periotl obviously mistook the nature of the mis- sionary work. Tlui * model settlement * system turned out a complete failure, especially at the Tonga Islands where 11 mechamcs were left, several of whom, too, suffered nobly in the cause of Christ till obliged to leave the i)lace. Some of those Avho fled from Tahiti to New South Wales after trials multiplied upon them, sutt'ered more on the passage, and during the lirst jears of their residence in the Colon^^ where one of their number at Paramatta was cruelly murdered, than those who remained in the mission field. Some of the faithful few who left Tahiti returned from the Colony of Eimeo, where the first fruits of the Mission, after twelve 3'ears of toil, was reaped in the conversion of King Tomare. Mr. Nott was one of those faithful missionaries who subsequently translated miich of the Bible into the language of the Malayo-Polynesians — a great and glorious work, for which his name should be held in lasting remembrance. Mr. Brown in his History of Missions justly observes in relation to the .; r»i I' 1 1 1 u ■ i I ! % H t w ; 242 TlIE LAST MARTVU9 South Sen Missions : ' When man made as if be would carry all before him little was ellected, — when he found be could do nothing much was done.' *'Tiurteen years have elapsed since the French landed on Tahiti, and alter i\ (.lesperate struggle with the people, in which the latter lost the most men, they obtained the victory ; chietly, however, through the treachery of a bribed native who led the enemy to the successful capture of one of their natural strongholds. They next tried to td seem to feel that a curse is resting on the place. ^' It is quite impossible to obtain a correct idea of the working out of the Papac}'^ — by observing its operations in countries where the civil government is not its mean servile in ^ivino; etfect to its mandates. — The herjdds of the wooden cross have tried again and again, east and west, to subdue the Polynesians imder the dominion of Antichrist, and wherever the}' have not succeeded in getting the use of this carnal weapon — the civil government, the rod of their power — their faihires huve been signal. Such has been the result where the Polynesians uphold the Scriptures and main- tain their independence. They tried Tahiti twice with- out this power and signally failed. The sjime remark is true of New Caledonia. In Samoa, hu-king this special aid, all the diligent efforts of the Priests seem to be almost useless for the advancement of their cause. The Romish Bishop of Tahiti maintains through this instrumentality, not only an inlluence over the districts of the Island but also the supei'vision of the press — the press — Rome's dreaded foe — safe only when tethered with a Papal chain. Mv. Howe's printer a short time age printed for some of the mer- chants, public notices, without his knovvledge, but for t.iat Mr. Howe was called to account. On proving his innocency he was dismissed — with a warning that if such a use of his press wei made again he would be •held accountable for the crime. It was a ha})p3' cir- cumstance for the Rev. Mr. Geikie that he rcisided un- der a government free from the control of the Papacy, when he diU'ed to answer the ' Pastoral Letter' of an Archbishop of the Romish Sec in Nova Scotia. Mr, Howe on one occasion merely replied to a little tract written by a Bishop of a small island, and tiiough Mr. Howe had the authority of the former (lovernor in Council for what he did, yet the Bishop sought to have him signally punished » OiF EROMANGA^ 245 " His liOrdship in company with a runagate mission- aiy, examined the public Schools a lew days betbro our arrival and awarded the prizes to the K(jman Ca- tholic children, after which some of the parents rose and said they must petition the Governor to allow French Protestant missionaries to resiosition from any other party. Of the Church in this [)lace it may be said as of Sardis, ' Thou has a few names even here which have not defiled their garments.' On the evening of the IGth, we had an in- teresting and profitable farewell meeting at Mr. Howe's house, at which the American Consul and other pious foreigners were present, and on the following day we sailed from the Society Islands, leaving the little ro- mantic ishuid of Pineo on the left. 24a THE LAST MARXmS '4; !i •» ' ! " As the distance from Tiiliiti to tliese Islands is only about one hundred miles, and the trade winds fa- vored us, we had a quick and pleasant passage to them. AVe remained in this group a week — spending the time at Iluahine and Raiatea — the scene of the Hex. Mi\ Williams* early labors. The population of any one of these islands does not exceed 2,000, though they are all capable of sustaining a much larger num- ber of people than has ever been known to exist upon them, for every foot of h\nd, from the fruitful valleys to the summit of their highest mcmntains, seems like a rich, well-watered garden — blessed abundantly as Jo- seph's land in regard to Hhe precious^ things brought forth by the sun ; and the precious things put forth by moon, and for the chief things of the ancient moun- tains and for the precious things of the lasting hills.* The Rev. Mr. Chisholm of Raietea, as also Rev. C. Barff of Hnahine, received us kindly. Mrs. Gordon, mjself, and Mr. Chisholm (to whom we are indebted for mau}'^ ofliees of Christian affection) started one afternoon to ascdiid one of the mountains of Raiatea. After wending our way through dense forests of fruit trees, which perfumed the atmosphere with their plea- sant fragTance, we arrived at the top of one, whence we obtained the most magnificent ^lew of the hilly and snfnnarine landscapes Avith which I have yet been favored. We stcx)d on the sunnnit of a mountain from whence we saw Raiatett from etist to west, with its splendid atoll-reef and fair lagoon ; and Tahaa and Barljora, in all their romantic grandeur. The coral reefs of this island rise above the waves. The water varies in depth from one foot to two hundred feet- These lagoons are numerous in the racific. The white beach of Raiatea. sun'ounded as it is bv an oval sheet of shallow water of a bright green coloi", and enclosed by a g'littering ring as Avhito as hoar frost, presents a fine contrast with tlie blue Avaters of tlie ocean. The swelling waves produced by the South-cast trade Avind are truly beautiful as they dash against this ocean- barrier in a continuous ridge of blue AA'ater, curl over the reef and fail in an unbroken CiLscade of foam. OF EROMANGA. 247 Islands is I winds fa- )assage to - spending Mie of the •ulation of 09, thongh irger num- 'xist upon fill valleys ?ins like a itly as Jo- ys bronght it forth by LMit moun- ting hills/ ;o Rev. C. }. Gordon, I indebted arted one ' Raiatea. ts of fruit heir plea- e, whence the hilly ? yet been mountain vest, with \ihaa and rho coral lie water Ired feet. The white )\a\ sheet enclosed presents an. The ade wind is ocean- curl over of foam. dazzling white. The submarine landscapes of the transi)arent lagoons are highly picturesque, diversilied b}" unrivalled colors of vivid green, brown, yellow, purple, red, and blue. Some pieces of coral formed beneath the water appear as beautiful as bunches of red roses. The living insects build the tombs of past generations * With simplest skill and toil unweariable No nionit'iit and no movement unimproved, Laid line on line, on terrace, terrace spread.' The tower of Babel, pyramids of Egypt, wall of China, English Docks — the mightiest works of the proud children of men, fall short of the \7orks of these little architects of the Creator. *' The Society Islands have long been blessed with the light of the Gospel. Their inhabitants and the Tahitians have much intercourse, and cannot be dis- tinguished by personal api)earance or dialects. Capt. Cook visited Iluahine and Raiatea several t'mes, while thick darkness slu'ouded them in a mantle of death. He was much pleased with the llatteririg reception given him on his last visit, save and excepting that given by the '■ old hags,* as he called them, to whose ■embraces he involuntarily submitted, " On these occasions they lavished upon him abui» dance of teal's and kisses, — thnigs, by the way, whi • should not be valued too highly, tor it is obvious fivi/. the past history of these islanders that any voyager who would treat them kindly and give them presents, though he were never to name the name of Christ 4among them, would have no reason to complain of a want of such attentions, nor even of still more sub- stantial tokens of their friendship. Had Cai)t. Cook been a Christian missionary seeking to open up Poly- nesia for the ditfusion of the Gospel, though he might not have been the means of converting one soul, yet he could have Avritten more interesting rejiorts than some missionaries who have since labored in Polynesia. In reference to the natives of Waliis Islands, who once r " ■ 1 h^i' ; ' ( ''. ] 'ijl'l b s 248 THE LAST MARTYRS received Protestant teachers, Roman Catholic agents state : ' All the old chiefs came to kiss om* hands and offer us cocoa-root in sign of friendship.* " While at Raiatea we had several opportunities of meeting with Rev. Mr. Chisholm*s congregation. His flock was large, hut oi'derly, and a})parcntl)' attenti\e to tlie Word of God. They held IJibles in tlieir IuukIf, and frequently referred to them during the seruion, cf which they took notes. The most attentive licaro's of tlie Gospel in Tahiti have also the same practice. The native men generally Avear a shirt and a loose garment worn lilvc an apron or broad girdle, and the women drci-s in flowing attire adapted to the climate. We visited tlie old residence of the Rev. John AVilliams, saw the pulpit in which he preached, and some of his other handiworks. The civil wars, which greatly disturbed the churches of this group two or three years ago, have subsided, and peace now seems to maintain a blissful reign. In one only — Borabora — troubles are appre- hended. It is but right to state that their wars are now much less sanguinary than thej' were in the days of heathenism, although the natives use European wea- pons of warfare. " In general the system of government in Polynesia is akin to the fudalism of the dark ages in some parts of Europe. The rival interests of diflerent parties com- ing into collision, war is too frequently the result. — This is the case even with those calling themselves by the name of the Prince of Peace. A few years ago tlie Iluahineans bravely defended their coimtry against a French invasion ; but shortly after a civil war break- ing out among themselves, one of the parties invited the French to c^ome and assist them in subduing their foes ; but the French declined interfering. A great change for the worse has no doubt taken place in the morals of the natives since the French authorities re- moved some of the restrictions of hated Piu'itanism in relation to heathen dances and other things. Never- theless, as there is much reason to believe that the Tahitian Mission was much injured by trading mission- OF EROMANGA. 