Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-03-14

less distant neighbors of the Society and
Friendly islands. They live in the vii.
lagos consisting of one or two hundred
houses, built closely together without
any regularity. The houses are OF va
rlous sizes, some of them forty five feetby
twenty Hour. Some Of The better sort
have court.y ard neatly rallied IN, With
smaller houses built round il for their ser
wants. Their religion is much like thai
|oi the other South Sea Islands. The,
acknowledge superior deity who they
suppose created the world, aud beside
him whom they call Eatoo, they have nu-
merous objects Of worship. Their priests
have the principal care Of executing the
laws, aud they collect the revenue. The
high priest, next in dignity 10 the king, is
treated With much respect, aud can pro-
cure the sacrifice of any one by repre-
senting to the King that il is necessary TO
appease The gods. The sacrifice OF hui
man victims is more frequent in these than
in the Society or Friendly Islands, aud
takes place not only at the commence.
ment of a war-before battle or any
great enterprise, but also at The death oil
a chief oil much note, when the number
loi victims is regulated according 10 his
rank. They have their holy days, and
their festivals, one of which lasts month.
| A sect exists in the Islands who claim
tine power of putting people to death.
When any one incurs their displeasure
they give notice that the homicide luany
lis to begin, and so great is the effect o.
Inauguration Oh the ignorant and supersti
tious wretch, that he soon pines away, OIL
lis driven TO suicide.
A hasty view of the situation and fer.
tiiity Of the Sandwich Islands, is enough
to show The wisdom Of an attempt to in
ltroduce among the inhabitants the religion
OF the gospel. al d the arts Of civilized life
When We consider the value Of our trad,
to the northwest coast, and our increasing
settlements 90 the shores of the Pacific
Especially when We extend our view to {
period in the history Of this country no
| far distant, when cities shall line the
western shores of the continent no les
tkan the eastern--does II not seem tina
policy, if we leave r. ligions principle on
OF the account, would dictate 10 the u
lnited States the advantage of taking tn
lad in uniting these islands to the civi
lized world. The natives could moi bu
feel great attachment 10 tsse nation Whic
had bestowed on them the blessings Of tb
mechanic arts, of commerce, of scienc
aud OF religion. The ease of cemmuni
cation with Asia and America, points OH
these Islands as the most proper place 70
a missionary establishment, from whicI
the gospel may be diffused to other idols
trous lands. The present time appear
peculiarly favorable to commence tn
mission the natives desire instruction
islands are united under one enterprisiu
chief, who wishes the civilization OF hi
subjects and by the previous intercours
with the traders. the Inhabitants hay
been prepared to estimate With some &C
curacy, the advantages 10 be derived fror
teachers add missionaries. As mea {
business, as patriots, or as Christians theI
we cannot but say TO the missionaries no,
hastening to these distant shores, g go uI
aud prosper" @. Y.