THE ISLE OF BEAUTY. AROTONGA is, in my judgment, and I have seen not a few, the most beautiful of all the beautiful spots in the South Seas. Its lofty peaks, soaring between four and five thousand feet into the clouds; its magnificent scenery; its deep gorges; its fruitful valleys; its splendid timber; its coral reefs; its stone public buildings; its beautiful cottages, with their gardens; its large schools; and, above all, the numerous triumphs of the grace of Godin the hearts and lives of its inhabitants-these, in their degree, constitute its peculiarity and its glory. There the Church of Christ is gathering old and young into her bosom. The Christians are more than double the number of the unconverted. The schools were attended when I was there by about three thousand children, and conducted by a corresponding band of noble-hearted teachers, and teachers who not only gave their Sabbath hours to the work of instruction, but who gave nearly two hours every morning in the week to the same great work. Whence came those teachers? and how have they become qualified to teach ? Once they were poor blind heathen, but they have sat long at the feet of Jesus, and now are clothed and in their right mind, and are earnestly striving to lead these lambs into the fold of the Good Shepherd. But! must not allow myself to go into such details on this occasion. THE WELCOME HOME. The "Camden" met with strong and contrary winds on her voyage, and thus, instead of a week, it took a whole month to reach Rarotonga. Even then the wind was contrary, and we found it no easy matter to effect a landing. The vessel came and his family. It was unspeakably pleasant to reach home, that island home, again. All the p sengers were housed on shore, and a happy, happy week soon passed away. During that weekd whole settlement brought gifts, each according his ability-gifts expressive of affection and joydal welcome. THE SORROWFUL SEPARATION. That bright week ended for Arona and his sister in tears, bitter tears; for it was deemed and it was best, that he and his sister should to England in the "Camden" to be educate English boys and girls know very little f bitter separations which are part of the l sorrows of missionaries and their children. When the natives understood that I was coming home they pleaded and remonstrated against the sep ration, and, finding their efforts vain, they brought many little presents of sympathy. has stiw sidibas veicolarım? But there was one spot in that village hallowed by most tender and sacred memories. It little grave, in which the sweetest and fairest flower of our home garden had been laid some few years before. Whooping-cough had closed her earthly life, yet she sang sweet little hymns between |