,,john ,g4 ,,paton4 ,an ,autobiography4 ,,first ,,part4 ,,new ,,and ,,cheaper ,,edition ,,illustrated4 ,,john ,g4 ,,paton1 ,,missionary ,,to ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides4 ,,an ,,autobiography4 ,,edited ,,by ,,his ,,brother4 ,,with ,,an ,,introduction ,,by ,,arthur ,t4 ,,pierson1 ,d4,d4 ,two vols4 in box1 #abmo1 cloth1 gilt top net #b4jj4 ,ministerial ,commendation4 8,i have just laid down the most robust and the most fascinating piece of autobiography that ,i have met with in many a day4444 ,john ,g4 ,paton was made of the same stuff with ,livingstone40--,theodore ,l4 ,cuyler1 ,d4,d4 8,i consider it unsurpassed in missionary biography4 ,in the whole course of my extensive reading on these topics1 a more stimulating1 inspiring1 and every way first-class book has not fallen into my hands4 ,everybody ought to read it40--,arthur ,t4 ,pierson1 ,d4,d4 ,missionary ,praise4 8,i have never read a romance that was half so thrilling40--,lucius ,c4 ,smith1 ,guanajuato1 ,mexico4 8,i have never read a more inspiring biography40--,thomas ,c4 ,winn1 ,yokohama1 ,japan4 8,the ,lord's work will not go back while there are such men as he in the church40--,james ,a4 ,heal1 ,sing ,kong1 ,cheh ,kiang1 ,china4 8,i think ,i have never had greater pleasure in reading any book40--,r4 ,thacksweil1 ,dehra1 ,north ,india4 ,press ,notices4 8,perhaps the most important addition for many years to the library of missionary literature is the autobiography of ,john ,g4 ,paton40--,the ,christian ,advocate4 8,we commend to all who would advance the cause of ,foreign ,missions this remarkable autobiography4 ,it stands with such books as those ,dr4 ,livingstone gave the world1 and shows to men that the heroes of the cross are not merely to be sought in past ages40--,the ,christian ,intelligencer4 ,fleming ,h4 ,revell ,company1 ,,new ,,york1 #cj ,union ,square1 ,e4 ,,chicago1 #adh #aej ,madison ,street4 ,illustration3 ,john ,g4 ,paton4 ,,john ,g4 ,,paton1 ,,missionary ,,to ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides4 ,an ,autobiography4 ,,edited ,,by ,,his ,,brother4 ,,first ,,part4 ,new ,illustrated ,edition4 ,,fleming ,h4 ,,revell ,,company ,,publishers ,,new ,,york ,,chicago #cj ,,union ,,square1 ,,east4 #adh-aej ,,madison ,,street4 ,,introductory ,,note4 ,,by ,,arthur ,t4 ,,pierson1 ,d4,d4 ,love is omnipotent4 ,wherever true passion for souls burns1 there we may find a new ,mount of ,transfiguration where the earthly takes on the complexion of the heavenly4 ,this book presents an example of the power of such love and holy enthusiasm1 alike in one of the great cities of ,scotland and in the isles of the sea4 ,even among the riches of missionary biography few such volumes as this are to be found1 and the most apathetic reader will find himself fascinated by this charming romance of real life4 ,it has been well said that he who is not ready to preach the gospel everywhere and anywhere is fit to preach it nowhere4 ,should every candidate for the office of the ministry be first tried in some such field as the wynds of ,glasgow1 it would prove a training in its way more profitable than any discipline in the class-room2 and it might so shake the 8napkin0 at the four corners as to disclose whether or not there were in it even one 8talent0 for winning souls4 ,we calmly affirm1 after careful perusal1 that this biography is not surpassed1 for stimulating1 inspiring1 and helpful narrative1 by any existing story of missionary heroism4 ,its peculiar value is twofold3 it shows how the most neglected and degraded masses of our cities may be reached by ,christian effort1 and it illustrates the spirit of missions on the wider field of south sea cannibalism4 ,our only regret is that this story of missionary labor is not carried on to its successful issue4 ,this volume leaves us eagerly expectant of what is promised as the sequel4 ,he who doubts whether there is a supernatural factor in missions1 should carefully read this narrative4 ,what but the power of ,god could turn the demon of drink into a ministering angel1 or the blasphemer into a praying saint1 or out of the mouth of hell withdraw the half-devoured wretch who was desperately bent on suicide8 ,let those who sit quietly at home in their easy-chairs1 or who make rousing addresses or write stirring articles on city evangelization and the estrangement of the masses from the church1 follow this heroic city missionary as he dives into the depths of all this depravity and degradation1 and demonstrates what the love of souls and the gospel of life can do to rescue those who are drowning in the abyss of perdition4 ,,preface4 ,the ,manuscript of this ,volume1 put together in a rough draft amid ceaseless and exacting toils1 was placed in my hands and left absolutely to my disposal by my beloved brother1 the ,missionary4 ,it has been to me a labour of perfect love to re-write and revise the same1 pruning here and expanding there1 and preparing the whole for the press4 ,in the incidents of personal experience1 constituting the larger part of the book1 the reader peruses in an almost unaltered form the graphic and simple narrative as it came from my brother's pen4 ,but1 as many sections have been re-cast and largely modified1 especially in those ,chapters of whose events ,i was myself an eye-witness1 or regarding which ,i had information at first hand from the parties concerned therein1--and as circumstances make it impossible to submit these in their present shape to my brother before publication1--,i must request the ,public to lay upon me1 and not on him1 all responsibility for the final shape in which the ,autobiography appears4 ,i publish it1 because ,something tells me there is a blessing in it4 ,january1 #ahhi4 ,,james ,,paton4 ,,note ,,to ,,second ,,edition4 ,the ,editor desires very gratefully to acknowledge his joy in receiving1 not only through ,press ,notices1 but from ,correspondents in every rank1 most ample confirmation of the assurance expressed by him in the last sentence of the ,original ,preface--8,there is a blessing in it40 ,he has been urging his ,brother to complete1 as soon as he possibly can1 ,part ,second of the ,autobiography2 and he hopes that the call for this ,second ,edition of ,part ,first at so early a date will successfully enforce his appeal4 ,february1 #ahhi4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,earlier ,,days4 ,,page ,introductory ,note #c ,kirkmahoe #d ,torthorwald ,village #e ,our ,villagers #f ,nithsdale ,scenes #g ,our ,cottage ,home #i ,our ,forebears #ab ,an ,idyll of the ,heart #af ,a ,consecrated ,father #ai ,accepted ,vows #ba ,happy ,sabbath ,days #bb ,golden ,autumn of ,life #bf ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,at ,,school ,,and ,,college4 ,a ,typical ,scottish ,school #ca ,an ,unacknowledged ,prize #cb ,a ,wayward ,master #cc ,learning a ,trade #cc ,my ,father's ,prayers #cd 8,jehovah ,jireh0 #cd ,with ,sappers and ,miners #cf ,the ,harvest ,field #ch ,on the ,road to ,glasgow #ci ,a ,memorable ,parting #dj ,before the ,examiners #db ,killing ,work #dc ,deep ,waters #dd ,maryhill ,school #de ,rough ,school ,scenes #df 8,aut ,csar ,aut ,nullus0 #dh ,my ,wages #di ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,in ,,glasgow ,,city ,,mission4 8,he ,leadeth ,me0 #ec ,a ,degraded ,district #ee ,the ,gospel in a ,hay-,loft #ef ,new ,mission ,premises #eh ,at ,work for ,jesus #ei ,at ,war with ,hell #fb ,sowing ,gospel ,seed #fd ,publicans on the ,war ,path #fe ,marched to the ,police ,office #fg ,papists and ,infidels #fi ,an ,infidel ,saved #gj ,an ,infidel in ,despair #ga ,a ,brand from the ,burning #gb ,a ,saintly ,child #ge ,papists in ,arms #gg ,elder and ,student #ha ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,foreign ,,mission ,,claims4 ,the ,wail of the ,heathen #he ,a ,missionary ,wanted #he ,two ,souls on the ,altar #hg ,lions in the ,path #hi ,the ,old ,folks at ,home #ib ,successors in ,green ,street ,mission #ie ,old ,green ,street ,hands #ig ,a ,father in ,god #ig ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides4 ,license and ,ordination #aja ,at ,sea #ajb ,from ,melbourne to ,aneityum #ajb ,settlement on ,tanna #aje ,our ,mission ,stations #ajf ,diplomatic ,chiefs #ajg ,painful ,first ,impressions #ajh ,bloody ,scenes #aji ,the ,widow's ,doom #aaa ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,life ,,and ,,death ,,on ,,tanna4 ,our ,island ,home #aae ,learning the ,language #aaf ,a ,religion of ,fear #aah ,with or ,without a ,god #aai ,ideas of the ,invisible #abj ,gods and ,demons #aba ,my ,companion ,missionary #abb ,pioneers in ,new ,hebrides #abc ,missionaries of ,aneityum #abe ,the ,lord's ,arrowroot #abf ,unhealthy ,sites #abg ,the ,great ,bereavement #abi ,memorial ,tributes #aca ,selwyn and ,patteson at a ,tanna ,grave #acc ,her ,last ,letter #acd ,last ,words #acg ,presentiment and ,mystery #ach ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,mission ,,leaves ,,from ,,tanna4 ,tannese ,natives #ada 8,tabooed0 #adb ,jehovah's ,rain #adc 8,big ,hays0 #add ,war and ,cannibalism #ade ,the ,lot of ,woman #adf ,sacred ,days #adh ,preaching in ,villages #adi ,native ,teachers #aej ,the ,war ,shell #aea ,deadly ,superstitions #aeb ,a ,league of ,blood #aed ,chiefs in ,council #aee ,defence of ,women #aeg ,a ,league of ,peace #aeg ,secret ,disciples #aei ,a ,christo-,heathen ,funeral #aei ,clever ,thieves #afj ,ships of ,fire #afd ,h4,m4,s4 ,cordelia #aff ,captain ,vernon and ,miaki #afg ,the ,captain and the ,chiefs #afh ,the ,john ,williams #afi ,evanescent ,impressions #agj ,a ,house on the ,hill #aga ,in ,fever ,grips #aga 8,noble ,old ,abraham0 #agb ,critics in ,easy ,chairs #agd ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,more ,,mission ,,leaves ,,from ,,tanna4 ,the ,blood-,fiend ,unleashed #agi ,in the ,camp of the ,enemy #ahj ,a ,typical ,south ,sea ,trader #ahb ,young ,rarip's ,death #ahc ,the ,trader's ,retribution #ahe ,worship and ,war #ahf ,saved from ,strangling #ahg ,wrath ,restrained #ahh ,under the ,axe #aia ,the ,clubbing of ,namuri #aic ,a ,native ,saint and ,martyr #aie ,bribes ,refused #aig ,widows ,rescued #aig ,the ,sinking of a ,well #aih ,church-,building on ,tanna #aii ,ancient ,stone ,god #bja ,printing ,first ,tannese ,book #bja ,a ,christian ,captain #bjc ,levelled ,muskets #bjd ,a ,french ,refugee #bje ,a ,villainous ,captain #bjh ,like ,master--,like ,men #bji ,wrecked on ,purpose #bab ,the ,kanaka ,traffic #bac ,a ,heathen ,festival #bae ,sacrifices to ,idols #bah ,heathen ,dance and ,sham ,fight #bai ,six ,native ,teachers #bba ,a ,homeric ,episode #bbb ,victims for ,cannibal ,feast #bbc ,the ,jaws of ,death #bbd ,nahak or ,sorcery #bbf ,killing me by ,nahak #bbg ,nahak ,defied #bbi ,protected by ,jehovah #bcj 8,almost ,persuaded0 #bca ,escorted to the ,battle-,field #bcb ,praying for ,enemies #bcc ,our ,canoe on the ,reef #bcc ,a ,perilous ,pilgrimage #bcf ,rocks and ,waters #bcg ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,deepening ,,shadows4 ,welcome ,guests #bdc ,a ,fiendish ,deed #bdd ,the ,plague of ,measles #bde ,a ,heroic ,soul #bdf ,horrors of ,epidemic #bdg ,a ,memorable ,new ,year #bdh ,a ,missionary ,attacked #bdi ,in the ,valley of the ,shadow #bea ,blow from an ,adze #beb ,a ,missionary's ,death #bec ,mrs4 ,johnston's ,letter #bee ,a ,heavy ,loss #bef ,the ,story of ,kowia #bef ,kowia's ,soliloquy #beh ,the ,passing of ,kowia #bei ,mortality of ,measles #bfa ,fuel to the ,fire #bfb ,hurricanes #bfb ,a ,spate of ,blood and ,terror #bfc ,nowar ,vacillates #bfe ,the ,anger of the ,gods #bfe ,not ,afraid to ,die #bff ,martyrs of ,erromanga #bfg ,visit to the ,gordons #bfh ,their ,martyrdom #bfi ,vindication of the ,gordons #bgj ,gordon's ,last ,letter #bgb ,plots of ,murder #bgc ,death by ,nahak #bge ,nowar ,halting ,again #bge ,old ,abraham's ,prayer #bgg ,miaki and the ,mission ,house #bgh ,satanic ,influences #bhj ,perplexity ,deepening #bhj ,bishop ,selwyn's ,testimony #bha ,rotten ,tracts #bhc ,captain and ,mate of ,blue ,bell #bhe ,my ,precious ,dog #bhg ,fishing ,nets and ,kawases #bhh ,the ,taro ,plant #bij ,the ,kava ,drink #bij ,katasian and the ,club ,scene #bia ,the ,yams #bib ,sunshine and ,shadow #bib ,teachers ,demoralized #bic ,the ,chief's ,alphabet #bid ,our ,evil ,genius #bie ,ships of ,fire ,again #bie ,commodore ,seymour's ,visit #bif ,nouka and ,queen ',toria #big ,the ,dog to his ,vomit ,again #bih ,,chapter ,x4 ,,farewell ,,scenes4 ,the ,war ,fever #cjc ,forced to the ,war ,council #cje ,a ,truce ,among the ,chiefs #cjf ,chiefs and ,people #cjh ,the ,kiss of ,judas #cji ,the ,death of ,ian #cji ,the ,quivering ,knife #caj ,a ,war of ,revenge #cab ,in the ,thick of the ,battle #cac ,tender ,mercies of the ,wicked #cae ,escape for ,life #caf ,the ,loss of ,all #cag ,under the ,tomahawk #cah ,jehovah is ,hearing #cah ,the ,host ,turned ,back #cbj ,the ,war ,against ,manuman #cbj ,traps ,laid #cba ,house ,broken ,up #cbb ,war ,against ,our ,friends #cbb ,a ,treacherous ,murderer #cbc ,on the ,chestnut ,tree #cbd ,bargaining for ,life #cbe ,five ,hours in a ,canoe #cbh ,kneeling on the ,sands #cbi ,faimungo's ,farewell #ccj 8,follow6 ,follow60 #cca ,a ,race for ,life #ccb ,ringed ,round with ,death #ccd ,faint yet ,pursuing #ccf ,out of the ,lion's ,jaws #ccg ,brothers in ,distress #cci ,intervening ,events #cda ,a ,cannibal's ,taste #cda ,pillars of ,cloud and ,fire #cdb ,passing by on the ,other ,side #cdd ,kapuku and the ,idol ,gods #cdd ,a ,devil ,chief #cdd 8,in ,perils ,oft0 #cde ,through ,fire and ,water #cde 8,sail ,o6 ,sail ,o60 #cdi 8,let ,me ,die0 #cej ,in ,perils on the ,sea #cea ,tannese ,visitors #ceb ,the ,devil ,chief ,again #cec ,speckled and ,spotted #ced ,their ,desired ,haven #cee 8,i am ,left ,alone0 #cee ,my ,earthly ,all #cef ,eternal ,hope #cef ,australia to the ,rescue #ceg ,for ,my ,brethren's ,sake #ceh ,a ,new ,holy ,league #ceh ,the ,uses of ,adversity #cei ,arm-chair ,critics ,again #cfj ,concluding ,note #cfa ,prospectus of ,part ,second #cfb ,,appendix4 ,a4 ,the ,prayer of the ,chiefs of ,tanna #cfg ,b4 ,notes on the ,new ,hebrides #cga ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,,portrait ,,of ,,john ,g4 ,,paton ,frontispiece4 8,,the ,,man ,,that ,,kills ,,missi ,,must ,,first ,,kill ,,me0 ,to face p4 #aef ,,natives ,,stealing ,,property #afj ,,natives ,,returning ,,stolen ,,property #afd 8,,there ,,they ,,lay ,,me ,,on ,,cocoa-,,nut ,,leaves ,,on ,,the ,,ground0 #agb 8,,at ,,daybreak ,i ,,found ,,my ,,house ,,surrounded0 #ahh ,,the ,,dangerous ,,landing ,,through ,,the ,,surf #bcd 8,,suddenly ,,he ,,drew ,a ,,large ,,butcher-,,like ,,knife0 #caj ,,springing ,,forward ,,he ,,caught ,,the ,,club #cdb ,,map ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides #ajj ,,chapter ,i4 ,,earlier ,,days4 ,introductory ,note4--,kirkmahoe4--,torthorwald ,village4--,our ,villagers4--,nithsdale ,scenes4--,our ,cottage ,home4--,our ,forebears4--,an ,idyll of the ,heart4--,a ,consecrated ,father4--,accepted ,vows4--,happy ,sabbath ,days4--,golden ,autumn of ,life4 ,what ,i write here is for the glory of ,god4 ,for more than twenty years have ,i been urged to record my story as a missionary of the ,cross2 but always till now1 in my sixty-fourth year1 my heart has shrunk from the task1 as savouring too much of self4 ,latterly the conviction has been borne home to me that if there be much in my experience which the ,church of ,god ought to know1 it would be pride on my part1 and not humility1 to let it die with me4 ,i lift my pen1 therefore1 with that motive supreme in my heart2 and1 so far as memory and entries in my note-books and letters of my own and of other friends serve or help my sincere desire to be truthful and fair1 the following chapters will present a faithful picture of the life through which the ,lord has led me4 ,if it bows any of my readers under as deep and certain a confidence as mine1 that in 8,god's hand our breath is1 and ,his are all our ways10 my task will not be fruitless in the ,great ,day4 ,on the #bdth ,may1 #ahbd1 ,i was born in a cottage on the farm of ,braehead1 in the parish of ,kirkmahoe1 near ,dumfries1 in the south of ,scotland4 ,my father1 ,james ,paton1 was a stocking manufacturer in a small way2 and he and his young wife1 ,janet ,jardine ,rogerson1 lived on terms of warm personal friendship with the 8gentleman farmer10 so they gave me his name1 ,john ,gibson2 and the curly-haired child of the cottage was soon able to toddle across to the mansion1 and became a great pet of the lady there4 ,more than once1 in my many journeyings1 have ,i met with one or another1 in some way connected with that family1 and heard little incidents not needing to be repeated here1 showing how beautiful and tender and altogether human was the relationship in those days betwixt the landlord and the cottars on his estate4 ,on my last visit to ,scotland1 sixty years after1 ,i drove to ,braehead in company with my youngest brother ,james and my cousin ,david1--the latter born the same week as ,i1 and the former nearly twenty years my junior2 and we found no cottage1 nor trace of a cottage1 but amused ourselves by supposing that we could discover by the rising of the grassy mound1 the outline where the foundations once had been6 ,of ten thousand homes in ,scotland1 once sweet and beautiful1 each a little possible ,paradise in its own well-cultivated plot1 this is true to-day2 and where are the healthy1 happy peasant boys and girls that such homes bred and reared8 ,they are sweltering and struggling for existence in our towns and cities4 ,i am told that this must be--that it is all the result of economic laws2 but ,i confess to a deepening conviction that it need not be1 and that the loss to the nation as a whole is vital1 if not irreparable4 ,while yet a mere child1 five years or so of age1 my parents took me to a new home in the ancient village of ,torthorwald1 about four and a quarter miles north from ,dumfries1 on the road to ,lockerbie4 ,at that time1 about #ahcj1 ,torthorwald was a busy and thriving village1 and comparatively populous1 with its cottars and crofters1 large farmers and small farmers1 weavers and shoemakers1 cloggers and coopers1 blacksmiths and tailors4 ,fifty-five years later1 when ,i last visited the scenes of my youth1 the village proper was literally extinct1 except for five thatched cottages where the lingering patriarchs were permitted to die slowly away1--when they too would be swept into the large farms1 and their garden plots ploughed over1 like sixty or seventy others that had been obliterated6 ,of course the ,village ,smithy still survives1 but its sparks are few and fading1--the great cultivators patronizing rather the towns4 ,the ,meal ,mill still grinds away1--but nothing like what it did when every villager bought or cultivated his few acres of corn1 and every crofter and farmer in the parish sent all his grist to the mill4 ,the ,grocer's ,shop still recalls the well-known name of ,robert ,henderson2 but so few are the mouths now to be fed1 that his warm-hearted wife and universal favourite1 the very heroine of our village life1 8,jean ,grier10 is retiring from it in disgust1 and leaving it to her son-in-law1 declaring that 8these ,tory landlords and their big farms hae driven our folks a' awa'1 and spoiled the ,schule and the ,shop1 the ,kirk and the ,mill40 ,and verily the ,school is robbed of its children1 and the ,parish ,church of its worshippers1 when five families only are reared where twenty once flourished6 ,political economy may curse me1 if it will2 but ,i heard with grim satisfaction that this system of large farming1 which extinguishes our village homes1 and sends our peasantry to rear their children in lanes and alleys1 in attics and cellars of populous towns1 was proving ruinous at length to the landlords and factors1 who had in many cases cruelly forced it on an unwilling people for mere selfish gain4 ,the ,villagers of my early days--the agricultural servants1 or occasional labourers1 the tradesmen1 the small farmers--were1 generally speaking1 a very industrious and thoroughly independent race of people4 ,hard workers they had to be1 else they would starve2 yet they were keen debaters on all affairs both in ,church and ,state1 and sometimes in the 8smiddy0 or the 8kiln10 sometimes in a happy knot on the 8village green10 or on the road to the 8kirk0 or the 8market10 the questions that were tearing the mighty world beyond were fought over again by secluded peasants with amazing passion and bright intelligence4 ,from the ,bank ,hill1 close above our village1 and accessible in a walk of fifteen minutes1 a view opens to the eye which1 despite several easily understood prejudices of mine that may discount any opinion that ,i offer1 still appears to me well worth seeing amongst all the beauties of ,scotland4 ,at your feet lay a thriving village1 every cottage sitting in its own plot of garden1 and sending up its blue cloud of 8peat reek10 which never somehow seemed to pollute the blessed air2 and after all has been said or sung1 a beautifully situated village of healthy and happy homes for ,god's children is surely the finest feature in every landscape6 ,there nestled the ,manse amongst its ancient trees1 sometimes wisely1 sometimes foolishly tenanted1 but still the 8man's house10 the man of ,god's house1 when such can be found for it4 ,there1 close by1 the ,parish ,school1 where rich and poor met together on equal terms1 as ,god's children2 and we learned that brains and character make the only aristocracy worth mentioning4 ,yonder1 amid its graves1 that date back on crumbling stone five hundred years1 stands the ,village ,church2 and there1 on its little natural hill1 at the end of the village1 rises the old tower of ,torthorwald1 frowning over all the far-sweeping valley of the ,nith1 and telling of days of blood and ,border foray4 ,it was one of the many castles of the ,kirkpatricks1 and its enormous and imperishable walls seem worthy of him who wrote the legend of his family in the blood of the ,red ,comyn1 stabbed in the ,greyfriars ,church of ,dumfries1 when he smote an extra blow to that of ,bruce1 and cried1 8,i mak' siccar40 ,beyond1 betwixt you and the ,nith1 crawls the slow-creeping ,lochar towards the ,solway1 through miles and miles of moss and heather1--the nearest realization that ,i ever beheld of a 8stagnant stream40 ,looking from the ,bank ,hill on a summer day1 ,dumfries with its spires shone so conspicuous that you could have believed it not more than two miles away2 the splendid sweeping vale through which ,nith rolls to ,solway1 lay all before the naked eye1 beautiful with village spires1 mansion houses1 and white shining farms2 the ,galloway hills1 gloomy and far-tumbling1 bounded the forward view1 while to the left rose ,criffel1 cloud-capped and majestic2 then the white sands of ,solway1 with tides swifter than horsemen2 and finally the eye rested joyfully upon the hills of ,cumberland1 and noticed with glee the blue curling smoke from its villages on the southern ,solway shores4 ,four miles behind you lie the ruins of the ,castle of the ,bruce1 within the domains of his own ,royal ,burgh of ,lochmaben2 a few miles in front1 the still beautiful and amazing remains of ,caerlaverock ,castle1 famous in many a ,border story2 all around you1 scattered throughout the dale of ,nith1 memories or ruins of other baronial 8keeps10 rich in suggestion to the peasant fancy6 ,traditions lost nothing in bulk1 or in graphic force1 as they were retold for the thousandth time by village patriarchs around the kindly peat fire1 with the younger rustics gaping round4 ,a high spirit of patriotism1 and a certain glorious delight in daring enterprises1 was part of our common heritage4 ,there1 amid this wholesome and breezy village life1 our dear parents found their home for the long period of forty years4 ,there were born to them eight additional children1 making in all a family of five sons and six daughters4 ,theirs was the first of the thatched cottages on the left1 past the 8miller's house10 going up the 8village gate10 with a small garden in front of it1 and a large garden across the road2 and it is one of the few still lingering to show to a new generation what the homes of their fathers were4 ,the architect who planned it had no ideas of art1 but a fine eye for durability6 ,it consists at present of three1 but originally of four1 pairs of 8oak couples0 7,scottic kipples71 planted like solid trees in the ground at equal intervals1 and gently sloped inwards till they meet or are 8coupled0 at the ridge1 this coupling being managed not by rusty iron1 but by great solid pins of oak4 ,a roof of oaken wattles was laid across these1 till within eleven or twelve feet of the ground1 and from the ground upwards a stone wall was raised1 as perpendicular as was found practicable1 towards these overhanging wattles1 this wall being roughly 8pointed0 with sand and clay and lime4 ,now into and upon the roof was woven and intertwisted a covering of thatch1 that defied all winds and weathers1 and that made the cottage marvellously cozy1--being renewed year by year1 and never allowed to remain in disrepair at any season4 ,but the beauty of the construction was and is its durability1 or rather the permanence of its oaken ribs6 ,there they stand1 after probably not less than four centuries1 japanned with 8peat reek0 till they are literally shining1 so hard that no ordinary nail can be driven into them1 and perfectly capable for service for four centuries more on the same conditions4 ,the walls are quite modern1 having all been rebuilt in my father's time1 except only the few great foundation boulders1 piled around the oaken couples2 and parts of the roofing also may plead guilty to having found its way thither only in recent days2 but the architect's one idea survives1 baffling time and change--the ribs and rafters of oak4 ,our home consisted of a 8but0 and a 8ben0 and a 8mid room10 or chamber1 called the 8closet40 ,the one end was my mother's domain1 and served all the purposes of dining-room and kitchen and parlour1 besides containing two large wooden erections1 called by our ,scotch peasantry 8box-beds02 not holes in the wall1 as in cities1 but grand1 big1 airy beds1 adorned with many-coloured counterpanes1 and hung with natty curtains1 showing the skill of the mistress of the house4 ,the other end was my father's workshop1 filled with five or six 8stocking frames10 whirring with the constant action of five or six pairs of busy hands and feet1 and producing right genuine hosiery for the merchants at ,hawick and ,dumfries4 ,the 8closet0 was a very small apartment betwixt the other two1 having room only for a bed1 a little table1 and a chair1 with a diminutive window shedding diminutive light on the scene4 ,this was the ,sanctuary of that cottage home4 ,thither daily1 and oftentimes a day1 generally after each meal1 we saw our father retire1 and 8shut to the door02 and we children got to understand by a sort of spiritual instinct 7for the thing was too sacred to be talked about7 that prayers were being poured out there for us1 as of old by the ,high ,priest within the veil in the ,most ,holy ,place4 ,we occasionally heard the pathetic echoes of a trembling voice pleading as if for life1 and we learned to slip out and in past that door on tiptoe1 not to disturb the holy colloquy4 ,the outside world might not know1 but we knew1 whence came that happy light as of a new-born smile that always was dawning on my father's face3 it was a reflection from the ,divine ,presence1 in the consciousness of which he lived4 ,never1 in temple or cathedral1 on mountain or in glen1 can ,i hope to feel that the ,lord ,god is more near1 more visibly walking and talking with men1 than under that humble cottage roof of thatch and oaken wattles4 ,though everything else in religion were by some unthinkable catastrophe to be swept out of memory1 or blotted from my understanding1 my soul would wander back to those early scenes1 and shut itself up once again in that ,sanctuary ,closet1 and1 hearing still the echoes of those cries to ,god1 would hurl back all doubt with the victorious appeal1 8,he walked with ,god1 why may not ,i80 ,a few notes had better here be given as to our 8,forebears10 the kind of stock from which my father and mother sprang4 ,my father's mother1 ,janet ,murray1 claimed to be descended from a ,galloway family that fought and suffered for ,christ's ,crown and ,covenant in ,scotland's 8killing time10 and was herself a woman of a pronouncedly religious development4 ,her husband1 our grandfather1 ,william ,paton1 had passed through a roving and romantic career1 before he settled down to a douce deacon of the weavers of ,dumfries1 like his father before him4 ,forced by a press-gang to serve on board a ,british man-of-war1 he was taken prisoner by the ,french1 and thereafter placed under ,paul ,jones1 the pirate of the seas1 and bore to his dying day the mark of a slash from the captain's sword across his shoulder for some slight disrespect or offence4 ,determining with two others to escape1 the three were hotly pursued by ,paul ,jones's men4 ,one1 who could swim but little1 was shot1 and had to be cut adrift by the other two1 who in the darkness swam into a cave and managed to evade for two nights and a day the rage of their pursuers4 ,my grandfather1 being young and gentle and yellow-haired1 persuaded some kind heart to rig him out in female attire1 and in this costume escaped the attentions of the press-gang more than once2 till1 after many hardships1 he bargained with the captain of a coal sloop to stow him away amongst his black diamonds1 and thus1 in due time1 he found his way home to ,dumfries1 where he tackled bravely and wisely the duties of husband1 father1 and citizen for the remainder of his days4 ,the smack of the sea about the stories of his youth gave zest to the talks round their quiet fireside1 and that1 again1 was seasoned by the warm evangelical spirit of his ,covenanting wife1 her lips 8dropping grace40 ,of their children1 two reproduced the disposition of their father1 and two that of their mother4 ,william took to the soldier's career1 and died in ,spain2 ,may1 the only daughter1 gave her heart and hand to ,john ,wood1 a jolly and gallant ,englishman1 who fought at ,waterloo1 and lived to see his hundredth birthday4 ,john and ,james1 the latter being my father1 both learned the stocking manufacturing business of their fathers1 and both followed their mother's piety and became from their early teens very pronounced and consistent disciples of the ,lord4 ,on the other side1 my mother1 ,janet ,rogerson1 had for parents a father and mother of the ,annandale stock4 ,william ,rogerson1 her father1 was one of many brothers1 all men of uncommon strength and great force of character1 quite worthy of the ,border rievers of an earlier day4 ,indeed1 it was in some such way that he secured his wife1 though the dear old lady in after-days was chary about telling the story4 ,she was a girl of good position1 the ward of two unscrupulous uncles who had charge of her small estate1 near ,langholm2 and while attending some boarding school she fell devotedly in love with the tall1 fair-haired1 gallant young blacksmith1 ,william ,rogerson4 ,her guardians1 doubtless very properly1 objected to the 8connection02 but our young ,lochinvar1 with his six or seven stalwart brothers and other trusty 8lads10 all mounted1 and with some ready tool in case of need1 went boldly and claimed his bride1 and she1 willingly mounting at his side1 was borne off in the light of open day1 joyously married1 and took possession of her 8but and ben10 as the mistress of the blacksmith's abode4 ,the uncles had it out with him1 however1 in another way4 ,while he was enjoying his honeymoon1 and careless of mere mundane affairs1 they managed to dispose of all the property of their ward1 and make good their escape with the proceeds to the ,new ,world4 ,having heard a rumour of some such sale1 our young blacksmith on horseback just reached the scene in time to see the last article--a ,family ,bible--put up for auction4 ,this he claimed1 or purchased1 or seized1 in name of the heiress--but that was all that she ever inherited4 ,it was used devoutly by her till her dying day1 and was adorned with the record of her own marriage and of the birth of a large and happy family1 whom by-and-by ,god gave to her4 ,janet ,jardine bowed her neck to the self-chosen yoke1 with the light of a supreme affection in her heart1 and showed in her gentler ways1 her love of books1 her fine accomplishments with the needle and her general air of ladyhood1 that her lot had once been cast in easier1 but not necessarily happier1 ways4 ,her blacksmith lover proved not unworthy of his lady bride1 and in her old days found a quiet and modest home1 the fruit of years of toil and hopeful thrift1 their own little property1 in which they rested and waited a happy end4 ,amongst those who at last wept by her grave stood1 amidst many sons and daughters1 her son the ,rev4 ,james ,j4 ,rogerson1 clergyman of the ,church of ,england1 who1 for many years thereafter1 and till quite recently1 was spared to occupy a distinguished position at ancient ,shrewsbury1 and has left behind him there an honoured and beloved name4 ,one thing else1 beautiful in its pathos1 ,i must record of that dear old lady4 ,her son1 ,walter1 had gone forth from her1 in prosecution of his calling1 had corresponded with her from various counties in ,england1 and then had suddenly disappeared2 and no sign came to her1 whether he was dead or alive4 ,the mother-heart in her clung to the hope of his return2 every night she prayed for that happy event1 and before closing the door1 threw it wide open1 and peered into the darkness with a cry1 8,come hame1 my boy ,walter1 your mither wearies sair20 and every morning1 at early break of day1 for a period of more than twenty years1 she toddled up from her cottage door1 at ,johnsfield1 ,lockerbie1 to a little round hill1 called the 8,corbie ,dykes10 and1 gazing with tear-filled eyes towards the south for the form of her returning boy1 prayed the ,lord ,god to keep him safe and restore him to her yet again4 ,always1 as ,i think upon that scene1 my heart finds consolation in reflecting that if not here1 then for certain there1 such deathless longing love will be rewarded1 and1 rushing into long-delayed embrace1 will exclaim1 8,was lost and is found40 ,from such a home came our mother1 ,janet ,jardine ,rogerson1 a bright-hearted1 high-spirited1 patient-toiling1 and altogether heroic little woman2 who1 for about forty-three years1 made and kept such a wholesome1 independent1 ,god-fearing1 and self-reliant life for her family of five sons and six daughters1 as constrains me1 when ,i look back on it now1 in the light of all ,i have since seen and known of others far differently situated1 almost to worship her memory4 ,she had gone with her high spirits and breezy disposition to gladden1 as their companion1 the quiet abode of some grand or great-grand-uncle and aunt1 familiarly named in all that ,dalswinton neighbourhood1 8,old ,adam and ,eve40 ,their house was on the outskirts of the moor1 and life for the young girl there had not probably too much excitement4 ,but one thing had arrested her attention4 ,she had noticed that a young stocking maker from the 8,brig ,end10 ,james ,paton1 the son of ,william and ,janet there1 was in the habit of stealing alone into the quiet wood1 book in hand1 day after day1 at certain hours1 as if for private study and meditation4 ,it was a very excusable curiosity that led the young bright heart of the girl to watch him devoutly reading and hear him reverently reciting 7though she knew not then1 it was ,ralph ,erskine's 8,gospel ,sonnets10 which he could say by heart sixty years afterwards1 as he lay on his bed of death72 and finally that curiosity awed itself into a holy respect1 when she saw him lay aside his broad ,scotch bonnet1 kneel down under the sheltering wings of some tree1 and pour out all his soul in daily prayers to ,god4 ,as yet they had never spoken4 ,what spirit moved her1 let lovers tell--was it all devotion1 or was it a touch of unconscious love kindling in her towards the yellow-haired and thoughtful youth8 ,or was there a stroke of mischief1 of that teasing1 which so often opens up the door to the most serious step in all our lives8 ,anyhow1 one day she slipped in quietly1 stole away his bonnet1 and hung it on a branch near by1 while his trance of devotion made him oblivious of all around2 then1 from a safe retreat she watched and enjoyed his perplexity in seeking for and finding it6 ,a second day this was repeated2 but his manifest disturbance of mind1 and his long pondering with the bonnet in hand1 as if almost alarmed1 seemed to touch another chord in her heart--that chord of pity which is so often the prelude of love1 that finer pity that grieves to wound anything nobler or tenderer than ourselves4 ,next day1 when he came to his accustomed place of prayer1 a little card was pinned against the tree just where he knelt1 and on it these words3-- 8,she who stole away your bonnet is ashamed of what she did2 she has a great respect for you1 and asks you to pray for her1 that she may become as good a ,christian as you40 ,staring long at that writing1 he forgot ,ralph ,erskine for one day2 taking down the card1 and wondering who the writer could be1 he was abusing himself for his stupidity in not suspecting that some one had discovered his retreat1 and removed his bonnet1 instead of wondering whether angels had been there during his prayer1--when1 suddenly raising his eyes1 he saw in front of old ,adam's cottage1 through a lane amongst the trees1 the passing of another kind of angel1 swinging a milk-pail in her hand and merrily singing some snatch of old ,scottish song4 ,he knew1 in that moment1 by a ,divine instinct1 as infallible as any voice that ever came to seer of old1 that she was the angel visitor that had stolen in upon his retreat--that bright-faced1 clever-witted niece of old ,adam and ,eve1 to whom he had never yet spoken1 but whose praises he had often heard said and sung--8,wee ,jen40 ,i am afraid he did pray 8for her10 in more senses than one1 that afternoon2 at any rate1 more than a ,scotch bonnet was very effectually stolen2 a good heart and true was there bestowed1 and the trust was never regretted on either side1 and never betrayed4 ,often and often1 in the genial and beautiful hours of the autumntide of their long life1 have ,i heard my dear father tease 8,jen0 about her maidenly intentions in the stealing of that bonnet2 and often with quick mother wit have heard her happy retort1 that had his motives for coming to that retreat been altogether and exclusively pious1 he would probably have found his way to the other side of the wood1 but that men who prowled about the ,garden of ,eden ran the risk of meeting some day with a daughter of ,eve6 ,somewhere in or about his seventeenth year1 my father passed through a crisis of religious experience1 and from that day he openly and very decidedly followed the ,lord ,jesus4 ,his parents had belonged to one of the older branches of what now we call the ,united ,presbyterian ,church2 but my father1 having made an independent study of the ,scotch ,worthies1 the ,cloud of ,witnesses1 the ,testimonies1 and the ,confession of ,faith1 resolved to cast in his lot with the oldest of all the ,scotch ,churches1 the ,reformed ,presbyterian1 as most nearly representing the ,covenanters and the attainments of both the first and second ,reformations in ,scotland4 ,this choice he deliberately made1 and sincerely and intelligently adhered to2 and was able at all times to give strong and clear reasons from ,bible and from history for the principles he upheld4 ,still his sympathies and votes always went with the more progressive party in that ancient ,church4 ,he held it to be right that ,cameronians1 like other citizens1 should exercise the municipal and political franchise1 and he adhered to the 8,majority ,synod10 which has since been incorporated with the ,free ,church of ,scotland4 ,while glorying in the ,psalms1 he rejoiced to sing other hymns and spiritual songs 7thanks to ,ralph ,erskine's 8,sonnets10 perhaps1 for that67 from his earliest days1 at least everywhere except in the ordinary ,public ,worship2 and long before he died1 though he still held the ,psalms to be supreme1 he had learned to hear with glowing delight vast congregations singing the hymns of modern days1 had learned joyfully to join in these songs of ,zion1 and was heard often to confess his belief that ,god had greatly owned and blessed the ministry of song in the service of the ,gospel4 ,besides his independent choice of a ,church for himself1 there was one other mark and fruit of his early religious decision1 which looks even fairer through all these years4 ,family ,worship had heretofore been held only on ,sabbath day in his father's house2 but the young ,christian1 entering into conference with his sympathising mother1 managed to get the household persuaded that there ought to be daily morning and evening prayer and reading of the ,bible and holy singing4 ,this the more readily1 as he himself agreed to take part regularly in the same and so relieve the old warrior of what might have proved for him too arduous spiritual toils4 ,and so began in his seventeenth year that blessed custom of ,family ,prayer1 morning and evening1 which my father practised probably without one single omission till he lay on his deathbed1 seventy-seven years of age2 when1 even to the last day of his life1 a portion of ,scripture was read1 and his voice was heard softly joining in the ,psalm1 and his lips breathed the morning and evening ,prayer1--falling in sweet benediction on the heads of all his children1 far away many of them over all the earth1 but all meeting him there at the ,throne of ,grace4 ,none of us can remember that any day ever passed unhallowed thus2 no hurry for market1 no rush to business1 no arrival of friends or guests1 no trouble or sorrow1 no joy or excitement1 ever prevented at least our kneeling around the family altar1 while the ,high ,priest led our prayers to ,god1 and offered himself and his children there4 ,and blessed to others1 as well as to ourselves1 was the light of such example6 ,i have heard that1 in long after years1 the worst woman in the village of ,torthorwald1 then leading an immoral life1 but since changed by the grace of ,god1 was known to declare1 that the only thing that kept her from despair and from the hell of the suicide1 was when in the dark winter nights she crept close up underneath my father's window1 and heard him pleading in family worship that ,god would convert 8the sinner from the error of wicked ways and polish him as a jewel for the ,redeemer's crown40 8,i felt10 said she1 8that ,i was a burden on that good man's heart1 and ,i knew that ,god would not disappoint him4 ,that thought kept me out of ,hell1 and at last led me to the only ,saviour40 ,my father had a strong desire to be a minister of the ,gospel2 but when he finally saw that ,god's will had marked out for him another lot1 he reconciled himself by entering with his own soul into this solemn vow1--that if ,god gave him sons1 he would consecrate them unreservedly to the ministry of ,christ1 if the ,lord saw fit to accept the offering1 and open up their way4 ,it may be enough here to say that he lived to see three of us entering upon and not unblessed in the ,holy ,office2--myself1 the eldest born2 my brother ,walter1 several years my junior2 and my brother ,james1 the youngest of eleven1 the ,benjamin of the flock4 ,our place of worship was the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church at ,dumfries1 under the ministry1 during most of these days1 of ,rev4 ,john ,mc,diarmid--a genuine1 solemn1 lovable ,covenanter1 who cherished towards my father a warm respect1 that deepened into apostolic affection when the yellow hair turned snow-white and both of them grew patriarchal in their years4 ,the minister1 indeed1 was translated to a ,glasgow charge2 but that rather exalted than suspended their mutual love4 ,dumfries was four miles fully from our ,torthorwald home2 but the tradition is that during all these forty years my father was only thrice prevented from attending the worship of ,god--once by snow so deep that he was baffled and had to return2 once by ice on the road1 so dangerous that he was forced to crawl back up the ,roucan ,brae on his hands and knees1 after having descended it so far with many falls2 and once by the terrible outbreak of cholera at ,dumfries4 ,all intercourse betwixt the town and the surrounding villages was publicly prohibited2 and the farmers and villagers1 suspecting that no cholera would make my father stay at home on ,sabbath1 sent a deputation to my mother on the ,saturday evening1 and urged her to restrain his devotions for once6 ,that1 however1 was needless2 as1 where the life of others was at stake1 his very devotion came to their aid4 ,each of us1 from very early days1 considered it no penalty1 but a great joy1 to go with our father to the church2 the four miles were a treat to our young spirits1 the company by the way was a fresh incitement1 and occasionally some of the wonders of city-life rewarded our eager eyes4 ,a few other pious men and women of the best evangelical type1 went from the same parish to one or other favourite minister at ,dumfries1--the parish church during all those years being rather miserably served2 and when these ,god-fearing peasants 8forgathered0 in the way to or from the ,house of ,god1 we youngsters had sometimes rare glimpses of what ,christian talk may be and ought to be4 ,they went to the church1 full of beautiful expectancy of spirit--their souls were on the outlook for ,god2 they returned from the church1 ready and even anxious to exchange ideas as to what they had heard and received of the things of life4 ,i have to bear my testimony that religion was presented to us with a great deal of intellectual freshness1 and that it did not repel us but kindled our spiritual interest4 ,the talks which we heard were1 however1 genuine2 not the make-believe of religious conversation1 but the sincere outcome of their own personalities4 ,that1 perhaps1 makes all the difference betwixt talk that attracts and talk that drives away4 ,we had1 too1 special ,bible ,readings on the ,lord's ,day evening1--mother and children and visitors reading in turns1 with fresh and interesting question1 answer1 and exposition1 all tending to impress us with the infinite grace of a ,god of love and mercy in the great gift of ,his dear ,son ,jesus1 our ,saviour4 ,the ,shorter ,catechism was gone through regularly1 each answering the question asked1 till the whole had been explained1 and its foundation in ,scripture shown by the proof-texts adduced4 ,it has been an amazing thing to me1 occasionally to meet with men who blamed this 8catechizing0 for giving them a distaste to religion2 every one in all our circle thinks and feels exactly the opposite4 ,it laid the solid rock-foundations of our religious life4 ,after years have given to these questions and their answers a deeper or a modified meaning1 but none of us have ever once even dreamed of wishing that we had been otherwise trained4 ,of course1 if the parents are not devout1 sincere1 and affectionate1--if the whole affair on both sides is taskwork1 or worse1 hypocritical and false1--results must be very different indeed6 ,oh1 ,i can remember those happy ,sabbath evenings2 no blinds drawn1 and shutters up1 to keep out the sun from us1 as some scandalously affirm2 but a holy1 happy1 entirely human day1 for a ,christian father1 mother1 and children to spend4 ,how my father would parade across and across our flag-floor1 telling over the substance of the day's sermons to our dear mother1 who1 because of the great distance and because of her many living 8encumbrances10 got very seldom indeed to the church1 but gladly embraced every chance1 when there was prospect or promise of a 8lift0 either way from some friendly gig6 ,how he would entice us to help him to recall some idea or other1 rewarding us when we got the length of 8taking notes0 and reading them over on our return2 how he would turn the talk ever so naturally to some ,bible story1 or some martyr reminiscence1 or some happy allusion to the 8,pilgrim's ,progress06 ,and then it was quite a contest1 which of us would get reading aloud1 while all the rest listened1 and father added here and there a happy thought1 or illustration1 or anecdote4 ,others must write and say what they will1 and as they feel2 but so must ,i4 ,there were eleven of us brought up in a home like that2 and never one of the eleven1 boy or girl1 man or woman1 has been heard1 or ever will be heard1 saying that ,sabbath was dull or wearisome for us1 or suggesting that we have heard of or seen any way more likely than that for making the ,day of the ,lord bright and blessed alike for parents and for children4 ,but ,god help the homes where these things are done by force and not by love6 ,the very discipline through which our father passed us was a kind of religion in itself4 ,if anything really serious required to be punished1 he retired first to his closet for prayer1 and we boys got to understand that he was laying the whole matter before ,god2 and that was the severest part of the punishment for me to bear6 ,i could have defied any amount of mere penalty1 but this spoke to my conscience as a message from ,god4 ,we loved him all the more1 when we saw how much it cost him to punish us2 and1 in truth1 he had never very much of that kind of work to do upon any one of all the eleven--we were ruled by love far more than by fear4 ,as ,i must1 however1 leave the story of my father's life--much more worthy1 in many ways1 of being written than my own--,i may here mention that his long and upright life made him a great favourite in all religious circles far and near within the neighbourhood1 that at sick-beds and at funerals he was constantly sent for and much appreciated1 and that this appreciation greatly increased1 instead of diminishing1 when years whitened his long1 flowing locks and gave him an apostolic beauty2 till finally1 for the last twelve years or so of his life1 he became by appointment a sort of ,rural ,missionary for the four contiguous parishes1 and spent his autumn in literally sowing the good seed of the ,kingdom as a ,colporteur of the ,tract and ,book ,society4 ,his success in this work1 for a rural locality1 was beyond all belief4 ,within a radius of five miles1 he was known in every home1 welcomed by the children1 respected by the servants1 longed for eagerly by the sick and aged4 ,he gloried in showing off the beautiful ,bibles and other precious books1 which he sold in amazing numbers4 ,he sang sweet ,psalms beside the sick1 and prayed like the voice of ,god at their dying beds4 ,he went cheerily from farm to farm1 from cot to cot2 and when he wearied on the moorland roads1 he refreshed his soul by reciting aloud one of ,ralph ,erskine's 8,sonnets10 or crooning to the birds one of ,david's ,psalms4 ,his happy partner1 8,wee ,jen10 died in #ahfe1 and he himself in #ahfh1 having reached his seventy-seventh year1--an altogether beautiful and noble episode of human existence having been enacted1 amid the humblest surroundings of a ,scottish peasant's home1 through the influence of their united love by the grace of ,god2 and in this world1 or in any world1 all their children will rise up at mention of their names and call them blessed6 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,at ,,school ,,and ,,college4 ,a ,typical ,scottish ,school4--,a ,school ,prize4--,a ,wayward ,master4--,learning a ,trade4--,my ,father's ,prayers4--,jehovah ,jireh4--,with ,sappers and ,miners4--,harvest ,field4--,on the ,road to ,glasgow4--,a ,memorable ,parting4--,before the ,examiners4--,killing ,work4--,deep ,waters4--,maryhill ,school4--,rough ,school ,scenes4--,aut ,csar1 ,aut ,nullus4--,my ,wages4 ,in my boyhood ,torthorwald had one of the grand old typical ,parish ,schools of ,scotland1 where the rich and the poor met together in perfect equality1 where ,bible and ,catechism were taught as zealously as grammar and geography1 and where capable lads from the humblest of cottages were prepared in ,latin and ,mathematics and ,greek to go straight from their village class to the ,university bench4 ,besides1 at that time1 an accomplished pedagogue of the name of ,smith1 a learned man of more than local fame1 had added a ,boarding ,house to the ordinary ,school1 and had attracted some of the better class gentlemen and farmers' sons from the surrounding county1 so that ,torthorwald1 under his rgime1 reached the zenith of its educational fame4 ,in this ,school ,i was initiated into the mystery of letters1 and all my brothers and sisters after me1 though some of them under other masters than mine2--my youngest brother ,james1 trained there under a master named ,lithgow1 going direct from the ,village ,school to the ,university of ,glasgow in his fourteenth year6 ,my teacher punished severely--rather1 ,i should say1 savagely--especially for lessons badly prepared4 ,yet1 that he was in some respects kindly and tender-hearted1 ,i had the best of reasons to know4 ,seeing me not so 8braw0 as the well-to-do fellows of my year1 and taking a warm interest in me as a pupil1 he1 concluding probably that new suits were not so easily got in my home as in some of the rest1 planned a happy and kind-hearted surprise--a sort of unacknowledged school prize4 ,one evening1 when my father was 8taking the books10 and pouring out his heart in family worship1 the door of our house gently opened on the latch1 and gently closed again4 ,after prayer1 on rushing to the door1 ,i found a parcel containing a new suit of warm and excellent clothes1--seeing which my mother said that 8,god had sent them to me1 and ,i should thankfully receive them as from ,his hand1 whoever might have brought them40 ,appearing in them at school next morning1 the teacher cheerily saluted and complimented me on my 8braws40 ,i innocently told him how they came and what my mother said2 and he laughingly replied1-- 8,john1 whenever you need anything after this1 just tell your father to #8tak' the ,book1' and ,god will send it in answer to prayer60 ,years passed by before ,i came to know1 what the reader has already guessed1 that the good-hearted schoolmaster's hand lifted the latch that evening during my father's prayer4 ,all his influence1 however1 was marred by occasional bursts of fierce and ungovernable temper1 amounting to savagery4 ,his favouritism1 too1 was sometimes disheartening1--as when ,i won a ,latin prize for an exercise by the verdict of the second master1 yet it was withheld from me1 and prizes were bestowed without merit on other and especially wealthier boys2 so at least ,i imagined1 and it cooled my ambition to excel4 ,favouritism might be borne1 but not mere brutality when passion mastered him4 ,once1 after having flogged me unjustly1 on my return only at my mother's entreaty1 he ran at me again1 kicked me1 and ,i fled in pain and terror from his presence1 rushing home4 ,when his passion subsided1 he came to my parents1 apologized1 and pled with me to return2 but all in vain1--nothing would induce me to resume my studies there4 ,undoubtedly at that time ,i had a great thirst for education1 and a retentive memory1 which made all lessons comparatively easy2 and1 as no other school was within my reach1 it was a great loss that my heart shrank from this teacher4 ,though under twelve years of age1 ,i started to learn my father's trade in which ,i made surprising progress4 ,we wrought from six in the morning till ten at night1 with an hour at dinner-time and half an hour at breakfast and again at supper4 ,these spare moments every day ,i devoutly spent on my books1 chiefly in the rudiments of ,latin and ,greek2 for ,i had given my soul to ,god1 and was resolved to aim at being a missionary of the ,cross1 or a minister of the ,gospel4 ,yet ,i gladly testify that what ,i learned of the stocking frame was not thrown away2 the facility of using tools1 and of watching and keeping the machinery in order1 came to be of great value to me in the ,foreign ,mission field4 ,how much my father's prayers at this time impressed me ,i can never explain1 nor could any stranger understand4 ,when1 on his knees and all of us kneeling around him in ,family ,worship1 he poured out his whole soul with tears for the conversion of the heathen world to the service of ,jesus1 and for every personal and domestic need1 we all felt as if in the presence of the living ,saviour1 and learned to know and love ,him as our ,divine ,friend4 ,as we rose from our knees1 ,i used to look at the light on my father's face1 and wish ,i were like him in spirit1--hoping that1 in answer to his prayers1 ,i might be privileged and prepared to carry the blessed ,gospel to some portion of the heathen world4 ,one incident of this time ,i must record here1 because of the lasting impression made upon my religious life4 ,our family1 like all others of peasant rank in the land1 were plunged into deep distress1 and felt the pinch severely1 through the failure of the potato1 the badness of other crops1 and the ransom-price of food4 ,our father had gone off with work to ,hawick1 and would return next evening with money and supplies2 but meantime the meal barrel ran empty1 and our dear mother1 too proud and too sensitive to let any one know1 or to ask aid from any quarter1 coaxed us all to rest1 assuring us that she had told ,god everything1 and that ,he would send us plenty in the morning4 ,next day1 with the carrier from ,lockerbie came a present from her father1 who1 knowing nothing of her circumstances or of this special trial1 had been moved of ,god to send at that particular nick of time a love-offering to his daughter1 such as they still send to each other in those kindly ,scottish shires--a bag of new potatoes1 a stone of the first ground meal or flour1 or the earliest homemade cheese of the season--which largely supplied all our need4 ,my mother1 seeing our surprise at such an answer to her prayers1 took us around her knees1 thanked ,god for ,his goodness1 and said to us1-- 8,o my children1 love your heavenly ,father1 tell ,him in faith and prayer all your needs1 and ,he will supply your wants so far as it shall be for your good and ,his glory40 ,perhaps1 amidst all their struggles in rearing a family of eleven1 this was the hardest time they ever had1 and the only time they ever felt the actual pinch of hunger2 for the little that they had was marvellously blessed of ,god1 and was not less marvellously utilized by that noble mother of ours1 whose high spirit1 side by side with her humble and gracious piety1 made us1 under ,god1 what we are to-day4 ,i saved as much at my trade as enabled me to go six weeks to ,dumfries ,academy2 this awoke in me again the hunger for learning1 and ,i resolved to give up that trade and turn to something that might be made helpful to the prosecution of my education4 ,an engagement was secured with the sappers and miners1 who were mapping and measuring the county of ,dumfries in connection with the ,ordnance ,survey of ,scotland4 ,the office hours were from #i a4m4 till #d p4m42 and though my walk from home was above four miles every morning1 and the same by return in the evening1 ,i found much spare time for private study1 both on the way to and from my work and also after hours4 ,instead of spending the mid-day hour with the rest1 at football and other games1 ,i stole away to a quiet spot on the banks of the ,nith1 and there pored over my book1 all alone4 ,our lieutenant1 unknown to me1 had observed this from his house on the other side of the stream1 and after a time called me into his office and inquired what ,i was studying4 ,i told him the whole truth as to my position and my desires4 ,after conferring with some of the other officials there1 he summoned me again1 and in their presence promised me promotion in the service1 and special training in ,woolwich at the ,government's expense1 on condition that ,i would sign an engagement for seven years4 ,thanking him most gratefully for his kind offer1 ,i agreed to bind myself for three years or four1 but not for seven4 ,excitedly he said1 8,why8 ,will you refuse an offer that many gentlemen's sons would be proud of80 ,i said1 8,my life is given to another ,master1 so ,i cannot engage for seven years40 ,he asked sharply1 8,to whom80 ,i replied1 8,to the ,lord ,jesus1 and ,i want to prepare as soon as possible for ,his service in the proclaiming of the ,gospel40 ,in great anger he sprang across the room1 called the paymaster1 and exclaimed1 8,accept my offer1 or you are dismissed on the spot60 ,i answered1 8,i am extremely sorry if you do so1 but to bind myself for seven years would probably frustrate the purpose of my life2 and though ,i am greatly obliged to you1 ,i cannot make such an engagement40 ,his anger made him unwilling or unable to comprehend my difficulty2 the drawing instruments were delivered up1 ,i received my pay1 and departed without further parley4 ,the men1 both over me and beside me1 were mostly ,roman ,catholics1 and their talk was the most profane ,i had ever heard4 ,few of them spoke at any time without larding their language with oaths1 and ,i was thankful to get away from hearing their shocking speech4 ,but to me personally both officers and men had been extremely kind1 for which1 on leaving1 ,i thanked them all very cordially1 and they looked not a little surprised1--as if unused to such recognitions6 ,hearing how ,i had been treated1 and why1 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 the ,rector of ,dumfries ,academy1 offered to let me attend all classes there1 free of charge1 so long as ,i cared to remain2 but that1 in lack of means of support1 was for the time impossible1 as ,i would not and could not be a burden on my dear father1 but was determined rather to help him in educating the rest4 ,i went therefore to what was known as the ,lamb ,fair at ,lockerbie1 and for the first time in my life took a 8fee0 for the harvest4 ,on arriving at the field when shearing and mowing began1 the farmer asked me to bind a sheaf2 when ,i had done so1 he lifted it by the band1 and it fell to pieces6 ,instead of disheartening me1 however1 he gave me a careful lesson how to bind1 and the second that ,i bound did not collapse when shaken1 and the third he pitched across the field1 and on finding that it still remained firm1 he cried to me cheerily1-- 8,right now1 my lad2 go ahead60 ,it was hard work for me at first1 and my hands got very sore2 but1 being willing and determined1 ,i soon got into the way of it1 and kept up with the best of them4 ,the harvesters1 seeing ,i was not one of their own workers1 had an eager dispute as to what ,i was1 some holding that ,i was a painter1 and some a tailor2 but the more 'cute observers denied me the rank of tailor from the lack of 8jaggings0 on my thumb and finger1 so ,i suppose they credited me with the brush4 ,the male harvesters were told off to sleep in a large hay-loft1 the beds being arranged all along the side1 like barracks4 ,many of the fellows were rough and boisterous1 and ,i suppose my look showed that ,i hesitated in mingling with them1 for the quick eye and kind heart of the farmer's wife prompted her to suggest that ,i1 being so much younger than the rest1 might sleep with her son ,george in the house1--an offer1 oh1 how gratefully accepted6 ,a beautiful new steading had recently been built for them2 and during certain days1 or portions of days1 while waiting for the grain to ripen or to dry1 ,i planned and laid out an ornamental garden in front of it1 which gave great satisfaction--a taste inherited from my mother1 with her joy in flowers and garden plots4 ,they gave me1 on leaving1 a handsome present1 as well as my fee1 for ,i had got on very pleasantly with them all4 ,this experience1 too1 came to be valuable to me1 when1 in long after days1 and far other lands1 ,mission buildings had to be erected1 and garden and field cropped and cultivated without the aid of a single ,european hand4 ,before going to my first harvesting1 ,i had applied for a situation in ,glasgow1 apparently exactly suited for my case2 but ,i had little or no hope of ever hearing of it further4 ,an offer of #ej per annum was made by the ,west ,campbell ,street ,reformed ,presbyterian ,congregation1 then under the good and noble ,dr4 ,bates1 for a young man to act as district visitor and tract distributor1 especially amongst the absentees from the ,sabbath school2 with the privilege of receiving one year's training at the ,free ,church ,normal ,seminary1 that he might qualify himself for teaching1 and thereby push forward to the ,holy ,ministry4 ,the candidates1 along with their application and certificates1 were to send an essay on some subject1 of their own composition1 and in their own handwriting4 ,i sent in two long poems on the ,covenanters1 which must have exceedingly amused them1 as ,i had not learned to write decent prose6 ,but1 much to my surprise1 immediately on the close of the harvesting experience1 a letter arrived1 intimating that ,i1 along with another young man1 had been put upon the short leet1 and that both were requested to appear in ,glasgow on a given day and compete for the appointment4 ,two days thereafter ,i started out from my quiet country home on the road to ,glasgow4 ,literally on the road1 for from ,torthorwald to ,kilmarnock--about forty miles--had to be done on foot1 and thence to ,glasgow by rail4 ,railways in those days were as yet few1 and coach travelling was far beyond my purse4 ,a small bundle1 tied up in my pocket handkerchief1 contained my ,bible and all my personal belongings4 ,thus was ,i launched upon the ocean of life4 8,i know thy poverty1 but thou art rich40 ,my dear father walked with me the first six miles of the way4 ,his counsels and tears and heavenly conversation on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been yesterday2 and tears are on my cheeks as freely now as then1 whenever memory steals me away to the scene4 ,for the last half-mile or so we walked on together in almost unbroken silence1--my father1 as was often his custom1 carrying hat in hand1 while his long1 flowing yellow hair 7then yellow1 but in later years white as snow7 streamed like a girl's down his shoulders4 ,his lips kept moving in silent prayers for me1 and his tears fell fast when our eyes met each other in looks for which all speech was vain4 ,we halted on reaching the appointed parting place2 he grasped my hand firmly for a minute in silence1 and then solemnly and affectionately said1-- 8,god bless you1 my son6 ,your father's ,god prosper you1 and keep you from all evil60 ,unable