The Polynesian., 1841-09-11


change their sentiments. Hitherto. they
had taught that baptism is not necessary
in order to salvation but May I, 1888,
they declared that it was necessary for all
the world to be baptised. They also cs.
tablshed kind of public confession, but
wholly for their own advantage. Each Of
the natives was TO come into their assem-
blies, and tell some Of his faults before all
the world. He was then to give some
money, vegetables, poultry, or something
else, and so receive absolution.
" Bingham and the other Methodists
had persuaded themselves, that by means
of these outward observances. they should
attach the natives more strongly to them
selves, and more easily pervert the Cath
olics but as they had no better success
than formerly with these last, they again
had recourse to violence. The kumus
searched out the faithful with increased
activity, to drag them either to the schools
or to the temples. Schools were even es-
tablished in the cabins of the Catholics,
that they might be obliged to be present
at the prayers of the kumus. TO avoid
that persecution, the neophytes left their
cottages early in the morning, and did not
return till night. Others of them wholly
abandoned their cabins, and concealed
themselves in that part of the island where
they hoped to be less easily recognized.
"June II, 1893, six christians were ar
rested Hilarion and Silenica his wife,
Louis and Clara his wife, Paul and Anne.
Louis had distinguished himself by his
zeal in procuring the grace of baptism for
the sick. Paul was one of those at whose
houses schools had been established, with
out being able to change their faith
Anne had, on several occasions, shown
some weakness but the reproacbes of
the other christians, especially those Of
Louisa and Dorothea, had made her I'M
\ derstand the enormity of her fault, and
had raised her courage.
"These six new coniessors were brought
before the chiefs, and on their refusal to
ALLURE the Catholic faith, they were put
in chains, and confined separately. June
20, after a new examination, they were
sentenced to labor till death. The wo-
men were separated from their husbands
and sent to work on the public roads with
the girls of bad character. As for the
men, being employed in carrying burning
lime in their hands, they received scarce
third part of the food necessary for their
subsistence.
"While these fervent ncophytes were
making these generous sacrifices for their
faith, M. Bachelot suffered the affection of
not being able either to partake of their
trials or console them in their wretchcd-
ness. Driven from his mission at the end
of December, 1881, he had never lost the
hope of returning. Although he was We
ny usefully employed in California, where
he assisted the Franciscan monks, he al
ways considered himself as in exile, and
sighed for the time when he might return
to the archipelago which the Holy See
had entrusted to his care. He expected
new prosecutions; but he determined to
suffer every thing for the glory of God
and the salvation of souls. He wrote,
November 3, 1886, cit is yet from Upper
California, the place of our exile, that
address you this letter; but | hope, by
the mercy of God, it will be the last. A
shin is at last fOund which :, ,,;II;,o 20