scholars; that their time is fully occupied. There is an old adage—“ Where there is a will there is a way"and I fear that it is more for want of will than of time that such Teachers do not visit their scholars. We never hear of want of time to visit any of the places of public amusement, because such visits are attended with pleasure, without the exercise of self-denial. As long as Sunday-school Teachers neglect this important duty, nothing is to be expected but empty seats and drooping schools; but it is to be hoped that the time is coming when it will receive from them that amount of attention which its importance so imperatively demands.-Belfast Sunday-school Teachers' Assistant. "O GOD, THOU ART MY GOD." PSALM lxxiii. 1. Ah! sweet appropriating term― "O God, my God"-assured of this- The empty bosom He can fill, How sweet to call this God" my own"- A. N. THE MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. DURING the reign of George III., about the year 1780, the attention of the Royal Society, and of several West India planters, then in London, was directed to the productive and luxuriant islands of the Pacific. The island of Otaheite, or Tahiti, particularly attracted attention; for there, in great abundance, grew a tree, well known as the "bread-fruit." This fruit grows on a large tree, as large and high as our largest apple trees: the fruit grows on the boughs like apples, is of a round shape, yellow and soft when ripe, and the taste is sweet and pleasant. There is neither seed nor stone in the inside, but all is of a pure substance like bread. This fruit lasts in season eight months in the year, during which the natives eat no other sort of food of the bread kind. From such a description, it is not surprising that the West India planters should have felt desirous of introducing this fruit into those Islands, and the Royal Society endorsed a plan to forward such. In the year 1787, being seventeen years after Cook's return from his first voyage, the subject was laid before the king, who graciously complied with their requests. A vessel was fitted out expressly for the voyage. She was called the "Bounty," commanded by Lieutenant Bligh; and her establishment consisted of officers, master, warrant officers, surgeon, mates, midshipmen, petty officers, and seamen, with two skilful men, gardeners by profession, making in all forty-four persons. On the 23rd of December, 1787, the "Bounty" sailed from Spithead: from the 26th to the 29th a severe storm prevailed, which was safely weathered, and on the 10th of January, 1788, she touched at Teneriffe. On each Sunday during the voyage, service was performed as prescribed in the Prayer-Book. On the evening of the 25th of October, after a voyage of ten months, the ship arrived at Otaheite. Presents were now given to Atoo, the chief, and, in return, they received bread fruit-trees, and small plants, to the number of 1,015. On the 4th of April, 1789, the "Bounty" set sail to return. The voyage was prosperous and pleasant for twenty-four days. Just before daylight on Tuesday, the 28th of April, a dreadful mutiny commenced. Lieutenant Bligh being asleep, was seized upon by four of the men, who tied his hands behind his back, and threatened death if he spoke aloud. After securing the commander, the launch was hoisted out, and all who would not join the mutineers, were thrust into it, (nineteen in all.) A small supply of food was then thrown into the boat, and she was sent adrift upon the boundless ocean, deeply laden, and, as the mutineers supposed, soon to be swallowed up by a heavy running sea. But God willed otherwise. After forty-seven days of distress, for want of food and comfort, with emaciated bodies, and clothed in rags, they landed on the coast of New Holland, and most of the number returned to England. The fate of the "Bounty," with her crew of mutineers, was unknown; England's "cross of St. George" floated at her mast-head, while pirates trod her deck. Twenty years passed away, and the name of Fletcher Christian, the leader of that piratical crew, had ceased to occupy a thought in the public mind. The opinion was general that the vessel and crew had gone down to the bottom, that retribution had overtaken them. It happened, however, that an accidental discovery took place, on the 29th of September, 1808. An American ship, called the "Topaz," Captain Folger, of Boston, approached an island in latitude 25 deg. 2 m. S. longitude 130 deg. W., which proved to be Pitcairn's Island; and there Captain Folger found an Englishman of the name of Alexander Smith, the only person remaining of nine who escaped in his Majesty's ship Bounty." Smith states, that after putting Captain Bligh into the boat, Christian, the leader of the mutiny, took the command, and steered for Otaheite. When they arrived there, the crew left her, except Christian, Smith, and seven others, who each took wives, and six Otaheitian men servants, sailed for Pitcairn's Island, ran the ship on shore, and broke her up. This took place in 1790. About four years after their arrival, the Otaheitian men secretly revolted, and killed every Englishman except Smith. The same night, the widows of the murdered Englishmen arose, and put to death the whole of the Otaheitians, leaving Smith the only man upon the Island, with eight or nine women, and several small children. What could we expect now but sin, broad cast over the Island-ignorance and destitution stalking abroad, till their condition became pitiable and loathsome in the extreme? In the year 1815, the English frigates, "Briton" and "Tagus," fell in with Pitcairn's Island, and discovered some forty persons on the shore, all of whom, to the surprise of Captain Staines and Captain Pipon, spoke very good English. A canoe, with several young men, came along side the "Tagus." A young man, six feet high, dark hair, and open, interesting countenance, sprung on deck with alacrity; and being questioned, reported his name as Thursday October Christian," son of the late Fletcher Christian, by an Otaheitian mother. He was the firstborn on the Island, and called by the day and month of his birth. All that they saw and heard surprised them: but their astonishment was heightened, when, upon placing food before them, they assumed a posture of devotion, while one pronounced these words: "For what we are going to receive, the Lord make us truly thankful." Captain Pipon soon found that all on the Island were children of grace. Smith (who had changed his name to John Adams) was their spiritual guide. He had impressed on the minds of all the necessity of returning thanks to God for every blessing: they never omitted saying grace before and after meals. The Lord's Prayer, and the Apostle's Creed, they repeated morning and evening. One room in Adam's house was devoted as a place of worship; and there, morning and evening, the little band assembled to pour forth their solemn Litany. This happy company of children of God remained in this condition till visited in 1825 by his Majesty's frigate Blossom," Captain Beechey, who speaks of them in high terms. He says: "I attended their church on Sunday, a day wholly devoted to the Church Service, prayer, reading, and serious meditation The service was well conducted; the prayers being read by Adams, and the lessons by Buffet, (a man who joined the colony a few years previous.) The greatest devotion was apparent in every individual; and in the children there was a seriousness unknown in the younger part of our communities at home. When the general confession commenced, they all knelt down facing the clergyman, with their hands raised to the breast, in the attitude of prayer, slowly and distinctly repeating the confession after the clergyman. In the course of the Litany they prayed for the king of England and all the royal family with apparent loyalty and sincerity. Adams, fearful of leaving out any essential part, read, in addition, all those prayers which are intended as substitutes for others. A sermon followed, delivered by Buffet, from a text most happily chosen: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The service was very long; but the neat and cleanly appearance of the congregation, the devotion that animated every countenance, and the innocence and simplicity of the children, prevented the attendance from being wearisome. At sunset service was repeated; so that, with morning and evening prayers, they may be said to have church five times on Sunday. Here they lived as Christians-hospitable, conscientious-love in all their hearts, praise on every tongue-living for a better country, and enduring rest, reserved for Christ's jewels. Here was prophecy fulfilled: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose." This isle of the sea was given unto Christ; and their sins, which were of scarlet, in Immanuel's blood made white as snow. The sequel to all is this. When Adams found himself alone, after the dreadful murders, his mind ran over all the scenes of the mutiny, and the subsequent events. He thought of his sins, of God's mercy, and his conscience (God's faithful monitor) troubled him. sought for a Bible and Prayer-Book which he remembered were saved from the ship, and from that day started anew. God's own word was the missionary, that Prayer He |