had induced him, four years before, to engage himself as a ccmmon sailor in one of the whalers touching at Port Jackson. After twelve months' service, he was put on shore without either money or friends, and must have starved had he not been reengaged by a Captain Richardson, who kept him six months, and dealt honourably with him as regards payment, so that Ruatara, forgetting his first experience, engaged a third time with the master of a ship, who promised to gratify the height of his ambition, and take him to England to see King George. Alas for the too-confiding Maori, this man left him for ten long months upon an uninhabited island, with a few others, to collect seal skins, so ill provided for, that three of the little band died from sheer want, and though they had collected for him no less than 8,000 seal skins, the inhuman monster treated Ruatara, when again on board, with the utmost cruelty; he was beaten with such severity, as seriously to injure his health; and though he bore all patiently, in his intense desire to see King George, yet when they actually arrived, the master laughed at him for having been thus taken in, and discharged him without wages. burst into tears, exclaiming, "New Zealand no good!" Mr. | told. The love of enterprise which marks many of the Maori, Marsden saw much of Tippahee, and finding with joy that he would thankfully co-operate in any attempt to bring the Gospel and civilisation to his native land, took occasion, on returning to England, to lay the case before the Church Missionary Society. The Committee at that time were few in number, but they were strong in faith. Mr. Marsden's appeal met with earnest and prayerful attention, and it was determined to send out, as settlers, a few artisans, men of piety and industry, to teach the natives the simpler arts of life, who, while winning their confidence and affection, might scatter amongst them the seeds of Divine truth. Two singularly suitable men were appointedWilliam Hall, a carpenter, who understood navigation and shipbuilding; and John King, a shoemaker, who was conversant with flax-dressing and rope-making, and knew something of agriculture. These men, noble, faithful-hearted mechanics, laid the foundation of all the mighty work subsequently achieved in New Zealand. They knew nothing of the land of their adoption but its misery and its wickedness, its massacres and its cannibalism, yet they left their native country, with all its blessings, to dwell amongst a nation of terrible savages, where they knew well that their own lives, and those of their families, would be in constant danger. All honour be to them and to the memory of their self-sacrificing toil! It was a marvellous omen for good, that a day or two only after they had started, August, 1809, Mr. Marsden noticed a man sitting upon the forecastle. He was evidently in great suffering, miserable-looking and emaciated. He recognised a New Zealander, and found that the stranger was a nephew of his friend Tippahee, Ruatara by name. His sad history was soon Ill, destitute, and friendless as he was, who does not trace an over-ruling Providence in his being led to make his return voyage in the very ship which was conveying Mr. Marsden and his missionary companions? We can imagine the genuine sympathy and kindness with which his troubles were listened to, his ailments doctored, and his wants supplied. His health speedily improved, and his appearance and manners won general favour. In person he was tall and well made, his dark eyes were full of animation, and his bearing noble and dignified. His behaviour was naturally courteous and engaging, and his mind equally intelligent and generous; he was now about twenty-one years of age. Desirous as his uncle had been for the welfare of his countrymen, he promised the missionaries every assistance, if they would only establish themselves on his property in the Bay of Islands. His yearning after the Sabbath was remarkable; he described the craving for it felt by others as well as himself in touching language, explaining that they had not known "how to make a Sunday." Full of hope, the party landed at Port Jackson, in February, 1810, but here a sad disappointment awaited them. A trading vessel, named the Boyd, had been attacked by the Maori, and burnt, while the crew were killed and eaten. Some traders, eager to revenge, had come upon Tippahee in his island home (although he had had no part in the crime), burnt his village, destroyed his crops, and put him and his people to the sword. So great was the general excitement, that there was no prospect of a safe landing in New Zealand for the missionary party, and Ruatara thought he had better go alone and find out what the actual position of things might be. His absence was prolonged over a year, and Mr. Marsden was beginning to be seriously uneasy, when the young chieftain returned with a fresh tale of European ill-usage. Those who had engaged to take him home had never done so at all, but had kept him again hard at work, and ill-paid, until at last, worn and haggard, he had found his way back to Mr. Marsden. Under this hospitable roof he soon recovered, but we must reserve the story of his actual landing in New Zealand with his missionary friends for our next number. E. D. MISSIONARY SERMONS. To the Editor. EAR SIR,-Referring to the notice in your October number, of subjects for a course of sermons recently circulated among the members of our Suffolk Union, I should like to suggest, especially to your clerical readers, the importance of having some such course as a preparation for the annual sermons and meeting in their parishes. In case they should consider eight Sunday evenings too much to give up for such preparation, I would suggest the following, as a shorter course, which would occupy only four evenings, and would embrace the principal subjects which we desire to bring before our congregations: 1. The state of the world without the Gospel. 