AUGUST 8th. I have been variously engaged the last few days: the mornings I have spent in translating Genesis, the other parts I have spent in visiting the sick, meeting classes, &c. Ata, the Chief at Hihifo, sent to us to-day, informing us of his state, and craving a little medicine. Fae, the Chief of the Bea, is also very unwell. We have very little ground to hope that either of these Chiefs will embrace the truth; however, we do not forget them in our prayers to God, as nothing is too hard for Him.

9th.-To-day died John Davis, an English sailor, who was left on shore some months ago by Captain E. Deanes, of the Elizabeth, a whaling vessel from London. He sought the Lord with all his heart, by attending the preaching of the word, prayer and class meetings; he also read the word of God, and got others to read it to him. Some time before he died, the Lord revealed himself to his soul as a sin-pardoning God; he found the pearl of great price, was made happy in his Saviour, and is gone to be for ever with him. John Davis deeply regretted that he had not paid more attention to the great things. of eternity while in health and strength. He requested me to write to his parents, to let them know that their counsel and prayers had not all been lost upon him; adding that he had nothing to leave them, but hoped to meet them and his sister in heaven.

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10th. I set off early this morning for Utulau, a village about six miles' distant, and preached. On my way back I called upon Fae, the Chief of the Bea, whom I found lying in a canoe-house, very unwell. The old Chief and his head wife both received me very kindly he sent for a root of cava for those who journeyed with me, and to me he gave a bunch of bananas. A large double canoe was in the house, which is called meafakaeiki, that is, a "sacred thing:" to this canoe, considered as the residence of a god, the old Chief was doing homage, and humbling himself in his affliction. The name of the canoe, or rather the god, is Taufataki. One of the Chief's names

is Taufa, and his god is Taufa of the sea. I spent some time in talking to the Chief, and those who were present, concerning the origin of man, the one true God, and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. I spake of the love of God in giving his Son to die for our sins, and of the utter impotence of idols. The old Chief acknowledged that what I said was true, and confessed he was foolish. I offered my services to do any thing I could for him in his affliction; but he did not wish to accept my aid, but professed himself much better. I then returned to Nukualofa.

Sunday, 12th.-This morning I preach

ed. The Lord enabled me to speak to the people. O may the word live in their hearts! At two o'clock I met the class; Mr. Woon took the afternoon service; and I preached in English at night. In the course of the day several persons applied for medicine; and as it is a time of great affliction, we waited upon them.

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18th. The last week has been a week of hard labour, and of many trials. Many of our people are ill, and one woman has died she was the wife of an Englishman, formerly of the Herons, of London, which was wrecked at the Haabai group. Of this woman I have great hope, that she is gone to Christ: she has had a long affliction, which she has borne with much patience; during which her friends, who are yet idolaters, have tried to persuade her to give up her new religion, but their entreaties she constantly and firmly resisted, even to the end; and although her father is one of the devil's Priests, yet he could prevail nothing,-his daughter was proof against all he could say. She died in the faith.

11th. I set out early this morning in a paddling canoe for Nukunuku : in about two hours we arrived. Some of the friends met me on the beach; but as it was too early for the worship, the people being engaged at their labour, I set out, accompanied by some of the people of this place, for Teekiu, the Chief of which is Moduabnaka. Some weeks ago he determined to turn to our God, but was entreated by another Chief not to do

it, and he yielded to the entreaty. On reaching the place I found the old Chief very ill. I reproved him for yielding to the voice of a man in a matter of so great importance as turning to the true God; and asked him if he thought that the Chief who told him not to turn could, in case he fell into hell-fire, either fetch him out or lessen his misery there. I then exhorted him to be in earnest, and turn again to God; for his mind had been rightly inclined before, but he had not made a public profession of his faith. He bore all this very well. I then bled him, and gave him a little calomel. Leaving this place we travelled on to Faahefa, the Chief of which place is Veehala: he is an old man, but was not at home when we arrived; he was at one of his plantations inland. His wife welcomed me there, and gave us some cava: she would have sent for the old Chief if I had allowed her, but my time would not permit me to stay so long; we therefore took our leave of the woman, and walked to Majilamea. Here I found Vechala, the Chief of the place, and his wife, and the people assembled ready for me, to whom I preached. All were very attentive. Vechala is the son of Ata: he and his friends have been driven from Hihifo because they would not give up praying; but the Lord has taken care of them. Tubou, our Chief, has given to Veehala that part of Tonga upon which he is now living; and he and his little company are bringing it into cultivation. They have several large plantations of yams, and are planting sugar-canes, bananas, &c.; and all who are persecuted for their religion at Hihifo join this young Chief, who is very sincere, and desirous to please the Lord. I was pleased to see them so happy in their half-finished houses, and lonely and persecuted condition; they have given up all that was dear to them for Christ, and he is their portion. We took our leave of this persecuted people, and walked to Beka; this is a village belonging to the praying people of Nukunuku; it is here that their chapel stands, and that most of them live. The people being assembled together, I preached to them; most were very attentive. After the service I met the society, and then walked home, very much tired.

