CHAPTER V.

94

Effects produced on the Minds of the Natives by the

different Occupations of the Missionaries; a Saw-pit;

the Forge, &c.-Study of the Language-Visit to the

Chiefs-Insecure State of native Society-Account of

the Murder of a Native-Efforts to prevent the offer-

ing of Human Sacrifices, and the Murder of Infants-

Arrival of a Ship in Distress-Desertion of part of the

Crew-Kindness of the Missionaries to the Captain-

Their Endeavours to secure the return of the Deserters

-Four of the Missionaries assaulted and plundered by

the Natives-Cause of this Barbarity-Its disastrous

Effects upon the Mission-Departure of Eleven of the

Missionaries from Tahiti-Sentiments and Feelings of

those who remained-Their Decision on the Subject

of War.

CHAPTER VI.......

....

..... 120

Circumstances under which the Missionaries pursued

their Labours-Painful Developements of native Cha-

racter-Singular Custom of disposing of Presents-

Difference of actual Missionary Work from the Ideas

formed of it before departing from England-Notice

of the Missionary Prayer Meeting-Assassination of

the High Priest-Remarkable Preservation of one of

his Friends-Cruelty practised by the Natives-

Treachery of Otu-Summary of the State of the Mis-

sion Singular Observances in connexion with the

Celebration of Marriage among the People-Inquiries

of the People why earlier Visitors to the Islands
gave

the People no Information on the Subject of Religion

-Difficulties attending their Attempts to teach the

People-Notice of Human Sacrifices and Agitation

among the People-Death of Mr. Lewis-Instance of

savage Cruelty-Reflections on the Close of the Year

-Second Voyage of the Ship Duff-Capture of the

Vessel-Detention of the Missionaries-Embarkation

for Rio Janeiro-Second Capture by the Portuguese-

Treatment in the Voyage-Return to Europe.

CHAPTER VII.

.....

...... 150

Encouraging Tidings from England-Rapidity of

Depopulation in Tahiti-Reflections on the State

of the People-Arrival of additional Missionaries

in the Royal Admiral-Missionary Tours of Tahiti

and Eimeo-Wars on Account of the Image of Oro

-Providential Arrival of Foreigners-The Mission-

House garrisoned by Seamen-Baneful Effects of

idolatrous Wars upon the People-Treacherous Mode

of obtaining Human Sacrifices-Contemptuous Man-

ner in which the Labours of the Mission were regarded

-Testimony of Turnbull in favour of the Missionaries

-Probable number to which the Inhabitants of the

Islands were reduced-Death of Pomare the First-

Origin of his Name-Practice of burying the Sick alive

-Human Victims brought from Eimeo-Afflictive

Privations of the Missionaries, and want of Tidings

from England-Happy Death of Mr. Jefferson-Out-

breaking of War in Matavai.-Departure of the Ma-

jority of the Missionaries for Huahine-Defeat of the

King-Flight of the remainder of the Missionaries to

Eimeo, and breaking up of the Tahitian Mission-

Reflections-Voyage of the Missionaries to New South

Wales-Hospitable Reception and kind Treatment

from the Governor and others in New South Wales.

CHAPTER VIII.

...

176

Return of the Missionaries to Eimeo-Their friendly

Reception by the King-Painful bereavements in the

Mission Families-Public Profession of Christianity

by Pomare II.-His Request to be baptized-His Con-

versation with the Chiefs-Extracts of his Letters to

the Missionaries-Encouraging Accounts from Tahiti

-Seasons for private Prayer observed among the Na-

tives-Names of the first Converts recorded-Progress

of Crime and Barbarity among the Idolaters at Tahiti

-Conversation with the Votaries of Oro at Eimeo-

Death of a native Christian-Native Christians, de-

signated "Bure Atua," or Prayers to God.-Visit to

the Society Islands-Persecution in Tahiti-Martyr-

dom of native Christians-Acknowledgment of the

true God before a public Assembly-Death of Mr.

Scott-Malice of the Idolaters-Proposed Assassina-

tion of the Christians-Their Escape-Quarrels among

the Idolaters-Efforts of Pomare among the Chiefs at

Eimeo-His Letter to the Missionaries.

CHAPTER IX.

