The Polynesian., 1840-12-19

lccs of whites becoming complete savaSeS
IN mind and habits are rare indeed, and the
od,um in which such individuals are held.
shows how deep is the adherence of such
degradation Outawed alike by all nations
they most commonly meet with violent
death from the hands of their savage asso.
CEtcs.
We have not referred to the missionary
effort. m connection with New Zealand ~
the results are so mcagrc in comparison
with other Influences This IS wlthou, doubt
to be attributed more to peculiar difficulties
attending The situation of the missionaries
than to amy moral delinquency on their part
The, have generally secured to themselves
large tracts of land, and being men of good
education and correct moral habits, will
eventually form valuable class of settlers
ihc greatest benefit which has accrued TO
savagcs through foreign influences, has been
the introduction of christianity. In many
instances It's success can be traced TO the
previous impressions made by visters whom
interest or adventure led to their islands
Even those who were personally unfriendly
to It's progress, have indirectly afforded it
aid, by keeping up in the natives the desire
for Improvement. The most hostile in pre-
cept and example likewise contributed TO its
advancement, though unintcntionallv we al
low; for the obvious distinction between
their conduct and the department of those
who are swayed by humane and generous
feelings (and they are the most numerous
would inevitably preposscss them in favor of
upright End honest dealings. The punish
mens which follow crime among the whites.
so frequently witnessed by them, would con-
firm this impression, and consequently their
minds become more susceptible to the moral
distinctions of the Bible. Such has often
been the experience Of missionaries. Those
who came out before the islands were frc-
qucnted by ships, were uniformly unsuccess-
'ul. AT the Marquesas, their lives were
endangered and they were obliged to fee:
at the Friendly Islands four of them were
murdered, and at the Society group, they
protracted their labors unsuccesslilIly for
sixteen years, until other influences, such as
we have been treating of, were brought to
the aid of their cause. If Pomare had not
chiefly by the assistance of foreigners, been
enabled to make himself sovereign of Tahiti,
who can say how long the favorable result
might have been Delayed Those who be-
lieve that the gospel need but be presented
to a people however degraded, to ensure
success, and that the Almighty will prosper
the cause of religion by supernatural means,
will be inclined to cayiI at these statements.
For there are many of this age whose rcver-
ence for things sacred is so strong. that thew
are unwilling to acknowledge the aid of 9TH
er causes, but are ever ready to attribute
the dcadlicst hostility to all influences which
do not entirely coincide with their particular
creed, They would limit the resources of
iOmnpotcncc, and instruct Him how to gov
ern creation. Repeated dsappointmcnts
alone, will cure these vain ideas. and teach
them that if they would have success attend
their plans, all the laws of an uncrring
Providence are to be respected, and not
alone those that comport with their own fee
bic intel'ects. On this point Archbishop
WhatcIy says,