2. The agencies employed for the spread of the Gospel. 3. The results which follow from the preaching of the Gospel. 4. The responsibility of all Christians to assist in making known the Gospel. This course would also be suitable for the four Sundays in Advent, and might, by God's blessing, tend to stir up an increased interest in the extension of the Kingdom of Christ, as well as to direct the thoughts of our people to that Blessed Day when the heathen shall be given to Him for His inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for His possession. EDWARD D. STEAD, Hon. Sec. Suffolk Church Missionary Union. "He was an old man of between seventy and eighty years of age, but very active. He was one of the earliest Christians baptized in this country, and for over seventy years has held the post of Christian Balogun. He was also the founder of the Christian village of Shuren, between Abeokuta and Otta. About a fortnight before his death, being away from home, he walked about twenty-five miles on Saturday, slept on the road, and early on Sunday walked another ten miles or so to be in time for morning service. He arrived at 9.15, and was in his place in church by 10.30, remaining during the whole service, and afterwards for Sacrament, also attending the afternoon service. On Monday, Sept. 4th, we held our Harvest Thanksgiving Service, at which he was present and engaged in prayer, and also persisted in carrying his own offering (a bag of twenty thousand cowries) into the church and laying it down in front of the Communion rails. He died on the Thursday following, after only two hours' illness. The funeral took place on Saturday, Sept. 9th. At the grave our Native choir sang a poem composed by some of their number. It was a picture I shall never forget. Many strong men were holding their guns with one hand, and with the other wiping the tears from their eyes." THE IMMORTALS. N army of Immortals, With triumph and with songs; Shall join the steadfast train. For are ye not Immortals, Whose ranks can never thin? CLARA THWAITES. OVER THE WATER. BY EVELYN R. GARRATT, Author of " Free to Serve," "Lottie's Silver Burden," " Mother's Nell,' &c. CHAPTER II.-" WHAT CAN HE DO?" F Mrs. Venning, the doctor's wife, enjoyed one thing better than another, it was to run in to one of her neighbours' houses between four and five o'clock, and to partake of that delightful invention, afternoon tea. What could be more pleasant on a winter's afternoon, just when the daylight was waning, than to sit in a comfortably furnished room, where the firelight flickered cheerily on the walls, taking tea and having a friendly chat? And though the afternoon in question was in the summer, and the French windows were wide open, showing the smooth green lawn, and beyond, distant woods glorious in golden sunshine, still Mrs. Venning was nothing loath to spending half an hour or so in Mrs. Lancaster's comfortable drawing-room, in which was everything, both in colour and comfort, to satisfy the most fastidious of tastes. For Nona Lancaster had a love for all that was bright and beautiful. While still quite young her husband had been taken away from her, which sorrow left her for a time crushed with its weight, but God had raised her from her despondency to become the bright and tender woman which she was stronger and more able to pity and sympathise with others from having passed through the dark valley of the Shadow of Death herself. Instead of allowing herself to grow careless and indifferent as to life and its surroundings, because the light of her eyes had been taken from her, instead of wrapping herself up selfishly in her sorrow, she did all she could to prove to her friends and neighbours that she knew and believed that God had done all things well-in fact she said daily, by her brightness and cheerfulness, "Thy will be done." For her boy's sake, as well as for her own, she made her home as beautiful and attractive as possible, and her sweet face, looking so tender and bright from under her widow's cap, enhanced its beauty. There could not have been a greater contrast than were Mrs. Lancaster and her guest. The former was just the kind of woman one would expect to find in such a room, where the colours of carpet, curtains, and furniture harmonised, and every little corner showed signs of a woman's tasty touch. But it was not only Nona's graceful figure, as she leant back in her chair, and looked with those soft brown eyes of her's across the garden to the woods beyond, nor her white blue-veined hands, which, however, were worth looking at, as she busied herself about the tea tray, nor her low mellow voice, which formed such a contrast to Mrs. Venning, but it was the very atmosphere that surrounded her-a strong bright calmness, a tender "protectiveness" about her, which often led others to confide in her, sure that they would have her sympathy and willing attention, and a sweet self-forgetfulness which convinced those who sought her help and sympathy that she was not too full of her own concerns to listen to theirs, but that she had a mind "at leisure from itself to soothe and sympathise." Mrs. Venning was the mother of a large family, and what with home duties and parish work had her hands full; indeed a more active, busy little woman could not be found in all Inglesby; but unfortunately she lacked both calmness and tact, and knew just a little too much about everything and everybody, though at the same time a kind-hearted woman and thoroughly in earnest about her work. "I hardly know how things will go on now that Miss Jenner has left Inglesby," she