249 )lic agents hands and tunities of tion. His ' attcntiAe icii hand?, 5ornion, cf liearc3's of 'tiee. The ^0 garment )men dress \Vo visited s, saw the t' his other ' disturbed s ago, have a bhssful are appre- rs are now e days of pcan wea- l*olynesia ome i)arts Eirties com- result. — nsolves by years ago ry against war break- ers invited uing their A great ice in the orities re- tanism in Never- that the g mission- aries ]>re\ious to tlie occupation of the ishxnd by the French, tlicy should not l)e made scapegoats., The Frencli (Jovernment is endeavoring to reform the na- tives by disallowing their heathen dances. Now they only admit of a modified style of dancing, such as is in fashion in European society, to be engaged in on Sabl>ath evenings, and special occasions. '' Lea\ing the Kev. J. UartT and family at Raiatea ■we sailed for the llervey Islands on the 2;jth, Avhere wo arrived on the 3 1st inst. The islands in this group are seven in number, and lie from 500 to GOO miles west of Tahiti. The jjopulation at one period, it is supposed, was about 14,000 ; but is now m ich less. — ]Mani»aia was tirst visited l)y us. Eai-ly on the mornina: of the olst, ere the sun had arisen, our eyes were greeted with a pleasant view of Mangaia. It is a liilly island, haviiig a barrier reef running in a direc- tion parallel with the coast, and without a harbor. As none of the llervey Islands have havens, the John WilU(Vins does not anchor at the group, and conse- quently not unfrequently experiences much dilliculty in landing stores for missionaries. 8s soon as the ship's flag was descried, several canoes — in one of wliich was Rev. Messrs. George Gill and AV. "VV. Gill — came off to meet us. Our welcome from the brethren was most cordial. We were soon speedily conveyed over the reef by the natives, who were very nmch pleased by the return of the IMission barque. Natives, standing ing the water on the reef, received the canoes as they a[)i)i'oacl)ed, and took them safely over ariiid the joy- ful and loud acclamations of the multitude. Some of the sailors who had been in the vessel to England were natives ui' JManiria. They wei'e received by their friends in the usual way — by rubbing noses. To touch the liand of a iVioud or stranger with the nose, seems to denote much respect and attention. The English sai- lors suggested that their mode of salutation might ac- count for the flatness of their noses. " On ari'iving at the 3Iission premises, on which are some flue iiuildings, tastefully arranged, Ave found the Mission families in the enjoyment of much health and V| ■!; U ' i ;'i 1 250 THE LAST MARTYllS of man}'' comforts. The visits of the JoJm WiJUams to some of those ishinds, on which Mission families are so isohitctl, not uufreqiientl>' draw forth tears of joy. — The periodical return of the ship appears to ])e almost a condition of the existence of the cause of Cluist on some islands. "On the 3rd of April Rev. Geo. Gill having; kindly provided ns with horses in order that we might visit a station on the opposite side of the island, we started, accompanied by llev. W. AV. GilL But INIiss Geddie, having been seated in Mrs. Gill's palanquin, a native bore her away amid the tumultuous shouts of those who followed. On reaching the station av(; found her at the JNIission premises in the midst of a large con- course of natives, who were kind, and seemed very much pleased with their new visitor. At that station a large church, dwelling house, and school-room were unoccupied for Avant of a missionary. Mr. W. W. Gill, who had been stationed there, was obliged a week before our visit to the place, to remove to tiie opposite side of the island to occup}'^ Mr. Geo. Gill's station, since the latter was ffoinii; to Rarotoni>;a to take Mr. Buzacott's charge — Mr B. after a long and valuable service, being under the necessity of returning to Sid- ney for the purpose of recruiting his health. " One of the leading men of the district urged me verj' strongly to remain and occupy the vacant Mission premises. Seizing me by the arm, when Ik; found his eloquence insulllcient to gain his point, he appeared as though determined not to let me go ; and, turning to Mrs. Gordon, besought her by all the terrors of the cannibals of the New Hebrides, to use her iatluence to- wards i2,ettin<4 me to remain. But on Mrs. G. sayini]: she was willing to share my fate whatever it might be, in seeking to make Christ known to the lie '' jp, he appeared quite disappointed, and said : ' We have many heathen here yet, though we have the Bible.' " As Mangaia is not mountainous it is easily travers- ed. Small streams are well bridged by the natives, whose i)ublic words reflect much credit u})on their architects. The valleys are beautiful ; and its wall of WilUams tunilics are s of joy.— he almost Cliiist on no; kindlv ;ht visit a started, is Geddie, , a native s of those found her lar<»e con- ?nied ver}^ lat station room were r. W. AY. •ed a week c opposite s station, take Mr. 1 valuahle ig to 8id- r.rged me t Mission "ouud his )peared as iirniug to )rs of tlie Ihiciiee to- G. saying might he, he '^' jp, We have Dible.' y travers- natives, })on tlieir ts wall of OF EROMANGA. 251 Li defence, admirable. Tliis wall entirely surrounds the island. It is about 100 high, and l)()0" yards broad. — In some i)hii'es its inner and outer sides are quite per- ix^ndieuhu-. It has caverns througli whicli, by the light of a torch, one may travel a quju-ter of a mile. I had not the means of examining it chemically, but thouglit it contained carbonate of lime and iion, on which the oxygen of the atmosphere acts powerfully. It contains a deep chasm, into which in former days tlie iKivty victoi'ious in war mercilessly cast their cap- tives. We passed through fine fields of taro in some valleys — preserved from inundation by this wall. A field of taro presents the appearance of a fionrishing field of turnips. New croi)S are obtained by cutting off the toi)s of the taro and planting them in the ground. The root is quite farinaceous, and one of the best that God has given to man. The pine apple grows here. — The bread-fruit is about 8 inches in diameter, and when cut through the middle presents the appearance of two nice cakes kneaded in pans, and prepared for the oven. New cocoa imts may be had at all seasons ; and but few of these contain each less than a pmt of water, which is refreshing and preferable to the l)est lemonade. The old groves of cocoa-nut trees are called, heathen ; and the new, christian. We were kindly presented with draughts from the cocoa-nut as we passed through the native settlements. I remarked to some of the na- tives that our l)lessed religion was like a cocoa-nut : that the hard lu^'irt nuist be broken bv the hannner of the word befoi'e the reviving milk could be tasted ; that repentence was the rough part of it, on account of which the foolish and unbelieving rejected if, like a young man, ignorant of the value of cocoa nuts, whom I knew in America. lie despised them till one day, on seeing one broken, he tasted it, after which he no lon- ger des|)ised cocoa nuts. — INIr. Gill observed that the natives were much interested by simple illustrations of that kind. " On Sabbath morning the ringing of the bell at 5 o'clock announced the hour for prayer ; at 9, for the Sabbath School; and at 11, for the public services of 1r I ! 1 1>52 THE LA.ST MAUTVKS , .>i, f ^ i I i li > the SaiK'tiuiry. Tlic prayer meetiup; was large and interesting. About TjOO eliiklren were i)i"esent at the Sabbath School, and they sang the praises of the Lamb very sweetly. Each class, in order, h^f't the school room, Iblhnving tlie teachers. Mr. (leorge Gill preach- ed his farewell sermon to a congregation of about 2000, his text being — 'Finally brethren farewell, etc.' At the announcement ol' it tears stole silently down some cheeks. I preached to them in the evening, IMr. Gill interpreting, Irom these words — 'The J^ord's lire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.' Isaia spoke to them about the wonders which he saw in Britain und added seriously — ' All this is true.' • "On the morning of the Gth Mr. Gill's family and furniture being on board, and we all ready to set sail for Rarotonga, a circumstance occurred which delayed us for two or three hours ; it was Isaia's marriage. lie married a half-caste — her father being a French- man, and veiy reluctant to part with his daughter. Isaia did not get his consent till the barque was about to sail. He said he never met with so stubborn a Frenchman. The nuptnal scene was quite exciting. Many Hocked to the marriage. Others assembled to bid Mr. and Mrs. Gill an aft'ectionate farewell. Some were rejoicing, others weeping bitterly. Among the latter, especially, were Mrs. Gill's domestics. After the marriage Mr. Gill called upon the bride's father. lie ap[)eared nuich pleased with our visit, lie pre- sented his daughter with $\i')0, and gave her some boxes of clothing. We then bade i\lr. W. W. (iill larewell, and pressing our way through the multitude i2;ot safely on board, and were soon under way for Ra- rotonga. When Isaia and his bride came otf, Mr. Tui'pil, the lirst mate, assembling the sailors, gave them three cheers. Meanwhile the ducks, turkeys and pigs, which had been put on board, treated us to some discordant airs. Next day we landed at Rarotonga — the largest and most important of the llervey Islands. The sketches large and sent :it tlie )rtlio Lamb tho school illl [)i'oacli- ibout 2000, i, etc' At lown some ;•, Uv. Gill I's lire is in a spoke to Jritain and family and to set sail eh delayed 5 marriage. a Frenc'h- i daughter. was about stubborn a exciting. sembled to ell. Some A.moni>: the ics. After le's father. lie pre- her some . W. Gill multitude ay for Ka- e off, Mr. lors, gave , turkeys ated us to argest and [) sketches OF EROMANGA. 