Much conversation took place on this occasion, too tedious to relate here at large; however, we must mention some of it: He said he had been endeavouring to persuade his father-in-law Tamatoa, and Tapoa, (the two principal chiefs of the leeward islands,) to take the same step he was taking, but that they told him he might do as he pleased, but for them, they would cleave to Ooro, which he observed was cleaving to satan; and said that if no one else would hear us, or embrace our religion, he would, as he desired to be happy after death, and be saved in the judgment-day. On our observing that we did not cease to pray to God for him, and that it would rejoice us much to see him sincerely and truly given up in heart to God, and that if that was the case, he might then be baptized; he replied, that we could not know his heart, nor he ours; but that He who made us, ever knew our hearts, and whether we spoke truth or falsehood to each other. We informed him that it was customary for those who offered themselves as candidates for baptism from among the heathen, to be for some time further instructed in the things of God, and their conduct inspected, that it might be known whether they had truly forsaken every evil way, and were really turned in heart to God, before they were baptized; all which he seemed to approve of, observing, that he was willing to do as we thought proper; and that he left the affair of his baptism entirely with us as to the time. Another thing he proposed during this conversation must not be omitted: viz., the erection of a building for the worship

of God; and on being told that perhaps it would be better to defer the building of it until his and our affairs should be more settled, he replied, "Let us not mind these things, let it be built at all events." However, his removal to Taheite, (whither he went on the 18th of August, at the instigation of two chiefs, who came over for him,) prevents this for the present. Indeed it is a circumstance we very much regret, as it deprives him of the means of grace and instruction, except by letter, and exposes him to many and great temptations. Howeyer, thanks be to God, we learn from his letters, and verbal accounts of him, that he strictly observes the Christian sabbath, and perseveres in an open profession of his new religion before the chiefs and people; and for which, we understand, he has already experienced a considerable degree of persecution, notwithstanding his dignity.

"That you, our honoured Directors, may form a judgment for yourselves of the present state of his mind, we send you with this, two of his late letters, with a translation of them. You will learn from them the then state of Taheite, in which there has been little alteration since. Though he has got a footing there, his regaining the sovereignty of that island appears to us a matter very doubtful. However, this we well know, that He, who we trust has humbled him, and led him to cast his honours at his feet, can exalt him to greater power and honour than ever he possessed; and we doubt not will do it in due time, if it be more for his glory and the good of his cause here. There

are others whom we trust the Lord is drawing te himself from among this people. There is one man in particular, of whom we entertain good hopes. He has not as yet requested to be baptized, but it may be owing to his ignorance of the propriety and necessity of receiving that sacred rite. We have little doubt of his heart being changed by divine grace; but we do not like hastily to baptize any; we wish to have good evidence of real conversion before we do it. One of our domestics who departed this life the other day, we hope died in a safe state. He was a lad that had long enjoyed the means of instruction, but seemed regardless and obdurate, till a little before his death, when he seemed to be brought to repentance, and his mind to undergo a great change :he prayed, and cried for pardoning mercy through Christ, as long as he was able.

"We now earnestly entreat a continued interest in your prayers, and request you will not fail to write to us by every opportunity that offers, and regularly transmit us the Evangelical Magazine, and Missionary publications, which we always find to have a tendency to quicken and refresh us. We rejoice in the prosperity of your undertakings, and in the prosperity of all other Missionary Societies, and others formed for good purposes. The account we have received of the Bible Society, and its astonishing success, gives us peculiar joy, and excites in our hearts much thankfulness to the Author of all good. Surely the latter day glory not only begins to dawn, but to shine with consid

erable effulgence. May the Lord crown every effort for the spread of truth, and the advancement and establishment of his kingdom, with abundant success! We remain, honoured fathers and brethren, your brethren and humble servants in the gospel for Christ's sake.

The following are extracts from letters written by Pomare to the Missionaries; the original letters, from which the translation is made, are in the hands of the Directors.

Papeite, Taheite, Friday, Sept. 25, 1812. Dear Friends,

May Jehovah and Jesus Christ, may the Threeone, our only Lord and Saviour, bless you!

May my soul be saved by Jesus Christ. May the anger of Jehovah towards me be appeased, who am a wicked man, guilty of accumulated crimes of regardlessness and ignorance of the true God, and of an obstinate perseverance in wickedness! May Jehovah also pardon my foolishness, unbelief, and rejection of the truth! May Jehovah give me his good spirit to sanctify my heart, that I may love what is good, and that I may be enabled to put away all my evil customs, and become one of his people, and be saved through Jesus Christ our only Saviour. You indeed will be saved-you are become the people of God; I may be banished to hell; God may not regard

G

but

me: I am a wicked man, and my sins are great and accumulated (or gathered together.) But Oh, that we may all be saved through Jesus Christ! May the anger of God towards us all be appeased, for all of us have been disobedient to him as our Lord and Master. Look at the beasts: they are all obedient to man as their lord and master; but we have not obeyed our Lord and Master. Surely, we are fools! May the Three-one save us!

To the Missionaries, Uaeva,

Moorea, (Eimeo.)

POMARE."

Papeite, Taheite, 8th October, 1812.

My dear Friends,

May Jehovah and Jesus Christ our Saviour bless you! If it had not been for the mercy of God towards us, we should all have been cut off long ago. Had it pleased God to give us up to the will of Satan, he would long ago have destroyed us all. To the Three-one we owe our preservation and salvation. Oh Jehovah, save us! Oh Jesus Christ, save us!

Nothing bad (as to war) is talked of at Taheite at present; if it were otherwise I would not remain here. There is one thing which fills me with horror, which I will inform you of by and by. Satan, perhaps, is the author of it; he is envious of me. May Jesus Christ save me! The affairs of Taheite are pretty well settled, the chiefs having sent professions of subjection; but how long this will continue is uncertain. However, at present all is well. I continue to pray to God without