all was twelve
feet high. The studs were of hard ironwood, and were each by tenon and
mortise fastened into six ironwood trees forming the upper wall plates.
All were not only nailed, but strongly tied together by sinnet-rope, so
as to resist the hurricanes. The roof was supported by four huge
ironwood trees, and a fifth of equally hard wood, sunk about eight feet
into the ground, surrounded by building at the base, and forming massive
pillars. There were two doorways and eight window spaces; the floor was
laid with white coral, broken small, and covered with cocoanut tree
leaf-mats, on which the people sat. I had a small platform, floored and
surrounded with reeds; and Mrs. Paton had a seat enclosing the
harmonium, also made of reeds and in keeping. Great harmony prevailed
all the time, and no mishap marred the work. One hearty fellow fell from
the roof-tree to the ground, and was badly stunned. But, jumping up, he
shook himself, and saying--"I was working for Jehovah! He has saved me
from being hurt!"--he mounted the roof again and went on cheerily with
his work.

But our pride in this New Church soon met with a dreadful blow. That
very season a terrific hurricane leveled it with the ground. After much
wailing, the principal Chief, in a public Assembly, said, "Let us not
weep, like boys over their broken bows and arrows! Let us be strong, and
build a yet stronger Church for Jehovah."

By our counsel, ten days were spent first in repairing houses and
fences, and saving food from the plantations, many of which had been
swept into utter ruin. Then they assembled on the appointed day. A hymn
was sung. God's blessing was invoked, and all the work was dedicated
afresh to Him. Days were spent in taking the iron wood roof to pieces,
and saving everything that could be saved. The work was allocated
equally amongst the villages, and a wholesome emulation was created. One
Chief still held back. After a while, I visited him and personally
invited his help,--telling him that it was God's House, and for all the
people of Aniwa; and that if he and his people did not do their part,
the others would cast it in their teeth that they had no share in the
House of God. He yielded to my appeal, and entered vigorously upon the
work.

One large tree was still needed to complete the couples, and could
nowhere be found. The work was at a standstill; for, though the size was
now reduced to fifty feet by twenty-two, the roof lowered by four f