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north latitude, with the exception of Fiji and the Hawaiian Islands, to which separate articles are devoted.

Austral or Tubuai Islands: A small group extending from about 149° to 151° 50' west longitude in about 22° south latitude, under French control, with a steadily decreasing population (1,400 in 1880, 1,000 in 1900). The principal islands are Rurutu, Tubuai, and Rapa Iti. A terrible epidemic having appeared in fturutu in 1821, two of the chiefs resolved to sail to a happier land. One of them, Auura, after long exposure reached the Society Islands and eventually landed at Raiatea, where he met the Rev. John Williams (q.v.) of the London Missionary Society. In three months he and his companions had learned to read and went back to Rurutu accompanied by some Christians from Raiatea. These were the first of a large company of South Sea Islanders who have been foreign missionaries. The idols were soon given up, and Christianity was firmly established. John Williams visited some of the islands in 1823. In 1887 two of the members of the native church in Rurutu volunteered for mission work in New Guinea. As the islands passed to French rule the Paris Missionary Society took over the work in 1890, and now has 8 stations, 10 native pastors, 477 church-members, and 624 scholars.

Bismarck Archipelago: A large group lying north of eastern New Guinea, in 145°-155° east longitude, and about 6° south latitude, part of which was formerly known as the New Britain Archipelago, since 1884 under the German flag. The native population (1906) is about 188,000 with 299 non-native colored, and 463 whites. The principal islands are Neu Pommern, Neu Mecklenburg, Neu Lauenburg, Neu Hannover, Admiralty, Anchorite, Commerson, and Hermit. The Methodist Missionary Society of Australasia under Rev. George Brown, with teachers from Fiji and Samoa, began work in 1875 in New Britain and New Ireland-now Neu Pommern and Neu Mecklenburg. It has 186 churches, 18 preachingstations, 8 missionaries, 5 missionary sisters, 7 native ministers, 12 catechists, 168 native teachers, 249 class leaders, 4,608 church-members, one college, named after Rev. George Brown, 6 traininginstitutions with 169 students, 189 Sunday-schools with 5,481 scholars, 196 day schools with 5,463 scholars, and 21,017 hearers. In Neu Pommern the Roman Catholics number 15,045, with 24 mission priests, 37 lay brothers, 28 sisters, 82 native catechists, 75 head- and sub-stations, 85 schools, 4,123 scholars, and 479 children in 13 orphan asylums.

Caroline Islands: Lying north of the Bismarck Archipelago, these islands cover about 140°-163° east longitude, in north latitude 5°-10°. Since 1899 they have been in possession of Germany by purchase from Spain. The native population is about 55,000, with about 140 whites. The Spanish discoveries in these seas in 1686 were followed by a series of religious expeditions. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions began work on Kusaie and Ponape under Revs. B. G. Snow and Luther Halsey Gulick (q.v.) in 1852, and with valuable help from the Hawaiian Evangelical Association the work prospered. In 1857

the Rev. Hiram Bingham (q: v.) of the American Board arrived, and work was soon begun in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands (;see below). In 1865 the mission was extended to the Truk Archipelago. The Protestant missionaries were expelled by the Spanish government in 1887, but returned in 1900, and before long there were 135 native workers, 57 outstations, 99 schools, 2 pri nting-houses, 2 dispensaries and 5,500 communicants. The American Board is handing over its work in the Caroline Islands to the Liebenzeller Mission, and has now only five missionaries in these islands. The Roman Catholic mission was established in 1887, and now has 1,880 adherents, 12 priests, 12 lay brothers, 6 sisters, 18 head- and sub-stations, ? schools, and 200 scholars.

Cook or Hervey Islands: These islands, belonging to Great Britain, lie between 157° and 170° west longitude and about 20° south latitude. The principal islands are Rarotonga, M::,ngaia, Aitutaki, and Atiu (Vatiu). The group was annexed to New Zealand in 1901. In 1821 Papeiha and Vahopata, Christians connected with the London Missionary Society from Raiatea in the Society Islands, landed in Aitutaki where Christianity was soon accepted. Papeiha passed on to Me,ngaia, but it was not till 1825 that the mission was established there. Papeiha was also the apostle of Rarotonga, which was discovered by the Rev. John Williams in 1821, who frequently visited the island between 1823 and 1834. When he landed the people were ignorant of Christian worship, when he left he did not know of a house in the island where family prayer was not offered morning and evening. Over 500 men and women have passed through the Training Institution begun in 1839, many of whom have gone to evangelize other islands. The London Missionary Society now has 3 missionaries 21 ordained natives, 23 day schools with 1,283 scholars and 22 Sundayachools with 1,152 scholars, and 4,885 adherents. The Roman Catholics arrived in 1894, and now have 6 priests and six sisters and about 100 converts. The Seventh Day Adventists began work in 1890, and have one missionary and 50 adherents.

Ellice Islands: These islands, under British control, are situated 176°-180° east longitude and 5° to 11° south latitude. The area is about fifteen square miles, and the population about 2,400. The principal islands are Sophia, Ellice, Nukufetan, and Yaitupu. In 1861 Elikana and other Christians from Manihiki in the Penrhyi: Group were carried by stress of weather some 1,2(10 miles to Nakul2ela) in the Ellice Islands. Elikana, who was a deacon, began preaching Christianity. Rev. Archibald Wright Murray, of the London Missionary Society, from Samoa visited the islands and settled Samoan teachers there in 1865. Some years previously a knowledge of the true God had been brought by a man named Stuart, who was the master of a tradingvessel from Sydney. The group is now worked with the Tokelau Islands as part of the Samoan mission. In the two groups there are 13 ordained natives, 1,488 church-members, 2,41:i adherents, 13 day schools with 1,428 scholars, and 13 Sunday-schools with 1,543 scholars.