to say more1 his lips kept moving in silent prayer2 in tears we embraced1 and parted4 ,i ran off as fast as ,i could1 and1 when about to turn a corner in the road where he would lose sight of me1 ,i looked back and saw him still standing with head uncovered where ,i had left him4 ,waving my hat in adieu1 ,i was round the corner and out of sight in an instant4 ,but my heart was too full and sore to carry me further1 so ,i darted into the side of the road and wept for a time4 ,then1 rising up cautiously1 ,i climbed the dyke to see if he yet stood where ,i had left him1 and just at that moment ,i caught a glimpse of him climbing the dyke and looking out for me6 ,he did not see me1 and after he had gazed eagerly in my direction for a while1 he got down1 turned his face towards home1 and began to return--his head still uncovered1 and his heart1 ,i felt sure1 still rising in prayers for me4 ,i watched through blinding tears1 till his form faded from my gaze2 and then1 hastening on my way1 vowed deeply and oft1 by the help of ,god1 to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonour such a father and mother as ,he had given me4 ,the appearance of my father1 when we parted1--his advice1 prayers and tears1--the road1 the dyke1 the climbing up on it and then walking away1 head uncovered1 have often1 often1 all through life1 risen vividly before my mind1--and do so now while ,i am writing1 as if it had been but an hour ago4 ,in my earlier years particularly1 when exposed to many temptations1 his parting form rose before me as that of a guardian ,angel4 ,it is no ,pharisaism1 but deep gratitude1 which makes me here testify that the memory of that scene not only helped1 by ,god's grace1 to keep me pure from the prevailing sins1 but also stimulated me in all my studies1 that ,i might not fall short of his hopes1 and in all my ,christian duties1 that ,i might faithfully follow his shining example4 ,i reached ,glasgow on the third day1 having slept one night at ,thornhill1 and another at ,new ,cumnock2 and having needed1 owing to the kindness of acquaintances upon whom ,i called by the way1 to spend only three half-pence of my modest funds4 ,safely arrived1 but weary1 ,i secured a humble room for my lodging1 for which ,i had to pay one shilling and sixpence per week4 ,buoyant and full of hope and looking up to ,god for guidance1 ,i appeared at the appointed hour before the examiners1 as did also the other candidate2 and they1 having carefully gone through their work1 asked us to retire4 ,when recalled1 they informed us that they had great difficulty in choosing1 and suggested that the one of us might withdraw in favour of the other1 or that both might submit to a more testing examination4 ,neither seemed inclined to give it up1 both were willing for a second examination1 but the patrons made another suggestion4 ,they had only #ej per annum to give2 but if we would agree to divide it betwixt us1 and go into one lodging1 we might both be able to struggle through2 they would pay our entrance fees at the ,free ,normal ,seminary1 and provide us with the books required2 and perhaps they might be able to add a little to the sum promised to each of us4 ,by dividing the mission work appointed1 and each taking only the half1 more time also might be secured for our studies4 ,though the two candidates had never seen each other before1 we at once accepted this proposal1 and got on famously together1 never having had a dispute on anything of common interest throughout our whole career4 ,as our fellow-students at the ,normal were all far advanced beyond us in their education1 we found it killing work1 and had to grind away incessantly1 late and early4 ,both of us1 before the year closed1 broke down in health1 partly by hard study1 but principally1 perhaps1 for lack of nourishing diet4 ,a severe cough seized upon me2 ,i began spitting blood1 and a doctor ordered me at once home to the country and forbad all attempts at study4 ,my heart sank2 it was a dreadful disappointment1 and to me a bitter trial4 ,soon after1 my companion1 though apparently much stronger than ,i1 was similarly seized4 ,he1 however1 never entirely recovered1 though for some years he taught in a humble school2 and long ago he fell asleep in ,jesus1 a devoted and honoured ,christian man4 ,i1 on the other hand1 after a short rest1 nourished by the hill air of ,torthorwald and by the new milk of our family cow1 was ere long at work again1 and got an appointment to teach a small school at ,girvan4 ,there ,i received the greatest kindness from ,rev4 ,matthew ,g4 ,easton of the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church1 now ,dr4 ,easton of the ,free ,church1 ,darvel1 and gradually but completely recovered my health4 ,having saved #aj by my teaching1 ,i returned to ,glasgow1 and was enrolled as a student at the ,college2 but before the session was finished my money was exhausted--,i had lent some to a poor student who failed to repay me--and only nine shillings remained in my purse4 ,there was no one from whom to borrow1 had ,i been willing2 ,i had been disappointed in securing private tuition2 and no course seemed open for me1 except to pay what little ,i owed1 give up my ,college career1 and seek for teaching or other work in the country4 ,i wrote a letter to my father and mother1 informing them of my circumstances2 that ,i was leaving ,glasgow in quest of work1 and that they would not hear from me again till ,i had found a suitable situation4 ,i told them that if otherwise unsuccessful1 ,i should fall back on my own trade1 though ,i shrank from that as not tending to advance my education2 but that they might rest assured ,i would do nothing to dishonour them or my ,christian profession4 ,having read that letter over again through many tears1 ,i said1--,i cannot send that1 for it will grieve my darling parents2 and therefore1 leaving it on the table1 ,i locked my room door and ran out to find a place where ,i might sell my few precious books1 and hold on a few weeks longer4 ,but1 as ,i stood on the opposite side and wondered whether these folks in a shop with the three golden balls would care to have a poor student's books1 and as ,i hesitated1 knowing how much ,i needed them for my studies1 conscience smote me for doing a guilty thing2 ,i imagined that the people were watching me as if ,i were about to commit a theft1 and ,i made off from the scene at full speed1 with a feeling of intense shame at having dreamed of such a thing6 ,passing through one short street into another1 ,i marched on mechanically2 but the ,lord ,god of my father was guiding my steps1 all unknown to me4 ,a certain notice in a window1 into which ,i had probably never in my life looked before1 here caught my eye1 to this effect--8,teacher wanted1 ,maryhill ,free ,church ,school2 apply at the ,manse40 ,a coach or 'bus was just passing1 when ,i turned round2 ,i leapt into it1 saw the minister1 arranged to undertake the school1 returned to ,glasgow1 paid my landlady's lodging score1 tore up the letter to my parents and wrote another full of cheer and hope1 and early next morning entered the school and began a tough and trying job4 ,the minister warned me that the school was a wreck1 and had been broken up chiefly by coarse and bad characters from mills and coal-pits1 who attended the evening classes4 ,they had abused several masters in succession2 and1 laying a thick and heavy cane on the desk1 he said1-- 8,use that freely1 or you will never keep order here60 ,i put it aside into the drawer of my desk1 saying1-- 8,that will be my last resource40 ,there were very few scholars for the first week--about eighteen in the day school and twenty in the night school4 ,the clerk of the mill1 a good young fellow1 came to the evening classes1 avowedly to learn book-keeping1 but privately he said he had come to save me from personal injury4 ,the following week1 a young man and a young woman began to attend the night school1 who showed from the first moment that they were bent on mischief4 ,by talking aloud1 joking1 telling stories1 and laughing1 they stopped the work of the school4 ,on my repeated appeals for quiet and order1 they became the more boisterous1 and gave great merriment to a few of the scholars present4 ,i finally urged the young man1 a tall1 powerful fellow1 to be quiet or at once to leave1 declaring that at all hazards ,i must and would have perfect order2 but he only mocked at me1 and assumed a fighting attitude4 ,quietly locking the door and putting the key in my pocket1 ,i turned to my desk1 armed myself with the cane1 and dared any one at his peril to interfere betwixt us4 ,it was a rough struggle1 he smashing at me clumsily with his fists1 ,i with quick movements evading and dealing him blow after blow with the heavy cane for several rounds1 till at length he crouched down at his desk1 exhausted and beaten1 and ,i ordered him to turn to his book1 which he did in sulky silence4 ,going to my desk1 ,i addressed them and asked them to inform all who wished to come to the school1 8that if they came for education1 everything would be heartily done that it was in my power to do2 but that any who wished for mischief had better stay away1 as ,i was determined to conquer1 not to be conquered1 and to secure order and silence1 whatever it might cost4 ,further1 ,i assured them that that cane would not again be lifted by me1 if kindness and forbearance on my part could possibly gain the day1 as ,i wished to rule by love and not by terror4 ,but this young man knew he was in the wrong1 and it was that which had made him weak against me1 though every way stronger far than ,i4 ,yet ,i would be his friend and helper1 if he was willing to be friendly with me1 the same as if this night had never been40 ,a dead silence fell on the school2 every one buried face diligently in book2 and the evening closed in uncommon quiet and order4 ,next morning1 two of the bigger boys at the day school1 instead of taking their seats like the rest1 got in under the gallery where coals and lumber were kept1 and made a great noise as if dog and cat were worrying each other4 ,pleading with them only increased the uproar2 so ,i locked the doors1 laid past the keys1 and proceeded with the morning's work4 ,half an hour before the mid-day rest1 ,i began singing a hymn1 and marched the children round as if to leave2 then the two young rascals came out1 and1 walking in front1 sang boisterously4 ,seizing the first by the collar1 ,i made him stagger into the middle of the floor1 and dragging the other beside him1 ,i raised my heavy cane and dared them to move4 ,ordering the children to resume their seats1 ,i appointed them a jury to hear the case and to pass sentence4 ,the two were found guilty1 and awarded a severe lashing4 ,i proposed1 as this was their first offence1 and as ,i only used the cane for a last resource1 to forego all punishment1 if they apologized and promised to be attentive and obedient in the future4 ,they both heartily did so1 and became my favourite scholars4 ,next evening ,i had little difficulty1 as the worst characters did not at once return1 guessing that they had got a bit of lion in the new dominie1 that was more likely to subdue than to be subdued4 ,on the following day1 the parents of some children1 getting alarmed by the rumours of these exploits1 waited on me with the minister1 and said their children were terrified to come4 ,i said that no child had been beaten by me1 but that ,i insisted upon order and obedience2 ,i reminded the minister that of my immediate predecessors three had suffered from these rowdies in the evening class--one actually going wrong in the mind over the worry1 another losing his health and dying1 and the third leaving in disgust2 and finally ,i declared that ,i must either be master1 at whatever cost1 or leave the school4 ,from that time perfect order was established1 and the school flourished apace4 ,during next week1 many of the worst characters returned to their class work in the evening2 but thenceforward the behaviour of all towards me was admirable4 ,the attendance grew1 till the school became crowded1 both during the day and at night4 ,during the mid-day hour even1 ,i had a large class of young women who came to improve themselves in writing and arithmetic4 ,by-and-by the cane became a forgotten implement2 the sorrow and pain which ,i showed as to badly done lessons1 or anything blameworthy1 proved the far more effectual penalty4 ,the ,school ,committee had promised me at least ten shillings per week1 and guaranteed to make up any deficit if the fees fell short of that sum2 but if the income from fees exceeded that sum1 all was to be mine4 ,affairs went on prosperously for a season2 indeed1 too much so for my selfish interest4 ,the committee1 regarding the arrangement with me as only temporary1 took advantage of the larger attendance and better repute of the school1 to secure the services of a master of the highest grade4 ,the parents of many of the children1 resenting this1 offered to take and seat a hall if ,i would remain and carry on an opposition school2 but1 besides regarding this as scarcely fair to the committee1 however unhandsomely they had treated me1 ,i knew too well that ,i had neither education nor experience to compete with an accomplished teacher1 and so declined the proposal1 though grateful for their kind appreciation4 ,their children1 however1 got up a testimonial and subscription1 in token of their gratitude and esteem1 which was presented to me on the day before ,i left2 and this ,i valued chiefly because the presentation was made by the young fellows who at first behaved so badly1 but were now my warm friends4 ,once more ,i committed my future to the ,lord ,god of my father1 assured that in my very heart ,i was willing and anxious to serve ,him and to follow the blessed ,saviour1 yet feeling keenly that intense darkness had once again enclosed my path4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,in ,,glasgow ,,city ,,mission4 8,he leadeth me40--,a ,degraded ,district4--,the ,gospel in a ,hay-,loft4--,new ,mission ,premises4--,at ,work for ,jesus4--,at ,war with ,hell4--,sowing ,gospel ,seeds4--,publicans on the ,war ,path4--,marched to the ,police ,office4--,papists and ,infidels4--,an ,infidel ,saved4--,an ,infidel in ,despair4--,a ,brand from the ,burning4--,a ,saintly ,child4--,papists in ,arms4--,elder and ,student4 ,before undertaking the ,maryhill school1 ,i had applied to be taken on as an agent in the ,glasgow ,city ,mission2 and the night before ,i had to leave ,maryhill1 ,i received a letter from ,rev4 ,thomas ,caie1 the superintendent of the said ,mission1 saying that the directors had kept their eyes on me ever since my application1 and requesting1 as they understood ,i was leaving the school1 that ,i would appear before them the next morning1 and have my qualifications for becoming a ,missionary examined into4 ,praising ,god1 ,i went off at once1 passed the examination successfully1 and was appointed to spend two hours that afternoon and the following ,monday in visitation with two of the directors1 calling at every house in a low district of the town1 and conversing with all the characters encountered there on their eternal welfare4 ,i had also to preach a 8trial0 discourse in a ,mission meeting1 where a deputation of directors would be present1 the following evening being ,sunday2 and on ,wednesday evening1 they met again to hear their reports and to accept or reject me4 ,all this had come upon me so unexpectedly1 that ,i almost anticipated failure2 but looking up for help ,i went through with it1 and on the fifth day after leaving the school they called me before a meeting of directors1 and informed me that ,i had passed my trials most successfully1 and that the reports were so favourable that they had unanimously resolved to receive me at once as one of their ,city ,missionaries4 ,it was further explained that one of their number1 ,matthew ,fairley1 ,esq41 an elder in ,dr4 ,symington's congregation1 had guaranteed the half of my salary for two years1 the other half to be met by the resources of the ,mission voluntarily contributed1--the whole salary at that time amounting to #dj per annum4 ,the district allocated to me was one especially needful and trying1 that had never been occupied1 in and around the ,green ,street of ,calton1 and ,i was enjoined to enter upon my duties at once4 ,after receiving many good and kind counsels from these good and kind men1 one of them in prayer very solemnly dedicated me and my work to the ,lord2 and several of them were appointed to introduce me to my district1 taking a day each by turns1 and to assist me in making arrangements for the on-carrying of the work4 ,deeply solemnized with the responsibilities of my new office1 ,i left that meeting praising ,god for all ,his undeserved mercies1 and seeing most clearly ,his gracious hand in all the way by which ,he had led me1 and the trials by which ,he had prepared me for the sphere of service4 ,man proposes--,god disposes4 ,most of these directors were men of ,god1 adapted and qualified for this special work1 and very helpful in counsel as they went with me from day to day1 introducing me to my district1 and seeing the character and position of the people dwelling there4 ,looking back upon these ,mission experiences1 ,i have ever felt that they were1 to me and many others1 a good and profitable training of students for the office of the ,ministry1 preparing us to deal with men of every shade of thought and of character1 and try to lead them to the knowledge and service of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,i found the district a very degraded one4 ,many families said they had never been visited by any minister2 and many were lapsed professors of religion who had attended no church for ten1 sixteen1 or twenty years1 and said they had never been called upon by any minister1 nor by any ,christian visitor4 ,in it were congregated many avowed infidels1 ,romanists1 and drunkards1--living together1 and associated for evil1 but apparently without any effective counteracting influence4 ,in many of its closes and courts sin and vice walked about openly--naked and not ashamed4 ,we were expected to spend four hours daily in visiting from house to house1 holding small prayer meetings amongst those visited1 calling them together also in evening meetings1 and trying by all means to do whatever good was possible amongst them4 ,the only place in the whole district available for a ,sabbath evening ,evangelistic ,service was a hay-loft1 under which a cow-feeder kept a large number of cows1 and which was reached by an outside rickety wooden stair4 ,after nearly a year's hard work1 ,i had only six or seven non-church-goers1 who had been led to attend regularly there1 besides about the same number who met on a week evening in the groundfloor of a house kindly granted for the purpose by a poor and industrious but ill-used ,irishwoman4 ,she supported her family by keeping a little shop1 and selling coals4 ,her husband was a powerful man--a good worker1 but a hard drinker1 and1 like too many others addicted to intemperance1 he abused and beat her1 and pawned and drank everything he could get hold of4 ,she1 amid many prayers and tears1 bore everything patiently1 and strove to bring up her only daughter in the fear of ,god4 ,we exerted1 by ,god's blessing1 a good influence upon him through our meetings4 ,he became a total abstainer1 gave up his evil ways1 and attended church regularly with his wife4 ,as his interest increased1 he tried to bring others also to the meeting1 and urged them to become abstainers4 ,his wife became a centre of help and of good influence in all the district1 as she kindly invited all and welcomed them to the meeting in her house1 and my work grew every day more hopeful4 ,seeing1 however1 that one year's hard work showed such small results1 the directors proposed to remove me to another district1 as in their estimation the non-church-goers in ,green ,street were unassailable by ordinary means4 ,i pleaded for six months' longer trial1 as ,i had gained the confidence of many of the poor people there1 and had an invincible faith that the good seed sown would soon bear blessed fruit4 ,to this the directors kindly agreed4 ,at our next meeting ,i informed those present that1 if we could not draw out more of the non-church-goers to attend the services1 ,i should be removed to another part of the city4 ,each one there and then agreed to bring another to our next meeting4 ,both our meetings at once doubled their attendance4 ,my interest in them and their interest in me now grew apace1 and1 for fear ,i might be taken away from them1 they made another effort1 and again doubled our attendance4 ,henceforth meeting and class were both too large for any house that was available for us in the whole of our district4 ,we instituted a ,bible ,class1 a ,singing ,class1 a ,communicants' ,class1 and a ,total ,abstinence ,society2 and1 in addition to the usual meetings1 we opened two prayer meetings specially for the ,calton division of the ,glasgow ,police--one at a suitable hour for the men on day duty1 and another for those on night duty4 ,the men got up a ,mutual ,improvement ,society and ,singing ,class also amongst themselves1 weekly1 on another evening4 ,my work now occupied every evening in the week2 and ,i had two meetings every ,sabbath4 ,by ,god's blessing they all prospered1 and gave evidence of such fruits as showed that the ,lord was working there for good by our humble instrumentality4 ,the kind cow-feeder had to inform us--and he did it with much genuine sorrow--that at a given date he would require the hay-loft1 which was our place of meeting2 and as no other suitable house or hall could be got1 the poor people and ,i feared the extinction of our work4 ,on hearing this the ostlers and other servants of ,menzies1 the coach-hirer1 who had extensive premises near our place of meeting1 of their own accord asked and obtained liberty to clear out a hay-loft of theirs that was seldom in use1 and resolved1 at their own expense1 to erect an outside wooden stair for the convenience of the people4 ,this becoming known1 and being much talked of1 caused great joy in the district1 arrested general attention1 and increased the interest of our work4 ,but ,i saw that1 however generous1 it could be at the best only another temporary arrangement1 and that the premises might again at any moment be required4 ,after prayer ,i therefore laid the whole case before my good and great-hearted friend1 ,thomas ,binnie1 ,esq41 ,monteith ,row1 and he1 after inquiring into all the circumstances1 secured a good site for a ,mission ,hall in a piece of unoccupied ground near our old hay-loft1 on which he proposed to build suitable premises at his own expense4 ,at that very time1 however1 a commodious block of buildings1 that had been ,church1 ,schools1 ,manse1 etc41 came into the market4 ,mr4 ,binnie persuaded ,dr4 ,symington's congregation1 ,great ,hamilton ,street1 in connection with which my ,mission was carried on1 to purchase the whole property for ,mission purposes4 ,its situation at the foot of ,green ,street gave it a control of the whole district where my work lay2 and so the ,church was given to me in which to conduct all my meetings1 while the other halls were adapted as ,schools for poor girls and boys1 where they were educated by a proper master1 and were largely supplied with books1 clothing1 and even food1 by the ladies of the congregation4 ,the purchasing and using of these buildings for an evangelistic and educational ,mission became a blessing--a very conspicuous blessing--to that district in the ,calton of ,glasgow2 and the blessing still perpetuates itself1 not only in the old premises1 now used for an ,industrial ,school1 but still more in the beautiful and spacious ,mission ,halls1 erected immediately in front of the old1 and consecrated to the work of the ,lord in that poor and crowded and clamant portion of the city4 ,availing myself of the increased facilities1 my work was all re-organized4 ,on ,sabbath morning1 at seven o'clock1 ,i had one of the most deeply interesting and fruitful of all my ,classes for the study of the ,bible4 ,it was attended by from seventy to a hundred of the very poorest young women and grown-up lads of the whole district4 ,they had nothing to put on except their ordinary work-day clothes1--all without bonnets1 some without shoes4 ,beautiful was it to mark how the poorest began to improve in personal appearance immediately after they came to our class2 how they gradually got shoes and one bit of clothing after another1 to enable them to attend our other meetings1 and then to go to church2 and1 above all1 how eagerly they sought to bring others with them1 taking a deep personal interest in all the work of the ,mission4 ,long after they themselves could appear in excellent dress1 many of them still continued to attend in their working clothes1 and to bring other and poorer girls with them to that morning class1 and thereby helped to improve and elevate their companions4 ,my delight in that ,bible ,class was among the purest joys in all my life1 and the results were amongst the most certain and precious of all my ministry4 ,yet it was not made successful without unceasing pains and prayers4 ,what would my younger brethren in the ,ministry1 or in the ,mission1 think of starting out at six o'clock every ,sunday morning1 running from street to street for an hour1 knocking at the doors and rousing the careless1 and thus getting together1 and keeping together1 their ,bible ,class8 ,this was what ,i did at first2 but1 in course of time1 a band of voluntary visitors belonging to the class took charge of all the irregulars1 the indifferents1 and the new-comers1 and thereby not only relieved and assisted me1 but vastly increased their own personal interest1 and became warmly attached to each other4 ,i had also a very large ,bible ,class--a sort of ,bible-reading--on ,monday night1 attended by all1 of both sexes and of any age1 who cared to come or had any interest in the work4 ,wednesday evening1 again1 was devoted to a ,prayer ,meeting for all1 and the attendance often more than half-filled the ,church4 ,there ,i usually took up some book of ,holy ,scripture1 and read and lectured right through1 practically expounding and applying it4 ,on ,thursday ,i held a ,communicants' ,class1 intended for the more careful instruction of all who wished to become full members of the ,church4 ,our constant text-book was 8,patterson on the ,shorter ,catechism10 than which ,i have never seen a better compendium of the doctrines of ,holy ,scripture4 ,each being thus trained for a season1 received from me1 if found worthy1 a letter to the minister of any ,protestant ,church which he or she inclined to join4 ,in this way great numbers became active and useful communicants in the surrounding congregations1 and eight young lads of humble circumstances educated themselves for the ministry of the ,church1--most of them getting their first lessons in ,latin and ,greek from my very poor stock of the same6 ,friday evening was occupied with a ,singing ,class1 teaching ,church music1 and practising for our ,sabbath meetings4 ,on ,saturday evening we held our ,total ,abstinence meeting1 at which the members themselves took a principal part1 in readings1 addresses1 recitations1 singing hymns1 etc4 ,great good resulted from this ,total ,abstinence work4 ,many adults took and kept the pledge1 thereby greatly increasing the comfort and happiness of their homes4 ,many were led to attend the church on the ,lord's ,day1 who had formerly spent it in rioting and drinking4 ,but1 above all1 it trained the young to fear the very name of intoxicating drink1 and to hate and keep far away from everything that led to intemperance4 ,from observation1 at an early age ,i became convinced that mere ,temperance ,societies were a failure1 and that ,total ,abstinence1 by the grace of ,god1 was the only sure preventive as well as remedy4 ,what was temperance in one man was drunkenness in another2 and all the drunkards came not from those who practised total abstinence1 but from those who practised or tried to practise temperance4 ,i had seen temperance men drinking wine in the presence of others who drank to excess1 and never could see how they felt clear of blame2 and ,i had known ministers and others1 once strong temperance advocates1 fall through their 8moderation0 and become drunkards4 ,therefore it has all my life appeared to me beyond dispute1 in reference to intoxicants of every kind1 that the only rational temperance is total abstinence from them as beverages1 and the use of them only as drugs1 and then only with extreme caution1 as they are deceptive and deleterious poisons of the most debasing and demoralizing kind4 ,i found also1 that when ,i tried to reclaim a drunkard1 or caution any one as to intemperate habits1 one of the first questions was1-- 8,are you a pledged ,abstainer yourself80 ,by being enabled to reply decidedly1 8,yes1 ,i am10 the mouth of the objector was closed2 and that gave me a hundred-fold more influence with him than if ,i had had to confess that ,i was only 8temperate40 ,for the good of others1 and for the increase of their personal influence as the servants of ,christ1 ,i would plead with every ,minister and ,missionary1 every office-bearer and ,sabbath school teacher1 every one who wishes to work for the ,lord ,jesus in the family1 the ,church1 and the world1 to be a ,total ,abstainer from all intoxicating drinks4 ,i would add my testimony also against the use of tobacco1 which injures and leads many astray1 especially the very young1 and which never can be required by any person in ordinary health4 ,but ,i would not be understood to regard the evils that flow from it as deserving to be mentioned in comparison with the unutterable woes and miseries of intemperance4 ,to be protected1 however1 from suspicion and from evil1 all the followers of ,jesus should1 in self-denial 7how small67 and consecration to ,his service1 be pledged ,abstainers from both of these selfish indulgences1 which are certainly injurious to many1 which are no ornament to any character1 and which can be no help in well-doing4 ,praise ,god for the many who are now so pledged6 ,happy day for poor ,humanity1 when all the ,lord's people adopt this self-denying ordinance for the good of the race6 ,not boastfully1 but gratefully1 let me record that my ,classes and ,meetings were now attended by such numbers that they were amongst the largest and most successful that the ,city ,mission had ever known2 and by ,god's blessing ,i was enabled to develop them into a regular1 warmly attached1 and intelligent ,congregation4 ,my work1 however exacting1 was full of joy to me4 ,from five to six hundred people were in usual weekly attendance2 consisting exclusively of poor working persons1 and largely of the humbler class of mill-workers4 ,so soon as their circumstances improved1 they were constantly removing to more respectable and healthy localities1 and got to be scattered over all the city4 ,but wherever they went1 ,i visited them regularly to prevent their falling away1 and held by them till ,i got them interested in some ,church near where they had gone to live4 ,on my return1 many years after1 from the ,foreign ,mission field1 there was scarcely a congregation in any part of the city where some one did not warmly salute me with the cry1 8,don't you remember me80 ,and then1 after greetings1 came the well-remembered name of one or other member of my old ,bible ,class4 ,such toils left me but small time for private studies4 ,the ,city ,missionary was required to spend four hours daily in his work2 but often had ,i to spend double that time1 day after day1 in order to overtake what was laid upon me4 ,about eight or ten of my most devoted young men1 and double that number of young women1 whom ,i had trained to become visitors and tract distributors1 greatly strengthened my hands4 ,each of the young men by himself1 and the young women two by two1 had charge of a portion of a street1 which was visited by them regularly twice every month4 ,at a monthly meeting of all our ,workers1 reports were given in1 changes were noted1 and all matters brought under notice were attended to4 ,besides1 if any note or message were left at my lodging1 or any case of sickness or want reported1 it was looked after by me without delay4 ,several ,christian gentlemen1 mill-owners and other employers in the ,calton1 ,mile-end1 and ,bridgeton of ,glasgow1 were so interested in my work that they kindly offered to give employment to every deserving person recommended by me1 and that relieved much distress and greatly increased my influence for good4 ,almost the only enemies ,i had were the keepers of ,public-,houses1 whose trade had been injured by my ,total ,abstinence ,society4 ,besides the ,saturday night meetings all the year round1 we held1 in summer evenings and on ,saturday afternoons1 ,evangelistic and ,total ,abstinence services in the open air4 ,we met in ,thomson's ,lane1 a short1 broad street1 not open for the traffic of conveyances1 and admirably situated for our purposes4 ,our pulpit was formed by the top of an outside stair1 leading to the second flat of a house in the middle of the lane4 ,prominent ,christian workers took part with us in delivering addresses2 an intimation through my classes usually secured good audiences2 and the hearty singing of hymns by my ,mission ,choir gave zest and joy to the whole proceedings4 ,of other so-called 8attractions0 we had none1 and needed none1 save the sincere proclamation of the ,good ,tidings from ,god to men6 ,on one occasion1 it becoming known that we had arranged for a special ,saturday afternoon demonstration1 a deputation of ,publicans complained beforehand to the ,captain of the ,police that our meetings were interfering with their legitimate trade4 ,he heard their complaints and promised to send officers to watch the meeting1 prevent any disturbance1 and take in charge all offenders1 but declined to prohibit the meetings till he received their reports4 ,the ,captain1 a pious ,wesleyan1 who was in full sympathy with us and our work1 informed me of the complaints made and intimated that his men would be present1 but ,i was just to conduct the meeting as usual1 and he would guarantee that strict justice would be done4 ,the ,publicans1 having announced amongst their sympathisers that the ,police were to break up and prevent our meeting and take the conductors in charge1 a very large crowd assembled1 both friendly and unfriendly1 for the ,publicans and their hangers-on were there 8to see the fun10 and to help in baiting the ,missionary4 ,punctually1 ,i ascended the stone stair1 accompanied by another ,missionary who was also to deliver an address1 and announced our opening hymn4 ,as we sang1 a company of ,police appeared1 and were quietly located here and there among the crowd1 the serjeant himself taking his post close by the platform1 whence the whole assembly could be scanned4 ,our enemies were jubilant1 and signals were passed betwixt them and their friends1 as if the time had come to provoke a row4 ,before the hymn was finished1 ,captain ,baker himself1 to the infinite surprise of friend and foe alike1 joined us on the platform1 devoutly listened to all that was said1 and waited till the close4 ,the ,publicans could not for very shame leave1 while he was there at their suggestion and request1 though they had wit enough to perceive that his presence had frustrated all their sinister plans4 ,they had to hear our addresses and prayers and hymns2 they had to listen to the intimation of our future meetings4 ,when all had quietly dispersed1 the ,captain warmly congratulated us on our large and well-conducted congregation1 and hoped that great good would result from our efforts4 ,this opposition1 also1 the ,lord overruled to increase our influence1 and to give point and publicity to our assaults upon the kingdom of ,satan4 ,though disappointed thus1 some of the ,publicans resolved to have revenge4 ,on the following ,saturday evening1 when a large meeting was being addressed in our ,green ,street ,church1 which had to be entered by a great iron gateway1 a spirit merchant ran his van in front of the gate1 so that the people could not leave the ,church without its removal4 ,hearing this1 ,i sent two of my young men to draw it aside and clear the way4 ,the ,publican1 watching near by in league with two policemen1 pounced upon the young men whenever they seized the shafts1 and gave them in charge for removing his property4 ,on hearing that the young men were being marched to the ,police ,office1 ,i ran after them and asked what was their offence8 ,they replied that they were prisoners for injuring the spirit merchant's property2 and the officers tartly informed me that if ,i further interfered ,i would be taken too4 ,i replied1 that as the young men only did what was necessary1 and at my request1 ,i would go with them to the ,office4 ,the cry now went through the street1 that the ,publicans were sending the ,missionary and his young men to the ,police ,office1 and a huge mob rushed together to rescue us2 but ,i earnestly entreated them not to raise disturbance1 but allow us quietly to pass on4 ,at the ,office1 it appeared as if the lieutenant on duty and the men under him were all in sympathy with the ,publicans4 ,he took down in writing all their allegations1 but would not listen to us4 ,at this stage a handsomely dressed and dignified gentleman came forward and said1-- 8,what bail is required80 ,a few sharp words passed2 another1 and apparently higher1 officer entered1 and took part in the colloquy4 ,i could only hear the gentleman protest1 in authoritative tones1 the policemen having been quietly asked some questions1-- 8,i know this whole case1 ,i will expose it to the bottom2 expect me here to stand by the ,missionary and these young men on ,monday morning40 ,before ,i could collect my wits to thank him1 and before ,i quite understood what was going on1 he had disappeared2 and the superior officer turned to us and intimated in a very respectful manner that the charge had been withdrawn1 and that ,i and my friends were at liberty4 ,i never found out exactly who the gentleman was that befriended us2 but from the manner in which he asserted himself and was listened to1 ,i saw that he was well known in official quarters4 ,from that day our work progressed without further open opposition1 and many who had been slaves of intemperance were not only reformed1 but became fervent workers in the ,total ,abstinence cause4 ,though intemperance was the main cause of poverty1 suffering1 misery1 and vice in that district of ,glasgow1 ,i had also considerable opposition from ,romanists and ,infidels1 many of whom met in clubs1 where they drank together and gloried in their wickedness and in leading other young men astray4 ,against these ,i prepared and delivered lectures1 at the close of which discussion was allowed2 but ,i fear they did little good4 ,these men embraced the opportunity of airing their absurdities1 or sowing the seeds of corruption in those whom otherwise they could never have reached1 while their own hearts and minds were fast shut against all conviction or light4 ,one infidel ,lecturer in the district became very ill4 ,his wife called me in to visit him4 ,i found him possessed of a circulating library of infidel books1 by which he sought to pervert unwary minds4 ,though he had talked and lectured much against the ,gospel1 he did not at all really understand its message4 ,he had read the ,bible1 but only to find food there for ridicule4 ,now supposed to be dying1 he confessed that his mind was full of terror as to the ,future4 ,after several visits and frequent conversations and prayers1 he became genuinely and deeply interested1 drank in ,god's message of salvation1 and cried aloud with many tears for pardon and peace4 ,he bitterly lamented the evil he had done1 and called in all the infidel literature that he had in circulation1 with the purpose of destroying it4 ,he began to speak solemnly to any of his old companions that came to see him1 telling them what he had found in the ,lord ,jesus4 ,at his request ,i bought and brought to him a ,bible1 which he received with great joy1 saying1 8,this is the book for me now20 and adding1 8,since you were here last1 ,i gathered together all my infidel books2 my wife locked the door1 till she and my daughter tore them to pieces1 and ,i struck the light that reduced the pile to ashes40 ,as long as he lived1 this man was unwearied and unflinching in testifying1 to all that crossed his path1 how much ,jesus ,christ had been to his heart and soul2 and he died in the possession of a full and blessed hope4 ,another ,infidel1 whose wife was a ,roman ,catholic1 also became unwell1 and gradually sank under great suffering and agony4 ,his blasphemies against ,god were known and shuddered at by all the neighbours4 ,his wife pled with me to visit him4 ,she refused1 at my suggestion1 to call her own priest1 so ,i accompanied her at last4 ,the man refused to hear one word about spiritual things1 and foamed with rage4 ,he even spat at me1 when ,i mentioned the name of ,jesus4 8,the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god2 for they are foolishness unto him60 ,there is a wisdom which is at best earthly1 and at worst 8sensual and devilish40 ,his wife asked me to take care of the little money they had1 as she would not entrust it to her own priest4 ,i visited the poor man daily1 but his enmity to ,god and his sufferings together seemed to drive him mad4 ,his yells gathered crowds on the streets4 ,he tore to pieces his very bed-clothes1 till they had to bind him on the iron bed where he lay1 foaming and blaspheming4 ,towards the end ,i pled with him even then to look to the ,lord ,jesus1 and asked if ,i might pray with him8 ,with all his remaining strength1 he shouted at me1-- 8,pray for me to the devil60 ,reminding him how he had always denied that there was any devil1 ,i suggested that he must surely believe in one now1 else he would scarcely make such a request1 even in mockery4 ,in great rage he cried1-- 8,yes1 ,i believe there is a devil1 and a ,god1 and a just ,god1 too2 but ,i have hated ,him in life1 and ,i hate ,him in death60 ,with these awful words1 he wriggled into ,eternity2 but his shocking death produced a very serious impression for good1 especially amongst young men1 in the district where his character was known4 ,how different was the case of that ,doctor who also had been an unbeliever as well as a drunkard6 ,highly educated1 skilful1 and gifted above most in his profession1 he was taken into consultation for specially dangerous cases1 whenever they could find him tolerably sober4 ,after one of his excessive 8bouts10 he had a dreadful attack of delirium tremens4 ,at one time1 wife and watchers had a fierce struggle to dash from his lips a draught of prussic acid2 at another1 they detected the silver-hafted lancet concealed in the band of his shirt1 as he lay down1 to bleed himself to death4 ,his aunt came and pled with me to visit him4 ,my heart bled for his poor young wife and two beautiful little children4 ,visiting him twice daily1 and sometimes even more frequently1 ,i found the way somehow into his heart1 and he would do almost anything for me and longed for my visits4 ,when again the fit of self-destruction seized him1 they sent for me2 he held out his hand eagerly1 and grasping mine1 said1-- 8,put all these people out of the room1 remain you with me2 ,i will be quiet1 ,i will do everything you ask60 ,i got them all to leave1 but whispered to one in passing to 8keep near the door40 ,alone ,i sat beside him1 my hand in his1 and kept up a quiet conversation for several hours4 ,after we had talked of everything that ,i could think of1 and it was now far into the morning1 ,i said1-- 8,if you had a ,bible here1 we might read a chapter1 verse about40 ,he said dreamily1 8,there was once a ,bible above yon press2 if you can get up to it1 you might find it there yet40 ,getting it1 dusting it1 and laying it on a small table which ,i drew near to the sofa on which we sat1 we read there and then a chapter together4 ,after this1 ,i said1 8,now1 shall we pray80 ,he replied heartily1 8,yes40 ,i having removed the little table1 we kneeled down together at the sofa2 and after a solemn pause1 ,i whispered1 8,you pray first40 ,he replied1 8,i curse1 ,i cannot pray2 would you have me curse ,god to ,his face80 ,i answered1 8,you promised to do all that ,i asked2 you must pray1 or try to pray1 and let me hear that you cannot40 ,he said1 8,i cannot curse ,god on my knees2 let me stand1 and ,i will curse ,him2 ,i cannot pray40 ,i gently held him on his knees1 saying1 8,just try to pray1 and let me hear you cannot40 ,instantly he cried out1 8,o ,lord1 ,thou knowest ,i cannot pray10 and was going to say something dreadful as he strove to rise up4 ,but ,i just took the words he had uttered as if they had been my own1 and continued the prayer1 pleading for him and his dear ones as we knelt there together1 till he showed that he was completely subdued and lying low at the feet of ,god4 ,on rising from our knees he was manifestly greatly impressed1 and ,i said1-- 8,now1 as ,i must be at ,college by daybreak and must return to my lodging for my books and an hour's rest1 will you do one thing more for me before ,i go80 8,yes10 was his reply4 8,then10 said ,i1 8it is long since you had a refreshing sleep2 now1 will you lie down1 and ,i will sit by you till you fall asleep80 ,he lay down1 and was soon fast asleep4 ,after commending him to the care and blessing of the ,lord1 ,i quietly slipped out1 and his wife returned to watch by his side4 ,when ,i came back later in the day1 after my classes were over1 he1 on hearing my foot and voice1 came running to meet me1 and clasping me in his arms1 cried1-- 8,thank ,god1 ,i can pray now6 ,i rose this morning refreshed from sleep1 and prayed with my wife and children for the first time in my life2 and now ,i shall do so every day1 and serve ,god while ,i live1 who hath dealt in so great mercy with me60 ,after delightful conversation1 he promised to go with me to ,dr4 ,symington's church on ,sabbath ,day2 there he took sittings beside me2 at next half-yearly communion he and his wife were received into membership1 and their children were baptized2 and from that day till his death he led a devoted and most useful ,christian life4 ,henceforth1 as a medical man he delighted to attend all poor and destitute cases which we brought under his care2 he ministered to them for ,jesus' sake1 and spoke to them of their blessed ,saviour4 ,when he came across cases that were hopeless1 he sent for me to visit them too1 being as anxious for their souls as for their bodies4 ,he died1 years after this1 of consumption1 partly at least the fruit of early excesses2 but he was serenely prepared for death1 and happy in the assured hope of eternal blessedness with ,christ4 ,he sleeps in ,jesus2 and ,i do believe that ,i shall meet him in ,glory as a trophy of redeeming grace and love6 ,in my ,mission district1 ,i was the witness of many joyful departures to be with ,jesus1--,i do not like to name them 8deaths0 at all4 ,even now1 at the distance of nearly forty years1 many instances1 especially amongst the young men and women who attended my classes1 rise up before my mind4 ,they left us1 rejoicing in the bright assurance that nothing present or to come 8could ever separate them or us from the love of ,god which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord40 ,several of them1 by their conversation even on their deathbed1 were known to have done much good4 ,many examples might be given2 but ,i can find room for only one4 ,john ,sim1 a dear little boy1 was carried away by consumption4 ,his childish heart seemed to be filled with joy about seeing ,jesus4 ,his simple prattle1 mingled with deep questionings1 arrested not only his young companions1 but pierced the hearts of some careless sinners who heard him1 and greatly refreshed the faith of ,god's dear people4 ,it was the very pathos of song incarnated to hear the weak quaver of his dying voice sing out1-- 8,i lay my sins on ,jesus1 ,the spotless ,lamb of ,god40 ,shortly before his decease he said to his parents1 8,i am going soon to be with ,jesus2 but ,i sometimes fear that ,i may not see you there40 8,why so1 my child80 said his weeping mother4 8,because10 he answered1 8if you were set upon going to heaven and seeing ,jesus there1 you would pray about it1 and sing about it2 you would talk about ,jesus to others1 and tell them of that happy meeting with ,him in ,glory4 ,all this my dear ,sabbath school teacher taught me1 and she will meet me there4 ,now why did not you1 my father and mother1 tell me all these things about ,jesus1 if you are going to meet ,him too80 ,their tears fell fast over their dying child2 and he little knew1 in his unthinking eighth year1 what a message from ,god had pierced their souls through his innocent words4 ,one day an aunt from the country visited his mother1 and their talk had run in channels for which the child no longer felt any interest4 ,on my sitting down beside him1 he said1-- 8,sit you down and talk with me about ,jesus2 ,i am tired hearing so much talk about everything else but ,jesus2 ,i am going soon to be with ,him4 ,oh1 do tell me everything you know or have ever heard about ,jesus1 the spotless ,lamb of ,god60 ,at last the child literally longed to be away1 not for rest1 or freedom from pain--for of that he had very little--but1 as he himself always put it1 8to see ,jesus40 ,and1 after all1 that was the wisdom of the heart1 however he learned it4 ,eternal life1 here or hereafter1 is just the vision of ,jesus4 ,amongst many of the ,roman ,catholics in my ,mission district1 also1 ,i was very kindly received1 and allowed even to read the ,scriptures and to pray4 ,at length1 however1 a young woman who professed to be converted by my classes and meetings brought things to a crisis betwixt them and me4 ,she had renounced her former faith1 was living in a ,protestant family1 and looked to me as her pastor and teacher4 ,one night1 a closed carriage1 with two men and women1 was sent from a ,nunnery in ,clyde ,street1 to take her and her little sister with them4 ,she refused1 and declined all authority on their part1 declaring that she was now a ,protestant by her own free choice4 ,during this altercation1 a message had been sent for me4 ,on arriving1 ,i found the house filled with a noisy crowd4 ,before them all1 she appealed to me for protection from these her enemies4 ,the ,romanists1 becoming enraged1 jostled me into a corner of the room1 and there enclosed me4 ,the two women pulled her out of bed by force1 for the girl had been sick1 and began to dress her1 but she fainted among their hands4 ,i called out1-- 8,do not murder the poor girl6 ,get her water1 quick1 quick60 and leaving my hat on the table1 ,i rushed through amongst them1 as if in search of water1 and they let me pass4 ,knowing that the house had only one door1 ,i quickly slipped the key from within1 shut and locked the door outside1 and with the key in my hand ran to the ,police ,office4 ,having secured two constables to protect the girl and take the would-be captors into custody1 ,i returned1 opened the door1 and found1 alas6 that these constables were themselves ,roman ,catholics1 and at once set about frustrating me and assisting their own friends4 ,the poor sick girl was supported by the arms into the carriage2 the policemen cleared the way through the crowd2 and before ,i could force my way through the obstructives in the house1 the conveyance was already starting4 ,i appealed and shouted to the crowds to protect the girl1 and seize and take the whole party to the ,police ,office4 ,a gentleman in the crowd took my part1 and said to a big ,highland policeman in the street1-- 8,mac1 ,i commit that conveyance and party to you on a criminal charge1 before witnesses2 you will suffer1 if they escape40 ,the driver lashing at his horse to get away1 ,mac drew his baton and struck1 when the driver leapt down to the street on the opposite side1 and threw the reins in the policeman's face4 ,thereupon our stalwart friend at once mounted the box1 and drove straight for the ,police ,office4 ,on arriving there1 we discovered that only the women were inside with the sick girl--the men having escaped in the scuffle and the crush4 ,what proved more disappointing was that the lieutenant on duty happened to be a ,papist1 who1 after hearing our statement and conferring with the parties in the conveyance1 returned1 and said1-- 8,her friends are taking her to a comfortable home2 you have no right to interfere1 and ,i have let them go40 ,he further refused to hear the grounds of our complaint1 and ordered the police to clear the ,office4 ,next morning1 a false and foolish account of the whole affair appeared in the ,newspapers1 condemnatory of the ,mission and of myself2 a meeting of the directors was summoned1 and the ,superintendent came to my lodging to take me before them4 ,having heard all1 and questioned and cross-questioned me1 they resolved to prosecute the abductors of the girl4 ,the ,nunnery authorities confessed that the little sister was with them1 but denied that she had been taken in there1 or that they knew anything of her case4 ,though the girl was sought for carefully by the ,police1 and by all the members of my class1 for nearly a fortnight1 no trace of her or of the coachman or of any of the parties could be discovered2 till one day from a cellar1 through a grated window1 she called to one of my class girls passing by1 and begged her to run and let me know that she was confined there4 ,at once1 the directors of the ,city ,mission were informed by me1 and ,police were sent to rescue her2 but on examining that house they found that she had been again removed4 ,the occupiers denied all knowledge of where she had gone1 or who had taken her away from their lodging4 ,all other efforts failed to find her1 till she was left at the ,poor ,house door1 far gone in dropsy1 and soon after died in that last refuge of the destitute and forsaken4 ,anonymous letters were now sent1 threatening my life2 and ,i was publicly cursed from the altar by the priests in ,abercromby ,street ,chapel4 ,the directors of the ,mission1 fearing violence1 advised me to leave ,glasgow for a short holiday1 and even offered to arrange for my being taken for work in ,edinburgh for a year1 that the fanatical passions of the ,irish ,papists might have time to subside4 ,but ,i refused to leave my work4 ,i went on conducting it all as in the past4 ,the worst thing that happened was1 that on rushing one day past a row of houses occupied exclusively by ,papists1 a stone thrown from one of them cut me severely above the eye1 and ,i fell stunned and bleeding4 ,when ,i recovered and scrambled to my feet1 no person of course that could be suspected was to be seen6 ,the doctor having dressed the wound1 it rapidly healed1 and after a short confinement ,i resumed my work and my studies without any further serious annoyance4 ,attempts were made more than once1 in these ,papist closes1 and ,i believe by the ,papists themselves1 to pour pails of boiling water on my head1 over windows and down dark stairs1 but in every case ,i marvellously escaped2 and as ,i would not turn coward1 their malice tired itself out1 and they ultimately left me entirely at peace4 ,is not this a feature of the lower ,irish1 and especially ,popish population8 ,let them see that bullying makes you afraid1 and they will brutally and cruelly misuse you2 but defy them fearlessly1 or take them by the nose1 and they will crouch like whelps beneath your feet4 ,is there anything in their ,religion that accounts for this8 ,is it not a system of alternating tyranny on the one part1 and terror1 abject terror1 on the other8 ,about this same time there was an election of elders for ,dr4 ,symington's congregation1 and ,i was by an almost unanimous vote chosen for that office4 ,for years now ,i had been attached to them as ,city ,missionary for their district1 and many friends urged me to accept the eldership1 as likely to increase my usefulness1 and give me varied experience for my future work4 ,my dear father1 also1 himself an elder in the congregation at ,dumfries1 advised me similarly2 and though very young1 comparatively1 for such a post1 ,i did accept the office1 and continued to act as an elder and member of ,dr4 ,symington's kirk session1 till by-and-by ,i was ordained as a ,missionary to the ,new ,hebrides1 where the great lot of my life had been cast by the ,lord1 as yet unknown to me4 ,all through my ,city ,mission period1 ,i was painfully carrying on my studies1 first at the ,university of ,glasgow1 and thereafter at the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,divinity ,hall2 and also medical classes at the ,andersonian ,college4 ,with the exception of one session1 when failure of health broke me down1 ,i struggled patiently on through ten years4 ,the work was hard and most exacting2 and if ,i never attained the scholarship for which ,i thirsted--being but poorly grounded in my younger days--,i yet had much of the blessed ,master's presence in all my efforts1 which many better scholars sorely lacked2 and ,i was sustained by the lofty aim which burned all these years bright within my soul1 namely1--to be qualified as a preacher of the ,gospel of ,christ1 to be owned and used by ,him for the salvation of perishing men4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,foreign ,,mission ,,claims4 ,the ,wail of the ,heathen4--,a ,missionary ,wanted4--,two ,souls on the ,altar4--,lions in the ,path4--,the ,old ,folks at ,home4--,successors in ,green ,street ,mission4--,old ,green ,street ,hands4--,a ,father in ,god4 ,happy in my work as ,i felt1 and successful by the blessing of ,god1 yet ,i continually heard1 and chiefly during my last years in the ,divinity ,hall1 the wail of the perishing ,heathen in the ,south ,seas2 and ,i saw that few were caring for them1 while ,i well knew that many would be ready to take up my work in ,calton1 and carry it forward perhaps with more efficiency than myself4 ,without revealing the state of my mind to any person1 this was the supreme subject of my daily meditation and prayer2 and this also led me to enter upon those medical studies1 in which ,i purposed taking the full course2 but at the close of my third year1 an incident occurred1 which led me at once to offer myself for the ,foreign ,mission field4 ,the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church of ,scotland1 in which ,i had been brought up1 had been advertising for another ,missionary to join the ,rev4 ,john ,inglis in his grand work in the ,new ,hebrides4 ,dr4 ,bates1 the excellent convener of the ,heathen ,missions ,committee1 was deeply grieved1 because for two years their appeal had failed4 ,at length1 the ,synod1 after much prayer and consultation1 felt the claims of the ,heathen so urgently pressed upon them by the ,lord's repeated calls1 that they resolved to cast lots1 to discover whether ,god would thus select any ,minister to be relieved from his home-charge1 and designated as a ,missionary to the ,south ,seas4 ,each member of ,synod1 as ,i was informed1 agreed to hand in1 after solemn appeal to ,god1 the names of the three best qualified in his esteem for such a work1 and he who had the clear majority was to be loosed from his congregation1 and to proceed to the ,mission field--or the first and second highest1 if two could be secured4 ,hearing this debate1 and feeling an intense interest in these most unusual proceedings1 ,i remember yet the hushed solemnity of the prayer before the names were handed in4 ,i remember the strained silence that held the ,assembly while the scrutinizers retired to examine the papers2 and ,i remember how tears blinded my eyes when they returned to announce that the result was so indecisive1 that it was clear that the ,lord had not in that way provided a ,missionary4 ,the cause was once again solemnly laid before ,god in prayer1 and a cloud of sadness appeared to fall over all the ,synod4 ,the ,lord kept saying within me1 8,since none better qualified can be got1 rise and offer yourself60 ,almost overpowering was the impulse to answer aloud1 8,here am ,i1 send me40 ,but ,i was dreadfully afraid of mistaking my own emotions for the will of ,god4 ,so ,i resolved to make it a subject of close deliberation and prayer for a few days longer1 and to look at the proposal from every possible aspect4 ,besides1 ,i was keenly solicitous about the effect upon the hundreds of young people and others1 now attached to all my classes and meetings2 and yet ,i felt a growing assurance that this was the call of ,god to ,his servant1 and that ,he who was willing to employ me in the work abroad1 was both able and willing to provide for the on-carrying of my work at home4 ,the wail and the claims of the ,heathen were constantly sounding in my ears4 ,i saw them perishing for lack of the knowledge of the true ,god and ,his ,son ,jesus1 while my ,green ,street people had the open ,bible1 and all the means of grace within easy reach1 which1 if they rejected1 they did so wilfully1 and at their own peril4 ,none seemed prepared for the ,heathen field2 many were capable and ready for the ,calton service4 ,my medical studies1 as well as my literary and divinity training1 had specially qualified me in some ways for the ,foreign field1 and from every aspect at which ,i could look the whole facts in the face1 the voice within me sounded like a voice from ,god4 ,it was under good ,dr4 ,bates of ,west ,campbell ,street that ,i had begun my career in ,glasgow--receiving #be per annum for district visitation in connection with his congregation1 along with instruction under ,mr4 ,hislop and his staff in the ,free ,church ,normal ,seminary--and oh1 how ,dr4 ,bates did rejoice1 and even weep for joy1 when ,i called on him1 and offered myself for the ,new ,hebrides ,mission6 ,i returned to my lodging with a lighter heart than ,i had for some time enjoyed1 feeling that nothing so clears the vision1 and lifts up the life1 as a decision to move forward in what you know to be entirely the will of the ,lord4 ,i said to my fellow-student1 who had chummed with me all through our course at college1-- 8,i have been away signing my banishment0 7a rather trifling way of talk for such an occasion74 8,i have offered myself as a ,missionary for the ,new ,hebrides40 ,after a long and silent meditation1 in which he seemed lost in far-wandering thoughts1 his answer was1-- 8,if they will accept of me1 ,i also am resolved to go60 ,i said1 8,will you write the convener to that effect1 or let me do so80 ,he replied1 8,you may40 ,a few minutes later his letter of offer was in the post office4 ,next morning1 ,dr4 ,bates called upon us early1 and after a long conversation1 commended us and our future work to the ,lord ,god in fervent prayer4 ,my fellow-student1 ,mr4 ,joseph ,copeland1 had also for some time been a very successful ,city ,missionary in the ,camlachie district1 while attending along with me at the ,divinity ,hall4 ,this leading of ,god1 whereby we both resolved at the same time to give ourselves to the ,foreign ,mission field1 was wholly unexpected by us1 as we had never once spoken to each other about going abroad4 ,at a meeting of the ,heathen ,missions ,committee1 held immediately thereafter1 both were1 after due deliberation1 formally accepted1 on condition that we passed successfully the usual examinations required of candidates for the ,ministry4 ,and for the next twelve months we were placed under the special committee for advice as to medical experience1 acquaintance with the rudiments of trades1 and anything else which might be thought useful to us in the ,foreign field4 ,when it became known that ,i was preparing to go abroad as ,missionary1 nearly all were dead against the proposal1 except ,dr4 ,bates and my fellow-student4 ,my dear father and mother1 however1 when ,i consulted them1 characteristically replied1 8that they had long since given me away to the ,lord1 and in this matter also would leave me to ,god's disposal40 ,from other quarters we were besieged with the strongest opposition on all sides4 ,even ,dr4 ,symington1 one of my professors in divinity1 and the beloved ,minister in connection with whose congregation ,i had wrought so long as a ,city ,missionary1 and in whose kirk session ,i had for years sat as an elder1 repeatedly urged me to remain at home4 ,he argued1 8that ,green ,street ,church was doubtless the sphere for which ,god had given me peculiar qualifications1 and in which ,he had so largely blessed my labours2 that if ,i left those now attending my classes and meetings1 they might be scattered1 and many of them would probably fall away2 that ,i was leaving certainty for uncertainty--work in which ,god had made me greatly useful1 for work in which ,i might fail to be useful1 and only throw away my life amongst ,cannibals40 ,i replied1 8that my mind was finally resolved2 that1 though ,i loved my work and my people1 yet ,i felt that ,i could leave them to the care of ,jesus1 who would soon provide them a better pastor than ,i2 and that1 with regard to my life amongst the ,cannibals1 as ,i had only once to die1 ,i was content to leave the time and place and means in the hand of ,god1 who had already marvellously preserved me when visiting cholera patients and the fever-stricken poor2 on that score ,i had positively no further concern1 having left it all absolutely to the ,lord1 whom ,i sought to serve and honour1 whether in life or by death40 ,the house connected with my ,green ,street ,church1 was now offered to me for a ,manse1 and any reasonable salary that ,i cared to ask 7as against the promised #abj per annum for the far-off and dangerous ,new ,hebrides71 on condition that ,i would remain at home4 ,i cannot honestly say that such offers or opposing influences proved a heavy trial to me2 they rather tended to confirm my determination that the path of duty was to go abroad4 ,amongst many who sought to deter me1 was one dear old ,christian gentleman1 whose crowning argument always was1-- 8,the ,cannibals6 you will be eaten by ,cannibals60 ,at last ,i replied1 8,mr4 ,dickson1 you are advanced in years now1 and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave1 there to be eaten by worms2 ,i confess to you1 that if ,i can but live and die serving and honouring the ,lord ,jesus1 it will make no difference to me whether ,i am eaten by ,cannibals or by worms2 and in the ,great ,day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen ,redeemer40 ,the old gentleman1 raising his hands in a deprecating attitude1 left the room