REPORTS OF STATIONS.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 13, 1 July 1851, Page 2

REPORTS OF STATIONS.

o MANONO. MR. MURRAY’S DISTRICT. Manono and the South-west side of Aana. As full information has been furnished in successive numbers of the Reporter respecting the state of Manono and Aana, it is unnecessary to extend the present notice beyond the time when the last number was published. About that time, the writer was called to take charge of Manono, together with the adjacent district on the west end of Upolu, which, with it, forms one Missionary station. Part of the district, viz., Samatau and Falelatai belong to Aana, and to these, with Manono, the present report will be confined. The other part of the district on the mainland is politically connected with Manono. Its inhabitants are all scattered, at present, on account of the late war. The writer entered upon his new charge on the Ist of February last. It is hardly needful to remark, that the state of things at that time was very unsettled. The attention of the people was chiefly taken up with the war. Falelatai and Samatau were without inhabitants; and on Manono there were few besides women and children, and those who, from some cause, were unable to go to the war. Manono had been without a resident Missionary since the lamented death of Mr. Heath, who was appointed to it in June, 1836, and continued its Missionary till the close of his course; that course terminated in May, 1848; so that the island had been without a resident Missionary for nearly three years. It was, probably, in a great measure owing to the fact that the people had been so long without a Missionary living among them that they gave us so encouraging a welcome. When it was known at the camp, where the principal chiefs and the body of the people were, that a Missionary was appointed to Manono, they arranged to be there to meet us on our arrival. We reached Manono on Saturday, the Ist of February, and found them all assembled. They remained over the Sabbath, and attended worship. On Monday, they came in a body to give us a formal welcome. They brought a present of yams, the most valuable product of the island, as an expression of

their cordiality. They expressed great regret at being involved in the war, but said, they could not extricate themselves from it, unless one party were subdued. This was their notion. On the following day, they left to return to the camp. We commenced our work at once among those that remained, and went forward, as far as circumstances would allow, just as if nothing had been in the way. Schools and other operations which had been suspended on account of the war were recommenced, and an encouraging measure of attention was given by the children and the adult population who remained on the island. In addition to these, parties from the camp were frequently with us for a few days, and large numbers called on their way thither from Savaii. Those belonging to Manono generally attended our services, when they happened to be with us on a Sabbath, as did also some of the strangers, so that we had often pretty large congregations. At length, the conclusion of the war realized our fondly cherished wish to get the people together, that we might be able to bring regularly to bear upon them the means of grace. Since that happy event, we have generally had the body of the people on the island ; and a large proportion of them have attended, more or less regularly the schools and services. The measure of attention they have given is, certainly, quite as much as, under the circumstances, could have been expected, and calls for gratitude, and supplies encouragemeet to persevere in our efforts for their salvation. Though the people are not generally in circumstances to contribute anything in aid of the Society’s funds, at present, it was thought well to have the usual annual missionary meetings notwithstanding. These were, accordingly held both at Manono and Aana, and passed off, especially at the former place, very encouragingly. At Aana, there was some misunderstanding as to the place of meeting up till the day before the meeting took place. This, together with the unsettled state of things among the people —(they have just returned from an exile of nearly three years)—led to the occasion being less interesting than it might otherwise have been. Still it was interesting to hold such a meeting in such circumstances, and some good will, we trust, result from it.

At Manono, two meetings were held, one for adults and one for children. The attendance at both was encouraging, as were also the attention and interest manifested. The meetings were addressed by the brethren Turner, Nisbet, and Ella, and several of our native assistants. Some of these were from Aana, and were apparently cordially welcomed, even by the war party here.

About 250 persons brought offerings to the Society. These consisted chiefly of cinet and native-cloth, and are of little value to the Society. It is interesting, however, and matter of thankfulness, that so many are disposed to give at all to such a cause under present circumstances. In addition to the articles just mentioned about thirty gallons of oil were brought, about fifteen pounds of arrowroot, and sixpence in money. “ Who hath despised the day of small things ?” Two teachers from the Institution at Malua have been placed at Aana, the one at Samatau, the other at one of the villages of Falelatai. Other parts will be supplied as soon as suitable men can be obtained. At Manono, in addition to the assistance of two or three other native assistants, we have the valuable services of Mamoe. On the whole, though the state of things is still somewhat unsettled (see paper on the “ Termination of the War,”) and though the number of those in whose Christianity we can feel confidence is very small, yet we have much cause for gratitude, and much to encourage us. Some of those who have been in the war, and who were formerly professors, begin to show some signs of a disposition to turn their faces again in the right direction. What we want is, the allefficacious operations of the Divine Spirit, to cause “ our Gospel to come unto the people, not in word only, but also in power.” That this supremely to be desired blessing may be speedily and abundantly vouchsafed to us, may He whose mercy and grace exceed all that we ask or think graciously grant, for the glory of His name and the salvation of perishing men!

Manono, June 17, 1851.

A. W. MURRAY.