MR. HARBUTT’S DISTRICT.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 16, 1 December 1854, Page 1

MR. HARBUTT’S DISTRICT.

Amidst much of a depressing character, we have still much to encourage us to persevere. It is now three months since all the chiefs and people of Aleipata connected with the war party of Atua and Aana came home in a body, and whether they may return to the encampment at Lemulifanua is still a matter of uncertainty. I believe, none are disposed to do so: they are heartily tired of the lengthened struggle in which they have been engaged. As might have been expected, their return has given rise to many evils; but, lam thankful to say, not to the extent I feared. We have had night-dances occasionally, when visitors were here from a distance, and more Sabbathbreaking than I ever witnessed before among them. These are some of the evils we have to lament consequent on the return of our warriors.

On the other hand, most —I believe, nearly all—of them attend our different places of worship every Sabbath; and,

consequently, we have a good attendance to hear the message of salvation delivered. I generally preach in three different villages every Lord’s day, and am ever gratified, both by the number who are present and the attention manifested. Some who have been engaged in the war from the commencement, I know, will not again take a part in it; for they have been to see me, stating that they have long been most anxious to withdraw, and have now made known their determination to the leaders of their party. The important village of Tiavea is still without a teacher and the means of grace. I have visited it different times, to reason with them on the subject, and have been well received ; and I hope, ere long, to gain an entrance there. The residence of the priests of the Church of Rome at Amaile deserves a passing notice. They can hardly be said to have extended beyond the limits of the village where they reside; at least, where any have professed to join them in other villages, it has been a merely nominal profession, in order to obtain medicine which they could not otherwise obtain ; and they are still attendant on our services. Considering the means they have employed, I am astonished at the little progress they have made. As all I know of their proceedings, I have learned from native report, I abstain from entering into particulars, although I have no doubt of the truth of much that I have heard, and a detail of the means they employ might be of service, illustrative, as it would be, of the system against which we have to contend. One of the priests has lately gone to reside in Lotofaga; but whether it will be a permanent residence, I cannot tell. A chapel of theirs was opened at Amaile, a few Sabbaths ago, with much ceremony. The attendance was about one hundred, many of whom came from distant villages to see the sight, or with the priests who came from a distance to assist in the ceremony. I have been interested as well as gratified by the remarks I have heard made by intelligent natives on the proceedings of the day. The state of the schools in our district is not so gratifying as we could desire. When there is so much to draw away the minds of the young, and parental authority is so little understood, or properly exercised, we cannot wonder at this. But we are about organising boarding-schools for a select number of both sexes, and hope, by this means, to obtain what we so much desire.

The number, at present, in communion with us is, 169 The number of admissions since our return to our station, last year has been, 82; of these, 25 are re-admissions of persons who were suspended from the church, either before our visit to England, or during our absence, for causes principally arising out of the war. In the same period, we have lost, by death, seven of our number; all of them died in the faith and hope of the Gospel, leaving most pleasing evidence that for them “to die was gain.” We have also to report three as suspended from the church ; two for assisting in, instead of opposing, an improper marriage in their families ; and one for starting on a voyage to Tutuila on the Sabbath-day. We have 24 adult candidates for baptism, and 62 who have been baptised candidates for church fellowship. With many of these we are much pleased, and probably, before long, they will be added to our number. But there are difficulties in arriving at a decision respecting candidates which only those who have been missionaries among a similar people can appreciate, and which lead us earnestly to beg the prayers of all who are interested in the growth of the Redeemer’s kingdom, that we may be directed aright, and that those whom we unite to the professing people of God may, by their consistency, prove themselves to be such as He has chosen. The subscriptions at our annual missionary meetings were very liberal, and a great advance on last year. In Aleipata, we received in money, £ll 6s. 3rf., and oil, 98 gallons. In Salefao, we received in money, £8 95., and oil, 107 gallons. In all, £l9 15s. 3<7. in money, and 205 gallons of oil. Our different villages also made their annual contributions for the teachers residing amongst them, consisting of 289 articles of property. Every village in this district which has a teacher thus made an acknowledgment in return for his services. Lalomanu, Oct., 1854. - W. Harbutt.