IN THE LOYALTY ISLANDS 163 
heathenism remained unbroken, and the miserable slaves of 
sin and Satan were in the same state as was the whole com- 
munity in 1841; and this course was deeply felt by those 
who had been brought out of darkness into light; and while 
in all the warmth of their first love they were rejoicing in 
their newly found freedom, they longed that their country- 
men might participate in the blessings of which they were 
in possession, and many were found willing, at the risk of 
their lives, to go among them to beseech them to abandon 
heathenism and embrace Christianity. 
“There were two principal mission stations on the islands, 
at each of which a church had been formed. ‘It was our 
custom,’ remarks Mr. Jones, ‘at the close of each communion 
service, to ask for volunteers to go round to the heathen dis- 
tricts to preach the gospel.’ At the time of which we now 
write Mr. Jones was the only English missionary on the 
island. Mrs. Creagh rested from her labors a few months 
after the arrival of the mission party at their destination, 
and Mr. Creagh was absent at this time in consequence. 
“During the course of the year 1857 Mr. Jones had come 
round to visit Mr. Creagh’s station and administer the ordi- 
nance of the Lord’s supper; and ‘after the service, and be- 
fore we rose from the table,’ he writes, ‘I asked as usual for 
volunteers to go round to Medu and Cherithi,’ the heathen 
district. ‘Hnaisiline, the principal chief, at once volunteered, 
and Tizelo and Waingara offered to accompany him; others 
joined them, and a large party was formed, including some 
women who wished to go to see the country. 
“The party was divided into two—the one went right 
through the island to Cherithi, the eastern extremity of 
Maré, arranging to call for Hnaisiline and party at Medu, 
in the south bay, and come home together. Mr. Jones adds 
that, ‘during almost every visit these devoted men were in 
danger, some plot or other being laid to kill them;’ and that 
it was the same with themselves, the missionaries, when they 
accompanied them. ‘We were all often in danger.’ 
