, with his
own hands, aided only by the natives, a vessel of about seventy tons
burden. Having rigged her with sails of matting, he and a native crew
returned to Raiatea, and thence he proceeded to Samoa with a large party
of missionaries, for the purpose of leaving them at different islands on
the way. He sailed in her afterwards over many thousand miles of ocean,
visiting missionary stations--the little craft truly performing her duty
as the "Messenger of Peace."

She was the first of many missionary vessels which have since been sent
out by different societies to the Pacific. Some have been lost, but
their places have been supplied by others; indeed it is only by means of
such vessels that the now numerous missionary stations scattered
throughout that wide ocean, can be properly maintained.

How well might some of the beautiful yachts which float idly on the
waters of the Solent, be employed, if their owners, influenced by the
love of immortal souls, would hoist the banner of peace at their
mast-heads, and go forth to those distant islands, to sail here and
there visiting the isolated stations, or conveying fresh missionaries to
the numberless groups still in heathen darkness.

I cannot help saying this when I recollect how often, for long months,
and even for years together, we were left without a visit from any
European Christian, and how eagerly we watched the approach of each sail
which appeared in the horizon, hoping that she might bring us news of
distant friends, or necessaries of which we stood greatly in need, or
still more, that a brother might be on board who might afford counsel
and encouragement in the difficulties by which we were surrounded. My
dear father often felt the want of the assistance I have spoken of. My
mother was indeed a helpmate meet for him, and was a source of comfort
and consolation; but especially when the heathens threatened our lives
and those of the native converts, oh, how thankful he would have been
for the advice and support of an experienced Christian friend.

My mother had for some time been a sufferer from illness, and though she
still continued her usual duties, we watched her form grow thinner, and
her cheek paler, day by day. My father, strange as it may seem, did not
appear to remark the change, but Maud and I, when we were together,
could not help speaking about it. Still, as my mother did not complain,
we could only hope that, should her anxiety about the cond