15th. This afternoon we met the people who were suspended two months ago for their misconduct. The end having been answered in them, we prayed for them, and received them back again, except a few who have repeated the evil two or three times since they were censured: we think ourselves better without these.

Sunday, 16th.-At the morning service I read a part of the fifty-first Psalm, explaining and applying it to the people. I was glad to see so many hearers; several New-Zealanders were present, as they are most Sabbath-days.

28th.-To-day a canoe arrived from Vavou and Haabai, bringing us letters and good tidings of our dear brethren and sisters, and of the work of our God. Several hundreds have joined the classes at the Haabai group, and at Vavou many are earnestly desiring to be admitted as candidates for baptism. Finou, I hear, is baptized, and his family.

29th. We were kept up late this evening reading the letter and notes from our Haabai friends; about ten of whom have written to us, chiefly to express their love to us. My heart was melted under a sense of the goodness of God to me and the people who have written to us, and those they have written about. I feel quite unworthy of such favours, and know not how to endure. O may God enlarge my heart!

In the course of the past week I have been much engaged in meeting the classes. I have met about three cach day, besides attending to other duties.

Sunday, 30th.-At the usual time and place we met for divine worship; and though it rained, some sat outside, the chapel being too small. I read and explained a part of the twentieth chapter of Exodus. At the close of the service I met the society, and afterwards one of the classes. At two o'clock I attended the class in which the Chief meets, and after the afternoon service met one of the female classes.

Sunday, October 7th.-I took the morning service. Many more were present than could sit within the chapel.

After the afternoon service we held a love-feast. I judge that upwards of four hundred were present, and above thirty stood upand spoke of what the Lord had done for their souls. The King and his wife took the lead. Some of the Haabai and Vavou people were present; and David and Jeremiah, the two Teachers from the Vavou group, spoke of what God had done for them. I found it good to be there, and I trust others did, and that the strangers will not soon forget what they have seen and heard this day. A few years ago these islanders were engaged in bloody and cruel wars; but now they are united to God and to each other, and assemble together in a Christian love-feast. What hath God wrought! At night I preached in English to a small company.

11th. I set off early this morning for Utulau, where I preached and met the class, and afterwards set apart seven adults to prepare for baptism. On our way back we called at the Bea, and were received kindly by the Chief Fae, and his head wife Mafi. The Chief ordered some cava for those who journeyed with me, and a young cocoa-nut was brought for me to drink. The Chief knows that we cannot drink the cava. After a short rest and a little conversation, we left this place, and travelled on to Haveln; where I preached to about sixty persons, but did not stop to meet the class. Having had a very wet walk, I hastened home in order to change my clothes. At night I met the Exhorters; and after supper I was called upon to visit a young Chief, the son of old Veehala, of Faahefa, near Hihifo, who had been brought to the house of one of our friends, that he might try the benefit of our religion and our medicine, he being very ill. On reaching the house I found many people assembled together, chiefly belonging to the sick Chief, who was lying in the house, supported by several of his friends. On entering, he accosted me with Jiotoofa, or, "Great is my love to you." I soon recollected his features, though it is more than three years since I saw him. He visited us with his aged father, when we lived at Hihifo, but was then only a stripling.

On inquiry, I learned that he was taken ill some weeks ago, while attending the great feast, called inaji, held at the Mua, in honour of the Tonga gods, to whom they pay great attention. Since his illness he has been carried to different places, and different devil-gods; and after waiting in vain upon them all, he is at length brought to this place; he having, as he says, turned to Jehovah our God, so that, living or dying, he may be his. I fear there is very little ground to hope for his recovery, as his affliction now appears to be an inflammation of the lungs. I exhorted him to pray much to God. I also prayed with him, commend ing him to the mercy of the Lord, and then gave him a little medicine.

12th. I found the young Chief easier, and apparently a little better. Afterwards I buried a man named Malaga, who embraced our religion a few weeks ago in his illness. His death was very sudden, and brought on by his own imprudent conduct, in pouring cold water upon his body, and bathing himself, after taking some strong medicine: it brought on what is called here the hoho, or tetanus; and in about an hour the man died.

At night I visited the sick Chief, and fear he will die. He says his mind is fixed upon God. I prayed with him and for him, and then left him, it being near twelve o'clock.

13th. I learned this morning that the young Chief was no more, and that the corpse was taken back for interment to his poor bereaved father, whose heart was set upon him. I felt very sorry; but we have done what we could. If the young man had been brought sooner, I think we should have been able to do him good.

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20th. In the course of the past week I have been much engaged, partly in correcting a work that is about to be printed, and partly in my own copy of Matthew's Gospel. We are greatly tried by the enemy of all good. In the evening I was called to visit. a young man who has vomited a great quantity of blood. have some hope concerning him. On my way back I called upon Ulaikai, and found that Tuipua and some of his people were on a visit from the east part of Tonga. I talked to them on the foolishness and danger of praying to gods of wood, bone, fish, reptiles, spirits of departed friends, &c.; and exhorted the Chief and his people to cast them all away, and turn to the true God, and his Son Jesus Christ.

