divine grace, the efficient influence of truth, and the ineffable blessings of real religion. These principles enable the most endeared relatives and connections to follow the soul of their friend up to the gates of death, and to contemplate his state beyond the grave with the sublimest feelings of delight, admiration, and gratitude. "For him to live was

Christ, but to die was gain."

APPENDIX.

SINCE the preceding Memoir was compiled, a most wonderful and happy change has been wrought in the state of the mission to the South Sea Islands. The particulars may be gathered by a perusal of the following extracts.

The Rev. Mr. Marsden in a letter dated March 6th, 1816, states that not less than seven hundred natives were attending the school of the Missionaries at Eimeo. A Sydney gazette also mentions the sudden increase of the school from 50 or 60, which had usually attended, to that number; and adds; 'Independent of those taught at the school, many others have learned to read under the tutorage of their own countrymen, whose books they borrow occasionally, and thence accrues a new source for the extension of knowledge. Idolatry has received an universal shock, and totters from its foundation throughout all the islands. Some of the opposing chiefs, with the priests and their followers, endeavor to prop the rotten fabric, but their efforts conspicuously tend to the acceleration of its fall.'

The same gentleman, in a letter dated June 7, 1816, says, 'All accounts agree that a most wonderful change has been produced in all the Society Islands; and the spread of the Gospel seems to be almost universal.

I think we have never read, since

the Apostles' days, of the Gospel spreading in so wonderful a manner as it has done lately in these Islands. Pomare is become a great man and a pious Christian; and shews the work of grace to be real from the whole of his conduct. I understand he is now a sovereign once more. His enemies made an attack upon him and his people on the Sabbath day, when they imagined they would not defend themselves; but Pomare felt it his duty to fight on the Sabbath, in defence of himself and subjects. In this battle he obtained a complete victory, and took many prisoners; whose lives he spared, contrary to their custom, which has had the most happy effect upon the minds of his enemies, as it has convinced them that the new religion is a merciful religion. Many have joined him from the effects of his clemency.'

While angry controversialists are denying the utility or expediency of missionary establishments, it is a high gratification to the mind of a Christian to be able to repose upon such facts as the following.

Idolatry is totally abolished in Otaheite and Eimeo, and is fast giving way in other islands. The school flourishes, and many who have learned to read, have dispersed themselves among the islands, and have taught others. Many hundreds can read well; at least 3,000 have books among them; and hundreds of the natives can repeat their Catechism word for word.

The following are extracts from the letters of the Missionaries. After detailing some serious feuds in the islands, they add:

"These things had a happy effect upon the minds of the idolaters. They unanimously declared, that they would trust their gods no longer; that they had deceived them, and sought their ruin; that henceforward they would cast them away entirely, and

embrace this new religion, which is so distinguished by its mildness, goodness, and forbearance.

In the evening after the battle, the professors of Christianity assembled together, to worship and praise Jehovah for the happy turn which their affairs had taken. In this they were joined by many who had, till then, been the zealous worshippers of the idols. After this, Pomarre was by universal' consent restored to his former government of Taheiti and its dependencies; since which he has constituted chiefs in the several districts, some of whom had for a long time made a public profession of Christianity, and had for many months attended the means of instruction with us at Eimeo.

In consequence of these events, idolatry was entirely abolished both at Taheiti and Eimeo; and we have the great, but formerly unexpected, satisfaction of being able to say that Tahiti and Eimeo, together with the small islands of Tapuamanu and Teturoa, are now altogether, in profession, Christian islands. The gods are destroyed, the morais demolished, human sacrifices and infant murder, we hope, for ever abolished; and the people every where calling upon us to come and teach them.

The Sabbath-day is also every where strictly observed, and places for the worship of the true God have been erected, and are now erecting, in every district; and where there is no preaching, the people have prayer meetings every Sabbath, and every Wednesday evening, all round Taheiti and Eimeo.

But this is not all; we have also good news to communicate about the Leeward Islands. Tamo. toa, or as he is now called Tapa, the principal chief, has also publicly renounced idolatry and embraced Christianity. His example has been followed by most of the other chiefs, and a large majority of the people throughout the four Society Islands; namely, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Borabora. Two chiefs

of Borabora, named Tefaaora and Mai, have distinguished themselves by their zeal in destroying the gods, and erecting a house for the worship of the true God. The chiefs of these islands have sent letters and repeated messages to us, earnestly entreating us to send some of our number to them, to teach them also: and Mai sent us a letter to remind us that Jesus Christ and his apostles did not confine their instructions to one place or country.

The school, notwithstanding former discouragements, has prospered exceedingly, and continues to prosper; though at present many hundreds of the scholars are scattered through the neighboring island, some of whom are teaching others in the different islands and districts where they reside; and thus, through their means, some knowledge of reading and writing has spread far and wide. There are at least 3000 people who have some books, and can make use of them. Many hundreds can read well; and there are among them about 400 copies of the Old Testament History; and 400 of the New, which is an abridgment of the four Evangelists, and parts of the Acts of the Apostles.-Many chapters of Luke's Gospel in manuscript are also in circulation; and 1000 copies of our Taheitian catechism, which several hundreds have learnt, and can repeat perfectly. The spelling books which were printed in London, of which we had, we suppose, about 700, having been expended long ago, we had lately, 2000 copies of a lesser spelling book printed in the colony: these we have received and distributed; and there is an earnest call from all the islands for more books, the desire to learn to read and write being universal. We want a new edition of the abovementioned books, and are now preparing the Gospel of Luke for the press. We intended to send the catechism and small spelling book to the colony, and get 2000 or 3000 printed; but having heard that