The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1840-12-26
COM MUNIC ATED.
Some time since review of MIR. Williams

LIVING at the same time, and from cursOry
4erusa of the manuscript percciving that
4here were many attacks of personal ma
lure, we concluded to omit it, in justice to
INC memory of the deceased. But upon a
moro careful examination we find that much
IN il is Of general nature, and the structures
|Applicablc to missionary operations general
" in that quarter. This part Of the world
Is so little known, that those who have hlth-
erto written in regard to it, have too fire.
Iuently (misled by their zeal or prejudice, }
Aenturcd upon assertions which cannot al
&vays be substantiatcd The remedy for this,
Is to apply the test of criticism, founded upon
observation and experience. OF the work
lin question we have heard many opinions,
HE majority of which, some even from those
Lii the authors calling, coincide with those
Expressed in the review. At any rate, it
tcprescnts the views of large class OF the
community, and as such is entitled to res
beet. If the statements it contains are erro
heous, they are worthy of rctutation; if cor
rect, they should be made public, as they
eer not only to the book in question, but
10 the general condition of the islanders at
he present time. The subject of missions
5 one that is greatly agitating the civilized
world, and all the light that can be thrown
pon it, is valuable. That they have had
3pn important bearing upon the destinics of
The Isles of the Pacific, all will allow; but
whether their influence has been of so favor
ble a nature as it's warmcst advocates as
BERT, or that as much has been accomplished
Is few authors would have the public be-
E ievc, is with some a matter of doubt. The
uthor of the review may have fallen into
he opposite error, and approached the sub
cct with preconceived IDEAS, or prcjudices
strengthened by long habit of viewing the
ubject through one particular medium. But
bf this our readers can form their own judg-
i ncnt 1t is written in a plain but coarse
3tyle, and without order or method.
TX Narrative of Missionary Enterprise in the
81 South Seas, by John Williams" An enquiry how
far this work answers to the real state OF the island
81 ers with remarks upon the Authors and his bro her
III Missionaries labOrs the South Seas, particu
"a larry at the Island of Tahiti. BY J.RoBsoN:
i An impartial observer of the results of
Missionary efforts hitherto i'll the South
eeas, has much to complain of the high
toloring given them in Mr.. Williams
york. The Islanders are represented as
aving attained degree of Christian per-
ection rarely to be met with in the most
civilized countries, and the author places
himself before the public as one dead to
}he things of time and sense, who has
devoted his life to the Saviour's cause.
We give every credit to the jealous
nd perscvering missionary, however linn
tied his success, and would chcerfully
Join in the general praise of Mr.. Williams
Fxertions, had he not overdrawn the rela-
lion of his proceedings. The exagSer-
Rted statements forwarded to the Mission
Ply Society from the Islands in the South
PEAS have greatly diminished the useful
hess of that Society, by misleading the
Directors as to the real state of the peo-
PIE. This work Of Mr.. Williams may at
rst add to its funds, but must ultimately
PnJurc the cause OF the Mission. With