Litchfield enquirer., 1845-07-24
.. FFo'R hhe M r. EUGngeIist. THE MISSIONARY-A SAILOR STORY.
 WY REV, IOFYN a. c Anpnrr

. BY REV. JOHN s. c. ABBOTT.
 The following story of seaman was recently | conveyed to the writer. Many years ago, when New Zealand was a land of ofuuinterrupted heathen- ism, the ship in which was common sailor drop ped anchor at cautious distance from the shore, m one of the harbors of that island. We had been months upon the ocean without seeing any land. And when the sublime mountains and luxurient valleys of the magnificent isle rose from the wide waste of waters before us, it difficult to realize that we were not approaching some region of fairy enchantment. We soon, however, found that we were still in this world of sin and wo for it sohap pened that there was terrible fight between two war parties of the natives raging at the very hour m which we entered the lovely bay. From the deck of our ship we witnessed the whole revolting scene, the fierce assault, the bloody carnage the in- furiated shrieks, the demoniac attitudes of those maddened savages, as they fell upon each other with degree of fury which seemed worse than hu man: Often we saw the heavy club of the New Zealand savage fall upon the head of his antago- Hst, and he fell ifeless to the ground, his head was beaten by reiterated blows till exhaustion sa- tiated fury This awful scene of savage life as be- held from the deck of our ship, impressed even us minimizing sailors with emotions of deepest melan- choly. . .
 In consequence of the war or for some other cause, no canoe from the shore approached our ship. As we were entirely destitute of wood, the captain sent boats crew, with many cautions as to safety, to the opposite side of the harbor to col lect some fuel. l was sent with the party. We landed or beautiful beach upon which heavy surf was rolling. The savage scene we had just witnessed filled us with terror, that we were ap- prehensive that party of cannibals would fall up on US and destroy us. After gathering wood for some time we returned to the boat, and found to our dismay that the surf rolling in upon the beach had 90 increased that it was impossible to launch the boat. The sun was just setting behind angry l- AAk@ ,ko T1n ted waves were rolling more heavily in from the ocean. A dark night was coming on. and savage warriors, their hands already dripping with blood, were everywhere around. We were all silent No one willing to speak of his fears, and yet no one could conceal them.
 us that an English missionary had erected his hut about two miles from the place where we were to land. The captain lad visited him about two years before in his solitary home, and it was then very uncertain whether he would he able to continue in his post of danger. We immediately resolved to endeavor to find the missionary, and to seek such protection as he could afford us for the night
 Increasing masses of clouds rolled up and spread over the sky and as we groped our way through a deep and tangled forest darkness like that of Egypt enveloped us. After wandering about, we hardly knew where, for some time, we heard the loud shouts of saNages either in conflict or in revelry.- Cautiously we approached the sounds, till we be- held large war party gathered around their fires, with the hideous trophies of their recent battle, and exulting over their victory. We thought it wise to keep as tar from them as possible, and a. gain turned from the light of their fire into the dark forest, where we could hardly see an arms length before us.
 We at length came upon a little path and slow
 y following it along, stumbling, in the darkness, over rocks and roots of trees, we came Tn view of the twinkling light of lamp. l, with another one of the party, was sent forward to reconnoitre. We soon found that the light proceeded from hut. but whether from the night fire of the savage New Zealander, or from the lamp of the Christian mis- sionary, we knew not; and few can imagine the anxiety which which we cautiously moved along to ascertain how the fact might be. Our hopes were greatly revived by the sight of glazed wlndow.- And when, through that window, we saw man in the garb of civilized life, with his wife and one little child kneeling in their evening prayers, our joy knew no bounds.
 Waiting few moments till the prayer was clo. sed, we entered the door, and though the surprise of the inmates was very great in seeing two white sailors enter their dwelling, we were most hospital. To received. The missionary immediately lighted his lantern, and proceeding with us, led the rest of our party to his humble abode. We all slept up. on the floor for the night. Weary however as was I found but little rest. thought of my quiet New England home, from which had been absent but a few months. thought of my mother, and her anx- iety about her sailor boy in this his first voyage I ne scene was lUueCu d uofSl tO AHS swelling winds of the tempestuous night, the wild scenes of man and nature all around US. the vivid image of the bloody conflict with the remembrance of is 6end.like outcries all united to oppress my SD irit that found but little repose My compan- ions, however, perhaps more accustomed to danger and perhaps less addicted to thought, were souud- | ly asleep.
 Early in the morning party of warriors came into the missionarys hut in search of Us, having somehow ascertained that boats crew were on the shore. The missionary and his wife, both lr | countenancc and manner, manifested the deepest anx iety for our safety. The savages were imperi. ous and rude, and it seemed to me then, that noth
 ing but the restraining power of God preserved us unniured in the midst of such cruel and treacher. 1 ous men. While they had been somewhat subdu. ed in spirit, by the kindness, the meekness, and the utter helplessness, of the mssionary's family
 they considered us sailors fair game for plunder and l abuse. By the most earnest solicitations on the part ofthe missionary they were induced to spare | The missionary accompanied us to our boat, and
 we had for our retinue, troop Of rloting and ca
 rousing savages, brandishing their bloody war
 clubs over our heads, to convince us that we were l in their power. A walk of two miles conducted I us to the beach. It was fearful walk, and the
 watchful anxiety of friend proved that he con. l sidered our danger very great. When we arrived ! st the beach, some of the natives manifested great
 reluctance to let us go. Some took hold Of oui boat to draw 1t further upon the land, while they
 seemed to be earnestly arguing with the rest upon the folly of permitting our escape. At length
 however, they yielded to the remonstrances of the
 missionary, and aided us in launching our boat
 through the now subsicing surf.
 As we rowed from the shore, and looked back l upon that devoted man, standing upon the beach in the midst of those rude savages, and thought his return to his solitary home, and of the days
 weeks and months he must there pass in thankles: | labors, thought that his lot was, in a worldly