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the love of Christ unto those who come from the east and the west, the north and the south in sweet fellowship, a foretaste of the eternal union above.

The next island visited was Lifuka; after the meeting Daniel Wheeler says: "Amongst others, I shook hands with an aged female of rank, considered by the people higher than their king. King George himself was one of those who helped to carry her on their shoulders-she being unable to walk any considerable distance. Her placid countenance and manner altogether bespoke that she had goodwill in her heart towards us; and the remembrance of the interview, though short, always brings with it a feeling of peaceful tranquillity to my mind."

A religious meeting with the families of the mission, and another with the natives, closed the service there. Two letters conveying the warm. appreciation of this visit of Gospel love from the Wesleyan Methodist missionaries at Lifuka must. have comforted the faithful labourer before sailing for Tongataboo.

On his arrival he was asked by a person connected with the missionaries to give him and his wife a passage to Sydney; respecting which, ever realising his dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he thus writes :—" "I can give no answer, it being at present uncertain whether a direct course to Sydney from hence will be a peaceful one; time must decide our future destination. All that man can do is to stand in the counsel of the Divine will and in humble resignation wait for its unfolding to the finite understanding; and when once ascertained, then to do it with all his might. Go thou and do likewise with all thy might, whoever thou art, who may perhaps read these fragments, inscribed by one who has trodden the narrow path before thee, but who, however unworthy of the least of all the Lord's tender mercies, is at times comforted in believing that he is on the way to the heavenly city, none of whose inhabitants can say, 'I am sick.'

At the settlement of Nukulofa, on the island of Tongataboo, a meeting was held, and a day or

H

two afterwards Daniel Wheeler and his son were

present at the King's Kava party.

"To be all things to all men
" for the Gospel's

sake, where no religious principle is involved, is still incumbent on those who would win souls, and to taste "this odious drink" as an indication of goodwill was part of the self-sacrifice pertaining to missionary life. The root, after being well crushed, was portioned out to different individuals, whose names were proclaimed aloud, being chosen for having good teeth and sweet breath. After being sufficiently chewed, it was placed in a cup made from the banana leaf, and with water added and divers other processes, it was handed round to favoured guests!

It had rested on the mind of Daniel Wheeler, as a part of his religious duty, to obtain if possible an interview with a body of the heathen residing at the settlement of Mua, in a fortified position. He says, He says, "Appearances at the shore. were not very inviting, as the war clubs were plainly seen in the hands of some of the natives." After being told that they might all come on

"Although a

shore, Daniel Wheeler continues. considerable number of these people immediately flocked about us I had not the least apprehension of danger, for the fear of man was cast out. We ascertained afterwards that at least twenty muskets were pointed at us, from behind a strong wooden fence, in readiness had any affray taken place. We had in our hands only an umbrella each." They went under escort to the habitation of the chief, and after again partaking of some of the kava drink, Daniel Wheeler proposed that the translation of his certificate should be read. The people listened attentively, whilst the good news of the Gospel was freely preached, after which the chief, whose countenance seemed entirely changed, remarked that Daniel Wheeler "had done well in coming." Before leaving Nukulofa, in Tongataboo, a remarkable opportunity presented for seeing a large body of the inhabitants of the Friendly Islands assembled together, as, the fleet from Haabai arriving, a great number of people from the other islands came thither. Out of the thousands convened at the desire of Daniel

Wheeler, hundreds remained outside the place of worship for want of room, and after a solemn silence, he preached to them at some length. "The place was exceedingly crowded," he says, "and the people were very solid and attentive.”

A visit to Fakafonua, a heathen chief residing in his own fortress at Maofanga, was laid on his heart, and with considerable difficulty, the object was finally accomplished. Daniel Wheeler took a seat on the log on the right hand of the chief, and pleaded with him "to repent, believe and obey the Gospel." Fakafonua interrupted him once or twice to express his thanks, and said, "I know very well it is true. I have thought of these things and understood, and am convinced that it is better to be a Christian ; but I can never be one, I am too great a sinner to be saved, I must remain as I am." He was told that as he knew and understood these things his condemnation would be greater on that account. How artfully does the great enemy of mankind use the same arguments the world over to keep the sinner away from the Saviour!

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