American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-07-19
from the New York Evangelist
THE MISSIONARY SAILOR STOR
BY REV. JOHN $. c. ABBOT

nj New IUHN s' u ABBOI.
The following story of seaman was recent
y related to the writer. Many years ago, when
New Zealand was land of uninterrupted hea-
ihenism, the ship in which | was common
sailor dropped anchor at cautious distance
from the shore, in one of the harbors of that
island. We had been months upon the ocean
without seeing any land And when the sub
lime mountains and luXuriant valleys of the
magnificent isle rose from the wide waste e.
waters before US, it was 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 woe, for
1t so happened that there was u terrible fght
between two war parties of the natives raging
at the very hour in which we entered the love-
iy bay. From the deck of our ship, we witness
ed with awe the whole revolving scene, the
fierce assault, the bloody carnage, the Infatuated
shrieks, the demonlac attitudes of those mad
dened savages, as they fell upon each other
with degree of fury which seemed worse than
human. Often we saw the heavy club of the
New Zealand savage fall upon the head of his
antagonist, and as he fell lifeess to the ground,
his head was beaten by reiterated blows, till
exhaustion satiated fury. This awful scene of
savage life, as beheld from the deck Of our
ship, impressed even us unthinking sailors with
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 tine opposite side Of the harbor
to collect some fuel. | was sent with the par
tY. We landed upon beautiful beach, upon
which heavy surf was rolling. The savage
scene we had just witnessed so filled us with
terror, that we were every moment apprehen-
sve that party of cannibals would fall upon
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 so increased, that it was impossible
to launch the boat. The sun was Just sitting
behind angry clouds, which betokened rising
storm. The crested waves were rolling more
and more heavily in from the ocean. A dark
night was coming on, and savage warriors,
their hands already dripping with blood, were
every where around. We were ali silent. Not
one was willing to speak of his fears and yet
no one could conceal them.
Before we left the ship, the Captain had in
formed us that an English missionary had erect
ed his hut about two miles from the place
where we were to land. The captain had visit
ed him about two years before in his solitary
home, and it was then very uncertain whether
he would be able to continue in his post of dam
ger. We Immediately resolved to cndeavor to
find the missionary, and to seek such protec-
ton as he could afford us for the night.
Increasing masses of clouds rolled up and
spread over the sky, and as we CROPPED our
way through the deep and tangled forest, dark
ness like that of Egypt enveIoped US. After
wandering about, we hardly knew where, for
some time, we heard the loud shouts of saw
ages either in conflict or revelry. Cautiously
we approached the sounds, till we beheld
large war party gathered around their fires
with the hdeous trophies of their recent bat
tie, and exulting over their victory. We
thought it wise to keep as far from them as
possible, and again turned from the light of
their fire into the dark forest, where we could
hardly see an arms length before u.s. We at
length came upon little path, and slowly fol-
lowing it along, stumbling in the darkness
over rocks and roots of trees, we came ia view
of the twinkling light of lamp. |, with an
other one of the party, was sent forward to re-
connoitre. We soon found that the light pro-
ceeded from hut, but whether from the night
fire of the savage New Zealander, or from the
lamp of the Christian missionary, we knew
not and few can imagine the anxiety with
which we cautiously moved along to ascertain
how the fact might be. Our hopes were great
ly revived by the sight of glazed window.
And when, through that window, we saw
man in the garb Of civilized life, with his wife |
and one little child kneeling in their prayers,
our Joy knew no bounds.
Waiting few moments till the prayer was |
closed, we ented the door; and though the sur
prise of the inmates was very great in seeing
two white sailors enter their dwelling, we |
we're most Hospitality received. The mission
ary Immediately lighted his lantern, and pro-
ceeding with u.s. led the rest Of our party to
his humble abode. We all slept upon his floor
for the night. Weary, however, as | was,
found but little rest. thought of my quiet
New England home, from which had been
absent but few months. | thought of my
mother, and her anxiety about her sailor boy
in this his first voyage The scene was indeed
novel one to me. The 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
its hideous and fend-like outcr,es, all united SO
to Cypress my spirit that found but little re-
pose. My companions, however, perhaps
more accustomed to danger, and perhaps less
addicted to thought. were soon soundly asleep.
Early in the morning party of warriors
came to the msslonarys hut in search of us,
having somehow ascertaincd that a boats crew |
were on the shore. The missionary and his
wife both in countenance and manner, mani
tested the deepest anxiety for our safety. The
sayeges we're lmpsrlous and rude, and Il SEEM
cd to me then, thtt nothing but the "a.
slrainng power Of God preserved us uuipjured