way in haste back to the ship,
which lay in the offing, and could not come near on account of the reef
barrier. We got on board safely, passing the reefs where once an
American ship was wrecked and her crew killed and eaten by the people
of these parts.

"The next day we made the land we sought; and got ashore through a
tremendous surf. Here we found the island had lately been the seat of
war--some of the heathen having resolved to put an end by violence to
the Christian religion there, or as they call it, the _lotu_. The
Christians had gained the victory, and then had treated their enemies
with the utmost kindness; which had produced a great effect upon them.
The rest of the day after our landing was spent in making thorough
inquiry into this matter; and in a somewhat extended preaching service.
At night we slept on a mat laid for us, or tried to sleep; but my
thoughts were too busy; and the clear night sky was witness to a great
many restless movements, I am afraid, before I lost them in
forgetfulness. The occasion of which, I suppose, was the near prospect
of sending letters home to England by the ship. At any rate, England
and the South Seas were very near together that night; and I was fain
to remember that heaven is nearer yet. But the remembrance carne, and
with it sleep. The next day was a day of business. Marrying couples
(over forty of them) baptizing converts, preaching; then meeting the
teachers and class-leaders and examining them as to their Christian
experience, etc. From dawn till long past mid-day we were busy so; and
then were ready for another feast in the open air like that one I
described to you--for we had had no breakfast. We had done all the work
we could do at that time at One, and sought our ship immediately after
dinner; passing through a surf too heavy for the canoes to weather.

"Let me tell you some of the testimony given by these converts from
heathenism; given simply and heartily, by men who have not learned
their religion by book nor copied it out of other men's mouths. It was
a very thrilling thing to hear them, these poor enterers into the
light, who have but just passed the line of darkness. One said, 'I love
the Lord, and I know he loves me; not for anything in me, or for
anything I have done; but for Christ's sake alone. I trust in Christ
and am happy. I listen to God, that he may do with me as he pleases. I
am thankful to have lived until the Lord's work has begun. I feel it in