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Missionary Life in the Southe

taken for five acts of brutality committed calling themselves Christians-probably fo justly cut short. Five wounds, too, had two on the head, three on the body and smile still wreathed the lips. was committed to the deep. occidit.

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Five days later, the Rev. Joseph tetanus, caused by the poisoned arrow, a lowing day Stephen was added to the me innocent men sacrificed to expiate the crime Their death, however, has already produc Public opinion, shocked by this horrible ou pelled the Government to take decisive acti kidnapping, and no long time will now ela shameful traffic shall have been utterly stan

"WHAT a noble island!" Mr Turner exclaimed, when he first anchored off New Caledonia. The last link in the great Pacific chain, this island extends 250 miles in length, varying from thirty-five to fifty in breadth. Through the centre rises as it were a backbone of rock, while a barrier of coral from two to twelve miles distant runs almost entirely round. The climate is said to be delightful, and remarkably favourable to the cultivation of a large variety of fine fruits and vegetables. The inhabitants somewhat resemble the Fijians, though differing in language and religion. They are mostly strong robust men, considerably bove the average stature. Tatauing is unknown among hem, and very few paint their persons. Their complexion of a dark drab colour, and their hair is decidedly woolly, etraying their Papuan extraction. Their houses are said to ave very much the appearance of circular hayricks, and

are entered by extremely low doors. Captain Cook, who discovered the island in 1774, describes the people as civil but shy, and mentions their possession of large earthen jars capable of containing from six to eight gallons. Here, as throughout the South Pacific islands, women are mere drudges, and are treated as inferior beings.

Mr Williams, the "martyr of Erromanga," had intended to place native teachers in New Caledonia, and five months after his death the attempt was actually made by Mr Heath but without success. In 1841, however, two teachers took up their abode on the island, one of whom shortly afterwards died of consumption, but this vacancy was speedily filled, and for a time the prospect was not without encouragement. A chapel was built and a dwelling-house for the teachers, and schools were opened for both children and adults. This hopeful state of things soon passed away.

Though much the larger island of the two, New Caledonia was dependent on the Isle of Pines, then governed by a fierce barbarian named Mantungu. This savage sent over an axe already stained in Christian blood, and commanded that the teachers be put to death; and when he heard that his instructions had not been fulfilled, he threatened to "make food" of the whole district. From that time the lives of the teachers were in constant jeopardy. On one occasion they were surrounded by a band of armed ruffians thirsting for their blood. "Come on," cried Taunga, "kill us, we are not afraid; close our lips in death, if you please, but remember you will not thereby silence the Word of God." The would-be murderers were so astonished by the calm courageous bearing of their intended victims, that they desisted from their fell purpose, and went on their way.

At another time four men rushed into the house, seized the teachers by the arm, and stood over them with uplifted hatchets. Taunga bowed his head in silent prayer, but his companion, Noa, prayed aloud, "Father, if it be Thy will that we this day fall at the hands of the heathen, receive our souls, through Jesus Christ our Saviour." The perfect faith evinced by these poor fellows touched the hearts of the assassins and, lowering their weapons, they hurried out of the house. As no good could be done commensurate with the risk incurred by these devoted teachers, they were removed in 1845, and at present the island is in the possession of the French, who have turned it into a penal settlement, to which many hundreds of the Parisian Communists have already been transported. The Papists are here all-powerful, and do not scruple to employ forcible means for effecting the conversion of the heathen.

Rather less than thirty miles from the south-eastern extremity of New Caledonia lies a small island called by the natives Konil, but better known as the Isle of Pines, the name bestowed upon it by Captain Cook because of the great profusion of those trees. Teachers were first placed here in 1840, and by the following year heathen practices appeared to be abandoned. Mr Murray and his companion were received by Mantungu with much distinction, but he evinced in his own conduct such sickening brutality that the missionaries were glad to find themselves once more on board the good brig Camden. If the natives in passing him did not bend as lowly and reverently as he considered due to his rank, the chief struck at them furiously with his club. One of his sons also laid about him with such ferocity that the teachers interposed, and gradually soothed the two human monsters. Mantungu

was very anxious that a missionary should be stationed on his island, and presented Mr Murray with a goodly store of sugar-cane, bananas, and yams, graciously accepting that gentleman's return gifts.

It unfortunately happened, however, that one of the Camden's crew mentioned at Sydney that sandalwood grew plentifully on the Isle of Pines, and consequently no long time elapsed before vessels arrived in search of that coveted cargo. From that moment missionary efforts were completely neutralised. The three teachers were ordered to take their immediate departure, and were offered a passage to Samoa by Captain Ebrill of the brig Star, then on its way to Sydney. Returning from that port, Captain Ebrill touched at the island to obtain more sandalwood, when the chief sent off some food for the teachers, who were still on board. For some reason or other the skipper would not allow the gift to be received, and the bearers were even pelted with pieces of wood and fired at, one of them being wounded on the knee.

Next morning thirty natives went off to the brig with sandalwood, and taking with them only the adzes with which the bark is stripped off. The wood was eagerly purchased, and the natives were permitted to go on board to grind their adzes. "One of the crew," says Mr Turner," was grinding an adze, and the captain close by. Seizing a favourable moment, the native swung his adze and hit the captain in the face between the eyes. This was instant death to Captain Ebrill, and the signal for attack all over the vessel. In a few minutes seventeen of the crew were killed, viz., ten white men including the captain, two Marquesans, two Mangaians, one Aitutakian, one New Zealander, and a Rarotongan teacher. The cook