exclaiming1-- 8,after that ,i have nothing more to say60 ,my dear ,green ,street people grieved excessively at the thought of my leaving them1 and daily pled with me to remain4 ,indeed1 the opposition was so strong from nearly all1 and many of them warm ,christian friends1 that ,i was sorely tempted to question whether ,i was carrying out the ,divine will1 or only some headstrong wish of my own4 ,this also caused me much anxiety1 and drove me close to ,god in prayer4 ,but again every doubt would vanish1 when ,i clearly saw that all at home had free access to the ,bible and the means of grace1 with ,gospel light shining all around them1 while the poor ,heathen were perishing1 without even the chance of knowing all ,god's love and mercy to men4 ,conscience said louder and clearer every day1 8,leave all these results with ,jesus your ,lord1 who said1 #8,go ye into all the world1 preach the gospel to every creature1 and lo6 ,i am with you alway4'0 ,these words kept ringing in my ears2 these were our marching orders4 ,some retorted upon me1 8,there are ,heathen at home2 let us seek and save1 first of all1 the lost ones perishing at our doors40 ,this ,i felt to be most true1 and an appalling fact2 but ,i unfailingly observed that those who made this retort neglected these home ,heathen themselves2 and so the objection1 as from them1 lost all its power4 ,they would ungrudgingly spend more on a fashionable party at dinner or tea1 on concert or ball or theatre1 or on some ostentatious display1 or worldly and selfish indulgence1 ten times more1 perhaps in a single day1 than they would give in a year1 or in half a lifetime1 for the conversion of the whole ,heathen ,world1 either at home or abroad4 ,objections from all such people must1 of course1 always count for nothing among men to whom spiritual things are realities4 ,for these people themselves1--,i do1 and always did1 only pity them1 as ,god's stewards1 making such a miserable use of time and money entrusted to their care4 ,on meeting with so many obstructing influences1 ,i again laid the whole matter before my dear parents1 and their reply was to this effect3--8,heretofore we feared to bias you1 but now we must tell you why we praise ,god for the decision to which you have been led4 ,your father's heart was set upon being a ,minister1 but other claims forced him to give it up4 ,when you were given to them1 your father and mother laid you upon the altar1 their first-born1 to be consecrated1 if ,god saw fit1 as a ,missionary of the ,cross2 and it has been their constant prayer that you might be prepared1 qualified1 and led to this very decision2 and we pray with all our heart that the ,lord may accept your offering1 long spare you1 and give you many souls from the ,heathen ,world for your hire40 ,from that moment1 every doubt as to my path of duty for ever vanished4 ,i saw the hand of ,god very visibly1 not only preparing me for1 but now leading me to1 the ,foreign ,mission field4 ,well did ,i know that the sympathy and prayers of my dear parents were warmly with me in all my studies and in all my ,mission work2 but for my education they could1 of course1 give me no money help4 ,all through1 on the contrary1 it was my pride and joy to help them1 being the eldest in a family of eleven4 ,first1 ,i assisted them to purchase the family cow1 without whose invaluable aid my ever-memorable mother never could have reared and fed her numerous flock2 then1 ,i paid for them the house-rent and the cow's grass on the ,bank ,hill1 till some of the others grew up and relieved me by paying these in my stead2 and finally1 ,i helped to pay the school-fees1 to provide clothing--in short ,i gave1 and gladly1 what could possibly be saved out of my ,city ,mission salary of #dj1 ultimately advanced to #de per annum4 ,self-educated thus1 and without the help of one shilling from any other source1 readers will easily imagine that ,i had many a staggering difficulty to overcome in my long curriculum in ,arts1 ,divinity1 and ,medicine2 but ,god so guided me1 and blessed all my little arrangements1 that ,i never incurred one farthing of personal debt4 ,there was1 however1 a heavy burden always pressing upon me1 and crushing my spirit from the day ,i left my home1 which had been thus incurred4 ,the late owner of the ,dalswinton estate allowed1 as a prize1 the cottager who had the tidiest house and most beautiful flower-garden to sit rent free4 ,for several years in succession1 my old sea-faring grandfather won this prize1 partly by his own handy skill1 partly by his wife's joy in flowers4 ,unfortunately no clearance-receipt had been asked or given for these rents--the proprietor and his cottars treating each other as friends rather than as men of business4 ,the new heir1 unexpectedly succeeding1 found himself in need of money1 and threatened prosecution for such rents as arrears4 ,the money had to be borrowed4 ,a money-lending lawyer gave it at usurious interest1 on condition of my father also becoming responsible for interest and principal4 ,this burden hung like a millstone around my grandfather's neck till the day of his death2 and it then became suspended round my father's neck alone4 ,the lawyer1 on hearing of my giving up trade and entering upon study1 threatened to prosecute my father for the capital1 unless my name were given along with his for security4 ,every shilling that ,i or any of us could save1 all through these ten years of my preparatory classes1 went to pay off that interest and gradually to reduce the capital2 and this burden we managed1 amongst us1 to extinguish just on the eve of my departure for the ,south ,seas4 ,indeed1 one of the purest joys connected with that time was that ,i received my first ,foreign ,mission salary and outfit money in advance1 and could send home a sum sufficient to wipe out the last penny of a claim by that money-lender or by any one else against my beloved parents1 in connection with the noble struggle they had made in rearing so large a family in thorough ,scottish independence4 ,and that joy was hallowed by the knowledge that my other brothers and sisters were now all willing and able to do what ,i had been doing--for we stuck to each other and to the old folks like burs1 and had all things 8in common10 as a family in ,christ--and ,i knew that never again1 howsoever long they might be spared through a peaceful autumn of life1 would the dear old father and mother lack any joy or comfort that the willing hands and loving hearts of all their children could singly or unitedly provide4 ,for all this ,i did praise the ,lord4 ,it consoled me1 beyond description1 in parting from them1 probably for ever in this world at least4 ,the ,directors of ,glasgow ,city ,mission along with the ,great ,hamilton ,street congregation1 had made every effort to find a suitable successor to me in my ,green ,street work1 but in vain4 ,despairing of success1 as no inexperienced worker could with any hope undertake it1 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,caie1 the superintendent1 felt moved to appeal to my brother ,walter1--then in a good business situation in the city1 who had been of late closely associated with me in all my undertakings1--if he would not come to the rescue1 devote himself to the ,mission1 and prepare for the ,holy ,ministry4 ,my brother resigned a good position and excellent prospects in the business world1 set himself to carry forward the ,green ,street ,mission and did so with abundant energy and manifest blessing1 persevered in his studies1 despite a long-continued illness through injury to his foot1 and became an honoured ,minister of the ,gospel1 in the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church first of all1 and now in the ,free ,church of ,scotland1 at ,chapelton1 near ,hamilton4 ,on my brother withdrawing from ,green ,street1 ,god provided for the district a devoted young ,minister1 admirably adapted for the work1 ,rev4 ,john ,edgar1 ,m4,a41 who succeeded in drawing together such a body of people that they hived off and built a new church in ,landressy ,street1 which is now1 by amalgamation1 known as the ,barrowfield ,free ,church of ,glasgow4 ,for that fruit too1 while giving all praise to other devoted workers1 we bless ,god as we trace the history of our ,green ,street ,mission4 ,let him that soweth and him that reapeth rejoice unfeignedly together6 ,the spirit of the old ,green ,street workers lives on too1 as ,i have already said1 in the new premises erected close thereby2 and in none more conspicuously than in the son of my staunch patron and friend1 another ,thomas ,binnie1 ,esq41 who in ,foundry ,boy meetings and otherwise devotes the consecrated leisure of a busy and prosperous life to the direct personal service of his ,lord and ,master4 ,the blessing of ,jehovah ,god be ever upon that place1 and upon all who there seek to win their fellows to the love and service of ,jesus ,christ6 ,when ,i left ,glasgow1 many of the young men and women of my classes would1 if it had been possible1 have gone with me1 to live and die among the ,heathen4 ,though chiefly working girls and lads in trades and mills1 their deep interest led them to unite their pence and sixpences and to buy web after web of calico1 print1 and woollen stuffs1 which they themselves shaped and sewed into dresses for the women1 and kilts and pants for men1 on the ,new ,hebrides4 ,this continued to be repeated year by year1 long after ,i had left them2 and to this day no box from ,glasgow goes to the ,new ,hebrides ,mission which does not contain article after article from one or other of the old ,green ,street hands4 ,i do certainly anticipate that1 when they and ,i meet in ,glory1 those days in which we learned the joy of ,christian service in the ,green ,street ,mission ,halls will form no unwelcome theme of holy and happy converse6 ,that able and devoted ,minister of the ,gospel1 ,dr4 ,bates1 the ,convener of the ,heathen ,missions1 had taken the deepest and most fatherly interest in all our preparations4 ,but on the morning of our final examinations he was confined to bed with sickness2 yet could not be content without sending his daughter to wait in an adjoining room near the ,presbytery ,house1 to learn the result1 and instantly to carry him word4 ,when she1 hurrying home1 informed him that we both had passed successfully1 and that the day of our ordination as ,missionaries to the ,new ,hebrides had been appointed1 the apostolic old man praised ,god for the glad tidings1 and said his work was now done1 and that he could depart in peace1--having seen two devoted men set apart to preach the ,gospel to these dark and bloody ,islands in answer to his prayers and tears for many a day4 ,thereafter he rapidly sank1 and soon fell asleep in ,jesus4 ,he was from the first a very precious friend to me1 one of the ablest ,ministers our ,church ever had1 by far the warmest advocate of her ,foreign ,missions1 and altogether a most attractive1 white-souled1 and noble specimen of an ambassador for ,christ1 beseeching men to be reconciled to ,god4 ,illustration3 ,stanford's ,geog4 ,estabt41 ,london4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides4 ,license and ,ordination4--,at ,sea4--,from ,melbourne to ,aneityum4--,settlement on ,tanna4--,our ,mission ,stations4--,diplomatic ,chiefs4--,painful ,first ,impressions4--,bloody ,scenes4--,the ,widow's ,doom4 ,on the first of ,december1 #aheg1 the other ,missionary-designate and ,i were 8licensed0 as preachers of the ,gospel4 ,thereafter we spent four months in visiting and addressing nearly every congregation and ,sabbath school in the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church of ,scotland1 that the people might see us and know us1 and thereby take a personal interest in our work4 ,that idea was certainly excellent1 and might well be adapted to the larger ,churches1 by allocating one ,missionary to each province or to so many presbyteries1 sending him to address these1 and training them to regard him as their ,missionary and his work as theirs4 ,on the #bcrd ,march1 #aheh1 in ,dr4 ,symington's church1 ,glasgow1 in presence of a mighty crowd1 and after a magnificent sermon on 8,come over and help us10 we were solemnly ordained as ,ministers of the ,gospel1 and set apart as ,missionaries to the ,new ,hebrides4 ,on the #afth ,april1 #aheh1 we left the ,tail of the ,bank at ,greenock1 and set sail in the ,clutha for the ,foreign ,mission field4 ,our voyage to ,melbourne was rather tedious1 but ended prosperously1 under ,captain ,broadfoot1 a kindly1 brave-hearted ,scot1 who did everything that was possible for our comfort4 ,he himself led the singing on board at worship1 which was always charming to me1 and was always regularly conducted--on deck when the weather was fair1 below when it was rough4 ,i was also permitted to conduct ,bible classes amongst the crew and amongst the passengers1 at times and places approved of by the ,captain--in which there was great joy4 ,nearly thirty years after1 when ,i returned the second time to ,scotland1 a gentleman of good position1 and the father of a large family in the ,west1 saluted me warmly at the close of one of my meetings1 and reminded me that he was my precentor in the ,bible class on board the ,clutha6 ,he was kind enough to say that he had never forgotten the scene and the lessons there4 ,arriving at ,melbourne1 we were welcomed by ,rev4 ,mr4 ,moor1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,samuel ,wilson1 and ,mr4 ,wright1 all ,reformed ,presbyterians from ,geelong4 ,mr4 ,wilson's two children1 ,jessie and ,donald1 had been under our care during the voyage2 and my young wife and ,i went with them for a few days on a visit to ,geelong1 while ,mr4 ,copeland remained on board the ,clutha to look after our boxes and to watch for any opportunity of reaching our destination on the ,islands4 ,he heard that an ,american ship1 the ,francis ,p4 ,sage1 was sailing from ,melbourne to ,penang2 and the ,captain agreed to land us on ,aneityum1 ,new ,hebrides1 with our two boats and fifty boxes1 for #ajj4 ,we got on board on the #abth ,august1 but such a gale blew that we did not sail till the #agth4 ,on the ,clutha all was quiet1 and good order prevailed2 in the ,f4 ,p4 ,sage all was noise and profanity4 ,the ,captain said he kept his second mate for the purpose of swearing at the men and knocking them about4 ,the voyage was most disagreeable to all of us1 but fortunately it lasted only twelve days4 ,on the #bith we were close up to ,aneityum2 but the ,captain refused to land us1 even in his boats2 some of us suspecting that his men were so badly used1 that had they got on shore they would never have returned to him6 ,in any case he had beforehand secured his #ajj4 ,he lay off the island till a trader's boat came off to see what we wanted1 and by it we sent a note to ,dr4 ,geddie1 one of the ,missionaries there4 ,early next morning1 ,monday1 he came off to us in his boat1 accompanied by ,mr4 ,mathieson1 a newly-arrived ,missionary from ,nova ,scotia2 bringing also ,captain ,anderson in the small mission schooner1 the ,john ,knox1 and a large mission boat called the ,columbia1 well manned with crews of able and willing ,natives4 ,our fifty boxes were soon on board the ,john ,knox1 the ,columbia1 and our own boats--all being heavily loaded and built up1 except those that had to be used in pulling the others ashore4 ,dr4 ,geddie1 ,mr4 ,mathieson1 ,mrs4 ,paton1 and ,i1 were perched among the boxes on the ,john ,knox1 and had to hold on as best we could4 ,on sheering off from the ,f4 ,p4 ,sage1 one of her davits caught and broke the mainmast of the little ,john ,knox by the deck1 and ,i saved my wife from being crushed to death by its fall through managing to swing her instantaneously aside in an apparently impossible manner4 ,it did graze ,mr4 ,mathieson1 but he was not hurt4 ,the ,john ,knox1 already overloaded1 was thus quite disabled2 we were about ten miles at sea1 and in imminent danger2 but the ,captain of the ,f4 ,p4 ,sage heartlessly sailed away and left us to struggle with our fate4 ,we drifted steadily towards ,tanna1 an island of ,cannibals1 where our goods would have been plundered and all of us cooked and eaten4 ,dr4 ,geddie's boat and mine had the ,john ,knox in tow2 and ,mr4 ,copeland1 with a crew of ,natives1 was struggling hard with his boat to pull the ,columbia and her load towards ,aneityum4 ,as ,god mercifully ordered it1 though we had a stiff trade wind to pull against1 we had a comparatively calm sea2 yet we drifted still to leeward1 till ,dr4 ,inglis going round to the harbour in his boat1 as he had heard of our arrival1 saw us far at sea1 and hastened to our rescue4 ,all the boats now1 with their willing native crews1 got fastened to our schooner1 and to our great joy she began to move ahead4 ,after pulling for hours and hours1 under the scorching rays of an almost tropical sun1 we were all safely landed on shore at ,aneityum about six o'clock in the evening of ,august #cjth1 just four months and fourteen days since we sailed from ,greenock4 ,we got a hearty welcome from the ,missionaries' wives on the shore1 ,mrs4 ,geddie1 ,mrs4 ,inglis1 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson1 and from all our new friends1 the ,christian ,natives of ,aneityum2 and the great danger in which both life and property had been placed at the close of our voyage1 made us praise ,god all the more1 that ,he had brought us to this quiet resting-place1 around which lay the ,islands of the ,new ,hebrides1 to which our eager hearts had looked forward1 and into which we entered now in the name of the ,lord4 ,mr4 ,copeland1 ,mrs4 ,paton1 and ,i went round the island to ,dr4 ,inglis's ,station1 where we were most cordially received and entertained by his dear lady1 and by the ,christian ,natives there4 ,as he was making several additions to his house at that time1 we received for the next few weeks our first practical and valuable training in ,mission house-building1 as well as in higher matters4 ,soon after1 a meeting was called to consult about our settlement1 and1 by the advice and with the concurrence of all1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson from ,nova ,scotia were located on the south side of ,tanna1 at ,umairarekar1 and ,mrs4 ,paton and ,i at ,port ,resolution1 on the same island4 ,at first it was agreed that ,mr4 ,copeland should be placed along with us2 but owing to the weakly state of ,mrs4 ,mathieson's health1 it was afterwards resolved that1 for a time at least1 ,mr4 ,copeland should live at either ,station1 as might seem most suitable or most requisite4 ,till the close of the sailing season1 his time was spent chiefly in the ,john ,knox1 helping ,captain ,anderson in loading and disloading the wood and house-building materials betwixt ,aneityum and ,tanna2 while ,i was occupied chiefly with the house-building and preparatory arrangements4 ,dr4 ,inglis and a number of his most energetic ,natives accompanied us to ,kwamera1 ,tanna4 ,there we purchased a site for ,mission ,house and ,church1 and laid a stone foundation1 and advanced as far as practicable the erection of a dwelling for ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson4 ,thence we proceeded to ,port ,resolution1 ,tanna1 and similarly purchased a site1 and advanced1 to a forward stage1 the house which ,mrs4 ,paton and ,i were to occupy on our settlement there4 ,lime1 for plastering1 had to be burned in kilns from the coral rocks2 and thatch1 for roofing with sugar-cane leaf1 had to be prepared by the ,natives at both stations before our return2 for which1 as for all else1 a price was duly agreed upon and was scrupulously paid4 ,unfortunately we learned1 when too late1 that both houses were too near the shore1 exposed to unwholesome miasma1 and productive of the dreaded fever and ague1--the most virulent and insidious enemy to all ,europeans in those ,southern ,seas4 ,at both ,stations1 but especially at ,port ,resolution1 we found the ,natives in a very excited and unsettled state4 ,threatened wars kept them in constant terror--war betwixt distant tribes1 or adjoining villages1 or nearest neighbours4 ,the ,chiefs1 at both ,stations1 willingly sold sites for houses1 and appeared to desire ,missionaries to live amongst them2 but perhaps it was with an eye to the axes1 knives1 fish-hooks1 blankets1 and clothing1 which they got in payment1 or hoped for in plunder1 rather than from any thirst for the ,gospel1 as they were all savages and cannibals4 ,they warily declined to promise protection to the ,mission families and the ,teachers2 but they said they would not themselves do them any harm1 though they could not say what the ,inland people might do2--not a bad specimen of diplomacy1 leaving an open door for any future emergency1 and neither better nor worse than the methods by which the civilized ,european nations make and break their treaties in peace and in war6 ,such promises meant and were intended to mean nothing4 ,the ,natives1 both on ,tanna1 and on my second home at ,aniwa1 believed that they had kept their promise1 if they inflicted no injury with their own hands1 even though they had hired others to do so4 ,no ,heathen there could be trusted one step beyond what appeared to be his own self-interest for the nonce2 and nothing conceivable was too base or cruel to be done1 if only it served his turn4 ,the depths of ,satan1 outlined in the first chapter of the ,romans1 were uncovered there before our eyes in the daily life of the people1 without veil and without excuse4 ,my first impressions drove me to the verge of utter dismay4 ,on beholding these ,natives in their paint and nakedness and misery1 my heart was as full of horror as of pity4 ,had ,i given up my much-beloved work and my dear people in ,glasgow1 with so many delightful associations1 to consecrate my life to these degraded creatures8 ,was it possible to teach them right and wrong1 to ,christianize1 or even to civilize them8 ,but that was only a passing feeling6 ,i soon got as deeply interested in them1 and in all that tended to advance them1 and to lead them to the knowledge and love of ,jesus1 as ever ,i had been in my work at ,glasgow4 ,we were surprised and delighted at the remarkable change produced on the natives of ,aneityum through the instrumentality of ,drs4 ,geddie and ,inglis in so short a time2 and we hoped1 by prayerful perseverance in the use of similar means1 to see the same work of ,god repeated on ,tanna4 ,besides1 the wonderful and blessed work done by ,mrs4 ,inglis and ,mrs4 ,geddie1 at their ,stations1 filled our wives with the buoyant hope of being instruments in the hand of ,god to produce an equally beneficent change amongst the savage women of ,tanna4 ,mrs4 ,paton had been left with ,mrs4 ,inglis to learn all she could from her of ,mission work on the ,islands1 till ,i returned with ,dr4 ,inglis from the house-building operations on ,tanna2 during which period ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson were also being instructed by ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,geddie4 ,to the ,tannese1 ,dr4 ,inglis and ,i were objects of curiosity and fear2 they came crowding to gaze on our wooden and lime-plastered house1 they chattered incessantly with each other1 and left the scene day after day with undisguised and increasing wonderment4 ,possibly they thought us rather mad than wise6 ,party after party of armed men1 going and coming in a state of great excitement1 we were informed that war was on foot2 but our ,aneityumese ,teachers were told to assure us that the ,harbour people would only act on the defensive1 and that no one would molest us at our work4 ,one day two hostile tribes met near our ,station2 high words arose1 and old feuds were revived4 ,the ,inland people withdrew2 but the ,harbour people1 false to their promises1 flew to arms and rushed past us in pursuit of their enemies4 ,the discharge of muskets in the adjoining bush1 and the horrid yells of the savages1 soon informed us that they were engaged in deadly fights4 ,excitement and terror were on every countenance2 armed men rushed about in every direction1 with feathers in their twisted hair1--with faces painted red1 black1 and white1 and some1 one cheek black1 the other red1 others1 the brow white1 the chin blue--in fact1 any colour and on any part1--the more grotesque and savage looking1 the higher the art6 ,some of the women ran with their children to places of safety2 but even then we saw other girls and women1 on the shore close by1 chewing sugar-cane and chaffering and laughing1 as if their fathers and brothers had been engaged in a country dance1 instead of a bloody conflict4 ,in the afternoon1 as the sounds of the muskets and the yelling of the warriors came unpleasantly near to us1 ,dr4 ,inglis1 leaning against a post for a little while in silent prayer1 looked on us and said1-- 8,the walls of ,jerusalem were built in troublous times1 and why not the ,mission ,house on ,tanna8 ,but let us rest for this day1 and pray for these poor ,heathen40 ,we retired to a native house1 that had been temporarily granted to us for rest1 and there pled before ,god for them all4 ,the noise and the discharge of muskets gradually receded1 as if the ,inland people were retiring2 and towards evening the people around us returned to their villages4 ,we were afterwards informed that five or six men had been shot dead2 that their bodies had been carried by the conquerors from the field of battle1 and cooked and eaten that very night by the savages at a boiling spring near the head of the bay1 less than a mile from the spot where my house was being built4 ,we had also a more graphic illustration of the surroundings into which we had come1 through ,dr4 ,inglis's ,aneityum boy1 who accompanied us as cook4 ,when our tea was wanted that evening1 the boy could not be found4 ,after a while of great anxiety on our part1 he returned1 saying1-- 8,missi1 this is a dark land4 ,the people of this land do dark works4 ,at the boiling spring they have cooked and feasted upon the slain4 ,they have washed the blood into the stream2 they have bathed there till all the waters are red4 ,i cannot get water to make your tea4 ,what shall ,i do80 ,dr4 ,inglis told him that he must try for water elsewhere1 till the rains came and cleansed the polluted stream2 and that1 meanwhile1 instead of tea1 we would drink from the cocoa-nut1 as they had often done before4 ,the lad was quite relieved4 ,it not a little astonished us1 however1 to see that his mind regarded their killing and eating each other as a thing scarcely to be noticed1 but that it was horrible that they should spoil the water6 ,how much are even our deepest instincts the creatures of mere circumstances6 ,i1 if trained like him1 would probably have felt like him4 ,next evening1 as we sat talking about the people and the dark scenes around us1 the quiet of the night was broken by a wild wailing cry from the villages around1 long-continued and unearthly4 ,we were informed that one of the wounded men1 carried home from the battle1 had just died2 and that they had strangled his widow to death1 that her spirit might accompany him to the other world1 and be his servant there1 as she had been here4 ,now their dead bodies were laid side by side1 ready to be buried in the sea4 ,our hearts sank to think of all this happening within earshot1 and that we knew it not6 ,every new scene1 every fresh incident1 set more clearly before us the benighted condition and shocking cruelties of these heathen people1 and we longed to be able to speak to them of ,jesus and the love of ,god4 ,we eagerly tried to pick up every word of their language1 that we might1 in their own tongue1 unfold to them the knowledge of the true ,god and the salvation from all these sins through ,jesus ,christ4 ,dr4 ,inglis and ,i1 with the help of the ,natives from ,aneityum1 having accomplished all that could be done for lack of lime and sawn wood to finish the new ,mission ,house on ,tanna1 made an agreement with the ,natives for knives1 calico1 and axes1 to burn lime and prepare other things for our return4 ,we then hastened back to ,aneityum1 that we might1 if possible1 get ready for settling on ,tanna before the ,rainy ,season set in4 ,that was rapidly approaching1 and it brings with it discomfort and unhealth to ,europeans throughout all these ,pacific ,isles4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,life ,,and ,,death ,,on ,,tanna4 ,our ,island ,home4--,learning the ,language4--,a ,religion of ,fear4--,with or ,without a ,god4--,ideas of the ,invisible4--,gods and ,demons4--,my ,companion ,missionary4--,pioneers in the ,new ,hebrides4--,missionaries of ,aneityum4--,the ,lord's ,arrowroot4--,unhealthy ,sites4--,the ,great ,bereavement4--,memorial ,tributes4--,selwyn and ,patteson at a ,tannese ,grave4--,her ,last ,letter4--,last ,words4--,presentiment and ,mystery4 ,our little missionary ship1 the ,john ,knox1 having no accommodation for lady passengers1 and little for anybody else1 except the discomfort of lying on deck1 we took advantage of a trader to convey us from ,aneityum to ,tanna4 ,the captain kindly offered to take us and about thirty casks and boxes to ,port ,resolution for #e1 which we gladly accepted4 ,after a few hours' sailing we were all safely landed on ,tanna on the #eth ,november1 #aheh4 ,dr4 ,geddie went for a fortnight to ,umairarekar1 on the south side of ,tanna1 to assist in the settlement of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson1 and to help in making their house habitable and comfortable4 ,mr4 ,copeland1 ,mrs4 ,paton1 and ,i were left at ,port ,resolution1 to finish the building of our house there1 and work our way into the goodwill of the ,natives as best we could4 ,on landing there1 we found the people to be literally naked and painted savages2 they were at least as destitute of clothing as ,adam and ,eve after the fall1 when they sewed fig-leaves for a girdle2 and even more so1 for the women wore only a tiny apron of grass1 in some cases shaped like a skirt or girdle1 the men an indescribable affair1 like a pouch or bag1 and the children absolutely nothing whatever6 ,at first they came in crowds to look at us1 and at everything we did or had4 ,we knew nothing of their language2 we could not speak a single word to them1 nor they to us4 ,we looked at them1 they at us2 we smiled1 and nodded1 and made signs to each other2 this was our first meeting and parting4 ,one day ,i observed two men1 the one lifting up one of our articles to the other1 and saying1-- 8,nunksi nari enu80 ,i concluded that he was asking1 8,what is this80 ,instantly1 lifting a piece of wood1 ,i said1-- 8,nunksi nari enu80 ,they smiled and spoke to each other4 ,i understood them to be saying1 8,he has got hold of our language now40 ,then they told me their name for the thing which ,i had pointed to4 ,i found that they understood my question1 ,what is this8 or1 ,what is that8 and that ,i could now get from them the name of every visible or tangible thing around us6 ,we carefully noted down every name they gave us1 spelling all phonetically1 and also every strange sound we heard from them2 thereafter1 by painstaking comparison of different circumstances1 we tried to ascertain their meanings1 testing our own guess by again cross-questioning the ,natives4 ,one day ,i saw two males approaching1 when one1 who was a stranger1 pointed to me with his finger1 and said1-- 8,se nangin80 ,concluding that he was asking my name1 ,i pointed to one of them with my finger1 and looking at the other1 inquired1-- 8,se nangin80 ,they smiled1 and gave me their names4 ,we were now able to get the names of persons and things1 and so our ears got familiarized with the distinctive sounds of their language2 and being always keenly on the alert1 we made extraordinary progress in attempting bits of conversation and in reducing their speech for the first time to a written form--for the ,new ,hebrideans had no literature1 and not even the rudiments of an alphabet4 ,i used to hire some of the more intelligent lads and men to sit and talk with us1 and answer our questions about names and sounds2 but they so often deceived us1 and we1 doubtless1 misunderstood them so often1 that this course was not satisfactory1 till after we had gained some knowledge of their language and its construction1 and they themselves had become interested in helping us4 ,amongst our most interested helpers1 and most trustworthy1 were two aged chiefs--,nowar and ,nouka--in many respects two of ,nature's noblest gentlemen1 kind at heart to all1 and distinguished by a certain native dignity of bearing4 ,but they were both under the leadership of the war-chief ,miaki1 a kind of devil-king over many villages and tribes4 ,he and his brother were the recognised leaders in all deeds of darkness2 they gloried in bloodshedding1 and in war1 and in cannibalism2 and they could always command a following of desperate men1 who lived in or about their own village1 and who were prepared to go anywhere and do anything at ,miaki's will4 ,the ,tannese had hosts of stone idols1 charms1 and sacred objects1 which they abjectly feared1 and in which they devoutly believed4 ,they were given up to countless superstitions1 and firmly glued to their dark heathen practices4 ,their worship was entirely a service of fear1 its aim being to propitiate this or that ,evil ,spirit1 to prevent calamity or to secure revenge4 ,they deified their chiefs1 like the ,romans of old1 so that almost every village or tribe had its own sacred man1 and some of them had many4 ,they exercised an extraordinary influence for evil1 these village or tribal priests1 and were believed to have the disposal of life and death through their sacred ceremonies1 not only in their own tribe1 but over all the ,islands4 ,sacred men and women1 wizards and witches1 received presents regularly to influence the gods1 and to remove sickness1 or to cause it by the ,nahak1 i4e41 incantation over remains of food1 or the skin of fruit1 such as banana1 which the person has eaten1 on whom they wish to operate4 ,they also worshipped the spirits of departed ancestors and heroes1 through their material idols of wood and stone1 but chiefly of stone4 ,they feared these spirits and sought their aid2 especially seeking to propitiate those who presided over war and peace1 famine and plenty1 health and sickness1 destruction and prosperity1 life and death4 ,their whole worship was one of slavish fear2 and1 so far as ever ,i could learn1 they had no idea of a ,god of mercy or grace4 ,let me here give my testimony on a matter of some importance--that among these ,islands1 if anywhere1 men might be found destitute of the faculty of worship1 men absolutely without idols1 if such men exist under the face of the sky4 ,everything seemed to favour such a discovery2 but the ,new ,hebrides1 on the contrary1 are full of gods4 ,the ,natives1 destitute of the knowledge of the true ,god1 are ceaselessly groping after ,him1 if perchance they may find ,him4 ,not finding ,him1 and not being able to live without some sort of god1 they have made idols of almost everything2 trees and groves1 rocks and stones1 springs and streams1 insects and other beasts1 men and departed spirits1 relics such as hair and finger nails1 the heavenly bodies and the volcanoes2 in fact1 every being and everything within the range of vision or of knowledge has been appealed to by them as ,god1--clearly proving that the instincts of ,humanity1 however degraded1 prompt man to worship and lean upon some ,being or ,power outside himself1 and greater than himself1 in whom he lives and moves and has his being1 and without the knowledge of whom his soul cannot find its true rest or its eternal life4 ,imperfect acquaintance with the language and customs of certain tribes may easily lead early discoverers to proclaim that they have no sense of worship and no idols1 because nothing of the kind is visible on the surface2 but there is a sort of freemasonry in ,heathen ,religions2 they have mysterious customs and symbols1 which none1 even amongst themselves1 understand1 except the priests and sacred men4 ,it pays these men to keep their devotees in the dark--and how much more to deceive a passing inquirer6 ,nor need we hold up our hands in surprise at this2 it pays also nearer home1 to pretend and to perpetuate a mystery about beads and crucifixes1 holy water and relics--a state of mind not so very far removed from that of the ,south ,sea islander1 not disproving but rather strongly proving that1 whether savage or civilized1 man must either know the true ,god1 or must find an idol to put in ,his place4 ,further1 these very facts--that they did worship1 that they believed in spirits of ancestors and heroes1 and that they cherished many legends regarding those whom they had never seen1 and handed these down to their children--and the fact that they had ideas about the invisible world and its inhabitants1 made it not so hard as some might suppose to convey to their minds1 once their language and modes of thought were understood1 some clear idea of ,jehovah ,god as the great uncreated ,spirit ,father1 who ,himself created and sustains all that is4 ,but it could not be done off-hand1 or by a few airy lessons4 ,the whole heart and soul and life had to be put into the enterprise4 ,the idea that man disobeyed ,god1 and was a fallen and sinful creature1--the idea that ,god1 as a ,father1 so loved man that ,he sent ,his only ,son ,jesus to this earth to seek and to save him1--the idea that this ,jesus so lived and died and rose from the dead as to take away man's sin1 and make it possible for men to return to ,god1 and to be made into the very likeness of ,his ,son ,jesus1--and the idea that this ,jesus will at death receive to the mansions of ,glory every creature under heaven that loves and tries to follow ,him1--these ideas had to be woven into their spiritual consciousness1 had to become the very warp and woof of their religion4 ,but it could be done--that we believed because they were men1 not beasts2 it had been done--that we saw in the converts on ,aneityum2 and our hearts rose to the task with a quenchless hope6 ,the ,tannese called ,heaven by the name ,aneai2 and we afterwards discovered that this was the name of the highest and most beautifully situated village on the island4 ,their best bit of ,earth was to them the symbol and type of ,heaven2 their ,canaan1 too1 was a kind of prophecy of another country1 even a heavenly ,canaan4 ,the fact that they had an ,aneai1 a promised land1 opened their minds naturally to our idea of the promised land of the future1 the ,aneai of the ,gospel hope and faith4 ,the universal craving to know the greater and more powerful gods1 and to have them on their side1 led them1 whenever we could speak their language1 to listen eagerly to all our stories about the ,jehovah ,god and ,his ,son ,jesus1 and all the mighty works recorded in the ,bible4 ,but when we began to teach them that1 in order to serve this ,almighty and living ,jehovah ,god1 they must cast aside all their idols and leave off every heathen custom and vice1 they rose in anger and cruelty against us1 they persecuted every one that was friendly to the ,mission1 and passed us through the dreadful experiences to be hereafter recorded4 ,it was the old battle of ,history2 light had attacked darkness in its very stronghold1 and it almost seemed for a season that the light would be finally eclipsed1 and that ,god's ,day would never dawn on ,tanna6 ,my companion ,missionary1 ,mr4 ,copeland1 had to go to ,aneityum and take charge of ,dr4 ,inglis's ,station1 during the absence of that distinguished ,missionary and his devoted wife1 while carrying through the press at home the first complete ,aneityumese ,new ,testament4 ,he succeeded admirably in taking up and carrying forward all their work1 and gave vital assistance in translating the ,old ,testament into the language of ,aneityum1 for his was an exact and scholarly mind4 ,after their return1 he similarly occupied the ,station of ,dr4 ,geddie on another part of the same island1 while he sought re-invigoration in ,nova ,scotia on a well-merited furlough4 ,thereafter1 he was placed on the island of ,fotuna2 and there1 with ,mrs4 ,copeland1 he laboured devotedly and zealously1 till at last she died and his own health gave way to such an extent as compelled him to retire from the ,mission field4 ,he found congenial employment in editing1 with great acceptance1 the ,sydney ,presbyterian ,witness1 and thereby still furthering the cause of the ,gospel and of ,missions4 ,a glance backwards over the story of the ,gospel in the ,new ,hebrides may help to bring my readers into touch with the events that are to follow4 ,the ever-famous names of ,williams and ,harris are associated with the earliest efforts to introduce ,christianity amongst this group of islands in the ,south ,pacific ,seas4 ,john ,williams and his young missionary companion ,harris1 under the auspices of the ,london ,missionary ,society1 landed on ,erromanga on the #cjth of ,november1 #ahci4 ,instantly1 within a few minutes of their touching land1 both were clubbed to death2 and the savages proceeded to cook and feast upon their bodies4 ,thus were the ,new ,hebrides baptized with the blood of martyrs2 and ,christ thereby told the whole ,christian world that ,he claimed these ,islands as ,his own4 ,his cross must yet be lifted up1 where the blood of ,his saints has been poured forth in ,his name6 ,the poor ,heathen knew not that they had slain their best friends2 but tears and prayers ascended for them from all ,christian souls1 wherever the story of the martyrdom on ,erromanga was read or heard4 ,again1 therefore1 in #ahdb1 the ,london ,missionary ,society sent out ,messrs4 ,turner and ,nisbet to pierce this kingdom of ,satan4 ,they placed their standard on this same island of ,tanna1 the nearest to ,erromanga4 ,in less than seven months1 however1 their persecution by the savages became so dreadful1 that we see them in a boat trying to escape by night with bare life4 ,out on that dangerous sea they would certainly have been lost1 but the ,ever-,merciful drove them back to land1 and sent next morning a trading vessel1 which1 contrary to custom1 called there and just in the nick of time4 ,they1 with all goods that could be rescued1 were got safely on board1 and sailed for ,samoa4 ,say not their plans and prayers were baffled2 for ,god heard and abundantly blessed them there1 beyond all their dreams4 ,dr4 ,turner has been specially used of ,god for educating many native teachers and missionaries and in translating and publishing edition after edition of the ,bible1 besides giving them many other educational and religious books in their own language2--blessed work1 in which1 while ,i am writing these words1 he and his gifted wife are still honourably and fruitfully engaged in the holy autumn of their days4 ,after these things1 the ,london ,missionary ,society again and again placed ,samoan native teachers on one or other island of the ,new ,hebrides2 but their unhealthiness1 compared with their own happier ,samoa or ,rarotonga1 so afflicted them with the dreaded ague and fever1 besides what they endured from the inhospitable savages themselves1 that no effective mission work had been accomplished there till at last the ,presbyterian ,missionaries were led to enter upon the scene4 ,christianity had no foothold anywhere on the ,new ,hebrides1 unless it were in the memory and the blood of the martyrs of ,erromanga4 ,the ,rev4 ,john ,geddie and his wife1 from ,nova ,scotia1 were landed on ,aneityum1 the most southerly island of the ,new ,hebrides1 in #ahdh2 and the ,rev4 ,john ,inglis and his wife1 from ,scotland1 were landed on the other side of the same island1 in #aheb4 ,an agent for the ,london ,missionary ,society1 the ,rev4 ,t4 ,powell1 accompanied ,dr4 ,geddie for about a year1 to advise as to his settlement and to assist in opening up the work4 ,marvellous as it may seem1 the ,natives on ,aneityum showed interest in the missionaries from the very first1 and listened to their teachings2 so that in a few years ,dr4 ,inglis and ,dr4 ,geddie saw about #c1ejj savages throwing away their idols1 renouncing their heathen customs1 and avowing themselves to be worshippers of the true ,jehovah ,god4 ,slowly1 yet progressively1 they unlearned their ,heathenism2 surely and hopefully they learned ,christianity and civilization4 ,in course of time a simple form of family worship was introduced into and observed by every household on the island2 ,god's blessing was asked on every meal2 peace and public order were secured2 and property was perfectly safe under the sanctifying and civilizing ,gospel of ,christ4 ,and by-and-by these ,missionaries lived to see the whole ,bible1 which they and ,mr4 ,copeland had so painfully translated1 placed in the hands of the ,aneityumese by the aid of the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society--that noblest handmaid of every ,missionary enterprise4 ,but how was this accomplished8 ,as a boon of charity8 ,listen6 ,these poor ,aneityumese1 having glimpses of this ,word of ,god1 determined to have a ,holy ,bible in their own mother tongue1 wherein before no book or page ever had been written in the history of their race4 ,the consecrated brain and hand of their ,missionaries kept toiling day and night in translating the book of ,god2 and the willing hands and feet of the ,natives kept toiling through fifteen long but unwearying years1 planting and preparing arrowroot to pay the #a1bjj required to be laid out in the printing and publishing of the book4 ,year after year the arrowroot1 too sacred to be used for their daily food1 was set apart as the ,lord's portion2 the ,missionaries sent it to ,australia and ,scotland1 where it was sold by private friends1 and the whole proceeds consecrated to this purpose4 ,on the completion of the great undertaking by the ,bible ,society1 it was found that the ,natives had earned as much as to pay every penny of the outlay2 and their first ,bibles went out to them1 purchased with the consecrated toils of fifteen years6 ,some of our friends may think that the sum was large2 but ,i know1 from experience1 that if such a difficult job had been carried through the press and so bound by any other printing establishment1 the expense would have been greater far4 ,one book of ,scripture1 printed by me in ,melbourne for the ,aniwans1 under the auspices of the ,bible ,society too1 cost eight shillings per leaf1 and that was the cheapest style2 and this the ,aniwans also paid for by dedicating their arrowroot to ,god4 ,let those who lightly esteem their ,bibles think on these things4 ,eight shillings for every leaf1 or the labour and proceeds of fifteen years for the ,bible entire1 did not appear to these poor converted savages too much to pay for that ,word of ,god1 which had sent to them the ,missionaries1 which had revealed to them the grace of ,god in ,christ1 and which had opened their eyes to the wonders and glories of redeeming love6 ,they had felt1 and we had observed1 that in all lands and amongst all branches of the human family1 the ,holy ,bible is1 wheresoever received and obeyed1 the power of ,god unto salvation2 it had lifted them out of savagery1 and set them at the feet of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,oh1 that the pleasure-seeking men and women of the world could only taste and feel the real joy of those who know and love the true ,god--a heritage which the world and all that pertains thereto cannot give to them1 but which the poorest and humblest followers of ,jesus inherit and enjoy6 ,my first house on ,tanna was on the old site occupied by ,turner and ,nisbet1 near the shore for obvious reasons1 and only a few feet above tide-mark4 ,so was that of ,mr4 ,mathieson1 handy for materials and goods being landed1 and close to the healthy breezes of the sea4 ,alas6 we had to learn by sad experience1 like our brethren in all untried ,mission fields4 ,the sites proved to be hot-beds for ,fever and ,ague1 mine especially2 and much of this might have been escaped by building on the higher ground1 and in the sweep of the refreshing trade winds4 ,for all this1 however1 no one was to blame2 everything was done for the best1 according to the knowledge then possessed4 ,our house was sheltered behind by an abrupt hill from three to four hundred feet high1 which gave the site a feeling of cosiness4 ,it was surrounded1 and much shaded1 by beautiful bread-fruit trees1 and very large cocoa-nut trees2 too largely beautiful1 indeed1 for they shut out many a healthy breeze that we sorely needed6 ,there was a long swamp all round the head of the bay1 and1 the ground at the other end on which our house stood being scarcely raised perceptibly higher1 the malaria almost constantly enveloped us4 ,once1 after a smart attack of the fever1 an intelligent ,chief said to me1-- 8,missi1 if you stay here1 you will soon die6 ,no ,tannaman sleeps so low down as you do1 in this damp weather1 or he too would die4 ,we sleep on the high ground1 and the trade-wind keeps us well4 ,you must go and sleep on the hill1 and then you will have better health40 ,i at once resolved to remove my house to higher ground1 at the earliest practicable moment2 heavy though the undertaking would necessarily be1 it seemed my only hope of being able to live on the island4 ,my dear young wife1 ,mary ,ann ,robson1 and ,i were landed on ,tanna on the #eth ,november1 #aheh1 in excellent health and full of all tender and holy hopes4 ,on the #abth ,february1 #ahei1 she was confined of a son2 for two days or so both mother and child seemed to prosper1 and our island-exile thrilled with joy6 ,but the greatest of sorrows was treading hard upon the heels of that joy6 ,my darling's strength showed no signs of rallying4 ,she had an attack of ague and fever1 a few days before her confinement2 on the third day or so thereafter1 it returned1 and attacked her every second day with increasing severity for a fortnight4 ,diarrha ensued1 and symptoms of pneumonia1 with slight delirium at intervals2 and then in a moment1 altogether unexpectedly1 she died on the #crd ,march4 ,to crown my sorrows1 and complete my loneliness1 the dear babyboy1 whom we had named after her father1 ,peter ,robert ,robson1 was taken from me after one week's sickness1 on the #bjth ,march4 ,let those who have ever passed through any similar darkness as of midnight feel for me2 as for all others1 it would be more than vain to try to paint my sorrows6 ,i knew then1 when too late1 that our work had been entered on too near the beginning of the ,rainy ,season4 ,we were both1 however1 healthy and hearty2 and ,i daily pushed on with the house1 making things hourly more comfortable1 in the hope that long lives were before us both1 to be spent for ,jesus in seeking the salvation of the perishing ,heathen4 ,oh1 the vain yet bitter regrets1 that my dear wife had not been left on ,aneityum till after the unhealthy ,rainy ,season6 ,but no one advised this course2 and she1 high-spirited1 full of buoyant hope1 and afraid of being left behind me1 or of me being left without her on ,tanna1 refused to allow the thing to be suggested4 ,in our mutual inexperience1 and with our hearts aglow for the work of our lives1 we incurred this risk which should never have been incurred2 and ,i only refer to the matter thus1 in the hope that others may take warning4 ,stunned by that dreadful loss1 in entering upon this field of labour to which the ,lord had ,himself so evidently led me1 my reason seemed for a time almost to give way4 ,ague and fever1 too1 laid a depressing and weakening hand upon me1 continuously recurring1 and reaching oftentimes the very height of its worst burning stages4 ,but ,i was never altogether forsaken4 ,the ever-merciful ,lord sustained me1 to lay the precious dust of my beloved ,ones in the same quiet grave1 dug for them close by at the end of the house2 in all of which last offices my own hands1 despite breaking heart1 had to take the principal share6 ,i built the grave round and round with coral blocks1 and covered the top with beautiful white coral1 broken small as gravel2 and that spot became my sacred and much-frequented shrine1 during all the following months and years when ,i laboured on for the salvation of these savage ,islanders amidst difficulties1 dangers1 and deaths4 ,whensoever ,tanna turns to the ,lord1 and is won for ,christ1 men in after-days will find the memory of that spot still green1--where with ceaseless prayers and tears ,i claimed that land for ,god in which ,i had 8buried my dead0 with faith and hope4 ,but for ,jesus1 and the fellowship ,he vouchsafed me there1 ,i must have gone mad and died beside that lonely grave4 ,the organ of the ,church to which we belonged1 ,the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,magazine1 published the following words of condolence3--8,in regard to the death of ,mrs4 ,paton1 one feeling of grief and regret will fill the hearts of all who knew her4 ,to add a sentence to the singularly just and graceful tribute ,mr4 ,inglis pays to the memory of the deceased1 would only mar its pathos and effect4 ,such language1 from one accustomed to weigh carefully every word he pens1 bespeaks at once the rare excellences of her that is gone1 as well as the heavy loss our ,mission and our ,church have sustained in her death4 ,her parents1 who gave her by a double baptism to the ,lord1 have this consolation1 that her death may exert a more elevating and sanctifying influence for good1 than the longest life of many ordinary ,christians4 ,deep sympathy with ,mr4 ,paton will pervade the ,church1 in the sore trial with which he has been visited40 ,dr4 ,inglis1 my brother ,missionary on ,aneityum1 wrote to the same ,magazine3--8,i trust all those who shed tears of sorrow on account of her early death will be enabled in the exercise of faith and resignation to say1 #8,the ,will of the ,lord be done2 the ,lord gave and the ,lord hath taken away3 blessed be the name of the ,lord6' ,i need not say how deeply we sympathise with her bereaved parents1 as well as with her sorrowing husband4 ,by her death the ,mission has sustained a heavy loss4 ,we were greatly pleased with ,mrs4 ,paton1 during the period of our short intercourse with her4 ,her mind1 naturally vigorous1 had been cultivated by a superior education4 ,she was full of ,missionary spirit1 and took a deep interest in the native women4 ,this was seen further1 when she went to ,tanna1 where1 in less than three months1 she had collected a class of eight females1 who came regularly to her to receive instruction4 ,there was about her a maturity of thought1 a solidity of character1 a loftiness of aim and purpose rarely found in one so young4 ,trained up in the fear of the ,lord from childhood1 like another ,mary she had evidently chosen that good part1 which is never taken away from those possessed of it4 ,when she left this island1 she had to all human appearance a long career of usefulness and happiness on ,earth before her1 but the ,lord has appointed otherwise4 ,she has gone1 as we trust1 to her rest and her reward4 ,the ,lord has said to her1 as ,he said to ,david1 #8,thou didst well in that it was in thine heart to build a ,house for ,my ,name4' ,let us watch and pray1 for our ,lord cometh as a thief in the night40 ,the ,mission ,synod at ,tanna1 on ,april #bgth1 #ahei1 passed the following resolution3--8,that this meeting deeply and sincerely sympathises with ,mr4 ,paton in the heavy and trying bereavement with which the ,lord has seen meet to visit him in the death of his beloved wife and child2 and the ,missionaries record their sense of the loss this ,mission has sustained1 in the early1 sudden1 and unexpected death of ,mrs4 ,paton4 ,her earnest ,christian character1 her devoted ,missionary spirit1 her excellent education1 her kind and obliging disposition1 and the influence she was fast acquiring over the ,natives excited expectations of great future usefulness4 ,that they express their heart-felt sympathy with the parents and other relatives of the deceased2 that they recommend ,mr4 ,paton to pay a visit to ,aneityum for the benefit of his health2 that they commend him to the tender mercies of ,him who was sent to comfort all who mourn2 and that they regard this striking dispensation of ,god's providence as a loud call to themselves1 to be more in earnest in attending to the state of their own souls1 and more diligent in pressing the concerns of ,eternity on the minds of others40 ,soon after her death1 the good ,bishop ,selwyn called at ,port ,resolution1 ,tanna1 in his ,mission ship4 ,he came on shore to visit me1 accompanied by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,c4 ,patteson4 ,they had met ,mrs4 ,paton on ,aneityum in the previous year soon after our arrival1 and1 as she was then the picture of perfect health1 they also felt her loss very keenly4 ,standing with me beside the grave of mother and child1 ,i weeping aloud on his one hand1 and ,patteson--afterwards the ,martyr ,bishop of ,nakupu--sobbing silently on the other1 the godly ,bishop ,selwyn poured out his heart to ,god amidst sobs and tears1 during which he laid his hands on my head1 and invoked ,heaven's richest consolations and blessings on me and my trying labours4 ,the virtue of that kind of ,episcopal consecration ,i did and do most warmly appreciate6 ,they urged me by many appeals to take a trip with them round the ,islands1 as my life was daily in great danger from the savages2 they generously offered to convey me direct to ,aneityum1 or wherever ,i wished to go1 as ,i greatly needed rest and change4 ,but1 with a heart full of gratitude to them1 ,i yet resolved to remain1 feeling that ,i was at the post of duty where ,god had placed me2 and besides1 fearing that if ,i left once the natives would not let me land again on returning to their island1 ,i determined to hold on as long as possible1 though feeling very weak and suffering badly from ague4 ,sorrow and love make me linger a little to quote these extracts1 printed in the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,magazine for ,january1 #ahfj1 from ,mrs4 ,paton's last letter to her friends at home4 ,it is dated from ,port ,resolution1 ,tanna1 #bhth ,december1 #aheh4 8,,my ,,dear ,,father1 ,,mother1 ,,and ,,sisters1-- 8,when ,i wrote last1 we were just about to leave ,aneityum for ,tanna1 the sphere of our future labours4 ,one can have no idea of the dark and degraded state of these poor ,heathen1 unless really living amongst them4 ,still we trust that the cloud which has so long enveloped ,tanna will soon be rolled away1 and the light of the ,sun of ,righteousness irradiate this dark land4 ,we have been here about two months1 and so far the people among whom we live appear to be friendly4 ,a numerous priesthood reside in the neighbourhood of the ,volcano1 from whom we anticipate much opposition1 as they know that wherever the ,missionary gains a footing among the people1 their influence is lost4 ,the ,tannese are very avaricious4 ,if one renders the least assistance1 he demands a most exorbitant pay2 indeed1 we can hardly satisfy them4 ,we have a number of male1 but very few female visitors1 the latter being just slaves to do all the work4 ,the men disfigure their faces with red and black paint1 and always carry spears and clubs4 ,at first ,i was quite shocked with their appearance1 but one soon becomes accustomed to such sights4 ,they likewise possess powder and muskets1--guns and tobacco being the chief objects of their ambition4 ,indeed1 such is their degraded condition that1 were not the power and grace of ,god all-sufficient1 one might almost despair of ever making any impression on them4 ,all the ,natives are in a state of entire nudity1 with this exception1 that females wear short petticoats made of grass4 ,young girls are very fond of beads1 and sometimes have their necks quite covered with them4 ,they likewise bore holes in the ear1 from which they suspend large rolls 7circles7 of tortoise shell4 ,two or three little girls come about me1 whom ,i am teaching to sew and sing2 but no great good can be accomplished till we master their language4 ,we have picked up a good many words1 and ,i trust1 with the blessing of ,god1 will soon be able to speak to them of things pertaining to their everlasting peace4 8,port ,resolution is a most beautiful ,bay4 ,i have never seen such a lovely spot4 ,indeed1 everything around delights the eye1 and #8only man is vile4' ,our house is at the head of the ,bay1 on the foundation of ,dr4 ,turner's1 from which he had to fly fifteen years ago4 ,the sea1 at full tide1 comes within a few yards of the door4 ,mr4 ,copeland is staying with us now4 ,during the ,rainy ,season1 he is to be sometimes with us1 and at other times with ,mr4 ,mathieson1 who is in delicate health4 ,the thermometer averages from #hj to #he4 ,the ,rainy ,season having now set in1 it is not likely we will have any opportunity of sending or receiving letters for three or four months4 ,i am wearying very much to hear from you4 ,i can hardly realize that nine months have rolled away since ,i left bonnie ,scotia6 ,how many changes will take place before ,i again revisit it6 ,both my husband and ,i are in excellent health1 and1 though the heat feels oppressive1 we like the climate very well4 ,a ,happy ,new ,year to you all1 and many happy returns6 ,i am writing hurriedly1 as a vessel has called1 and leaves to-morrow morning4 ,i expect to get all the news when you write1 for my interest in and affection for home and home-folks have not in the least abated4 8,now ,i must conclude2 with love to you all1 and to all my old companions1 believe me ever your loving daughter and sister1 8,,mary ,,ann ,,paton40 ,her last words were1-- 8,oh1 that my dear mother were here6 ,she is a good woman1 my mother1 a jewel of a woman40 ,then1 observing ,mr4 ,copeland near by1 she said1-- 8,oh1 ,mr4 ,copeland1 ,i did not know you were there6 ,you must not think that ,i regret coming here1 and leaving my mother4 ,if ,i had the same thing to do over again1 ,i would do it with far more pleasure1 yes1 with all my heart4 ,oh1 no6 ,i do not regret leaving home and friends1 though at the time ,i felt it keenly40 ,soon after this1 looking up and putting her hand in mine1 she said1-- 8,j4 ,c4 wrote to our ,janet saying1 that young ,christians under their first impressions thought they could do anything or make any sacrifice for ,jesus1 and he asked if she believed it1 for he did not think they could1 when tested2 but ,janet wrote back that she believed they could1 and 7added she with great emphasis7 ,i believe it is true60 ,in a moment1 altogether unexpectedly1 she fell asleep in ,jesus1 with these words on her lips4 8,not lost1 only gone before to be for ever with the ,lord10--my heart keeps saying or singing to itself from that hour till now4 ,ever since the day of our happy marriage1 a strange presentiment possessed my heart that ,i should lose her soon and suddenly4 ,perhaps ,i am not the first who has wrestled through such unworthy forebodings--that that which was so precious and blessed was about to be withdrawn6 ,our short united life had been cloudless and happy2 ,i felt her loss beyond all conception or description1 in that dark land4 ,it was verily difficult to be resigned1 left alone1 and in sorrowful circumstances2 but feeling immovably assured that my ,god and ,father was too wise and loving to err in anything that ,he does or permits1 ,i looked up to the ,lord for help1 and struggled on in ,his work4 ,i do not pretend to see through the mystery of such visitations1--wherein ,god calls away the young1 the promising1 and those sorely needed for ,his service here2 but this ,i do know and feel1 that1 in the light of such dispensations1 it becomes us all to love and serve our blessed ,lord ,jesus so that we may be ready at ,his call for death and ,eternity4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,mission ,,leaves ,,from ,,tanna4 ,native ,tannese4--8,tabooed40--,jehovah's ,rain4--8,big ,hays40--,war and ,cannibalism4--,the ,lot of ,woman4--,sacred ,days4--,preaching in ,villages4--,native ,teachers4--,the ,war ,shell4--,deadly ,superstitions4--,a ,league of ,blood4--,chiefs in ,council4--,defence of ,women4--,a ,league of ,peace4--,secret ,disciples4--,a ,christo-,heathen ,funeral4--,clever ,thieves4--,ships of ,fire4--,h4,m4,s4 ,cordelia4--,captain ,vernon and ,miaki4--,the ,captain and ,our ,chiefs4--,the ,john ,williams4--,impressions ,evanescent4--,a ,house on the ,hill4--,in ,fever ,grips4--8,noble ,old ,abraham40--,critics in ,easy ,chairs4 ,in the first letter1 sent jointly by ,mr4 ,copeland and me from ,tanna to the ,church at home1 the following statements are found3-- 8,we found the ,tannese to be painted ,savages1 enveloped in all the superstition and wickedness of ,heathenism4 ,all the men and children go in a state of nudity4 ,the older women wear grass skirts1 and the young women and girls1 grass or leaf aprons like ,eve in ,eden4 ,they are exceedingly ignorant1 vicious1 and bigoted1 and almost void of natural affection4 ,instead of the inhabitants of ,port ,resolution being improved by coming in contact with white men1 they are rendered much worse2 for they have learned all their vices1 but none of their virtues1--if such are possessed by the pioneer traders among such races6 ,the sandal-wood ,traders are as a class the most godless of men1 whose cruelty and wickedness make us ashamed to own them as our countrymen4 ,by them the poor1 defenceless ,natives are oppressed and robbed on every hand2 and if they offer the slightest resistance1 they are ruthlessly silenced by the musket or revolver4 ,few months here pass without some of them being so shot1 and1 instead of their murderers feeling ashamed1 they boast of how they despatch them4 ,such treatment keeps the ,natives always burning under a desire for revenge1 so that it is a wonder any white man is allowed to come among them4 ,indeed1 all ,traders here are able to maintain their position only by revolvers and rifles2 but we hope a better state of affairs is at hand for ,tanna40 ,the novelty of our being among them soon passed away1 and they began to show their avarice and deceitfulness in every possible way4 ,the ,chiefs united and refused to give us the half of the small piece of land which had been purchased1 on which to build our ,mission ,house1 and when we attempted to fence in the part they had left to us1 they 8tabooed0 it1 i4e41 threatened our ,teachers and us with death if we proceeded further with the work4 ,this they did by placing certain reeds stuck into the ground here and there around our house1 which our ,aneityumese servants at once knew the meaning of1 and warned us of our danger2 so we left off making the fence1 that we might if possible evade all offence4 ,they then divided the few bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees on the ground amongst themselves1 or demanded such payment for these trees as we did not possess1 and threatened revenge on us if the trees were injured by any person4 ,they now became so unreasonable and offensive1 and our dangers so increased1 as to make our residence amongst them extremely trying4 ,at this time a vessel called2 ,i bought from the ,captain the payment they demanded2 on receiving it1 they lifted the ,taboo1 and for a little season appeared to be friendly again4 ,this was the third payment they had got for that site1 and to yield was teaching them a cruel lesson2 all this we felt and clearly saw1 but they had by some means to be conciliated1 if possible1 and our lives had to be saved1 if that could be done without dishonour to the ,christian name4 ,after these events1 a few weeks of dry weather began to tell against the growth of their yams and bananas4 ,the drought was instantly ascribed to us and our ,god4 ,the ,natives far and near were summoned to consider the matter in public assembly4 ,next day1 ,nouka1 the high chief1 and ,miaki1 the war-chief1 his nephew1 came to inform us1 that two powerful ,chiefs had openly declared in that assembly that if the ,harbour people did not at once kill us or compel us to leave the island1 they would1 unless the rain came plentifully in the meantime1 summon all the ,inland people and murder both our ,chiefs and us4 ,the friendly ,chiefs said1-- 8,pray to your ,jehovah ,god for rain1 and do not go far beyond your door for a time2 we are all in greatest danger1 and if war breaks out1 we fear we cannot protect you40 ,but this friendliness was all pretence2 they themselves1 being sacred men1 professed to have the power of sending or withholding rain1 and tried to fix the blame of their discomfiture on us4 ,the rage of the poor ignorant ,heathen was thereby fed against us4 ,the ,ever-,merciful1 however1 again interposed on our behalf4 ,on the following ,sabbath1 just when we were assembling for worship1 rain began to fall1 and in great abundance4 ,the whole inhabitants believed1 apparently1 that it was sent to save us in answer to our prayers2 so they met again1 and resolved to allow us to remain on ,tanna4 ,alas6 the continuous and heavy rains brought much sickness and fever in their train1 and again their sacred men pointed to us as the cause4 ,hurricane winds also blew and injured their fruits and fruit trees1--another opportunity for our enemies to lay the blame of everything upon the ,missionaries and their ,jehovah ,god6 ,the trial and the danger daily grew of living among a people so dreadfully benighted by superstition1 and so easily swayed by prejudice and passion4 ,on ,sabbath afternoon1 the #fth of ,january1 #ahfj1 in a severe gale1 we were surprised to see a large ,sydney vessel come to anchor in the ,harbour at ,port ,resolution1 right opposite our house4 ,though wind and sea were both dangerously high1 the ,captain and all hands1 as we were afterwards informed1 coolly went to sleep4 ,gradually1 but quite perceptibly1 the vessel was allowed to drift as if by deliberate intention1 till she struck on the beach at the head of the ,bay1 and there was soon broken up and became a total wreck4 ,for this also the ignorant ,natives gave us credit1 as for everything uncommon or disagreeable on ,tanna2 but we were ever conscious that our ,lord ,jesus was near us1 and all trials that lead us to cling closer in fellowship with our ,saviour are really blessings in disguise4 ,the ,captain of that vessel1 known to us only as 8,big ,hays10 and his wife1 said to be the wife of a man in ,sydney who had run away with him1 and his like-minded crew became by their shocking conduct a horrible curse to our poor ,islanders1 and greatly embittered the feeling against us4 ,they were armed with deadly weapons1 and did their wicked will amongst our ,natives1 who durst not attack so large a party of desperate and well-armed men4 ,but they were white people1 and so were the ,missionaries2 to the savage mind that was enough1 and revenge would be taken upon the first white faces1 however innocent1 who came within their power4 ,the ,natives of ,tanna were well-nigh constantly at war amongst themselves1 every man doing that which was right in his own eyes1 and almost every quarrel ending in an appeal to arms4 ,besides many battles far inland1 one was fought closely around our house1 and several were fought around the ,harbour4 ,in these conflicts1 many men were bruised with clubs and wounded with arrows1 but few lives were lost1 considering the savage uproar and frenzy of the scene4 ,in one case1 of which we obtained certain information1 seven men were killed in an engagement1 and1 according to ,tannese custom1 the warriors and their friends feasted on them at the close of the fray1 the widows of the slain being also strangled to death1 and similarly disposed of4 ,besides those who fell in war1 the ,natives living in our quarter had killed and feasted on eight persons1 usually in sacrificial rites4 ,it is said1 that the habitual ,cannibal's desire for human flesh becomes so horrible that he has been known to disinter and feast upon those recently buried4 ,two cases of this revolting barbarism were reported as having occurred amongst the villagers living near us4 ,on another occasion the great chief ,nouka took seriously unwell1 and his people sacrificed three women for his recovery6 ,all such cruel and horrifying practices1 however1 they tried to conceal from us2 and many must have perished in this way of whom we1 though living at their doors1 were never permitted to hear4 ,amongst the ,heathen1 in the ,new ,hebrides1 and especially on ,tanna1 woman is the down-trodden slave of man4 ,she is kept working hard1 and bears all the heavier burdens1 while he walks by her side with musket1 club1 or spear4 ,if she offends him1 he beats or abuses her at pleasure4 ,a savage gave his poor wife a severe beating in front of our house and just before our eyes1 while in vain we strove to prevent it4 ,such scenes were so common that no one thought of interfering4 ,even if the woman died in his hands1 or immediately thereafter1 neighbours took little notice1 if any at all4 ,and their children were so little cared for1 that my constant wonder was how any of them survived at all6 ,as soon as they are able to knock about1 they are left practically to care for themselves2 hence the very small affection they show towards their parents1 which results in the aged who are unable to work being neglected1 starved to death1 and sometimes even more directly and violently destroyed4 ,a ,heathen boy's education consists in being taught to aim skilfully with the bow1 to throw the spear faultlessly at a mark1 to wield powerfully the club and tomahawk1 and to shoot well with musket and revolver when these can be obtained4 ,he accompanies his father and brothers in all the wars and preparations for war1 and is diligently initiated into all their cruelties and lusts1 as the very prerequisite of his being regarded and acknowledged to be a man and a warrior4 ,the girls have1 with their mother and sisters1 to toil and slave in the village plantations1 to prepare all the materials for fencing these around1 to bear every burden1 and to be knocked about at will by the men and boys4 ,oh1 how sad and degraded is the position of ,woman1 where the teaching of ,christ is unknown1 or disregarded though known6 ,it is the ,christ of the ,bible1 it is ,his ,spirit entering into ,humanity1 that has lifted ,woman1 and made her the helpmate and the friend of ,man1 not his toy or his slave4 ,to the best of our observation1 the ,heathen1 though vaguely following some division of the week into seven days1 spent the ,sabbath on ,tanna much the same as their other days were spent4 ,even when some were led to give up manual labours on that day1 they spent it1 like too many ,christians elsewhere1 in visiting friends and in selfish pleasures1 on feasting and drinking4 ,after we had been about one year on the island1 we had a morning ,church ,service1 attended by about ten ,chiefs and as many women and children belonging to them2 though1 once the ,service was over1 they paid no more attention to the ,lord's ,day4 ,on some of the more ,northern ,islands of the group1 the ,heathen had a sacred day4 ,twice1 sailing with the ,dayspring1 we cast anchor at an ,island1 but could not see a single ,native till next day1 when one who could speak broken ,english informed us that none of the people had been seen moving about because they were 8keeping their ,sunday40 ,a number of the ,tannese spoke a little ,english1 but they were the worst and most treacherous characters of all4 ,they had imbibed the profane ,trader's language and his hatred of ,missionaries and their work2 and these1 added to their own ,heathen prejudices1 made them the most troublesome and dangerous of men4 ,after the ,sabbath ,morning ,service we used to walk many miles1 visiting all the villages within reach1 even before we had got so much of their language as to be able to speak freely to the people4 ,sometimes we made a circuit amongst them1 ten or twelve miles away and as many back again4 ,we tried to talk a little to all who were willing to listen2 and we conducted the ,worship of ,jehovah1 wherever we could find two or three disposed to gather together and to sit or kneel beside us4 ,it was to flesh and blood weary work1 and in many ways disheartening--no responsive faces and hearts there to cheer us on and lift us up into fellowship with the ,lord6 ,but it helped us to see the people1 and to get acquainted with the districts around2 it also secured for us very considerable audiences1 except when they were engaged in war4 ,no real progress could be made in imparting to them spiritual knowledge1 till we had attained some familiarity with their language4 ,by finding out1 as before recorded1 the ,tannese for 8,what is this80 and 8,what is his or her name80 we got the names of things and people1 and made amazing progress towards mutual intelligence4 ,we soon found out that there were two distinct languages spoken in and around ,port ,resolution2 but we confined ourselves to that which was understood as far as the other ,mission ,station2 and1 by ,god's help and great diligence1 we were able ere long to speak to them of sin and of salvation through ,jesus ,christ4 ,twelve ,aneityumese ,teachers were at this time living on ,tanna1 but they had no ,schools1 and no ,books in ,tannese1 for that language had never yet been reduced to forms that could be printed4 ,the work of the ,teachers1 besides telling to the people around all that they could regarding ,christ and the ,christian religion1 found its highest value in presenting through their own spirit and character a nobler type of life than any that ,heathenism could show4 ,when a ,missionary arrives1 the ,teacher's first duty is to help him in house-building1 fencing1 and the many manual and other toils required in organizing the new ,station1 besides accompanying him on the inland journeys1 assisting him in regard to the language as far as possible1 and in general furthering the cause4 ,but in altogether virgin soil like that of ,tanna1 the ,aneityumese ,teacher1 or one from any other island1 had the language to acquire first of all1 not less than the ,european ,missionary1 and was therefore of little use except for manual labour1 and that too had to be carried on by signs much more than by words4 ,not only has every island its own tongue1 differing widely from and unintelligible to all the others1 but even the people on one side of an island could not sometimes understand or converse with the people on the opposite side of the same4 ,this rendered our work in the ,new ,hebrides not only exceptionally difficult1 but its progressive movement distressingly slow4 ,word had reached ,tanna1 that1 in a quarrel with ,sandal-wooders1 the ,erromangans had murdered three white men and a number of ,natives in their employment1 in revenge for the white men's shamefully entreating and murdering the ,erromangans4 ,on ,tanna all such news were reported and talked over1 when the ,chiefs and their men of war met for their evening repast--an event that generally wound up with drinking ,kava1 which first produced intoxication like whisky and then stupefaction like a dose of laudanum4 ,excited by the rumours from ,erromanga1 they had drunk more than usual1 and lay about their ,village ,drinking-,hall in a helpless host4 ,enemies from an inland tribe stealthily drew near1 and discharged their muskets amongst them in the dark1 killing one man1 and so1 according to their custom1 war was known to be declared4 ,early next morning1 ,miaki1 the war-chief1 despatched his herald to sound the ,conch and summon the people to battle4 ,he made the ,harbour and all the country resound with it for six miles around1 and the savage hordes gathered to the call4 ,putting our trust in ,god1 we quietly resolved to attend as usual to our work and await the result4 ,excitement and terror drove the ,natives hither and thither4 ,one man close to us being nearly killed1 his friends assembled in great force1 and with clubs and spears1 tomahawks and muskets1 drove the offending tribe more than a mile into the bush4 ,they1 in turn1 being reinforced1 drove their enemies back again to the beach4 ,there1 seated within hearing distance1 they carried on a grand sort of barbarous-,homeric scolding match1 and exhausted their rage in javelins of reproach4 ,a great relief seemed thereby to ensue1 for the rival ,chiefs thereon approached our house and entreated me to dress their wounds6 ,i did so1 and appealed to them for peace1 and got their promise to let that conflict come to an end4 ,alas1 for the passing influence of such appeals1--for ,i learned shortly after this1 on my return from ,aneityum1 where ,i had gone for a fortnight to recruit from the effects of an almost three months' continuance of recurring ague and fever1 that eight of the ,harbour people had been murdered near our house at ,port ,resolution4 ,the ,natives got into a dreadfully unsettled state1 each one wondering in terror who would be the next to fall4 ,about the time of my dear wife's death1 our brother ,missionary1 ,mr4 ,mathieson1 also became exceedingly unwell4 ,his delicate frame fast gave way1 and brought with it weakness of the mind as well2 and he was removed to ,aneityum apparently in a dying condition4 ,these sad visitations had a bad effect on the ,natives1 owing to their wild superstitions about the cause of death and sickness4 ,we had reason to fear that they would even interfere with the precious grave1 over which we kept careful watch for a season2 but ,god mercifully restrained them4 ,unfortunately1 however1 one of my ,aneityumese ,teachers who had gone round to ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station took ill and died there1 and this rekindled all their prejudices4 ,he1 poor fellow1 before death said1-- 8,i will not again return to ,port ,resolution1 or see my dear ,missi2 but tell him that ,i die happy1 for ,i love ,jesus much1 and am going to ,jesus60 ,hearing these things1 the ,natives insolently demanded me to tell them the cause of this death1 and of ,mr4 ,mathieson's trouble1 and of the other deaths4 ,other reasoning or explanation being to them useless1 ,i turned the tables1 and demanded them to tell me why all this trouble and death had overtaken us in their land1 and whether they themselves were not the cause of it all8 ,strange to say1 this simple question turned the whole current of their speculations4 ,they held meeting after meeting to discuss it for several days1 and returned the message1-- 8,we do not blame you1 and you must not blame us for causing these troubles and deaths2 but we believe that a ,bushman must have got hold of portion of something we had eaten1 and must have thrown it to the great ,evil ,spirit in the volcano1 thereby bringing all these troubles and curses40 ,another ,chief vindicated himself and others thus3--8,karapanamun1 the ,auruman or great ,evil ,spirit of ,tanna1 whom we all fear and worship1 is causing these troubles2 for he knows that if we become worshippers of your ,jehovah ,god1 we cannot continue to fear him1 or present him with the best of everything1 as our forefathers have always done2 he is angry at you and at us all40 ,the fear of the deaths and troubles being ascribed to them silenced their talk against us for a season2 but very little made them either friends or foes1 as the next event will too painfully show4 ,nowhat1 an old ,chief of the highest rank from ,aneityum1 who spoke ,tannese and was much respected by the ,natives all round the south side of ,tanna1 came on a visit to our island4 ,after returning home1 he became very ill and died in a few days4 ,the deluded ,tannese1 hearing of his death1 ascribed it to me and the ,worship1 and resolved to burn our house and property1 and either murder the whole ,mission party1 or compel us to leave the island4 ,nowhat's brother was sent from ,aneityum to talk to the ,tannese and conciliate them1 but unfortunately he could not speak the language well2 and the ,aneityumese ,teachers felt their lives to be at this time in such danger that they durst not accompany him as interpreters1 while ,i on the other hand did not understand his language1 nor he1 mine4 ,within two days after landing1 he had a severe attack of ague and fever2 and1 though the vessel he came in remained eight days1 he was prostrated all the time1 so that his well-intentioned visit did us much harm4 ,the ,tannese became furious4 ,this was proof positive1 that we were the cause of all their sickness and death4 ,inland and all along the weather side of the island1 when far enough away from us1 they said that the ,natives were enjoying excellent health4 ,meeting after meeting was held2 exciting speeches were delivered2 and feasts were given1 for which it was said that several women were sacrificed1 cooked1 and eaten1--such being the bonds by which they entered into covenant with each other for life or death4 ,on the morning of the following ,sabbath1 we heard what were said to be the dying shrieks of two woman-sacrifices2 but we went not near1--we had no power to save them1 and the savages only waited such a chance of sacrificing us too4 ,soon after1 three women came running to the ,mission ,house1 and in tears implored us to try and protect them from being killed by their husbands4 ,alas1 we could only plead for them1 the ,tannese and ,aneityumese ,teachers warning us that if we even pled we would be instantly murdered1 as the men were raging mad with the thirst of blood4 ,at another time1 eight inland girls came running to us and sat in front of our house all day1 saying they were afraid to go home1 as the men were fighting with their women and killing them4 ,at nightfall1 however1 the poor creatures withdrew1 we knew not to what fate4 ,the inhabitants for miles around united in seeking our destruction1 but ,god put it into even savage hearts to save us4 ,old ,nowar1 the ,chief under whom we lived1 and the ,chief next under him1 ,arkurat1 set themselves to rescue us4 ,along with ,manuman and ,sirawia they opposed every plan in the public assembly for taking our lives4 ,some of their people also remained friendly to us1 and by the help of our ,aneityumese ,teachers1 warned us of danger and protected our lives4 ,determined not to be baffled1 a meeting of all our enemies on the island was summoned1 and it was publicly resolved that a band of men be selected and enjoined to kill the whole of those friendly to the ,mission1 old ,nowar among the rest1 and not only to murder the ,mission party1 but also a ,trader who had lately landed to live there1 that no one might be left to give information to the white men or bring punishment on the islanders4 ,frenzy of excitement prevailed1 and the blood-fiend seemed to over-ride the whole assembly2 when1 under an impulse that surely came from the ,lord of ,pity1 one great warrior ,chief who had hitherto kept silent1 rose1 swung aloft a mighty club and smashing it earthwards1 cried aloud1-- 8,the man that kills ,missi must first kill me1--the men that kill the ,mission ,teachers must first kill me and my people1--for we shall stand by them and defend them till death40 ,instantaneously1 another ,chief thundered in with the same declaration2 and the great assembly broke up in dismay4 ,all the more remarkable was this deliverance1 as these two ,chiefs lived nearly four miles inland1 and1 as reputed disease makers and sacred men1 were regarded as amongst our bitterest enemies4 ,it had happened that1 a brother of the former ,chief having been wounded in battle1 ,i had dressed his wounds and he recovered1 for which perhaps he now favoured us4 ,but ,i do not put very much value on that consideration2 for too clearly did our dear ,lord ,jesus interpose directly on our behalf that day4 ,i and my defenceless company had spent it in anxious prayers and tears2 and our hearts overflowed with gratitude to the ,saviour who rescued us from the lions' jaws4 ,illustration3 8,,the ,,man ,,that ,,kills ,,missi ,,must ,,first ,,kill ,,me40 ,the excitement did not at once subside1 men continuing to club and beat the women for the smallest offence4 ,at every opportunity ,i denounced their conduct and rebuked them severely1--especially one wretch1 who beat his wife just in front of our house as well as one of the women who tried to protect her4 ,on the following day1 he returned with an armed band1 and threatened our lives2 but ,i stood up in front of their weapons1 and firmly condemned their conduct1 telling that man particularly that his conduct was bad and cowardly4 ,at length his wrath gave way2 he grounded his club in a penitent mood1 and promised to refrain from such evil ways4 ,leaving all consequences to the disposal of my ,lord1 ,i determined to make an unflinching stand against wife-beating and widow-strangling1 feeling confident that even their natural conscience would be on my side4 ,i accordingly pled with all who were in power to unite and put down these shocking and disgraceful customs4 ,at length1 ten ,chiefs entered into an agreement not to allow any more beating of wives or strangling of widows1 and to forbid all common labour on the ,lord's ,day2 but alas1 except for purposes of war or other wickedness1 the influence of the ,chiefs on ,tanna was comparatively small4 ,one ,chief boldly declared1-- 8,if we did not beat our women1 they would never work2 they would not fear and obey us2 but when we have beaten1 and killed1 and feasted on two or three1 the rest are all very quiet and good for a long time to come60 ,i tried to show him how cruel it was1 besides that it made them unable for work1 and that kindness would have a much better effect2 but he promptly assured me that ,tannese women 8could not understand kindness40 ,for the sake of teaching by example1 my ,aneityumese ,teachers and ,i used to go a mile or two inland on the principal pathway1 along with the ,teachers' wives1 and there1 cutting and carrying home a heavy load of firewood for myself and each of the men1 while we gave only a small burden to each of the women4 ,meeting many ,tanna men by the way1 ,i used to explain to them that this was how ,christians helped and treated their wives and sisters1 and then they loved their husbands and were strong to work at home2 and that as men were made stronger1 they were intended to bear the heavier burdens1 and especially in all labours out of doors4 ,our habits and practices had thus as much to do as1 perhaps more than1 all our appeals1 in leading them to glimpses of the life to which the ,lord ,jesus was calling them4 ,another war-burst1 that caused immense consternation1 passed over with only two or three deaths2 and ,i succeeded in obtaining the consent of twenty ,chiefs to fight no more except on the defensive1--a covenant to which1 for a considerable time1 they strictly adhered1 in the midst of fierce provocations4 ,but to gain any such end1 the masses of the people must be educated to the point of desiring it4 ,the few cannot1 in such circumstances1 act up to it1 without laying themselves open to be down-trodden and swept away by the savages around4 ,about this time1 several men1 afraid or ashamed by day1 came to me regularly by night for conversation and instruction4 ,having seen the doors of the ,mission ,house made fast and the windows blinded so that they could not be observed1 they continued with me for many hours1 asking all strange questions about the new ,religion and its laws4 ,i remember one ,chief particularly1 who came often1 saying to me1-- 8,i would be an ,awfuaki man 7i4e41 a ,christian7 were it not that all the rest would laugh at me2 that ,i could not stand60 8,almost persuaded03--before you blame him1 remember how many in ,christian lands and amid greater privileges live and die without ever passing beyond that stage4 ,the wife of one of those ,chiefs died1 and he resolved to imitate a ,christian burial4 ,having purchased white calico from a ,trader1 he came to me for some tape which the ,trader could not supply1 and told me that he was going to dress the body as he had seen my dear wife's dressed and lay her also in a similar grave4 ,he declined my offer to attend the funeral and to pray with them1 as in that case many of the villagers would not attend4 ,he wanted all the people to be present1 to see and to hear1 as it was the first funeral of the kind ever celebrated among the ,tannese2 and my friend ,nowar the ,chief had promised to conduct a ,service and offer prayer to ,jehovah before all the ,heathen4 ,it moved me to many strange emotions1 this ,christian burial1 conducted by a ,heathen and in the presence of ,heathens1 with an appeal to the true and living ,god by a man as yet darkly groping among idols and superstitions6 ,many were the wondering questions from time to time addressed to me4 ,the idea of a resurrection from the dead was that which most keenly interested these ,natives1 and called forth all their powers of inquiry and argument4 ,thus the waves of hope and fear swept alternately across our lives2 but we embraced every possible opportunity of telling them the story of the life and death of ,jesus1 in the strong hope that ,god would spare us yet to bring the benighted ,heathen to the knowledge of the true salvation1 and to love and serve the only ,saviour4 ,illustration3 ,,natives ,,stealing ,,property4 ,confessedly1 however1 it was uphill1 weary1 and trying work4 ,for one thing1 these ,tannese were terribly dishonest2 and when there was any special sickness1 or excitement from any cause1 their bad feeling towards the ,worship was displayed by the more insolent way in which they carried off whatever they could seize4 ,when ,i opposed them1 the club or tomahawk1 the musket or kawas 7i4e41 killing stone71 being instantly raised1 intimated that my life would be taken1 if ,i resisted them4 ,their skill in stealing on the sly was phenomenal6 ,if an article fell1 or was seen on the floor1 a ,tannaman would neatly cover it with his foot1 while looking you frankly in the face1 and1 having fixed it by his toes or by bending in his great toe like a thumb to hold it1 would walk off with it1 assuming the most innocent look in the world4 ,in this way1 a knife1 a pair of scissors1 or any smaller article1 would at once disappear4 ,another fellow would deftly stick something out of sight amongst the whip-cord plaits of his hair1 another would conceal it underneath his naked arm1 while yet another would shamelessly lift what he coveted and openly carry it away4 ,with most of them1 however1 the shame was not in the theft1 but in doing it so clumsily that they were discovered6 ,once1 after continuous rain and a hot damp atmosphere1 when the sun shone out ,i put my bed-clothes on a rope to dry4 ,i stood at hand watching1 as also the wives of two ,teachers1 for things were mysteriously disappearing almost under our very eyes4 ,suddenly1 ,miaki1 who with his war-companions had been watching us unobserved1 came rushing to me breathless and alone1 crying1-- 8,missi1 come in1 quick1 quick6 ,i want to tell you something and to get your advice60 ,he ran into my house1 and ,i followed2 but before he had got into his story1 we heard the two women crying out1-- 8,missi1 missi1 come quick6 ,miaki's men are stealing your sheets and blankets60 ,i ran at once1 but all were gone into the bush1 and with them my sheets and blankets4 ,miaki for a moment looked abashed1 as ,i charged him with deceiving me just to give his men their opportunity4 ,but he soon rose to the occasion4 ,he wrought himself into a towering rage at them1 flourished his huge club and smashed the bushes all around1 shouting to me1-- 8,thus will ,i smash these fellows1 and compel them to return your clothes40 ,perhaps he hoped to move me to intercede for his men1 and to prevent bloodshed1 as he knew that ,i always did1 even to my own loss2 but ,i resisted all his tricks1 and urged him to return these articles at once if there were any honour or honesty in him or his men4 ,of course1 he left me but to share the plunder4 ,he kept out of my way for a considerable time1 which showed some small glimmering of conscience somewhere2 and when ,i tackled him on the subject1 at our first meeting1 he declared he was unable to get the articles back1 which of course showed the lying spirit1 amongst them everywhere applauded1--for a lie that succeeded1 or seemed to succeed1 was in their esteem a crowning virtue4 ,one dark night1 ,i heard them amongst my fowls4 ,these ,i had purchased from them for knives and calico2 and they now stole them all away1 dead or alive4 ,had ,i interfered1 they would have gloried in the chance to club or shoot me in the dark1 when no one could exactly say who had done the deed4 ,several of the few goats1 which ,i had for milk1 were also killed or driven away2 indeed1 all the injury that was possible was done to me1 short of taking away my life1 and that was now frequently attempted4 ,having no fires or fireplaces in my ,mission ,house1 such being not required there1--though sometimes a fire would have been invaluable for drying our bed-clothes in the ,rainy ,season1--we had a house near by in which all our food was cooked1 and there1 under lock and key we secured all our cooking utensils1 pots1 dishes1 etc4 ,one night1 that too was broken into1 and everything was stolen4 ,in consternation1 ,i appealed to the ,chief1 telling him what had been done4 ,he also flew into a great rage1 and vowed vengeance on the thieves1 saying that he would compel them to return everything4 ,but1 of course1 nothing was returned2 the thief could not be found6 ,i1 unable to live without something in which to boil water1 at length offered a blanket to any one that would bring back my kettle4 ,miaki himself1 after much professed difficulty1 returned it minus the lid--that1 he said1 probably fishing for a higher bribe1 could not be got at any price1 being at the other side of the island in a tribe over which he had no control6 ,in the circumstances1 ,i was glad to get kettle minus lid--realizing how life itself may depend on so small a luxury6 ,having no means of redress1 and feeling ourselves entirely at their mercy1 we strove quietly to bear all and to make as little of our trials as possible2 indeed1 we bore them all gladly for ,jesus' sake4 ,all through these sorrows1 our assurance deepened rather than faded1 that if ,god only spared us to lead them to love and serve the same ,lord ,jesus1 they would soon learn to treat us as their friend and helper4 ,that1 however1 did not do away with the hard facts of my life--being now entirely alone amongst them1 and opposed by their cruelty at every turn1 and deceived by their unfailing lies4 ,one morning1 the ,tannese1 rushing towards me in great excitement1 cried1-- 8,missi1 ,missi1 there is a ,god1 or a ship on fire1 or something of fear1 coming over the sea6 ,we see no flames1 but it smokes like a volcano4 ,is it a ,spirit1 ,god1 or a ship on fire8 ,what is it8 what is it80 ,one party after another followed in quick succession1 shouting the same questions1 in great alarm1 to which ,i replied1-- 8,i cannot go at once2 ,i must dress first in my best clothes2 it will likely be one of ,queen ,victoria's ,men-of-war1 coming to ask of me if your conduct is good or bad1 if you are stealing my property1 or threatening my life1 or how you are using me80 ,they pled with me to go and see it2 but ,i made much fuss about dressing and getting ready to meet the great ,chief on the vessel1 and would not go with them4 ,the two principal ,chiefs now came running and asked1-- ,illustration3 ,,natives ,,returning ,,stolen ,,property-- 8,missi1 will it be a ship of war80 ,i called to them1 8,i think it will2 but ,i have no time to speak to you now1 ,i must get on my best clothes60 ,they said1 8,missi1 only tell us1 will he ask you if we have been stealing your things80 ,i answered1 8,i expect he will40 ,they asked1 8,and will you tell him80 ,i said1 8,i must tell him the truth2 if he asks1 ,i will tell him40 ,they then cried out1 8,oh1 ,missi1 tell him not6 ,everything shall be brought back to you at once1 and no one will be allowed again to steal from you40 ,then said ,i1 8,be quick6 ,everything must be returned before he comes4 ,away1 away6 and let me get ready to meet the great ,chief on the ,man-of-war40 ,hitherto1 no thief could ever be found1 and no ,chief had power to cause anything to be restored to me2 but now1 in an incredibly brief space of time1 one came running to the ,mission ,house with a pot1 another with a pan1 another with a blanket1 others with knives1 forks1 plates1 and all sorts of stolen property4 ,the ,chiefs called me to receive these things1 but ,i replied1-- 8,lay them all down at the door1 bring everything together quickly2 ,i have no time to speak with you60 ,i delayed my toilet1 enjoying mischievously the magical effect of an approaching vessel that might bring penalty to thieves4 ,at last the ,chiefs1 running in breathless haste1 called out to me1-- 8,missi1 ,missi1 do tell us1 is the stolen property all here80 ,of course ,i could not tell1 but1 running out1 ,i looked on the promiscuous heap of my belongings1 and said1-- 8,i don't see the lid of the kettle there yet60 ,one ,chief said1 8,no1 ,missi1 for it is on the other side of the island2 but tell him not1 ,i have sent for it1 and it will be here to-morrow40 ,i answered1 8,i am glad you have brought back so much2 and now1 if you three ,chiefs1 ,nauka1 ,miaki1 and ,nowar1 do not run away when he comes1 he will not likely punish you2 but1 if you and your people run away1 he will ask me why you are afraid and ,i will be forced to tell him6 ,keep near me and you are all safe2 only there must be no more stealing from me40 ,they said1 8,we are in black fear1 but we will keep near you1 and our bad conduct to you is done40 ,the charm and joy of that morning are fresh to me still1 when ,h4,m4,s4 ,cordelia1 ,captain ,vernon1 steamed into our lovely ,harbour4 ,the ,commander1 having heard rumour of my dangers on ,tanna1 kindly came on shore as soon as the ship cast anchor1 with two boats1 and a number of his officers and men1 so far armed4 ,he was dressed in splendid uniform1 being a tall and handsome man1 and he and his attendants made a grand and imposing show4 ,on seeing ,captain ,vernon's boat nearing the shore1 and the men glittering in gold lace and arms1 ,miaki the ,chief left my side on the beach and rushed towards his village4 ,i concluded that he had run for it through terror1 but he had other and more civilized intentions in his heathen head6 ,having obtained1 from some trader or visitor in previous days1 a soldier's old red coat1 he had resolved to rise to the occasion and appear in his best before the ,captain and his men4 ,as ,i was shaking hands with them and welcoming them to ,tanna1 ,miaki returned with the short red coat on1 buttoned tightly round his otherwise naked body2 and1 surmounted by his ugly painted face and long whipcords of twisted hair1 it completely spoiled any appearance that he might otherwise have had of savage freedom1 and made him look a dirty and insignificant creature4 ,the ,captain was talking to me1 his men stood in order near by1--to my eyes1 oh how charming a glimpse of ,home life6--when ,miaki marched up and took his place most consequentially at my side4 ,he felt himself the most important personage in the scene1 and with an attempt at haughty dignity he began to survey the visitors4 ,all eyes were fixed on the impudent little man1 and the ,captain asked1-- 8,what sort of character is this80 ,i replied1 8,this is ,miaki1 our great war ,chief20 and whispered to the ,captain to be on his guard1 as this man knew a little ,english1 and might understand or misunderstand just enough to make it afterwards dangerous to me4 ,the ,captain only muttered1 8,the contemptible creature60 ,but such words were far enough beyond ,miaki's vocabulary1 so he looked on and grinned complacently4 ,at last he said1 8,missi1 this great ,chief whom ,queen ,victoria has sent to visit you in her ,man-of-war1 cannot go over the whole of this island so as to be seen by all our people2 and ,i wish you to ask him if he will stand by a tree1 and allow me to put a spear on the ground at his heel1 and we will make a nick in it at the top of his head1 and the spear will be sent round the island to let all the people see how tall this great man is60 ,they were delighted at the good ,captain agreeing to their simple request2 and that spear was exhibited to thousands1 as the vessel1 her ,commander1 officers1 and men1 were afterwards talked of round and round the island4 ,captain ,vernon was extremely kind1 and offered to do anything in his power for me1 thus left alone on the island amongst such savages2 but1 as my main difficulties were connected with my spiritual work amongst them rousing up their cruel prejudices1 ,i did not see how his kindness could effectually interpose4 ,at his suggestion1 however1 ,i sent a general invitation to all the ,chiefs within reach1 to meet the ,captain next morning at my house4 ,true to their instincts of suspicion and fear1 they despatched all their women and children to the beach on the opposite side of the island beyond reach of danger1 and next morning my house was crowded with armed men1 manifestly much afraid4 ,punctually at the hour appointed1 #aj a4m41 the ,captain came on shore2 and soon thereafter twenty ,chiefs were seated with him in my house4 ,he very kindly spent about an hour1 giving them wise counsels and warning them against outrages on strangers1 all calculated to secure our safety and advance the interests of our ,mission work4 ,he then invited all the ,chiefs to go on board and see his vessel4 ,they were taken to see the ,armoury1 and the sight of the big guns running so easily on rails vastly astonished them4 ,he then placed them round us on deck and showed them two shells discharged towards the ,ocean1 at which1 as they burst and fell far off1 splash--splashing into the water1 the terror of the ,natives visibly increased4 ,but1 when he sent a large ball crashing through a cocoa-nut grove1 breaking the trees like straws and cutting its way clear and swift1 they were quite dumb-foundered and pled to be again set safely on shore4 ,after receiving each some small gift1 however1 they were reconciled to the situation1 and returned immensely interested in all that they had seen4 ,doubtless many a wild romance was spun by these savage heads1 in trying to describe and hand down to others the wonders of the fire-god of the sea1 and the ,captain of the great white ,queen4 ,how easily it all lends itself to the service of poetry and myth6 ,about this time also1 the ,london ,missionary ,society's ship1 the ,john ,williams1 visited me1 having on board the ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,turner1 ,inglis1 ,baker1 and ,macfarlan4 ,they urged me to go with them on a three weeks' trip round the ,islands1 as ,i had lately suffered much from fever and ague1 and was greatly reduced by it4 ,but a party of ,bush natives had killed one of our ,harbour people the week before1 and sadly bruised several others with their clubs1 and ,i feared a general war of revenge if ,i left--for my presence amongst them at least helped to keep the peace4 ,i also was afraid that1 if ,i left1 they might not allow me to return to the island1--so ,i declined once more the pleasure of much-needed change and rest4 ,further1 as the ,john ,williams brought me the wood for building a ,church which ,i had bought on ,aneityum1 the ,tannese now plainly saw that1 though their conduct had been very bad1 and ,i had suffered much on their island1 ,i had no intention of leaving them or of giving up the work of ,jehovah4 ,too much1 perhaps1 had ,i hoped for from the closely succeeding visits of the good ,bishop ,selwyn1 the gallant ,captain ,vernon1 and the ,mission ship ,john ,williams4 ,the impressions were undoubtedly good1 but evanescent2 and things soon went on as they had done before among our benighted ,tannese1 led by ,satan at his will1 and impelled to the grossest deeds of heathen darkness4 ,the change by ,divine grace1 however1 we knew to be possible2 and for this we laboured and prayed incessantly1 fainting not1 or if fainting1 only to rise again and tackle every duty in the name of the ,lord who had placed us there4 ,fever and ague had attacked me fourteen times severely with slighter recurring attacks almost continuously after my first three months on the island1 and ,i now felt the necessity of taking the hint of the ,tannese ,chief before referred to1--8,sleep on the higher ground40 ,having also received medical counsel to the same effect1 though indeed experience was painfully sufficient testimony1 ,i resolved to remove my house1 and began to look about for a suitable site4 ,there rose behind my present site1 a hill about three hundred feet high or rather more1 surrounded on all sides by a valley1 and swept by the breezes of the trade winds1 being only separated from the ,ocean by a narrow neck of land4 ,on this ,i had set my heart2 there was room for a ,mission ,house and a ,church1 for which indeed ,nature seemed to have adapted it4 ,i proceeded to buy up every claim by the ,natives to any portion of the hill1 paying each publicly and in turn1 so that there might be no trouble afterwards4 ,i then purchased from a ,trader the deck planks of a shipwrecked vessel1 with which to construct a house of two apartments1 a bedroom and a small store-room adjoining it1 to which ,i purposed to transfer and add the old house as soon as ,i was able4 ,just at this juncture1 the fever smote me again more severely than ever2 my weakness after this attack was so great1 that ,i felt as if ,i never could rally again4 ,with the help of my faithful ,aneityumese ,teacher1 ,abraham1 and his wife1 however1 ,i made what appeared my last effort to creep1 ,i could not climb1 up the hill to get a breath of wholesome air4 ,when about two-thirds up the hill1 ,i became so faint that ,i concluded ,i was dying4 ,lying down on the ground1 sloped against the root of a tree to keep me from rolling to the bottom1 ,i took farewell of old ,abraham1 of my ,mission work1 and of everything around6 ,in this weak state ,i lay1 watched over by my faithful companion1 and fell into a quiet sleep4 ,when consciousness returned1 ,i felt a little stronger1 and a faint gleam of hope and life came back to my soul4 ,abraham and his devoted wife1 ,nafatu1 lifted me and carried me to the top of the hill4 ,there they laid me on cocoa-nut leaves on the ground1 and erected over me a shade or screen of the same2 and there the two faithful souls1 inspired surely by something diviner even than mere human pity1 gave me the cocoa-nut juice to drink and fed me with native food and kept me living--,i know not for how long4 ,consciousness did1 however1 fully return4 ,the trade wind refreshed me day by day4 ,the ,tannese seemed to have given me up for dead2 and providentially none of them looked near us for many days4 ,amazingly my strength returned1 and ,i began planning about my new house on the hill4 ,afraid again to sleep at the old site1 ,i slept under the tree1 and sheltered by the cocoa-nut leaf screen1 while preparing my new bedroom4 ,illustration3 8,,there ,,they ,,laid ,,me ,,on ,,cocoa-,,nut ,,leaves ,,on ,,the ,,ground40 ,here again1 but for these faithful souls1 the ,aneityumese ,teacher and his wife1 ,i must have been baffled1 and would have died in the effort4 ,the planks of the wreck1 and all other articles required they fetched and carried1 and it taxed my utmost strength to get them in some way planted together4 ,but life depended on it4 ,it was at length accomplished2 and after that time ,i suffered comparatively little from anything like continuous attacks of fever and ague4 ,that noble old soul1 ,abraham1 stood by me as an angel of ,god in sickness and in danger2 he went at my side wherever ,i had to go2 he helped me willingly to the last inch of strength in all that ,i had to do2 and it was perfectly manifest that he was doing all this not from mere human love1 but for the sake of ,jesus4 ,that man had been a ,cannibal in his heathen days1 but by the grace of ,god there he stood verily a new creature in ,christ ,jesus4 ,any trust1 however sacred or valuable1 could be absolutely reposed in him2 and in trial or danger1 ,i was often refreshed by that old ,teacher's prayers1 as ,i used to be by the prayers of my saintly father in my childhood's home4 ,no white man could have been a more valuable helper to me in my perilous circumstances1 and no person1 white or black1 could have shown more fearless and chivalrous devotion4 ,when ,i have read or heard the shallow objections of irreligious scribblers and talkers1 hinting that there was no reality in conversions1 and that ,mission effort was but waste1 oh1 how my heart has yearned to plant them just one week on ,tanna1 with the 8natural0 man all around in the person of ,cannibal and ,heathen1 and only the one 8spiritual0 man in the person of the converted ,abraham1 nursing them1 feeding them1 saving them 8for the love of ,jesus10--that ,i might just learn how many hours it took to convince them that ,christ in man was a reality after all6 ,all the scepticism of ,europe would hide its head in foolish shame2 and all its doubts would dissolve under one glance of the new light that ,jesus1 and ,jesus alone1 pours from the converted ,cannibal's eye4 ,perhaps it may surprise some unsophisticated reader to learn1 though others who know more will be quite prepared for it1 that this removal of our house1 as also ,mr4 ,mathieson's for a similar reason1 was severely criticised by the people who try to evangelize the world while sitting in easy chairs at home4 ,precious nonsense appeared1 for instance1 in the ,nova ,scotian ,church ,magazine1 about my house being planted on the fighting ground of the ,natives1 and thereby courting and provoking hostilities4 ,as matter of fact1 the hill-top was too narrow to accommodate both the ,church and my house1 and had to be levelled out for that purpose1 and it was besides surrounded by a deep valley on three sides2 but the arm-chair critics1 unwilling to believe in the heathen hatred of the ,gospel1 had to invent some reason out of their own brains to account for my being so persecuted and plundered4 ,in truth1 we were learning by suffering for the benefit of those who should follow us to these ,islands1--that health could be found only on the higher levels1 swept by the breath of the trade winds1 and that fever and ague lay in wait near the shore1 and especially on the leeward side4 ,even ,mr4 ,inglis had his house on ,aneityum removed also to the higher ground2 and no ,missionary since has been located in the fever-beds by the swamp or shore4 ,life is ,god's great gift1 to be preserved for ,him1 not thrown away4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,more ,,mission ,,leaves ,,from ,,tanna4 ,the ,blood-,fiend ,unleashed4--,in the ,camp of the ,enemy4--,a ,typical ,south ,sea ,trader4--,young ,rarip's ,death4--,the ,trader's ,retribution4--,worship and ,war4--,saved from ,strangling4--,wrath ,restrained4--,under the ,axe4--,the ,clubbing of ,namuri4--,native ,saint and ,martyr4--,bribes ,refused4--,widows ,saved from ,strangling4--,the ,sinking of the ,well4--,church-,building on ,tanna4--,ancient ,stone ,god4--,printing ,first ,tannese ,book4--,a ,christian ,captain4--,levelled ,muskets4--,a ,french ,refugee4--,a ,villainous ,captain4--,like ,master ,like ,men4--,wrecked on ,purpose4--,the ,kanaka ,traffic4--,a ,heathen ,festival4--,sacrifices to ,idols4--,heathen ,dances and ,sham ,fights4--,six ,native ,teachers4--,a ,homeric ,episode4--,victims for a ,cannibal ,feast4--,the ,jaws of ,death4--,nahak or ,sorcery4--,killing ,me by ,nahak4--,nahak ,defied4--,protected by ,jehovah4--,almost ,persuaded4--,escorted to the ,battlefield4--,praying for ,enemies4--,our ,canoe on the ,reef4--,a ,perilous ,pilgrimage4--,rocks and ,waters4 ,the ,peace-party1 my band of twenty ,chiefs already spoken of1 kept all the tribes around the ,harbour acting only on the defensive for a season4 ,but the ,inland people murdered eight ,chiefs from a distance who1 after paying a friendly visit to the ,harbour people1 were returning to their homes4 ,at the same time1 one of the ,inland ,chiefs1 who had pled with his people to give up war and live at peace with surrounding tribes1 was overthrown and murdered by his own men1 as also his brother and four wives and two children1 and was supplanted by another leader more akin to their wishes and tastes4 ,they proceeded1 according to their custom of declaring war1 to shoot one of the ,harbour men and to break down their fences and plantations4 ,so once again1 the blood-fiend was unleashed1--the young men of ,tanna being as eager to get up a battle1 as young men of the world at home seem eager to get up a concert or a ball4 ,the ,harbour people advised me to remove a mile further away from these warriors2 but the ,inland tribes sent me word not to desert my house1 lest it might be burned and plundered1 for that they themselves had no quarrel against me4 ,early next morning1 ,i1 accompanied by ,abraham and another ,aneityumese1 started off to visit the ,bush party1 and if possible avert the impending war1 but without informing my ,harbour people4 ,about four miles from our ,station1 we met the ,chief of our farthest inland friendly tribe with all his fighting men under arms4 ,forcing me to disclose our errand1 he reluctantly allowed us to pass4 ,praying to ,jesus for guidance and protection1 we pressed along the path through the thick bush four miles further still4 ,my two attendants1 sinking into silence1 betrayed growing fear2 and ,i1 after trying to cheer them1 had at their most earnest appeal to walk on also in silence1 my heart and theirs going up to ,jesus in prayer4 ,we passed many deserted villages and plantations1 but saw no living person4 ,at last1 unexpectedly1 we stumbled upon the whole host assembled on the ,village ,common at a great feast2 and at sight of us every man rushed for his weapons of war4 ,keeping my ,teachers close beside me1 ,i walked straight into the midst of them1 unarmed of course1 and cried as loud as ,i possibly could in their own tongue1-- 8,my love to all you men of ,tanna6 ,fear not2 ,i am your friend2 ,i love you every one1 and am come to tell you about ,jehovah ,god and good conduct such as pleases ,him60 ,an old ,chief thereon came and took me by the hand1 and1 after leading me about among the people1 said1-- 8,sit down beside me here and talk with me2 by-and-by the people will not be afraid40 ,a few ran off to the bush in terror4 ,others appeared to be beside themselves with delight4 ,they danced round us frantically1 striking the ground and beating a canoe with their clubs1 while shouting to each other1 8,missi is come6 ,missi is come60 ,the confusion grew every moment wilder1 and there was a fiendish look about the whole scene4 ,men and boys rushed thronging around from every quarter1 all painted in varied and savage devices1 and some with their hair stuck full of fantastic feathers4 ,women and children peered through the bush1 and instantaneously disappeared4 ,even in that anxious moment1 it struck me that they had many more children amongst them than the people around the shores1 where women and children are destroyed by the cruelty and vices of 8civilized0 visitors6 ,after spending about an hour1 conversing and answering all questions1 they apparently agreed to give up the war1 and allowed me to conduct the ,worship amongst them4 ,they then made me a present of cocoa-nuts and sugar-cane and two fowls1 which my attendants received from them2 and ,i1 in return1 presented a red shirt to the principal ,chief1 and distributed a quantity of fish-hooks and pieces of red calico amongst the rest4 ,the leading men shook hands graciously1 and invited us often to come and see them1 for after that visit they would harm no person connected with our ,mission4 ,meantime1 the ,harbour people having learned where we had gone1 had concluded that we would all be killed and feasted upon4 ,when we returned1 with a present of food1 and informed them what we had heard and seen1 their astonishment was beyond measure2 it had never been so seen after this manner on ,tanna6 ,the peace continued for more than four weeks1 an uncommonly prolonged truce4 ,all hands were busy at work4 ,many yam plantations were completed1 and all fences were got into excellent condition for a year4 ,the prejudices and persecutions of ,heathens were a sore enough trial1 but sorer and more hopeless was the wicked and contaminating influence of1 alas1 my fellow-countrymen4 ,one1 for instance1 a ,captain ,winchester1 living with a native woman at the head of the bay as a trader1 a dissipated wretch1 though a well-educated man1 was angry forsooth at this state of peace6 ,apparently there was not the usual demand for barter for the fowls1 pigs1 etc41 in which he traded4 ,he developed at once a wonderful interest in their affairs1 presented all the ,chiefs around with powder1 caps1 and balls1 and lent among them a number of flash-muskets4 ,he urged them not to be afraid of war1 as he would supply any amount of ammunition4 ,i remonstrated1 but he flatly told me that peace did not suit his purposes6 ,incited and encouraged thus1 these poor ,heathen people were goaded into a most unjust war on neighbouring tribes4 ,the ,trader immediately demanded a high price for the weapons he had lent2 the price of powder1 caps1 and balls rose exorbitantly with every fresh demand2 his yards were crowded with poultry and pigs1 which he readily disposed of to passing vessels2 and he might have amassed great sums of money but for his vile dissipations4 ,captain ,winchester1 now glorying in the war1 charged a large hog for a wine-glass full of powder1 or three or four balls1 or ten gun-caps2 he was boastful of his 8good luck0 in getting rid of all his old muskets and filling his yards with pigs and fowls4 ,such is the infernal depth1 when the misery and ruin of many are thought to be more than atoned for by the wealth and prosperity of a few who trade in their doom6 ,miaki the war ,chief had a young brother1 ,rarip by name1 about eighteen years of age4 ,when this war began1 he came to live with me at the ,mission ,house4 ,after it had raged some time1 ,miaki forced him to join the fighting men2 but he escaped through the bush1 and returned to me1 saying1-- 8,missi1 ,i hate this fighting2 it is not good to kill men2 ,i will live with you60 ,again the ,war ,chief came1 and forced my dear young ,rarip to join the hosts4 ,of course1 ,i could only plead2 ,i could not prevent him4 ,this time1 he placed him at his own side in the midst of his warriors4 ,on coming in sight of the enemy1 and hearing their first yells as they rushed from the bush1 a bullet pierced young ,rarip's breast and he fell dead into the arms of ,miaki4 ,the body was carried home to his brother's village1 with much wailing1 and a messenger ran to tell me that ,rarip was dead4 ,on hasting thither1 ,i found him quite dead1 and the centre of a tragic ceremonial4 ,around him1 some sitting1 others lying on the ground1 were assembled all the women and girls1 tearing their hair1 wounding themselves with split bamboos and broken bottles1 dashing themselves headlong to the earth1 painting all black their faces1 breasts1 and arms1 and wailing with loud lamentations6 ,men were also there1 knocking their heads against the trees1 gashing their bodies with knives till they ran with streaks of blood1 and indulging in every kind of savage symbol of grief and anguish4 ,my heart broke to see them1 and to think that they knew not to look to our dear ,lord ,jesus for consolation4 ,i returned to the ,mission ,house1 and brought a white sheet and some tape1 in which the body of dear young ,rarip was wrapped and prepared for the grave4 ,the ,natives appeared to be gratified at this mark of respect2 and all agreed that ,rarip should have under my direction a ,christian burial4 ,the men prepared the grave in a spot selected near to his own house2 ,i read the ,word of ,god1 and offered prayer to ,jehovah1 with a psalm of praise1 amidst a scene of weeping and lamentation never to be forgotten2 and the thought burned through my very soul--oh1 when1 when will the ,tannese realize what ,i am now thinking and praying about1 the life and immortality brought to light through ,jesus8 ,as the war still raged on1 and many more were killed1 vengeance threatened the miserable ,trader4 ,miaki attacked him thus1-- 8,you led us into this war4 ,you deceived us1 and we began it4 ,rarip is dead1 and many others4 ,your life shall yet go for his40 ,captain ,winchester1 heartless as a dog so long as pigs and fowls came to the yard at whatever cost to others' lives1 now trembled like a coward for himself4 ,he implored me to let him and his ,mar wife sleep at my house for safety2 but ,i refused to allow my ,mission to be in any way identified with his crimes4 ,the ,natives from other islands1 whom he kept and wrought like slaves1 he now armed with muskets for his defence2 but1 having no faith in them protecting or even warning him1 he implored me to send one of my ,teachers1 to assist his wife in watching till he snatched a few hours of sleep every day1 and1 if awake1 he would sell his life as dearly as he could by aid of musket and revolver4 ,the ,teachers were both afraid and disinclined to go2 and ,i could not honestly ask them to do so4 ,his peril and terror became so real that by night he slept in his boat anchored out in the centre of the bay1 with his arms beside him1 and a crew ready to start off at the approach of danger and lose everything2 while by day he kept watch on shore1 armed1 and also ready to fly4 ,thus his miserable existence dragged on1 keeping watch alternatively with his wife1 till a trading vessel called and carried him off with all that he had rescued--for which deliverance we were unfeignedly thankful6 ,the war1 which he had wickedly instigated1 lingered on for three months2 and then1 by a present given secretly to two leading ,chiefs1 ,i managed to bring it to a close4 ,but feelings of revenge for the slain1 burned fiercely in many breasts2 and young men had old feuds handed on to them by the recital of their fathers' deeds of blood4 ,all through this war1 ,i went to the fighting ground every ,sabbath1 and held worship amongst our ,harbour people4 ,hundreds assembled around me1 and listened respectfully1 but they refused to give up the war4 ,one day1 ,i determined to go through the bush that lay between and speak and pray with the enemies also4 ,our ,harbour folks opposed me1 and one leading man said1-- 8,missi1 pray only for us1 and your ,god will be strong to help us and we will not be afraid6 ,you must not pray with the enemy1 lest ,he may help them too40 ,after this episode1 ,i made it my duty always to visit both ,camps1 when ,i went to the fighting ground1 and to have worship with both1--teaching them that ,jehovah my ,god was angry at all such scenes and would not fight for either1 that ,he commanded them to live at peace4 ,about this time1 our ,sabbath audiences at the ,mission numbered forty or so4 ,nowar and three or four more1 and only they1 seemed to love and serve ,jesus4 ,they were1 however1 changeable and doubtful1 though they exerted a good influence on their villages1 and were generally friendly to us and to the ,worship4 ,events sometimes for a season greatly increased our usefulness4 ,for instance1 one of the ,sacred ,men when fishing on the coral reef was bitten by a poisonous fish4 ,after great agony1 he died1 and his relatives were preparing to strangle his two wives that their spirits might accompany and serve him in the other world4 ,usually such tragedies were completed before ,i ever heard of them4 ,on this occasion1 ,i had called at the village that very day1 and succeeded in persuading them to bury him alone--his wives being saved alive at my appeal4 ,thus the idea got to be talked of1 and the horrible custom was being undermined--the strangling of widows6 ,in connection with such poisonings1 ,i may mention that some of these fishes were deadly poisonous2 others were unwholesome1 and even poisonous1 only at certain seasons2 and still others were always nutritious and good4 ,for our own part1 we used fish sparingly and cautiously2 and the doubtful ones we boiled with a piece of silver in the water4 ,if the silver became discoloured1 we regarded the fish as unwholesome2 if the silver remained pure1 we could risk it4 ,one morning at daybreak ,i found my house surrounded by armed men1 and a ,chief intimated that they had assembled to take my life4 ,seeing that ,i was entirely in their hands1 ,i knelt down and gave myself away body and soul to the ,lord ,jesus1 for what seemed the last time on earth4 ,rising1 ,i went out to them1 and began calmly talking about their unkind treatment of me and contrasting it with all my conduct towards them4 ,i also plainly showed them what would be the sad consequences1 if they carried out their cruel purpose4 ,at last some of the ,chiefs1 who had attended the ,worship1 rose and said1-- 8,our conduct has been bad2 but now we will fight for you1 and kill all those who hate you40 ,illustration3 8,,at ,,daybreak ,i ,,found ,,my ,,house ,,surrounded40 ,grasping hold of their leader1 ,i held him fast till he promised never to kill any one on my account1 for ,jesus taught us to love our enemies and always to return good for evil6 ,during this scene1 many of the armed men slunk away into the bush1 and those who remained entered into a bond to be friendly and to protect us4 ,but again their ,public ,assembly resolved that we should be killed1 because1 as they said1 they hated ,jehovah and the ,worship2 for it made them afraid to do as they had always done4 ,if ,i would give up visiting the villages1 and praying and talking with them about ,jehovah1 they intimated that they would like me to stay and trade with them1 as they liked the ,traders but hated the ,missionaries6 ,i told them that the hope of being able to teach them the ,worship of ,jehovah alone kept me living amongst them2 that ,i was there1 not for gain or pleasure1 but because ,i loved them1 and pitied their estate1 and sought their good continually by leading them to know and serve the only true ,god4 ,one of the ,chiefs1 who had lived in ,sydney and spoke ,english1 replied for all the rest1-- 8,missi1 our fathers loved and worshipped whom you call the ,devil1 the ,evil ,spirit2 and we are determined to do the same1 for we love the conduct of our fathers4 ,missi ,turner came here and tried to break down our worship1 but our fathers fought him and he left us4 ,they fought also ,peta1 the ,samoan ,teacher1 and he fled4 ,they fought and killed some of the ,samoan ,teachers placed on the other side of the ,harbour1 and their companions left4 ,we killed the last foreigner that lived in ,tanna before you came here4 ,we murdered the ,aneityumese ,teachers1 and burned down their houses4 ,after each of these acts1 ,tanna was good2 we all lived like our fathers1 and sickness and death left us4 ,now1 our people are determined to kill you1 if you do not leave this island2 for you are changing our customs and destroying our worship1 and we hate the ,jehovah ,worship40 ,then1 surrounded by a number of men1 who had spent some years in the ,colonies1 he continued in a bitter strain to this effect1-- 8,the people of ,sydney belong to your ,britain2 they know what is right and wrong as well as you2 and we have ourselves seen them fishing1 feasting1 cooking1 working1 and seeking pleasure on the ,sabbath as on any other day4 ,you say1 we do not here need to cook any food on ,sabbaths or to toil at our ovens1 but you yourself cook1 for you boil your kettle on that day6 ,we have seen the people do all the conduct at ,sydney which you call bad1 but which we love4 ,you are but one1 they are many2 they are right1 and you must be wrong2 you are teaching lies for ,worship40 ,after many such speeches1 ,i answered all the questions of the people fully1 and besides ,i cross-questioned my assailants on several subjects1 regarding which they grossly contradicted each other1 till the majority of voices cried out1-- 8,they are lying6 ,their words are crooked6 ,missi knows all the truth about the people of ,sydney60 ,alas1 ,i had to admit that what they reported was too true regarding the godless multitudes at home who made the ,sabbath a day of pleasure1 but not regarding ,jehovah's servants4 ,by this time1 they were willing to remain quiet1 and allowed me to talk of spiritual things and of the blessings that the ,sabbath and the ,bible brought to all other lands1 and to conduct in their presence and hearing the ,worship of ,jehovah4 ,but my enemies seldom slackened their hateful designs against my life1 however calmed or baffled for the moment4 ,within a few days of the above events1 when ,natives in large numbers were assembled at my house1 a man furiously rushed on me with his axe2 but a ,kaserumini ,chief snatched a spade with which ,i had been working1 and dexterously defended me from instant death4 ,life in such circumstances led me to cling very near to the ,lord ,jesus2 ,i knew not1 for one brief hour1 when or how attack might be made2 and yet1 with my trembling hand clasped in the hand once nailed on ,calvary1 and now swaying the sceptre of the ,universe1 calmness and peace and resignation abode in my soul4 ,next day1 a wild ,chief followed me about for four hours with his loaded musket1 and1 though often directed towards me1 ,god restrained his hand4 ,i spoke kindly to him1 and attended to my work as if he had not been there1 fully persuaded that my ,god had placed me there1 and would protect me till my allotted task