Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/409

 MISSION SHIP, GENERAL SUPEKINTENDENT, ETC. 379 She sailed from Southampton on November 21st, 1846, under command of Captain Buck. She carried Missionaries for Sydney, New Zealand, and the Friendly Islands, and Messrs. John Malvern and John Ford, with their wives and children, for Fiji. About a ton and a half of presents from friends of the Mission, with an ample supply of necessary stores, went out at the same time, together with an excellent long-boat, the need of which had been greatly felt in the Rewan removals. The voyage out was prosperous. Several heavy gales were encountered, but the good brig behaved well, and the hand of God was on the missionary band to protect them. The regular and hearty worship of these devoted ones was greatly blessed to the crew, most of whom had become converted and united to the Church, when on the 18th of March, 1847, the "John Wesley" anchored safely at Sydney. After a short stay here, and leaving Mr. Harris, the Mission ship went to Auckland, where Mr. Kirk remained. After taking in necessary stores, Mr. Lawry started on his first visitation voyage. He writes, April 12th, 1847 : " We came to anchor at Tonga after a rough and stormy passage of a fortnight, which in most vessels would have been three weeks ; but the ' John Wesley' does wonders, and is a first-rate vessel in all respects." Messrs. Daniel, Amos, and Davis, with their wives, were for the Friendly Islands. The District Meeting was held and all the Stations visited, as well as the distant islands of Niua Foou and Niua Tobutabu. On the 8th of September they left Tonga to call at Ono on their way to Lakemba, where they arrived on the 12th, 'with the new Missionaries. All the Stations were visited. The re- moval of the Mission families from Somosomo, with everything from the two houses, was well effected by the "Wesley ; " and the goods were taken to the two new Stations then commenced on Vanua Levu. Notwithstanding Captain Buck's acquaintance with the difficult naviga- tion of Fiji, and his vigilant care, the " Wesley" struck three times during this voyage ; once being twelve hours on the reef, and a second time nine hours. These were times of anxiety, curbing the exultations of all in the splendid new vessel and skilful Captain, and leading to more earnest prayer to, and trust in, the Almighty. She floated again, without receiving any material injury. On the 10th of Decem- ber, Mr. Lawry wrote : " We made the North Cape of New Zealand. The ' John Wesley' has come up in a week, close hauled all the way, and without her proper amount of ballast. She is a very fine vessel, easy, fast, and comfortable for passengers. The height of her 'tween- decks adds greatly to her otherwise excellent accommodations. She does great credit to all concerned in her building and outfit." 25