PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
89 
being himself naturally of a devout and serious turn of mind, that he CHAP, 
resolved to remain among them ; and in addition to the instiuction of 
the children, has taken upon himself the duty of clergyman, and is the 
oracle of the community *. During the whole time I was with them, 
I never heard them indulge in a joke, or other levity, and the practice 
of it is apt to give offence : they are so accustomed to take what is said 
in its literal meaning, that irony was always considered a falsehood, 
in spite of explanation. They could not see the propriety of uttering 
what was not strictly true, for any purpose whatever. 
The Sabbath-day is devoted entirely to prayer, reading, and serious 
meditation. No boat is allowed to quit the shore, nor any work what- 
ever to be done, cooking excepted, for which preparation is made the 
preceding evening. I attended their church on this day, and found 
the service well conducted ; the prayers were read by Adams, and the 
lessons by Buffet, the service being preceded by hymns. The greatest 
devotion was apparent in every individual, and in the children there 
Was a seriousness unknown in the younger part of our communities at 
home. In the course of the Litany they prayed for their sovereign and 
all the royal family with much apparent loyalty and sincerity. Some 
family prayers, which were thought appropriate to their particulai case, 
were added to the usual service ; and Adams, fearful of leaving out any 
essential part, read in addition all those prayers which are intended 
only as substitutes for others. A sermon followed, which was very well 
delivered by Buffet; and lest any part of it should be forgotten or 
escape attention, it was read three times. The whole concluded with 
hymns, which were first sung by the grown people, and afterwards 
by the children. The service thus performed was very long ; but the 
neat and cleanly appearance of the congregation, the devotion that 
animated every countenance, and the innocence and simplicity of the 
little children, prevented the attendance from becoming wearisome. 
In about half an hour afterwards we again assembled to prayers, 
and at sunset service was repeated ; so that, with their morning 
* Another seaman has settled amongst them, and is married to one of Adams’s daughters; 
tut he is not liked. 