was finished4 ,looking up in unceasing prayer to our dear ,lord ,jesus1 ,i left all in ,his hands1 and felt immortal till my work was done4 ,trials and hairbreadth escapes strengthened my faith1 and seemed only to nerve me for more to follow2 and they did tread swiftly upon each other's heels4 ,without that abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my dear ,lord and ,saviour1 nothing else in all the world could have preserved me from losing my reason and perishing miserably4 ,his words1 8,lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even unto the end of the world10 became to me so real that it would not have startled me to behold ,him1 as ,stephen did1 gazing down upon the scene4 ,i felt ,his supporting power1 as did ,st4 ,paul1 when he cried1 8,i can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth me40 ,it is the sober truth1 and it comes back to me sweetly after twenty years1 that ,i had my nearest and dearest glimpses of the face and smile of my blessed ,lord in those dread moments when musket1 club1 or spear was being levelled at my life4 ,oh the bliss of living and enduring1 as seeing 8,him who is invisible60 ,one evening1 ,i awoke three times to hear a ,chief and his men trying to force the door of my house4 ,though armed with muskets1 they had some sense of doing wrong1 and were wholesomely afraid of a little retriever dog which had often stood betwixt me and death4 ,god restrained them again2 and next morning the report went all round the ,harbour1 that those who tried to shoot me were 8smitten weak with fear10 and that shooting would not do4 ,a plan was therefore deliberately set on foot to fire the premises1 and club us if we attempted to escape4 ,but our ,aneityumese ,teacher heard of it1 and ,god helped us to frustrate their designs4 ,when they knew that their plots were revealed to us1 they seemed to lose faith in themselves1 and cast about to circumvent us in some more secret way4 ,their evil was overruled for good4 ,namuri1 one of my ,aneityumese ,teachers1 was placed at our nearest village4 ,there he had built a house for himself and his wife1 and there he led amongst the ,heathen a pure and humble ,christian life4 ,almost every morning1 he came and reported on the state of affairs to me4 ,without books or a school1 he yet instructed the ,natives in ,divine things1 conducted the ,worship1 and taught them much by his good example4 ,his influence was increasing1 when one morning a ,sacred ,man threw at him the kawas1 or killing stone1 a deadly weapon1 like a scythe stone in shape and thickness1 usually round but sometimes angular1 and from eighteen to twenty inches long4 ,they throw it from a great distance and with fatal precision4 ,the ,teacher1 with great agility1 warded his head and received the deep cut from it in his left hand1 reserving his right hand to guard against the club that was certain to follow swiftly4 ,the ,priest sprang upon him with his club and with savage yells4 ,he evaded1 yet also received1 many blows2 and1 rushing out of their hands1 actually reached the ,mission ,house1 bleeding1 fainting1 and pursued by howling murderers4 ,i had been anxiously expecting him1 and hearing the noise ,i ran out with all possible speed4 ,on seeing me1 he sank down by a tree1 and cried1-- 8,missi1 ,missi1 quick6 and escape for your life6 ,they are coming to kill you2 they say1 they must kill us all to-day1 and they have begun with me2 for they hate ,jehovah and the ,worship60 ,i hastened to the good ,teacher where he lay2 ,i bound up1 washed1 and dressed his wounds2 and ,god1 by the mystery of ,his own working1 kept the infuriated ,tannese watching at bay4 ,gradually they began to disappear into the bush1 and we conveyed the dear ,teacher to the ,mission ,house4 ,in three or four weeks1 he so far recovered by careful nursing that he was able to walk about again4 ,some petitioned for him to return to the village2 but ,i insisted1 as a preliminary1 that the ,harbour ,chiefs should unitedly punish him who had abused the ,teacher2 and this to test them1 for he had only carried out their own wishes1--,nowar excepted1 and perhaps one or two others4 ,they made a pretence of atoning by presenting the ,teacher with a pig and some yams as a peace-offering2 but ,i said1-- 8,no6 such bad conduct must be punished1 or we would leave their island by the first opportunity40 ,now that ,sacred ,man1 a ,chief too1 had gone on fighting with other tribes1 till his followers had all died or been slain2 and1 after three weeks' palaver1 the other ,chiefs seized him1 tied him with a rope1 and sent me word to come and see him punished1 as they did not want us after all to leave the island4 ,i had to go1 for fear of more bloody work1 and after talk with them1 followed by many fair promises1 he was loosed4 ,all appearing friendly for some time1 and willing to listen and learn1 the ,teacher earnestly desired to return to his post4 ,i pled with him to remain at the ,mission ,house till we felt more assured1 but he replied1-- 8,missi1 when ,i see them thirsting for my blood1 ,i just see myself when the ,missionary first came to my island4 ,i desired to murder him1 as they now desire to kill me4 ,had he stayed away for such danger1 ,i would have remained ,heathen2 but he came1 and continued coming to teach us1 till1 by the grace of ,god1 ,i was changed to what ,i am4 ,now the same ,god that changed me to this1 can change these poor ,tannese to love and serve ,him4 ,i cannot stay away from them2 but ,i will sleep at the ,mission ,house1 and do all ,i can by day to bring them to ,jesus40 ,it was not in me to keep such a man1 under such motives1 from what he felt to be his post of duty4 ,he returned to his village work1 and for several weeks things appeared most encouraging4 ,the inhabitants showed growing interest in us and our work1 and less fear of the pretensions of their heathen ,priest1 which1 alas6 fed his jealousy and anger4 ,one morning during worship1 when the good ,teacher knelt in prayer1 the same savage ,priest sprang upon him with his great club and left him for dead1 wounded and bleeding and unconscious4 ,the people fled and left him in his blood1 afraid of being mixed up with the murder4 ,the ,teacher1 recovering a little1 crawled to the ,mission ,house1 and reached it about mid-day in a dying condition4 ,on seeing him1 ,i ran to meet him1 but he fell near the ,teacher's house1 saying1-- 8,missi1 ,i am dying4 ,they will kill you also4 ,escape for your life40 ,trying to console him1 ,i sat down beside him1 dressing his wounds and nursing him4 ,he was quite resigned2 he was looking up to ,jesus1 and rejoicing that he would soon be with ,him in ,glory4 ,his pain and suffering were great1 but he bore all very quietly1 as he said and kept saying1 8,for the sake of ,jesus6 ,for ,jesu's sake60 ,he was constantly praying for his persecutors1-- 8,o ,lord ,jesus1 forgive them1 for they know not what they are doing4 ,oh1 take not away all ,thy servants from ,tanna6 ,take not away ,thy ,worship from this dark island6 ,o ,god1 bring all the ,tannese to love and follow ,jesus60 ,to him1 ,jesus was all and in all2 and there were no bands in his death4 ,he passed from us1 in the assured hope of entering into the ,glory of his ,lord4 ,humble though he may appear in the world's esteem1 ,i knew that a great man had fallen there in the service of ,christ1 and that he would take rank in the glorious ,army of the ,martyrs4 ,i made for him a coffin1 and dug his grave near the ,mission ,house4 ,with prayers1 and many tears1 we consigned his remains to the dust in the certainty of a happy resurrection4 ,even one such convert was surely a triumphant reward for ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,geddie1 whom ,god had honoured in bringing him to ,jesus4 ,may they have many like him for their crown of joy and rejoicing in the great day6 ,immediately after this1 a number of ,chiefs and followers called on me at the ,mission ,house1 professing great friendliness1 and said1-- 8,mr4 ,turner gave our fathers great quantities of calico1 axes1 and knives1 and they became his friends4 ,if you would give the people some just now they would be pleased4 ,they would stop fighting against the ,worship40 ,i retorted1 8,how was it then1 if they were pleased1 that they persecuted ,messrs4 ,turner and ,nisbet till they had to leave the island8 ,your conduct is deceitful and bad4 ,i never will reward you for bad actions and for murder6 ,no present will be given by me40 ,they withdrew sullenly1 and seemed deeply disappointed and offended4 ,on one occasion1 when a ,chief had died1 the ,harbour people were all being assembled to strangle his widow4 ,one of my ,aneityumese ,teachers1 hearing of it1 hastened to tell me4 ,i ran to the village1 and with much persuasion1 saved her life4 ,a few weeks thereafter she gave birth to a young chieftain1 who prospered well4 ,if our ,harbour people told the truth1 the widows of all who fell in war were saved by our pleading4 ,immediately after the foregoing incident1 a ,sacred ,man was dying1 and a crowd of people were assembled awaiting the event in order to strangle his three wives4 ,i spoke to them of the horrid wickedness of such conduct4 ,i further reasoned with them1 that ,god had made us male and female1 the sexes so balanced1 that for every man that had three or a dozen wives1 as many men generally had none1 and that this caused great jealousy and quarrelling4 ,i showed them further1 that these widows being spared would make happy and useful wives for other kind and loving husbands4 ,after the ,worship1 ,i appealed to the ,chief and he replied1-- 8,missi1 it was a practice introduced to ,tanna from the island of ,aneityum4 ,it was not the custom of our fathers here to strangle widows4 ,and1 as the ,aneityumese have given it up since they became worshippers of ,jehovah1 it is good that we now should give it up on ,tanna too40 ,thus these three widows were saved2 and we had great hope in ,christ that the ghastly practice would soon disappear from ,tanna4 ,an incident of this time created great wonder amongst the ,natives2 namely1 the ,sinking of a ,well4 ,we had1 heretofore1 a boiling spring to drink from1 the water of which literally required in that climate days to cool down2 we had also a stagnant pool at the lower end of a swamp in which the ,natives habitually bathed1 the only available fresh water bath6 ,beyond that1 no drinking water could be had for six or seven miles4 ,i managed to sink a well1 near the ,mission ,house1 and got about twelve feet deep a good supply of excellent fresh water1 though1 strange to say1 the surface of the well rose and fell regularly with every tide6 ,this became the universal supply for us and for the ,natives all round the ,harbour and for miles inland4 ,hundreds of ,natives from all parts of ,tanna flocked to examine this greatest wonder they had ever seen--rain rising up out of the earth4 ,i built it round with a kind of stone brought in my boat from the other side of the bay2 and for many years it was the only fresh water supply for the ,natives all around4 ,some years later a native ,chief sank a well about a mile nearer the entrance to the ,harbour at his own village1 and built it round with the bricks that ,i had purchased for house-building2 these he grabbed and thus appropriated6 ,many a vessel1 calling at the ,harbour1 was glad to get her casks refilled at my well1 and all were apparently more friendly because of it2 but the ,sinking of this ,well produced no such revolution as on ,aniwa1--to be hereafter related4 ,for fully three months1 all our available time1 with all the native help which ,i could hire1 was spent in erecting a building to serve for ,church and ,school4 ,it was fifty feet long1 by twenty-one feet six inches broad4 ,the studs were three feet apart1 and all fixed by tenon and mortise into upper and lower wall plates4 ,the beautiful roof of iron1 wood1 and sugar-cane leaf1 was supported by three massive pillars of wood1 sunk deeply into the ground4 ,the roof extended about three feet over the wall plates1 both to form a verandah and to carry the rain-drop free beyond the walls4 ,it was made of sugar-cane leaf and cocoa-nut leaves all around4 ,the floor was laid with white coral1 broken small1 and covered with cocoa-nut leaf mats1 such as those on which the ,natives sat4 ,indeed1 it was as comfortable a ,house of ,prayer as any man need wish for in the tropics1 though having only open spaces for doors and windows6 ,i bought the heavy wood for it on ,aneityum--price1 fifty pairs of native trousers2 and these again were the gift of my ,bible ,class in ,glasgow1 all cut and sewed by their own hands4 ,i gave also one hundred and thirty yards of cloth1 along with other things1 for other needful wood4 ,my ,tannese people at first opposed the erection of a ,church4 ,they did not wish ,jehovah to secure a ,house on their island4 ,on the opening day1 only five men1 three women1 and three children were present1 besides our ,aneityumese ,teachers4 ,but after the morning service1 on that day1 ,i visited ten villages1 and had worship in each4 ,the people were generally shy and unfriendly4 ,they said that we were the cause of the prevailing sickness and fever4 ,they had no idea of any sickness or death being natural1 but believed that all such events were caused by some one nahaking1 i4e41 bewitching them4 ,hence their incessant feuds2 and many were murdered in blind revenge4 ,as we were preparing a foundation for the ,church1 a huge and singular-looking round stone was dug up1 at sight of which the ,tannese stood aghast4 ,the eldest ,chief said1-- 8,missi1 that stone was either brought there by ,karapanamun 7the ,evil ,spirit71 or hid there by our great ,chief who is dead4 ,that is the ,stone ,god to which our forefathers offered human sacrifices2 these holes held the blood of the victim till drunk up by the ,spirit4 ,the ,spirit of that stone eats up men and women and drinks their blood1 as our fathers taught us4 ,we are in greatest fear60 ,a ,sacred ,man claimed possession1 and was exceedingly desirous to carry it off2 but ,i managed to keep it1 and did everything in my power to show them the absurdity of these foolish notions4 ,idolatry had not1 indeed1 yet fallen throughout ,tanna1 but one cruel idol1 at least1 had to give way for the erection of ,god's ,house on that benighted land4 ,an ever-memorable event was the printing of my first book in ,tannese4 ,thomas ,binnie1 ,esq41 ,glasgow1 gave me a printing-press and a font of type4 ,printing was one of the things ,i had never tried1 but having now prepared a booklet in ,tannese1 ,i got my press into order1 and began fingering the type4 ,but book-printing turned out to be for me a much more difficult affair than house-building had been4 ,yet by dogged perseverance ,i succeeded at last4 ,my biggest difficulty was how to arrange the pages properly6 ,after many failures1 ,i folded a piece of paper into the number of leaves wanted1 cut the corners1 folding them back1 and numbering as they would be when correctly placed in the book2 then folding all back without cutting up the sheet1 ,i found now by these numbers how to arrange the pages in the frame or case for printing1 as indicated on each side4 ,and do you think me foolish1 when ,i confess that ,i shouted in an ecstasy of joy when the first sheet came from the press all correct8 ,it was about one o'clock in the morning4 ,i was the only white man then on the island1 and all the ,natives had been fast asleep for hours6 ,yet ,i literally pitched my hat into the air1 and danced like a schoolboy round and round that printing-press2 till ,i began to think1 ,am ,i losing my reason8 ,would it not be liker a ,missionary to be upon my knees1 adoring ,god for this first portion of ,his blessed ,word ever printed in this new language8 ,friend1 bear with me1 and believe me1 that was as true worship as ever was ,david's dancing before the ,ark of his ,god6 ,nor think that ,i did not1 over that first sheet of ,god's ,word ever printed in the ,tannese tongue1 go upon my knees too1 and then1 and every day since1 plead with the mighty ,lord to carry the light and joy of ,his own ,holy ,bible into every dark heart and benighted home on ,tanna6 ,but the ,tannese had a superstitious dread of books1 and especially of ,god's ,book4 ,i afterwards heard that ,dr4 ,turner had printed a small primer in ,tannese1 translated by the help of the ,samoan ,teachers2 but this ,i never saw till near the close of my work on ,tanna4 ,dr4 ,geddie sent me a copy1 but it was more ,samoan than ,tannese1 especially in its spelling1 and ,i could make little or nothing of it4 ,shortly after this1 ,i was greatly refreshed by the visit of an ,american whaler1 the ,camden ,packet1 under ,captain ,allan4 ,he1 his chief officer1 and many of his double company of seamen1 were decided ,christians--a great contrast to most of the ,traders that had called at ,port ,resolution4 ,the ,captain cordially invited me on board to preach and conduct a religious service4 ,that evening ,i enjoyed exceedingly--wells in the desert6 ,the ,captain introduced me1 saying1-- 8,this is my ship's company4 ,my first officer and most of my men are real ,christians1 trying to love and serve ,jesus ,christ4 ,we have been three years out on this voyage1 and are very happy with each other4 ,you would never hear or see worse on board of this vessel than you see now4 ,and ,god has given us gratifying success40 ,he afterwards told me that he had a very valuable cargo of sperm oil on board1 the vessel being nearly filled up with it4 ,he was eager to leave supplies1 or do something for me1 but ,i needed nothing that he could give4 ,his mate1 on examining my boat1 found a hole in her1 and several planks split and bulged in1 as ,i had gone down on a reef with her when out on ,mission work1 and narrowly escaped drowning4 ,next morning1 the ,captain1 of his own accord1 set his carpenter to repair the boat1 and left it as good as new4 ,not one farthing of recompense would any of them take from me2 their own ,christian love rewarded them1 in the circumstances4 ,i had been longing for a chance to send it to ,sydney for repairs1 and felt deeply thankful for such unexpected and generous aid4 ,the ,captain would not admit that the delay was any loss to him1--his boats spending the day in purchasing cocoa-nuts and provisions from the ,natives for his own ship4 ,oh1 how the ,christlike spirit knits together all true followers of ,christ6 ,what other earthly or human tie could have so bound that stranger to me8 ,in the heart of ,christ we met as brothers4 ,dangers again darkened round me4 ,one day1 while toiling away at my house1 the war ,chief1 his brother1 and a large party of armed men surrounded the plot where ,i was working4 ,they all had muskets1 besides their own native weapons4 ,they watched me for some time in silence1 and then every man levelled a musket straight at my head4 ,escape was impossible4 ,speech would only have increased my danger4 ,my eyesight came and went for a few moments4 ,i prayed to my ,lord ,jesus1 either ,himself to protect me1 or to take me home to ,his ,glory4 ,i tried to keep working on at my task1 as if no one was near me4 ,in that moment1 as never before1 the words came to me1--8,whatsoever ye shall ask in ,my name1 ,i will do it20 and ,i knew that ,i was safe4 ,retiring a little from their first position1 no word having been spoken1 they took up the same attitude somewhat farther off1 and seemed to be urging one another to fire the first shot4 ,but my dear ,lord restrained them once again1 and they withdrew1 leaving me with a new cause for trusting ,him with all that concerned me for ,time and ,eternity4 ,perils seemed1 however1 to enclose me on every hand1 and my life was frequently attempted4 ,i had to move about more cautiously than ever1 some days scarcely daring to appear outside my ,mission premises4 ,for ,i have ever most firmly believed1 and do believe1 that only when we use every lawful and possible means for the preservation of our life1 which is ,god's second greatest gift to man 7,his ,son being the first71 can we expect ,god to protect us1 or have we the right to plead ,his precious promises4 ,the vessel of one calling himself ,prince de ,jean ,beuve1 a ,french refugee1 who had become a naturalized ,american1 visited ,port ,resolution4 ,he said1 he had to escape from his own country for political offences4 ,his large and beautiful ship was fitted up and armed like a ,man-of-war4 ,she was manned chiefly by slaves1 whom he ruled with an iron hand4 ,what a contrast to ,captain ,allan's whaler6 ,yet he also was very sympathetic and kind to me4 ,having heard rumour of my trials and dangers1 he came on shore1 as soon as his ship cast anchor1 with a body of armed men4 ,he was effusively polite1 with all a ,frenchman's gush and gesticulation1 and offered to do anything possible for me4 ,he would take me to ,aneityum or ,sydney or wherever ,i wished4 ,the ship was his own2 he was sailing chiefly for pleasure1 and he had called at our ,islands to see if sufficient trade could be opened up to justify his laying on a line of steamers to call here in their transit4 ,he urged me1 ,i believe sincerely1 to give him the pleasure of taking me and my belongings to some place of safety4 ,but ,i was restrained from leaving1 through the fear that ,i would never be permitted to return1 and that ,christ's work would suffer4 ,in the still burning hope of being able to lead the ,tannese to love and serve ,jesus1 ,i declined with much gratitude his genuine kindness4 ,he looked truly sorry to leave me in the circumstances wherein ,i was placed4 ,after two hours on shore1 he returned to his ship towards evening4 ,knowing that the ,tannese were threatening to burn my former house1 which ,i wished to remove to higher ground and add to the room ,i now occupied on the hill1 ,i took advantage of the presence of the ,prince's vessel1 and set my ,aneityumese ,teachers and some friendly ,natives to prepare for the task2 but unfortunately1 ,i forgot to send word to the ,frenchman regarding my plans and aims4 ,we removed the sugar-cane leaf thatch from the roof of the house1 and began burning it on cleared ground1 so that ,i might be able to save the heavy wood which could not be replaced on ,tanna4 ,our ,french friend1 on seeing the flames rising up furiously1 at once loaded his heavy guns1 and prepared his men for action4 ,under great excitement1 he came ashore with a large number of armed men1 leaving the rest on board ready at a given signal to protect them with shot and shell4 ,leaving one half of those brought on shore to guard the boats1 he came running towards my house1 followed by the other half1 wet with perspiration1 and crying1-- 8,fer are dey8 fer are dey8 ,de scoundrels6 ,i vill do for dem1 and protect you4 ,i sall punish dem1 de scoundrels60 ,he was so excited1 he could scarcely compose himself to hear my explanations1 which1 when understood1 he laughed at heartily4 ,he again urged me to leave in his vessel2 he could not bear me to lead such a life amongst savages4 ,i explained to him my reasons for not leaving the island1 but these he seemed unable to understand4 ,he put his men through drill on shore1 and left them under officers1 ready for action at a moment's warning1 saying they would all be the better for a day on shore4 ,he wished to take pot luck with me at our ,mission ,house of one room for all purposes6 ,my humble dinner and tea must have been anything but a treat for him1 but he seemed to relish the deliverance for once from all the conventionalisms of the world4 ,before he left1 he sent of his own accord for all the ,chiefs within reach1 and warned them that if they hurt me or took my life1 he would return with his ,man-of-war and punish them1 by killing themselves and firing their villages2 and that a ,british ,man-of-war would also come and set their island on fire4 ,they promised all possible good conduct1 being undoubtedly put into great terror4 ,the kind-hearted ,frenchman left1 with profuse expressions of admiration for my courage and of pity for my lot4 ,no doubt he thought me a foolish dreamer of dreams4 ,a miserable contrast befell us in the bad impression produced by the conduct of one of ,captain ,t----'s vessels in the ,sydney sandal-wood trade4 ,whale-boats had been sent out with ,mr4 ,copeland and myself from ,glasgow1 as part of the necessary equipment of every ,missionary on these ,islands4 ,mine being rather large and heavy1 ,i had sold it to one of ,t----'s captains2 but the other had also been left to my care4 ,after having used my boat for about twelve months--the best boat in that trade only being expected to last two years--the ,captain called on ,mr4 ,copeland1 and got a note from him to me regarding the sale of his boat too4 ,he declared1 when calling on me1 that ,mr4 ,copeland had authorized him to get his boat from me in exchange for mine1 which he had now been using for a year4 ,i asked for the letter1 and found it to be authority for me to sell his boat for cash only and at the same price as mine4 ,captain ,v---- then raged at me and stormed1 declaring that he would return my old boat1 and take the other in defiance of me4 ,swearing dreadfully1 he made for his ship1 and returned with a large party of men whom he had picked up amongst the ,islands4 ,collecting also a company of ,tannese1 and offering them tobacco1 he broke down the fence1 burst into the boat-house1 and began to draw out the boat4 ,here ,i reached the spot1 and sternly opposed them4 ,he swore and foamed at me1 and before the natives knocked and pulled me about1 even kicking at me1 though ,i evaded his blows4 ,standing by1 ,i said in ,tannese1-- 8,you are helping that man to steal my boat2 he is stealing it as you see40 ,on hearing this1 the ,tannese ran away1 and his own party alone could not do it4 ,in great wrath1 he went off again to his vessel1 and brought on shore as much tobacco as could be held in a large handkerchief tied by the four corners2 but even for that1 our own ,natives refused to help him4 ,he offered it then to a crowd of ,inland savages1 gathered at the head of the bay1 who1 regardless of my remonstrances1 launched the boat1 he raging at and all but striking me4 ,instead of returning1 however1 the other boat to the house1 he merely set it adrift from his vessel1 and it was carried on to the reef1 where it remained fast1 and was knocked about by the waves4 ,after his vessel left1 ,i1 with much difficulty1 got it off and brought it to the boat-house4 ,imagine1 when such was their tyrannical treatment of a ,missionary and a ,british fellow-subject1 how they would act towards these poor native ,islanders4 ,by the earliest opportunity1 ,i wrote all the facts of the case to his employer1 ,captain ,t---- of ,sydney1 but got not even a reply1 while ,captain ,v---- continued in their trade1 a scourge to these ,islands1 and a dishonour to his country and to humanity4 ,unfriendly ,tannese now said1-- 8,when a white man from his own country can so pull and knock the ,missionary about and steal his boat and chain without being punished for it1 we also may do as we please60 ,i hesitate not to record my conviction that that man's conduct had a very bad effect1 emboldening them in acts of dishonesty and in attempts upon my life till the ,mission ,station was ultimately broken up4 ,after ,i had to escape from ,tanna1 with bare life in my hand1 one of the same ,captain's vessels called at ,port ,resolution and gave the ,natives about three pounds weight of useless tobacco1 purchasable at ,sydney for less than one shilling per pound1 to allow them to take away my boat1 with oars1 sails1 mast1 and all other belongings4 ,they also purchased all the plunder from my house4 ,both boats were so large and so strongly built1 that by adding a plank or two they turned them into small-decked schooners1 admirably suited for the sandal-wood traffic round the shores1 while larger vessels lay at safe anchorage to receive what they collected4 ,once1 when ,dr4 ,inglis and ,i met in ,sydney1 we called on ,captain ,t---- and stated the whole case1 asking reasonable payment at least for the boats4 ,he admitted that the boats had been taken and were in his service1 and agreed to pay us for the boats if we would repay the large sum invested therein by his ,captains4 ,calling one of his clerks1 he instructed him to trace in the office record how much had been paid to the ,tannese for the ,missionary's boat4 ,the young man innocently returned the reply1 8,three pounds of tobacco40 ,in anger1 he said1 8,i understood that a larger value had been given60 ,the clerk assured him1 8,that is the only record40 ,captain ,t----1 after discussing the worth of the boat as being about #hj1 agreed to give us #fj1 but in writing out the cheque1 threw down the pen and shouted1 8,i'll see you ---- first60 ,offering #ej1 to which we agreed1 he again resiled1 and declared he would not give a penny above #cj4 ,we appealed to him to regard this as a debt of honour1 and to cease haggling over the price1 as he well knew how we had been wronged in the matter4 ,finally we left him declaring1 8,i am building similar boats just now at #be apiece2 ,i will send you one of them1 and you may either take that or want60 ,we left1 glad to get away on any terms from such a character2 and1 though next year he did send one of his promised boats for me to ,aneityum1 yet the conduct of his degraded servants engaged in the sandal-wood trade had a great share in the guilt of breaking up and ruining our ,mission4 ,thousands upon thousands were made by it yearly1 so long as it lasted2 but it was a trade steeped in human blood and indescribable vice1 nor could ,god's blessing rest on them and their ill-gotten gains4 ,oh1 how often did we pray at that time to be delivered from the hands of unreasonable and wicked men6 ,sandal-wood traders murdered many of the ,islanders when robbing them of their wood1 and the ,islanders murdered many of them and their servants in revenge4 ,white men1 engaged in the trade1 also shot dead and murdered each other in vicious and drunken quarrels1 and not a few put end to their own lives4 ,i have scarcely known one of them who did not come to ruin and poverty2 the money that came even to the shipowners was a conspicuous curse4 ,fools there made a mock at sin1 thinking that no one cared for these poor savages1 but their sin did find them out1 and ,god made good in their experience ,his own irrepealable law1 8,the wages of sin is death40 ,ships1 highly insured1 were said to be sent into our ,island trade to be deliberately wrecked4 ,one ,sabbath evening1 towards dark1 the notorious ,captain ,h----1 in command of a large ship1 allowed her to drift ashore and be wrecked without any apparent effort to save her4 ,next morning1 the whole company were wading about in the water and pretending to have lost everything6 ,the ,captain1 put in prison when he returned to ,sydney for running away with another man's wife and property1 imposed on ,mr4 ,copeland and myself1 getting all the biscuits1 flour1 and blankets we could spare for his destitute and shipwrecked company4 ,we discovered afterwards that she was lying on a beautiful bank of sand1 only a few yards from the shore1 and that everything contained in her could be easily rescued without danger to life or limb6 ,what we parted with was almost necessary for our life and health2 of course he gave us an order on ,captain ,t---- for everything1 but not one farthing was ever repaid4 ,at first he made a pretence of paying the ,natives for food received2 but afterwards1 an armed band went inland night by night and robbed and plundered whatever came to hand4 ,the ,natives1 seeing the food of their children ruthlessly stolen1 were shot down without mercy when they dared to interfere2 and the life of every white man was marked for speedy revenge4 ,glad were we when a vessel called1 and carried away these white heathen ,savages4 ,the same ,captain ,t---- also began the shocking ,kanaka labour-traffic to the ,colonies1 after the sandal-wood trade was exhausted1 which has since destroyed so many thousands of the ,natives in what was nothing less than ,colonial slavery1 and has largely depopulated the ,islands either directly or indirectly4 ,and yet he wrote1 and published in ,sydney1 a pamphlet declaring that he and his sandal-wooders and ,kanaka labour collectors had done more to civilize the ,islanders than all our ,mission efforts combined4 ,civilize them1 indeed6 ,by spreading disease and vice1 misery and death amongst them1 even at the best2 at the worst1 slaving many of them till they perished at their toils1 shooting down others under one or other guilty pretence1 and positively sweeping thousands into an untimely grave4 ,a common cry on their lips was1-- 8,let them perish and let the white men occupy these ,isles40 ,it was such conduct as this1 that made the ,islanders suspect all foreigners and hate the white man and seek revenge in robbery and murder4 ,one ,trader1 for instance1 a sandal-wooder and collector of ,kanakas1 living at ,port ,resolution1 abominably ill-used a party of ,natives4 ,they determined in revenge to plunder his store4 ,the cellar was underneath his house1 and he himself slept above the trap-door by which alone it could be entered4 ,night and day he was guarded by armed men1 ,natives of adjoining islands1 and all approaches to his premises were watched by savage dogs that gave timely warning4 ,he felt himself secure4 ,but the ,tannese actually constructed a tunnel underground from the bush1 through which they rolled away tobacco1 ammunition1 etc41 and nearly emptied his cellar6 ,my heart bled to see men so capable and clever thus brutally abused and demoralized and swept away4 ,by the ,gospel1 and the civilization which it brings1 they were capable of learning anything and being trained to a useful and even noble manhood4 ,but all influence that ever ,i witnessed from these ,traders was degrading1 and dead against the work of our ,missions4 ,the ,chief1 ,nowar ,noukamara1 usually known as ,nowar1 was my best and most-to-be-trusted friend ,he was one of the nine or ten who were most favourable to the ,mission work1 attending the ,worship pretty regularly1 conducting it also in their own houses and villages1 and making generally a somewhat unstable profession of ,christianity4 ,one or more of them often accompanied me on ,sabbath1 when going to conduct the ,worship at inland villages1 and sometimes they protected me from personal injury4 ,this ,nowar influenced the ,harbour ,chiefs and their people for eight or ten miles around to get up a great feast in favour of the ,worship of ,jehovah4 ,all were personally and specially invited1 and it was the largest ,assembly of any kind that ,i ever witnessed on the ,islands4 ,when all was ready1 ,nowar sent a party of ,chiefs to escort me and my ,aneityumese ,teachers to the feast4 ,fourteen ,chiefs1 in turn1 made speeches to the assembled multitude2 the drift of all being1 that war and fighting be given up on ,tanna1--that no more people be killed by nahak1 for witchcraft and sorcery were lies1--that ,sacred ,men no longer profess to make wind and rain1 famine and plenty1 disease and death1--that the dark heathen talk of ,tanna should cease1 that all here present should adopt the ,worship of ,jehovah as taught to them by the ,missionary and the ,aneityumese1--and that all the banished ,tribes should be invited to their own lands to live in peace6 ,these strange speeches did not draw forth a single opposing voice4 ,doubtless these men were in earnest1 and had there been one master mind to rule and mould them1 their regeneration had dawned4 ,though for the moment a feeling of friendliness prevailed1 the ,tannese were unstable as water and easily swayed one way or the other4 ,they are born talkers1 and can and will speechify on all occasions1 but most of it means nothing1 bears no fruit4 ,after these speeches1 a scene followed which gradually assumed shape as an idolatrous ceremonial and greatly horrified me4 ,it was in connection with the immense quantity of food that had been prepared for the feast1 especially pigs and fowls4 ,a great heap had been piled up for each ,tribe represented1 and a handsome portion also set apart for the ,missionary and his ,teachers4 ,the ceremony was this1 as nearly as ,i could follow it4 ,one hundred or so of the leading men marched into the large cleared space in the centre of the assembled multitudes1 and stood there facing each other in equal lines1 with a man at either end closing up the passage between4 ,at the middle they stood eight or ten feet apart1 gradually nearing till they almost met at either end4 ,amid tremendous silence for a few moments all stood hushed2 then every man kneeled on his right knee1 extended his right hand1 and bent forward till his face nearly touched the ground4 ,thereon the man at the one end began muttering something1 his voice rising ever louder as he rose to his feet1 when it ended in a fearful yell as he stood erect4 ,next the two long lines of men1 all in a body1 went through the same ceremonial1 rising gradually to their feet1 with mutterings deepening into a howl1 and heightening into a yell as they stood erect4 ,finally1 the man at the other end went through the same hideous forms4 ,all this was thrice deliberately repeated1 each time with growing frenzy4 ,and then1 all standing on their feet1 they united as with one voice in what sounded like music running mad up and down the scale1 closing with a long1 deep-toned1 hollow howl as of souls in pain4 ,with smiles of joy1 the men then all shook hands with each other4 ,nowar and another ,chief briefly spoke1 and the food was then divided and exchanged1 a principal man of each ,tribe standing by to receive and watch his portion4 ,at this stage1 ,nowar and ,nerwangi1 as leaders1 addressed the ,teachers and the ,missionary to this effect3-- 8,this feast is held to move all the ,chiefs and ,people here to give up fighting1 to become friends1 and to worship your ,jehovah ,god4 ,we wish you to remain1 and to teach us all good conduct4 ,as an evidence of our sincerity1 and of our love1 we have prepared this pile of food for you40 ,in reply1 ,i addressed the whole multitude1 saying how pleased ,i was with their speeches and with the resolutions and promises which they all had made4 ,i further urged them to stick fast by these1 and that grand fruits would arise to their island1 to themselves and to their children4 ,having finished a brief address1 ,i then walked forward to the very middle of the circle1 and laid down before them a bundle of stripes of red calico and pieces of white calico1 a number of fish-hooks1 knives1 etc4 etc41 requesting the two ,chiefs to divide my offering of goodwill among the ,tribes assembled1 and also the pile of food presented to us1 as a token of my love and friendship to them all4 ,their insisting upon me taking their present of food1 laid upon me an unpleasant and dangerous necessity of explaining my refusal4 ,i again thanked them very warmly1 and explained that1 as they had in my presence given away all their food to an ,idol ,god and asked his blessing on it as a sacrifice1 even to ,karapanamun1 the great ,evil ,spirit1 my people and ,i durst not and could not eat of it1 for that would be to have fellowship with their ,idols and to dishonour ,jehovah ,god4 ,christians could acknowledge only the one true and living ,god1 and ask ,his blessing on their food1 and offer it and themselves in thanksgiving unto ,him1 but unto no cruel or evil ,spirit4 ,yet ,i explained to them how much ,i thanked them1 and how ,i loved them just as much as if we had eaten all their gifts1 and how it would please us to see them all1 along with my own gifts1 divided amongst their ,tribes4 ,not without some doubt1 and under considerable trial1 did ,i take this apparently unfriendly attitude4 ,but ,i feared to seem even to approve of any act of devil-worship1 or to confirm them in it1 being there to discourage all such scenes1 and to lead them to acknowledge only the true ,god4 ,i felt as if guilty and as if the hat were rising from my head1 when ,i heard them imprecating and appeasing their ,god1 without being able to show them the ,god of ,love and the better way into ,his presence through ,jesus ,christ4 ,my opportunity to do so arose over the refusal of the food offered unto ,idols1 and ,i told them of the claims of ,jehovah1 the jealous ,god1 who would not share ,his worship with any other4 ,but all the time ,i felt this qualm1--that it were better to eat food with men who acknowledged some ,god and asked his blessing than with those white ,heathens at home1 who asked the blessing of no ,god1 nor thanked ,him1 in this worse than the dog which licks the hand that feeds it6 ,nowar and ,nerwangi explained in great orations what ,i meant1 and how ,i wished all to be divided amongst the assembled ,tribes to show my love4 ,with this1 all seemed highly satisfied4 ,heathen dances were now entered upon1 their paint and feathers and ornaments adding to the wildness of the scene4 ,the men seemed to dance in an inside ring1 and the women in an outside ring1 at a considerable distance from each other4 ,music was supplied by singing and clapping of hands4 ,the order was perfect1 and the figures highly intricate4 ,but ,i have never been able to associate dancing with things lovely and of good report6 ,after the dancing1 all retired to the bush1 and a kind of sham fight followed on the public cleared ground4 ,a host of painted savages rushed in and took possession with songs and shoutings4 ,from the bush1 on the opposite side1 the chanting of women was heard in the distance1 louder and louder as they approached4 ,snatching from a burning fire flaming sticks1 they rushed on the men with these1 beating them and throwing burning pieces of wood among them1 till with deafening yells amongst themselves and amidst shouts of laughter from the crowd1 they drove them from the space1 and danced thereon and sang a song of victory4 ,the dancing and fighting1 the naked painted figures1 and the constant yells and shoutings gave one a weird sensation1 and suggested strange ideas of ,hell broken loose4 ,the final scene approached1 when the men assisted their women to fill all the allotted food into baskets1 to be carried home and eaten there2 for the different ,tribes do not sit down together and eat together as we would do2 their coming together is for the purpose of exchanging and dividing the food presented4 ,and now they broke into friendly confusion1 and freely walked about mingling with each other2 and a kind of savage rehearsal of ,jonathan and ,david took place4 ,they stripped themselves of their fantastic dresses1 their handsomely woven and twisted grass skirts1 leaf skirts1 grass and leaf aprons2 they gave away or exchanged all these1 and their ornaments and bows and arrows1 besides their less romantic calico and print dresses more recently acquired4 ,the effusion and ceremonial of the gifts and exchanges seemed to betoken a loving people2 and so they were for the feast--but that laid not aside a single deadly feud1 and streams of blood and cries of hate would soon efface all traces of this day4 ,i had now six ,stations1 opened up and ministered to by ,aneityumese ,teachers1 at the leading villages along the coast1 and forming links in a chain towards the other ,mission ,establishment on ,tanna4 ,and there were villages prepared to receive as many more4 ,these ,teachers had all been cannibals once1 yet1 with one exception1 they proved themselves to the best of my judgment to be a band of faithful and devoted followers of ,christ4 ,their names were ,abraham1 ,kowari1 ,nomuri1 ,nerwa1 ,lazarus1 and ,eoufati4 ,i visited them periodically and frequently1 encouraging and guiding them1 as well as trying to interest the villagers in their teaching and work4 ,but1 whenever war broke out they had all to return to the ,mission ,house1 and sleep there for safety by night1 visiting their ,stations1 if practicable1 by the light of day4 ,my poor dear ,teachers1 too1 had to bear persecutions for ,jesu's sake1 as the following incident will sorrowfully prove4 ,a native woman1 with some murderous purpose in her heart1 pretended great friendship to the excellent wife of one of my fellow-labourers4 ,she was specially effusive in bringing to her dishes of food from time to time4 ,having thus gained confidence1 she caught a little black fish of those parts1 known to be deadly poisonous1 and baked it up in a mess for the unsuspecting ,teacher's wife4 ,on returning1 she boasted of what she had done1 and thereon a friendly neighbour rushed off to warn the other1 but arrived just to learn that the fatal meal had been taken4 ,beyond all reach of human skill1 this unknown martyr for ,christ died soon after in great agony1 and doubtless received her ,master's reward4 ,in helping to open up new ,stations1 those dear native ,teachers often bore the greatest hardships and indignities with a noble self-denial and positively wonderful patience4 ,nothing known to men under ,heaven could have produced their new character and disposition1 except only the grace of ,god in ,christ ,jesus4 ,though still marred by many of the faults of ,heathenism1 they were at the roots of their being literally new creatures1 trying1 according to their best light1 to live for and to please their new ,master1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,this shone out very conspicuously in these two apostolic souls1 ,abraham and ,kowari1 as leaders among all the devoted band4 ,let me recall another occasion1 on which ,i prevented a war4 ,early one morning1 the savage yells of warring ,tribes woke me from sleep4 ,they had broken into a quarrel about a woman1 and were fiercely engaged with their clubs4 ,according to my custom1 ,i rushed in amongst them1 and1 not without much difficulty1 was blessed in separating them before deadly wounds had been given or received4 ,on this occasion1 the ,chiefs of both ,tribes1 being very friendly to me1 drove their people back from each other at my earnest appeals4 ,sitting down at length within earshot1 they had it out in a wild scolding match1 a contest of lung and tongue4 ,meanwhile ,i rested on a canoe midway betwixt them1 in the hope of averting a renewal of hostilities4 ,by-and-by an old ,sacred ,man1 a ,chief called ,sapa1 with some touch of savage comedy in his breast1 volunteered an episode which restored good humour to the scene4 ,leaping up1 he came dancing and singing towards me1 and there1 to the amusement of all1 re-enacted the quarrel1 and mimicked rather cleverly my attempt at separating the combatants4 ,smashing at the canoe with his club1 he yelled and knocked down imaginary enemies2 then1 rushing first at one party and then at the other1 he represented me as appealing and gesticulating and pushing them afar from each other1 till he became quite exhausted4 ,thereon he came and planted himself in great glee beside me1 and looked around as if to say1--8,you must laugh1 for ,i have played40 ,at this very juncture1 a loud cry of 8,sail ,o60 broke upon our ears1 and all parties leapt to their feet1 and prepared for a new sensation2 for in those climes1 everything--war itself--is a smaller interest than a vessel from the ,great ,unknown ,world sailing into your ,harbour4 ,not many days thereafter1 a very horrible transaction occurred4 ,before daybreak1 ,i heard shot after shot quickly discharged in the ,harbour4 ,one of my ,teachers came running1 and cried1-- 8,missi1 six or seven men have been shot dead this morning for a great feast4 ,it is to reconcile ,tribes that have been at war1 and to allow a banished ,tribe to return in peace40 ,i learned that the leading men had in council agreed upon this sacrifice1 but the name of each victim was kept a secret till the last moment4 ,the torture of suspense and uncertainty seemed to be borne by all as part of their appointed lot1 nor did they prepare as if suspecting any dread assault4 ,before daylight1 the ,sacred ,men allocated a murderer to the door of each house where a victim slept4 ,a signal shot was fired2 all rushed to their doors1 and the doomed ones were shot and clubbed to death as they attempted to escape4 ,their bodies were then borne to a sacred tree1 and hung up there by the hands for a time1 as an offering to the ,gods4 ,being taken down1 they were carried ceremoniously and laid out on the shore near my house1 placed under a special guard4 ,information had reached me that my ,teachers and ,i were also destined victims for this same feast1 and sure enough we espied a band of armed men1 the killers1 despatched towards our premises4 ,instantaneously ,i had the ,teachers and their wives and myself securely locked into the ,mission ,house2 and1 cut off from all human hope1 we set ourselves to pray to our dear ,lord ,jesus1 either ,himself to protect us or to take us to ,his glory4 ,all through that morning and forenoon we heard them tramp-tramping round our house1 whispering to each other1 and hovering near window and door4 ,they knew that there were a double-barrelled fowling-piece and a revolver on the premises1 though they never had seen me use them1 and that may1 under ,god1 have held them back in dread4 ,but such a thought did not enter our souls even in that awful time4 ,i had gone to save1 and not to destroy4 ,it would be easier for me at any time to die than to kill one of them4 ,our safety lay in our appeal to that blessed ,lord who had placed us there1 and to whom all power had been given in ,heaven and on ,earth4 ,he that was with us was more than all that could be against us4 ,this is strength2 this is peace3--to feel1 in entering on every day1 that all its duties and trials have been committed to the ,lord ,jesus1--that1 come what may1 ,he will use us for ,his own glory and our real good6 ,all through that dreadful morning1 and far into the afternoon1 we thus abode together1 feeling conscious that we were united to this dear ,lord ,jesus1 and we had sweet communion with ,him1 meditating on the wonders of ,his person and the hopes and glories of ,his kingdom4 ,oh1 that all my readers may learn something of this in their own experience of the ,lord6 ,i can wish them nothing more precious4 ,towards sundown1 constrained by the ,invisible ,one1 they withdrew from our ,mission ,house1 and left us once more in peace4 ,they bore away the slain to be cooked1 and distributed amongst the ,tribes1 and eaten in their feast of reconciliation2 a covenant sealed in blood1 and soon1 alas1 to be buried in blood again6 ,for many days thereafter1 we had to take unusual care1 and not unduly expose ourselves to danger2 for dark characters were seen prowling about in the bush near at hand1 and we knew that our life was the prize4 ,we took what care we could1 and ,god the ,lord did the rest1 or rather ,he did all--for ,his wisdom guided us1 and ,his power baffled them4 ,shortly thereafter1 war was again declared by the ,inland people attacking our ,harbour people4 ,it was an old quarrel2 and the war was renewed and continued1 long after the cause thereof had passed away4 ,going amongst them every day1 ,i did my utmost to stop hostilities1 setting the evils of war before them1 and pleading with the leading men to renounce it4 ,thereon arose a characteristic incident of ,island and ,heathen life4 ,one day ,i held a ,service in the village where morning after morning their ,tribes assembled1 and declared that if they would believe in and follow the ,jehovah ,god1 ,he would deliver them from all their enemies and lead them into a happy life4 ,there were present three ,sacred ,men1 ,chiefs1 of whom the whole population lived in terror1--brothers or cousins1 heroes of traditional feats1 professors of sorcery1 and claiming the power of life and death1 health and sickness1 rain and drought1 according to their will4 ,on hearing me1 these three stood up and declared they did not believe in ,jehovah1 nor did they need ,his help1 for they had the power to kill my life by ,nahak 7i4e41 sorcery or witchcraft71 if only they could get possession of any piece of the fruit or food that ,i had eaten4 ,this was an essential condition of their black art2 hence the peel of a banana or an orange1 and every broken scrap of food1 is gathered up by the ,natives1 lest it should fall into the hands of the ,sacred ,men1 and be used for ,nahak4 ,this superstition was the cause of most of the bloodshed and terror upon ,tanna2 and being thus challenged1 ,i asked ,god's help1 and determined to strike a blow against it4 ,a woman was standing near with a bunch of native fruit in her hand1 like our plums1 called quonquore4 ,i asked her to be pleased to give me some2 and she1 holding out a bunch1 said1-- 8,take freely what you will60 ,calling the attention of all the ,assembly to what ,i was doing1 ,i took three fruits from the bunch1 and taking a bite out of each1 ,i gave them one after another to the three ,sacred ,men1 and deliberately said in the hearing of all1-- 8,you have seen me eat of this fruit1 you have seen me give the remainder to your ,sacred ,men2 they have said they can kill me by ,nahak1 but ,i challenge them to do it if they can1 without arrow or spear1 club or musket1 for ,i deny that they have any power against me or against any one by their ,sorcery40 ,the challenge was accepted2 the ,natives looked terror-struck at the position in which ,i was placed6 ,the ceremony of ,nahak was usually performed in secret1--the ,tannese fleeing in dread1 as ,europeans would from the touch of the plague2 but ,i lingered and eagerly watched their ritual4 ,as the three ,chiefs arose1 and drew near to one of the ,sacred ,trees1 to begin their ceremonial1 the ,natives fled in terror1 crying1-- 8,missi1 away6 ,alas1 ,missi60 ,but ,i held on at my post of observation4 ,amidst wavings and incantations1 they rolled up the pieces of the fruit from which ,i had eaten1 in certain leaves of this ,sacred ,tree into a shape like a waxen candle2 then they kindled a sacred fire near the root1 and continued their mutterings1 gradually burning a little more and a little more of the candle-shaped things1 wheeling them round their heads1 blowing upon them with their breaths1 waving them in the air1 and glancing wildly at me as if expecting my sudden destruction4 ,wondering whether after all they did not believe their own lie1 for they seemed to be in dead earnest1 ,i1 more eager than ever to break the chains of such vile superstition1 urged them again and again1 crying1-- 8,be quick6 ,stir up your ,gods to help you6 ,i am not killed yet2 ,i am perfectly well60 ,at last they stood up and said1-- 8,we must delay till we have called all our ,sacred ,men4 ,we will kill ,missi before his next ,sabbath comes round4 ,let all watch1 for he will soon die and that without fail40 ,i replied1 8,very good6 ,i challenge all your ,priests to unite and kill me by ,sorcery or ,nahak4 ,if on ,sabbath next ,i come again to your village in health1 you will all admit that your ,gods have no power over me1 and that ,i am protected by the true and living ,jehovah ,god60 ,for every day throughout the remainder of that week1 the ,conchs were sounded1 and over that side of the island all their ,sacred ,men were at work trying to kill me by their arts4 ,now and again messengers arrived from every quarter of the island1 inquiring anxiously after my health1 and wondering if ,i was not feeling sick1 and great excitement prevailed amongst the poor deluded idolaters4 ,sabbath dawned upon me peacefully1 and ,i went to that village in more than my usual health and strength4 ,large numbers assembled1 and when ,i appeared they looked at each other in terror1 as if it could not really be ,i1 myself1 still spared and well4 ,entering into the public ground1 ,i saluted them to this effect1-- 8,my love to you all1 my friends6 ,i have come again to talk to you about the ,jehovah ,god and ,his ,worship40 ,the three ,sacred ,men1 on being asked1 admitted that they had tried to kill me by ,nahak1 but had failed2 and on being questioned1 why they had failed1 they gave the acute and subtle reply1 that ,i also was myself a ,sacred ,man1 and that my ,god being the stronger had protected me from their ,gods4 ,addressing the multitude1 ,i answered thus1-- 8,yea1 truly2 my ,jehovah ,god is stronger than your ,gods4 ,he protected me1 and helped me2 for ,he is the only living and true ,god1 the only ,god that can hear or answer any prayer from the children of men4 ,your ,gods cannot hear prayers1 but my ,god can and will hear and answer you1 if you will give heart and life to ,him1 and love and serve ,him only4 ,this is my ,god1 and ,he is also your friend if you will hear and follow ,his voice40 ,having said this1 ,i sat down on the trunk of a fallen tree1 and addressed them1-- 8,come and sit down all around me1 and ,i will talk to you about the love and mercy of my ,god1 and teach you how to worship and please ,him40 ,two of the ,sacred ,men then sat down1 and all the people gathered round and seated themselves very quietly4 ,i tried to present to them ideas of sin1 and of salvation through ,jesus ,christ1 as revealed to us in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,the third ,sacred ,man1 the highest in rank1 a man of great stature and uncommon strength1 had meantime gone off for his warrior's spear1 and returned brandishing it in the air and poising it at me4 ,i said to the people1-- 8,of course he can kill me with his spear1 but he undertook to kill me by ,nahak or ,sorcery1 and promised not to use against me any weapons of war2 and if you let him kill me now1 you will kill your friend1 one who lives among you and only tries to do you good1 as you all know so well4 ,i know that if you kill me thus1 my ,god will be angry and will punish you40 ,thereon ,i seated myself calmly in the midst of the crowd1 while he leaped about in rage1 scolding his brothers and all who were present for listening to me4 ,the other ,sacred ,men1 however1 took my side1 and1 as many of the people also were friendly to me and stood closely packed around me1 he did not throw his spear4 ,to allay the tumult and obviate further bloodshed1 ,i offered to leave with my ,teachers at once1 and1 in doing so1 ,i ardently pled with them to live at peace4 ,though we got safely home1 that old ,sacred ,man seemed still to hunger after my blood4 ,for weeks thereafter1 go where ,i would1 he would suddenly appear on the path behind me1 poising in his right hand that same ,goliath spear4 ,god only kept it from being thrown1 and ,i1 using every lawful precaution1 had all the same to attend to my work1 as if no enemy were there1 leaving all other results in the hands of ,jesus4 ,this whole incident did1 doubtless1 shake the prejudices of many as to ,sorcery2 but few even of converted ,natives ever get entirely clear of the dread of ,nahak4 ,if not truly converted1 the two ,priests were fast friends of mine from that day1 as also another leading man in the same district4 ,they also received an ,aneityumese ,teacher to their village1 protecting and showing kindness to him2 one of the ,sacred ,men who could speak his language lived almost constantly with him1 and some young people were allowed daily to attend our ,school4 ,these two and a number of others began to wear a kilt1 and some a shirt also4 ,three of them especially1 if not ,christians1 appeared to be not far from the ,kingdom of ,god1 and did all that was in their power to protect and to assist me4 ,a few began to pray to ,jehovah in their houses1 offering a kind of rude family worship1 and breathing out such prayers and desires as ,i had taught them for the knowledge of the true ,god and only ,saviour4 ,and these1 as my companions1 accompanied me from place to place when ,i visited their district4 ,but let us return to the war4 ,many ,chiefs and villages were now involved in it2 and a large part of the bush over the country between had been consumed by fire1 to prevent surprises4 ,yet1 our ,harbour people being assembled one night for consultation1 a number of the ,inland warriors crept near unobserved and discharged a volley of muskets amongst them4 ,several were shot dead1 and in the darkness and confusion the enemy got clear away4 ,revenge and self-preservation now united our people as one man1 and every man assembled for action on the borders of the hostile ,tribes4 ,i again visited them on the fighting ground4 ,as ,i was seen approaching1 the two old ,priests1 my friends1 came to receive and escort me1 protected by their clubs and muskets1--the one blind of an eye lost in war marching before me1 and the other behind me with poised spear and mighty club4 ,seating me in a central position1 they assembled all the warriors1 except the watchmen1 and these savage men listened attentively to my message1 and bowed quietly during prayer4 ,god only knows what may be the fruit in some dark benighted soul6 ,the whole host of them ceased firing1 till the two friendly ,priests had again conveyed me safely beyond the reach of danger4 ,going among them frequently thus1 they treated me with exceptional kindness1 till one ,sabbath ,i determined to go over and talk with the enemy also1 in the hope of getting this sad war put an end to4 ,our people were sternly opposed to this1 not for fear of my safety1 but lest ,i prayed for the enemy and my ,god might help them in the war4 ,but my two friends1 the old ,priests1 persuaded them to let me go1 and to cease their shooting till my return4 ,they had an idea to buy1 in this way1 my intercession with ,jehovah exclusively on their behalf2 but ,i explained to them as on former occasions1 that ,i was there for the good of all alike1 that ,i loved them all and sought to lead them to give up war and bad conduct1 for my ,god would hear and bless only those who feared and loved and obeyed ,him4 ,i had a long interview with the enemies also1 arguing against the evils of war1 and urging them to give it up4 ,they were so far friendly2 they allowed me to have worship amongst them1 and ,i returned in safety before another musket was discharged on either side4 ,the war still went on1 though more languidly2 but after a time the leaders entered into a kind of truce1 and peace reigned for a season4 ,the other ,mission ,station1 on the south-west side of ,tanna1 had to be visited by me from time to time4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson1 there1 were both in a weak state of health1 having a tendency to consumption4 ,on this account they visited ,aneityum several times4 ,they were earnestly devoted to their work1 and were successful so far as health and the time allowed to them permitted4 ,at this juncture1 a message reached me that they were without ,european food1 and a request to send them a little flour if possible4 ,the war made the journey overland impossible4 ,a strong wind and a high sea round the coast rendered it impracticable for my boat to go4 ,the danger to life from the enemy was so great1 that ,i could not hire a crew4 ,i pled therefore with ,nowar and ,manuman1 and a few leading men to take one of their best canoes1 and themselves to accompany me4 ,i had a large flat-bottomed pot with a close-fitting lid1 and that ,i pressed full of flour2 and1 tying the lid firmly down1 ,i fastened it right in the centre of the canoe1 and as far above water-mark as possible4 ,all else that was required we tied around our own persons4 ,sea and land being as they were1 it was a perilous undertaking1 which only dire necessity could have justified4 ,they were all good swimmers1 but as ,i could not swim the strongest man was placed behind me1 to seize me and swim ashore1 if a crash came4 ,creeping round near the shore all the way1 we had to keep just outside the great breakers on the coral reef1 and were all drenched through and through with the foam of an angry surf4 ,we arrived1 however1 in safety within two miles of our destination1 where lived the friends of my canoe's company1 but where a very dangerous sea was breaking on the reef4 ,here they all gave in1 and protested that no further could they go2 and truly their toil all the way with the paddles had been severe4 ,i appealed to them1 that the canoe would for certain be smashed if they tried to get on shore1 that the provisions would be lost1 and some of us probably drowned4 ,but they turned to the shore1 and remained for some time thus1 watching the sea4 ,at last their ,captain cried1--8,missi1 hold on6 ,there's a smaller wave coming2 we'll ride in now40 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,dangerous ,,landing ,,through ,,the ,,surf4 ,my heart rose to the ,lord in trembling prayer6 ,the wave came rolling on2 every paddle with all their united strength struck into the sea2 and next moment our canoe was flying like a sea-gull on the crest of the wave towards the shore4 ,another instant1 and the wave had broken on the reef with a mighty roar1 and rushed passed us hissing in clouds of foam4 ,my company were next seen swimming wildly about in the sea1 ,manuman1 the one-eyed ,sacred ,man1 alone holding on by the canoe1 nearly full of water1 with me still clinging to the seat of it1 and the very next wave likely to devour us4 ,in desperation1 ,i sprang for the reef1 and ran for a man half-wading1 half-swimming to reach us2 and ,god so ordered it1 that just as the next wave broke against the silvery rock of coral1 the man caught me and partly swam with me through its surf1 partly carried me till ,i was set safely ashore4 ,praising ,god1 ,i looked up and saw all the others nearly as safe as myself1 except ,manuman1 my friend1 who was still holding on by the canoe in the face of wind and sea1 and bringing it with him4 ,others ran and swam to his help4 ,the paddles were picked up amid the surf4 ,a powerful fellow came towards me with the pot of flour on his head1 uninjured by water4 ,the ,chief who held on by the canoe got severely cut about the feet1 and had been badly bruised and knocked about2 but all the rest escaped without further harm1 and everything that we had was saved4 ,amongst friends1 at last1 they resolved to await a favourable wind and tide to return to their own homes4 ,singing in my heart unto ,god1 ,i hired a man to carry the pot of flour1 and soon arrived at the ,mission ,station4 ,supplying the wants of our dear friends1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson1 whom we found as well as could be expected1 we had to prepare1 after a few hours of rest1 to return to our own ,station by walking overland through the night4 ,i durst not remain longer away1 lest my own house should be plundered and broken into4 ,though weak in health1 my fellow-,missionaries were both full of hope1 and zealous in their work1 and this somewhat strange visit was a pleasant blink amidst our darkness4 ,before ,i had gone far on my return journey1 the sun went down1 and no ,native could be hired