253 of the mission premises, etc., given in the ' Gems from the Coral Islands' are very good, but they give but faint representations of the Creator's maguilicent works on this island. The John Williams was delayed at Uarotouga till the loth inst., till which time we had the privilege of enjoying the company of the Kev. :Mr. IJuzacott and Mrs. liuzacott, and hunily, by whom we were hospitably entertained. Mr. Duza- cott has been for some time superintendent of tiuj Normal School, and of a printing establishment, in which six printers and some book-binders are employ- ed. AVe attended several very interesting missionary meetings. At one of these, live teachers with tiici'r wives, were connnended to God in prayer, for His work on other islands. They seemed much attached ' to My. Buzacott and his family, and parted I'rom them with many tears. " On the evening of the 14th, we bade the mission family an atfectionate farewell, and saileil for Aitutake, where we arrived on the ICtli. Aitutuke is a low, beautiful island, resembling Mangaia. Our mission party having been reduced to three in number, landed in a native boat, about sunset. On landing we met Kev. Mr. Royle — the taithful and devoted missionary at Aitutake — who received us with many marks of Christian regard. Some of the natives who took us on board were neatly dressed, and having been on board of whale ships could speak English. On first seeing the John WilUams they said they took the vessel to be a whale ship, but on finding they were mistaken they hastened home to put on their best clothes. On nearing the shore a crowd of natives dashed into the water, and seizing the boat carried it and us all to the beach. They spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Royle. " Previous to coming to Aitutake I had heard of the progress of tiie work under Mr. Ko}le, but the half was not and cannot be told, till the day of ' nuiltitudes — multitudes in the valley of decision.' lUit I am persuaded that if the Churches desire full and correct information concerning the Lord's work on these is- I >t) i ■ 251 THE LAST MARTYRS liuuls, they sliould seek it in the reeords of sueh fsiith- ful iind l.'iborious inissionarics as Mr. lioyle, and not from tlie jottings of swallow visitors, who may be more ready to write of things as they api)ear than as they really are. Williams said he conld never content himself within the limits of a single reef, and in some respects it is well he conld not ; bnt it certainly has been f may be lar tlian as ,'ci' content 11(1 in some 'tiiinly has \v Houls in willing — lation — to inglo re'jf, lat eireum- (3(;l\Io(1 by iwo cxeep- isions than •e well for (tl by some s (U^liverod wliom he well knew ame time absolutely ibers of a e teachers e heathen. le Samoan Y years in ^vitnessing all ranks about the 11 we were of native — which h(l GO Eu- besides illy upon >art of the ill money 1 London 'c contri- butions of pigs and poultry to the mission ship. In all their contributions amounted to about £4;'>0 ! It is but just to mention that the Mangaians also, who gave £500 (?) for Bibles, were also forward to furnish sup- plies for the missionary ship. But we ceased to won- der at what we saw of the zeal and good works of the Aitutakeaiis, when Mr. Koyle informed us that some of them had been recently noting down the number of benclits which they had derive(l through the gospel and found them to be no less than 180 ! I gave them a short address — Mr. Koyle interpreting — on ' faith that works by love.' They declared that they felt it to be ' more blessed to give than to receive.' ''On leaving, a grave looking man — who has a son a teacher — came to bid us good bye. He was the one sent at the head of a party of heathen to kill the first men who should receive the Word of God in Aitutake, and present their bodies as offerings to their gods. lie showed us how his spear, when uplifted, trembled so in his hand, at the mere mention of the name of Jehovah, that he was unable to fulfil his inten- tion. A strange feeling, he remarked, came over them, for which they coukl not account. Bidding our dear friends adieu, five or six boats accompanied us on board, and on the 18th we sailed for Samoa. The crews of the boats when parting, reciprocated hearty cheers with the sailors on board the John Williams. But the Mission Barque has lost one special attraction for the poor natives, viz., good Captain Morgan. " To Samoa we had a prosperous voyage. On the 27th we cast anchor in Apia harbor, which is the only, one of Upolii — the principal island of the group. — While on the way W(ii called at Manua, where a teacher and his wife were left, and the Rev. Mr. rovvell and his family taken away. Mr. Powell goes yearly, if convenient, from Tutuila, to this island to attend to the interests of the mission. Mr. l*owell remarked that the work retrogTades in the long absence of Euro- pean missionaries, though one excellent native teacher labors there. The islands of this group have not 25G THE LAST MAUTY119 ■ili ( : V. i 1 , '' '1 • t ■ (' i 1 scenery so romantic as some fartlicr cast. They liave, however, dense forests of varied and everi^nuni trees. which adorn their siiores ; and some oi* the elioieest fruits of tropical climates j;ro\v liere : so Samoa may be called — 'Tlie garden of the Lord.* Soon after anchoring the Kiiv. Mr. ^lurray ^vho has lahorcd in this field for 20 years with considerable success, came off to give us a liearty welcome. AVe were soon com- fortably lodging under Mr. Murray's hospital )le roof, as were ISlr. and Mrs. (Jeddie when they ilrst landed on Tutuila, where JNlr. M. was then laboring. We were sorry to iind Mrs. jNlurray in a declining state of health, lint she seeujs quite devoted to "he INIission work and content to live and die in the f()reign Held. This grou)) contains four islands, Manna, Ui)olu, Tutuila and Savaii, which have a population of about 35,000, of whom 'iOOO, have been gathered into the Christian Church bv the faithful missionaries who have been laboring — some 10, others 20 — years in the group. The native Christians kept aloof I'rom the war parties which have greatly disturbed these islands for the last few years. Peace is now enjoyed, and the missionaries are enabled to prosecute their labors with fewer obstacles, and brighter prospects. Yet the evil results of the civil wars are still experienced. Those who engage in these sanguinary fights, though partially reclaimed from heathenism, soon, for the most part, return to their lewd night dances, tattooing, and other abominable practices. Some of their worst practices are' the concomitants of war. At present nearly as many are now enquiring the way to Zion as have been received into the Church ; therefore, if the missionaries were to do the Lord's work negligently they might soon have a much larger memberihip to report. " As May is the month during which missionary meetings are held and annual contributions received, as in Britain, I had the pleasure of attending one at Rev. Mr. Drummond's station, distant from Apia 12 miles. Mr. Powell and I were conve3'ed thither in a whale-boat, the speediest and safest mode of convey- ance among these islands. There were 16 natives OF EllOMANOA. 207 'lioy have, HMi treo«, .! choioe.st Liiioti inav loon .'it'ter aliorod ill ivss, came soon c'oni- al)le roof, •st landed •ing". We g state of 0, INIission L'ign field. L, IJ^polu, ol" about [ into the 1 who have u\s in the ni the war Hlandrt lor and tlie ib(jrs with t the evil 1. Those partially lost part, md other }M-aetices nearly as lave been ssionaries ey might t. lissionary received, ; one at Apia 12 ther in a f convey- natives paddling our boat ; and tliey sang like sailors when pulling on a rope. The chorus of one of their boat songs was — Ajhi a — paddle.* *' In the morning an adult meeting was held, and in the evening a juvenile one. IJoth were well attended, ttud tint collei.'tions amoui.ted to i'l'). T!ie people were well clad, and some of the guinea dresses of the ladies were the best specimens of native cloth that I had seen. The little I oys and girls came in two dis- tinct companies, and tnose in each were as uniformly and neatly dressed as a regiment of soldiers. One of them — born of native parents — was as white and fair as a European child : but this is not an unusual circumstance. The missionaries generally request the churches not to send out clothing, because unneces- sary, and nnich dilliculty has been experienced in dis- tributing it in such a manner as not to awaken feelinut just to mention, however, tliat, they sometimes use the negative as above when they mean — ' 1 have none to give you.' " But if the Samoans have some evil practices, they have also some good ones of long standing ; such for example as successl'ul iish(nnien dividing with the un- successful, and one settlement supplying visiting parties from another i)lace with abundance of cooked ibod. The peoi)le of Mr. 13rummond's district gave our men 200 baskets of taro and a large quantity of fish, besides several pigs. Mr. I'owell and 1 received Benjamin's portion. "Mr Murray has quite a congregation of Europeans. on Upolu. I ;)reached to them on ditferent occasions. OF EROMANGA, 295 n ryes, umiltoo, I repliod a of gu'n\^ lenian o])* mi "lit be "n" ailing the so too. ir connec- L jittiiiiiing Lue, us vir- luioii, Mr- and made iiscience of ,o his pas- 10 mats — Mmnmond, at you say you have l' inquiiM'd ?' ^You s do so ? * I'd the na- ere ealled idled upon nd amend- however, )ove wheu iees, they sueh for 1 the un- i; visiting of cooked tiiet gave iiantity of L received 'uropcana. occasions/ There is some reason to believe that Mr. M. has not preached to them in vain. There are some families at Apia occupying respectable a position in society.