pointed to be the wisdom and power of God to salvation. It is true, that idolatry was abolished before the missionaries arrived, but even this was owing chiefly to the influence of Christianity in the Society Isles. Had not the true religion been inculcated at this juncture, the people would still have remained ignorant, debased, and wretched. But now they are fast becoming, if they may not already be said to be, a Christian nation. You cannot plead that they were not so degraded as other heathen. Whatever may have been their character before their discovery, it is difficult for the imagination to conceive a state so unutterably deplorable as that in which the missionaries found them. The language used by the Apostle in his day to describe the heathen world, may be appropriately applied to them; "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate [wrangling], deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful." But now in describing many of them, we may adopt the language of the same Apostle, when addressing the converted Corinthians; "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justi fied in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." Such has been the triumph of divine truth in the midst of this once miserable people! Let it speak to the heart of all Christendom. Let it invest the missionary cause with new interest, and inspire its friends with a warmer and more enduring zeal. Let it teach the nations that there dwells not a human being on the face of the earth, who may not be brought to bow before the cross of Christ; no matter whether he be found in the centre of dark and fettered Asia, or on the arid plains of long abused Africa; whether he roams the wilds of Siberia, or is burnt by a vertical sun. In conclusion, I would remark, that the converted Sandwich islanders are happily situated in respect to the influence they may exert on other less favoured people. They have easy communication with the Polynesian Isles. They are visited by ships from all parts of the world. The recollection of their own recent delivery from superstitious bondage, will excite them to the most persevering efforts in behalf of others. Already have they begun to contribute of their substance to the cause of Christian philanthropy. Some of them may accompany our missionaries in their contemplated expedition to the North West Coast. They may yet be found preaching Jesus to the savages of our own 210 HISTORY OF THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. wilderness. We know not how great their influence may be, nor in what manner it may be directed; but we have every reason to believe, that it will be extensive and highly auspicious to the great interests of humanity and religion. But I must bring these reflections to a close, or the deep interest I feel in the subject, will carry me beyond due bounds. In reading the foregoing letters, the thought can scarcely have escaped you, that these poor islanders will rise up in judgment against many in our land, who have enjoyed far greater privileges than they, and have yet abused them all. Let it be your earnest endeavour to lay up a treasure in heaven, which is subject neither to change nor decay, and which shall be shared by you in common with an innumerable company, redeemed out of every kindred, and nation, and tongue, and people. Yours, E. E. |