may read of heaven and learn the way; and while doing good she got good: she felt all the happier for what she had done. Will you believe me when I tell you this year cannot be a truly happy one to you unless you love and serve the Saviour? Have you sought and found Jesus, the children's friend? I hope if you have not you will be persuaded to seek Him Now; for He says, for your encouragement, They that seek me early shall find me." The Editor will be very glad if you will not only read but also learn the following lines "Happy beyond description he Her ways are ways of pleasantness, If this felicity be mine, I every other may resign With just and holy scorn; And, with the promised land in view, SOUTH SEAS. A VISIT TO MANKI. HE Rev. W. Wyatt Gill, of Mangaia, having been on a visitation trip to the different islands forming the group around him, gives the following interesting account of his visit to Manki, an island of about 16 miles in circumference, and lying 100 miles north of Mangaia. After setting forth, how they hoisted him on a sort of sofa, and carried him through the shallow water to the beach on men's shoulders, and how they persisted in thus carrying him forward into the interior, he then describes in the following words :— THE FEAST. "We were invited by one of the chiefs to go to his house and partake of a feast. We went, and found food enough for forty guests, instead of four. On such occasions the etiquette is for the master of the house to invite you to sit down and partake of the feast, and then he makes himself scarce. The women, however, stay to fan their visitors, and to help them to the food. Meanwhile the islanders are all agape to get a sight of their visitors, to catch a remark and to shake hands (of this latter we get too much). At nightfall two cooked pigs were sent as a special present to me. Not feeling competent to the task of devouring them, I gave one to the teacher, who has, I think, nine children, and the other to the captain, for his native crew. "After family worship I retired to rest, but not to sleep. The four-post bed was covered with neat mats. I drew my cloak over me, boots and all; but the fleas and musquitoes effectually banished sleep for a long while. "Well, on the morning of the Sabbath a prayer meeting was held. The chief who accompanied me conducted it with great propriety. I preached in the morning and afternoon; I will confess that my sermons were long, but there were many things I wanted to say to them. I had never before seen these interesting islanders, and perhaps never again will, until the great day of account. The building was crowded. Every man, woman, and child (in health) on the island was present, I suppose. The population of Manki is 442 souls of this number 50 are Church members; 159 attend special classes, and say they "wish to be good;" all profess Christianity, and are under instruction. I should suppose that the majority of our islanders know the way of salvation as well, perhaps, as many country labouring people at home. But then, all here are the veriest babes in Christian experience. But what father is there but loves his babe? Even so I believe our Heavenly Father cares for and tenderly cherishes these little ones (as to Christian knowledge and experience) of Christ's flock. "Considerable difference exists between the dialect spoken at Mangaia and that spoken by the people of Manki. But I found that they understood me; and more than that, when the teacher detained them at the close of the morning's service, and asked them what they knew, they went through my sermon bit by bit, adding some scripture illustrations of their own. I was delighted by their attention. God bless those poor islanders, and cause His face to shine upon them!" A CHINESE GIRLS' SCHOOL, AND HOW IT IS MANAGED. JHE Chinese make no use of milk, cream butter, or cheese, and many of them will not eat beef. The cow is used in ploughing, and they say it is not right to make an animal work for you and then kill and eat it. It is never cold enough in Fuhchau to freeze, consequently we have no ice except what is brought from the north. One day we had a lump sent us, and the girls thought it very wonderful, and, touching it, said it burned them. Salted olives, sugar-cane, parched rice, rock candy, watermelon seeds, roasted beans, serve in the place of candies. They have a variety of cakes and an abundance of fruits. Our regular school routine is as follows: Rise with the sun; sweep the house; breakfast at seven; from eight tó nine study; at nine school opens with reading the Scriptures and prayer; recitations till twelve; dinner at quarter past twelve; from one till two all not engaged in housework sew; from two till four recitations; school closes at four, with prayer by one of the girls; supper at five; recreation till seven; at seven evening worship; at half-past eight retire; by nine all is quiet, and the lights are out. On Friday morning, review of the week's lessons; at a quarter past four in the afternoon, prayer-meeting, Saturday afternoon is a half holiday, when the girls shave their heads, and make other preparations for Sunday, On Sunday attend church at ten; Sunday-school at two; at six recite catechism and other Sunday lessons; worship at seven, and retire as usual. We have but one woman to attend to the school housework; six of the larger girls each have a day in the week to assist her. The larger girls wash their own clothes; the small-footed ones wash for the little girls, and the large-footed ones scrub the house. We employ one native teacher, and two of the more advanced girls are appointed each day to assist him with the recitations. We teach no English; nearly all missionaries agree it is better not to do so, as it would tend to introduce them into the families of foreign merchants, where they would be subject to much evil. Our object is to teach them Christianity. I remain, yours truly, BEULAH WOOLSTON. |