The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-16


icicnt in this direction may bc cited one
RICHARD AMOS, who has fitted certain
number Of young Tongancrs to become mis-
sionarc- In their turn, and to whom the
most influential among the present chiefs
are indebted Tor tuition. Not only have he
and his colleagues trained up great many
natives 10 be capable school teachers. but
they have gradually transferred the whole
system Of instruction to native hands, and
the annual report now issued by native
school inspector would not it is said, dis
credit European functionary.
At the time Of the Jubilee last year there
were in the Tonga Islands not less than IA
churches and chapcls, 10 ordained native
minister's. aud 10 students in divinity, be-
sides al3 lay preachers. The number OF
regular church members exceeded 5000. and
the average attendance at religious services
was about 10000 IN tho numerous schools
more than $500 children received instruction
from some 900 native teachers. During the
past year the Tougancrs have contributed
FOR school and church purposes about $4,000,
out of which for the first time part. say
$4,000, has been set aside for foreign mis-
siOns. and especially for the ciVilzing and
converting of natives in the islands of New
Britain and New Ireland. We may add that
part of the specific Jubilee fund was de-
voted to the creation of a seminary urgirls,
an institution Of the same grade rs the
Tuubon College for boys. which has existed
for some years. An Industrial school has
also been founded where young Tongancrs
are taught useful crafts and trades. In a
word, on social and commercial as we'll M
religious grounds, the work performed by
the Mcthodists in the Tonga Islands is de-
serving Of singular commentator.
We have not always found the edifying
reports of missionary societies confirmed by
facts. but ii seems impossible 10 gainsay the
solidty of this Wesleyan achievement when
we see recent converts assigning no mean
share Of their inconsidcrablc revenues to the
elevation of ncighborng peoples in the scale
OF social and religious life. How pertinent
such efforts are is shown by late adviccs
from the islands whose conversion Is now
specially contemplated. Thus from Tom
bara (Ncw lrclandi we learn that cannibal-
ism il habitually practiscd In the spring
of this year missionary. GEORGE Brown,
found in one house thirty-liNc jaw bones,
and ON II cocoa palm outside of the dwelling
scventy-siX notchcS, an indication, a. the
natives explained, that Il corresponding
number Of human beings had been cooked
and eaten. A mans hand and other parts q.
the body were hanging up, smoked like
hams, in the same dwelling. In another viii
lagc, where Browns companion happened
to enter hut to light his pipe, he found the
women engaged in roasting the thighs Of n
man who had died the day before.
A German Consul now resides at Tonga,
and it is worth recalling that in November
of last year "A treaty was concluded between
the ruling chief Of this archipelago and En-
pcror WILLIAM, by which the latter obtained
the concession of harbor in the Navau
group rs coaling station for German yes
sells. This treaty has provoked good deal
Of ill-tempercd comment at Melbourne and
sydney. both because the Tonga islanders
have been civilized at English cost, and be-
cause the colonists have come to regard
Australia a. the future nucleus Of II great
PUlyneslln empire.