The qualifications of missionaries. CHAP. IIL separated from religion, seem adequate to the accomplishment of it. Simple instruction in letters and the arts will not suffice. The mind must be roused and alarmed by revelations which respect the eternal state of man; the savage must be made to feel that the eye of heaven is upon him; and that there is a powerful hand ever stretched out to punish or to protect. To effect these ends, the learned and refined are not the best qualified, for there is a delicacy of feeling induced by literary habits, which shrinks from the familiar descriptions and bold remonstrances indispensable to the success of the missionary. An illiterate artisan, if animated with zeal, and not ignorant of the first truths of his religion, is, for breaking up the ground of pagan superstition, an instrument better suited than the brightest ornament of a university, or the most eloquent expounder of doctrine in the city pulpit. Such men as went forth in the Duff act as pioneers they prepare the way for the advance of a more regular force; they cut out a path in the wild thicket or morass, by which their successors may proceed to complete the work begun with so much labour; they sow the seed, with an unskilful hand perhaps, and on ground little cultivated, but whence, at no distant day, a crop will spring to enrich and beautify the whole land. The missionary in due time is followed by the churchman, who systematizes the elements which the other has created. Like a wise master-builder, the latter polishes the materials, already in some degree prepared to his hand, and erects with them an orderly edifice, complete in all its parts, and having for its foundation the lively stones of an apostolical pri sthood, qualified to offer the oblation of a spiritual sacrifice. The work of missions is still imperfect. We must look to the next generation for the full effects of the exertions made in the present. The warmest advocates of South Sea missions are most ready to acknowledge that the work is still imperfect; that much evil is yet to be corrected, and all that is good still needs improvement. But it must not thence be denied, that a great benefit has been conferred, in which the Christian success and philanthropist may rejoice. The leaven of the gospel, CHAP. III. indeed, has not hitherto leavened the whole population, so that many are still found who profess not to believe in it, and amongst those who do, numbers are Christians only in name, and by their conduct frequently dishonour their calling. Who that is at all acquainted with the progress of our holy faith in past ages, could expect it to be otherwise? The directors of missions are not such enthusiasts as to look for miracles. "We treat those to whom we send The measure of missionary the gospel, as God has treated mankind at large. It is carried to them, and proposed to their understandings, as accountable creatures, accompanied with the declaration sanctioned by divine authority-he that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be condemned. The gospel is not only preached, but it is translated into their own language, and they themselves are taught to read it. As in every preceding instance, some have believed, and some have believed not. Those who have received it in truth, have evinced their sincerity by renouncing dumb idols, and turning to the living God. As to the extent to which this is done, it has been such as appears to afford, in a signal degree, a proof of the divine approbation of the means employed, as well as of the intentions of those by whom they have been supplied. It has been such as to give joy to the pious labourer, notwithstanding the objections which have been brought and the calumnies which have been uttered against him.' and the pre Having presented a general view of the condition in Summary of which the natives of Polynesia were found, when first this chapter visited by Europeans, and described the means which ceding. have been employed for their improvement, in the arts of life as well as in the knowledge of their duty to Heaven and to one another, we now proceed to give a brief history of each separate group, as they have successively fallen under the notice of our countrymen, and employed their cares. In performing this part of our • Vindication of the South Sea Missions, p. 412. H Plan of the work CHAP. III. task, we shall not follow a strictly chronological order; considering it more suitable to the end we wish to accomsequel of this plish, to note the course of events according to the comparative importance of the several islands in which our missionaries have formed establishments for propagating the gospel. The statistics and commercial capabilities of the people on both sides of the equator will afterwards pass under review, more particularly with relation to the interests of Great Britain, to whose exertions chiefly they owe their political existence. CHAPTER IV. The Georgian and Society Islands. Discovery of Georgian and Society Islands-Quiros, Wallis, Bougainville, Cook-Natives had not improved--Missionaries land from the Duff-Pomare II. King-Peter the Swede acts as Interpreter-Teachers well received-Mechanical Trades introduced-Idolatry checked-Misunderstanding with the King about the Nautilus-Attack on Missionaries, some of whom depart-War in Otaheite--Death of Mr Lewis -Second Voyage of the Duff-Is captured by a French Privateer-Additional Teachers arrive-Another WarDeath of Pomare I.-His Character-His Son at first less favourable to the Cause-Missionaries again alarmed-Revival of Affairs-The King converted-His Baptism deferredProgress of the Gospel-Opposition of the Heathen--Clemency of the Royalists-Christianity extended to neighbouring Islands-Additional Teachers sent out-Printing begun -Great Desire for Books-Ship built by Missionaries-Natives form a Society for propagating the Gospel-Objection to their Mode of Contribution-Advantages gained-Church erected in Otaheite-Laws enacted-Pomare baptized-Communion administered in Raiatea-Demise of the King-Coronation of Pomare III.-His Death, and Accession of his Sister Aimata-Difficulties arise-Arrival of Pitcairn Islanders-Services of Captain Sandilands-War in RaiateaEvils of such Commotions. THE Society and Georgian Islands were first made known CHAP. IV. to civilized nations by a Spanish seaman. In 1605, Pedro The Society Fernandez de Quiros sailed from the port of Callao, with and Georgian instructions from the government of Madrid to prosecute discovery in the Pacific Ocean, and more especially to direct his researches towards that unknown continent Islands. Discovery of CHAP. IV. which had so long roused the curiosity of the speculative, and the avarice of all others. On the 10th February the following year, he descried an island, which presenting itself to him in the form of a curved line, he gave to it the name of Sagitaria, or the Bow. From its position, though not quite accurately ascertained, as well as with reference to the circumstance of its being divided by a narrow isthmus, geographers have agreed that the Spaniard must have discovered Otaheite. The natives were found in a state of the utmost simplicity; entirely unencumbered with clothes, and armed with wooden lances burnt at the point, or with great clubs. An altar formed of rude stones was observed by the strangers, who, assuming that it must have been devoted to the prince of darkness, elevated on it a rude cross, an emblem of that better faith which, at that moment, they had neither leisure nor means to establish.* Wallis' visit to Tahiti. Fully a century and a half had passed away before that beautiful island was again visited by a European, in the person of Captain Wallis, who, while prosecuting a voyage of discovery, reached its shores about the middle of June, in the year 1767. In the intercourse which took place with the inhabitants, the usual scenes occurred. On the one side was an unbounded curiosity, accompanied with an irrepressible propensity to theft, and, on the other, a becoming vigilance lest danger should be sustained by the ship or men from a sudden attack on the part of the savages. It is true that musketry and great guns possessed an incalculable advantage over stones and wooden missiles; but the superiority of numbers was so immense on the side of the assailants that no precaution could be deemed unjustifiable. After a brisk war, in which the simple people sustained a severe Edinburgh Cabinet Library, No. xxI. p. 90. In the volume now cited, entitled "An Historical Account of the Circumnavigation of the Globe," the reader is supplied with ample details illustrating the progress of maritime discovery in those parts of the world. Hence we purposely confine ourselves to such an outline as may recall the recollection of the principal facts and dates. |