PREFACE. 
IX 
traditions of unlettered barbarians^ is equally opposed 
to all just views of the being and perfections of the only 
proper object of religious homage and obedience; and 
that^ whether invested with the gorgeous trappings of a 
cumbrous and imposing superstition^ or appearing in the 
naked and repulsive deformity of rude idolatry^ it is alike 
unfriendly to intellectual improvement^ moral purity, 
individual happiness, social order, and national pros¬ 
perity. 
These volumes also contain a brief, but it is hoped 
satisfactory history of the origin, progress, and results of 
the Missionary enterprise, which, during the last thirty 
years, has, under the Divine blessing, transformed the 
barbaroua, cruel, indolent, and idolatrous inhabitants of 
Tahiti, and the neighbouring Islands, into a compara¬ 
tively civilized, humane, industrious, and Christian 
people. They also comprise a record of the measures 
pursued by .the native governments, in changing the 
social economy of the people, and regulating their com¬ 
mercial intercourse with foreigners, in the promulgation 
of a new civil code, (a translation of which is given,) the 
establishment of courts of justice, and the introduction 
of trial by jury. 
Besides information on these points, the present work 
furnishes an account of the intellectual culture, Christian 
experience, and general conduct, of the converts; the 
proceedings of the Missionaries in the several depart¬ 
ments of their duty; the administration of the ordi¬ 
nances of Christianity; the establishment of the first 
churches, with their order and discipline; the ad¬ 
vancement of education; the introduction of arts; 
the improvement in morals; and the progress of civili¬ 
zation. 
b 
