242 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
their language and mental capability admitted, we 
endeavoured to explain some of the causes of volcanic 
fire ; and illustrated them by the force of gunpowder, 
with the effects of which the natives are familiar; 
assuring them that the expansive force of steam is 
much greater than that of gunpowder. Our princi¬ 
pal solicitude, however, was to lead their minds to God, 
who created the world, and whose almighty power con¬ 
trols the elements of nature in all their diversified 
operations; but of whom, though they beheld the 
wondrous works of his hand, they were lamentably 
ignorant. 
After two or three hours’ sleep, we arose before it 
was day, and, gathering round our fire, sang our morn¬ 
ing hymn of praise, in which we were joined by the 
natives who were with us. The sun had now risen, 
and, as we had no provisions left, we felt it necessary 
to prepare for our departure. Mr. Goodrich walked 
along the north side of the crater, in order to enable us 
to form as accurate an opinion as possible of its actual 
dimensions; and, from the observations of Mr. Good¬ 
rich and Mr. Thurston, as well as those the rest of us 
made when we walked along the north and east sides, 
we think the crater is not less than five, or five-and-a- 
half, miles in circumference.* We regret that we had 
* The following extract of a letter from Mr. Chamberlain is 
copied from a recent American publication: 
“ Mr. Goodrich and myself visited the volcano again, and, with 
a line, measured the upper edge of the crater, and found it to be 
seven miles and a half in circumference. We then descended, 
and measured the side of the ledge, and satisfied ourselves, that, 
at the depth of 500 or 600 feet, the circumference is at least five 
miles and a half. We did not get the exact depth of it, but 
judge it not less than one thousand feet. We had good oppor- 
