POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
97 
between Christianity and paganism^ their attachment 
to the abominations of the latter was too strong to 
be removed by any other influence than that of the Spirit 
of God. 
Anxious to avoid unnecessary expenditure^ they had on 
a former occasion written, to prevent the Society’s incur¬ 
ring any further expense on their account, as their re¬ 
maining on the island was uncertain; but now, as 
there was a prospect of peaceable continuance, and the 
liberal supply they had taken out in the Duff, being, by 
plunder, presents, &c. nearly expended, they found it 
necessary to apply for a few articles for their own use, 
and others for presents to the chiefs, whom they de¬ 
scribed as daily visiting their dwellings, and treating 
them with kindness. 
Five days after the departure of the Betsy, the Mis¬ 
sionaries had the satisfaction to welcome again to their 
Society, Mr. and Mrs. Henry; who returned from Port 
Jackson in the Eliza, a South Sea whaler. Mr. Henry 
was the only one of the number who had left, that 
resumed his labours in Tahiti. By his arrival, the Mis¬ 
sionaries received the pleasing intelligence of the Duff’s 
second destination to Tahiti, and were led to expect with 
her arrival a reinforcement of labourers, and the various 
supplies of which they stood so much in need. Having 
repaired the vessel and recruited his stores, the captain 
sailed from Tahiti on the 14th of January, leaving on 
the island three of his seamen, whose influence among 
the inhabitants in general was soon found to be most 
unfavourable. 
Hitherto, the public worship of God had been per¬ 
formed in one of the apartments of the Mission-house, 
but as it appeared expedient to erect a place for this 
o 
