24 SABBATH SCHOOL were so similar, that I shall speak only of those of the morning worship, which I witnessed, in company with Captain Finch and a party from the ward-room and steerage. We landed at nine o'clock, previously to which we had seen the people, in large numbers, going to, and returning from, a prayer meeting at sunrise. Hearing the sound of recitations in the school-house a neat and comfortable building between the cottage of Mr. Wilson and the chapel-we directed our course to it. A sabbath school, consisting of about one hundred and fifty boys and girls, from the ages of three and four years to fifteen and seventeen, was here assembled, in which several respectable, middle aged men acted as teachers and superintendents, while others of the same age and character walked along the passages at the sides and centre of the building, holding long, slender rods of the light. hibiscus, with which to touch any of the younger scholars, when disposed to be mischievous and troublesome. Many of the parents and friends were also present as spectators. When we entered, the whole school was repeating the answers of a catechism simultaneously, with great promptitude and correctness. This was followed by a recitation from the Bible, in which one scholar would rehearse a section of a chapter, and another that succeeding-thus alternating from individual to individual, and from class to class, with the greatest readiness; and manifesting, by the unhesitating manner in which they continued the exercise from verse to verse, and chapter to chapter, no ordinary tenacity and strength of memory. A hymn was then sung, in which all joined; when the school was closed with an appropriate prayer by the superintendent. Mrs. Wilson and her daughters were present as teachers and managers of the female scholars; and in the whole aspect of the school, there was a cleanliness and propriety of dress, and personal appearance, and an intelligence and order equal to those found in any of the kind in our own country. While at prayer, "The sound of the church-going bell," with its sweet and elevating associations in the pious mind, began to reach us from a neighboring grove; and shortly after, the scholars, in a procession of two and two-the boys led by a native superintendent, and the girls by Mrs. Wilson and her daughtersquietly made their way to a temple of God, founded within the last fifteen years, on the ruins of altars which for time unknown had been steeped in blood. Crowds of islanders, of every grade, were also seen gathering, by well-made gravel walks, leading in various directions, beneath the thick shade of the trees covering the point, to the same spot, all clad in neat and modest apparel, principally white, of their own or foreign manufacture: and exhibiting in their whole aspect, a dignity and respectability of character becoming a Christian people. Almost every individual had in his hand a copy of the portions of the scripture, translated into the language of the group, and a book of hymns. 26 PUBLIC WORSHIP AND The chapel is a large and neat building, one hundred and ten feet long, and forty broad; lofty, airy, and well finished in all its parts, and wholly of native workmanship. The number of worshippers amounted to about four hundred-the usual congregation at this place—including almost entirely the population of the vicinity. The whole appearance of the people their attention and seeming devotion, during the exercises of reading the scriptures, singing, prayer, and preaching-was as markedly decorous as would be expected or seen, in America or England: and such as to make a deep impression on my own mind. A single glance around, was sufficient to convince the most sceptical observer of the success and benefit of missions to the heathen; for it could not be made, without meeting the plainest demonstration, that such can be rescued from all the rudeness and wildness of their original condition, can be brought to a state of cleanliness and modesty in their personal appearance, can be taught to read and to write-for many, besides the intelligent and familiar use of the scriptures and their hymn book, took notes in pencil of the sermon delivered-in a word, can be transformed into all that civilization and Christianity vouchsafes to man. After worship we perceived a large portion of the middle aged and elderly men, and many of the younger to remain in the chapel, while an equal proportion of the females repaired to the school-house. On inquiring the object of this, we learned that it was customary for the members of the church, and persons seriously disposed, to spend a half hour or OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH. 27 more after service, in conversation on the subject of the discourse of the missionary, and in prayer for a blessing upon its truth to themselves, and to all who heard it.. Between the hours of public worship, I joined the mission family in an English service of singing, reading, and prayer, in Mr. Wilson's parlor. The greatest quietude reigned around; and the whole external observance of the day by the natives, in a suspension of all ordinary occupations and amusements, was such as to be worthy the imitation of older and more enlightened Christian nations... LETTER IV. VISIT TO EIMEO, AND ARRIVAL AT THE SOCIETY ISLANDS. Island of Raiatea, On the morning of the 26th ult., a party, of which I made one, sailed in two boats for the island of Eimeo, or Moorea, twelve or fifteen miles west of Tahiti. The Rev. Mr. Wilson kindly accompanied us in the excursion. On reaching the north end of the island, for which we steered on leaving Matavai, we entered within a reef skirting it at a distance of a quarter of a mile, and passing by the mouth of the bay of Paopao, or Cook's harbor-at present uninhabited-reached the missionary settlement at Papetoai, at the bay of Opunohu, or Talu, a few miles farther west, early in the afternoon. The scenery along the northern shore, is delightful -both bays lying cradled, like lakes, in the midst of mountains of the most picturesque wildness, and of the richest verdure. The whole surface of Eimeo is much more broken than that of Tahiti; and from whatever point viewed, its contour abounds in lofty pinnacles and shafts of wooded rock and mountain. We were received on the beach by the Rev. Mr. Simpson, and most hospitably entertained by himself and lady, and Mrs. Armitage, at their comfortable dwellings. Mr. Armitage was absent at Afareaitu, a station we afterward visited on the eastern side of the island. Papetoai does not differ materially from Matavai and Papeeté, in the evidences of civilization and piety it presents. The chapel is very superior, and more substantial than any other building yet erected in the South Seas, being of hewn coral, not dissimilar in its appearance to a light free-stone or marble. It is an octagon, sixty or seventy feet in diameter, well plastered and whitewashed within, and furnished with convenient seats constructed of the timber of the bread-fruit tree. The gallery, and a handsome pulpit, are of the same material. Early the next morning we left for Afareaitu, returning to the northeast point inside of the reef, and then coasting along the eastern shore, eight or ten miles, to a little islet marking the entrance of the harbor. Afareitu is a lovely spot, surrounded by magnificent and beautiful objects. The South Sea |