— Among these is a son of tlic distinguished missionary — Williams. In some islands many of the troubles of missionaries arise from runagate sailors and prisoners, some of whoui are monsters of inicjuity. The conver- sion of one such, magnifies the grace ot'(Jod in no sm;i!l degree. In their umvnewed state tliey are most wretched even wliile wandering over this fair islanii world. Without Christ, they have no sympathy with the beautiful or tlie sublime, to be seen every v/here in tliese i)aradisian islands. AVere their minds at all iu luiison witii the 'true, the beautiful, and the good,' * none of them need say : — " ' AVitli what dolij^fht could 1 liave walked thee round, If [ couUl joy ill sui^ht, sweet iut»!i-ehiinj;e Of hill tind valley, rivers, woods ;ind ])hiiiis; Now liind, now sen, and -iiures witli forest crown'd, Rocks, dens, and caves . lint I in none ot these Find i»l;u'e ot'ret'uj^e; and the more 1 see Pleasures aliout me, so much more 1 feel Torment within me, as from the hateful sw^q Of contraries ; all good to me becomes Bane, and in heaven much worse would he my state.' " " Dkcukask of Poi'i'LATiox. — Tlic Opinion is now too generally entertained in lii-itain and America, that the aborigines of coimtries colonized by the Anglo-Saxon race, are doomed, by some strange kind of fatidity, to waste away before the mnv settlers ; and that t' i aborigines of Polynesia are in like inanner destined to fade away before Europeans ; but such opinions an^ too readily endorsed. I am glad to learn that this subject is now engaging the atU;ntion of one so emin- ent as Dr. Norris. l)ecrease of population, not ao countable by epidemics oi* endemics, is not a modern phenomenon. There was a period in tiie history of Britain when the decrease of popiilation became a sulv ject, not merely of general attent ion, but of legislative enactments. Even at the present day it appears there is a decided tendency in this du'cction, manifested in w. 260 THE LAST MARTYK8 :i'- i i J J siristocratic circles in Europe. Sir Eden, in his ' IHs- tor}^ of tlie State of the l*oor,' states : ' From 1488, and a century and a half after that period, (lejiojmla- ^/o??- continued to be the theme of the legislature.' — The Stat. 4 lien. VII. c. 19, asserting and lamenting tlie desolation of certain towns, allirms that ' where in some towns 200 persons occupied, now there are two or three lierdsmen.' Again an Act of the fourth year of this reign, cap. 16, asserts a great decay of people in the Isle of Wight. In the reign of Henry VI II., nine acts of Parliament were passed for the express purpose of compelling the restoration of decaj'cd towns and villages. And Mr. Doubleday, the author of a modern work on population, says; 'The peernge of, Kngland, instead of being old, is recent ; and the bar- onetage, though comi)aratively of modern origin, equally so. In short, few if any, of the Norman no- bility, and almost as few of the original baronets fami- lies of King James 1. exist at this moment ; and but for the perpetual creations, both orders must have been all but extinct. Of James First's creation in 1611, only tlilrtepii families now remain.' The Koman, A''e- netian, and French nobility, have all exhibited the same decrease, and it is clear, nothing can save such families from annihilation but due attention to the laws of God. " Mr. Doubleday in his enquiries into the laws of population, concludes from statistics collected by him in Europe and India, that ' the plethoric state is un- favorable, and the deplethoric state favorable to in- crease.' The effect of this general law is, * that amongst the poorest classes of society there is a rapid increase ; among the allluent there is a constant de- crease ; and among those who are tolerably well sup- plied with food, and are neither overworked nor idle, the population remains stationary.' The population of H country', he continues, is increased when a species is threatened with extinction, and decreased when the peril springs from a surplusage of food ; and the trans- mission of disease, usually the consequence of luxury, checked and remedied. Thus, carefully, is the species OF EROMANGA. 201 lis ' IHs- 0111 1488, iepopvki' iature.' — iamciitiiig where in are two urth year of people iry Vlll., c express ycd towns itiior of a )eeragc of . d the bar- •n origin, )rman no- ►ncts fami- ; and but , have been in 1011, )nian, \Q' ibited the save such on to the e laws of (\ by him ite is un- ble to ill- is, ' that is a rapid istant de- well sup- nor idle, bulation of species i» I when the the trans- )f luxury^ Ihe species jxuardcd from extinction by want on the one hand, and by implanted disease, and vitiated, aiul irregular action on the other. Now it is apparent, that during the i)c- riod of general decrease in England, ease, plenty, and comfort, were predominant in the nation. Sir .1. Fortescue, Chief Justice under Henry VII., in his cele- brated treatise on the laws of England, asserts ' That the men of this land are rich, having abundance of gold and silver, * * * and are furnisiied with all other things necessary for a quiet and wealthy life according te their states and degrees.' Mr. Doubleday in sum- ming up the testimony of several authors on this sub- ject, says, ' In short, the statutes against luxury went hand in hand, during this i)eriod of English history, with those complaining of the decay of towns and the decrease of the people.' This decay now seems to be confined almost exclusively to those families which ab- sorb the wealth of the nation, consuming it u[)on their hints, for which, in every reign, some families of the iiol)ility have obtained an !«nenviablc notoriety. '*I>ut what rcjison c':n be assigned to account for the decrease of population in Polynesia during the present century? A few writers seek a solution of this (juestion in the jNlulatto constitution of some of the Polynesians, resulting., it has been sup[)osed from an early commingling of races totally dissimihu'. Some attri'mte the decrease to the introduction of alcoholic liviuors, to their own orange rum. tobacco, etc., while the author of a virulent article thr lately ap})eared in the Westmiusfer Jh'vicio seems to think he litis found the soluti«>?i of the whole pro1)lem in the destructive inlluence oi' I*an'tai(itii>i. sit to several of the islands of the 4. 'Ui mv Pacilic where there has been a (U;crease of po))ulation, being anxious to obtain infoi-mation on this im})ortant subject, I conferred with tlu; missionaries with whom J associated, and wrote to others on the matter, besides puisuin bei jv'ct I came 2C2 THE LAST MARTYRS lir^ m » ! t i f: to the conclusion that the decrease Khotikl rather he attributed to the iiitrothietion of tiie venerial (liseubO. This disease lias lowered the tone, ini[)aired the general health, and injnied the constitution of the inhabitiints of these islands the more from the fact of their diet htiving been cliiefly vegeta])le, thus leaving them mc^re defenceless against the inronds of epidemics and endemics tlian they would have been in ditferent circumstances. l*rohal)ly the intluence of this destrudive agent has contributi'd more than all their other evils combined to the decreasj^ of popula- tion. It is well known that wherever this curse of heaven upon the imclean falls upon a i)eoi)le situated as the Polynesians generally aie, it cannot be ivmoved in one generation, if indeed it cini be wiped out in the second or third. (,'a})t. Cook, who visited I'Mliiti tAvo or three years after its discovery, thus speaks of the fearful ravages then made by this evil among the Ta- hitians : 'Their commerce with Europeans has already entailed upon them that dreadful -^urse which aAcnged the inhumanities committed l)y the S})aniards in South America — the venerial disense. As it is certain no Kuroi)ean vessel beside our own, exct^pt the Dolphiiij and those under Mon. Douuainville, ever visited the island, it must either have been biought by one of them or us. That it was not brought by the DoJphhi (-apt. Wallis has demonstrated, and nothing can be more certain than that when we arrived it had made most fearful ravages in the island." Capt. Cook pro- ceeds to state farther that as it caused their nails and hair to fall olf, arid their flesh to rot upon their bones^ they designated it l)y a term signifying rotfcn diseasp^ the same as tliat, it has been sijpposed, to which Solo- mon lei'ei'S when speaking of the flesh and body being consumed. The Tahitians asked some of the earlier missionaries who labored among them the question — MIow can your (Jod be a gooti God, seeing his wor- ship])ers from Britain have brought us this horrible disease?' They did not know at that time that Ikm- gainville's vessels were from France. I need not state that their intercourse with the French since that OF ER03IANGA. 2C3 d rather vencriiil impaired on of the the fact )lo, thus ir.ronds lave been liienee of ' lliaii all f popiihi- curse of » situated } roiiioved out in the 'nhiti tAvo iks of the )«i: the Ta- is ah-eady |i avenp^ed in South ertain no Dolphin J isited the one of DoJph hi , inti'odnced by this vice, such as marks with peculiar infamy the ollending victim, clearly inanifeetinii' the auger ^.;f God against it? 'I'' I 264 THF LAST MARTYRS *' It is worthy of remark, however, that the decrease of population in l*olynesia is not nearly v^'O great as some voyagers have kui)1)os('(1. Tahiti, for example, never known to contain more than 18,000 inhabitants. Avas at one time sni)posed to have had 120,000. In the Sidnoan group, and other ishinds where mission- aries have l)een laboring for more than twenty years, no decrease h is yet been ascertained further than that occasioned b> war, while in a lew other islands the population is said to have increased. " PoLYGLOTTisM. — Judging from what information I have been enabled to obtain on the i)olyglottism of l\:>lynesia I think there is much reason to l)elieve that the aborigines of Australia and Polynesia spoke but two languages, bearing a close anjilogy to each other, though ditfering in their vocabularies and dia- lectic distinctions. That of Eastern Tolynesia has been denomimited the [Malayo-Polyncsian ; that of Western Polynesia, Papuan. The latter ap})cars to be spoken by the black race geneially, and is (listinguish- ed from the formerly hard consonantal sounds, and dialectic variations. One of the Tana dialects has not only the exclusive and inclusive })i()i)erty of the Pro- noun and Dual, but also a Triptial or Trial, as in the following example : — TUKSKNT TliNSE 1. Jau-Jiikinu). 2. ,Iik-iko. 'A, fJin-ranio. T). ox. 1, Kiiinrau-irao. 1). inc. 1. Kararaii-karao. L*. Kiiuaran-irao. I^. Irau-karao, Trip. ex. 1. Kainrahar-ilianiaro Sing. V. To make. Trip. inc. 1. Katahnr-samaro. 2. luiiiiraliar-igma- ro. 8. Traliar-liamaro. I'l. ex. 1. Kainaha-iahaiiK). I'l. inc. 1. Ivctaha-sanu). 2. Aiiniiiha-ianio. i>. llaha-hanu), &c. "There appears to be a deficiency of verbal parti- cles in this dialect. The only thing, remarks Mr. Turner, whicli we found in the shape of a su])stantive verl) was Sic Ka. The Tanese count by their iingers ; lience to make up the number 24, they say SS'/na iilc miuanu aremaiiia rite KcJlC — Xone left of one man 'Jii! f^ I:;;- OP EROMANGA. 