to accompany me4 ,they all told me that ,i would for certain be killed by the way4 ,but ,i knew that it would be quite dark before ,i reached the hostile districts1 and that the ,heathen are great cowards in the dark and never leave their villages at night in the darkness1 except in companies for fishing and such-like tasks4 ,i skirted along the sea-shore as fast as ,i could1 walking and running alternately2 and1 when ,i got within hearing of voices1 ,i slunk back into the bush till they had safely passed1 and then groped my way back near the shore1 that being my only guide to find a path4 ,having made half the journey1 ,i came to a dangerous path1 almost perpendicular1 up a great rock round the base of which the sea roared deep4 ,with my heart lifted up to ,jesus1 ,i succeeded in climbing it1 cautiously grasping roots1 and resting by bushes1 till ,i reached safely to the top4 ,there1 to avoid a village1 ,i had to keep crawling slowly along the bush near the sea1 on the top of that great ledge of rock2 a feat ,i could never have accomplished even in daylight without the excitement1 but ,i felt that ,i was supported and guided in all that life or death journey by my dear ,lord ,jesus4 ,i had to leave the shore1 and follow up the bank of a very deep ravine to a place shallow enough for one to cross1 and then through the bush away for the shore again4 ,by holding too much to the right1 ,i missed the point where ,i intended to reach it4 ,small fires were now visible through the bush2 ,i heard the voices of the people talking in one of our most heathen villages4 ,quietly drawing back1 ,i now knew where ,i was1 and easily found my way towards the shore2 but on reaching the ,great ,rock1 ,i could not in the darkness find the path down again4 ,i groped about till ,i was tired4 ,i feared that ,i might stumble over and be killed2 or1 if ,i delayed till daylight1 that the savages would kill me4 ,i knew that one part of the rock was steep-sloping1 with little growth or none thereon1 and ,i searched about to find it1 resolved to commend myself to ,jesus and slide down thereby that ,i might again reach the shore and escape for my life4 ,thinking ,i had found this spot1 ,i hurled down several stones and listened for their splash that ,i might judge whether it would be safe4 ,but the distance was too far for me to hear or judge4 ,at high tide the sea there was deep2 but at low tide ,i could wade out of it and be safe4 ,the darkness made it impossible for me to see anything4 ,i let go my umbrella1 shoving it down with considerable force1 but neither did it send me back any news4 ,feeling sure1 however1 that this was the place ,i sought1 and knowing that to await the daylight would be certain death1 ,i prayed to my ,lord ,jesus for help and protection1 and resolved to let myself go4 ,first1 ,i fastened all my clothes as tightly as ,i could1 so as not to catch on anything2 then ,i lay down at the top on my back1 feet foremost1 holding my head downwards on my breast to keep it from striking on the rock2 then1 after one cry to my ,saviour1 having let myself down as far as possible by a branch1 ,i at last let go1 throwing my arms forward and trying to keep my feet well up4 ,a giddy swirl1 as if flying through the air1 took possession of me2 a few moments seemed an age2 ,i rushed quickly down1 and felt no obstruction till my feet struck into the sea below4 ,adoring and praising my dear ,lord ,jesus1 who had ordered it so1 ,i regained my feet2 it was low tide1 ,i had received no injury1 ,i found my umbrella1 and1 wading through1 ,i found the shore path easier and lighter than the bush had been4 ,the very darkness was my safety1 preventing the ,natives from rambling about4 ,i saw no person to speak to1 till ,i reached a village quite near to my own house1 fifteen or twenty miles from where ,i had started2 here ,i left the sea path and promised young men some fish-hooks to guide me the nearest way through the bush to my ,mission ,station1 which they gladly and heartily did4 ,i ran a narrow risk in approaching them2 they thought me an enemy1 and ,i arrested their muskets only by a loud cry1-- 8,i am ,missi6 ,don't shoot2 my love to you1 my friends60 ,praising ,god for ,his preserving care1 ,i reached home1 and had a long refreshing sleep4 ,the ,natives1 on hearing next day how ,i had come all the way in the dark1 exclaimed1-- 8,surely any of us would have been killed6 ,your ,jehovah ,god alone thus protects you and brings you safely home40 ,with all my heart1 ,i said1 8,yes6 and ,he will be your protector and helper too1 if only you will obey and trust in ,him40 ,certainly that night put my faith to the test4 ,had it not been the assurance that ,i was engaged in ,his service1 and that in every path of duty ,he would carry me through or dispose of me therein for ,his glory1 ,i could never have undertaken either journey4 ,st4 ,paul's words are true to-day and for ever1--8,i can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth me40 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,deepening ,,shadows4 ,welcome ,guests4--,a ,fiendish ,deed4--,the ,plague of ,measles4--,a ,heroic ,soul4--,horrors of ,epidemic4--,a ,memorable ,new ,year4--,a ,missionary ,attacked4--,in the ,valley of the ,shadow4--,blow from an ,adze4--,a ,missionary's ,death4--,mrs4 ,johnston's ,letter4--,a ,heavy ,loss4--,the ,story of ,kowia4--,kowia's ,soliloquy4--,the ,passing of ,kowia4--,mortality of ,measles4--,fuel to the ,fire4--,hurricanes4--,a ,spate of ,blood and ,terror4--,nowar ,vacillates4--,the ,anger of the ,gods4--,not ,afraid to ,die4--,martyrs of ,erromanga4--,visit to the ,gordons4--,their ,martyrdom4--,vindication of the ,gordons4--,gordon's ,last ,letter4--,plots of ,murder4--,death by ,nahak4--,nowar ,halting ,again4--,old ,abraham's ,prayer4--,miaki at the ,mission ,house4--,satanic ,influences4--,perplexity ,deepening4--,selwyn's ,testimony4--,rotten ,tracts4--,captain and ,mate of ,blue ,bell4--,my ,precious ,dog4--,fishing ,nets and ,kawases4--,the ,taro ,plant4--,the ,kava ,drink4--,katasian and the ,club ,scene4--,the ,yams4--,sunshine and ,shadow4--,the ,teachers ,demoralized4--,the ,chief's ,alphabet4--,our ,evil ,genius4--,ships of ,fire ,again4--,commodore ,seymour's ,visit4--,nouka and ,queen ',toria4--,the ,dog to his ,vomit ,again4 ,in ,september1 #ahfj1 ,i had the very great pleasure of welcoming1 as fellow-labourers to ,tanna1 the ,rev4 ,s4 ,f4 ,johnston and his wife1 two able and pious young ,missionaries from ,nova ,scotia4 ,having visited the whole group of the ,new ,hebrides1 they preferred to cast their lot on ,tanna4 ,during the ,rainy ,season1 and till they had acquired a little of the language1 and some preparation had been made of a ,station for themselves1 ,i gladly received them as my guests4 ,the company was very sweet to me6 ,i gave them about fourteen ,tannese words to be committed to memory every day1 and conversed with them1 using the words already acquired2 so that they made very rapid progress1 and almost immediately were of some service in the ,mission work4 ,no man could have desired better companions in the ministry of the ,gospel4 ,about this time ,i had a never-to-be-forgotten illustration of the infernal spirit that possessed some of the ,traders towards these poor ,natives4 ,one morning1 three or four vessels entered our ,harbour and cast anchor off ,port ,resolution4 ,the ,captains called on me2 and one of them1 with manifest delight1 exclaimed1-- 8,we know how to bring down your proud ,tannese now6 ,we'll humble them before you60 ,i answered1 8,surely you don't mean to attack and destroy these poor people80 ,he answered1 not abashed but rejoicing1 8,we have sent the measles to humble them6 ,that kills them by the score6 ,four young men have been landed at different ports1 ill with measles1 and these will soon thin their ranks40 ,shocked above measure1 ,i protested solemnly and denounced their conduct and spirit1 but my remonstrances only called forth the shameless declaration1-- 8,our watchword is1--,sweep these creatures away and let white men occupy the soil60 ,their malice was further illustrated thus3 they induced ,kepuku1 a young ,chief1 to go off to one of their vessels1 promising him a present4 ,he was the friend and chief supporter of ,mr4 ,mathieson and of his work4 ,having got him on board1 they confined him in the hold amongst ,natives lying ill with measles4 ,they gave him no food for about four-and-twenty hours2 and then1 without the promised present1 they put him ashore far from his own home4 ,though weak and excited1 he scrambled back to his ,tribe in great exhaustion and terror4 ,he informed the ,missionary that they had put him down amongst sick people1 red and hot with fever1 and that he feared their sickness was upon him4 ,i am ashamed to say that these ,sandal-wood and other ,traders were our own degraded countrymen2 and that they deliberately gloried in thus destroying the poor ,heathen4 ,a more fiendish spirit could scarcely be imagined1 but most of them were horrible drunkards1 and their traffic of every kind amongst these ,islands was1 generally speaking1 steeped in human blood4 ,the measles1 thus introduced1 became amongst our islanders the most deadly plague4 ,it spread fearfully1 and was accompanied by sore throat and diarrha ,in some villages1 man1 woman1 and child were stricken1 and none could give food or water to the rest4 ,the misery1 suffering1 and terror were unexampled1 the living being afraid sometimes even to bury the dead4 ,thirteen of my own ,mission party died of this disease2 and1 so terror-stricken were the few who survived1 that when the little ,mission schooner ,john ,knox returned to ,tanna1 they all packed up and returned to their own ,aneityum1 except my own dear old ,abraham4 ,at first1 thinking that all were on the wing1 he also had packed his things1 and was standing beside the others ready to leave with them4 ,i drew near to him1 and said1-- 8,abraham1 they are all going2 are you also going to leave me here alone on ,tanna1 to fight the battles of the ,lord80 ,he asked1 8,missi1 will you remain80 ,i replied1 8,yes2 but1 ,abraham1 the danger to life is now so great that ,i dare not plead with you to remain1 for we may both be slain4 ,still1 ,i cannot leave the ,lord's work now40 ,the noble old ,chief looked at the box and his bundles1 and1 musing1 said1-- 8,missi1 our danger is very great now40 ,i answered1 8,yes2 ,i once thought you would not leave me alone to it2 but1 as the vessel is going to your own land1 ,i cannot ask you to remain and face it with me60 ,he again said1 8,missi1 would you like me to remain alone with you1 seeing my wife is dead and in her grave here80 ,i replied1 8,yes1 ,i would like you to remain2 but1 considering the circumstances in which we will be left alone1 ,i cannot plead with you to do so40 ,he answered1 8,then1 ,missi1 ,i remain with you of my own free choice1 and with all my heart4 ,we will live and die together in the work of the ,lord4 ,i will never leave you while you are spared on ,tanna40 ,so saying1 and with a light that gave the foregleam of a martyr's glory to his dark face1 he shouldered his box and bundles back to his own house2 and thereafter1 ,abraham was my dear companion and constant friend1 and my fellow-sufferer in all that remains still to be related of our ,mission life on ,tanna4 ,before this plague of measles was brought amongst us1 ,mr4 ,johnston and ,i had sailed round in the ,john ,knox to ,black ,beach on the opposite side of ,tanna and prepared the way for settling ,teachers there4 ,and they were placed soon after by ,mr4 ,copeland and myself with encouraging hopes of success1 and with the prospect of erecting there a ,station for ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,johnston4 ,but this dreadful imported epidemic blasted all our dreams4 ,mr4 ,johnston and his wife devoted themselves1 from the very first1 and assisted me in every way to alleviate the dread sufferings of the ,natives4 ,we carried medicine1 food1 and even water1 to the surrounding villages every day1 few of themselves being able to render us much assistance4 ,nearly all who took our medicine and followed instructions as to food1 etc41 recovered2 but vast numbers of them would listen to no counsels1 and rushed into experiments which made the attack fatal all around4 ,when the trouble was at its height1 for instance1 they would plunge into the sea1 and seek relief2 they found it in almost instant death4 ,others would dig a hole into the earth1 the length of the body and about two feet deep2 therein they laid themselves down1 the cold earth feeling agreeable to their fevered skins2 and when the earth around them grew heated1 they got friends to dig a few inches deeper1 again and again1 seeking a cooler and cooler couch4 ,in this ghastly effort many of them died1 literally in their own graves1 and were buried where they lay6 ,it need not be surprising1 though we did everything in our power to relieve and save them1 that the ,natives associated us with the white men who had so dreadfully afflicted them1 and that their blind thirst for revenge did not draw fine distinctions between the ,traders and the ,missionaries4 ,both were whites--that was enough4 ,the #ast ,january1 #ahfa1 was a ,new ,year's ,day ever to be remembered4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,johnston1 ,abraham and ,i1 had spent nearly the whole time in a kind of solemn yet happy festival4 ,anew in a holy covenant before ,god1 we unitedly consecrated our lives and our all to the ,lord ,jesus1 giving ourselves away to ,his blessed service for the conversion of the ,heathen on the ,new ,hebrides4 ,after evening family worship1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,johnston left my room to go to their own house1 only some ten feet distant2 but he returned to inform me that there were two men at the window1 armed with huge clubs1 and having black painted faces4 ,going out to them and asking them what they wanted1 they replied1-- 8,medicine for a sick boy40 ,with difficulty1 ,i persuaded them to come in and get it4 ,at once1 it flashed upon me1 from their agitation and their disguise of paint1 that they had come to murder us4 ,mr4 ,johnston had also accompanied us into the house4 ,keeping my eye constantly fixed on them1 ,i prepared the medicine and offered it4 ,they refused to receive it1 and each man grasped his killing stone4 ,i faced them firmly and said1-- 8,you see that ,mr4 ,johnston is now leaving1 and you too must leave this room for to-night4 ,to-morrow1 you can bring the boy or come for the medicine40 ,seizing their clubs1 as if for action1 they showed unwillingness to withdraw1 but ,i walked deliberately forward and made as if to push them out1 when both turned and began to leave4 ,mr4 ,johnston had gone in front of them and was safely out4 ,but he bent down to lift a little kitten that had escaped at the open door2 and at that moment one of the savages1 jerking in behind1 aimed a blow with his huge club1 in avoiding which ,mr4 ,johnston fell with a scream to the ground4 ,both men sprang towards him1 but our two faithful dogs ferociously leapt in their faces and saved his life4 ,rushing out1 but not fully aware of what had occurred1 ,i saw ,mr4 ,johnston trying to raise himself1 and heard him cry1-- 8,take care6 these men have tried to kill me1 and they will kill you60 ,facing them sternly ,i demanded1-- 8,what is it that you want8 ,he does not understand your language4 ,what do you want8 ,speak with me40 ,both men1 thereon1 raised their great clubs and made to strike me2 but quick as lightning these two dogs sprang at their faces and baffled their blows4 ,one dog was badly bruised1 and the ground received the other blow that would have launched me into ,eternity4 ,the best dog was a little crossbred retriever1 with terrier's blood in him1 splendid for warning of the approaching dangers1 and which had already been the means of saving my life several times4 ,seeing how matters stood1 ,i now hounded both dogs furiously upon them and the two savages fled4 ,i shouted after them1-- 8,remember1 ,jehovah ,god sees you and will punish you for trying to murder ,his servants60 ,in their flight1 a large body of men1 who had come eight or ten miles to assist in the murder and plunder1 came slipping here and there from the bush and joined them fleeing too4 ,verily1 8the wicked flee1 when no man pursueth40 ,david's experience and assurance came home to us1 that evening1 as very real3--8,god is our refuge and our strength 444 therefore we will not fear40 ,but1 after the danger was all past1 ,i had always a strange feeling of fear1 more perhaps from the thought that ,i had been on the verge of ,eternity and so near the great ,white ,throne than from any slavish fear4 ,during the crisis1 ,i felt generally calm1 and firm of soul1 standing erect and with my whole weight on the promise1 8,lo6 ,i am with you alway40 ,precious promise6 ,how often ,i adore ,jesus for it1 and rejoice in it6 ,blessed be ,his name4 ,i1 now accustomed to such scenes on ,tanna1 retired to rest and slept soundly2 but my dear fellow-labourer1 as ,i afterwards learned1 could not sleep for one moment4 ,his pallor and excitement continued next day1 indeed for several days2 and after that1 though he was naturally lively and cheerful1 ,i never saw him smile again4 ,he told me next morning1-- 8,i can only keep saying to myself1 ,already on the verge of ,eternity6 ,how have ,i spent my time8 ,what good have ,i done8 ,what zeal for souls have ,i shown8 ,scarcely entered on the work of my life1 and so near death6 ,o my friend1 ,i never realized what death means1 till last night60 ,so saying1 he covered his face with both hands1 and left me to hide himself in his own room4 ,for that morning1 #ast ,january1 #ahfa1 the following entry was found in his ,journal3--8,to-day1 with a heavy heart and a feeling of dread1 ,i know not why1 ,i set out on my accustomed wanderings amongst the sick4 ,i hastened back to get the ,teacher and carry ,mr4 ,paton to the scene of distress4 ,i carried a bucket of water in one hand and medicine in the other2 and so we spent a portion of this day endeavouring to alleviate their sufferings1 and our work had a happy effect also on the minds of others40 ,in another entry1 on #bbnd ,december he wrote3--8,measles are making fearful havoc amongst the poor ,tannese4 ,as we pass through the villages1 mournful scenes meet the eye2 young and old prostrated on the ground1 showing all these painful symptoms which accompany loathsome and malignant diseases4 ,in some villages few are left able to prepare food1 or to carry drink to the suffering and dying4 ,how pitiful to see the sufferers destitute of every comfort1 attention1 and remedy that would ameliorate their suffering or remove their disease6 ,as ,i think of the tender manner in which we are nursed in sickness1 the many remedies employed to give relief1 with the comforts and attention bestowed upon us1 my heart sickens1 and ,i say1 ,oh my ingratitude and the ingratitude of ,christian people6 ,how little we value our ,christian birth1 education1 and privileges1 etc40 ,having1 as above recorded1 consecrated our lives anew to ,god on the first day of ,january1 ,i was1 up till the sixteenth of the month1 accompanied by ,mr4 ,johnston and sometimes also by ,mrs4 ,johnston on my rounds in the villages amongst the sick1 and they greatly helped me4 ,but by an unhappy accident1 ,i was laid aside when most sorely needed4 ,when adzing a tree for house-building1 ,i observed that ,mahanan the war ,chief's brother had been keeping too near me and that he carried a tomahawk in his hand2 and1 in trying both to do my work and to keep an eye on him1 ,i struck my ankle severely with the adze4 ,he moved off quickly1 saying1--8,i did not do that10 but doubtless rejoicing at what had happened4 ,the bone was badly hurt1 and several of the blood-vessels cut4 ,dressing it as well as ,i could1 and keeping it constantly soaked in cold water1 ,i had to exercise the greatest care4 ,in this condition amidst great sufferings1 ,i was sometimes carried to the villages to administer medicine to the sick1 and to plead and pray with the dying4 ,on such occasions1 in this mode of transit even1 the conversations that ,i had with dear ,mr4 ,johnston were most solemn and greatly refreshing4 ,he had1 however1 scarcely ever slept since the first of ,january1 and during the night of the sixteenth he sent for my bottle of laudanum4 ,being severely attacked with ague and fever1 ,i could not go to him1 but sent the bottle1 specifying the proper quantity for a dose1 but that he quite understood already4 ,he took a dose for himself1 and gave one also to his wife1 as she too suffered from sleeplessness4 ,this he repeated three nights in succession1 and both of them obtained a long1 sound1 and refreshing sleep4 ,he came to my bedside1 where ,i lay in the ague-fever1 and said with great animation1 amongst other things1-- 8,i have had such a blessed sleep1 and feel so refreshed6 ,what kindness in ,god to provide such remedies for suffering man60 ,at mid-day his dear wife came to me crying1-- 8,mr4 ,johnston has fallen asleep1 so deep that ,i cannot awake him40 ,my fever had reached the worst stage1 but ,i struggled to my feet1 got to his bedside1 and found him in a state of coma1 with his teeth fixed in tetanus4 ,with great difficulty we succeeded in slightly rousing him2 with a knife1 spoon1 and pieces of wood1 we forced his teeth open1 so as to administer an emetic with good effects1 and also other needful medicines4 ,for twelve hours1 we had to keep him awake by repeated cold dash in his face1 by ammonia1 and by vigorously moving him about4 ,he then began to speak freely2 and next day he rose and walked about a little4 ,for the two following days1 he was sometimes better and sometimes worse2 but we managed to keep him up till the morning of the #bast1 when he again fell into a state of coma from which we failed to rouse him4 ,at two o'clock in the afternoon1 he fell asleep1 another martyr for the testimony of ,jesus in those dark and trying ,isles1 leaving his young wife in indescribable sorrow1 which she strove to bear with ,christian resignation4 ,having made his coffin and dug his grave1 we two alone at sunset laid him to rest beside my own dear wife and child1 close by the ,mission ,house4 ,in ,mrs4 ,johnston's account1 in a letter to friends regarding his death1 she says3-- 8,next morning1 the #agth1 he rose quite well4 ,he slept well the night before from having taken a dose of laudanum4 ,he also gave some to me1 as ,i had been ill all the day1 having slept little for two or three nights4444 ,two men helped ,mr4 ,paton to his bedside1 as ,i found him lying very low in fever1 yet he waited on ,mr4 ,johnston affectionately4 ,for some time1 while he was in ,mr4 ,paton's hands1 ,i could scarcely keep myself up at all4 ,we thought it was from the laudanum ,i had taken4 ,i had to throw myself down every few minutes4444 ,for some weeks after1 ,i was almost constantly bedfast4 ,i ate little2 still ,i felt no pain1 but very stupid4444 ,at times1 we have services with the ,natives4 ,for a week past1 we have scarcely gone to bed without fears4 ,one night1 our house was surrounded with crowds of armed men1 ready at any moment to break in upon us for our lives4 ,we have had to sit in the house for days past1 with the doors locked1 to prevent any of the savages from entering2 for every party seems to be united against us now4 ,the great sickness that prevails amongst them is the cause of this rage4 ,they say1 we made the disease1 and we must be killed for it2 that they never died off in this way before the religion came amongst them1 etc41 etc40 ,mrs4 ,johnston recovered gradually1 returned by the first opportunity to ,aneityum1 and for nearly three years taught the girls' ,school at ,dr4 ,geddie's ,station4 ,thereafter she was married to my dear friend the ,rev4 ,joseph ,copeland1 and spent with him the remainder of her life on ,fotuna1 working devotedly in the service of the ,mission1 seeking the salvation of the ,heathen4 ,the death of ,mr4 ,johnston was a heavy loss4 ,from his landing on ,tanna1 he appeared to enjoy excellent health1 and was always very active1 bright1 and happy1 till after that attack by the savages with their clubs on ,new ,year's ,day4 ,from that night1 he never again was the same4 ,he never admitted that he had got a blow1 but ,i fear his nervous system must have been unhinged by the shock and horror of the scene4 ,he was genuinely lamented by all who knew him4 ,our intercourse on ,tanna was very sweet1 and ,i missed him exceedingly4 ,not lost to me1 however2 only gone before6 ,another tragedy followed1 with1 however1 much of the light of ,heaven amid its blackness1 in the story of ,kowia1 a ,tannese ,chief of the highest rank4 ,going to ,aneityum in youth1 he had there become a true ,christian4 ,he married an ,aneityumese ,christian woman1 with whom he lived very happily and had two beautiful children4 ,some time before the measles reached our island1 he returned to live with me as a ,teacher and to help forward our work on ,tanna4 ,he proved himself to be a decided ,christian2 he was a real ,chief amongst them1 dignified in his whole conduct1 and every way a valuable helper to me4 ,everything was tried by his own people to induce him to leave me and to renounce the ,worship1 offering him every honour and bribe in their power4 ,failing these1 they threatened to take away all his lands1 and to deprive him of ,chieftainship1 but he answered1-- 8,take all6 ,i shall still stand by ,missi and the ,worship of ,jehovah40 ,from threats1 they passed to galling insults1 all which he bore patiently for ,jesu's sake4 ,but one day1 a party of his people came and sold some fowls1 and an impudent fellow lifted them after they had been bought and offered to sell them again to me4 ,kowia shouted1-- 8,don't purchase these1 ,missi2 ,i have just bought them for you1 and paid for them60 ,thereon the fellow began to mock at him4 ,kowia1 gazing round on all present and then on me1 rose like a lion awaking out of sleep1 and with flashing eyes exclaimed1-- 8,missi1 they think that because ,i am now a ,christian ,i have become a coward6 a woman6 to bear every abuse and insult they can heap upon me4 ,but ,i will show them for once that ,i am no coward1 that ,i am still their ,chief1 and that ,christianity does not take away but gives us courage and nerve40 ,springing at one man1 he wrenched in a moment the mighty club from his hands1 and swinging it in air above his head like a toy1 he cried1-- 8,come any of you1 come all against your ,chief6 ,my ,jehovah ,god makes my heart and arms strong4 ,he will help me in this battle as ,he helps me in other things1 for ,he inspires me to show you that ,christians are no cowards1 though they are men of peace4 ,come on1 and you will yet know that ,i am ,kowia your ,chief40 ,all fled as he approached them2 and he cried1-- 8,where are the cowards now80 and handed back to the warrior his club4 ,after this they left him at peace4 ,he lived at the ,mission ,house1 with his wife and children1 and was a great help and comfort to ,abraham and myself4 ,he was allowed to go more freely and fearlessly amongst the people1 than any of the rest of our ,mission staff4 ,the ague and fever on me at ,mr4 ,johnston's death1 so increased and reduced me to such weakness that ,i had become insensible1 while ,abraham and ,kowia alone attended to me4 ,on returning to consciousness1 ,i heard as in a dream ,kowia lamenting over me1 and pleading that ,i might recover1 so as to hear and speak with him before he died4 ,opening my eyes and looking at him1 ,i heard him say1-- 8,missi1 all our ,aneityumese are sick4 ,missi ,johnston is dead4 ,you are very sick1 and ,i am weak and dying4 ,alas1 when ,i too am dead1 who will climb the trees and get you a cocoa-nut to drink8 ,and who will bathe your lips and brow80 ,here he broke down into deep and long weeping1 and then resumed1--8,missi1 the ,tanna men hate us all on account of the ,worship of ,jehovah2 and ,i now fear ,he is going to take away all ,his servants from this land1 and leave my people to the ,evil ,one and his service60 ,i was too weak to speak1 so he went on1 bursting into a soliloquy of prayer3 8,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,missi ,johnston is dead2 ,thou hast taken him away from this land4 ,missi ,johnston the woman and ,missi ,paton are very ill2 ,i am sick1 and ,thy servants the ,aneityumese are all sick and dying4 ,o ,lord1 our ,father in ,heaven1 art ,thou going to take away all ,thy servants1 and ,thy ,worship from this dark land8 ,what meanest ,thou to do1 ,o ,lord8 ,the ,tannese hate ,thee and ,thy ,worship and ,thy servants1 but surely1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou canst not forsake ,tanna and leave our people to die in the darkness6 ,oh1 make the hearts of this people soft to ,thy ,word and sweet to ,thy ,worship2 teach them to fear and love ,jesus2 and oh1 restore and spare ,missi1 dear ,missi ,paton1 that ,tanna may be saved60 ,touched to the very fountains of my life by such prayers1 from a man once a ,cannibal1 ,i began under the breath of ,god's blessing to revive4 ,a few days thereafter1 ,kowia came again to me1 and rousing me out of sleep1 cried1-- 8,missi1 ,i am very weak2 ,i am dying4 ,i come to bid you farewell1 and go away to die4 ,i am nearing death now1 and ,i will soon see ,jesus40 ,i spoke what words of consolation and cheer ,i could muster1 but he answered4-- 8,missi1 since you became ill my dear wife and children are dead and buried4 ,most of our ,aneityumese are dead1 and ,i am dying4 ,if ,i remain on the hill1 and die here at the ,mission ,house1 there are none left to help ,abraham to carry me down to the grave where my wife and children are laid4 ,i wish to lie beside them1 that we may rise together in the ,great ,day when ,jesus comes4 ,i am happy1 looking unto ,jesus6 ,one thing only deeply grieves me now2 ,i fear ,god is taking us all away from ,tanna1 and will leave my poor people dark and benighted as before1 for they hate ,jesus and the ,worship of ,jehovah4 ,o ,missi1 pray for them1 and pray for me once more before ,i go60 ,he knelt down at my side1 and we prayed for each other and for ,tanna4 ,i then urged him to remain at the ,mission ,house1 but he replied1-- 8,o ,missi1 you do not know how near to death ,i am6 ,i am just going1 and will soon be with ,jesus1 and see my wife and children now4 ,while a little strength is left1 ,i will lean on ,abraham's arm1 and go down to the graves of my dear ones and fall asleep there1 and ,abraham will dig a quiet bed and lay me beside them4 ,farewell1 ,missi1 ,i am very near death now2 we will meet again in ,jesus and with ,jesus60 ,with many tears he dragged himself away2 and my heart-strings seemed all tied round that noble simple soul1 and felt like breaking one by one as he left me there on my bed of fever all alone4 ,abraham sustained him1 tottering to the place of graves2 there he lay down1 and immediately gave up the ghost and slept in ,jesus2 and there the faithful ,abraham buried him beside his wife and children4 ,thus died a man who had been a cannibal ,chief1 but by the grace of ,god and the love of ,jesus changed1 transfigured into a character of light and beauty4 ,what think ye of this1 ye scoffers at ,missions8 ,what think ye of this1 ye sceptics as to the reality of conversion8 ,he died1 as he had lived since ,jesus came to his heart2 without a fear as to death1 with an ever-brightening assurance as to salvation and glory through the blood of the ,lamb of ,god1 that blood which had cleansed him from all his sins1 and had delivered him from their power4 ,i lost1 in losing him1 one of my best friends and most courageous helpers2 but ,i knew1 that day1 and ,i know now1 that there is one soul at least from ,tanna to sing the glories of ,jesus in ,heaven--and1 oh1 the rapture when ,i meet him there6 ,before leaving this terrible plague of measles1 ,i may record my belief that it swept away1 with the accompanying sore throat and diarrha1 a third of the entire population of ,tanna2 nay1 in certain localities more than a third perished4 ,the living declared themselves unable to bury the dead1 and great want and suffering ensued4 ,the ,teacher and his wife and child1 placed by us at ,black ,beach1 were also taken away2 and his companion1 the other ,teacher there1 embraced the first opportunity to leave along with his wife for his own island1 else his life would have been taken in revenge4 ,yet1 from all accounts afterwards received1 ,i do not think the measles were more fatal on ,tanna than on the other ,islands of the group4 ,they appear to have carried off even a larger proportion on ,aniwa1 the future scene of my many sorrows but of greater triumphs4 ,a new incentive was added to the already cruel superstitions of the ,natives4 ,the ,sandal-wooders1 our degraded fellow-countrymen1 in order to divert attention from themselves1 stirred the ,natives with the wild faith that the ,missionaries and the ,worship had brought all this sickness1 and that our lives should be taken in revenge4 ,some ,captains1 on calling with their ships1 made a pretence of refusing to trade with the ,natives as long as ,i was permitted to live on the island4 ,one ,trader offered to come on shore and live amongst the ,tannese1 and supply them with tobacco and powder1 and caps and balls1 on condition that the ,missionary and ,abraham were got out of the way6 ,he knew that these were their greatest wants1 and that they eagerly desired these things1 but he refused to make any sales to them1 till we were murdered or driven away4 ,this was fuel to their savage hate1 and drove them mad with revenge1 and added countless troubles to our lot4 ,hurricane and tempest also fought against us at that time4 ,on the #crd1 and again on the #ajth ,march1 #ahfa1 we had severe and destructive storms4 ,they tore up and smashed bread-fruit1 chestnut1 cocoa-nut1 and all kinds of fruit trees4 ,the ground was strewn thick with half-ripe and wasted fruits4 ,yam plantations and bananas were riven to pieces1 and fences and houses lay piled in a common ruin4 ,my ,mission ,house was also greatly injured2 and the ,church1 on which ,i had spent many weeks of labour1 was nearly levelled with the ground4 ,trees of forty years' growth were broken like straws1 or lifted by the roots and blown away4 ,at the other ,station1 all ,mr4 ,mathieson's premises except one bedroom were swept off in the breath of the hurricane4 ,the sea rose alarmingly and its waves rolled far inland1 causing terrible destruction4 ,had not the merciful ,lord left one bedroom at my ,station and one at ,mr4 ,mathieson's partly habitable1 ,i know not what in the circumstances we could have done4 ,men of fifty years declared that never such a tempest had shaken their ,islands4 ,canoes were shivered on the coral rocks1 and ,villages were left with nothing but ruins to mark where they had been4 ,though rain poured in torrents1 ,i had to keep near my fallen house for hours and hours to prevent the ,natives from carrying away everything ,i had in this world2 and after the second storm1 all my earthly belongings had to be secured in the one still-standing room4 ,following upon this came another spate of thirst for our blood1 which was increased in the following manner4 ,miaki the war ,chief had an infant son1 who had just died4 ,they told us that four men were slain at the same time1 that their spirits might serve and accompany him in the other world2 and that our death also was again resolved upon4 ,for four days they surrounded our diminished premises4 ,we locked ourselves all up in that single bedroom1 and armed savages kept prowling about to take our lives4 ,what but the restraining pity of the ,lord kept them from breaking in upon us8 ,they killed our fowls4 ,they cut down and destroyed all our remaining bananas4 ,they broke down the fence around the plantation1 and tried to burn it1 but failed4 ,they speared and killed some of the few goats--my sole supply of milk4 ,we were helpless1 and kept breathing out our souls in prayer2 and ,god did preserve us1 but1 oh1 what a trying time6 ,the horror grew1 when shortly thereafter we learned that our people near the ,harbour had killed four men and presented their bodies to certain ,chiefs who feasted on them2 and that they in return had given large fat hogs to our people1 one for each of ten bodies which our people had formerly presented to them4 ,within a few months1 thirteen or fourteen persons1 nearly all refugees or prisoners of war1 were reported to us as killed and feasted upon4 ,we generally heard nothing of these murders till all was over1 but in any case1 ,i would have been helpless against their bloodthirst1 even had ,i exposed myself to their savage enmity4 ,they sent two dead bodies to our nearest village1 where still we conducted ,worship every ,sabbath when we durst appear amongst them2 but our people refused to receive them1 saying1 8,now we know that it is wrong to kill and eat our fellow-creatures40 ,a ,chief from another village1 being present1 eagerly received them and carried them off to a great feast for which he was preparing4 ,at this juncture1 our friendly ,chief ,nowar seemed to become afraid4 ,his life also had been threatened2 and our life had been often attempted of late4 ,society around was all in turmoil1 and ,nowar urged us all to leave and take refuge in ,aneityum till these dangers blew past1 and he himself would accompany us4 ,i refused1 however1 to leave4 ,indeed1 there was no immediate means of escape1 except my boat1--which would have been almost madness in an open sea voyage of fifty miles1 with only ,nowar and the ,teachers1 all inexperienced hands4 ,nowar1 being angry and afraid1 took his revenge by laying aside his shirt and kilt1 returning to his heathen nakedness and paint1 attending the meetings of the savages1 and absenting himself from the ,sabbath ,worship4 ,but after about three weeks he resumed the ,christian garments1 and1 feeling that the danger had for the time passed over1 he returned to us as friendly as ever4 ,poor ,nowar6 if he only knew what thousands of ,christians at home do every day just to save their skins2 and then if he only knew how hardly these ,christians can speak against ,heathen converts6 ,my first baptism on ,tanna was that of a ,teacher's child4 ,about fifty persons were present1 and ,miaki the war ,chief was there also4 ,alas1 that child died in the plague of measles1 and of course the ,worship was blamed4 ,deaths1 hurricanes all seemed to be turned against us4 ,a thunderstorm came in the wake of the last hurricane4 ,a man and a woman were killed4 ,not far from my house1 the hill was struck1 a large mass was dislodged from its shoulder and hurled into the valley below4 ,this was the manifest token to them that the ,gods were angry and that we were the cause6 ,god's grace alone kept us from sinking1 and the hope of yet seeing them delivered from their ,heathenism1 and brought to love and serve ,jesus ,christ4 ,for that everything could be borne2 and ,i knew that this was the post of duty1 for it was the ,lord undoubtedly that placed me there4 ,one day1 about this time1 ,i heard an unusual bleating amongst my few remaining goats1 as if they were being killed or tortured4 ,i rushed to the goathouse1 and found myself instantly surrounded by a band of armed men4 ,the snare had caught me1 their weapons were raised1 and ,i expected next instant to die4 ,but ,god moved me to talk to them firmly and kindly2 ,i warned them of their sin and its punishment2 ,i showed them that only my love and pity led me to remain there seeking their good1 and that if they killed me they killed their best friend4 ,i further assured them that ,i was not afraid to die1 for at death my ,saviour would take me to be with ,himself in ,heaven1 and to be far happier than ,i had ever been on ,earth2 and that my only desire to live was to make them all as happy1 by teaching them to love and serve my ,lord ,jesus4 ,i then lifted up my hands and eyes to the ,heavens1 and prayed aloud for ,jesus to bless all my dear ,tannese1 and either to protect me or to take me home to ,glory as ,he saw to be for the best4 ,one after another they slipped away from me1 and ,jesus restrained them once again4 ,did ever mother run more quickly to protect her crying child in danger's hour1 than the ,lord ,jesus hastens to answer believing prayer1 and send help to ,his servants in ,his own good time and way1 so far as it shall be for ,his glory and their good8 ,a woman may forget her child1 yet will not ,i forget thee1 saith the ,lord4 ,oh1 that all my readers knew and felt this1 as in those days and ever since ,i have felt that ,his promise is a reality1 and that ,he is with ,his servants to support and bless them even unto the end of the world6 ,may1 #ahfa1 brought with it a sorrowful and tragic event1 which fell as the very shadow of doom across our path2 ,i mean the martyrdom of the ,gordons on ,erromanga4 ,rev4 ,g4 ,n4 ,gordon was a native of ,prince ,edward ,island1 ,nova ,scotia1 and was born in #ahbb4 ,he was educated at the ,free ,church ,college1 ,halifax1 and placed as ,missionary on ,erromanga1 in ,june1 #aheg4 ,much troubled and opposed by the ,sandal-wooders1 he had yet acquired the language and was making progress by inroads on ,heathenism4 ,a considerable number of young men and women embraced the ,christian ,faith1 lived at the ,mission ,house1 and devotedly helped him and his excellent wife in all their work4 ,but the hurricanes and the measles1 already referred to1 caused great mortality in ,erromanga also2 and the degraded ,traders1 who had introduced the plague1 in order to save themselves from revenge1 stimulated the superstitions of the ,heathen1 and charged the ,missionaries with causing sickness and all other calamities4 ,the ,sandal-wooders hated him for fearlessly denouncing and exposing their hideous atrocities4 ,when ,mr4 ,copeland and ,i placed the ,native ,teachers at ,black ,beach1 ,tanna1 we ran across to ,erromanga in the ,john ,knox1 taking a harmonium to ,mrs4 ,gordon1 just come to their order from ,sydney4 ,when it was opened out at the ,mission ,house1 and ,mrs4 ,gordon began playing on it and singing sweet hymns1 the native women were in ecstasies4 ,they at once proposed to go off to the bush and cut each a burden of long grass1 to thatch the printing-office which ,mr4 ,gordon was building in order to print the ,scriptures in their own tongue1 if only ,mrs4 ,gordon would play to them at night and teach them to sing ,god's praises4 ,they joyfully did so1 and then spent a happy evening singing those hymns4 ,next day being ,sabbath1 we had a delightful season there1 about thirty attending ,church and listening eagerly4 ,the young men and women1 living at the ,mission ,house1 were being trained to become ,teachers4 ,they were reading a small book in their own language1 telling them the story of ,joseph2 and the work every way seemed most hopeful4 ,the ,mission ,house had been removed a mile or so up a hill1 partly for ,mrs4 ,gordon's health1 and partly to escape the annoying and contaminating influence of the ,sandal-wooders on his ,christian ,natives4 ,on #bjth ,may1 #ahfa1 he was still working at the roofing of the printing-office1 and had sent his lads to bring each a load of the long grass to finish the thatching4 ,meantime1 a party of ,erromangans from a district called ,bunk-,hill1 under a ,chief named ,lovu1 had been watching him4 ,they had been to the ,mission ,house inquiring1 and they had seen him send away his ,christian lads4 ,they then hid in the bush1 and sent two of their men to the ,missionary to ask for calico4 ,on a piece of wood he wrote a note to ,mrs4 ,gordon to give them two yards each4 ,they asked him to go with them to the ,mission ,house1 as they needed medicine for a sick boy1 and ,lovu their ,chief wanted to see him4 ,he tied up in a napkin a meal of food1 which had been brought to him but not eaten1 and started to go with them4 ,he requested the native ,narubulet to go on before1 with his companion2 but they insisted upon his going in front4 ,in crossing a streamlet1 which ,i visited shortly afterwards1 his foot slipped4 ,a blow was aimed at him with a tomahawk which he caught2 the other man struck1 but his weapon was also caught4 ,one of the tomahawks was then wrenched out of his grasp4 ,next moment1 a blow on the spine laid the dear ,missionary low1 and a second on the neck almost severed the head from the body4 ,the other ,natives then rushed from their ambush1 and slashed him to pieces1 and began dancing round him with frantic shoutings4 ,mrs4 ,gordon1 hearing the noise1 came out and stood in front of the ,mission ,house1 looking in the direction of her husband's working place and wondering what had happened4 ,ouben1 one of the party1 who had run towards the ,station the moment that ,mr4 ,gordon fell1 now approached her4 ,a merciful clump of trees had hid from her eyes all that had occurred1 and she said to ,ouben1-- 8,what's the cause of that noise80 ,he replied1 8,oh1 nothing6 only the boys amusing themselves60 ,saying1 8,where are the boys80 she turned round4 ,ouben slipped stealthily behind her1 sank his tomahawk into her back1 and with another blow almost severed her head6 ,such was the fate of those two devoted servants of the ,lord2 loving in their lives1 and in their deaths scarcely divided--their spirits1 in the crown of martyrdom1 entered ,glory together1 to be welcomed by ,williams and ,harris1 whose blood was shed on the same dark isle for the name and cause of ,jesus4 ,they had laboured four years on ,erromanga1 amidst trials and dangers manifold1 and had not been without tokens of blessing in the ,lord's work4 ,never more earnest and devoted ,missionaries lived or died in the ,heathen field4 ,other accounts1 indeed1 have been published1 and another was reported to me by ,mr4 ,gordon's ,christian lads2 but the above combines faithfully the principal facts in the story4 ,one young ,christian lad from a distance saw ,mr4 ,gordon murdered2 and a woman saw ,mrs4 ,gordon fall4 ,the above facts are vouched for by a ,mr4 ,milne1 one of the few respectable ,sandal-wooders1 who was there at the time1 and helped the ,christian ,natives to bury the remains1 which he says were painfully mutilated4 ,some severe criticisms1 of course1 were written and published by those angelic creatures who judge all things from their own safe and easy distance4 ,mr4 ,gordon's lack of prudence was sorely blamed1 forsooth6 ,one would so like to see these people just for one week in such trying circumstances4 ,as my near fellow-labourer and dearest friend1 ,i know what was the whole spirit of the man's life1 his watchful care1 his ceaseless anxiety to do everything that in his judgment was for ,god's glory and the prosperity of the ,mission1 and my estimate of him and of his action to the last fills me with supreme regard to his memory4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,inglis of ,aneityum1 best qualified of all men living to form an opinion1 wrote3-- 8,mr4 ,gordon was a strong1 bold1 fearless1 energetic1 self-denying1 and laborious ,missionary2 eager1 earnest1 and unwearied in seeking the salvation of the ,heathen4444 ,even if ,mr4 ,gordon was to blame for any imprudence1 no blame of this kind could be attached to ,mrs4 ,gordon4 ,hers was a weak1 gentle1 loving spirit2 quiet and uncomplaining1 prudent1 earnest1 and devoted to ,christ4 ,she was esteemed and beloved by all who knew her40 ,my ,amen follows1 soft and deep1 on all that he has written2 and ,i add1 ,mr4 ,gordon was doing what any faithful and devoted ,missionary would in all probability for the ,master's sake in similar circumstances have done4 ,those who charge him with imprudence would1 doubtless1 grievously blame ,stephen for bringing that stoning upon himself1 which he could so easily have escaped6 ,mr4 ,gordon1 in his last letter to me1 of date #aeth ,february1 #ahfa1 says3-- 8,,my ,,dear ,,brother1-- 8,i have news of the best and of the worst character to communicate4 ,a young man died in ,december1 in the ,lord1 as we believe4 ,we are still preserved in health at our work by the ,god of all grace1 whose power alone could have preserved us in all our troubles1 which have come upon us by the measles per the ,blue ,bell4 ,ah1 this is a season which we will not soon forget4 ,some settlements are nearly depopulated1 and the principal ,chiefs are nearly all dead6 ,and oh1 the indescribable fiendish hatred that exists against us6 ,there is quite a famine here4 ,the distress is awful1 and the cry of mourning perpetual4 ,a few on both sides of the ,island who did not flee from the ,worship of ,god are living1 which is now greatly impressing some and exciting the enmity of others4 ,i cannot now write of perils4 ,we feel very anxious to hear from you4 ,if you have to flee1 ,aneityum of course is the nearest and best place to which you can go4 ,confidence in us is being restored4 ,mana1 a native ,teacher1 remains with us for safety from the fury of his enemies4 ,i cannot visit as usual4 ,the persecution cannot be much worse on ,tanna4 ,i hope the worst is past4 ,mrs4 ,g4 unites in love to you1 and to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,johnston4 ,in great haste1 8,i remain1 dear ,brother1 ,yours truly1 8,g4 ,n4 ,,gordon40 ,let every reader1 in view of this epistle1 like a voice from the ,world ,unseen1 judge of the spirit of the man of ,god who penned it1 and of the causes that were even then at work and were bringing about his sorrowful death4 ,cruel superstition1 measles1 and the malignant influences of the godless ,traders1--these on ,erromanga1 as elsewhere1 were the forces at work that brought hatred and murder in their train4 ,immediately thereafter1 a ,sandal-wood ,trader brought in his boat a party of ,erromangans by night to ,tanna4 ,they assembled our ,harbour ,chiefs and people1 and urged them to kill us and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson and the ,teachers1 or allow them to do so1 as they had killed ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,gordon4 ,then they proposed to go to ,aneityum and kill the ,missionaries there1 as the ,aneityumese ,natives had burned their ,church1 and thus they would sweep away the ,worship and the servants of ,jehovah from all the ,new ,hebrides4 ,our ,chiefs1 however1 refused1 restrained by the ,merciful ,one1 and the ,erromangans returned to their own island in a sulky mood4 ,notwithstanding this refusal1 as if they wished to reserve the murder and plunder for themselves1 our ,mission ,house was next day thronged with armed men1 some from ,inland1 others from ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station4 ,they loudly praised the ,erromangans6 ,the leaders said again and again in my hearing1-- 8,the men of ,erromanga killed ,missi ,williams long ago4 ,we killed the ,rarotongan and ,samoan ,teachers4 ,we fought ,missi ,turner and ,missi ,nisbet1 and drove them from our island4 ,we killed the ,aneityumese ,teachers on ,aniwa1 and one of ,missi ,paton's ,teachers too4 ,we killed several white men1 and no ,man-of-war punished us4 ,let us talk over this1 about killing ,missi ,paton and the ,aneityumese1 till we see if any ,man-of-war comes to punish the ,erromangans4 ,if not1 let us unite1 let us kill these ,missionaries1 let us drive the worship of ,jehovah from our land60 ,an ,inland ,chief said or rather shouted in my hearing1-- 8,my love to the ,erromangans6 ,they are strong and brave men1 the ,erromangans4 ,they have killed their ,missi and his wife1 while we only talk about it4 ,they have destroyed the ,worship and driven away ,jehovah60 ,i stood amongst them and protested1-- 8,god will yet punish the ,erromangans for such wicked deeds4 ,god has heard all your bad talk1 and will punish it in ,his own time and way40 ,but they shouted me down1 amidst great excitement1 with the cry1-- 8,our love to the ,erromangans6 ,our love to the ,erromangans60 ,after ,i left them1 ,abraham heard them say1-- 8,miaki is lazy4 ,let us meet in every village1 and talk with each other4 ,let us all agree to kill ,missi and the ,aneityumese for the first of our ,chiefs that dies40 ,on ,tanna1 as on ,erromanga1 the ,natives have no idea of death coming to any one naturally1 or sickness or any disease2 everything comes by ,nahak1 or sorcery4 ,when one person grows sick or dies1 they meet to talk over it and find out who has bewitched or killed him1 and this ends in fixing upon some individual upon whom they take revenge1 or whom they murder outright4 ,thus many wars arise on ,tanna1 for the friends or the tribe of the murdered man generally seek a counter-revenge2 and so the blood-fiend is let loose over all the island1 and from island to island throughout the whole of the ,new ,hebrides4 ,the night after the visit of the ,erromangan boat1 and the sad news of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,gordon's death the ,tannese met on their village dancing-grounds and held high festival in praise of the ,erromangans4 ,our best friend1 old ,nowar1 the ,chief1 who had worn shirt and kilt for some time and had come regularly to1 the ,worship1 relapsed once more2 he painted his face1 threw off his clothing1 resumed his bow and arrows1 and his tomahawk1 of which he boasted that it had killed very many men and at least one woman6 ,on my shaming him for professing to worship ,jehovah and yet uniting with the ,heathen in rejoicing over the murder of ,his servants on ,erromanga1 he replied to this effect1-- 8,truly1 ,missi1 they have done well4 ,if the people of ,erromanga are severely punished for this by the ,man-of-war1 we will all hear of it2 and our people will then fear to kill you and the other ,missionaries1 so as to destroy the ,worship of ,jehovah4 ,now1 they say1 the ,erromangans killed ,missi ,williams and the ,samoan1 ,rarotongan1 and ,aneityumese ,teachers1 besides other white men1 and no ,man-of-war has punished either them or us4 ,if they are not punished for what has been done on ,erromanga1 nothing else can keep them here from killing you and me and all who worship at the ,mission ,house60 ,i answered1--8,nowar1 let us all be strong to love and serve ,jehovah ,jesus4 ,if it be for our good and ,his glory1 ,he will protect us2 if not1 ,he will take us to be with ,himself4 ,we will not be killed by their bad talk4 ,besides1 what avails it to us1 when dead and gone1 if even a ,man-of-war should come and punish our murderers80 ,he shrugged his shoulders1 answering1--8,missi1 by-and-by you will see4 ,mind1 ,i tell you the truth4 ,i know our ,tannese people4 ,how is it that ,jehovah did not protect the ,gordons and the ,erromangan worshippers8 ,if the ,erromangans are not punished1 neither will our ,tannese be punished1 though they murder all ,jehovah's people60 ,i felt for ,nowar's struggling faith1 just trembling on the verge of cannibalism yet1 and knowing so little of the true ,jehovah4 ,groups of ,natives assembled suspiciously near us and sat whispering together4 ,they urged old ,abraham to return to ,aneityum by the very first opportunity1 as our lives were certain to be taken1 but he replied1-- 8,i will not leave ,missi40 ,abraham and ,i were thrown much into each other's company1 and he stood by me in every danger4 ,we conducted family prayers alternately2 and that evening he said during the prayer in ,tannese1 in which language alone we understood each other1-- 8,o ,lord1 our ,heavenly ,father1 they have murdered ,thy servants on ,erromanga4 ,they have banished the ,aneityumese from dark ,tanna4 ,and now they want to kill ,missi ,paton and me6 ,our great ,king1 protect us1 and make their hearts soft and sweet to ,thy ,worship4 ,or1 if they are permitted to kill us1 do not ,thou hate us1 but wash us in the blood of ,thy dear ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,he came down to ,earth and shed ,his blood for sinners2 through ,him forgive us our sins and take us to ,heaven--that good place where ,missi ,gordon the man and ,missi ,gordon the woman and all ,thy dear servants now are singing ,thy praise and seeing ,thy face4 ,our ,lord1 our hearts are pained just now1 and we weep over the death of ,thy dear servants2 but make our hearts good and strong for ,thy cause1 and take ,thou away all our fears4 ,make us two and all ,thy servants strong for ,thee and for ,thy ,worship2 and if they kill us two1 let us die together in ,thy good work1 like ,thy servants ,missi ,gordon the man and ,missi ,gordon the woman40 ,in this manner his great simple soul poured itself out to ,god1 and my heart melted within me as it had never done under any prayer poured from the lips of cultured ,christian men6 ,under the strain of these events1 ,miaki came to our house1 and attacked me in hearing of his men to this effect3-- 8,you and the ,worship are the cause of all the sickness and death now taking place on ,tanna6 ,the ,erromanga men killed ,missi ,gordon the man and also the woman1 and they are all well long ago4 ,the ,worship is killing us all2 and the ,inland people will kill us for keeping you and the ,worship here2 for we love the conduct of ,tanna1 but we hate the ,worship4 ,we must kill you and it1 and we shall all be well again40 ,i tried to reason firmly and kindly with them1 showing them that their own conduct was destroying them1 and that our presence and the ,worship could only be a blessing to them in every way1 if only they would accept of it and give up their evil ways4 ,i referred to a poor girl1 whom ,miaki and his men had stolen and abused1 that they knew such conduct to be bad1 and that ,god would certainly punish them for it4 ,he replied1 8,such is the conduct of ,tanna4 ,our fathers loved and followed it1 we love and follow it1 and if the ,worship condemns it1 we will kill you and destroy the ,worship40 ,i said1 8,the ,word of the ,holy ,god condemns all bad conduct1 and ,i must obey my ,god in trying to lead you to give it up1 and to love and serve ,his ,son ,jesus our ,saviour4 ,if ,i refuse to obey my ,god1 ,he will punish me40 ,he replied1 8,missi1 we like many wives to attend us and to do our work4 ,three of my wives are dead and three are yet alive4 ,the ,worship killed them and my children4 ,we hate it4 ,it will kill us all40 ,i answered1 8,miaki1 is it good for you to have so many wives1 and many of your men to have none8 ,who waits on them8 ,who works for them8 ,they cannot get a wife1 and so1 having to work for themselves1 they are led to hate you and all the ,chiefs who have more wives than one4 ,you do not love your wives1 else you would not slave them and beat them as you do40 ,but he declared that his heart was good1 that his conduct was good1 and that he hated the teaching of the ,worship4 ,he had a party of men staying with him from the other side of the island1 and he sent back a present of four large fat hogs to their ,chiefs1 with a message as to the killing of the ,mathiesons4 ,if that were done1 his hands would be strengthened in dealing with us4 ,satan seemed to fill that man's heart4 ,he incited his people to steal everything from us1 and to annoy us in every conceivable way4 ,they killed one of my precious watch-dogs1 and feasted upon it4 ,so sad was the condition of ,tanna1 that if a man were desperate enough in wickedness1 if he killed a number of men and tyrannized over others1 he was dignified with the name and rank of a ,chief4 ,this was the secret of ,miaki's influence1 and of his being surrounded by the outlaws and refugees1 not only of his own but even other islands4 ,it was all founded upon terror and upheld by cruelty4 ,the ,sacred ,man1 for instance1 who murdered my ,teacher1 and a young man who threw three spears at me1 which by ,god's help ,i avoided1 were both praised and honoured for their deeds4 ,but the moment they were laid aside by measles and unable to retaliate1 their flatterers turned upon them and declared that they were punished for their bad conduct against ,jehovah and ,his servants and ,his ,worship6 ,to know what was best to be done1 in such trying circumstances1 was an abiding perplexity4 ,to have left altogether1 when so surrounded by perils and enemies1 at first seemed the wisest course1 and was the repeated advice of many friends4 ,but again1 ,i had acquired the language1 and had gained a considerable influence amongst the ,natives1 and there were a number warmly attached both to myself and to the ,worship4 ,to have left would have been to lose all1 which to me was heart-rending2 therefore1 risking all with ,jesus1 ,i held on while the hope of being spared longer had not absolutely and entirely vanished4 ,god only knows how deep and genuine were my pity and affection for the poor ,tannese1 labouring and longing to bring them from their dark idolatry and heathenism to love and serve and please ,jesus ,christ as their ,god and ,saviour4 ,true1 some of the awfully wise people wrote1 as in the case of ,mr4 ,gordon1 much nonsense about us and the ,tanna ,mission4 ,they knew1 of course1 that ,i was to blame1 and they from safe distances could see that ,i was not in the path of duty6 ,perhaps1 to people less omnisciently sure1 the following quotation from a letter of the late ,a4 ,clark1 ,esq41 ,j4,p41 ,auckland1 ,new ,zealand1 will show what ,bishop ,selwyn thought of my standing fast on ,tanna at the post of duty1 and he knew what he was writing about4 ,he says1-- 8,in addition1 ,bishop ,selwyn told us that he had seen the ,commodore 7,seymour71 who told him that at ,tanna the ,natives were in a very insulting and hostile state of mind2 so much so that he felt it his duty to offer ,mr4 ,paton a passage in his ship to ,auckland or some other place of safety4 ,he said1 #8,talk of bravery6 talk of heroism6 ,the man who leads a forlorn hope is a coward in comparison with him1 who1 on ,tanna1 thus alone1 without a sustaining look or cheering word from one of his own race1 regards it as his duty to hold on in the face of such dangers4 ,we read of the soldier1 found after the lapse of ages among the ruins of ,herculaneum1 who stood firm at his post amid the fiery rain destroying all around him1 thus manifesting the rigidity of the discipline amongst those armies of ancient ,rome which conquered the ,world4 ,mr4 ,paton was subjected to no such iron law4 ,he might1 with honour1 when offered to him1 have sought a temporary asylum in ,auckland1 where he would have been heartily received4 ,but he was moved by higher considerations4 ,he chose to remain1 and ,god knows whether at this moment he is in the land of the living6' ,when the bishop told us that he declined leaving ,tanna by ,h4,m4,s4 ,pelorus1 he added1 #8,and ,i like him all the better for so doing6'0 ,for my part ,i feel quite confident that1 in like circumstances1 that noble ,bishop of ,god would have done the same4 ,i1 born in the bosom of the ,scottish ,covenant1 descended from those who suffered persecution for ,christ's honour1 would have been unworthy of them and of my ,lord had ,i deserted my post for danger only4 ,yet not to me1 but to the ,lord who sustained me1 be all the praise and the glory6 ,on his next visit to these ,islands1 the good ,bishop brought a box of ,mission goods to me in his ship1 besides #ij for our work from ,mr4 ,clark and friends in ,auckland4 ,his interest in us and our work was deep and genuine1 and was unmarred on either side by any consciousness of ecclesiastical distinctions4 ,we were one in ,christ1 and1 when next we meet again in the glory of our ,lord1 ,bishop and ,presbyter will be eternally one in that blessed fellowship4 ,the following incident illustrates the depth of native superstition4 ,one morning two ,inland ,chiefs came running to the ,mission ,house1 breathless1 and covered with perspiration4 ,one of them held up a handful of half-rotten tracts1 crying1-- 8,missi1 is this a part of ,god's ,word1 the sacred ,book of ,jehovah8 or is it the work1 the words1 the book of man80 ,i examined them and replied1 8,these are the work1 the words1 and the book of man1 not of ,jehovah40 ,he questioned me again3 8,missi1 are you certain that it is not the ,word of ,jehovah80 ,i replied1 8,it is only man's work and man's book40 ,he continued then1 8,missi1 some years ago1 ,kaipai1 a sacred ,chief1 and certain ,tannese1 went on a visit to ,aneityum1 and ,missi ,geddie gave him these books4 ,on his return1 when he showed them to the ,tannese1 the people were all so afraid of them1 for they thought they were the sacred ,books of ,jehovah1 that they met for consultation and agreed solemnly to bury them4 ,yesterday1 some person in digging had disinterred them1 and at once our ,inland people said that our dead ,chief had buried a part of ,jehovah's ,word1 which made ,him angry1 and that ,he had therefore caused the ,chiefs death and the plague of measles1 etc4 ,therefore they were now assembled to kill the dead ,chief's son and daughter in revenge6 ,but1 before that should be done1 ,i persuaded them to send these books1 to inquire of you if this be part of ,jehovah's ,book1 and if the burying of it caused all these diseases and deaths40 ,i assured him that these books never caused either sickness or death to any human being2 and that none of us can cause sickness or death by sorcery2 that burying these ,tracts did not make ,jehovah angry1 nor cause evil to any creature4 8,you yourselves know10 ,i said1 8the very ships that brought the measles and caused the deaths2 and you killed some of the young men who were landed sick with the disease40 ,the ,inland ,chief declared1 8,missi1 ,i am quite satisfied2 no person shall be put to death over these books now40 ,they went off1 but immediately returned1 saying1 8,missi1 have you any books like these to show to us8 ,and will you show us the sacred ,book of ,jehovah beside them80 ,i showed them a ,bible1 and then a handful of ,tracts with pictures like those they had brought2 and ,i offered them the ,bible and specimens of these ,tracts1 that they might show both to the people assembled4 ,the ,tracts they received1 but the ,bible they refused to touch4 ,they satisfied the ,inland people and prevented bloodshed2 but oh1 what a depth of superstition to be raised out of6 and how easily life might be sacrificed at every turn6 ,on another occasion ,i had the joy of saving the lives of ,sandal-wood ,traders1 to whom neither ,i nor the ,mission owed anything1 except for ,christ's sake4 ,the ,blue ,bell cast anchor in the ,harbour on a beautiful morning1 and the ,captain and ,mate immediately came on shore4 ,they had letters for me2 but1 on landing1 they were instantly surrounded by the ,chiefs and people1 who formed a ring about them on the beach and called for me to come4 ,the two white men stood in the midst1 with many weapons pointed at them1 and death if they dared to move4 ,they shouted to me1-- 8,this is one of the ,vessels which brought the measles4 ,you and they made the sickness1 and destroyed our people4 ,now1 if you do not leave with this vessel1 we will kill you all40 ,of course1 their intention was to frighten me on board just as ,i was1 and leave my premises for plunder6 ,i protested1-- 8,i will not leave you2 ,i cannot leave you in this way2 and if you murder these men or me1 ,jehovah will punish you4 ,i am here for your good2 and you know how kind ,i have been to you all1 in giving you medicine1 knives1 axes1 blankets1 and clothing4 ,you also know well that ,i have never done ill to one human being1 but have constantly sought your good4 ,i will not and cannot leave you thus40 ,in great wrath they cried1 8,then will we kill you and this ,captain and ,mate40 ,i kept reasoning with them against such conduct1 standing firmly before them and saying1 8,if you do kill me1 ,jehovah will punish you2 the other men in that vessel will punish you before they sail2 and a ,man-of-war will come and burn your villages and canoes and fruit trees40 ,i urged the two men to try and get into their boat as quickly as possible1 in silence1 while ,i kept arguing with the ,natives4 ,the letters which they had for me1 the savages forbade me to take into my hands1 lest thereby some other foreign disease should come to their island4 ,miaki exclaimed in great wrath that my medicine had killed them all2 but ,i replied1-- 8,my medicine with ,god's blessing saved many lives4 ,you know well that all who followed my rules recovered from the measles1 except only one man1 and are living still4 ,now1 you seek to kill me for saving your lives and the lives of your people60 ,i appealed to ,yorian1 another ,chief1 if the medicine had not saved his life when he appeared to be dying1 which he admitted to be the truth4 ,the men had now slipped into their boat and were preparing to leave4 ,miaki shouted1-- 8,let them go6 ,don't kill them to-day40 ,then he called to the ,captain1 8,come on shore and trade with us to-morrow40 ,next day they foolishly came on shore and began to trade4 ,natives surrounded the boat with clubs and tomahawks4 ,but ,miaki's heart failed him when about to strike2 and he called out1-- 8,missi said that1 if we kill them1 a ,man-of-war will come and take revenge on us40 ,in the altercation that followed1 the men thrust the boat into deep water and forced it out of the grasp of the savages2 but they caught the ,captain's large ,newfoundland dog and kept it prisoner4 ,as a compensation for this disappointment1 ,miaki urged that my life and ,abraham's be at once taken1 but again ,nowar's firm opposition and ,god's goodness rescued us from the jaws of the lion4 ,the ,blue ,bell left next morning1 and the dog remained behind1 as no one from the vessel would venture ashore4 ,revenge for the murder of the four men killed to accompany ,miaki's child1 threatened to originate another war2 but the ,chiefs for eight miles around met1 and1 after much speechifying1 agreed that as they were all weak for war1 owing to the measles and the want of food through the hurricanes1 they should delay it till they all grew stronger4 ,nowar was1 however1 greatly excited1 and informed me that ,miaki had urged the people of an inland district to shoot ,nowar and ,abraham and me1 and he pled with us again to take him and flee to ,aneityum1--impossible except by canoe1 and perhaps impossible even so4 ,that night and the following night they tried to break into my house4 ,on one occasion my valuable dog was let out1 and cleared them away4 ,next night ,i shouted at them from inside1 when they thought me asleep1 and they decamped again4 ,indeed1 our continuous danger caused me now oftentimes to sleep with my clothes on1 that ,i might start at a moment's warning4 ,my faithful dog would give a sharp bark and awake me4 ,at other times1 she would leap up and pull at the clothes till ,i awoke1 and then she turned her head quietly and indicated by a wondrous instinct where the danger lay4 ,god made them fear this precious creature1 and often used her in saving our lives4 ,soon after this six ,inland ,chiefs came to see me4 ,we had a long talk on the evils of war1 and the blessings of the ,worship of ,jehovah4 ,i gave each a knife and a fork and a tin plate1 and they promised to oppose the war which ,miaki was forcing on4 ,a man came also with a severe gash in his hand1 which a fish had given him2 ,i dressed it1 and he went away very grateful and spread everywhere the news of healing1 a kind of ,gospel which he and they could most readily appreciate4 ,another incident made them well-disposed for a season2 namely1 the use of a fishing-net4 ,seeing that the ,natives had so little food--there being1 in fact1 a famine after the hurricane--,i engaged an inland ,tribe to make a net forty feet long and very broad4 ,strange to say1 the ,inland people who live far from the sea make the best fishing materials1 which again they sell to the ,harbour people for the axes1 knives1 blankets1 and other articles obtained from calling vessels4 ,they also make the killing-stones1 and trade with them amongst the shore people all round the island4 ,this kawas or killing-stone is made of blue whinstone1 eighteen to twenty-four inches long1 an inch and a half across1 perfectly straight1 and hewn as round and neat as any ,english tradesman could have done it1 exactly like a large scythe stone1 such as they use on the harvest fields in ,scotland4 ,the kawas seems to be peculiar to ,tanna1 at least ,i have not seen it on any other island4 ,the ,natives1 with pieces of very hard heavy wood of the same size and shape1 are taught to throw it from infancy at a given mark2 in warfare1 it is thrown first2 where it strikes it stuns or kills1 and then they spring forward with their large double-handed heavy club4 ,every man and boy carries his killing-stone and other weapons1 even when moving about peaceably in his own village1 war being1 in fact1 the only regular occupation for men6 ,well1 these same ,inland people1 the sort of artisans of the island1 being mostly the women and the girls1 manufactured for me this huge fishing-net4 ,the cord was twisted from the fibre made out of the bark of their own trees1 and prepared with immense toil and care2 and not without touches of skill and taste1 when woven and knotted and intertwined4 ,this net ,i secured1 and lent about three days each to every village all round the ,harbour and near it4 ,one night ,i saw them carrying home a large hog1 which they had got from an ,inland ,chief for a portion of the fish which they had taken4 ,i thought it right to cause them to return the net to the ,mission ,house every ,saturday evening1 that they might not be tempted to use it on ,sabbath4 ,it was a great help to them1 and the ,harbour yielded them much wholesome food in lieu of what the hurricane had destroyed4 ,when1 about this time1 the ,john ,knox came to anchor in the bay1 a ,native was caught in the act of stealing from her4 ,angry at being discovered1 he and his friends came to shoot me1 pretending that it was because the ,john ,knox knew they were in want of food and had not brought them a load of ,taro from ,aneityum4 ,taro is a plant of the genus ,arum1 the sculentum1 or ,colocasia sculenta1 well known all through ,polynesia4 ,the ,natives spread it in a very simple way4 ,cutting off the leaves1 with a very little of the old bulb still attached1 they fix these in the ground1 and have the new ,taro about a year after that4 ,it is of several kinds and of a great variety of colours--white1 yellow1 blue1 etc4 ,it grows best in ground irrigated by streams of pure water1 or in shallow1 swampy ground1 over which the water runs4 ,the dry-ground ,taro is small and inferior1 compared to the water-grown roots4 ,nutritious and pleasant1 not unlike the texture of cheese when laid in slices on the table1 in size and appearance like a ,swedish turnip1 it can be either boiled or baked4 ,hurricanes may destroy all other native food1 but the ,taro lies uninjured below the water2 hence on islands1 where it will grow1 it forms one of the most permanent and valuable of all their crops4 ,our people also demanded that the ,john ,knox should bring them kava and tobacco4 ,kava is the plant1 ,piper ,methysticum1 from which they make a highly intoxicating drink4 ,the girls and boys first chew it1 and spit the juice into a basin2 there it is mixed with water1 and then strained through a fibrous cloth-like texture1 which they get from the top of the cocoa-nut trees1 where it surrounds the young nuts1 and drops off with them when they are ripe4 ,this they freely drink2 it does not make them violent1 but stupefies them and induces sleep like opium4 ,a portion is always poured out to their ,gods2 and the dregs in every mouth after drinking are always spit out with the exclamation1 8,that's for you1 ,kumesam60 ,it is sometimes offered and partaken of with very great ceremony2 but its general use is as a soporific by the men1 regularly after the evening meal4 ,women and children are not allowed to drink it4 ,many men have been attacked and murdered at night1 when lying enfeebled and enfolded by kava4 ,that1 indeed1 is their common mode of taking revenge and of declaring war4 ,these angry men1 who came to me about the ,john ,knox1 tried to smash in my window and kill my faithful dog2 but ,i reasoned firmly and kindly with them1 and they at last withdrew4 ,at that time1 though my life was daily attempted1 a dear lad1 named ,katasian1 was coming six miles regularly to the ,worship and to receive frequent instruction4 ,one day1 when engaged in teaching him1 ,i caught a man stealing the blind from my window4 ,on trying to prevent him1 he aimed his great club at me1 but ,i seized the heavy end of it with both my hands as it swung past my head1 and held on with all my might4 ,what a prayer went up from me to ,god at that dread moment6 ,the man1 astonished and abashed at my kind words and appeal1 slunk away and left me in peace4 ,i had planted a few ,yams1 of the genus ,dioscoria2 a most valuable article of food1 nearly as precious as potatoes were to the poor in ,ireland1 and used very much in the same way4 ,years after1 when ,i went to ,melbourne1 ,i took one from ,aniwa1 by no means the largest1 weighing seventy-two pounds1 and another1 forty-two4 ,the things1 however1 that ,i planted on ,tanna the ,natives stole and carried away1 making themselves extremely troublesome4 ,but ,god never took away from me the consciousness that it was still right for me to be kind and forgiving1 and to hope that ,i might lead them to love and imitate ,jesus4 ,for a season thereafter1 the friendly feeling grew on every side4 ,the ,natives prepared1 for payment1 an excellent foundation for a new ,church1 by levelling down the hill near to my ,mission ,house4 ,any number of men offered to work for calico1 knives1 axes1 etc4 ,all the fences were renewed1 and the ,mission premises began to look nice once more1 at least1 in my eyes4 ,my work became encouraging1 and ,i had many opportunities of talking with them about the ,worship and ,jehovah4 ,this state of matters displeased ,miaki and his men2 and one day1 having been engaged thus1 ,i rushed back only in time to extinguish a fire which they had kindled under the verandah and close to the door of my house4 ,our watch had to be unrelaxing4 ,a cousin of ,miaki's1 for instance1 sold me a fish as good for food which he knew to be poisonous1 but ,nowar saw in time and warned me of its deadly character4 ,miaki then threatened to shoot any of the ,inland people who came to work or to receive instruction1 yet larger numbers came than before1 but they came fully armed6 ,nouka1 the high ,chief of the ,harbour1 ,miaki's uncle1 came and sat beside us often1 and said1-- 8,miaki breaks my heart6 ,he deceives ,missi4 ,he hates the ,worship of ,jehovah40 ,for some time1 ,nouka and his wife and daughter--a handsome girl1 his only child--and ,miaki's principal wife and her two sons1 and nine ,chiefs attended ,worship regularly at the ,mission ,house1 on ,sabbaths and on the afternoon of every ,wednesday4 ,in all1 about sixty persons somewhat regularly waited on our ministrations at this time2 and amidst all perils ,i was encouraged1 and my heart was full of hope4 ,yet one evening1 when feeling more consoled and hopeful than ever before1 a musket was discharged at my very door1 and ,i was constrained to realize that we were in the midst of death4 ,father1 our times are in ,thy hand4 ,as my work became more encouraging1 ,i urgently applied to the ,missionaries on ,aneityum for more ,teachers1 but none could be found willing to return to ,tanna4 ,the plague of measles had almost demoralized them4 ,even on ,aneityum1 where they had medicine and would follow the ,missionaries' advice1 no fewer than eleven hundred had been cut off2 and the mortality was very much greater on such islands as ,tanna1 ,aniwa1 etc41 where they were still ,heathen1 and either had not or would not follow medical counsels4 ,of my ,teachers and their wives ten were swept away in the epidemic1 and the few that were left were so disheartened that they escaped to their own land at the first opportunity1 as before recorded1 excepting only dear old faithful ,abraham4 ,but ,i need not wonder2 smaller perils deter ,god's people at home from many a call of duty4 ,in my ,mission ,school1 ,i offered as a prize a red shirt for the first ,chief who knew the whole ,alphabet without a mistake4 ,it was won by an ,inakaki ,chief1 who was once a terror to the whole community4 ,afterwards1 when trying to teach the ,a ,b ,c to others1 he proceeded in something like this graphic style3-- 8,a is a man's legs with the body cut off2 ,b is like two eyes2 ,c is a three-quarters moon2 ,d is like one eye2 ,e is a man with one club under his feet and another over his head2 ,f is a man with a large club and a smaller one10 etc41 etc42 ,l was like a man's foot2 ,q was the talk of the dove1 etc4 ,then he would say1 8,remember these things2 you will soon get hold of the letters and be able to read4 ,i have taught my little child1 who can scarcely walk1 the names of them all4 ,they are not hard to hold1 but soft and easy4 ,you will soon learn to read the book1 if you try it with all your heart60 ,but ,miaki was still our evil genius1 and every incident seemed to be used by him for one settled purpose of hate4 ,a ,kaserumini ,chief1 for instance1 and seven men took away a young girl in a canoe to ,aniwa1 to be sold to friends there for tobacco leaf1 which the ,aniwans cultivated extensively4 ,they also prepared to take revenge there for a child's death1 killed in their belief by the sorcery of an ,aniwan4 ,when within sight of the shore1 the canoes were upset and all were said to have been devoured by sharks1 excepting only one canoe out of six4 ,this one returned to ,tanna and reported that there were two white ,traders living on ,aniwa1 that they had plenty of ammunition and tobacco1 but that they would not come to ,tanna as long as a ,missionary lived there4 ,under this fresh incitement1 a party of ,miaki's men came to my house1 praising the ,erromangans for the murder of their ,missionaries and threatening me4 ,even the friendly ,nowar said1 8,miaki will make a great wind and sink any ,man-of-war that comes here4 ,we will take the ,man-of-war and kill all that are on board4 ,if you and ,abraham do not leave us we will kill you both1 for we must have the ,traders and the powder40 ,just as they were assuming a threatening attitude1 other ,natives came running with the cry1 8,missi1 the ,john ,knox is coming into the ,harbour1 and two great ships of fire1 ,men-of-war behind her1 coming very fast60 ,i retorted upon ,nowar and the hostile company1 8,now is your time6 ,make all possible haste6 ,let ,miaki raise his great wind now2 get all your men ready2 ,i will tell them that you mean to fight1 and you will find them always ready60 ,miaki's men fled away in unconcealed terror2 but ,nowar came to me and said1 8,missi1 ,i know that my talk is all lies1 but if ,i speak the truth1 they will kill me60 ,i answered1 8,trust in ,jehovah1 the same ,god who sent these vessels now1 to protect us from being murdered40 ,but ,nowar always wavered4 ,and now from all parts of the island those who were most friendly flocked to us4 ,they were clamorous to have ,miaki and some others of our enemies punished by the ,man-of-war in presence of the ,natives2 and then they would be strong to speak in our defence and to lead the ,tannese to worship ,jehovah4 ,commodore ,seymour1 ,captain ,hume1 and ,dr4 ,geddie came on shore4 ,after inquiring into everything1 the ,commodore urged me to leave at once1 and very kindly offered to remove me to ,aneityum1 or ,auckland1 or any place of safety that ,i preferred4 ,again1 however1 ,i hesitated to leave my dear benighted ,tannese1 knowing that both ,stations would be instantly broken up1 that all the influence gained would be thrown away1 that the ,church would lose all that had been expended1 and above all1 that those friendly to us would be left to persecution and destruction4 ,for a long time ,i had seldom taken off my clothes at night1 needing to be constantly on the alert to start at a moment's notice2 yet1 while hope burned within my soul ,i could not withdraw1 so ,i resolved to risk all with my dear ,lord ,jesus1 and remained at my post4 ,at my request1 however1 they met and talked with all the leaders who could be assembled at the ,mission ,house4 ,the ,natives declared frankly that they liked me but did not like the ,worship4 ,the ,commodore reminded them that they had invited me to land among them1 and had pledged their word more than once to protect me2 he argued with them that as they had no fault to find with me1 but only with the ,worship1 which could do them only good1 they must bind themselves to protect my life4 ,miaki and others promised and gave him their hands to do so4 ,lathella1 an ,aneityumese ,chief1 who was with ,dr4 ,geddie1 interpreted for him and them1 ,dr4 ,geddie explaining fully to ,lathella in ,aneityumese what the ,commodore said in ,english1 and ,lathella explaining all to the ,tannese in their own tongue4 ,at last old ,nouka spoke out for all and said1 8,captain ,paddan and all the ,traders tell us that the ,worship causes all our sickness and death4 ,they will not trade with us1 nor sell us tobacco1 pipes1 powder1 balls1 caps1 and muskets1 till we kill our ,missi like the ,erromangans1 but after that they will send a ,trader to live among us and give us plenty of all these things4 ,we love ,missi4 ,but when the ,traders tell us that the ,worship makes us sick1 and when they bribe us with tobacco and powder to kill him or drive him away1 some believe them and our hearts do bad conduct to ,missi4 ,let ,missi remain here1 and we will try to do good conduct to ,missi2 but you must tell ,queen ',toria of her people's bad treatment of us1 and that she must prevent her ,traders from killing us with their measles1 and from telling us lies to make us do bad conduct to ,missi6 ,if they come to us and talk as before1 our hearts are very dark and may again lead us to bad conduct to ,missi40 ,after this little parley1 the ,commodore invited us all on board1 along with the ,chiefs4 ,they saw about three hundred brave marines ranked up on deck1 and heard a great cannon discharged4 ,for all such efforts to impress them and open their eyes1 ,i felt profoundly grateful2 but too clearly ,i knew and saw that only the grace of ,god could lastingly change them6 ,they were soon back to their old arguments1 and were heard saying to one another1 8,if no punishment is inflicted on the ,erromangans for murdering the ,missi there1 we fear the bad conduct of the ,tannese will continue40 ,no punishment was inflicted at ,erromanga1 and the ,tannese were soon as bold and wicked as ever4 ,for instance1 while the ,man-of-war lay in the ,harbour1 ,nowar kept himself closely concealed2 but no sooner had she sailed than the cowardly fellow came out1 laughing at the others1 and protesting that he was under no promise and was free to act as he pleased6 ,yet in the hour of danger he generally proved to be our friend2 such was his vacillating character4 ,nor was ,miaki very seriously impressed4 ,mr4 ,mathieson shortly thereafter sent his boat round to me1 being again short of ,european food4 ,on his crew leaving her to deliver their message to me1 some of ,miaki's men at once jumped into the boat and started off round the island in search of kava4 ,i went to ,miaki1 to ask that the boat might be brought back soon1 but on seeing me he ran for his club and aimed to strike me4 ,i managed to seize it1 and to hold on1 pleading with ,god and talking with ,miaki1 till by the interference of some friendly ,natives his wrath was assuaged a little4 ,returning home1 ,i sent food overland to keep them going till the boat returned1 which she did in about eight days4 ,thus light and shadow pursued each other1 the light brightening for a moment1 but upon the whole the shadows deepening4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,farewell ,,scenes4 ,the ,war ,fever4--,forced to the ,war ,council4--,a ,truce among the ,chiefs4--,chiefs and ,people4--,the ,kiss of ,judas4--,the ,death of ,ian4--,the ,quivering ,knife4--,a ,war of ,revenge4--,in the ,thick of the ,battle4--,tender ,mercies of the ,wicked4--,escape for ,life4--,the ,loss of ,all4--,under the ,tomahawk4--,jehovah is ,hearing4--,the ,host ,turned ,back4--,the ,war against ,manuman4--,traps ,laid4--,house ,broken ,up4--,war against our ,friends4--,a ,treacherous ,murderer4--,on the ,chestnut ,tree4--,bargaining for ,life4--,five ,hours in a ,canoe4--,kneeling on the ,sands4--,faimungo's ,farewell4--8,follow6 ,follow60--,a ,race for ,life4--,ringed ,round with ,death4--,faint yet ,pursuing4--,out of the ,lion's ,jaws4--,brothers in ,distress4--,intervening ,events4--,a ,cannibal's ,taste4--,pillars of ,cloud and of ,fire4--,passing by on the other ,side4--,kapuku and the ,idol ,gods4--,a ,devil ,chief4--,in ,perils ,oft4--,through ,fire and ,water4--8,sail ,o6 ,sail ,o60--,let ,me ,die4--,in ,perils on the ,sea4--,tannese ,visitors4--,the ,devil ,chief of ,tanna4--,speckled and ,spotted4--,their ,desired ,haven4--8,i am ,left ,alone40--,my ,earthly ,all4--,eternal ,hope4--,australia to the ,rescue4--,for my ,brethren's ,sake4--,a ,new ,holy ,league4--,the ,uses of ,adversity4--,the ,arm-,chair ,critics ,again4--,concluding ,note4--,prospectus of ,part ,second4 ,a time of great excitement amongst the ,natives now prevailed4 ,war1 war1 nothing but war was spoken of6 ,preparations for war were being made in all the villages far and near4 ,fear sat on every face1 and armed bands kept watching each other1 as if uncertain where the war was to begin or by whom4 ,all work was suspended1 and that war spirit was let loose which rouses the worst passions of human nature4 ,again we found ourselves the centre of conflict1 one party set for killing us or driving us away2 the other wishing to retain us1 while all old bitter grievances were also dragged into their speeches4 ,miaki and ,nouka said1 8,if you will keep ,missi and his ,worship1 take him with you to your own land1 for we will not have him to live at the ,harbour40 ,ian1 the great ,inland ,chief1 rose in wrath and said1 8,on whose land does the ,missi live1 yours or ours8 ,who fight against the ,worship and all good1 who are the thieves and murderers1 who tell the lies1 you or we8 ,we wish peace1 but you will have war4 ,we like ,missi and the ,worship1 but you hate them and say1 #8,take him to your own land6' ,it is our land on which he now lives2 it is his own land which he bought from you1 but which our fathers sold ,missi ,turner long ago4 ,the land was not yours to sell2 it was really ours4 ,your fathers stole it from us long ago by war2 but we would not have asked it back1 had you not asked us to take ,missi away4 ,now we will defend him on it1 and he will teach us and our people in our own land60 ,so meeting after meeting broke into fiery speech1 and separated with many threats4 ,to the next great meeting ,i was invited1 but did not go1 contenting myself with a message pleading that they should live at peace and on no account go to war with each other4 ,but ,ian himself came for me4 ,i said1 8,ian1 ,i have told you my whole heart4 ,go not to that meeting4 ,i will rather leave the island or die1 than see you going to war about me60 ,he answered1 8,missi1 come with me1 come now60 ,i replied1 8,ian1 you are surely not taking me away to kill me8 ,if you are1 my ,god will punish it40 ,his only reply was1 8,follow me1 follow me quickly40 ,i felt constrained to go4 ,he strode on before me till we reached the great village of his ancestors4 ,his followers1 armed largely with muskets as well as native weapons1 filled one half the ,village ,square or dancing ground4 ,miaki1 ,nouka1 and their whole party sat in manifest terror upon the other half4 ,marching into the centre1 he stood with me by his side1 and proudly looking round1 exclaimed1-- 8,missi1 these are my men and your friends6 ,we are met to defend you and the ,worship40 ,then pointing across to the other side1 he cried aloud1 8,these are your enemies and ours6 ,the enemies of the ,worship1 the disturbers of the peace on ,tanna6 ,missi1 say the word1 and the muskets of my men will sweep all opposition away1 and the ,worship will spread and we will all be strong for it on ,tanna4 ,we will not shoot without your leave2 but if you refuse they will kill you and persecute us and our children1 and banish ,jehovah's ,worship from our land40 ,i said1 8,i love all of you alike4 ,i am here to teach you how to turn away from all wickedness1 to worship and serve ,jehovah1 and to live in peace4 ,how can ,i approve of any person being killed for me or for the ,worship8 ,my ,god would be angry at me and punish me1 if ,i did60 ,he replied1 8,then1 ,missi1 you will be murdered and the ,worship destroyed40 ,i then stood forth in the middle before them all and cried1 8,you may shoot or murder me1 but ,i am your best friend4 ,i am not afraid to die4 ,you will only send me the sooner to my ,jehovah ,god1 whom ,i love and serve1 and to my dear ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 who died for me and for you1 and who sent me here to tell you all ,his love4 ,if you will only love and serve ,him and give up your bad conduct1 you will be happy4 ,but if you kill me1 ,his messenger1 rest assured that ,he will in ,his own time and way punish you4 ,this is my word to you all2 my love to you all60 ,so saying1 ,i turned to leave2 and ,ian strode sullenly away and stood at the head of his men1 crying1-- 8,missi1 they will kill you6 they will kill us1 and you will be to blame60 ,miaki and ,nouka1 full of deceit1 now cried out1-- 8,missi's word is good6 ,let us all obey it4 ,let us all worship40 ,an old man1 ,sirawia1 one of ,ian's under-chiefs1 then said1-- 8,miaki and ,nouka say that the land on which ,missi lives was theirs2 though they sold it to him1 and he has paid them for it1 they all know that it was ours1 and is yet ours by right2 but if they let ,missi live on it in peace1 we will all live at peace1 and worship ,jehovah4 ,and if not1 we will surely claim it again40 ,miaki and his party hereon went off to their plantations1 and brought a large present of food to ,ian and his men as a peace-offering4 ,this they accepted2 and the next day ,ian and his men brought ,miaki a return present and said1-- 8,you know that ,missi lives on our land8 ,take our present1 be friends1 and let him live quietly and teach us all4 ,yesterday you said his word was good1 obey it now1 else we will punish you and defend the ,missi40 ,miaki accepted the token1 and gave good promises for the future4 ,ian then came to the hill-top near our house1 by which passed the public path1 and cried aloud in the hearing of all1-- 8,abraham1 tell ,missi that you and he now live on our land4 ,this path is the march betwixt ,miaki and us4 ,we have this day bought back the land of our fathers by a great price to prevent war4 ,take of our bread-fruits and also of our cocoa-nuts what you require1 for you are our friends and living on our land1 and we will protect you and the ,worship60 ,for some time things moved on quietly after this4 ,an inland war1 however1 had continued for months4 ,as many as ten men1 they said1 were sometimes killed in one day and feasted on by the warriors4 ,thousands had been thereby forced down from the mountains1 and sought protection under ,ian and his people4 ,all the people claiming connection with his ,tribe were called ,naraimini2 the people in the ,volcano district were called the ,kaserumini2 and the ,harbour ,tribes were the ,watarenmini2 and so on all over the island4 ,in such divisions1 there might be from two to twenty ,chiefs and ,villages under one leader1 and these stood by each other for purposes defensive and offensive4 ,now ,nouka and ,miaki had been frustrated in all their plans to get the ,inland and the ,harbour people involved in the war1 as their own followers were opposed to it4 ,in violation of his promises1 however1 ,nouka invited all the men who wished to go to the war to meet him one morning1 and only one appeared6 ,nouka1 in great wrath1 marched off to the war himself1 but1 as no one followed1 he grew faint-hearted1 and returned to his own village4 ,on another morning1 ,miaki summoned all his fighting men2 but only his own brother and six lads could be induced to accompany him1 and with these he started off4 ,but the enemy1 hearing of his coming1 had killed two of his principal allies the night before1 and ,miaki1 learning this1 turned and fled to his own house1 and was secretly laughed at by his tribe4 ,next day1 ,nouka came to me professing great friendship and pleading with me to accompany him and ,miaki to talk with the ,kaserumini1 and persuade them to give up the war4 ,he was annoyed and disappointed when ,i refused to go4 ,nowar and others informed me1 two days thereafter1 that three persons had died in that district1 that others were sick1 and that the ,heathen there had resolved to kill me in revenge as the cause of all4 ,as ,nouka's wife was one of the victims1 this scheme was concocted to entrap me4 ,i was warned on no account to leave my house at night for a considerable time1 but to keep it locked up and to let no one in after dark4 ,the same two men from that district who had tried to kill ,mr4 ,johnston and me1 were again appointed and were watching for ,abraham and me1 lurking about in the evenings for that purpose4 ,again ,i saw how the ,lord had preserved me from ,miaki and ,nouka6 ,truly all are safe who are in ,god's keeping2 and nothing can befall them1 except for their real good and the glory of their ,lord4 ,chafed at the upsetting of all their plans and full of revenge1 ,nouka and ,miaki and their allies declared publicly that they were now going to kill ,ian by sorcery1 i4e41 by ,nahak1 more feared by the poor ,tannese than the field of battle4 ,nothing but the grace of ,god and the enlightenment of ,his ,spirit through the ,scriptures1 has ever raised these ,natives above that paralyzing superstition4 ,but1 thank ,god1 there are now1 while ,i write this 7#ahhg71 about twelve thousand in the ,new ,hebrides who have been thus enlightened and lifted out of their terrors1 for the ,gospel is still1 as of old1 the power of ,god unto salvation6 ,strange to say1 ,ian became sick shortly after the ,sacred ,men had made the declaration about their ,nahak-sorcery4 ,i attended him1 and for a time he recovered1 and appeared very grateful4 ,but he soon fell sick again4 ,i sent him and the ,chief next under him a blanket each2 ,i also gave shirts and calico to a number of his leading men4 ,they wore them and seemed grateful and pleased4 ,ian1 however1 gradually sank and got worse4 ,he had every symptom of being poisoned1 a thing easily accomplished1 as they know and use many deadly poisons4 ,his sufferings were very great1 which prevented me from ascribing his collapse to mere superstitious terror4 ,i did all that could be done2 but all thought him dying1 and of course by sorcery4 ,his people were angry at me for not consenting before to their shooting of ,miaki2 and ,miaki's people were now rejoicing that ,ian was being killed by ,nahak4 ,one night1 his brother and a party came for me to go and see ,ian1 but ,i declined to go till the morning for fear of the fever and ague4 ,on reaching his village1 ,i saw many people about1 and feared that ,i had been led into a snare2 but ,i at once entered into his house to talk and pray with him1 as he appeared to be dying4 ,after prayer1 ,i discovered that ,i was left alone with him1 and that all the people had retired from the village2 and ,i knew that1 according to their custom1 this meant mischief4 ,ian said1-- ,illustration3 8,,suddenly ,,he ,,drew 444 ,a ,,large ,,butcher-,,like ,,knife40 8,come near me1 and sit by my bedside to talk with me1 ,missi40 ,i did so1 and while speaking to him he lay as if lost in a swoon of silent meditation4 ,suddenly he drew from the sugar-cane leaf thatch close to his bed1 a large butcher-like knife1 and instantly feeling the edge of it with his other hand1 he pointed it to within a few inches of my heart and held it quivering there1 all a-tremble with excitement4 ,i durst neither move nor speak1 except that my heart kept praying to the ,lord to spare me1 or if my time was come to take me home to ,glory with ,himself4 ,there passed a few moments of awful suspense4 ,my sight went and came4 ,not a word had been spoken1 except to ,jesus2 and then ,ian wheeled the knife around1 thrust it into the sugar-cane leaf1 and cried to me1-- 8,go1 go quickly60 ,next moment ,i was on the road4 ,not a living soul was to be seen about the village4 ,i understood then that it had been agreed that ,ian was to kill me1 and that they had all withdrawn so as not to witness it1 so that when the ,man-of-war came to inquire about me ,ian would be dead1 and no punishment could overtake the murderer4 ,i walked quietly till quite free of the village1 lest some hid in their houses might observe me4 ,thereafter1 fearing that they1 finding ,i had escaped1 might overtake and murder me1 ,i ran for my life a weary four miles till ,i reached the ,mission ,house1 faint1 yet praising ,god for such a deliverance4 ,poor ,ian died soon after1 and his people strangled one of his wives and hanged another1 and took out the three bodies together in a canoe and sank them in the sea4 ,miaki was jubilant over having killed his enemy by ,nahak2 but the ,inland people now assembled in thousands to help ,sirawia and his brother to avenge that death on ,miaki1 ,nouka and ,karewick4 ,these1 on the other hand1 boasted that they would kill all their enemies by ,nahak-sorcery1 and would call up a hurricane to destroy their houses1 fruit trees1 and plantations4 ,miaki and a number of his men also came to the ,mission ,house2 but1 observing his sullen countenance1 ,i asked kindly after his wife who was about to be confined1 and gave a blanket1 a piece of calico1 and a bit of soap as a present for the baby4 ,he seemed greatly pleased1 whispered something to his men1 and peaceably withdrew4 ,immediately after ,miaki's threat about bringing a storm1 one of their great hurricanes actually smote that side of the island and laid everything waste4 ,his enemies were greatly enraged1 and many of the injured people united with them in demanding revenge on ,miaki4 ,hitherto ,i had done everything in my power to prevent war1 but now it seemed inevitable1 and both parties sent word that if ,abraham and ,i kept to the ,mission ,house no one would harm us4 ,we had little faith in any of their promises1 but there was no alternative for us4 ,on the following ,saturday1 #ahth ,january1 #ahfb1 the war began4 ,musket after musket was discharged quite near us1 and the bush all round rang with the yell of their war-cry1 which if once heard will never be forgotten4 ,it came nearer and nearer1 for ,miaki fled1 and his people took shelter behind and around our house4 ,we were placed in the heart of danger1 and the balls flew thick all around us4 ,in the afternoon ,ian's brother and his party retired1 and ,miaki quickly sent messengers and presents to the ,inikahimini and ,kaserumini districts1 to assemble all their people and help him 8to fight ,missi and the ,tannese who were friends of the ,worship40 ,he said1-- 8,let us cook his body and ,abraham's1 and distribute them to every village on this side of the island60 ,yet all the while ,miaki assured me that he had sent a friendly message4 ,the war went on1 and poor ,nowar the ,chief protected us1 till he had a spear broken into his right knee4 ,the enemy would have carried him off to feast on his body2 but his young men1 shouting wildly his name and battle-cry1 rushed in with great impetuosity and carried their wounded ,chief home in triumph4 ,the ,inland people now discharged muskets at my house and beat against the walls with their clubs4 ,they smashed in the door and window of our store-room1 broke open boxes and casks1 tore my books to pieces and scattered them about1 and carried off everything for which they cared1 including my boat1 mast1 oars1 and sails4 ,they broke into ,abraham's house and plundered it2 after which they made a rush at the bedroom1 into which we were locked1 firing muskets1 yelling1 and trying to break it in4 ,a ,chief1 professing to be sorry for us called me to the window1 but on seeing me he sent a tomahawk through it1 crying1-- 8,come on1 let us kill him now60 ,i replied1 8,my ,jehovah ,god will punish you2 a ,man-of-war will come and punish you1 if you kill ,abraham1 his wife1 or me40 ,he retorted1 8,it's all lies about a ,man-of-war6 ,they did not punish the ,erromangans4 ,they are afraid of us4 ,come on1 let us kill them60 ,he raised his tomahawk and aimed to strike my forehead1 many muskets were uplifted as if to shoot1 so ,i raised a revolver in my right hand and pointed it at them4 ,the ,rev4 ,joseph ,copeland had left it with me on a former visit4 ,i did not wish it1 but he insisted upon leaving it1 saying that the very knowledge that ,i had such a weapon might save my life4 ,truly1 on this occasion it did so4 ,though it was harmless1 they fell back quickly4 ,my immediate assailant dropped to the ground1 crying1-- 8,missi has got a short musket6 ,he will shoot you all60 ,after lying flat on the ground for a little1 they all got up and ran to the nearest bush1 where they continued yelling about and showing their muskets4 ,towards nightfall they left1 loaded with the plunder of the store and of ,abraham's house4 ,so ,god once more graciously protected us from falling into their cruel hands4 ,in the evening1 after they left1 ,i went to ,miaki and ,nouka4 ,they professed great sorrow at what had taken place1 and pretended to have given them a present of food not to do us further injury4 ,but ,nowar informed us that1 on the contrary1 they had hired them to return and kill us next morning and plunder everything on the ,mission premises4 ,miaki1 with a sneer1 said1-- 8,missi1 where was ,jehovah to-day8 ,there was no ,jehovah to-day to protect you4 ,it's all lies about ,jehovah4 ,they will come and kill you1 and ,abraham1 and his wife1 and cut your bodies into pieces to be cooked and eaten in every village upon ,tanna40 ,i said1 8,surely1 when you had planned all this1 and brought them to kill us and steal all our property1 ,jehovah did protect us1 or we would not have been here60 ,he replied1 8,there was no ,jehovah to-day6 ,we have no fear of any ,man-of-war4 ,they dare not punish us4 ,they durst not punish the ,erromangans for murdering the ,gordons4 ,they will talk to us and say we must not do so again1 and give us a present4 ,that is all4 ,we fear nothing4 ,the talk of all ,tanna is that we will kill you and seize all your property to-morrow40 ,i warned him that the punishment of a ,man-of-war can only reach the body and the land1 but that ,jehovah's punishment reached both body and soul in ,time and in ,eternity4 ,he replied3 8,who fears ,jehovah8 ,he was not here to protect you to-day60 8,yes10 ,i said1 8my ,jehovah ,god is here now4 ,he hears all we say1 sees all we do1 and will punish the wicked and protect ,his own people40 ,after this1 a number of the people sat down around me1 and ,i prayed with them4 ,but ,i left with a very heavy heart1 feeling that ,miaki was evidently bent on our destruction4 ,i sent ,abraham to consult ,nowar1 who had defended us till disabled by a spear in the right knee4 ,he sent a canoe by ,abraham1 advising me to take some of my goods in it to his house by night1 and he would try to protect them and us4 ,the risk was so great1 we could only take a very little4 ,enemies were on every hand to cut off our flight1 and ,miaki1 the worst of all1 whose village had to be passed in going to ,nowar's4 ,in the darkness of the ,mission ,house1 we durst not light a candle for fear of some one seeing and shooting us4 ,not one of ,nowar's men durst come to help us4 ,but in the end it made no difference1 for ,nowar and his men kept what was taken there as their portion of the plunder4 ,abraham1 his wife1 and ,i waited anxiously for the morning light4 ,miaki1 the false and cruel1 came to assure us that the ,heathen would not return that day4 ,yet1 as daylight came in1 ,miaki himself stood and blew a great conch not far from our house4 ,i ran out to see why this trumpet-shell had been blown1 and found it was the signal for a great company of howling armed savages to rush down the hill on the other side of the bay and make straight for the ,mission ,house4 ,we had not a moment to lose4 ,to have remained would have been certain death to us all1 and also to ,matthew1 a ,teacher just arrived from ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station4 ,though ,i am by conviction a strong ,calvinist1 ,i am no ,fatalist4 ,i held on while one gleam of hope remained4 ,escape for life was now the only path of duty4 ,i called the ,teachers1 locked the door1 and made quickly for ,nowar's village4 ,there was not a moment left to carry anything with us4 ,in the issue1 ,abraham1 his wife1 and ,i lost all our earthly goods1 and all our clothing except what we had on4 ,my ,bible1 the few translations which ,i had made into ,tannese1 and a light pair of blankets ,i carried with me4 ,to me the loss was bitter1 but as ,god had so ordered it1 ,i tried to bow with resignation4 ,all my deceased wife's costly outfit1 her piano1 silver1 cutlery1 books1 etc41 with which her dear parents had provided her1 besides all that ,i had in the world2 also a box worth #ef1 lately arrived1 full of men's clothing and medicine1 the gift of my dear friends1 ,samuel ,wilson1 ,esq41 and ,mrs4 ,wilson1 of ,geelong4 ,the ,sandal-wood ,traders bought all the stolen property for tobacco1 powder1 balls1 caps1 and shot4 ,one ,trader gathered together a number of my books in a sadly torn and wasted condition and took them to ,aneityum1 demanding #aj from ,dr4 ,geddie for his trouble4 ,he had to pay him #g #ajs41 which ,i repaid to him on my second return to the ,islands4 ,this1 by way of digression1 only to show how white and black ,heathenism meet together4 ,let us return to the morning of our flight4 ,we could not take the usual path along the beach1 for there our enemies would have quickly overtaken us4 ,we entered the bush in the hope of getting away unobserved4 ,but a cousin of ,miaki1 evidently secreted to watch us1 sprang from behind a bread-fruit tree1 and swinging his tomahawk1 aimed it at my brow with a fiendish look4 ,avoiding it1 ,i turned upon him and said in a firm bold voice1-- 8,if you dare to strike me1 my ,jehovah ,god will punish you4 ,he is here to defend me now60 ,the man1 trembling1 looked all round as if to see the ,god who was my defender1 and the tomahawk gradually lowered at his side4 ,with my eye fixed upon him1 ,i gradually moved backwards in the track of the ,teachers1 and ,god mercifully restrained him from following me4 ,on reaching ,nowar's village unobserved1 we found the people terror-stricken1 crying1 rushing about in despair at such a host of armed savages approaching4 ,i urged them to ply their axes1 cut down trees1 and blockade the path4 ,for a little they wrought vigorously at this2 but when1 so far as eye could reach1 they saw the shore covered with armed men rushing on towards their village1 they were overwhelmed with fear1 they threw away their axes and weapons of war1 they cast themselves headlong on the ground1 and they knocked themselves against the trees as if to court death before it came4 ,they cried1-- 8,missi1 it's of no use6 ,we will all be killed and eaten to-day6 ,see what a host are coming against us40 ,mothers snatched up little children and ran to hide in the bush4 ,others waded as far as they could into the sea with them1 holding their heads above the water4 ,the whole village collapsed in a condition of indescribable terror4 ,nowar1 lame with his wounded knee1 got a canoe turned upside-down and sat upon it where he could see the whole approaching multitude4 ,he said1-- 8,missi1 sit down beside me1 and pray to our ,jehovah ,god1 for if ,he does not send deliverance now1 we are all dead men4 ,they will kill us all on your account1 and that quickly4 ,pray1 and ,i will watch60 ,they had gone to the ,mission ,house and broken in the door1 and finding that we had escaped1 they rushed on to ,nowar's village4 ,for1 as they began to plunder the bedroom1 ,nouka said1-- 8,leave everything4 ,missi will come back for his valuable things at night1 and then we will get them and him also60 ,so he nailed up the door1 and they all marched for ,nowar's4 ,we prayed as one can only pray when in the jaws of death and on the brink of ,eternity4 ,we felt that ,god was near1 and omnipotent to do what seemed best in ,his sight4 ,when the savages were about three hundred yards off1 at the foot of a hill leading up to the village1 ,nowar touched my knee1 saying1-- 8,missi1 ,jehovah is hearing6 ,they are all standing still40 ,had they come on they would have met with no opposition1 for the people were scattered in terror4 ,on gazing shorewards1 and round the ,harbour1 as far as we could see1 was a dense host of warriors1 but all were standing still1 and apparently absolute silence prevailed4 ,we saw a messenger or herald running along the approaching multitude1 delivering some tidings as he passed1 and then disappearing in the bush4 ,to our amazement1 the host began to turn1 and slowly marched back in great silence1 and entered the remote bush at the head of the ,harbour4 ,nowar and his people were in ecstasies1 crying out1-- 8,jehovah has heard ,missi's prayer6 ,jehovah has protected us and turned them away back40 ,we were on that day ,his trusting and defenceless children2 would you not1 had you been one of our circle1 have joined with us in praising the ,lord ,god for deliverance from the jaws of death8 ,i know not why they turned back2 but ,i have no doubt it was the doing of ,god to save our lives4 ,we learned that they all assembled in a cleared part of the bush and there held a great wrangling palaver4 ,nouka and ,miaki advised them first to fight ,manuman and his people4 ,they said1-- 8,his brother1 the ,sacred ,man ,kanini1 killed ,ian by ,nahak4 ,he is a friend of ,missi and of the ,worship4 ,he also sent the hurricane to destroy us4 ,they have plenty of yams and pigs4 ,let us fight and plunder them1 and when they are out of the way1 we will be strong to destroy ,missi and the ,worship40 ,on this the whole mass went and attacked ,manuman's first village1 where they murdered two of his men1 two women1 and two children4 ,the inhabitants fled1 and all the sick1 the feeble1 and the children who fell into their hands were reported to us to be murdered1 cooked1 and eaten4 ,led on by ,miaki1 they plundered and burned seven villages4 ,about mid-day1 ,nouka and ,miaki sent their cousin ,jonas1 who had always been friendly to me1 to say that ,i might return to my house in safety1 as they were now carrying the war inland4 ,jonas had spent some years on ,samoa1 and been much with ,traders in ,sydney1 and spoke ,english well2 but we felt they were deceiving us4 ,that night1 ,abraham ventured to creep near the ,mission ,house1 to test whether we might return1 and save some valuable things1 and get a change of clothing4 ,the house appeared to stand as when they nailed up the door4 ,but a large party of ,miaki's allies at once enclosed ,abraham1 and1 after asking many questions about me1 they let him go since ,i was not there4 ,had ,i gone there1 they would certainly that night have killed me4 ,again1 at midnight1 ,abraham and his wife and ,matthew went to the ,mission ,house1 and found ,nouka1 ,miaki1 and ,karewick near by1 concealed in the bush among the reeds4 ,once more they enclosed them1 thinking ,i was there too1 but ,nouka1 finding that ,i was not1 cried out1-- 8,don't kill them just now6 ,wait till ,missi comes40 ,hearing this1 ,matthew slipped into the bush and escaped4 ,abraham's wife waded into the sea1 and they allowed her to get away4 ,abraham was allowed to go to the ,mission ,house1 but he too crept into the bush1 and after an anxious waiting they all came back to me in safety4 ,we now gave up all hope of recovering anything from the house4 ,towards morning1 when ,miaki and his men saw that ,i was not coming back to deliver myself into their hands1 they broke up my house and stole all they could carry away4 ,they tore my books1 and scattered them about4 ,they took away the type of my printing-press1 to be made into bullets for their muskets4 ,for similar uses they melted down the zinc lining of my boxes1 and everything else that could be melted4 ,what they could not take away1 they destroyed4 ,i lay on the ground all night1 concealed in an outhouse of ,nowar's1 but it was a sleepless and anxious night1 not only to me and my ,aneityumese1 but also to ,nowar and his people4 ,next day1 the attack was renewed by the three ,chiefs on the district of my dear friend ,manuman4 ,his people fled2 the villages were burned2 all who came in their way were killed1 and all food and property carried away4 ,at night they returned to keep watch over ,nowar and me4 ,when darkness was setting in1 ,miaki sent for me to go and speak with him1 but ,nowar and the ,aneityumese were all so opposed to it that ,i did not go4 ,messages were sent to ,nowar1 threatening to kill him and his people for protecting me1 and great excitement prevailed4 ,another incident added horror to the memories of this day4 ,a savage from ,erromanga1 living with ,nowar1 had gone to the war that day4 ,he got near a village unobserved1 climbed into a tree1 and remained there watching4 ,after mid-day1 ,kamkali1 a true friend of mine1 the ,chief of his village1 came home wearied from the war1 got his blanket1 stealthily crept into a quiet place in the bush1 rolled himself up1 and lay down to sleep2 for1 according to their custom1 the leading warriors in times of conflict seldom sleep in their own houses1 and seldom twice in the same place even in the bush1 for fear of personal danger4 ,the ,erromangan1 having watched till he was sound asleep1 crept to where he lay1 raised his club and smashed in his skull4 ,he told1 when he came home1 how the blood ran from nose1 mouth1 and ears1 with a gurgling sound in his throat1 and after a few convulsive struggles all was over6 ,and the people around ,nowar praised him for his deed4 ,cocoa-nuts were brought for him to drink1 and food was presented before him in large quantities1 as to one who had done something noble4 ,for safety1 he was put into the same house where ,i had to sit1 and even ,nowar honoured him4 ,i watched for the workings of a natural man's conscience under the guilt of murder4 ,when left alone1 he shook every now and then with agitation1 and started round with a terrified gaze4 ,he looked the picture of a man who felt that he had done to his neighbour what he would not have liked another to do to him4 ,i wonder if that consciousness ever dies out1 in the lowest and worst1 that last voice of ,god in the soul8 ,that very night1 ,nowar declared that ,i must leave his village before morning1 else he and his people would be killed for protecting me4 ,he advised me1 as the sea was good1 to try for ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station2 but he objected to my taking away any of my property--he would soon follow with it himself6 ,but how to sail8 ,miaki had stolen my boat1 mast1 sails1 and oars1 as also an excellent canoe made for me and paid for by me on ,aneityum2 and he had threatened to shoot any person that assisted me to launch either the one or the other4 ,the danger1 however1 was so great that ,nowar said1-- 8,you cannot remain longer in my house6 ,my son will guide you to the large chestnut tree in my plantation in the bush4 ,climb up into it1 and remain there till the moon rises40 ,being entirely at the mercy of such doubtful and vacillating friends1 ,i1 though perplexed1 felt it best to obey4 ,i climbed into the tree1 and was left there alone in the bush4 ,the hours ,i spent there live all before me as if it were but of yesterday4 ,i heard the frequent discharging of muskets1 and the yells of the savages4 ,yet ,i sat there among the branches1 as safe in the arms of ,jesus6 ,never1 in all my sorrows1 did my ,lord draw nearer to me1 and speak more soothingly in my soul1 than when the moonlight flickered among these chestnut leaves1 and the night air played on my throbbing brow1 as ,i told all my heart to ,jesus4 ,alone1 yet not alone6 ,if it be to glorify my ,god1 ,i will not grudge to spend many nights alone in such a tree1 to feel again my ,saviour's spiritual presence1 to enjoy ,his consoling fellowship4 ,if thus thrown back upon your own soul1 alone1 all1 all alone1 in the midnight1 in the bush1 in the very embrace of death itself1 have you a ,friend that will not fail you then8 ,gladly would ,i have lingered there for one night of comparative peace6 ,but1 about midnight1 ,nowar sent his son to call me down from the tree1 and to guide me to the shore where he himself was1 as it was now time to take to sea in the canoe4 ,pleading for my ,lord's continuing presence1 ,i had to obey4 ,my life and the lives of my ,aneityumese now hung upon a very slender thread1 and was almost equally at risk from our friends so-called1 and from our enemies4 ,had ,i been a stranger to ,jesus and to prayer1 my reason would verily have given way1 but my comfort and joy sprang up out of these3 8,i will never leave thee1 nor forsake thee2 lo1 ,i am with you alway60 ,pleading these promises1 ,i followed my guide4 ,we reached the beach1 just inside the ,harbour1 at a beautiful white sandy bay on ,nowar's ground1 from which our canoe was to start4 ,a good number of the ,natives had assembled there to see us off4 ,arkurat1 having got a large roll of calico from me for the loan of his canoe1 hid it away1 and then refused the canoe1 saying that if he had to escape with his family he would require it4 ,he demanded1 for the loan of his canoe1 an axe1 a sail for his canoe1 and a pair of blankets4 ,as ,karis had the axe and another had the quilt1 ,i gave the quilt to him for a sail1 and the axe and blankets for the canoe4 ,in fact1 these few relics of our earthly all at ,nowar's were coveted by the savages and endangered our lives1 and it was as well to get rid of them altogether4 ,he cruelly proposed a small canoe for two2 but ,i had hired the canoe for five1 and insisted upon getting it1 as he had been well paid for it4 ,as he only laughed and mocked us1 ,i prepared to start and travel overland to ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station4 ,he then said1-- 8,my wrath is over6 ,you may take it and go40 ,we launched it1 but now he refused to let us go till daylight4 ,he had always been one of my best friends1 but now appeared bent on a quarrel1 so ,i had to exercise much patience with him and them4 ,having launched it1 he said ,i had hired the canoe but not the paddles4 ,i protested1-- 8,surely you know we hired the paddles too4 ,what could we do without paddles80 ,but ,arkurat lay down and pretended to have fallen asleep1 snoring on the sand1 and could not be awaked4 ,i appealed to ,nowar1 who only said-- 8,that is his conduct1 ,missi1 our conduct60 ,i replied1 8,as he has got the blankets which ,i saved to keep me from ague and fever1 and ,i have nothing left now but the clothes ,i have on1 surely you will give me paddles40 ,nowar gave me one4 ,returning to the village1 friends gave me one each till ,i got other three4 ,now ,arkurat started up1 and refused to let us go4 ,a ,chief and one of his men1 who lived on the other side of the island near to where we were going1 and who was hired by me to go with us and help in paddling the canoe1 drew back also and refused to go4 ,again ,i offered to leave the canoe1 and walk overland if possible1 when ,faimungo1 the ,chief who had refused to go with us1 came forward and said1-- 8,missi1 they are all deceiving you6 ,the sea is so rough1 you cannot go by it2 and if you should get round the weather point1 ,miaki has men appointed to shoot you as you pass the ,black ,rocks1 while by land all the paths are guarded by armed men4 ,i tell you the truth1 having heard all their talk4 ,miaki and ,karewick say they hate the ,worship1 and will kill you4 ,they killed your goats1 and stole all your property yesterday4 ,farewell60 ,the ,teachers1 the boy1 and ,i now resolved to enter the canoe and attempt it1 as the only gleam of hope left to us4 ,after ,faimungo came1 the man to whom the canoe belonged had withdrawn from us1 it having transpired that ,miaki would not attack us that night1 as other game had attracted his savage eyes4 ,my party of five now embarked in our frail canoe2 ,abraham first1 ,i next1 ,matthew after me1 the boy at the steering paddle1 and ,abraham's wife sitting in the bottom1 where she might hold on while it continued to float4 ,for a mile or more we got away nicely under the lee of the island1 but when we turned to go south for ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station1 we met the full force of wind and sea1 every wave breaking over and almost swamping our canoe4 ,the ,native lad at the helm paddle stood up crying1-- 8,missi1 this is the conduct of the sea6 ,it swallows up all who seek its help40 ,i answered1 8,we do not seek help from it but from ,jehovah ,jesus40 ,our danger became very great1 as the sea broke over and lashed around us4 ,my faithful ,aneityumese1 overcome with terror1 threw down their paddles1 and ,abraham said1-- 8,missi1 we are all drowned now6 ,we are food for the sharks4 ,we might as well be eaten by the ,tannese as by fishes2 but ,god will give us life with ,jesus in heaven60 ,i seized the paddle nearest me2 ,i ordered ,abraham to seize another within his reach2 ,i enjoined ,matthew to bail the canoe for life1 and the lad to keep firm in his seat1 and ,i cried1-- 8,stand to your post1 and let us return6 ,abraham1 where is now your faith in ,jesus8 ,remember1 ,he is ,ruler on sea as on land4 ,abraham1 pray and ply your paddle6 ,keep up stroke for stroke with me1 as our lives depend on it4 ,our ,god can protect us4 ,matthew1 bail with all your might4 ,don't look round on the sea and fear4 ,let us pray to ,god and ply our paddles1 and ,he will save us yet60 ,dear old ,abraham said1-- 8,thank you for that1 ,missi4 ,i will be strong4 ,i pray to ,god and ply my paddle4 ,god will save us60 ,with much labour1 and amid deadly perils1 we got the canoe turned2 and after four hours of a terrible struggle1 we succeeded1 towards daylight as the tide turned1 in again reaching smooth water4 ,with ,god's blessing we at last reached the shore1 exactly where we had left it five hours ago6 ,now drenched and weary1 with the skin of our hands sticking to the paddles1 we left the canoe on the reef and waded ashore4 ,many ,natives were there1 and looked sullen and disappointed at our return4 ,katasian1 the lad who had been with us1 instantly fled for his own land2 and the ,natives reported that he was murdered soon after4 ,utterly exhausted1 ,i lay down on the sand and instantly fell into a deep sleep4 ,by-and-by ,i felt some one pulling from under my head the native bag in which ,i carried my ,bible and the ,tannese translations--the all that had been saved by me from the wreck6 ,grasping the bag1 ,i sprang to my feet1 and the man ran away4 ,my ,teachers had also a hedging knife1 a useless revolver1 and a fowling-piece1 the sight of which1 though they had been under the salt water for hours1 ,god used to restrain the savages4 ,calling my ,aneityumese near1 we now in united prayer and kneeling on the sands committed each other unto the ,lord ,god1 being prepared for the last and worst4 ,as ,i sat meditating on the issues1 ,faimungo1 the friendly ,inland ,chief1 again appeared to warn us of our danger1 now very greatly increased by our being driven back from the sea4 ,all ,nowar's men had fled1 and were hid in the bush and in rocks along the shore2 while ,miaki was holding a meeting not half a mile away1 and preparing to fall upon us4 ,faimungo said1-- 8,farewell1 ,missi1 ,i am going home4 ,i don't wish to see the work and the murders of this morning40 ,he was ,nowar's son-in-law4 ,he had always been truthful and kindly with me4 ,his home was about half-way across the island1 on the road that we wanted to go1 and under sudden impulse ,i said1-- 8,faimungo1 will you let us follow you8 ,will you show us the path8 ,when the ,mission ,ship arrives1 ,i will give you three good axes1 blankets1 knives1 fish-hooks1 and many things you prize40 ,the late hurricanes had so destroyed and altered the paths1 that only ,natives who knew them well could follow them4 ,he trembled much and said1-- 8,missi1 you will be killed4 ,miaki and ,karewick will shoot you4 ,i dare not let you follow4 ,i have only about twenty men1 and your following might endanger us all40 ,i urged him to leave at once1 and we would follow of our own accord4 ,i would not ask him to protect us2 but if he betrayed us and helped the enemy to kill us1 ,i assured him that our ,god would punish him4 ,if he spared us1 he would be rewarded well2 and if killed against his wishes1 ,god would not be angry at him4 ,he said1-- 8,seven men are with me now1 and thirteen are to follow4 ,i will not now send for them4 ,they are with ,miaki and ,nouka4 ,i will go2 but if you follow1 you will be killed on the way4 ,you may follow me as far as you can60 ,off he started to ,nowar's1 and got a large load of my stolen property1 blankets1 sheets1 etc41 which had fallen to his lot4 ,he called his seven men1 who had also shared in the plunder1 and1 to avoid ,miaki's men1 they ran away under a large cocoa-nut grove skirting the shore1 calling1-- 8,be quick6 ,follow and keep as near to us as you can40 ,though ,nowar had got a box of my rice and appropriated many things from the plunder of the ,mission ,house besides the goods entrusted to his care1 and got two of my goats killed and cooked for himself and his people1 yet now he would not give a particle of food to my starving ,aneityumese or myself1 but hurried us off1 saying1-- 8,i will eat all your rice and keep all that has been left with me in payment for my lame knee and for my people fighting for you60 ,my three ,aneityumese and ,i started after ,faimungo and his men4 ,we could place no confidence in any of them2 but1 feeling that we were in the ,lord's hands1 it appeared to be our only hope of escaping instant death4 ,we got away unobserved by the enemies4 ,we met several small parties of friends in the ,harbour1 apparently glad to see us trying to get away4 ,but about four miles on our way1 we met a large party of ,miaki's men1 all armed1 and watching as outposts4 ,some were for shooting us1 but others hesitated4 ,every musket was1 however1 raised and levelled at me4 ,faimungo poised his great spear and said1 8,no1 you shall not kill ,missi to-day4 ,he is with me40 ,having made this flourish1 he strode off after his own men1 and my ,aneityumese followed1 leaving me face to face with a ring of levelled muskets4 ,sirawia1 who was in command of this party1 and who once like ,nowar had been my friend1 said to me1 ,judas like1 8,my love to you1 ,missi40 ,but he also shouted after ,faimungo1 8,your conduct is bad in taking the ,missi away2 leave him to us to be killed60 ,i then turned upon him1 saying1 8,sirawia1 ,i love you all4 ,you must know that ,i sought only your good4 ,i gave you medicine and food when you and your people were sick and dying under measles2 ,i gave you the very clothing you wear4 ,am ,i not your friend8 ,have we not often drunk tea and eaten together in my house8 ,can you stand there and see your friend shot8 ,if you do1 my ,god will punish you severely40 ,he then whispered something to his company which ,i did not hear2 and1 though their muskets were still raised1 ,i saw in their eyes that he had restrained them4 ,i therefore began gradually to move backwards1 still keeping my eyes fixed on them1 till the bush hid them from my view1 whereon ,i turned and ran after my party1 and ,god kept the enemy from following4 ,i would like to think that ,sirawia only uttered the cruel words which ,i heard as a blind to save his own life2 for at this time he was joined to ,miaki's party1 his own people having risen against him1 and had to dissemble his friendly feelings towards me4 ,poor ,sirawia6 ,well ,i knew that ,miaki would only use him as a tool for selfish interests1 and sacrifice him at last4 ,all this showed how dangers grew around our path4 ,still we trusted in ,jehovah ,jesus1 and pressed on in flight4 ,a second hostile party encountered us1 and with great difficulty we also got away from them4 ,soon thereafter a friendly company crossed our path4 ,we learned from them that the enemies had slaughtered other two of ,manuman's men1 and burned several villages with fire4 ,another party of the enemy encountered us1 and were eager for our lives4 ,but this time ,faimungo withstood them firmly1 his men encircled us1 and he said1 8,i am not afraid now1 ,missi2 ,i am feeling stronger near my own land60 ,hurrying still onwards1 we came to that village on their high ground called ,aneai1 i4e41 ,heaven4 ,the sun was oppressively hot1 the path almost unshaded1 and our whole party very exhausted1 especially ,faimungo1 carrying his load of stolen goods4 ,so here he sat down on the village dancing ground for a smoke1 saying1-- 8,missi1 ,i am near my own land now4 ,we can rest with safety40 ,in a few minutes1 however1 he started up1 he and his men1 in wild excitement4 ,over a mountain1 behind the village and above it1 there came the shoutings1 and anon the tramp1 tramp of a multitude making rapidly towards us4 ,faimungo got up and planted his back against a tree4 ,i stood beside him1 and the ,aneityumese woman and the two men stood near me1 while his men