said, as she stirred her cup of tea. "It seems a great pity that her work should drop; and it is not as if the successor to her lodgings would in any way be able to fill her place. Have you seen him, Mrs. Lancaster ? " "No; in fact I only knew this morning that Mrs. Castin's rooms were let. I understand that her lodger is a gentleman this time." "Yes, old Mr. North; he is as deaf as a stone, and comes from no one knows where," said Mrs. Venning, as if this latter fact was somewhat of an offence in her eyes. "Mrs. Castin tells me that he has no near relations in England." He must feel very lonely coming to a new place, knowing no one," said Mrs. Lancaster, remembering the feeling of desolation which had swept across her at a similar experience. "I hear he speaks to himself by the hour together. I wonder now what brought him to Inglesby? It really seems a thousand pities that the room of such an active worker as Miss Jenner should be filled by an apparently childish old man. I don't wish to speak against him, poor dear old man," she added, apologetically, fancying, from the look on Mrs. Lancaster's face, that she did not quite approve of the tone of her conversation. "He may be very good for all I know, but of course it is not to be expected that he can be a worker in any sense of the word, and what Inglesby wants after all, Mrs. Lancaster, is a few more active workers." "Yes," said Nona, quietly, a slight flush tinging her face; "but don't you think that very often those who have not the strength to work have the heart to pray, and it is as easy for God to send His blessing on their prayers as on our work?" Nona looked up into her guest's face with a smile, the expression of which quite disarmed any feeling of being snubbed on Mrs. Venning's part. "You may be right," said she; "but I cannot for a moment suppose that Mr. North can fill Miss Jenner's place in the ranks. A deaf, childish old man! What can he do in this great battle of life to stem the evil all around? I assure you, Mrs. Lancaster, I sometimes come home from my district feeling utterly aghast at the sinfulness of the people. Even in this quiet little country town there is enough to make the soul of any human being, who has God's honour at her heart, heavy with sorrow." It was seldom that Mrs. Venning allowed outsiders to have a glimpse into her heart, so that few had any idea of the real earnestness which lay beneath her brusque manner. Every one knew she was busy about God's work, but few imagined that it was genuine love for her Ged that made her so. Somehow Mrs. Lancaster's few words and smile had opened her heart, and the curtain was drawn aside for a moment. Nona's sympathy was awakened, and she felt for the first time drawn towards Mrs. Venning; but just as she was about to reply she caught sight of a slight girlish figure running across the lawn. It was Sasie Ogilvie, whose face clouded for a moment with disappointment as she saw her friend was not alone-however, Mrs. Venning having said rather more than she had intended, and feeling a little uncomfortable in consequence, rose to leave, and it was with a sigh of satisfaction that Sasie saw the door close behind her. "I have a lot to tell you," she said, taking a low seat by Mrs. Lancaster's side. "I've had quite an adventure to-day, and have made a new friend, the queerest old man. I had promised to go and see him, but I rather dread it." Nona, I'm not fond of being scolded and lectured. This old man preached me quite a sermon." "Did he? Well, I hope you 'll give me the benefit of it; tell me what it was about," said Nona, rising to fetch her work. "Now why didn't you ask me to do that?" exclaimed Sasie; "you know I like doing things for you." The girl's face was full of bright eagerness, and a longing arose in Nona's heart, and that not for the first time, that her zeal might be turned into the right direction. "Yes, I know you do, just because you love me. How I wish, Sasie, that you loved God enough to do His work." "Mr. North was speaking about God's work too," said Sasie, gravely. "Mr. North?" said Nona, surprised, remembering her conversation with Mrs. Venning. But Sasie had laid down her cup of tea, and sat with her hands clasped on her knees, looking absently up into the blue sky. Ah! how she wished she was good, and loved God, and cared about His work. There must be something very radically wrong about her, she was quite sure, which caused her to be so careless about what was right except in Nona's presence-she always felt a different girl when with her. Nona meanwhile had been thinking of Mrs. Venning's description of Mr. North. "A deaf childish old man, what can he do in this battle of life?" This side by side with Sasie's words aroused her interest. "You've not yet told me what his sermon was about," she said, breaking the silence. "I'll tell you another day," said Sasie, with a sigh, as if already tired of the subject. "I don't care to think of him any more just now. I wonder if you would sing a little to me, or must that sock be finished this evening?" "By no means-so long as it is done by the time Leith goes back to London, it is all that is necessary. He is out fishing now." And then Nona sang, but instead of listening to the music with wrapt attention as usual, Sasie's thoughts persistently flew to the little churchyard, and she heard again the slow trembling words, " Will you indeed offer unto the Lord your God of that which doth cost you nothing, and wait for the days when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them' ?" After taking leave of her friend, Sasie made her way home. Her path lay through the golden corn fields, and, infected with the joyousness of nature, the girl burst into a song, and even the sad thoughts which had so lately oppressed