130 



SAMOAN GROUP 



which was replied to by one of the selected. The subjects of these 

 discourses were, on the one hand, advice in reference to the duties 

 about to be entered upon, and on the other a recognition of the weight 

 of the responsibility incurred by the successful candidates. 



Most, if not all, of those selected for the new mission were fine- 

 looking men, and they were chosen out of many applicants, for their 

 steady habits and strict moral conduct. The term of their engage- 

 ment on the new duty was three years, after which they were to return 

 to their wives and children, who were not to accompany them. 



The extent and influence of the labours of the missionaries may be 

 best understood by a comparison between the whole population of the 

 islands, with the numbers of those who have embraced Christianity, 

 and attend the schools. 



The entire population of the group is estimated at 56,600, of whom 

 14,850 have embraced Christianity, and 12,300 attend the schools. 

 These numbers are thus distributed : 



ISLANDS. 



POPULATION. 



PROFESSORS OF 

 CHRISTIANITY. 



PUPILS. 



150 



1,900 



6,200 



3,700 



230 



120 



i Eastern Group . . 



, Tutuila 



, Upolu 



Savaii 



Manono 



Apolima .... 



2,000 



8,000 

 25,000 

 20,000 



1,100 

 500 



150 



2,200 



8,000 



4,000 



400 



100 



Total, 



56,600 



14,850 



12,300 



The whole number of foreign missionaries is eleven, of whom one 

 resides in Tutuila, six in Upolu, three in Savaii, and one in Manono. 



The number of native teachers is one hundred and thirty-eight, of 

 whom five are in the Eastern Group, thirty-one in Tutuila, fifty in 

 Upolu, thirty-six in Savaii, twelve in Manono, and four in Apolima. 



Besides those counted as having actually embraced Christianity, it 

 is said that two-thirds of the whole population belong to the Christian 

 party. 



Of those who attend the schools, about ten thousand read, and this 

 newly introduced habit has of course made a very great change in the 

 habits of a majority of the people, but the number of heathen still left 

 is sufficient to furnish an idea of their original manners and customs, 



