SOME of the incidents of the last forty-eight hours have been among the most interesting, dear Hthat I have ever witnessed here.

On Saturday evening I attended a meeting for religious conversation and prayer. It was held in a large school-house, near the residences of the principal chiefs, and was composed of persons of every rank and condition among the people. There were circumstances in the mere approach to the spot sufficient to impart seriousness and solemnity to the mind ever accustomed to higher thoughts than those of which the things of this world are worthy. Numbers from various quarters, wrapped in their large mantles, were still silently and slowly assembling-seemingly with hearts prepared, by the gray of the evening and musings on the object bringing them together, for meditations of eternity and the sincere worship of their God.

No light prattle or giddy laugh, no unbecoming levity in look or manner, betrayed the careless mind or a spirit little concerned in the services before it; but all appeared to be cherishing thoughts and affections suited to a place of seriousness and prayer.

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On entering the lowly door and humble but spacious apartment, the light of a few tin lamps, at long intervals against the posts supporting the roof, fell dimly on the countenances and figures of at least a thousand of these sable tribes, all waiting in profound silence the arrival of a teacher in the things of eternity. We took our seats at a small table near a door, in the midst of them, and waited ourselves till those yet entering should find places. Among the number of these was an Albino, though a pure native, and another a blind man, of fine countenance and noble figure, with deep seriousness marked on his features, as, by the guidance of a friend whose hand he held, he was led near the table, and became seated on the mats at our feet.

There was in this incident that which at once brought into exercise those better feelings we all delight to exercise at such hours and in such a place; and my thoughts were, as I gazed with deep interest on this afflicted islander-seeking in the darkness of the night by the kindness of another, that light, which though invisible to the natural eye, is emphatically the "light of the world," and the "light of life" "happy, happy art thou, though blind, if seeking light from the great Physician! happy, though afflicted, if, conscious of a darkness of soul as well as of body, thy earnest cry is, 'Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me !'”

After a hymn and prayer, and a few remarks suited to the occasion, any one who felt desirous of asking a question, or of expressing a sentiment upon the subjects for which the meeting was instituted, was requested VOL. II.

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to speak; upon which much interesting conversation between one and another, and Mr. Bingham, took place. The remarks, and the feelings of many thus unfolded, were deeply touching, and fully demonstrated the efficacy of the Gospel, in enlightening the mind and melting the heart of man in his most uncultivated state.

The sceptic may discredit, and the cold moralist doubt, but he who knows from his own experience, that there is a power in the truth of God which is above the power of man, and, who has felt its influence pervading his own soul, and bringing him sweetly into captivity to the gospel, knows that what the wisdom of the wise can never in itself attain, the most ignorant and the most obscure by submitting unreservedly to the simple truths of the Most High, and to the guidance of his Holy Spirit, are sure to win.

Yesterday morning we had our usual sabbath service on board ship, and did not attend at the mission chapel. After dinner, however, Mr. Stribling and myself went on shore for the purpose of joining in the native worship at four o'clock. We had been apprised of the intended administration of the Lord's Supper at that time, and anticipated, with no little satisfaction, the privilege of partaking of this sacred ordinance in so remote a part of the world, in the bosom of a church but lately gathered from heathenism.

The chapel, the dimensions of which I recollect already to have stated, was erected, at the expense of the chiefs, within the last six months. It is in

AMONG THE ISLANDERS.

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the native style, beautifully thatched, and furnished with several lofty folding doors, and large windows of glass at the sides and ends. The pulpit is in the middle of one side, and is a neat piece of workmanship, with cushions and hangings of crimson damask. A square of considerable dimensions, in front of this, is lined with sofas, chairs and settees for the accommodation of the chiefs, mission family, and a choir of singers, consisting of twenty or thirty well dressed young persons of both sexes, with the king at their head.

Many of the more respectable of the congregation besides the aristocracy, provide themselves with chairs and other seats in various parts of the house; but the mass of the audience sit closely together upon the matted floor only. The neatness and cleanliness of dress, the respectability, order, and seriousness of the thousands constituting the customary assemblage on the sabbath, are most impressive and have excited the admiration of all who have witnessed it.

On entering, we found the immense area of the building, as usual, greatly crowded; and the services just commencing by a hymn and a prayer. It is not customary to have a sermon on these occasions; and, at the conclusion of another hymn, after the prayer, the names of seven individuals were announced as those now to be received into the church. They had been in a state of probation for some months, and were called on to present themselves publicly to profess their belief in, the articles of the Christian faith, and to take upon them the vows of the church covenant. This they did, standing in

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front of the pulpit and communion table, surrounded by the members of the church, occupying two rows of seats on the square inclosing it.

Five were men and two women-from twenty to forty-five years of age-all dressed in good suits of European clothes, and manifesting in their whole aspect, a respectability and a degree of solemnity and seeming genuine feeling so striking, as irresistibly to impart corresponding emotions to the bosom of the spectator. The dresses of the females were becoming and appropriate-plain, neat, and modest; especially that of the younger of the two, whose unornamented gown, of snow white cambric, with turban to match, well became the composed seriousness of a strikingly mild and amiable countenance. Her husband, one of the young men making this profession, in a frockcoat of blue cloth with white cravat, vest and pantaloons, made an equally interesting appearance.

After assenting to the articles of faith, and taking on them the obligations contained in the church covenant, they were all baptized and then, each for himself, both male and female, subscribed his name to the roll of the church, subjoined to the preceding documents, and all were proclaimed members of the church, entitled to all the privileges of the relation, and commended to the special love and care of their fellows of the household faith.

This ceremony was succeeded, by the presentation for baptism, of several infants, neatly dressed like children with us at home. One of the most so, was that of the individuals whose dresses I have