The Polynesian., 1841-01-30
THE POLYNESIAN.
SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 1871.

our remarks on the influence OF foreigners
upon the natives of Polynesia. The many
different circumstances under which it has
been extended, with the diversity OF opinions
prevalent upon the subject, has led US much
farther than we originally intended, and the
field grows more extensive as we advance.
Yet it would be impossible to do it Iul! JUS
tee within the small space of our columns,
without mourning the charge of proiNity,
samcncss, and crowding out other matter OF
more general interest. TO some it would
be interesting to examine into the subject
more in detail, and 10 trace the gradual de-
,clopcmcnt of that incipicnt civilization
which now exists among the tribes OF the
Pacific. I'VE have cndcavorcd in previous
essays, briefly to show its connection with
commerce, and those engaged mere raric-
ularly in that pursuit; we shall in this, revert
in general terms to the labors Of missiona-
RIGS, and their influence in developing this
principle.
On their arrival they found the islanders
victims to most cruel and dchaslng supcrst-
lions. These the untrIng efforts Of years
have uprootcd to Il great extent, with their
accompanying vices and crimes, and planted
in their stead the worship of the one ,!cho-
yah Religious instruction occupied their
attention mostly at first, but as soon as the
mjads Of the people had become familiar
With the Doctrines Of the Bible, schools and
sGminar!cs were established, IN which all the
common branches OF education were taught.
Bul before this could be done, the language
was to be reduced to writing, and books
translated Il work Of labor, little appreciated,
but ardubus in the extreme. The transla-
industry. The missionaries have always
furnished gratuitous medical advice and
medicines to the natives, and have cndcav-
orcd to destroy their barbarous custom of
treating diseases, by the dissemination of
correct knowledge upon this subject. Too
little credit has been given them for the at
tempt to teach the mechanical arts, and in
troducc agricultural improvements A far
mcr and his family were among the first body
Of missionaries that arrived at Hawaii, but
owing to the Indifference of the chiefs, were
obliged to suspend their labors and return
home.
Many of the mechanics that we have met
with were Instructed by missionaries, and in
consequence were able to earn IA good living
They have established manual-labor schools,
and their prcccpts and examples tend direct
~ to the encouragement of industry and the
introduction OF the trades and manufactures
of civilized life. In the female seminary at
Wailuku, in Maui, the girls are taught to
sew, spin, braid, knit, and other employ
mcnts suitable to their sex. In all the other
schools, these branches are taught as far as
practicable. Every assistance and cncour-
agcmcnt has been given to the natives, to
enable them to find profitable market for
their produce, and to create exports for the
purchase OF foreign goods. As far as mis-
sionarics, without compromising their char
actcrs as such, can 60 in affecting these de-
srablc changes, they have done so; but their
success depends more upon individual wants
and interests, and requires the cooperation
of the merchant and agriculturist. The mis-
sionary has cndcavorcd to civilizc the ma
l,y ind, fl,n,,,