[Illustration:  Map of Samoa or Navigators Islands]

The south sea mission lies deep in the affection of the Society’s friends.  Seventy years have passed since the first missionaries were landed by the Duff on the Island of Tahiti.  After long trial of patience, amid a most depraved and corrupt people, heathenism gave way, the gospel triumphed, and the Society Islands became Christian.  In 1823 rarotonga was discovered, and the Hervey Islands, now containing one of the brightest groups of our Christian churches, were evangelized.  In 1830, Samoa received that gospel which has sanctified the gentle habits of its people, and produced in them a zeal in the extension of the church which none of their neighbours have excelled.  In 1840 and onward, the efforts to evangelize the dark races of the new Hebrides were commenced and partly frustrated.  In 1848, the loyalty group received teachers, and in spite of priestly intolerance, have since been largely christianized.

[Illustration:  Queen POMARE’S palace, Tahiti.]

When Tahiti first fell under the French Protectorate, fears were entertained respecting the stability of its people.  By God’s blessing on the means of grace, they seem at the present time to be more spiritual and more firm in their attachment to the truth than ever.  Several young pastors, trained in our Tahaa Institution, have been warmly welcomed among them, and their numbers are larger than for some years past:—­

“The statistics of the year, as far as we can obtain them for Tahiti and Moorea, are as follow:—­

  Population ... ... ... ... ... ... ... over 9000
  Members of Protestant Churches ... ... ... ... 2800
  Children in Protestant Schools ... ... ... ... 1260
  Roman Catholic Congregation, Members and Scholars,
    Natives ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 700

“Hence we see the Roman Catholics cannot yet number in their schools, congregations, and churches altogether, in Tahiti and Moorea, more than one twelfth of the Native population as theirs.  The other eleven-twelfths are nominally Protestant.  Without reckoning the schools and congregations of the Protestants, the Church members alone of the Native Protestant Church are about four times as many as all the Roman Catholics in their schools, congregations, and churches together.”

[Illustration:  Rarotonga.]

In the Hervey Islands, in the midst of their desolation, the churches of rarotonga insisted on holding their usual Anniversary, and gave a larger contribution to the Society than in the year before.  The Samoan mission continues to enjoy prosperity and peace; the Seminary at Malua flourishes; an extraordinary demand exists for the Scriptures, which every Christian seems resolved to make his own; the influence of the