ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS IN TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7301, 13 April 1885, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS IN TONGA.

Further correspondence is to hand respect ing the unfortunate ecclesiastical crisis in Tonga. The following are extracts from a lengthy letter received from the Rev. J. £. Moulton, the representative of the Wesleyan Church in the Islands, by an Auckland resident. Referring to the burial of the Crown Prinue, Mr. Moulton writes :—" I was too late for the funeral, being detained by calms and contrary winds, but Mr. Croaby, who had been visiting Vavau, managed to get to Uiha in time. All sorts of indignities were put upon our people* They were barely allowed to take part in the funeral.- One of them, the king's own grandson, was turned out of the prooesiion by Mr. Baker. He (Mr. B.) took violent possession of our Church at Uiha in spite of Mr. Crosby's protest, and we were driven to worship at the end of the island. Our chiefs and people expelled from the Kava ring. Still they stood out nobly. Whan told to withdraw from their rightful position in the ring, they responded cheerfully. Our principal chief, Yala, was most severely tried. Deputation after deputation was sent to him. They wept before him, threatened to take away his rank, cajoled, but all in vain. His invariable answer was that his life and property were at Hie Majesty's disposal, but he could not give up his religion. ,1 ' . . . "Mr. J. Baker on his arrival at Nukualofa from Uiha heard that it was our Quarterly Meeting next morning, and published the forn immediately, thinking to strike terror into the hearts of the local preachers. Bat he was defeated ; 25)) preachers answered to their names, and 100 more were sick or absent voyaging. Oar members, in Tonga alone were 1500, and oar tioket money paid allowances and ex* penses; so we had a good time, and the people went borne greatly strengthened."