2G5 !U'-samnro. and fi>vr of another. Mr. Nisbct rciiiai-kcd tluit tlioy readily learned Knjjjli.sli, and spoke sentences eorreetly before tiiey understood their ineaninath of tlie Prince of Taiarai»u. It was war time, and his canoe rode upon the water near the shore, and he and his attendant warriors watched ; l>ut at length sleep stole upon them. At the api)r()a('h of cock-crow- ing, the cry of the curlew ctune and the watchman awoke his jiriuce and said, ' The cry (A' th.e curlew breaks upon my ears — an enemy is ricar — awake my pj'ince.' Tlie i*rince replied, 'The morn approaches, the curlew will cry, and the cock will crow ; Avhereibre do you disturb me? let me alone.' Again the cry of the curlevv came to the watchman's ear, and he awoke % 2CG THE LAST MARTYRS J Vi his prince, Jiiul siiul, ' Tlio curlew cries aoain ! an ono- iiiy is near — awake my i)rin(!e !' The Prince niised hiin?,eU* :iud said, 'The morning ^linnuers, the curlew will cry, and the cock will crow ; leave me to my sleep.' Once more the cui'lew's cry was heard — then the tramp of the warrior, a blow of the enemy's clnh — and the Prince was dead. It is the voice ofdesus tiiathere awakens us ; his lan^na^^e comes to our cjirs — 'Watch, for ye know not tiie d:iy nor the h(^ur wlien the Son of ]\faii comet ii.' Let us not die the death of the l*rince ofTaiarapu; let us not, as we are a.vaked ai>ain and ai;a!n, sleep on in sin, lest our death bo as sudden and terrible as was his.' ki FroHi all 1 can learn I think the lecjitimate sphere of a native aii;encv in Polynesia is one similar to that assi.^-nt.'d to w.)it!iy teachers, trainivd in Normal insti- tnt'ons, ])y tiie Clmrch Missionary Society. Pious, ellieient School-teachers are required more than native preaciiers. Some missionai'ies in the Eastern islands say it is easier to tind ten preacliei's, than one ellicient School-teacher. Kveiy island of any importance in \Vest(M'n Polynesia especially i*e([nires at least two or three mis--ionaries, and a Normal School. Native con- verts uzacott — for several years an in- struct i.;* of vonnu' men in the Itarotoniian Seminary. "Mr. Ijuzacott states : ' The most oillcient teachers soon become inefilcient when left to themselves.' It follows then, that it is a mere assumption to say there are lii'lds in Polynesia ellieiently worked by "native teach- ers and pastors.' "• State of tiii: JMission in Eastern Polyntesia.— The state of tiie mission in Eastern Polynesia is ex- ceedingly critical at the present period — nmch incro so than the Churches of r»ritain and America seem willinf? OF EUOMANGA. 2C7 I ! an cno- iH'o niiscd 1k> curlew my sloop.' 1 1 u^ tramp luh — and s that bore -'Wutcli, 11 10 Son of the Prince a^ain and addon and ito sphere ar to that nial Insti- y. rions, han native rn islands 10 ellioient ortaiice in St two or ativecon- iit lel't to )iMi-like — they can- tiio entire s of this the testi- ars an in- Seminary. 'hers soon It follows there are ive teach- VNKSIA.— sia is cx- h nicro so Mu willing to believe. I\,'ril arises froin three sources in i)articu- hir: 1. The number of Protest int missionaries is decreasino- ; 2. The innnber of Roman Catholic; assent is fast increasinof; and, .•{. The Frencl th( u-e extending n- iniluence, m oi)position to Scriplmal mission years aujo there were issi(Miarv So- cast and west. About twelve n)rty-ave missionaries of the J^ondon M oiety cngaired in Polynesia; at present there an/only sixteen eillcient missionaries of that Socletv in this extensive held. Some of the original number have entered into their rest ; others have returned to lii'itain and the Australian Colonies : and still they go. Those remaining ai'o the following, and arc thus api)ortioncd over this vast field : — ''Rev. :^^>ssrs. liowe, Barff, jr., and Chlsholin — Tahiti and Society Ishuids. Rev. jMessrs. Rovle, G. Cill, and W. W. (;ill _ Ilervey Ishmds. R(;v. Messrs. Turner, ]\lurray, Nisbet, l^>att, Ilarbntt, J'owell, Stal- yrorthy, and Drunummd — Samoa, — the latter being in number one less than the Poi)ish agents in this group. Rev. JMessrs. Crcagh and Jones — Loyalty Islands. The Rev. C. Bartr,'who lias been in ilKrtield forty years, is about retiring to one of the Colonies. The Rev. INIr. liuzacott, is also obligetl to le.-ivc the field, after a long and valuable service. jNIr. KUa, too, the Printer in the employ of the Society, expects to retire in a short time. "• The Roman Catiiolic agents claim the l^olynesian Mission Field, on the ground of its having been given to the Society of JMaryists by the l\)[)i\ They are now diligently endeavoring to supplant Protestant missionaries. They have succeeded in wjvstiiig AVallis Islands and Potuma out of the hands of the Wesleyans, and are striving to take Tahiti and some other islands from the London Missioiiary Society. Coneeniing the Samoans the\ write thus : ' Can we forget that they are our own children since they belong to the ^Mission of Maryists ; and already the fruits of salvation wrought by the intercession of Mar\', Our Lady of ^''ictories, are very great. Many of the Chiefs of Upolu join their entreaties to those of oui' christians in order to 1to iiii 2C8 THE LAST M.UITYUS t M i. i- obtiiin Tnlssioiiark's.' One of the ciiiofs ronarkcil that he would I't'cvive inissioiinrios iVoin Ihi' Devil if they brought him [noi)erty. The lirst idol which the i:[)o- luiins ever saw was i)rou<.':!it anionir tht'iii Ity tlie Uoman Catholie priests. It was introduced to their notiee under the following novel eireunistanees : A vessel called tiie tSaint Marf/ got wrecked some time previous at Upoiu, and a native got the llgure head, though in a maimed state, and disposed of it to the [)riests. The priests having put new arms on it, set it up as an object of worshii) in tlieir holy place. The nativ(!S, however, generally regard it us a mere idol. The priests on Samoa e.\[)ect to receive the assistance of the French (lovernment in evangelizing the Sainoaiis. Tiiere were rumors of a French invasion of Upohi while we were at that island. " 1 am sorry to state here that some of the senior missionaries of the "\V(»sleyan Society at the Tonga Islands, who Avitlulrew their agents from Samoa to suit the arrangements made by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, made with the l^ireetors of the Wesleyan Society, about the n spective portions of the l*olynesian Mission lield v.hich each should occupy, have of late shown a disposition to disregard these arrangements, and have sent agents to Samoa, who are setting up opposition lotus where the agents of the London Missionary Society aie laboring, than which it is dKIlcult to conceive of anything more detri- mental to the cause of Missions. I was informed that the excellent AVesleyan brethren of the Fijis disap- prove of the conduct of one ollender in their connec- tion at Tonga, in reference to this matter. " Uev. Mr. Turner and Rev. J. Williams were origi- nally much interested in the conversion of the Samoans. Mr. Williams was es[)ecially instrumental in dill'using some knowledge of the Gospel among oO,Ot)0 of the Eastern Polynesians. His successors in this lield have gathered into the Church of Christ of ther;eai)out fl, 000. Eighty thovsand is the entire uum])er of Church-mem- bers rei)orted by all the Societies. It is somewhat surprising that the talented Author of ' The Martyr of larkcil that L!vil it' tlu'y li the Upo the Uomiin heir notice : A vessel lie previous , tliough in iests. ^ The t np us an 'lie liutives, idol. The ■isistaiice of e Sainoans. 11 oi' Upolii if the senior , the Tonjjca 11 Samoa to etors of the le J^ireetors ive poitions ach should o disrej^ard to Samoa, k the agents )orin<2;, than more detrl- forined that [Fijis di sap- lie ir coniiec- wcre origi- lie Samoans. liii dill'using .01)0 of the (is Held have Jibout r.,000. hureh-mem- somewhat Martyr of OF EUOMANGA. 2G9 Kromanga,' in his admiration of the Mnrt yr ^Missionary, should have made, apparently without ivlleetion, sueli extravagant statements eoneerning the success of the gospel in Polynesia about the time of ]Mr. A\'illiam8' death. AVheu British Christians began to idolize Williams, (iod removed him, and has since carried on His work in Tolynesia b}' men of less note ; and when unwarranted statimients respecting the i)iety of the Tahitians were being reiterated at Missionary meetings, the Lord sent a siiling time which resulted in teaching some salutary lessons in rekition to God as a jealous The concbiding part of tlie preceding narrative was given in a previous portion of this Memoir. In the following lines are the two first verses of the llvmu commencing — "There is a happy laud," — iu the Eromangan language : — " Nuru navos savos, Isn't 'tun{ja, Yu' oveteiui vis, Ra ninitaru. Ipc ! irora yui Wonipi uiuna-sore-vis Nisikon lesu Uninari vis. Kos kos kimle numpi Narufo vis, Nuinplin lesu yui, lesu vis. Il>c I lesu yui, Kos kimlo navos-uwi, Kos kle nilintungi Ic'su yui.". ] ^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I | 4£ no 1^ 2 2.2 1.8 1.25 1.4 1 1.6 < 6" ► V] <^ /2 A ^ h^. /A PhotDgr^piiic Sciences Corporation ■i3 WEST MAir^ STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 nc eoi5- iniich of ; coming to more lielplerh'. 2\v forth lieu' be- au rse 1)e- 1, thou!i;li ig well- prophet all abide ice, and without are also \il daA'S hasten*- and that be ^life ation of sinsi's or ing that all the ' Cursed blesseth ired and ment of the foes century was led to remark : ' I liave observed that no 2,'overn- ment has t^ver touched that i)eoi)lc without smarting for it' — thus bearing testimony with Ilamaii's friends, to God's special care of His people, even while suller- in<>; tiiem to l>e attlicted by their enemies. Tlie Jews have been elected by (Jod, to be the medium through whom peculiar Itlessings should come to otiier nations, and such they have been during all their vrandcrings as exiles amoj!