Within the narrow limits of the island, as in the confines of a ship, Christian had enemies at hand, who harassed, and at length took away his life; and it is a remarkable fact, that he who had raised his hand in a criminal manner against his superior in command, should have suffered death from those whom he looked upon as under his authority. "THE WAY OF TRANSGRESSORS IS HARD.” "Oh that men were wise! that they understood this! that they would consider their latter end!" محال CHAPTER V. JOHN ADAMS TURNS TO GOD-INSTRUCTS THE CHILDREN- DRUNKENNESS, murder, and death had swept away the mutineers of the Bounty one after another, until now only a single male remained! In the year 1800, John Adams, having then reached his thirtysixth year, found himself the only man on the island. Some of the Tahitian women still lived, and twenty children of the deceased mutineers. These all looked up to him with reverence and affection as the father of the island family. It pleased God to touch his heart, and to make him an instrument of good to those around him. The families of his comrades had been brought up in ignorance of their God and Saviour. Their fathers were muti neers and murderers, and their mothers heathen idolaters. A treasure of inestimable price had been saved from the Bounty—it was a BIBLE. One Bible, and one only, was, as it were, given by God to this survivor of that guilty band, that he might be guided in the way of life, and also that he might lead this little flock of semi-pagans in their journey through life to the gates of the celestial city. There was also bound up with this Bible the English Book of Common Prayer, which greatly aided this poor and ignorant man, after his conversion, in teaching the children and conducting religious services. In the year 1810, John Adams had two remarkable dreams, which presented to him in vivid colours his past transgressions, and the awful nature of the punishment This book is now in the hands of an eminent merchant of the city of New York, the president of the American Seamen's Friend Society, by whom it is greatly valued on account of its deeply interesting history. The compiler of this little volume has had the privilege of seeing it, and that with the most lively interest. awaiting them. These dreams produced in him a lasting and wholesome impression, and effectually moved his conscience. May we not believe this to have been the influence of the Holy Spirit, whose merciful design it was to give him a better knowledge of himself, and of the justice and goodness of God, and to bring him, an humble suppliant, to the throne of grace, for the pardon of his sins, through the merits of a crucified Saviour? 66 Behold," says our Lord, "I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." God was now knocking at the door of his heart, both by his word and his providence, and we have reason to believe that he heard the voice of God, and opened the door of his heart, and was made a new creature by the Spirit of God. Let no one say that there is any encouragement to superstition in these remarks. That which is uppermost in the thoughts, though it may not have ripened into good resolutions, much less into right practice, is frequently displayed in a manner strong as reality, in those solemn hours, when the world is shut out, and "deep sleep falleth upon man." An idea, which has been presented to the mind while we are awake, often assumes, by reflection, and during the hours of sleep, a solemnity and importance which it did not before possess. And perhaps there are no inward admonitions more affecting, or more fruitful of good than those which relate to our children, and to the obligations under which we are laid to conduct the young in the right way. Happy are they who are wise enough to make a good use of that which appears to have been sent to them for a good end. Adams had begun to read his Bible; and who can tell the power given by the grace of God to the study of the revealed Word, with prayer, and to a thoughtful and candid perusal of the injunctions of the Saviour, to whom the young were objects of the tenderest regard? The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword; and God is pleased to use it at times for the conversion of |