Polynesian., 1844-07-27

49," f>NS ~ SuV "
of $3.50 annually, for the support of an Epis-
copal Clergyman. A few additional humid
reds would raise the amount sufficiently IN
accomplish the object and we request those,
who are interested, to send us in their
names, with the amounts they would feel able
to devote to the object. 1t would give us
much pleasure, if some older and more expe-
rienccd resident, would take this matter ear
ncstly in hand but if none such, with suHi-
cient leisure can be found, we beg our read
ers to bear patiently with our humble efforts,
and such as feel disposed, to aid us in our la
Dor. We look upon the establishment of an
Independent church here, as of vital interest
to the well-being of the community. No ma
ton can permanently prosper, in which en-
lists not the form or substance of Godliness-
We say this ~rcverentially. That people.
whose God is the Lord, will most assuredly
be increased, and peace and plenty dwell
within their borders. A large and i~ncreas-
ing class exists without the means of rclig-
ious instruction. A spirit of Indifference,
the fore-runner Of skepticism, prevails to a
lamentable extent. The admonition of pa
rents, the examples of early years, and the
inherent sense of duty, which sooner or la
ter visits the breast Of every man not petrifi-
ed to all moral feeling, lose their influence
in the lax morality which prcvades all com
munities where exists no systematic Divine
worship. Occasional in%dulgcnccs become
fixed habits, and the mind from constant ha-
bitude to worldly passions, unadmonished by
the public hearing of truth, the harmony of
praise, and the contrition of p%enitcnt hearts,
soon ceases to look to another God than the
idols of its W desires. History, with fng-
ers of blood, points to those cases, (alas too
many, } where human vanity has usurped d.
vine law-awful has been the retribution
and societies, nurturing the seeds of their
own dissolution, have either persisted miser-
ably, strangled in the chaos of their own vi
ces, or have acknowledged the hand that
chastened them and again reared the stand
ard they had insulted and condemned. In
the youth of any community, it is Of the
highest Importance, that the foundation of
religious and intellectual instruction be deep
ly laid. Schools we must and will have,
suitable to the varied wants of the rising
generation but paramount to them is relig-
ious instruction. Both, however, are too
closely allied to be separated, though the
examples of a Tyrol, certain cantons of
Switzerland, La Vendee and Iceland show
that peace and happiness flow from a devo-
tional spirit, even if not illumined by all the
light of modern science. We conceive that
system Of religious instruction best, which is
founded upon voluntary support and it is
on this plan that a church should be estab-
lished here. There are those, who scott at
the idea of supporting any religion, but it
will be well for such to recollect, that their
SCOTS are directed at those immutable princi-
Piles, and divine revelations, which have
brought them the very blessings they now
enjoy and that, if they would have them in
creased, and the i~ncipient bud become the
rlpened fruit, they should add their mite.
BY these remarks, we by no means wish
to have it inferred, that there is a restitution
of religious instruction in this kingdom
Far from 1.-THE means already provided
have laid the foundation Of national prosper
ity. The laborers have been faithful, and
the results are a striking manifestation Of the
saying. "my peace leave with you" But
they are inadequate to the wants ofthe most