210

Effects of the War on the Christians-Seasons of

Fasting and Prayer-Voyage of Pomare to Tahiti-

Treachery of the Idolaters-Assault upon the Chris-

tians-General Engagement on the Sabbath - Death

of the Leader of the idolatrous Forces-Their entire

Defeat and Flight-Humanity of the Victors-Submis-

sion of the Chiefs and People of Tahiti to Pomare's

Sway-Destruction of the Image of Oro, the national

Idol-Complete Subversion of Idolatry, and general

Profession of Christianity-Missionary Tours among

the People-Invitations to Matavai-General religious

Worship-Pomare's Prayer-Surrender of his Family

Idols-Letter from Pomare-Extension of general

Change among the Inhabitants of the Islands of Eimeo,

Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Borabora-Arrival of

Mr. Crook-Observance of the Sabbath-General

State of the Mission-Arrival of Messrs. Ellis and

Orsmond-Effect of native Services-Arrival of fur-

ther Aid from England.

CHAPTER X.

....

235

Formation of a new Station in Eimeo-Establish-

ment of the Press-First Printing in the Islands-

General desire for Books-Pleasing instances of ear-

nestness to obtain Copies of the Scriptures-Comple-

tion of the Vessel-Re-occupancy of the Missionary

Station in Tahiti-Establishment of new Stations-

Commencement of Missions in the Islands of Huahine

and Raiatea-Formation of Tahitian Missionary So-

ciety-Speech of Pomare-Establishment of a Mis-

sionary Society in Huahine and Raiatea-Probable

Cause of Attention to Religion at this time-Attempt

to introduce the Culture of Sugar in the Islands-

Erection and opening of the Royal Mission Chapel at

Tahiti-A Code of Laws prepared-Conduct of the

Missionaries in reference to the same-Establishment

of a Code of Laws-Baptism of Pomare-Formation

of Christian Churches in Tahiti-Remarkable Effects

of the preaching of the Gospel in Huahine-Desire

for Copies of the Scriptures-Blind Hiro, the con-

verted Priest-Encouraging State of the Mission in

Raiatea in 1819.

CHAPTER XI.

...... 267

General State of the Windward Missions - Com-

mencement of a Mission in Borabora-Formation of a

Christian Church in Huahine-Destruction of the Idols

in Raivavai-Profession of Christianity by the In-

habitants-Voyage and Wreck of the Austral Chief-

Introduction of the Gospel to Rurutu-Letter from

the native Teachers-Visit of a Deputation from the

Missionary Society-Death of Pomare-Voyage to the

Sandwich Islands-Commencement of a Mission in

Tahaa-Public Meeting on New Year's Day, 1824, at

Raiatea South Sea Academy established-Testimony

of the Deputation after leaving the Islands-Progress

of the Missions in 1825-Arrival of Messrs. Pitman

and Pritchard-Voyage of Mr. Crook to the Marquesas

-Subsequent Efforts to introduce the Gospel among

the Inhabitants.

CHAPTER XII.

.....

.....

300

Return of Mr. Nott-Death of the young King-

His Sister, Aimata, acknowledged as Queen-Relaxa-

tion of Morals among the People-Introduction of

ardent Spirits-Rise of Visionary Heresies-Wreck of

an American Ship-Conduct of the Natives at Huahine

and Rurutu-Happy Death of Maoae-Advancement

of Civilization-Disturbance in Tahiti-Arrival of the

Pitcairn Islanders-War in the Leeward Islands-

Death of the King of Raiatea-His Letter to a Lady

in England-General State of Society-War in Tahiti

-Retrospect of the Progress of the Gospel.-State of

the Mission in 1834.

MISSIONARY RECORDS.

TAHITI AND SOCIETY ISLANDS.

CHAPTER I.

Discovery of Tahiti by Captain Wallis.-First Intercourse with the Islanders.-Voyages of Captain Cook.-Effects of early Voyages to the South Sea Islands, in directing the Attention of Christians to the Moral State of their Inhabitants.-Geographical Situation, Extent, Climate, and Natural History of the Islands.— Notices of the Bread Fruit, Cocoa Nut, Plantain, &c.

THE annals of our country, during the last half century, are distinguished by the progress of religion at home, and efforts to spread it abroad; and the records of the progress of these benevolent exertions in the South Sea Islands, are peculiarly gratifying and instructive. The great moral processes they describe, may be justly classed with the most satisfactory modern evidences of the authenticity and the power of the gospel; while the important facts they embody furnish the happiest illustrations of the manner in which we may expect the fulfilment of inspired

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