The Sun.
London, England, 1821-12-01 00:00:00

MisdoNA.MEs.

INTELLIGENCE from the SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.
By the Hope, which left Port Jackson on the
10th of March last, Mr. and Mrs. If axwann,
with Mr. C. Wtesos, of Taheite (who had mar-
ried in the colony), and Mrs. W., proceeded to
Taheite, and arrived there on the 28th .of April.
On their passage they touched at New Zealand,
where they found the (Church) Missionaries in
safety and health.—They also touched at an
island called Raivaivai, or High Island, which is
situated about 400 miles south-east of Taheite.
Pomare hail visited this island about two years
before, and liaing procured peace between two
contending parties, then at war, was requested to
take upon himself the sovereignty of the island,—
Pomare wishing to promote the instruction of the
people, engaged Para, a person from Taheite, ac-
quainted with reading and writing, who was then
with him, to stay in the island, and undertake the
work, until proper persons might be sent from Ta-
heite as Missionaries. Mr. Hayward and Mr.-Wil-
son, on touching at this island (but without coming
to an anchor,) were surprised to find that the na-
tives had already made great progress in learning
to read, &c. But Mr. S.P. Henry, son of Mr.
Henry, one-of the Missionaries in Taheite, and
who commanded the brig Governor Macquarrie,
(which had been purchases at Port Jackson for
Pornare,,who has engaged with some Gentlemen
in the colony in commercial pursuits) called at
the island, and was astonished at the change
which had taken place, and which he thus ex-
presses in a letter to the Missionaries at Taheite :
" Brig. Governor Macquarrie, Feb. 3, 1821.
" On my way Luther, I had occasion to call at
the island of Raivaivai, or High Island, to pro-
cure provisions ; and the circumstances which
then came under my immediate knowledge and
observation are of a nature so truly gratifying,
and in which the great object of the Christian
world is so closely interested, that I con-
ceive a detail of them will afford you a si-
milar gratification.—lt was Sunday when I
Made the land, and I went on shore early
in the morning. The na'Nes were all assem-
bled.to go to church. My presence detained
them nearly an hour beyond the usual time of
service. How affecting and delightful was the
scene which presented itself ! Each individual on
entering the clutch kneeled down and uttered a
prayer; when Para, the person whom King Po-
mare left there for the purpose of instructing the
natives, performed the service of the day. There
were 848 assembled at the churclafor the worship
of the Universal God ; 700 were withinond the
rest were outside, unable to gain an entrance.—
The very quiet, devout, and orderly manner in
which they conthicted themselves, not only in
church but during the Sabbath, awakened my
highest admiration. The whole of their gods
are mutilated, removed from their Morals,
and were converted, into *tools at the entrance
of the church, which is very neatly built
the ground is nearly covered with grass, and pro-
vided with a sufficient number of forms. Its
length is 117 feet, and breadth 27.—There are
about twenty-five who have not yet adopted the
religion of the Saviour, but who have renounced
idolatry. They say, 4We have no books, nor
proper Missionaries to instruct us ; and we will
wait till one comes, before we become Christians.'
The rest appear very anxious that they should
have a guide, like the happy islanders of this
place.—This surprising and happy change has
taken place within the short space of only four
months ! It happened upon a great feast day,
when all the natives ' and chiefs were as-
sembled.—The chief of the island, Tahu-
hu, together with Para (the teacher), most
earnestly solicited that they might have a
Missionary sent to instruct them.—l promis-
ed my utmost efforts to effect their wishes ;
and I doubt not, Gentlemen, your wishes and
your feelings will accord with mine in their com-
mon aud desirable object—the enlightening of
these people in the knowledge of our SAVIOUR,
and the road to happiness and eternal life.
46 I am, &c.
" SAMUEL P. HENRY."
By letters from Messrs. Williams and Threl'
kold, dated Raiatea, 2d and 4th of July, 1821
we find that a Chief of an island called Rurutu,
with several of his people, drifted ashore on
Raiatea, and continued there 'three months.—
The Chief applied himself with great diligence
to learn to read, and also paid a serious attention
to the .word preached, of which he has attained
some knowledge. He expressed a strong desire
that instructors might be sent to his island, and
declared his unwillingness to return home unless
such should accompany him ; and an opportunity
being presented by the brig Hope, for convey-
ance to Rurutu, two members (natives) of the
Church at Raiatea accompanied, as teachers, the
Chief and his people, amounting to about 30, on
their return to that island.
In a letter written by the brethren immediately
before the Hope sailed for Rurutu, they say,
" The Church has entered into it with much
spirit ; they are not sleeping to-night, but em-
ployed in preparing, as Capt. Grimes sails in the
morning. They are collecting cloth, food, &c.
for the two who are leaving us for Rurutu ; their
names are Puna and Mahamene. We rejoice in
being able to send (as we conceive 'them to be)
two as fit and suitable in every respect as any
two that could be found. We are much pleased
with the whole of the circumstances, and pray
most sincerely that the Lord may crown the
undertaking with his special blessing.
" .1. W." " L. G. T."
' The Chief of Rurutu promised the brethren
that he would send his gods to England. May
we not hope that the word of the Lord, intro-
duced in so extraordinary a manner into that
island, will have free course and be glorified ?
Let us not, however, indulge 'expectations too
sanguine ; but hope and pray for the happiest
results. •
Captain Grimes has brought home in the Hope
a considerable quantity of cocoa-nut oil—the
contribution of the Auxiliary Missionary Society,
composed of the converted natives of Taheite,
&c. in aid of the Funds of the Parent Society.
CaoTnixo.—The native females of the several
Missionary stations having adopted; the use of
clothing, after the example of the Missionaries—