<'' the heathen. liv scattering; soineravsof divine triitii anunig the heathen, they oi)ened up a^\ay for the spread of the (Jospel among the Gentiles ; and, therefore, ' lik'ssed sluiU he be that blesseth them, but cursed is he thnt curseth them.' '' From the flews have flowed to other nations bless- ings of a social, religious, and civil character. For Gentiles that nation existed. For us their A\arriors fought, theii' prophets i>rophesied, poets sang, and priests ottered sacriiic^es. To us has been preached tliat salvation v>'hich is of the flews ; and we are assured that the}' Jire yet to become means by whom God will confer still greater blessings upon the Church and the world. For, as the great apostle of the Gentiles shows, if, in the inscrutable wisdom of God, they were made a blessing to tlie Gentiles in their fall, liow much more 6o will they be such in their restoration, wlien they shall be made alive from tlie dead ! Ciratitude then to the fJews — love to fjesus of whom he is, and to whom, as believers, we have the honor and privilege of being related, should constrain us to seek the peace of Jeru" salem by sending tlieni His Gospel. The great com- mission still binds us in preaching the Gospel to ' begiti at fJerusalem,' b}' which we are to understand the nation of Israel, of whose religious rights and ob- BtTvances .Terusalem was the centre. The practice of the early herakls of the Cross in Jirst preaching the Gospel to t!ie .Fews wherever they went, ter.ehes us clearly what the primitive Christians understood by ' beginning at Jerusalen.' This important question is now asked b}^ some missionaries, and not Avithont reason, ' May not the want of greater su(H'ess of mo- dern missions be attributed to the exception made of if II i 272 THE LAST MARTYRS i i- I i-ii' ' the Jews in luKilling the great commission ? ' The Churcli in her present missionjuy enterprises lius re- versed the onh>r in the Lord's connnission, in [)reacliing the Gos})!'! to Jew and Gentile, by beginning witli the latter instead of with the former ; this eaunot b(} well- pleasing to God. It is worthy of notice t!i:it mission- aries wiio labored in Polynesia — and wlio could not hcfjia at Jenisaleni — have been the most sneeessfal. And I w'oiild asiv — May not the special l)lessings vouchsafed to the Free Church of Scotland have some connection with the early care manifested by that Church towards God's ancient people — a peo[)Ie still beloved ' for the fathers' sake.' ' Blessed is he that blesseth thee.' " Tlie present state of the Jews is one of much in- terest, and demands the special attention of the Church. Their number is said to be seven [live] mil- lions, and of these only about seven tliousand have been added to the Christian Church. The inlluence and elevation of this people at the present day in some governments, under which formerly they were perse- cuted and down-trodden, are rapidly on tlie increase. In England and Germany, especially, they oeei:i>v ex- alted positions in society. Christianity to tliem in these countr'cs, at least, is no longer a thing of blood and abhorrent idolatry. This happy change has led not a few of their lumber to discriminate l)etween Apostolical Christ! .nity and that of the Roman and Greek Churches. A Jew viewing Christianity Jis pre- sented to him and his fellow-countrymen in England, said, in a lecture deliveretl to them at IManchester a short time ago : ' A religion that has produced so many comforts for humanity as the Christian religion, cannot, in justice, be counted a false religion.' In Germany several Jews stand very high in the Ubri; and in London, three are distinguished Professors in Tniversities. The fact, too, of a Jew being the Chief Magistrate of the greatest city in the world shows how rapidly thc\y are growing in favor with the nations among whom they are wanderers. A spirit of inqniry is now manifested among them, so that raany are seek- r.F EROMANCJA. 273 hig tlic trutti as it is in Jesus ; and others casting ofl" the Tiihnud and Kabbinieal authority, arc estabUsiiing free syr\^ogues, of whicl) there are several in London, By some govermnents, however, they are still persecute oa\. Of tliese Russia is the most intolerant and cruel. A horrid system, a system as cruel as death, obtains there, viz : snatching children from their mother's bo- som. Of late some Jewish mothers IiaA'c preferred perishing as Siberian exiles rather than submit to tlie ruthless tyranny inflicted by tlie liand of the llussian. '" A few Sabbaths ago 1 met a Jew with whom I had a conversation about the Lord's day. To a Jewess I read some Hebrew, with which she seemed much jileas- ed. "VV^hcn parting I gave her the o3rd chapter of Isaiah to read. After leaving these two persons, solemn thoughts about Jesus as an all-sufficient Savioiu', filled my soul in a degree, previously, seldom experi- enced. Oh ! thought J, ye do not believe in Jesus ! and yet he is all my salvation, and all my desire ; on his linished work I can, with confidences, take my eter- nal salvation. I think I c-fin trul}- stiy that if ever I felt my soul cleaving to Jesus as my all-sutlicient Savi- ouT, it was while these thoughts were })assing through my mind, and suggested by my short interview with this Jew and Jewess, of whose nation and people Christ came, who is ' Ood over all blessed for ever.' "• Much sympathy' h:is b?en recently awakened liere on beliJilf of this people, which has issued in the for- mation of several societies for the propagation of the Gospel among them. One is the British Society — truly Catholic — founded on principles similar to those which govern the Mic 3Iac fiociety of Nova Scotia. — The office of this society — of which Mr. George Yonge is secretary — is at No. 1 Crescent Place, ]ilackfriars, in the vicinity of the spot where Jews in the Sixteentii century su tiered wrongs at the hands of British Chris- tians. The memorial of one of their chief Rabbis was 'buried beneath the ruins of the place. But blessed re- sults have succeeded the revolution of thought and feeling in relation to the persecuted Israelites, whose tears on British soil are now well nigh dried up. ' I I;! 1;. ■ ■*' •m m 1 1 '! I ill' 274 TUF r.AST MAnTTK3 I ii f. '. ' ■ * 1 ' * I '■■% *' May I now tako the liberty of asking especijilly the coiigrejijation of Rev. Mr. McC, Truro, and that of Ivcv. Mr. McG., lIuHfax, to remember the Jews when dividing their contributions on behalf of the kingdom of Christ ; and while sending a portion to the tried Christians of France^ also to present an offering to this Society, or an}' other having the same object in view. Miss W. of the Bible and Tract Depository, Halifax, would aladlv receive the contributions of the friends of Israel in that Cit}', who have not as yet contributed to this blessed and Christ-honoring cause. " ' Oh ! Christians why look with an eye of despair, On the torn Hebrew branches, scathed, withered, and bare,. As though ye believed that a curse for all time Had severed these boughs from the life-giving vine? Oh ! list to the strains of the prophets of old ; • Behold the glad scenes the apostles unfold ; Hear the voice of Jehovah declaring to thee — ' I will graft them again — I'll unite them to me/ Lo ! tliat season draws nigh, for already we see Some buddings of hope ; there is life in the tree, ])erived from Messiah, the heavenly root. And ' Israel shall soon fill the kingdom with fruit.' Oh ! long-M-ished-for day ! then the desert shall bloom^ And the 'glory of Lebanon' earth shall assume, "While the rich fruits of righteousness, ripened in time, Shall glow with fresh lustre in Glory'o fair clime, May the New Year replete with the blessings of grace Shower down its best gifts, on Isi'ael's loved race. And oh ! may the records of heaven unfold A glorious in-gathering from earth's sterile woUL' " OF EROMANGA. 27.') LETTER FROM MRS. GORDON TO MISS MARTHA CAMP- BELL, TATAMAGOUCIIE, NOVA SCOTIA.* '' Eromanga, Sept. 21), 18G0. '' My Dear Friend, — In acknowledging the receipt of your kind and welcome letter of Septembei* last, allow me to express my warmest feelings of gratitude for the interest you have manifested on my behalf, and your desire for my welfare, which I appreciate the more liighly on account of being an entire stranger to 3'ou. Though 1 cannot claim kindred or personal acquaint- ance with you or any of my kind friends in Nova Scotia, yet I rejoice that it is my happiness, tin'ough grace, to be accounted one of your number in that great family in which neitlier distance nor nation makes any distinction, — • in that family whose blessed- ness it is to address God with the endearing appella- tion Abba, Father. In that family not any of its members are of more distant relation than that of children. Then, though unknown to each other, we are not strangers but sisters in the kingdom of Christ. *' Hitherto the links in my chain of correspondence have not extended beyond the shores of dear old Eng- land. Yet I can assure j'ou that my heart has been linked with yours in bonds of Christian love, on the other side of the Atlantic. From my flrst connection with j^ou through ]\Ir. Gordon, I have cherished a warm aftection for you all as the early associates and esteem- ed friends of my dear husband, and feel it to be a blessing to have such dear friends. " I am glad to inform j^ou that the mission goods accompanying your letter came safely, and are quite suitable for this mission. There are, however, two articles of little or no service, viz : dress combs and worsted yarn. The natives having short, wooly hairt the females among them cannot, of course, make any use of dress combs. * Now Mrs. Laird — Rev. R, Laird, Malpcc, (<■ ! 1 > * In ii 27G THE LAST MAIiTVRS 'U^ ■: Ml " In n'i)lv to your question rcspectino- the social condition of the teniMles of l^jronKinp;ii, I fear I e:ui rs us not a little. As to our future prospects, dear friends, read the coiieluding verses of tiie l'2i)\\\ Tsalm. '^ In relation to ^Missionary trials you v.ish to know Avliieh we feel to be tlie <2:reatest. " I think Ave can say from experience that none is j^Teater than tiiat of beini; deprived of the advanta;j,vs of Clu'istian society, and the privilej^es of the Sanetuaiy. liut so soon as we have a few christian friends to worship with us, this trial will l)e so far mitigated as to be turned into joy. To what missionary trial can we be subjected which oiu' blessed Saviour has not endured lor us? If we ai'o made instruments in brin_f!;ing but one soul to Christ it will more than compensate for a life of cAcn greater trials and sorrows. " And now, dear friend, I must close, earnestly de- siring, that, siiould we never meet in the valley below, we may at last meet you all in the mansions above, where we shall be one — united in our Lord and Savi- our Jesus Christ. '* Mr. Gordon joins me in affectionate regards. " Believe mc, Yours, very sincei'ely, ^' Ellen C. Gordon." Having been kindly furnished with a portion of a correspondence between Mr. Gordon and the Eev. A. Buzacott, of Karotonga, we shall insert some letters nearly entire, and others in a condensed form. These extracts are pariicularly interesting in so far as they refer to the embarrassments and trials with which the native teachers from Samoa and Karotonoa were olilis;- ed to contend on Eromanga. The earliest letter ad- dressed to IMr. Buzacott, in our possession, bears date Dec. 3rd, loiJS. In it he says : — I^' OF EKOMANUA. 