UPOLU.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 11, 1 July 1850, Page 3

UPOLU.

MR. STALLWORTHY’S DISTRICT. The aspeet of this station is not greatly different from what it was twelve months ago. Whatever difference there is appears to be on the side of improvement. The long cessation of hostilities has favoured the return of the people to their usual habits and employments. For some considerable time previous to the gale in April, the attendance on the means of grace and on schools had been larger and more steady than at any time since the commencement of the war. The gale, however, occasioned great temporary interruption to Missionary operations in the district. Out of eleven chapels, only one was left standing. In many villages, four-fifths of the dwelling-houses were blown down. The plantations also were much damaged by the winds, fallen trees, rains, and floods. No small exertion was necessary to repair these ravages; and, indeed, the labours of the people in this way are still far from ended. Tbe whole supply of breadfruit has been cut off for many months to come ; much of the taro has been destroyed, and much more has been rendered unpalatable and unfit for food. Already scarcity is beginning to be felt in some parts. Rumours of renewed attacks from the Manono party have rendered some precautionary measures necessary on the part of the people here. In attending to these matters, many have employed much of that strength and time which, had they been at liberty to consult the comfort and health of their families, ought to have been used in putting into order their houses and plantations. Should the rumoured attack not take place, we have ground to hope that things will speedily return to the state in which they were previous to the gale. That state was very far from that in which we can feel satisfaction. We will not rest for a moment at that point, should it be again reached. We were then very low—much lower than in some of the years of this Mission which are passed ; but we hope and pray for the speedy arrival of the day when our sphere of labour, now so deserted, shall look more fair and yield richer fruit than it has ever done. We must, however, confess that our experience of the disastrous effects of the hostile attitude in which the people stand very much depresses our expectation of any great moral and religious improvement, until, by some means, a reconciliation be brought about between the contending parties. The devil has succeeded in persuading thousands that the war must be finished before religion can flourish. This persuasion he manages to make the means of fulfilling its own prediction. Influenced by it, the people generally refuse to give their hearts to the things of God, fondly flattering themselves that, on the return of peace, they will throw off their sins and seek the salvation of their souls. W’e endeavour to rise above the enfeebling influence which such a state of things is adapted to induce, and to employ the means which God has appointed to bring men to himself, under the constant and full conviction that He can work in the darkest day, and cause the spiritual building, His Church, to rise toward completion in the most troublous times. We should be happy, could we give many instances of God’s wonderful working among us. We have only one to mention, and of that we cannot yet speak with confidence. It is the case of a young man who was not behind the worst in wickedness. About four months ago, he left his former companions, and has ever since associated with religious people, and has attended with apparent interest the means of grace. He has had to encounter some measure of ill-will and ridicule. His mind is not much enlightened, but he is seeking knowledge, and expresses thankfulness towards those who instruct him. The change thus evident in him furnishes a ground of hope that the spirit of God has begun a good work in him, and we trust, that he will carry it on and finish it in the complete salvat ion of the individual. Eleven other individuals are seeking admission to the church; but, in their cases, there is nothing remarkable, excepting that in these days of disorder and wickedness, instead of joining the multitude to do evil, they have maintained a consistent outward deportment, and have continued their adherence to the institutions of religion and to the servants of God. The church, at this date, contains 87 members. The number attending schools is at the present time small.

June 15, 1850.

G. STALLWORTHY.