anding of Papehia,
two thousand children and one thousand six hundred adults were under
instruction. Although many of the adults could never be taught to read,
they learned portions of Scripture, and as they willingly listened to
the teachers, the truth gradually spread among the whole population.

"A printing press was during this year of 1831 introduced into the
island, and the first native Raratongan teacher went forth to carry the
glad tidings of salvation to the people of the Samoan group, then lying
in darkness. `Teava' was one of the first converts made by Papehia, and
a devoted imitator of the noble example he set. He wrote earnestly,
praying to be allowed to go Samoa, thus expressing himself: `My desire
is very great to fulfil Christ's command when He said, "Go ye into all
the world." My heart is compassionating the heathen, who know not the
salvation which God has provided. Let me go. Why this delay?' He was
conveyed to Samoa, and gained a position among its then savage people at
Monono, where he has proved one of the most consistent pioneers to the
European missionaries, and one of the best native assistants both in the
schools and in translating the Bible and other works. A letter he wrote
to his friends in Raratonga a few years afterwards is worthy of note.
In it he says: `When I left you, the good work had not taken much root,
but now I hear it has spread over the land. All the people have
received it. My friends, be diligent in the use of the means, in
learning, in reading, in hearing, in prayer; search the word of God.
But I will ask you, Do you expect to be saved by your works? No; no man
can thus be saved. Salvation is obtained through Jesus. There are two
kinds of scaffolding, one of banana stalks and the other of iron-wood:
those who trust in their own works are resting on the banana stalks, and
will fall; but let our minds be fixed on Jesus alone, and we shall be
safe.' Such are nearly the exact words he used. They prove the
soundness of his knowledge and faith. The glorious work progressed
wonderfully in Raratonga. Churches and schools were built at all the
settlements, and several works printed by natives, under the
superintendence of the missionaries, issued from the press. I was
present on the arrival of the _Camden_ from England with an edition of
five thousand copies of the New Testament in the language of the people,
and several missionaries. Crowds came from morning till ni