him obediently, as things always do the right sort of man, wherever he chose to go. He chose first to voyage with King Makea to Aitutaki, one hundred and seventy miles away. When he returned the people of Raratonga met him in gala dress. They had removed too the rubbish from the building of the ship, had planted shrubs, and strewed clean, white coral. "We will not leave a chip against which he shall strike his feet," they said.

Trials on Raratonga.—The privations of these first missionaries in Raratonga were many and severe. The island, though very beautiful, was not so fertile as Raiatea, and often there was little food. "I have seen my wife," says Mr. Williams," sit down at table and burst into tears, at having nothing to eat, week after week, month after month, but some native roots." For ten years they did not taste beef, and then they had lost their taste for it. Sometimes for months running into years no vessel called, and their clothing was worn out, their tools and necessary supplies gone. Frequent illnesses from malaria and insufficient food sapped the strength and tried the courage of the heroic little band of workers; but they held out, and the work triumphed gloriously.

Triumphs in Raratonga. — The people were gathered into churches, the children into schools, new methods of agriculture, new products, and new industries were introduced. Mr. Williams himself said, "When I found them (the people of Raratonga) in 1823, they were ignorant of the

nature of Christian worship; when I left them in 1834 I am not aware that there was a house in the island where family prayer was not observed morning and evening."

In 1888 Rev. W. Wyatt Gill made a statement of the work in the Hervey Islands as he had known it since 1851. He contrasted the former condition of the islands with that under Christianity, and stated that sixty members of his own church had been killed while acting as missionaries to heathen tribes.

In 1853, James M. Alexander, in company with Mr. Lyman of Hawaii, visited Raratonga, Aitutaki, and other Hervey Islands. He tells that at Aitutaki there was a massive coral pier six hundred feet long, constructed by the natives in 1826. A beautiful church of hewn coral, substantial native houses of the same material, and a continuous garden of breadfruit, orange, banana and cocoanut palms, he noted as features of the islands. Raratonga was even more beautiful, the well-tended plantations continuous, and the natives fine-looking, courteous people.

A correspondent of a newspaper in Auckland testifies that "The Raratongans are the most advanced of all the South Sea Islanders in European Industrial Civilization. They have become efficient artisans and mechanics; they build houses after the colonial type, also wagons and boats; they work extensive plantations, and cotton gins. They cultivate largely oranges and limes; of the former they export millions; from the limes they express the juice and ship it in

small barrels, some two thousand gallons yearly being sent from the island. They also export cotton, coffee, bananas, arrow-root, and copra. They thrive and are happy because free and unoppressed, and at liberty to enjoy the fruits of their labors."

An instance of the benevolence of the natives of Mangaia illustrates the Christian character of the people. In 1892, after paying for their own school and church expenses, the people of Mangaia numbering about nineteen hundred contributed for general missionary purposes to the treasury of the London Missionary Society, $1700. In 1889 a British Protectorate was established over these islands upon the invitation of the chiefs and people.

"I am engaged in the best of services, for the best of Masters, and upon the best of terms.'

- JOHN WILLIAMS.

"O Jehovah, give Thy word in my heart - all thy word and cover it up there that it may not be

forgotten by me."

"While it is day I must be about my Master's business; and he who helps me onward is twice my friend." JOHN WILLIAMS.

SUGGESTIONS, TOPICS, AND QUESTIONS

Many biographical sketches may be prepared in connection with this chapter. The career of Captain Wilson will delight boys. "From Island to Island," published by the London Missionary Society Company, contains a good brief sketch. John Williams's own life is an epic in itself. A model of the Duff could be made from old prints, or a copy of her missionary flag.

Describe a voyage from the Society to the Hervey, Astral, and Pearl Islands, contrasting their characteristics, products, and appearance.

Make a brief study of the Polynesian languages, noting their marked similarities as showing common origin.

What characteristics of the Polynesians are most admirable? What is the chief racial weakness?

In History of London Missionary Society find description of the Museum in which are preserved these early trophies of heathenism in the Pacific Islands. What were the chief characteristics of the native religion?

Tell the story of John Williams's shipbuilding. Map of the Society and Hervey Islands.

SAMOA

CHAPTER II

SAMOA, TONGA, MICRONESIA

The Islands. It was in July, 1830, that the indefatigable John Williams, in his rude Messenger of Peace, dared to cross the eighteen hundred miles of sea that lay between the Hervey and the Samoan Islands. These islands, like almost everything else in the South Seas, had been discovered by Captain Cook, and named by him the Navigator Islands. The group consists of thirteen islands, only four of which are of any importance. Manua, the most easterly, is about sixteen miles in circumference, fertile and beautiful, rising twenty-five hundred feet above the sea. Sixty miles to the west is Tutuila, endeared to us all as the island home of Robert Louis Stevenson. It is seventeen miles long, five miles wide, and cut almost in two by the splendid harbor Pago Pago. To the Northwest, thirtysix miles, lies Upolu, an island forty miles long and fourteen broad, which contains Apia, the principal town of the group. Twelve miles to the west of Upolu lies Savaii, the largest and most mountainous island of the group. It measures forty by twenty miles and rises to a height of four thousand feet.

First Visit of John Williams. On his way to