138 .THE ARRIVAL OF THE BETSY.

the innocent suffer, but that if the murderer could be found, they should be willing that he should be punished.*

The missionaries returned home, rejoicing that they had been able to prevent war and bloodshed. How different were their feelings from those of the wicked! The brethren had observed with horror and pity, that Michael Donald would have been glad had war been declared, and that he had even tried to stir up Pomare's mind by false reports. Thus "an ungodly man diggeth up evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire." Prov. xvi. 27.

CHAPTER XVI.

1799-1800.

POMARE'S OFFERING TO THE TRUE GOD.

AT ten o'clock on the morning of December 21st, the missionaries beheld a ship, accompanied by a smaller one. According to their custom they hoisted their small flag, and thus

The murderer was never brought to justice, but about a year and a half after the murder, some of the men of Ahunu quarrelled with each other, and one was heard to say to another, "If it had not been for you, the man (meaning Mr. Lewis) would not have been killed."

THE MISSIONARIES' PURCHASES.

139

induced the ship to anchor near their part of the island.

The large ship proved to be the Betsy from London, bound to Port Jackson; the smaller one a brig taken from the Spaniards.

The sight of ships was pleasant to the missionaries, as they obtained from them news from England, and various comforts and sometimes letters from their friends; yet they often suffered evils from ships, that mixed regret with their joy, when they beheld them. The visit of the Nautilus had occasioned some of their chief troubles, and almost every ship occasioned some evil.

The Betsy brought no letters from England, but the captain kindly offered to supply the brethren with all they needed. They requested to have some red wine, salt, coffee, sugar, an axe, three guns, (or muskets,) and some ammunition; and they told the captain to apply to the directors of the London Missionary Society in England for payment. Perhaps you may be surprised at muskets being asked for, as the brethren had given up defending themselves by fire-arms. They were intended as presents for Pomare, and Idia, and Otu. You perceive

how much the plans of the brethren were changed, since the time, when they requested the captain of the Nautilus, not to give firearms to the natives in exchange for food; but

140 THE ELIZA BRINGS MR. HENRY.

they found that it was impossible for them to prevent the natives from following their wicked inclination. Their hope was, that God would one day change those inclinations, and induce them to throw away their spears and their guns, to serve Christ, the Prince of Peace. Perhaps, however, they did not act right in procuring these guns.

The brethren were now grieved by Mr. Harris proposing to leave them for a time, that he might visit his brethren in Port Jackson, and in the Friendly Islands, and see how they prospered in the work of the Lord. As there were only six brethren in Tahiti, one could ill be spared. Mr. Harris, however, would listen to no persuasions, but on the last day of that year took leave of his brethren, and on the first day of 1800, very early in the morning, set sail in the Betsy.

Only three days afterwards, a boat containing some English seamen entered the river of Matavai. The seamen informed the missionaries, that they had left their ship (the Eliza) at the other end of the island, and that as soon as the boisterous weather would permit, she would arrive at Matavai. How great was the brethren's joy to hear that this ship had brought Mr. Henry and his wife and child from Austra→ lia to reside in Tahiti once more! Thus their loss in Mr. Harris was fully supplied.

storm, and were

The next day the Eliza anchored at Matavai. Mr. Bicknell went in a boat, and soon returned with Mr. and Mrs. Henry, and little Sarah, who was now two years and a half old. They had suffered much from the glad indeed to reach the land. As Mr. Henry had not yet brought his bed on shore, Mrs. Eyre accommodated the family, as well as she could, in her dwelling. Afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Henry removed to live at the new house, which was the largest and most airy.

Mr. Henry brought the delightful news that he believed a large company of missionaries were on the way, in the ship Duff, to Tahiti.

He brought with him also four sheep to add to those already in the island, as well as ducks and pigeons. The sheep, however, were much worried by the dogs, and two of them were torn to pieces by them. The dogs, of which there were multitudes in the island, much annoyed the brethren: but the natives hugged and kissed them, as much as if they were children, calling them good property, and good food. Mr. Henry brought also some parrots as presents to the king, and his parents. These were almost as acceptable as guns; because the red feathers of the birds were considered the most pleasing offerings that could be made to the idols. Some of the parrots were set free in the woods, and some were kept in cages, made by Mr. Bicknell.

142

THE FIRST CHAPEL.

The brethren had great reason to regret the visit of the Eliza on some accounts. Pomare and Otu obtained a quantity of guns and ammunition; and four wicked sailors were left upon the island. The king and Pomare, who expected the people of Atehum soon to rise up against them, were delighted with the hopes of having Englishmen to assist them in war.

On February 8th, about six weeks after her arrival, Mrs. Henry had a little son born, who was soon afterwards baptized by the name of Samuel.

It was at this time that the brethren first determined to build a chapel, where the natives might be invited to assemble, to hear them preach, which they hoped soon to be able to do. Hitherto they had only met together in a room in their own house. They fixed upon a spot for the building, near their new house-a little farther from the sea, and close to Mr. Lewis's grave, which they resolved to enclose in the same court as the chapel.

Pomare seemed pleased with the plan, when he heard of it, and promised to set his people to work. The brethren, however, found his assistance of little use. His servants set about the work eagerly, but soon grew weary of it, as they did of all their undertakings, unless encouraged by continual feastings. They also did the work so ill, that they gave the mis