seemed prepared to flee4 ,at full speed a large body of the tallest and most powerful men that ,i had seen on ,tanna came rushing on and filled the dancing ground4 ,they were all armed1 and flushed with their success in war4 ,a messenger had informed them of our escape1 probably from ,miaki1 and they had crossed the country to intercept us4 ,faimungo was much afraid1 and said1-- 8,missi1 go on in that path1 you and your ,aneityumese2 and ,i will follow when ,i have had a smoke and a talk with these men40 ,i replied1 8,no1 ,i will stand by your side till you go2 and if ,i am killed1 it will be by your side4 ,i will not leave you40 ,he implored us to go on1 but that ,i knew would be certain death4 ,they began urging one another to kill us1 but ,i looked round them as calmly as possible1 saying1 8,my ,jehovah ,god will punish you here and hereafter1 if you kill me or any of ,his servants40 ,a killing-stone1 thrown by one of the savages1 grazed poor old ,abraham's cheek1 and the dear soul gave such a look at me1 and then upwards1 as if to say1 8,missi1 ,i was nearly away to ,jesus40 ,a club was also raised to follow the blow of the killing-stone1 but ,god baffled the aim4 ,they encircled us in a deadly ring1 and one kept urging another to strike the first blow or fire the first shot4 ,my heart rose up to the ,lord ,jesus2 ,i saw ,him watching all the scene4 ,my peace came back to me like a wave from ,god4 ,i realized that ,i was immortal till my ,master's work with me was done4 ,the assurance came to me1 as if a voice out of ,heaven had spoken1 that not a musket would be fired to wound us1 not a club prevail to strike us1 not a spear leave the hand in which it was held vibrating to be thrown1 not an arrow leave the bow1 or a killing-stone the fingers1 without the permission of ,jesus ,christ1 whose is all power in ,heaven and on ,earth4 ,he rules all ,nature1 animate and inanimate1 and restrains even the savage of the ,south ,seas4 ,in that awful hour ,i saw ,his own words1 as if carved in letters of fire upon the clouds of ,heaven3 8,seek1 and ye shall find4 ,whatsoever ye shall ask in ,my name1 that will ,i do1 that the ,father may be glorified in the ,son40 ,i could understand how ,stephen and ,john saw the glorified ,saviour as they gazed up through suffering and persecution to the ,heavenly ,throne6 ,yet ,i never could say that on such occasions ,i was entirely without fear4 ,nay1 ,i have felt my reason reeling1 my sight coming and going1 and my knees smiting together when thus brought close to a violent death1 but mostly under the solemn thought of being ushered into ,eternity and appearing before ,god4 ,still1 ,i was never left without hearing that promise in all its consoling and supporting power coming up through the darkness and the anguish1 8,lo1 ,i am with you alway40 ,and with ,paul ,i could say1 even in this dread moment and crisis of being1 8,i am persuaded that neither death nor life 444 nor any other creature1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord40 ,faimungo and others now urged us to go on in the path4 ,i said1 8,faimungo1 why are we to leave you8 ,my ,god heard your promise not to betray me4 ,he knows now what is in your heart and in mine4 ,i will not leave you2 and if ,i am to die1 ,i will die by your side40 ,he replied1 8,now1 ,i go on before2 ,missi1 keep close to me40 ,his men had gone1 and ,i persuaded my ,aneityumese to follow them4 ,at last1 with a bound1 ,faimungo started after them4 ,i followed1 keeping as near him as ,i could1 pleading with ,jesus to protect me or to take me home to ,glory4 ,the host of armed men also ran along on each side with their weapons ready2 but leaving everything to ,jesus1 ,i ran on as if they were my escort1 or as if ,i saw them not4 ,if any reader wonders how they were restrained1 much more would ,i1 unless ,i believed that the same ,hand that restrained the lions from touching ,daniel held back these savages from hurting me6 ,we came to a stream crossing our path4 ,with a bound all my party cleared it1 ran up the bank opposite1 and disappeared in the bush4 8,faint yet pursuing10 ,i also tried the leap1 but ,i struck the bank and slid back on my hands and knees towards the stream4 ,at this moment ,i heard a crash above my head amongst the branches of an overhanging tree1 and ,i knew that a killing-stone had been thrown1 and that that branch had saved me4 ,praising my ,god1 ,i scrambled up on the other side1 and followed the track of my party into the bush4 ,the savages gazed after me for a little in silence1 but no one crossed the stream2 and ,i saw them separate into two1 one portion returning to the village and another pressing inland4 ,with what gratitude did ,i recognise the ,invisible ,one who brought their counsels to confusion6 ,i found my party resting in the bush1 and amazed to see me escaped alive from men who were thirsting for my blood4 ,faimungo and his men received me with demonstrations of joy1 perhaps feeling a little ashamed of their own cowardice4 ,he now ascended the mountain and kept away from the common path to avoid other ,native bands4 ,at every village enemies to the ,worship were ready to shoot us4 ,but ,i kept close to our guide1 knowing that the fear of shooting him would prevent their shooting at me1 as he was the most influential ,chief in all that section of the island4 ,one party said1 8,miaki and ,karewick said that ,missi made the sickness and the hurricanes1 and we ought to kill him40 ,faimungo replied1 8,they lie about ,missi6 ,it is our own bad conduct that makes us sick40 ,they answered1 8,we don't know who makes the sickness2 but our fathers have taught us to kill all foreign men40 ,faimungo1 clutching club and spear1 exclaimed1 standing betwixt them and us1 8,you won't kill ,missi to-day60 ,in the flight we passed springs and streamlets1 but though parched with sickening thirst1 not one of us durst stoop down to drink1 as we should have been almost certainly killed in the act4 ,faimungo now sent his own men home by a near path1 and guided us himself till we were close upon the shore4 ,there1 sitting down he said1-- 8,missi1 ,i have now fulfilled my promise4 ,i am so tired1 ,i am so afraid1 ,i dare not go farther4 ,my love to you all4 ,now go on quickly6 ,three of my men will go with you to the next rocks4 ,go quickly6 ,farewell40 ,these men went on a little1 and then said1 8,missi1 we dare not go6 ,faimungo is at war with the people of the next land4 ,you must keep straight along this path40 ,so they turned and ran back to their own village4 ,to us this district was especially perilous4 ,many years ago the ,aneityumese had joined in a war against the ,tannese of this tribe1 and the thirst for revenge yet existed in their hearts1 handed down from sire to son4 ,besides1 ,miaki had incited the people here to murder the ,teachers and me if we attempted to escape this way4 ,most providentially the men were absent on a war expedition1 and we saw only three lads and a great number of women and children1 who ran off to the bush in terror4 ,in the evening the enraged savages of another district assaulted the people of the shore villages for allowing us to pass1 and1 though sparing their lives1 broke in pieces their weapons of war--a very grievous penalty4 ,in the next district1 as we hasted along the shore1 two young men came running after us1 poising their quivering spears4 ,i took the useless revolver out of my little native basket1 and raising it cried1-- 8,beware6 ,lay down your spears at once on the sand1 and carry my basket to the next landing at the black rocks40 ,they threw their spears on the sand1 lifted the bag1 and ran on before us to the rocks which formed the march betwixt them and their enemies4 ,laying it down1 they said appealingly1 8,missi1 let us return to our home60 ,and how they did run1 fearing the pursuit of their foes4 ,in the next land we saw none4 ,after that we saw crowds all along1 some friendly1 others unfriendly1 but they let us pass on1 and with the blessing of ,almighty ,god we drew near to ,mr4 ,mathieson's ,station in safety4 ,here a man gave me a cocoa-nut for each of our party1 which we greatly required1 having tasted nothing all that day1 and very little for several days before4 ,we were so weak that only the struggle for life enabled us to keep our feet2 yet my poor ,aneityumese never complained and never halted1 not even the woman4 ,the danger and excitement kept us up in the race for life1 and by the blessing of ,god we were now approaching the ,mission ,house1 praising ,god for ,his wonderful deliverances4 ,hearing of our coming1 ,mr4 ,mathieson came running to meet me4 ,they had heard of my leaving my own ,station1 and they thought ,i was dead6 ,they were themselves both very weak2 their only child had just been laid in the grave1 and they were in great grief and in greater peril4 ,we praised the ,lord for permitting us to meet2 we prayed for support1 guidance1 and protection2 and resolved now1 in all events1 to stand by each other till the last4 ,before ,i left the ,harbour ,i wrote and left with ,nowar letters to be given to the ,captains of any vessels which called1 for the first1 and the next1 and the next1 telling them of our great danger1 that ,mr4 ,mathieson was almost without food1 and that ,i would reward them handsomely if they would call at the ,station and remove any of us who might be spared thence to ,aneityum4 ,two or three vessels called1 and1 as ,i afterwards learned1 got my letters2 but1 while buying my stolen property from the ,natives for tobacco1 powder1 and balls1 they took no further notice of my appeals1 and sailed past ,mr4 ,mathieson's straight on to ,aneityum4 8,the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel60 ,let me now cull the leading events from my ,journal1 that intervened betwixt this date and the final break-up of the ,mission on ,tanna--at least for a season--though1 blessed be ,god6 ,i have lived to see the light rekindled by my dear friends ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,watt1 and shining more brightly and hopefully than ever4 ,the candle was quenched1 but the candle-stick was not removed6 ,on ,wednesday1 #bbnd ,january1 #ahfb1 we heard that other three of ,manuman's people had been killed and a district burned with fire4 ,though this poor man was one of ,nowar's chief friends1 yet ,i heard him say before my flight1 8,when so many children are being killed1 why do they not send one for food to me and my family8 ,they are as tender and good as the young fowls60 ,a remark like this lets you see deep into the heart of a ,cannibal1 and he a sort of half-converted one1 if ,i may use such an expression2 certainly not one of the worst type by any means4 ,on the #bcrd ,january1 ,mr4 ,mathieson sent for ,taura1 ,kati1 and ,kapuku1 his three principal ,chiefs1 to induce them to promise protection till a vessel called to take us away4 ,they appeared friendly1 and promised to do their best4 ,alas6 the promises of the ,tannese ,chiefs had too often proved to be vain4 ,on ,friday1 #bdth ,january1 report reached our ,station that ,miaki and his party1 hearing that a friendly ,chief had concealed two of ,manuman's young men1 compelled him to produce them and club them to death before their eyes4 ,also1 that they surrounded ,manuman's party on a mountain1 and hemmed them in there1 dying of starvation and trying to survive on the carcases of the dead and on bark and roots4 ,also1 that ,miaki had united all the ,chiefs1 friends and foes alike1 in a bond of blood1 to kill every one pertaining to the whole ,mission on ,tanna4 ,jesus rules4 ,illustration3 ,,springing ,,forward ,,he ,,caught ,,the ,,club4 ,on ,sunday1 the #bfth ,january1 thirty persons came to worship at the ,mission ,house4 ,thereafter1 at great risk1 we had ,worship at three of the nearest and most friendly villages4 ,amidst all our perils and trials1 we preached the ,gospel to about one hundred and sixteen persons4 ,it was verily a sowing time of tears2 but1 despite all that followed1 who shall say that it was vain6 ,twenty years have passed1 and now when ,i am writing this1 there is a ,church of ,god singing the praises of ,jesus in that very district of ,tanna4 ,on leaving the second village1 a young lad affectionately took my hand to lead me to the next village2 but a sulky1 down-browed savage1 carrying a ponderous club1 also insisted upon accompanying us4 ,i led the way1 guided by the lad4 ,mr4 ,mathieson got the man to go before him1 while he himself followed1 constantly watching4 ,coming to a place where another path branched off from ours1 ,i asked which path we took1 and1 on turning to the left as instructed by the lad1 the savage getting close behind me1 swung his huge club over his shoulder to strike me on the head4 ,mr4 ,mathieson1 springing forward1 caught the club from behind with a great cry to me2 and ,i1 wheeling instantly1 had hold of the club also1 and betwixt us we wrested it out of his hands4 ,the poor creature1 craven at heart however blood-thirsty1 implored us not to kill him4 ,i raised the club threateningly1 and caused him to march in front of us till we reached the next village fence4 ,in terror lest these ,villagers should kill him1 he gladly received back his club1 as well as the boy his bow and arrows1 and they were lost in the bush in a moment4 ,at the village from which this man and boy had come1 one savage brought his musket while we were conducting worship1 and sat sullen and scowling at us all the time4 ,mocking questions were also shouted at us1 such as--8,who made the rains1 winds1 and hurricanes8 ,who caused all the disease8 ,who killed ,mr4 ,mathieson's child80 ,they sneered and scoffed at our answers1 and in this ,taura the ,chief joined the rest4 ,they retorted that trading vessels had called at the ,harbour1 and that all my clothes and property had been sold for muskets1 powder1 caps1 and balls1 so that ,miaki and his men had plenty of ammunition for fighting purposes now6 ,after this1 feeling that no one could be trusted1 we ceased visiting these villages1 and refrained from exposing ourselves at any distance from the ,mission ,house4 ,on the #bgth1 at daylight1 a vessel was seen in the offing1 as if to tantalize us4 ,the ,captain had been at the ,harbour1 and had received my letter from ,nowar4 ,i hoisted a flag to induce him to send or come on shore1 but he sailed off for ,aneityum1 bearing the plunder of my poor ,mission ,house1 purchased for ammunition and tobacco from the ,natives4 ,he left the news at ,aneityum that ,i had been driven from my ,station some time ago1 and was believed to have been murdered4 ,on the #bith ,january1 the young ,chief ,kapuku came and handed to ,mr4 ,mathieson his own and his father's war-gods and household idols4 ,they consisted chiefly of a basket of small and peculiar stones1 much worn and shining with use4 ,he said1-- 8,while many are trying to kill you and drive the worship of ,jehovah from this island1 ,i give up my gods1 and will send away all ,heathen idols from my land40 ,on the #cast1 we learned that a party of ,miaki's men were going about ,mr4 ,mathieson's district inciting the people to kill us4 ,faimungo also came to inform us that ,miaki was exerting all his artifice to get us and the ,worship destroyed4 ,manuman even sent1 from inland1 ,raki1 his adopted son1 to tell me of the fearful sufferings that he and his people were now passing through1 and that some were killed almost every day4 ,raki's wife was a ,chief's daughter1 who1 when the war began1 returned to her father's care4 ,the savages of ,miaki went to her own father's house and compelled him to give her up as an enemy4 ,she was clubbed and feasted on4 ,on ,sabbath1 #bnd ,february1 thirty-two people attended the morning service4 ,i addressed them on the ,deluge1 its causes and lessons4 ,i showed them a doll1 explaining that such carved and painted images could not hear our prayers or help us in our need1 that the living ,jehovah ,god only could hear and help4 ,they were much interested1 and after ,worship carefully examined the doll4 ,mr4 ,mathieson and ,i1 committing ourselves to ,jesus1 went inland and conducted worship at seven villages1 listened to by in all about one hundred people4 ,nearly all appeared friendly4 ,the people of one village had been incited to kill us on our return2 but ,god guided us to return by another way1 and so we escaped4 ,during the day1 on #crd ,february1 a company of ,miaki's men came to the ,mission ,house1 and forced ,mrs4 ,mathieson to show them through the premises4 ,providentially1 ,i had bolted myself that morning into a closet room1 and was engrossed with writing4 ,they went through every room in the house and did not see me1 concluding ,i had gone inland4 ,they discharged a musket into our ,teacher's house1 but afterwards left quietly1 greatly disappointed at not finding me4 ,my heart still rose in praise to ,god for another such deliverance1 neither by man nor of man's planning6 ,worn out with long watching and many fatigues1 ,i lay down that night early1 and fell into a deep sleep4 ,about ten o'clock the savages again surrounded the ,mission ,house4 ,my faithful dog ,clutha1 clinging still to me amid the wreck of all else on ,earth1 sprang quietly upon me1 pulled at my clothes1 and awoke me1 showing danger in her eye glancing on me through the shadows4 ,i silently awoke ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson1 who had also fallen asleep4 ,we committed ourselves in hushed prayer to ,god and watched them1 knowing that they could not see us4 ,immediately a glare of light fell into the room6 ,men passed with flaming torches2 and first they set fire to the ,church all round1 and then to a reed fence connecting the ,church and the dwelling-house4 ,in a few minutes the house1 too1 would be in flames1 and armed savages waiting to kill us on attempting an escape6 ,taking my harmless revolver in the left hand and a little ,american tomahawk in the right1 ,i pled with ,mr4 ,mathieson to let me out and instantly again to lock the door on himself and wife4 ,he very reluctantly did so1 holding me back and saying1-- 8,stop here and let us die together6 ,you will never return60 ,i said1 8,be quick6 ,leave that to ,god4 ,in a few minutes our house will be in flames1 and then nothing can save us40 ,he did let me out1 and locked the door again quickly from the inside2 and1 while his wife and he prayed and watched for me from within1 ,i ran to the burning reed fence1 cut it from top to bottom1 and tore it up and threw it back into the flames1 so that the fire could not by it be carried to our dwelling-house4 ,i saw on the ground shadows1 as if something were falling around me1 and started back4 ,seven or eight savages had surrounded me1 and raised their great clubs in air4 ,i heard a shout--8,kill him6 kill him60 ,one savage tried to seize hold of me1 but1 leaping from his clutch1 ,i drew the revolver from my pocket and levelled it as for use1 my heart going up in prayer to my ,god4 ,i said1-- 8,dare to strike me1 and my ,jehovah ,god will punish you6 ,he protects us1 and will punish you for burning ,his ,church1 for hatred to ,his ,worship and people1 and for all your bad conduct4 ,we love you all2 and for doing you good only you want to kill us4 ,but our ,god is here now to protect us and to punish you40 ,they yelled in rage1 and urged each other to strike the first blow1 but the ,invisible ,one restrained them4 ,i stood invulnerable beneath ,his invisible shield1 and succeeded in rolling back the tide of flame from our dwelling-house4 ,at this dread moment occurred an incident1 which my readers may explain as they like1 but which ,i trace directly to the interposition of my ,god4 ,a rushing and roaring sound came from the ,south1 like the noise of a mighty engine or of muttering thunder4 ,every head was instinctively turned in that direction1 and they knew1 from previous hard experience1 that it was one of their awful tornadoes of wind and rain4 ,now1 mark1 the wind bore the flames away from our dwelling-house1 and had it come in the opposite direction1 no power on ,earth could have saved us from being all consumed6 ,it made the work of destroying the ,church only that of a few minutes2 but it brought with it a heavy and murky cloud1 which poured out a perfect torrent of tropical rain4 ,now1 mark again1 the flames of the burning ,church were thereby cut off from extending to and seizing upon the reeds and the bush2 and1 besides1 it had become almost impossible now to set fire to our dwelling-house4 ,the stars in their courses were fighting against ,sisera6 ,the mighty roaring of the wind1 the black cloud pouring down unceasing torrents1 and the whole surroundings1 awed those savages into silence4 ,some began to withdraw from the scene1 all lowered their weapons of war1 and several1 terror-struck1 exclaimed1-- 8,that is ,jehovah's rain6 ,truly their ,jehovah ,god is fighting for them and helping them4 ,let us away60 ,a panic seized upon them2 they threw away their remaining torches2 in a few moments they had all disappeared in the bush2 and ,i was left alone1 praising ,god for ,his marvellous works4 8,o taste and see that ,god is good6 ,blessed is the man that trusteth in ,him60 ,returning to the door of the ,mission ,house1 ,i cried1-- 8,open and let me in4 ,i am now all alone40 ,mr4 ,mathieson let me in1 and exclaimed1-- 8,if ever1 in time of need1 ,god sent help and protection to ,his servants in answer to prayer1 ,he has done so to-night6 ,blessed be ,his holy name60 ,in fear and in joy we united our praises4 ,truly our ,jesus has all power1 not less in the elements of ,nature than in the savage hearts of the ,tannese4 ,precious ,jesus6 ,does ,he not chide us1 saying1--8,hitherto ye have asked nothing in ,my ,name4 ,ask and ye shall receive1 that your joy may be full608 ,how much help1 blessing1 and joy we lose every day1 because we do not take all to ,jesus as we ought6 ,often since have ,i wept over ,his love and mercy in that deliverance1 and prayed that every moment of my remaining life may be consecrated to the service of my precious ,friend and ,saviour6 ,all through the remainder of that night ,i lay wide awake keeping watch1 my noble little dog lying near me with ears alert4 ,early in the morning friends came weeping around us4 ,our enemies were loudly rejoicing4 ,it had been finally resolved to kill us at once1 to plunder our house and then to burn it4 ,the noise of the shouting was distinctly heard as they neared the ,mission premises1 and our weeping1 friendly ,natives looked terror-struck1 and seemed anxious to flee for the bush4 ,but just when the excitement rose to the highest pitch1 we heard1 or dreamed that we heard1 a cry higher still1 8,sail ,o60 ,we were by this time beginning to distrust almost our very senses2 but again and again that cry came rolling up from the shore1 and was repeated from crowd to crowd all along the beach1 8,sail ,o6 ,sail ,o60 ,the shouts of those approaching us gradually ceased1 and the whole multitude seemed to have melted away from our view4 ,i feared some cruel deception1 and at first peered out very cautiously to spy the land4 ,but yonder in very truth a vessel had sailed into the bay4 ,it was the ,blue ,bell1 ,captain ,hastings4 ,i set fire to the reeds on the side of the hill to attract his attention4 ,i put a black shawl as a flag on one end of the ,mission ,house and a white sheet on the other4 ,this was one of the vessels that had been to ,port ,resolution1 and had sailed past to ,aneityum some time ago4 ,i afterwards saw the mate and some of the men wearing my shirts1 which they had bought from the ,tannese on their former visit4 ,at the earnest request of ,doctors ,geddie and ,inglis1 ,mr4 ,underwood1 the owner1 had sent ,captain ,hastings to ,tanna to rescue us if yet alive4 ,for this purpose he had brought twenty armed men from ,aneityum1 who came on shore in two boats in charge of the mate1 the notorious ,ross ,lewin4 ,he returned to the ship with a boat-load of ,mr4 ,mathieson's things1 leaving ten of the ,natives to help us to pack more and carry them down to the beach1 especially what the ,missionary thought most valuable4 ,the two boats were now loaded and ready to start4 ,it was about two o'clock in the afternoon1 when a strange and painful trial befell us4 ,poor dear ,mr4 ,mathieson1 apparently unhinged1 locked himself all alone into what had been his study1 telling ,mrs4 ,mathieson and me to go1 for he had resolved to remain and die on ,tanna4 ,we tried to show him the inconsistency of praying to ,god to protect us or grant us means of escape1 and then refuse to accept a rescue sent to us in our last extremity4 ,we argued that it was surely better to live and work for ,jesus than to die as a self-made martyr1 who1 in ,god's sight1 was guilty of self-murder4 ,his wife wept aloud and pled with him1 but all in vain6 ,he refused to leave or to unlock his door4 ,i then said1-- 8,it is now getting dark4 ,your wife must go with the vessel1 but ,i will not leave you alone4 ,i shall send a note explaining why ,i am forced to remain2 and as it is certain that we shall be murdered whenever the vessel leaves1 ,i tell you ,god will charge you with the guilt of our murder40 ,at this he relented1 unlocked the door1 and accompanied us to the boats1 in which we all immediately left4 ,meantime1 having lost several hours1 the vessel had drifted leeward2 darkness suddenly settled upon us1 and when we were out at sea we lost sight of her and she of us4 ,after drifting about for some hours in a heavy sea and unable to find her1 those in charge of the boats came near for consultation1 and1 if possible1 to save the lives of all4 ,we advised that they should steer for ,port ,resolution by the flame of the ,volcano--a never-failing light-house1 seen fifty miles away--and there await the vessel4 ,the boats were to keep within hearing of each other by constant calling2 but this was soon lost to the ear1 though on arriving in the bay we found they had got to anchor before us4 ,there we sat in the boats and waited for the coming day4 ,as the light appeared1 we anchored as far out as possible1 beyond the reach of musket shots2 and there without water or food we sat under a tropical sun till mid-day came1 and still there was no sign of the vessel4 ,the mate at last put all the passengers and the poorest seamen into one boat and left her to swing at anchor2 while1 with a strong crew in the other1 he started off in search of the vessel4 ,in the afternoon1 ,nowar and ,miaki came off in a canoe to visit us4 ,nowar had on a shirt1 but ,miaki was naked and frowning4 ,he urged me to go and see the ,mission ,house1 but as we had seen a body of men near it ,i refused to go4 ,miaki declared that everything remained as ,i had left it1 but we knew that he lied4 ,old ,abraham and a party had slipped on shore in a canoe1 and had found the windows smashed and everything gone except my books1 which were scattered about and torn in pieces4 ,the armed men there wanted to kill the ,aneityumese1 but others said1 8,not till we get ,missi killed too60 ,they learned that ,miaki had sold everything that he could sell to the ,traders4 ,the mate and men of the ,blue ,bell had on my very clothes4 ,they boasted that they had bought them for a few figs of tobacco and for powder1 caps1 and balls4 ,but they would not return a single shirt to me1 though ,i was without a change6 ,we had all been without food in the boat since the morning before1 so ,nowar brought us off a cocoa-nut each1 and two very small roasted yams for the ladies4 ,those1 however1 only seemed to make our thirst the more severe1 and we spent a trying day in that boat under a burning sun4 ,miaki said1-- 8,as our fathers did not destroy ,missi ,turner's house1 we will not destroy yours40 ,but after a time1 failing to persuade me to accompany him and fall into a trap1 he muttered1-- 8,we have taken everything your house contained1 and would take you too if we could2 for we hate the ,worship1 it causes all our diseases and deaths2 it goes against our customs1 and it condemns the things we delight in40 ,nowar informed me that only a few nights before this1 ,miaki and his followers went inland to a village where last year they had killed ten men4 ,having secretly placed a savage at the door of every house1 at a given signal they yelled1 and when the terrified inmates tried to escape they killed almost every man1 woman1 and child4 ,some fled into the bush1 others rushed to the shore4 ,a number of men got into a canoe to escape1 but hearing women and children crying after them they returned1 and taking those they could with them they killed the rest lest they should fall alive into ,miaki's hands4 ,these are surely 8they who through fear of death are all their lifetime subject to bondage40 ,the ,chief and nearly his whole village were cut off in one night6 ,not an uncommon thing in those ,islands1 where war becomes chronic1 and the thirst for blood becomes insatiable4 ,the dark places of the ,earth are 8full of the habitations of horrid cruelty40 ,to have actually lived amongst the ,heathen and seen their life gives a man a new appreciation of the power and blessings of the ,gospel1 even where its influence is only very imperfectly allowed to guide and restrain the passions of men4 ,oh1 what will it be when all men in all nations love and serve the glorious ,redeemer6 ,this ,miaki and his followers were a scourge and terror to the whole island of ,tanna4 ,they intensely hated ,nowar1 because he would not join in their cruelties4 ,yet he and ,manuman and ,sirawia and ,faimungo continued to survive long after war and death had swept all the others away4 ,the first three lived to be very old men1 and to the last they made a profession of being ,christians1 though their knowledge was very limited and their inconsistencies very grave and very numerous4 ,happy is it for us that we are not the judges1 for souls either of the white or the dark skin1 as to how many and grievous things may be forgiven1 and whether there be or be not that spark of love1 that grain of faith which the ,lord the ,pitiful will graciously accept and increase6#a ,footnote #a3 ,see ,appendix ,a4 8,the ,prayer of the ,tannese10 etc4 ,about five o'clock in the evening the vessel hove in sight4 ,before dark we were all safely on board1 and were sailing for ,aneityum4 ,though both ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mathieson had become very weak1 they stood the voyage wonderfully4 ,next day we were all safely landed4 ,we had offered ,captain ,hastings #bj to take us to ,aneityum1 but he declined any fare4 ,however1 we divided it amongst the mate and crew1 for they had every one shown great kindness to us on the voyage4 ,after arriving on ,aneityum1 ,mrs4 ,mathieson gradually sank under consumption1 and fell asleep in ,jesus on #aath ,march1 #ahfb1 in the full assurance of a glorious resurrection1 and was interred there4 ,mr4 ,mathieson1 becoming more and more depressed after her death1 went over to ,mr4 ,creagh's ,station1 on ,mar1 and there died on #adth ,june1 #ahfb1 still trusting in ,jesus1 and assured that he would soon be with ,him in ,glory4 ,never more earnest or more faithful souls entered the ,mission field1 but they both suffered from weakness and ill-health during all their time on ,tanna1 and had frequently to seek change by removal for a short period from the island4 ,their memory is very fragrant to me as fellow-labourers in the ,gospel of ,jesus4 ,after their death1 ,i was the only one left alive in all the ,new ,hebrides ,mission north of ,aneityum to tell the story of those pioneer years1 during which were sown the seeds of what is now fast becoming a glorious harvest4 ,twenty-five years ago1 all these dear brethren and sisters who were associated with me in the work of the ,mission were called home to ,glory1 to cast their crowns at the feet of ,jesus and enjoy the bliss of the redeemed1 while ,i am privileged still to toil and pray for the salvation of the poor ,islanders1 and plead the cause of the ,mission both in the ,colonies and at home1 in which work the ,lord has graciously given me undreamt-of success4 ,my constant desire and prayer are that ,i may be spared to see at least one ,missionary on every island of the group1 to unfold the riches of redeeming love and to lead the poor ,islanders to ,jesus for salvation4 ,what could be taken in three boats was saved out of the wreck of ,mr4 ,mathieson's property2 but my earthly all perished1 except the ,bible and the translations into ,tannese4 ,along with the goods pertaining to the ,mission1 the property which ,i had to leave behind would be undervalued at #fjj1 besides the value of the ,mission ,house1 etc4 ,often since have ,i thought that the ,lord stripped me thus bare of all these interests1 that ,i might with undistracted mind devote my entire energy to the special work soon to be carved out for me1 and of which at this moment neither ,i nor any one had ever dreamed4 ,at any rate1 the loss of my little earthly all1 though doubtless costing me several pangs1 was not an abiding sorrow like that which sprang from the thought that the ,lord's work was broken up at both ,stations1 and that the ,gospel was for the time driven from ,tanna4 ,in the darkest moment1 ,i never doubted that ultimately the victory there1 as elsewhere1 would be on the side of ,jesus1 believing that the whole ,earth would yet be filled with the glory of the ,lord4 ,but ,i sometimes sorely feared that ,i might never live to see or hear of that happy day6 ,by the goodness of the ,ever-merciful ,one ,i have lived to see and hear of a ,gospel ,church on ,tanna1 and to read about my dear fellow-,missionaries1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,watt1 celebrating the ,holy ,supper to a ,native ,congregation of ,tannese1 amid the very scenes and people where the seeds of faith and hope were planted not only in tears1 but tears of blood1--8in deaths oft40 ,my own intention was to remain on ,aneityum1 go on with my work of translating the ,gospels1 and watch the earliest opportunity1 as ,god opened up my way1 to return to ,tanna4 ,i had1 however1 got very weak and thin2 my health was undoubtedly much shaken by the continued trials and dangers through which we had passed2 and therefore1 as ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,inglis were at home carrying the ,new ,testament through the press in the language of ,aneityum1 and as ,tanna was closed for a season1 ,dr4 ,geddie1 the ,rev4 ,joseph ,copeland1 and ,mr4 ,mathieson all urged me to go to ,australia by a vessel then in the ,harbour and leaving in a few days4 ,my commission was to awaken an interest among the ,presbyterian ,churches of our ,colonies in this ,new ,hebrides ,mission which lay at their doors1 up till this time sustained by ,scotland and ,nova ,scotia alone4 ,and further1 and very specially1 to raise money there1 if possible1 to purchase a new ,mission ,ship for the work of ,god in the ,new ,hebrides1--a clamant necessity1 which would save all future ,missionaries some of the more terrible of the privations and risks of which a few examples have in these pages already been recorded4 ,after much prayerful deliberation with my brethren and with my own heart before ,god1 ,i somewhat reluctantly felt constrained to undertake the task4 ,if my story was to be the means of providing more ,missionaries for the ,islands1 and of providing a commodious ,ship for the service of the ,mission alone1 to keep open their communications with the outer world and with ,christian influences1 not to speak of carrying their provisions at fixed periods1 or rescuing them when in troubles and perils from the jaws of death1 ,i was not unwilling to tell it again and again1 if the ,lord would open up my path4 ,god knows my heart1 and any one who really knows me will easily admit1 that no selfish or egotistical motive has influenced me in reciting through all the ,australasian ,colonies1 ,new ,zealand1 ,scotland1 and latterly in many parts of ,england and ,ireland1 the incidents of my career and experience1 first of all on ,tanna1 and thereafter for nearly twenty years--as the ,second ,part of my biography will relate--on the neighbouring island of ,aniwa2 an island entirely given to me by the ,lord1 the whole population of which became ,christian2 and they and their race will be my crown of joy and rejoicing in the day of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,with regrets1 and yet with unquenchable hope for these ,islands1 ,i embarked for ,australia1 having received the solemn promise of my brethren1 that in entering upon this great effort ,i was to be left absolutely free of all control1 and empowered to carry out the work as ,god might seem to guide me1 and open up my way4 ,i had only spoken to one man in ,sydney2 all the doors to influence had therefore to be unlocked1 and ,i had no helper1 no leader1 but the ,spirit of my ,lord4 ,the ,second ,part of this ,autobiography1 should ,god spare me to write it1 will record ,his marvellous goodness in using my humble voice and pen and the story of my life for interesting thousands and tens of thousands in the work of ,missions1 and especially for binding together the children of the ,sabbath ,schools of ,australasia in a ,holy ,league of help to the ,new ,hebrides1 which has already borne precious fruit to ,his glory1 and will continue to do so for ages to come4 ,oftentimes1 while passing through the perils and defeats of my first years in the ,mission field on ,tanna1 ,i wondered1 and perhaps the reader hereof has wondered1 why ,god permitted such things4 ,but on looking back now1 ,i already clearly perceive1 and the reader of my future pages will1 ,i think1 perceive1 that the ,lord was thereby preparing me for doing1 and providing me materials wherewith to accomplish the best work of all my life--the kindling of the heart of ,australian ,presbyterianism with a living affection for these ,islanders of their own ,southern ,seas--the binding of all their children into a happy league of shareholders1 first in one ,mission ,ship1 and finally in a larger and more commodious ,steam-,auxiliary1 and1 last of all1 in being the instrument under ,god of sending out ,missionary after ,missionary to the ,new ,hebrides1 to claim another island and still another for ,jesus4 ,that work1 and all that may spring from it in time and ,eternity1 never could have been accomplished by me1 but for first the sufferings and then the story of my ,tanna enterprise6 ,some unsophisticated souls who read these pages will be astonished to learn1 but others who know more of the heartless selfishness of human creatures1 will be quite prepared to hear1 that my leaving ,tanna was not a little criticized1 and a great deal of nonsense was written1 even in ,church ,magazines1 about the breaking up of the ,mission4 ,all such criticism came1 of course1 from men who were themselves destitute of sympathy1 and who1 probably1 never endured one pang for ,jesus in all their comfortable lives4 ,conscious that ,i had1 to the last inch of life1 tried to do my duty1 ,i left all results in the hands of my only ,lord1 and all criticisms to ,his unerring judgment4 ,hard things also were occasionally spoken to my face4 ,one dear friend1 for instance1 said1-- 8,you should not have left4 ,you should have stood at the post of duty till you fell4 ,it would have been to your honour1 and better for the cause of the ,mission1 had you been killed at the post of duty like the ,gordons and others40 ,i replied1--8,i regard it as a greater honour to live and to work for ,jesus1 than to be a self-made martyr4 ,god knows that ,i did not refuse to die2 for ,i stood at the post of duty1 amid difficulty and danger1 till all hope had fled1 till everything ,i had was lost1 and till ,god1 in answer to prayer1 sent a means of escape4 ,i left with a clear conscience1 knowing that in doing so ,i was following ,god's leading1 and serving the ,mission too4 ,to have remained longer would have been to incur the guilt of self-murder in the sight of ,god40 ,never for one moment have ,i had occasion to regret the step then taken4 ,the ,lord has so used me1 during the five-and-twenty years that have passed over me since my farewell to ,tanna1 as to stamp the event with ,his own most gracious approval4 ,oh1 to see a ,missionary1 and ,christian ,teachers1 planted on every island of the ,new ,hebrides6 ,for this ,i labour1 and wait1 and pray4 ,to help on the fulfilment thereof is the sacred work of my life1 under ,god4 ,when ,i see it accomplished1 or in a fair way of being so1 through the organization that will provide the money and call forth the men1 ,i can lay down my head as peacefully and gratefully as ever warrior did1 with the shout of victory in his ears1--8,lord1 now lettest ,thou ,thy servant depart in peace60 99 99 99 99 99 ,for the present1 my pen is here laid aside4 ,i shall wait to see what use the ,lord makes of ,part ,first of my autobiography1 before ,i prosecute the theme4 ,if the ,christian public seems not to find in it the help and quickening that some friends think it likely to bestow on those who read1 the remainder need not be written4 ,part ,second1 if called for1 will contain a record1 in many respects1 an utter contrast to all that has gone before1 and yet directly springing therefrom1 as will be seen by all who look beneath the surface4 ,i am penning these words in #ahhg1 and five-and-twenty years lie betwixt this date and my farewell to ,tanna4 ,these years1 if ever published1 will tell the story of my visiting all the ,colonial ,churches1 and collecting the purchase money of our white-winged ,mission ,ship1 the ,dayspring2 my return to ,scotland1 visiting all the home congregations in #ahfd1 and securing several new ,missionaries to follow me to the ,new ,hebrides2 my second marriage1 and settlement on ,aniwa1 with her whom the good ,lord still spares to me1 the mother of our happy family1 and my ,god-given helpmeet in all the work of the ,gospel2 the conversion of that whole island of ,aniwa from idolatry1 and the planting there of a ,church and ,congregation of ,christ1 from which have since gone forth many ,native ,evangelists and ,teachers4 ,then there will fall to be recorded my call from the ,islands in recent years to revisit all the ,colonial ,presbyterian ,congregations once again1 telling them the story of the ,conversion of ,aniwa--the sinking of the well1 and other incidents1 which turned an entire people from idols and from cannibalism to the service of the living and true ,god--whereby the ,churches1 and especially the children1 were led more and more to make the ,new ,hebrides their own very harvest field in the ,heathen world4 ,and finally1 ,i will have to tell how ,i was again sent home to ,scotland in #ahhd to raise money for the purchase or building of a steam-auxiliary ,mission ,ship1 now urgently required in the interests of the ,mission1 both because of the great increase in the number of the ,missionaries and the necessities of so many families2 and also and chiefly to avert the dreadful disappointments and loss of time1 and thereby sometimes of life itself1 caused by the frequent becalming of our little ,dayspring in these thickly-islanded seas4 ,that part of the story will show the fruits of the education and perils and experiences of a lifetime1 in the marvellous impression produced by the simple and unadorned recital of the story of ,tanna and ,aniwa1 amongst the ,christian people of ,scotland1 ,ireland1 and ,england4 ,multitudes were blessed in almost every town where a meeting was granted me4 ,three ,missionaries devoted themselves to the ,new ,hebrides1 and are already labouring there2 while others consecrated themselves to several of the great seats of ,foreign ,mission enterprise in ,africa and ,asia4 ,i returned to my own ,church of ,victoria with a sum of nearly #i1jjj1 of which #f1jjj was for the new ,missionary ,steam-,auxiliary1 and the remainder for the outfit and support of more ,missionaries for the ,islands2 and that money ,i handed over to the ,australian ,church1 where it awaits1 at interest in the bank1 the arrangements being made by all the ,colonies to take each their due share in the future up-keep of the ,ship4 ,for this--for everything--for all1 praise be to the ,lord6 ,i never asked one subscription1 except in prayer and in my public appeals4 ,the ,lord sent in all freely to me through the hands of ,his people2 to ,him be all the glory4 ,i went back to ,aniwa1 and found the work of the ,lord going forward there as if in a regularly settled ,congregation at home1 fostered and guided by an occasional visit of my ever dear and genuine friends1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,watt1 from old stern-hearted but at last relenting ,tanna4 ,the ,church of ,victoria has again summoned me to visit the ,colonial ,congregations1 to tell the story of my ,mission life1 and to promote the interests of its now grand and growing ,foreign ,scheme4 ,it is in the midst of such labours1 while addressing at least one meeting every day1 and three or four every ,sabbath day1 that ,i have penned the preceding pages2 and ,i leave them to speak for themselves1 without any attempt at ornament or style4 ,the ,lord whom ,i serve in the ,gospel knows my motive and my hope1 and ,i very calmly leave this book to ,his disposal1 and the succeeding volume to ,his guidance1 if such there shall ever be--as the reader well knows ,i have had to leave heavier and darker issues in the same blessed ,hands4 ,i offer every one1 who has done me the favour to read or to listen1 my kindly greeting4 ,may you and ,i meet in the glory of ,jesus1 and continue our fellowship there6 ,good-bye4 ,,appendix4 ,,appendix ,a4 7,see p4 #ced47 ,,the ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,tannese1 ,,who ,,love ,,the ,,word ,,of ,,jehovah1 ,,to ,,the ,,great ,,chief ,,of ,,sydney4 ,written at the urgent request and dictation of the ,missionary's friends on ,tanna to be presented to the ,governor of ,new ,south ,wales4 ,literally translated by me1 ,john ,g4 ,paton4 ,to the ,chief of ,sydney1 the servant of ,queen ,victoria of ,britannia1 saying--,we great men of ,tanna dwell in a dark land4 ,our people are very dark hearted4 ,they know nothing good4 ,missi ,paton the man1 ,missi ,mathieson the man1 and ,missi ,mathieson the woman1 have dwelt here four yams 7 years7 to teach us the worship of ,jehovah4 ,their conduct has been straight and very good2 therefore we love these three ,missionaries1 and the worship of ,jehovah which they three have taught us1 the ,tannese4 ,alas6 a part1 as it were1 only three of our ,chiefs1 whose names are ,nauka1 ,miaki1 and ,karewick1 besides ,ringian1 ,enukarupi1 ,attica1 and ,namaka1 they and their people hate the worship and all good conduct like that which the ,word of ,jehovah teaches us and the people of all lands4 ,these men all belong to four ,villages only4 ,they have stolen all ,missi's property2 they have broken into his house4 ,they have cut down his bananas4 ,they have scolded and persecuted him2 and they desire to kill ,missi and to eat him1 so that they may destroy the ,worship of ,god from the land of ,tanna4 ,we hate exceedingly their bad conduct1 and pray you1 the ,great ,chief of ,sydney1 to punish these dark ,tannese1 who have persecuted ,missi1 who have deceived ,missi1 who have altogether deceived the ,great ,chief 7 ,commodore ,seymour7 and the ,chief 7 ,captain ,hume7 of the men-of-war1 and who deceived the ,chief and the ,missionaries in the ,john ,williams1 who murdered one of ,missi ,paton's ,aneityum ,teachers1 who fought ,missi ,turner and ,missi ,nisbet1 who killed ,vasa and his ,samoan people1 who killed the foreigners1 who have now fought and driven away our three ,missionaries4 ,their conduct has been exceedingly bad4 ,they destroy the ,kingdom of ,tanna1 kill the people and eat them1 and are guilty of bad conduct every day4 ,our hearts hate their bad conduct2 we are pained by it4 ,therefore we earnestly pray you1 the ,chief of ,sydney1 to send quickly a man-of-war to punish them1 and to revenge all their bad conduct towards ,missi4 ,then truly we will rejoice2 then it will be good and safe for the three ,missionaries to dwell here1 and to teach us1 men of the devil4 ,our hearts are very dark2 we know nothing2 we are just like pigs4 ,therefore it is good for ,missi to teach us the ,word and the ,worship of ,jehovah the ,great ,king4 ,long ago ,he was unknown here4 ,missi brought ,his knowledge to us4 ,our love to you1 the ,great ,chief of ,sydney1 the servant of ,queen ,victoria1 and we earnestly pray you to protect us1 and to protect our ,missionaries and the ,worship of ,god in our land1 the land of ,tanna4 ,we weep for our ,missionaries4 ,they three gave us medicine in our sickness1 and clothing for our bodies2 taught us what is good conduct1 and taught us the way to ,heaven4 ,of all these things long ago we had no knowledge whatever2 therefore we weep1 and our hearts cling to these three1 our ,missionaries4 ,if they three are not here1 who will teach us the way to ,heaven8 ,who will prevent our bad conduct8 ,who will protect us from the bad conduct of foreigners8 ,and who will love us1 and teach us all good things8 ,oh1 compassionate us1 ,chief of ,sydney6 ,hold fast these three1 our ,missionaries1 and give them back to us1 and we will love you and your people4 ,you and your people know the ,word of ,jehovah2 you are going on the path to ,heaven2 you all love the ,word of ,jehovah4 ,oh1 look in mercy on us1 dark-hearted men1 going to the bad land1 to the great eternal fire1 just like our fathers who are dead6 ,may ,jehovah make your heart and the hearts of your people sweet towards us1 to compassionate us1 and to look in mercy on our dark land2 and we will pray ,jehovah to make you good1 and give you a rich reward4 ,the names of us1 the ,chiefs of ,tanna1 who worship towards ,jehovah3-- ,yarisi1 x his mark4 ,ruawa1 x his mark4 ,kapuka1 x his mark4 ,taura1 x his mark4 ,faimungo1 x his mark4 ,manuman1 x his mark4 ,nuara1 x his mark4 ,nebusak1 x his mark4 ,kaua1 x his mark4 ,nowar1 x his mark4 ,,appendix ,b4 ,,notes ,,on ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides ,by the ,editor4 ,the ,,south ,,seas--so named by ,vasco ,nugnez de ,balboa1 who in #aeac first saw the ,ocean on the other side of ,darien1 and marched into it as far as he durst1 waving his sword1 and taking possession of it in name of his master1 the ,king of ,spain4 ,the ,,pacific ,,ocean--so named by ,ferdinand ,magellan1 who in #aeba sailed westwards in his ,victory seven thousand miles1 and found the sea exceptionally peaceful--for that trip at least4 ,the ,,new ,,hebrides--so named by ,captain ,cook1 who in #aggc first fully explored and described the whole of the group4 ,as far back1 however1 as #afjf1 ,captain ,pedro ,fernandez de ,quiros had landed on the largest and most northerly island of the group4 ,he at once fancied it to be the great ,southern ,continent1 deemed to be essential to balance the great ,continents of the ,north1 and eagerly looked for both by sailors and men of science4 ,he named the bay1 ,vera ,cruz1--the river that flowed into it1 ,jordan1--and the city which he founded there1 ,new ,jerusalem4 ,the land itself he called by the preposterous designation of ,tierra ,australis del ,espiritu ,santo4 ,in #agfh a ,french explorer1 ,bougainville1 sailed round ,santo1 discovering that it was but an island1 and through the ,straits that still bear his name2 whereon1 finding many islands all around1 he re-baptized them ,l',archipel des ,grandes ,cyclades4 ,but ,cook1 being the first who sailed in and out amongst all the group1 and put on record the most faithful descriptions and details1 which to this hour remain generally authoritative1 considered himself entitled to name them the ,new ,hebrides2 and history since has been well pleased to adopt his views1 seeing1 doubtless1 the geographical analogy betwixt the multitudinous scattered isles and islets of the old ,hebrides and those of the new4 ,from ,santo in the north to ,aneityum in the south1 a distance of about #djj miles1 there are scattered over the ,ocean thirty islands1 twenty being well inhabited1 and eleven of them being of considerable size1 from ,aneityum1 which is forty miles in circumference1 to ,santo1 which measures seventy miles by forty4 ,the ,islands lie #a1jjj miles to the ,north of ,new ,zealand1 #a1djj miles ,north-,east from ,sydney1 #djj miles ,west of ,fiji1 and #bjj ,east of ,new ,caledonia4 ,the population is now estimated at #gj1jjj2 but1 in the early days of ,missions1 before ,traders and ,kanaka-collectors1 and the new ,epidemics of ,civilization 767 had decimated them1 their numbers were certainly three times greater4 ,the general appearance of the ,islands is that of a range of mountains bursting up out of the sea1 clothed with forests1 and severed from each other by deep valleys1 through which the tides now flow4 ,they are all volcanic in origin1 but the lava has poured itself out over a bed of coral1 and the mountains have reared themselves up on a coral base4 ,the fires are still active on ,tanna1 ,ambrym1 and ,polevi--the volcano on ,tanna being now1 as in the days of ,cook1 a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night1 a far-shining light-house for the sailor1 kindled by the finger of ,god ,himself4 ,the climate is moist and humid1 with a thermometer seldom below #fj and seldom above #ij in the shade2 their winter is called the ,rainy ,season1 and their vegetation is tropical in its luxuriance4 ,on one ,island may be found a hundred varieties of ferns alone4 ,the damara or kauri-pine1 so prized in ,new ,zealand1 grows there1 as also the bread-fruit tree1 the banana1 the papua-apple1 the chestnut1 and above all the cocoa-nut1 which for refreshing drink competes with the vine of other lands1 and for varied uses and services to man almost rivals the very palmtree of ,palestine4 ,the sandal-wood1 for its sacred odours and idol incense1 has been almost swept entirely away1--as much as #gj1jjj worth being carried off from ,erromanga alone6 ,among native foods1 the yam and the taro hold the foremost place1 not inferior to our finest potatoes2 besides the banana1 the sugar-cane1 the bread-fruit1 and the cocoa-nut1 which flourish to perfection4 ,their arrowroot is in some respects the finest in the world1 and is kept only for special uses as yet1 but may develop into a great and valuable industry1 as ,commerce opens up her markets and stretches out her hands4 ,the ,english cabbage has been introduced and grows well2 also the planting of cotton and of coffee4 ,the scarcity of animals is marvellous4 ,the pig1 the dog1 and the rat are their only four-footed creatures2 and some affirm that the rat is the alone indigenous quadruped in all the ,new ,hebrides6 ,lizards and snakes abound1 but are declared not to be poisonous4 ,there are many small and beautiful pigeons1 also wild ducks and turkeys1 besides multitudes of ordinary fowls4 ,goats have now been largely introduced1 as well as sheep1 and various ,european animals4 ,fish1 of course1 swarm in millions around the shores1 and a whaling station on ,aneityum sent into the market #b1jjj worth of oil in a year4 ,the ,natives are practically quite naked1 till induced by the ,missionary to 8wear a shirt0--the first sign of renouncing ,heathenism and inclining towards ,christianity4 ,they are ,cannibals of a very pronounced type1 and ,savages without any traces of civilization1 except those connected with war7671--without a literature1 and almost without a religion1 except only the dread of evil spirits1 the worship of ancestors1 and the lowest forms of fetishism1 trees1 stones1 etc4 ,they are partly ,malay and partly ,papuan1--a mixture of ,ham and of ,shem1--some with hair crisp and woolly1 stuck full of feathers and shells1 others with hair long and wavy1 twisted into as many as #gjj separate whipcords on a single head1 and taking five years to finish the job6 ,their bows and arrows1 tomahawks1 clubs and spears1 are sometimes elaborately carved and adorned2 and they can twist and weave grasses and fibres into wondrously beautiful mats1 bags1 and girdles4 ,they make bracelets out of shells1 sliced and carved in marvellous ways1 as also ear-rings and nose-rings2 and in many similar methods they show some savage sense of beauty4 ,polygamy1 with all its accompanying cruelties and degradations1 universally prevails4 ,infanticide is systematically practised2 and even the despatch of parents1 when they grow old and helpless4 ,widows are put to death on almost every island to bear their husbands company into the spirit world4 ,there is not an unmentionable vice hinted at in ,romans i4 which is not unblushingly practised on those ,islands1 wheresoever the ,gospel has not dawned4 99 99 99 99 99 ,for the best published information on all these subjects1 consult the work by ,dr4 ,john ,inglis3 8,,in ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides0 7,nelson ,sons1 #ahhg71--,reminiscences of noble ,missionary ,service for three-and-thirty years4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,a ,,selection ,,from ,,fleming ,h4 ,,revell ,,company',s ,,catalogue ,important ,missionary ,publications4 ,,autobiography ,,of ,,john ,g4 ,,paton4 ,missionary to the ,new ,hebrides4 ,introductory note by ,arthur ,t4 ,pierson1 ,d4,d4 #b vols41 #abmo41 portrait and map1 in neat box1 net #b4jj4 ,one of the most remarkable biographies of modern times4 8,i have just laid down the most robust and the most fascinating piece of autobiography that ,i have met with in many a day4444 ,it is the story of the wonderful work wrought by ,john ,g4 ,paton1 the famous missionary to the ,new ,hebrides2 he was made of the same stuff with ,livingstone40--,t4 ,l4 ,cuyler4 8,it stands with such books as those ,dr4 ,livingstone gave the world1 and shows to men that the heroes of the cross are not merely to be sought in past ages40--,christian ,intelligencer4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,john ,,kenneth ,,mackenzie4 ,medical ,missionary to ,china2 with the story of the ,first ,chinese ,hospital by ,mrs4 ,bryson1 author of 8,child ,life in ,chinese ,homes10 etc4 #abmo41 cloth1 #djj pages1 price #a4ej with portrait in photogravure4 8,the story of a singularly beautiful life1 sympathetically and ably written4444 ,a really helpful1 elevating book40--,london ,missionary ,chronicle4 8,the volume records much that is fresh and interesting bearing on ,chinese customs and manners as seen and vividly described by a missionary who had ample opportunities of studying them under most varied circumstances and conditions40--,scotsman4 ,,the ,,greatest ,,work ,,in ,,the ,,world4 ,the ,evangelization of all ,peoples in the ,present ,century4 ,by ,rev4 ,arthur ,t4 ,pierson1 ,d4,d4 #abmo41 leatherette1 gilt top4 #ce;c4 ,the subject itself is an inspiration1 but this latest production of ,dr4 ,pierson thrills with the life which the ,master ,himself has imparted to it4 ,it will be a welcome addition to ,missionary literature4 ,,the ,,crisis ,,of ,,missions4 ,by ,rev4 ,arthur ,t4 ,pierson1 ,d4,d4 ,cloth1 #a4be2 paper1 #ce;c4 8,we do not hesitate to say that this book is the most purposeful1 earnest and intelligent review of the mission work and field which has ever been given to the ,church40--,christian ,statesman4 ,,medical ,,missions4 ,their ,place and ,power4 ,by ,john ,lowe1 ,f4 ,r4 ,c4 ,s4 ,e41 ,secretary of the ,edinburgh ,medical ,mission ,society4 #abmo41 #cjh pages1 cloth1 #a4ej4 8,this book contains an exhaustive account of the benefits that may1 and in point of fact do1 accrue from the use of the medical art as a ,christian agency4 ,mr4 ,lowe is eminently qualified to instruct us in this matter1 having himself been so long engaged in the same field40--,from ,introduction by ,sir ,william ,muir4 ,,once ,,hindu3 ,,now ,,christian4 ,the early life of ,baba ,padmanji4 ,translated from the ,marathi4 ,edited by ,j4 ,murray ,mitchell1 ,m4 ,a41 ,,lld4 #abmo41 #aee pages1 with appendix4 ,cloth1 #ge;c4 8,a more instructive or more interesting narrative of a human soul1 once held firmly in the grip of oriental superstition1 idolatry and caste1 gradually emerging into the light1 liberty and peace of a regenerate child of ,god1 does not often come to hand40--,missionary ,herald4 ,,an ,,intense ,,life4 ,by ,george ,f4 ,herrick4 ,a sketch of the life and work of ,rev4 ,andrew ,t4 ,pratt1 ,m4,d41 ,missionary of the ,a4 ,b4 ,c4 ,f4 ,m41 in ,turkey1 #aheb-ahgb4 #afmo41 cloth1 #ej;c4 ,,every-,,day ,,life ,,in ,,south ,,india1 or1 the ,story of ,coopooswamey4 ,an ,autobiography4 ,with fine engravings by ,e4 ,whymper4 #abmo41 cloth1 #a4jj4 ,,the ,,children ,,of ,,india4 ,written for children by one of their friends4 ,illustrations and map4 ,small #dto41 cloth1 #a4be4 8,these are good books for the ,sunday-,school ,library1 and will help young people in missionary societies who desire to have an intelligent idea of the people in ,india whom they are sending their money and their missionaries to convert40--,missionary ,herald4 ,,hinduism1 ,,past ,,and ,,present4 ,with an account of recent ,hindu reformers1 and a brief comparison between ,hinduism and ,christianity4 ,by ,j4 ,murray ,mitchell1 ,m4,a41 ,,lld4 #abmo41 cloth1 #a4fj4 8,a praiseworthy attempt to present a popular view of a vast and important subject40--,saturday ,review4 ,,gospel ,,ethnology4 ,with illustrations4 ,by ,s4 ,r4 ,paterson1 ,f4 ,g4 ,s4 #abmo41 cloth1 #a4jj4 8,the first attempt to treat this subject from a thorough-going scientific standpoint4 ,a very powerful argument for the truth of ,christianity40--,english ,churchman4 8,a book to refer to for information not easily to be obtained otherwise40--,church ,missionary ,intelligencer4 ,,native ,,life ,,in ,,south ,,india4 ,being sketches of the social and religious characteristics of the ,hindus4 ,by the ,rev4 ,henry ,rice4 ,with many illustrations from native sketches4 #abmo41 cloth boards1 #a4jj4 8,those who have heard ,mr4 ,rice's missionary addresses will be prepared to hear that this is a fascinating book40--,life and ,work4 ,,christian ,,progress ,,in ,,china4 ,gleanings from the writings and speaches of many workers4 ,by ,arnold ,foster1 ,b4,a41 ,london ,missionary1 ,hankow4 ,with map of ,china4 #abmo41 cloth1 #a4jj4 ,,among ,,the ,,mongols4 ,by ,rev4 ,james ,gilmour1 ,m4,a41 ,london ,mission1 ,peking4 ,numerous engravings from photographs and native sketches4 #abmo41 gilt edges1 cloth1 #a4be4 8,the newness and value of the book consists solely in its ,defoe quality1 that when you have read it you know1 and will never forget1 all ,mr4 ,gilmour knows and tells of how ,mongols live40--,spectator4 ,,every-,,day ,,life ,,in ,,china1 or1 ,scenes along ,river and ,road in the ,celestial ,empire4 ,by ,edwin ,j4 ,dukes4 ,illustrations from the author's sketches4 #abmo41 with embellished cover1 #b4jj4 ,that ,china is a mysterious problem to all who interest themselves in its affairs is the only excuse for offering another book on the subject4 ,,missionary ,,publications ,,report ,,of ,,the ,,centenary ,,conference on the ,protestant ,missions of the ,world4 ,held in ,london1 ,june1 #ahhh4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,james ,,johnston1 ,f4 ,s4 ,s41 ,secretary of the ,conference4 ,two large #hvo4 vols41 #abjj pages1 #b4jj net per set4 ,an important feature in this report1 lack of which has prejudiced many against reports in general1 is the special care taken by the ,editor1 who has succeeded in making the work an interesting and accurate reproduction of the most important accumulation of facts from the ,mission ,fields of the ,world1 as given by the representatives of all the ,evangelical ,societies of ,christendom4 ,and another3 ,the exceptionally complete and helpful indexing of the entire work in such a thorough manner as to make it of the greatest value as a ,reference ,encyclopedia on mission topics for years to come4 ,,the ,,missionary ,,year ,,book ,,for #ahhi-ij4 ,containing ,historical and ,statistical accounts of the ,principle ,protestant ,missionary ,societies in ,america1 ,great ,britain and the ,continent of ,europe4 ,the ,american edition1 edited by ,rev4 ,j4 ,t4 ,,gracey1 ,d4,d41 of ,buffalo1 embraces about #dej pages1 one-fourth being devoted to the work of ,american ,societies1 and will contain ,maps of ,india1 ,china1 ,japan1 ,burmah1 and ,siam2 also a language ,map of ,india and comparative diagrams illustrating areas1 population and progress of ,mission work4 ,this compilation will be the best presentation of the work of the ,american ,societies in ,pagan ,lands that has yet been given to the public4 ,the book is strongly recommended by ,rev4 ,,jas4 ,,johnston1 ,f4,s4,s41 as a companion volume to the ,report of the ,century ,conference on ,missions4 ,cloth1 #abmo4 #a4be4 ,,garenganze3 or1 ,seven ,years' ,pioneer ,missionary ,work in ,central ,africa4 ,by ,,fred4 ,s4 ,,arnot1 with introduction by ,rev4 ,a4 ,t4 ,,pierson1 ,d4,d4 ,twenty ,illustrations and an original ,map4 ,the author's two trips across ,africa1 entirely unarmed and unattended except by the local and constantly changing carriers1 and in such marked contrast with many modern adventurers1 strongly impress one to ask if another ,livingstone has not appeared among us4 ,traversing where no white man had ever been seen before1 and meeting kings and chiefs accustomed only to absolute power1 he demanded and received attention in the name of his ,god4 ,cloth #hvo1 #bij pages1 #a4be4 ,,in ,,the ,,far ,,east3 ,china ,illustrated4 ,letters from ,geraldine ,guinness4 ,edited by her sister1 with ,introduction by ,rev4 ,j4 ,,hudson ,,taylor4 ,a characteristic ,chinese cover4 ,cloth #dto1 #bbd pages1 #a4ej4 ,,contents4 8,good-,bye60 ,second ,class4 ,on the ,way to ,china4 ,hong-,kong and ,shanghai4 ,first days in the ,flowery ,land4 ,opium ,suicides amongst ,women4 ,ten ,days on a ,chinese ,canal4 ,at ,home in our ,chinese 8,haddon ,hall40 ,by ,wheelbarrow to ,antong4 ,life on a ,chinese ,farm4 ,a ,visit to the 8,shun0 ,city4 ,blessing--and ,need of ,blessing--,in the ,far ,east4 ,rev4 ,c4 ,h4 ,,spurgeon1 writes3 8,i have greatly enjoyed #8,in the ,far ,east4' ,god blessing it1 the book should send armies of believers to invade the ,flowry ,land40 ,the author is to be congratulated for the taste and beauty with which these letters are now put into permanent form4 ,a full page colored map of ,china enhances this admirable gift book4 ,,new ,,york4 33 ,fleming ,h4 ,revell ,company 33 ,,chicago4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,transcriber',s ,,notes #a4 ,silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling4 #b4 ,retained archaic1 non-standard1 and uncertain spellings as printed4 #c4 ,enclosed italics font in underscores4 #d4 ,enclosed bold font in equals4 #e4 ,denoted superscripts by a caret before a single superscript character1 e4g4 ,mr4