270 " With much "irulitudo I ucknowlofloc the rcociijt of articles kindly rurnisluMl Ihroujijh soim; iVicnds of Mis- sions in Si(hiey. I have to rcMiuost tiuit you will <^i\v these my sincere thanks Tor their nee-will olleiings, and pray that f may hav(» wisdom I p;()t him to remove from that unhealthy localifry. — •Several foreign natives have dicnl there this season. A few years a<2:o 12 natives of New C'aledonia died there at one time. The foreigners have gone up on the table land. *' I am happy to inform you that a young man who resides with Maireki is learning to road and write. — Maireki persiiiided him to live with him aome years ago. He and two or three others have just taken a stand against heathen abominations. * * * it is my opinion that if your teachers had been supported independently of foreigners, and had received proper dire(!tions as to selecting localities for residences, they would have been able to have remained sufhciently long- to have ac(j[uired the language and to have elfected lauch good. Their education certainly reflects high honor on you as a missionary. '' Eromanga, Aug. 31, 1859. *' My very dear Brother : — I am in receipt of 3'our letter of March last, written just previous to the taking of your domestic missionary tour, and we now express our warmest thanks for your care of us, and interest in our mission. It occurred to me last year as I was? about to visit Potiiia Buy in company with Maireki and OF KHOMANHJ.V. 281 Kliu the S:iino:m — Tuivon and his wife boiii;jj sicjk ut tiio l>!)y — to wrilo a IVw liiu's inronnln!^,' you ol" the ('irciiiiistJUK'cs of vour tcucliors, but tlicu I scarcely cou- tcnii)!alcd any otlior result than a low hundred pounds of rice. '•• 'l'h(^ wants of this mission wei-e jL»reator at that period than they are just now. 1 felt, too, that the responsil)ilitA' of a n»issionary would be greatly increas- ed bv enlar;>'ed contributions «>iven for the advance- nient of the Uedecnier's kingdom ; {U)d that 1 could not reasonably expect more amph; ))V()vi,sion for the tenchers than tliat already bestowed. Kven when I atldressed you on the suliject 1 contem[)laled t>ivin<»; £10 of my own salary towards their support, which I could ill allbrd. * * * Now I need hardly state that Christian teachers should be placed in circum- stances in which they would be under no obli«>ation to f(trei,si:n trad(n's ; of course 1 do not mean tiiat they slujuld not have any deaUnu: with them at all. As your teachers on this ishuul were not in su(!h (;ircimi- stances, bo, consc(iucntly, I think, they became the servants of foreigners, and thus had their inlluence for good made quite inelfectual. ]*oor fellows ! we often think of them, and of the unfavoral.)le circumstances in which they were i)laced. We do not, we cannot altogether justily them in the course which they adopt- ed ; but we do hear that they were in situations of almost insuperable temptation. Not one young man on Kromanga, so far as I am aware . was taught the letters of tlie Alphabet by them, and only one small house remains as a result of their superior mechanical skill. As vet not one has abandoned heathenism ex- cei^ting Mana : 1 can hardly suppose that you believe statements made in the ' Cxems from the Corul Islands,' in relation to converts from heathenism on this island, us they have no foundation in fact. '• During the first year we were here offerings of first fruits, were presented to the gods generall}'. In the ^ christian tribe ' north of Dillon's 13ay there have not Ijcen ten births since our settlement on Eromanga. Of the few born, four were put to death, l.lie fourth was I ri i. 'i, I 282 THE LAST MARTYRS tied to its mother's body and buried alive. A woman wlio died ii short time ago was buried by women — the men being engaged in Avarfare. Idohitry is rife. In some instances convictions of sin are produced in tlieir minds. Their feasts are horrid abominations. '' Some natives of I'^romanga wlio have l)een to Lifii and Mare, speak in high terms of the ' esults of tlic ki- bors of your teachers on these isUmds, and caui:ot un- derstand why similar etfects were not produced liere. 1 endeavored to explain the reasons by showing how they were reduced and straitened in their circumstan- ces, with plantations lying waste, and by referring to the unhealthiness of Dillon's Bay — where nv are to be seen the grave of their wives and children, etc. In looking upon these tombs under a spreadin^; banana, I reflected upon their trials, privations, and pra3'ers, which I trust are not forgotten by God " About six weeks after our arrival, Taivon and his wife Avent to Bunkil. Tuka still remained -vith us on account of the interest taken in his wife and children by Mrs. Gordon. But in November I saw he must get to a highland settlement (>r leave the isla d, if the lives of himself and family were to be pre? rved. I iiad then become acquainted with the nature )f the climate of Dillon's linj. While we were workin at our second house Maireki genei'ously proposed to ■ miain with us a while to assist, ere going to a settle ent near Bunkil where I proposed he should go to be ear Taivon dur- ing the unhealthy season. Meanwh e Tuka took ill, and Taivon and hii wife coming to ^e him protracted their stay so long — insensible of danger, and against our wishes — that sickness seized them also, and detained them in a helpless state for six or eight months. But that event would not in all human pro- bability have occurred had they remained at tlieir high- land situation at Bunkil. Tuka preferred going to Mare, and Maireki chose remaining to take care of Taivon at Dillon's Ba}', stating that it was their desire to go to Lifu. In relation to these men, you can see how I was situated. You or any missionary acquaint- ed with their language, could, no doubt, have managi^l n? voniaTi — the e. In n their :o Lifii tlie ki- .ot un- l liero. ig how mstiin- ring to are to tc. In mna, I ira3^er.s, iml his 1 us on hildren lU.st get lie Hves I liad liuiate second ith us Bunkil n duv- lok ill, uacted liirainst and eight In pro- Ir high- ling to hire of I desire ni see iuaint- tnaged I ^ n OF EROMANGA. 28a with them far better than I was enabled to do. When I desired them to do what I considered for the advan- tage both of. themselves and the mission, I at the same time gave them to understand that I did not wish their to do so implicitly — as that would have api)eared \eyy ungracious to men rendered peevish ])y hardships, ano who had been accustomed to have the will of their lo^'- ing missionary kindly explained to thein under circuni stances less untoward. I may saj^ then, that lam no' sensible of ha^■i^g committed any error in relation h. those men that admits not of a satisfactory explanation. " The money still on hand, given for the advance mont of tliis mission, cannot, I think, be better expend- ed than in printing materials and medicines. Wher convenient please supply the following through .oui obliging friend ]Mr. Thompson : — " Mould for a printing roller. " Pica type — large size — with preponderance of ir. and V, ojnitting italics, with the exception of i, to the value of £5. ••* If convenient add a few blocks of quadrupeds men- tioned in the Scriptures. Mkdicines. " 1 quart comp. Camphor Liniment. 2 pint Turpentine Liniment. 1 pint of the Black wash. 1 pint of the Yellow Wash. 1 " " " Tr. Catechu. 1 " " " Elixer. 1 " " " Hydrocyanic acid. 1 lb. Sulph : Zinc. 4 oz, liismuth. 1 pot Suli)huris lodidum. 1 do Ilydrargyri Ammonio-Chloridum. "P. S. — T heard lately from the teachers on Fate. Two men and three women, of their number, are still alive. One man and a woman have died. Survivors anxiously look for the John WilUains. I am about to leave for Tana by the Maid of Aastrah'a — the vessel in which Captain Prout was lost at Vanicolo. Our 4) ! t i In i ■\ 1 ; i 1 ! 1 iii I ,•■•>: 284 THE LAST MAllTYRS m m H ■A brother Paton has had fever twelve times and is now very low. I am goinii" to see if anythinp^ can be done for hiin by recommending a chaniic of residence, lie is the man who lias seen aflliction. Mr. Matheson is still in a weak state on Aneiteum." " Eromanga, Feb. 24, 1 800. ''Rev. and Dear Brother, — I have jnst time to drop yon a note to inibrm yon of onr welfare, and endeavors to bring the degraded natives of this island to a knowledge of the trnth. It seems as if the great enemy of sonls were striving to overthrow all as yet accomplished here in the cansc of the Redeemei- ; and were it not that 'the Lord reigneth' we might despair. By the ravages of war nearly everything around ns is now destroyed. At a distance of three miles from our residence there is to be a feast in a few days. A man to be killed for it is at present concealed not far from our house. Several of the Fate natives have been killed and eaten near us this 3'ear. They perish- ed through tlie Sandalwood tratle. "Reports of sickness and death on Tana have preju- diced the Eromangans against the Ciospel. They have since that been plotting for our destruction. Makea his wife and daughters, came here two months ago from Tsiua. Tlicy were quite afraid to remain, and sought for opportunities to go to Lifu. But their fears are subsiding, and I hope they ma^^ remain. Blease write to them on the subject, for I cannot speak with them. They now seem quite happy. AVe also expect the e'ompany of Makea, who was sent to Fotuna. A friend has given me £5 to expend on Bibles, to be circulated at thivS port. As I am not aware who Dr. Ross's suc- cessor in oilice is, may I ask you to be good enough to purchase them for me. Enclosed is an order and the bill for their purchase." " Eromanga, .May 14 , 1800. " R^v. and Dsar Sir, — We again rejoice to learn that you were spared in health to plead the missionary cause in Australia, where so many care more ibr their 1^ m' I's are write I them. [t the tViend lilated siic- igh to 1 the iO. learn mary their OF UnOMANGA. 285 own thinj^s than for tlie things of Christ. May God crown your efforts with great success. Do you sonic- times address Presbyterian congregations? The Free Church is eminently a Missionary Church, and so should be all her otl'spring that are legitimate. " I am in the receipt of yours of Jan. 31, and also of the medicines — much required, as 1 have now many patients, foreign and native. I stated our wants to our nuitual friend Mr. Rout, ere it was in your power to supply them. The sums forwarded from Melbourne have been ex[)ended on the teachers. Makea is now ninnbered with the dead. Ilis death was caused by eating a root resembling the Indian potato, without liaving previously soaked it sufficiently in water. — • Owing to great debility and enlargement of the sub-» maxillary glands he could not take medicine, and died on the 22nd of INIiU'ch. The natives state that tlu^ Samoans died in a similar manner, and from the same cause. 