, yet, judging from the way in which the
attention of every one present was absorbed, it must have been deeply
interesting. Of course but comparatively a small number of those
present were really Christians, or understood even the great principles
of Christianity. They now required the instruction which man can give,
and the work of the Holy Spirit to change their hearts. I may here
remark, that I have often heard missionaries accused of over eagerness
to increase the number of their flocks; but I should say that Protestant
missionaries are never willing to consider those converted who are not
really so, and that no ministers of the gospel are more strict in the
tests they apply to ascertain the fitness of converts for baptism. Mr
Bent well knew the character of his congregation, and addressed them
accordingly; but surely it was glorious progress to have some hundreds
of persons, not long ago untamed savages, listening attentively to the
truths of the gospel. No work of man could thus have progressed,--no
mere civilising influence would have produced such an effect. When the
morning service was over, the people assembled on the hill-side and in
open spaces in the neighbourhood of the church, and there, while eating
the provisions they had brought with them, they eagerly discussed the
subject of the discourse they had just heard. The teachers I observed
went about among them, now sitting down with one group, now with
another, and were thus able to answer questions, to give information,
and to correct the erroneous notions which were likely to be
entertained. Alea scarcely ever left her father's side, and was
continually engaged in imparting to him the instruction which she had
received from Mr Bent and Mary; and it was interesting to observe the
avidity with which the old man received the truth from the lips of the
young girl.

I heard reports, however, that the heathen party, still numerous, were
mustering strongly in another part of the island. It had been
ascertained also that a canoe manned by heathens had left the island
some time back, but where they had gone was not known. These
circumstances I thought suspicious, and I feared foreboded evil. The
meeting at the service in the afternoon, of the natives professing
Christianity, was fully equal to that in the morning, but there were
fewer heathens. The service continued with prayer and songs of praise,
and an address full of instruction and exhortation fr