Such rain as fell this morning would have kept a whole English congregation from going to church, but they never sought shelter nor desisted from their work in hand; and the physical effect was really great, the perspiration streamed down their bodies, and the learning by heart all the songs and the complicated parts of the ceremony implied a good deal of pains.  Christians do not always take so much pains to fulfil scrupulously their duties as sometimes these heathens do.  And, indeed, their bondage is a hard one, constant suspicion and fear whenever they think at all.  Everything that is not connected with the animal part of our nature seems to be the prey of dark and gloomy superstitions; the spiritual part is altogether inactive as an instrument of comfort, joy, peace and hope.  You can imagine that I prayed earnestly for these poor souls, actually performing before me their strange mysteries, and that I spoke earnestly and strongly afterwards.

’The argument with those who would listen was:  What good comes of all this?  What has the spirit you call Ikpat ever done for you?  Has he taught you to clothe yourselves, build houses, &c.?  Does he offer to make you happy?  Can you tell me what single good thing has come from these customs?  But if you ask me what good thing has come to us from the Word of God, first you had better let me tell you what has happened in England of old, in New Zealand, Nengone, or Lifu, then I will tell you what the Word of God teaches;—­and these with the great outline of the Faith.’

Every village in the island had the platforms, poles, and flowers; and the next day, at a turn in the path near a village, the Mission party suddenly came upon four sticks planted in a row, two of them bearing things like one-eyed masks; two others, like mitres, painted red, black, and white.  As far as could be made out, they were placed there as a sort of defiance to the inhabitants; but Mr. Patteson took down one, and declared his intention of buying them for fish-hooks, to take to New Zealand, that the people might see their dark and foolish customs!

Some effect had already been produced, the people declared that there had been much less of fighting since the missionaries had spoken to them eighteen months back, and they had given up some of the charms by which they used to destroy each other; but there was still much carrying of bows; and on the way home from this expedition, Mr. Patteson suddenly came on six men with bows bent and arrows pointed in his direction.  He at once recognised a man from Veverao, the next village to the station, and called out ‘All right!’ It proved that a report had come of his being attacked or killed on the other side of the island, and that they had set out to defend or avenge him.

He received his champions with reproof:—­’This is the very thing I told you not to do.  It is all your foolish jealousy and suspicion of them.  There is not a man on the island who is not friendly to me!  And if they were not friendly, what business have you with your bows and arrows?  I tell you once more, if I see you take your bows again, though you may do it as you think with a good intention towards me, I will not stay at your village.  If you want to help me, receive the Word of God, abandon your senseless ceremonies.  That will be helping me indeed!’