The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-02-27


even under the most unpropitous APP
pearances, and the most gloomy pros
poets; but it furnishes them with very
important practical lesson in their exer-
tons: if is the importance of training
up and employing, as fast as the nature
OF things will admit, aasive teachers, to
assist them in the great work in which
they are engaged. The native preach
er will come TO his countrymen divest-
ed of many disadvantages which must
necessarily attend foreigner. He
will perfectly understand the language,
manners, habits, and vices of his coua-
trymen, and will, of course, be able
to address them on every subject with
fewer difficulties and prejudices to en-
coAnter, and with a degree of freedom
and Judgment which cannot be expect
ed from stranger.
We believe the case of this island, as
described by Capt. Henry, in his very
interesting letter, to be altogether I'M
precedented; and we shall be much
disappointed in our expectations, if it is
not read with much interest in our coun-
try.
The following is the letter alluded to above,
and is taken from the Sidaey (.Neto South
Nales) Gasstte, of June 2, 1921
Z" Sidney Core, May 81, 1891.
g take my pen TO give the following
news -
8 On my passage TO Otaheite, | had
occasion TO call at High Island Cor Raj
yayar) to procure provisions. The
circumstances which there came under
my knowledge and observations are of
nature truly gratifying. 1t was on
Sunday | made the island. | left the
vessel early in the morning for the
shore; ON approaching which saw
great many natives assembled, which
rather awakened fear, on my part, of
landing. On seeing Fara, Gan Otahei-
tan) landed with holiness, and was re-
ceiTed by the King of the Island,
(Tahuhu) with kindness. They had
all assembled for Christian worship.
and were about entering the church.
How greatly affecting and delightful
was the scene which presented itself
Each individual, on entering the church,
kneeied and uttered prayer when
Para 1.-THE Otaheitan, whom King Pom
arree left there, for the purpose, if pos
sible, of instructing the natiFes) per-
formed the service of the day. There
were 88 assembled at the church for
Christian worship to the universal God.
The very quiet and orderly manner in
which they conducted themselves, not
only in church, but during the sabbath,
awakened my highest admiration. The
whole of their gods are mutilated re-
moved from their marees, or places of
worship, and even converted into stools
at the entrance of the church. which
is very neatly built the ground is coy-
cred with grass, and provided with
sufficient number of forms its length
is III feet, and breadth, 81. There
are only twenty-five on the island who
have NOT yet adopted the religion of
the Saviour, but who have, neverthe-
less, removed idolatry. They say,
We have no books, or proper Mission
airy 10 instruct us, and We will wait till
one comes, before NE become Christ
ians.'
& This leland is situate in lat. 90 deg.
AZ min. S. and long. 148 deg. 3 min. W.
and never was visited by any Mission
airy, which makes the great change
from idolatry to Christianity the more
wonderful This island was visited by
King Pomarree, in the Arab, an Ameri-
can ship, about Is months back: thew
were then in their idolatrous and rude
state. King Pomarree used all his pow
er TO persuade them to remove their
idoiatry. They promised, on his leaving
the ISLAND, they would agree with his
wishes; which induced King Pomarree
TO leave Para, one of his own chiefs.
before mentioned, as teacher. This
snrprizing and happy change took place
absut four months after King Pomarree
left; it happened upon a great feast
day, when all the natives and chiefs
were assembled. To King Pomarree,
therefore, under God, is to be attribut-
ed the conversion to Christianity of the
natives Of that isle. The King of the
island, together with Para, most ear
nestly solicited that they might have
teacher sent to instruct them; or, to
use their own phrase, a light to guide
Them sc.
q The island is ahont OK miIes IN c;r-