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JOY OF THE PURCHASERS.

He next inquired, "Why did you not go to some house to lodge ?"

"We were afraid," replied the men, "lest, if we had gone away, some one might have come before morning, and have bought all the books that you had to spare, so that we should have been obliged to return without any. As soon as you left us last night, we determined not to leave the place till we had procured the books." This answer surprised and delighted Mr. Ellis. He called the men into the printingoffice, put the loose sheets of the books together, as quickly as he could, and gave each of the men an unbound copy of Luke's Gospel. They then requested to have two more copies for a mother and a sister. These books were also granted, and the cocoa-nut oil was received as the price. Then each of the men wrapped up his book in a piece of white cloth of bark, put it in his bosom, and set sail for Tahiti, without having either eaten or drunk, or visited any person during his stay at Eimeo.

Probably many of the people, who appeared to love the word of God, cared more for having a book of their own, than for knowing God's will; but others certainly did love it, because it was able to save their souls through faith in Christ. The word of Luke was now read in numerous families, both at morning and evening prayers. Often in the day, persons

PLAN OF A MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 299

might be seen sitting in a circle under the shade of a tree, listening to some native, who was reading the gospel aloud.

The missionaries now intended very soon to separate from each other, and to dwell in different islands; but, before they took this step, they executed a new plan in Eimeo. They thought that, as the natives knew how precious the gospel was, they would be willing to give some of their property to help to send it to heathen lands. Therefore the brethren determined to form a Missionary Society in Eimeo. They first proposed the plan to the king, who approved of it, and who soon afterwards said to one of his pious chiefs, named A-u-na, " Do you think you could collect five bamboo-canes of cocoa-nut oil in a year?”

He answered, "Yes."

"Do you think you could spare so much, for sending the word of God to the heathen ?" Again Auna replied, "Yes."

"Do you think," continued Pomare, "that those, who value the gospel in this land, would think it a great labour to collect so much oil every year?"

"No," replied Auna, "I do not think they would."

"Then," said the king, "think about it, and let us join together in a plan for this purpose."

300

ASSEMBLY IN THE GROVE.

The king and chiefs consulted privately with the missionaries, and arranged all the rules of the new society.

On May 13th, a great meeting was held at Papetoai in Eimeo. All the missionaries assembled at the place, and numbers of natives came over from Tahiti. The day was begun by a prayer-meeting among the natives at sunrise, and by another amongst the brethren. It was arranged that the service was to begin in the chapel at three o'clock, but, long before that hour, the place was so crowded that the people agreed to remove to a grove of cocoanut-trees at a short distance.

When the brethren entered this grove, they found the natives already assembled there, and they were much struck with the beauty of the scene. The grove was situated close to the sea, and at the foot of steep rocks and high mountains. Shells and white coral were strewed upon the beach; various kinds of lovely plants hung from the jutting rocks, while others twined round the stems of the trees, and adorned even the branches with festoons of pink blossoms. The trees were so tall, and covered with such large and numerous leaves, that their branches formed a ceiling at a great height above the people, and shaded them entirely from the sun. Multitudes, in their native dresses, were seated on the thick grass beneath.

THE KING'S SPEECH.

301

A wooden stand was prepared for Mr. Nott, close to the trunk of one of the tall trees. The king was seated in an arm-chair before him, and was dressed in a yellow tiputa, with a scarlet flower painted on the part that covered his breast. The queen and her ladies, and many chiefs, were seated near the king.

How delightful it was to think that these people were assembled, not for war, nor for bloody sacrifices, not for rioting, nor immoderate feasting, as in times past, but to assist in sending the word of God to poor ignorant heathen!

The service began with singing and prayer: then Mr. Nott preached from the words," Understandest thou what thou readest?" and the answer of the Ethiopian, " How can I, except some man should guide me ?" Acts viii. 31, 32.

When the sermon was finished, Pomare addressed his people. He reminded them of their former state, when their choicest fish and fruits were offered to their idols, and when even men were sacrificed. He then described the happiness they now enjoyed through the gospel, and proposed giving their property to help to send it to other lands. He declared he wished only those to give, who gave willingly; and that as he supposed, those, who did not love the gospel themselves, would not give willingly, he desired they should not be forced to give,

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DISPERSION OF THE MISSIONARIES.

or even called mean and avaricious, because they did not give. Pomare concluded his speech by requesting that those who wished a Missionary Society to be formed would hold up their hands. Hundreds of dark-coloured arms were in one moment lifted up towards heaven. Cheering sight to the brethren, who remembered how lately those hands had been used in executing wicked deeds!

As the sun hid its head beneath the distant waves of the sea, the king arose from his chair, and the people returned rejoicing to their houses; but none rejoiced as those did, who had sown the good seed, that was now springing up in in many hearts.

Mr. Ellis had not finished distributing the Gospel of Luke, at the time this meeting was held; therefore he returned with some of his brethren to Afareaitu, for a short time.

But soon the time came, when the brethren might go and reside in different islands. The ship Haweis was now rigged, and was ready to convey them to their new stations.

Mr. Ellis determined to leave Eimeo, and to go to the island of Huahine. Nine years before, the missionaries had lived in that island for a year, and since that time the inhabitants had cast away their idols, and had built many chapels.

Mr. Ellis left Eimeo with great regret. He