526 MISSIONARIES — MISSIONS. NoV. 



o: 



or sweepingly, would doubtless irritate ; but a beneficial in- 

 fluence, almost unnoticed except in its effects, might be ex- 

 erted in these temporal, and seemingly trifling affairs, which 

 might assist hereafter in a day of need. 



I have been told that the natives have been very ungrateful 

 to the missionaries. Perhaps they are not all aware what a 

 debt of gratitude they owe. Certainly, the better informed 

 and the older inhabitants understand and appreciate the kind- 

 ness and the labours of their devoted teachers ; but whether the 

 younger or the lightly-disposed have, generally speaking, a kindly 

 feeling towards them I doubt. More temporal enjoyments, and 

 more visible or tangible benefits are asked for by the younger 

 inhabitants, who are daily becoming more aware of the manners 

 and habits of civilized nations. Surely the queen, a young 

 and lively Avoman, is likely to compare her own habits and 

 personal comforts, and the degrees of attention or deference 

 shown to her, with those of foreigners, either resident in or 

 visiting Otaheite. 



Dispensing temporal benefits, with an evident desire to better 

 their condition in every way, excites the gratitude of igno- 

 rant minds, and often paves the way towards teaching them to 

 acquire abstract ideas, and to wage war against many of those 

 things which they would rather do than leave undone. There 

 is a Roman Catholic mission at the Gambler Islands, amply 

 provided with presents and property fit for the natives, and it 

 is said that they are succeeding well. At Otaheite the missio- 

 naries were afraid that the doctrines of the Roman church 

 would obtain a greater influence, and agree better with the 

 disposition of the natives than the strict discipline in which 

 they have hitherto been held. Unless preventive measures are 

 taken in Europe, religious strife and internal warfare may 

 again be caused in these islands, even by those whose aim is 

 peace. Already there is a remarkable bitterness of feeling on 

 the subject, which is unlikely to diminish if the success of the 

 Roman Catholic mission increases. 



But I have wandered away from Pomare — her small ill-fur- 

 nished room and her awkwardly-contrived house, neither Eng- 