1 had a house prepared for him at Potina Bay, wliere there is plenty of good food, but his wife was unwilling to go there : from the first she wished to go to her brother on Lifu. ]Makea's death is felt to be quite a stroke to this mission ; especially since t ic chiefs have received false reports from Tana aid Aneiteum about the lotu-people djing — and so make a bad use of this event. From all we can learr this island and Tana are the only two on which youi- teachers have failed to do good. They could not re- tain their position sufficiently long to acquire the lan- guages of either island. The case was different on Aneiteum, Avhere they held their ground for, I believe, several years before European missionaries settled there. * * * Natives here state that a foreigo trader on a certain occasion came to a teacher asking ' — ' AYhere is your wood ? ' and when told that he had none, the trader let him have the weight of his fist* One teacher was placed in a Sandalwood vessel as a cook, as reported at Aneiteum. Alas ! that they were so identified with men who have caused God's name tendcd in the following manner : To the young attending school regularl}-, an allowance of rice every evening* This was necessary, xince their plantations were destroyed by foreigners. In addition I gave them some biscuit bread ; and in this manner have supported our school for nearly two years by your supplies. Had it not been for these we would not have had a school kept up with any regu- larity at Dillon's Bay. I sent one barrel of flour to your teachers on Sandwich, and another to the young men assisting in building a meeting-house. I may mention that t^\ o barrels of ix)rk charged in our bill of lading were not received. On the articles forward- ed, including supplies from Dr. Ross, I paid £5 of the freight and charged the remainder to the Board. I ha^e still on hand supplies for teachers, part of which T shall reserve for those expected by the John Wil- liams. In the meanthne I am making up a box — worth £2 — of our own things for teachers in other islands. I think it is.obvious that the northern islands must be occupied by your teachers — if occupied at all. Some from these islands have been brought here in Sandalwood vessels, and they speak a language containing Malayo-Polynesian words. Your teachers on Eromanga complxiined of cold : on islands farther north they w^ould lind a warmer climate. " We have now three missionaries on Tana, the last addition to the band on that island being Mr. and Mrs, Johnston. Tana is a hard field. May God strengthen our young brother to labor among that dark, hard- hearted people, who are now exciting the Eromangans to kill Mana, and oppose the Gospel more zealously. — Some of our young men have j^ielded in part to their evil proposals. Still we are gaining ground, and the J. S. Royle of ?»Iatai, Fiji Islands. AVith Rev. AY. AVyatt Gill of IMangaia, South Pacilic, some letters were e\.chan<2;ed. Mr. Gill in writina: to the Pliilldelpliia Siaiidard, from "on board the John Williams^ near Sidney, July 3, 18G2," made the follow^ ing allusion to the recent events that transpired on Eromanga : — " In the next room to this are sad memorials for the friends of ^Irs. Gordon of Eromanga. They consist of locks of hair, matted with her own blood ; also poor Mrs. Gordon's wedding-ring, taken otf the corpse«, with a spot of her own blood on it. Theirs is the martyr's crown : and yet the mission is to be recom- menced on our return from Sidney. All honor to the brave hearts of our brethren and our teachers who are determined to raise Eromanga — that forlorn hope of Polynesian missions — to Christ^ May God prosper their endeavours J'* OP EROMANGA. 289 The following arc some of the poetical tributes paicl to the memory of the departed. The first is dated Charlotcetown,. P. E. Island, Mai'ch 4th, 1862: — •' From Eromanga's distant isle where Williams nobly perished, Whoso sainted name in Christian lands with nuirtyr names is cherished, Across the seaa the tidings came of one his place supplying, Who, like the soldier at his post, left that post but in dying. ** It was not on the crimsoned field amid the cannon's rattle, Nor fighting for his country's meed amid the din of battle, Nor in the service of a king whose best reward of glory May wither on the conqueor's brow, and leave it wan ai^d gory. *' lie died not thus ; his was a higher far — a nobler mission, — To lead the soul from Satan's darkness, to beams of brighter vision ; His trophies were the savage hearts, bowed low in adoration To Him who died that they might share the blessings of salva- g|^ tion. I 'I ** Gordon I with joy we think of tlice, even though amid our weeping. For Eromanga's blood-stained soil has not thy spirit's keep- ing; Thy mangled form may calmly rest where foreign skies are gleaming. Thy soul hath soared to reach a crown with martyr glory beaming. ** And what of her the loving one, who faced with thee th> dangers, Leaving her own old English home to dwell with heathen strangers ? Strong in the Saviour's love she stood, and shared each woe that tried thee ; And when the death-etroke fell on thee, it laid her low beside thee. \ 990 THE LAST UAKTTBS *' Repose ye in your gory bed — W» far from kindredji weep' ing; fjct holy angels guard the spot where slaughtered saints are sleeping ; For Christian hearts in every land shall thrill to hear the story Of those who by the martyr's path went up to worlds of glory. ** Kest, till the Angel's trumpet sounds, to call the world from slumber ; * When Eromanga's sainted ones shall rise to swell the num* ber Of those, who, for their Master's sake, who on His lorcr relying, Worked for his sake e'en to the last, And served His cause in dying. Maude." The following poem dated Dartmouth, Oct. 8, 1861, was first published in the Presbyterian Witness, Hali- fax, Nova Scotia. « EARTH AND" HEAVEN, •* Where tropic waters life Calm o'er the coral reef — Where Palm trees outline on the »ky Each fair and feathery leaf — A sorrowing circle stood Whispering with fear and woe A tale of cruelty and blood ^ A little while ago. Was this to be the end Of perils and of toils that seemed wntttding To those the sin-stained ones of earth befrieA(fiiig? That the heroic ipan Nor less devoted woman Should perish 'neath the Uowii Of beings scarcely humaiw When they had loved them so. That willing to forego GF EBOUANQA. 201 The dear surroundings of their tranquil youth, They gladly went to sow, Where southern breezes blow, The precious seeds of Truth? Could not their Saviour save That they have but a grave 'Neath that luxuriant sod. Where faith and earnest hope Had fondly sought to reap, As harvesting of God? " A group of angels singing, Stood near the Eternal Thronie -^ Their clear glad voices ringing In rapture's varied tone ; Pausing for sacred smiling, They told one happy story — On earth 'twas spoken of as Grief, In Heaven they called it Glory. Martyred man And sainted woman. Careworn, weary — yet relying On the One, who taught in dying Love's great conquest over self; "Wide the pearly gates were flung, Sweeter grew the welcome song, ^ As they entered in — And that fair Pacific isifi Was forgotten the meanvrhile. Till the fiat forth was given In the accents of high heaven That the sod Their feet had trod — Where their life-blood poured its Hd© — Should be henceforth sanctified, And by preaching of the Word Bloom a garden of the Lord. Camib." i 292 THE LAST MARTYRS The following verses were written for the Ilalilax Morning Ckronick : — " LINES ON UKADINQ TILE DEATH OF Mil. AND MRS. GORDON . *' Eromanga I chained and fettered, Sheltered by the leafy palm, Did their dying groans not thrill you, Breaking on the noon-duy's calm ? *' Eromanga 1 rock and water. Hill and valley, cloud and tree. Gazed ye on the fiendish slaughter ? Gordon came to set you free. "Christian Churches watched with trembling; Watched for the Gospel light. Breaking in its pristine splendor Over Eromanga's night. " Give us faith : strong are the lowly And that faith alone would tell, Jehovah I God of Glory ! That he doeth all things well. •' Softly glide thou unnamed river, (Williams' blood bedewed thy shore,) 'Neath the broad banana's shadows Rest our dead — their trials o'er. ** Come, oh I King of earth the ruler, And our mental vision clear ; In these darkest dispensations, Let thy Sovereign love appear. •* God of Pentecostal blessings. Thanks I Thou knowest our doubts and fears ; There the shadows dark are brooding ; Here thy Church is bathed in tears. OF EKOMANGA. 293 *• Be it tliinc, dark Eroinanpfa, Soon the Uc'dc'enu'd's song to know ; Praise and prayer's voice ascending Whence the nuirtyr's blood did flow I E. F." Tlie following versos first appeared in a lAmdon jonrnal, September, 18G1 : — " Sad Eromanga ! blood stained shore I Again bedewed with martyr's gore — With sorrowing hearts we breathe thy name, And mourn thy darkness, sin and sliamc. *' Zion had shed lier bitter tears O'er tliy foul deed of by-gone years ; Hut Zion's fears were chas'd away, As dawn'd the glorious Gosjiel day. *♦ She saw tlie hand that dealt the blow That laid the immortal Williams low, llais'd in devotion to the skies, With stricken heart and weeping eyes. " And gratefully did Zion smile O'er hopeful Eromanga's isle ; When lo ! the sudden news of woe — Once more the martyr's blood doth flow- ** By more than mortal love inspired, The Missionary's heart was fired ; He yearn'd those wanderers to reclaim, And sign that isle with Jesu's name. *' The saint must tread the Saviour's path, The Master's cup the servant hath ; Jesus was killed, and so must he Seal with his blood his ministry. '«•» I; I iH TIIR LAST MARTTR9 " In works of morcy on he prcss'd, Despised, mulij^n'd, by man unblcst; The savage ruis'd his axe to slay, And at his feet the martyr lay. *' One picTcinpf cry, one dying groan, Which scarce had ccho'd in his homo Kre the loved partner of his cares His last, his dying struggle shares. *' Together in their blood-red car Thoy mount, where martyrs welcom'd ore; And as they rise they seem to say — * Zion avenge this solemn day.* •♦ Avenge, by scattering o'er this land A faithful missionary band. Baptized for the dead, to prove How Christians overcome by love I Frederick Brown."