27th. In the course of the week a fine young female, related to the Chief, would have been given, much against her will, to be the wife of a vile vagabond who has insinuated himself into the favour of the Chief; but upon opening her mind to me, saying she would go and drown herself in the sea, rather than live with him, I informed her that I would not marry them. Upon this she was comforted. I wrote to the Chief upon the subject, and the business soon ended.

Sunday, 28th.-I preached this morning on Deuteronomy vi. 1-7; but I fear many of the people know little about the love of God, as it is altogether a new thing for them to have to love their God. They have been in the habit of dreading their lying gods, and serving them with a slavish fear, but never loved them. O may God shed his love abroad in their hearts! At two o'clock I met the class, and spoke a few words at the native service. At night I preached in English : the room was full. We were agreeably surprised at seeing so many, as it was said no one would attend, on account of what had taken place in the past week about the young woman; but wicked men cannot always do as they wish.

November 6th.-A little before daylight I set out in a small canoe for Hi

hifo.

After being out for about half an hour, the canoe was upset by a large wave, and I was thrown headlong into the sea. The water not being deep, I suffered no other inconvenience than a thorough wetting. I stood in the sea for some time, while the men baled out the canoe, and set her right. We then mounted again, and proceeded on our journey the sun was now risen, and before we got to Hihifo, my upper garments were nearly dry. After walking about two miles and a half, I arrived at a place called Haatau. Here I preached to about forty persons, and formed a class of six persons, the Chief of the place being the first. This young man is about twenty-eight years of age, has a very steady wife, and three fine children. He came to me last week, saying, he very much wished to begin to meet with us, as he saw that many died while they were yet young and strong.

Leaving Haatau, we proceeded to a place called Majilamea. Ata's eldest son, Veehala, is head of this place. I preached to them, and afterwards formed a class, consisting of the young Chief, his wife, and three others. As the day was advancing, I could not stay; but, taking our leave, we walked along a road grown over with bushes, and came to Teekiu, wet from head to foot. On arriving here I found that many persons were gathered together at the spirit-house. It was said that the devil had inspired some old woman to say something about the lotu, or religion. I expected it was for no good; I therefore took no notice of them, or of what they were doing; but went into the house where the true God is worshipped, gave out a hymn, and set a lively tune to it, and about twenty persons joined with me in singing heartily the praises of Jehovah our God, and his Son Jesus Christ. After prayer several others came to hear, to whom I preached on the vanity of idolatry, and the importance of true religion. I warned those who had turned to God, not to regard the counsel which causeth to err, but to cleave unto God with purpose of heart. After the sermon I formed a class, consisting of the headman of the place, his wife, and nine others. Two of these were baptized at Nukunuku some time ago, so that they will be capable of assisting their friends, who have just turned to God. I bless the Lord for this fair blossom. O may the gates of hell never prevail against the cause in this place! From this place we walked along a very bad road to Matahau. Here we have had a small society some time. The Lord

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gave me power to speak to them. preaching I bled the headman of the place, who is very unwell. I sent Moses, one of my party, to Beka, to get the people assembled against I arrived. After service I was floated in a bobau, by the friends at Nukunuku, and by my friend Moses to Muiforma, where our canoe was waiting. We got home about nine o'clock, having had several very narrow escapes from being again upset.

16th. The Haabai fleet arrived, consisting of nine canoes in the whole. The King is come on a visit to Tubou, our Chief. Mrs. Thomas and I walked down to the beach, and were not a little surprised to find that brother Cross had come with them. He looked very ill, and we were fearful that ill health had compelled him to leave his station; but this was not the case. In a few minutes the King landed; and we gave him a hearty welcome. Our hearts were made glad to see him, and many others, whom we call our spiritual children, to whom the Lord made us useful while at the Haabai group.

Sunday, 17th-At the morning service many were present. I endeavoured to give them a correct view of the kingdom of Christ, and of its final triumph over all its enemies, and its durability and splendour. It was very pleasing to see the two Kings, with the Chiefs and Matabules, or gentlemen, assemble together in the worship of the true God. Tonga is moved at the arrival of this once successful warrior, but now Christian King. After the sermon I baptized ten children, and gave a short address to the parents. Brother Cross prayed at the close of the service, and officiated in the afternoon, and I preached in English at night.

18th. We have been very busy in packing, and writing to our brethren, as the fleet is expected to sail to-morrow. The King took dinner with us, and is quite as cordial as usual. O may God bless him, and make him a blessing! He has promised that a canoe shall be sent for me and Mrs. Thomas in a few weeks. We are thankful for this, as Tonga is very badly off for good canoes; and the men have so very little practice in sailing, that they are very unskilful.

19th. Early this morning we took leave of our Haabai friends on the seabeach. The morning was fine, and the wind fair. They hoisted sail, and bore away. We sincerely love these our friends and children, but cannot enjoy each other's company long.