236 NEW CONVERTS' NAMES WRITTEN DOWN. sired to cast away their idols, to come to the chapel the next evening, that he might write down their names in a book. About forty attended at the time appointed. The brethren prayed and sang, and Mr. Nott gave a short address, and asked all to come forward, who really desired to serve the true God alone. Thirty-one consented to have their names written down; amongst these were Oito, and Tuahine. The brethren invited this little company to meet them often in the chapel, to be instructed privately. One of them, named Mu-i, was soon called to his rest. This poor youth had shown great love for the word of God and prayer, and had crept to the bushes to pray in secret, as long as he had strength. When confined to his hut, he would say, as the people passed by on their way to school, or chapel," My feet cannot go, but my heart goes with you." About the same time a person of a very different character, died. This was Idia. She had always been a bitter enemy to Christ, and had even prevented others from confessing their belief in him. Several persons who had been afraid of declaring they were Christians in her lifetime, did so, as soon as she was dead. It is true, she had been kind to the missionaries, but not for their Master's sake. I will now mention several circumstances that happened in the missionary family this ILLNESSES OF THE BRETHREN. 237 year. Mr. Tessier, one of the former missionaries, came to Tahiti, as soon as he heard of the king's conversion. He was a very little man, and not clever, but he made himself useful by teaching young children, and copying out books for them to use in school. These little services, if done from love, are as acceptable to Christ, as preaching to thousands of people. Mr. Henry went to Port Jackson, and returned with a new wife; so that there were now eight missionaries and their five wives in Eimeo, besides several little children. The missionaries suffered much from illness, especially from swellings in their limbs, and from bilious attacks. Sometimes almost all of them were ill at the same time, and unable to preach. The christian natives lamented their teachers' illness, with tears in their eyes, saying, "Alas! what will become of us, if you die ?" The brethren themselves feared that some of their lives would soon be cut short, and they wrote letters to England, entreating that more missionaries might be sent to their help; yet in all their weakness they had much to rejoice in. They observed with delight that the people they instructed, prayed daily both in their families and secretly amongst the bushes, and constantly asked a blessing upon their food. For these habits, the Christians were much ridiculed 238 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. by the heathen, and called "Bu-re A-tu- a," or praying people. This was an honourable title, but it was meant as a reproach. In all countries, the people of God are mocked by the ungodly. In England, they are often called "saints, methodists, evangelical," and many other names; but such reproaches are an honour indeed; for Christ himself was even called " Beelzebub, or the devil." Matt. x. 5. There were many persons from other islands assembled in Eimeo at this time, and some of them were anxious to be instructed by the missionaries, and came and dwelt near them. They had come to Eimeo to assist Pomare in his wars; but God, in his wisdom, had brought them there, that they might carry back the peaceful tidings of salvation to their own countries. During this year, some of them returned to Raiatea, and Huahine, whence they came. Mr. Nott and Mr. Hayward went to visit these islands in a ship that touched at Eimeo, and found the people ready to assemble to hear them of their own accord, and full of contempt for their idols, calling them bad and foolish gods. At the end of two months, the two brethren returned with the joyful account to Eimeo. Some of the missionares would gladly have gone to live in the neighbouring islands, but they were obliged to keep together to finish THE DELAY OF BAPTISM. 239 their ship. They were also so frequently ill, that they were afraid of separating from each other. The missionaries were anxious to baptize those people in Eimeo who appeared truly converted. But as Pomare was the first who had asked to be baptized, they thought it proper to write to him on the subject. They had been grieved by hearing bad accounts of his conduct, especially of his drinking too much, a sin to which he had always been much inclined. In their letter to him, they begged him to consider his own case, and whether he was in a fit state for baptism. Pomare wrote to them in answer, that he should soon return to Eimeo, and that he did not wish any persons to be baptized before he came, and recommended the brethren to wait to see whether the people were sincere in their religion. The brethren, however, were not so fearful of any of the people having deceived themselves, as they were of Pomare himself. It was selfish of Pomare to wish to make the people wait to be baptized, till he should return; but he seemed to have a proud desire to be the first to be baptized, and perhaps it was not right in the brethren to grant his desire. After an absence of two years, the king returned to Eimeo; but when he came, though 240 DEATH OF MR. SCOTT. he expressed a strong desire to be baptized, the brethren felt too much dissatisfied with him, to comply with his request; yet they did not baptize any of his people. He still continued firmly resolved to be a Christian in name, but, alas! he did not appear to possess a renewed heart. CHAPTER XXVI. 1815. HOW THE IDOLS WERE PUBLICLY INSULTED. THE brethren had long feared that death would soon take away one of their number. At the beginning of this year, the thing they feared came upon them. Mr. Scott, who had often been ill for a few days, fell ill again, and died. No one was alarmed on his account, till the day before his death. He spoke very little to his friends during his last hours, but seemed peaceful, and was heard to repeat the following verse "Jesus sought me when a stranger, |