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any number, to receive the elements of useful knowledge, 
to listen with sincerity and satisfaction to the word 
of God, and to render publicly unto Him the homage 
of their grateful praise; for. 
Though gilded domes, and splendid fanes, 
And costly robes, and choral strains. 
And altars richly dress’d ; 
And sculptur’d saints, and sparkling gems, 
And mitred priests, and diadems. 
Inspire with awe the breast; 
“ ’Tis not the pageantry of show 
That can impart devotion’s glow. 
Nor sanctify a prayer. 
The soul enlarged, devout, sincere, 
With equal piety draws near 
The holy house of God, 
That rudely rears its rustic head, 
Scarce higher than the Indians’ shed - 
By Indians only trod.” 
The place was thronged with people, and numbers 
were standing or sitting round the doors and the outside 
of the building. When we arrived, they readily made 
way for us to enter; when a scene, destitute indeed of 
magnificence and splendour as to the structure itself, or 
the richness in personal adornment of its inmates, but 
certainly the most delightful and affecting I had ever 
beheld, appeared before me. Between five and six hun¬ 
dred native Christians were there assembled, to worship 
the true God. Their persons were cleanly, their apparel 
neat, their countenances either thoughtful, or beaming 
with serenity and gladness. The heads of the men 
were uncovered, their hair cut and combed, and their 
beards shaven. Their dress was generally a pareu round 
the waist, and a native tiaputa over their shoulders. 