her were banished. She was humming some gleeful little air to herself, when, having reached home, she came face to face with her aunt and younger sister Mildred on their way out. "Going out at this time, aunt?" said Sasie, surprised. Miss Ogilvie, a tall commanding woman, looked gravely down upon Sasie as she answered "Yes, they 've sent to tell us that Mrs. Dorris has been taken worse, and as Netta is engaged with her father, I must go and see her myself." "You look tired," said Sasie, conscious of something unusual in her aunt's manner, and forgetting the cause of her displeasure. "I have one of my bad headaches, and ought to be lying down, but Mrs. Dorris must be seen, and as you never make yourself useful in that way, I must go myself. And let me tell you, Sasie, that after your behaviour when I last saw you, I should scarcely have expected to meet you singing. You seem able to forget everything that is unpleasant very easily." Then Miss Ogilvie moved on, leaving Sasie standing by the gate, in neither a very happy or amiable state of mind. All the beauty of the afternoon seemed to have faded, and she felt vexed with herself and her surroundings. Instead of going into the house, she sat down on one of the wooden benches which were to be found in every nook and corner of their old-fashioned garden. Now," she thought to herself, "why didn't I offer to go and see Mrs. Dorris for aunt? Netta would have done so in a minute;-but after all I'm rather glad I didn't, for I shouldn't have known what to have said to her, and it would have been a decided effort." But with this thought came the remembrance of Mr. North's words," Shall I offer unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing?" "Ah!" thought Sasie, sadly, "Nona must be right. I do not love God enough to make me willing to do anything for Him which costs me either time or trouble. I think I could do anything for love's sake." THE GOSPEL IN JAPAN. MONG the multiplying signs of the speedy triumph of the Gospel in Japan, not the least significant is the expectation of it prevalent among the people themselves. Not only do newspaper writers discuss the claims of Christianity and acknowledge its superiority over the old idolatry-not only do they avow that it is "the only religion that can satisfy the religious aspirations of the Japanese people to-day " and so 46 preserve and promote virtue among men (to quote the words of one leading article)-but the more conservative Buddhist priests have taken alarm, and are now roused into energetic opposition. "They are raising," says Mr. Maundrell, "vast sums of morey for the express purpose of decrying Christianity, by means of books, and of lecturers, who are going throughout the empire on their errand of defamation." One of these lecturers, at a great meeting held last year at Kioto, enlarged on "Christianity as a National Injury," and in order, as he said, to "startle the immoral believers of the foreign religion in their infatuated dreams," and expose "the iniquities of the Christian sect," detailed the humbling history of the religious wars of Christendom. Yet he admitted that" of late the progress of the sect has been marvellous, and may be compared to a fire sweeping over a plain, which constantly increases in power." His alarm can scarcely be wondered at, when in that same city of Kioto, as Mr. Warren writes, equally large meetings have been held in the theatres for the purpose of disseminating Christian truth, meetings entirely arranged by Japanese Christians, and addressed only by them. In another letter Mr. Warren says, "It is scarcely possible to travel now by rail or steamboat in Japan without meeting one after another of those who know something of the Gospel, or who possess portions of the Scriptures and other Christian books." These remarkable signs of the times must be regarded as the result, under God, and in the main, of the work of the Ameri can missionaries. Their superior numbers and more perfect organisation have enabled them to carry on missionary operations of all kinds, including schools, female work, and medical missions, on a scale far beyond that of the English societies. Probably five-sixths of the Japanese Christians belong to them. Upon the labours of the C.M.S. agents, however, the Divine blessing is very manifestly resting. The number of baptisms in 1881 was 99 (figures for 1882 not yet received). Of these, 44 were of children, which in a young Mission is a noteworthy sign of progress, as indicating an increase in number of Christian families. Among the 55 adult converts were some men of position and influence, including a leading ex-official, wellknown for his scholarship, and a Shinto priest, in the Island of Yezo; and two gentlemen Samurai, father and son, with their respective families, at Kagoshima. This historic port, the chief city of the great Satsuma clan which has played so conspicuous a part in the national history, is occupied only by Native teachers and visited by Mr. Maundrell from Nagasaki; and it bids fair to be one of the most promising centres of evangelisation. Within three years, nearly one hundred persons have attached themselves to the Church there; and if Christianity takes root among the vigorous Satsuma men, they will, by the grace of God, wield no small influence upon their countrymen. But the most deeply interesting recent event suggestive of the progress of the Gospel in Japan comes, not from Japan, but from Cambridge. On Dec. 7th, a Japanese gentleman of good family named Wadagaki, was baptized at Trinity Church by the Rev. H. C. G. Moule, Principal of Ridley Hall. He had been inquiring about Christianity some time, and was brought to full faith in Christ during Mr. Moody's recent Mission. He received the baptismal name of Nathanael. |