VTTT THE EVOLUTION OF THEOLOOY 321 



direct communication, we direct our attention to 

 the theology of semi-civilised people, such as tho 

 Polynesian Islanders, separated by the greatest 

 possible distance, and by every conceivable physical 

 barrier, from the inhabitants of Palestine, we 

 shall find not merely that all the features of old- 

 Israelitic theology, which are revealed in the 

 records cited, are found among them; but that 

 extant information as to the inner mind of these 

 people tends to remove many of the difficulties 

 which those who have not studied anthropology 

 find in the Hebrew narrative. 



One of the best sources, if not the best source, 

 of information on these topics is Mariner's Tonga 

 Islands, which tells us of the condition of Cook's 

 " Friendly Islanders " eighty years ago, before 

 European influence was sensibly felt among them. 

 Mariner, a youth of fair education and of no 

 inconsiderable natural ability (as the work which 

 was drawn up from the materials he furnished 

 shows), was about fifteen years of age when his 

 ship was attacked and plundered by the Tongans : 

 he remained four years in the islands, familiarised 

 himself with the language, lived the life of the 

 people, became intimate with many of them, and 

 had every opportunity of acquainting himself with 

 their opinions, as well as with their habits and 

 customs. He seems to have been devoid of 

 prejudices, theological or other, and the impression 

 of strict accuracy which his statements convey 



VOL. IV Y 



