MANONO.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 9, 1 March 1849, Page 2

MANONO.

This district, formerly under the charge of the late Rev. T. Heath, has been united to the one at Leulumoega. Manono is the only land of these two stations in which the people have remained since the commencement of the war. This has been owing to its insular position, rendering it difficult for the war party of Aana and Atua to attack them. Services have been regularly kept up on the Sabbath and week days. ; The day-schools have been broken up. On the Sabbathday, a few children are collected together for religious

instruction ; hut the war has exerted a sad influence on the minds of the young people, —distracting their thoughts from that which is good, and leading them to imitate in miniature the evils which are being carried on hy their parents. Manono, having a large fleet of canoes, and being concerned for the safety of the island, have made an arrangement, which allows one half of them to he at Mulinuu, on Upolu, and the other half at Manono, to protect the women and children. This leaves a considerable number of persons on the island. There are three chapels which belong to the people, connected with our Society, and three native-teachers. Besides these, there are several Tonga teachers, and two chapels belonging to their party, in which they hold services on the Sabbath-day, and schools during the week. It is deeply to be regretted, that such a state of things exist. These Tongese keep entirely aloof from us, and greatly distract the minds of the people, and mislead them by their proceedings, prejudices, and ignorance. The services are well attended on the Sabbath-day ; the people listen to the preaching of the Word of God; and, although their conduct is so diametrically opposed to its precepts, yet, we hope, that, by the influence of the Divine Spirit, conviction may be earned to some hearts, and that out labour will not be in vain in the Lord.

We have the attendance of some of the principal chiefs ; and they hear, from time to time, faithful remonstrances against the line of conduct they are pursuing, and urgent entreaties to give up the war and everything connected with it which is inimical to their spiritual as well as temporal welfare. I visit Manono sometimes several weeks in succession; at other times, once every other week. I have had several conversations with the principal chiefs, urging them to give up the war. They all profess, that this is what they desire; that they have great compassion for the Missionaries and their work, and are afraid lest they (the Missionaries) should be removed from Samoa, and the islands left in moral darkness ; but that the difficulties are so great to an honourable settlement of the war that they despair of anything being accomplished until one party is conquered. The church on Manono, which amounted to 100 members and upwards, has been severely tried, and but a very small remnant left. There are about 10 male and 25 female members remaining. There are 4 persons seeking admission into the church, and who have persevered, amidst all the strife and confusion of the war, in their professed desires to serve the Lord. Thus we labour amidst difficulties, supported by the promise, that “ they that sow in tears shall reap in joy-” J. P. Sunderland. Leulumoega, March, 1849.