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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
object than now prevails; but the appeals and addresses^ 
delivered at that period^ manifest a deep conviction of 
human insufficiency, and breathe a spirit of entire 
dependence upon the blessing of God. 
But although Tahiti was, by the departure of the 
Missionaries, surrendered, for a season, as a prey to the 
spoiler, and subjected to the rule of ignorance, barbarism, 
and idolatry, it was not abandoned by Him, in obedience 
to whose command to ^^go and teach all nations,’’ the 
Mission had been undertaken. He had still thoughts 
of mercy” towards its inhabitants, and was, by this dis¬ 
tressing event, teaching those who had undertaken the 
work—and instructing his church, in regard to all 
their future efforts to extend his gospel—that singleness 
of aim, purity of motive, and patient diligence in labour, 
were of themselves insufficient for the work; that it was 
by His Spirit that the heathen were to be converted 5 and 
that without His blessing, Paul might plant, and Apollos 
might water, in vain. 
The rebels were no sooner masters of the island, than 
they determined to murder the captain and officers, and 
seize the first vessel that should arrive. The Mission¬ 
aries, aware of this, wrote a letter, which they gave to a 
native, to hand to the master of the first ship that might 
touch there. The Venus schooner, however, arrived, 
and was seized by the people, before the native could 
deliver his letter: the master and seamen were not 
murdered, but kept prisoners, to be offered in sacrifice to 
Oro. The Hibernia, Captain Campbell, also arrived 
shortly afterwards ; but Captain Campbell, receiving the 
letter, was warned of his danger, and not only secured 
his own vessel, but succeeded in rescuing the schooner 
and her crew. 
