194 
he soon recovered the stolen property, and 
restored it to the society. 
«© August 29th. Another attempt was 
made upon the blacksmith’s shop last night, 
but without success. The natives that sur- 
round us, are as void of gratitude as of prin- 
ciple; and seem, in general, to be watching 
opportunities to impose upon us. We en- 
deavour to preserve ourselves from depreda- 
tions, without doing any injury to the depre- 
dators, when we ye it in our power ; 
thereby manifesting, that we desire to do 
them good, and not hurt. But our lenity 
hath been misconstrued into cowardice, by 
some, and they take encouragement there- 
from to animate each other in their evil prac- 
tices.” 
During the first three months the bre- 
thren were so occupied in settling them- 
selves, that they had little leisure to think 
of the work which they had undertaken. 
They did indeed occasionally attempt to 
converse with old Mannemanne the priest, 
whom they found very bigoted in his 
opinions concerning the gods of Ota- 
heite ; but from no other authority than, 
as he says, “ My grandfather told my 
father, and my father told me !”” When 
we can discourse intelligibly, say the 
brethren, we confute him in argument. 
At length they began to deliberate in 
what manner they were to proceed. 
«« Nov. gth. Some of the brethren, on 
hearing of various instances of the great bar- 
barity of the natives in murdering their chil- 
dren, having in a private meeting consulted 
on some means of preventing so horrid a 
ractice, did this evening, ata general assem- 
ly of the society, propose the following 
question : ¢ Will it be proper for us, as mis- 
stonaries to the heathen, to attempt the abo- 
lition of the horrid custom of murdering in- 
fants? and if so, what means should be 
adopted for the accomplishment of such an 
end?’ The question appearing of great im- 
portance, and the crening being too far ad- 
vanced for a discussion of it, it was moved, 
« That a meeting be held the ensuing mnorn- 
ing, at five o’clock, at which time we should 
be free from the interruption of the natives, 
as well as be under no necessity of conceal- 
ing Otabeitean names, which might occur in 
the debate.’ Agreed. 
«« Nov. 10¢h. At the appointed time the 
society met; and, after prayer, a president 
was chosen, who requested the brethren, 
who were the occasion of the present meet- 
ing, to lay before the society the subject 
for consideration. ‘The question praposed 
last evening was repeated, (* Will it beproper, 
&ec.’) To the first part of the query, * Will 
it be proper for us, &c.’ it was answered by 
some, They could see no impropriety in it, 
provided it could be done without endanger- 
ing oursclves, and the cause we are engage 
THEOLOGY AND ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 
in; but the latter part of the query, respect 
ing the means for the accomplishment 
such an end, probably the querists could an 
swer best. The brethren. who called 
meeting proposed; ist. That as the prinei- 
pal persons in the island held us im esteem, | 
we should make use of our interest with | 
them, and request their exertion, for the aba 
lition of a custom which would depopulate 
their island ; and if they should cosisent to” 
the same, it would be well. 2d. If the 
chiefs would not agree to our proposals, we 
would use every means in our power for th 
suppression of such barbarities 2m our own 
district. ‘hese propositions met with much — 
opposition from many of the brethren; and 
alter many arguments on both sides, the 
meeting was adjourned till the following 
morning, at five o’clock. i, 
‘© Nov. 11th. The brethren met at five 
o'clock. After prayer, chose a president, and_ 
the subject of last morning’s meeting was_ 
resumed. Many arguments were brought, - 
which shewed their attempt would fail with=_ 
out doubi, as it ahi the first proposi- 
tion; because the chiefs were the promoters 
of infant murder. And the second propo- 
sition was_proyed to be wholly inconsistent 
with the characters we sustained, it not being 
our duty to exercise the least civil authority 
over the natives, nor even to inflict any cor-_ 
poral punishment on persons who might be 
taken in the act of stealing from us. It was _ 
therefore concluded our duty in this matter 
to be simply this: To inform the chiefs, 
when they were assembled, the object of our 
mission, and point out to them the dreadful - 
consequences of murdering their offspring ; | 
and, as a farther inducement, should any of 
the Arceoie society be prevailed on to save 
their children, and put them under our care, 
we would instruct them in our arts, which 
would make them far superior to their neigh- 
bours around them, and more useful mem-_ 
bers of society. These sentiments being 
generally acceded to, the mecting closed.” 
We shall reserve our comments upon 
the conduct of the missionaries till we: 
have concluded the history of their trans- 
actions. ‘Two questions equally curious 
were next agitated. 
“« Nov. 17th. After evening-prayer, brother 
Oakes informed the society, it had been 
much upon his mind, What would be the 
consequence of an hostile attack upon us 
from the natives: though he did not appre- 
hend any thing of the kind at present, yet, 
as he knew there was a difference of senti- 
ment in the society, respecting self-defence, 
he desired to know how the society would 
proce should such au attack be made? 
te likewise brought forward an enquiry, If 
any brother should find himself disposed to’ 
marry one of the native women, would it be 
thought by the society an improper act? It 
was moved, that a meeting be held to-mor- 
