188 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the first who arrived^ resided some time in the same 
house with him. He spent much of his time in reading 
and writing, in conversation, and in earnest inquiry 
about God, and the way of acceptance with Him,—and 
sometimes spoke in terms astonishing even to the Mis¬ 
sionaries themselves. One or two other natives appeared 
also favourably impressed in regard to the religion 
of the Bible. Under these auspicious appearances, 
although prevented by the unsettled state of Tahiti from 
resuming their station in Matavai, the Missionaries were 
enabled to commence their labours in the island of 
Eimeo. They also indulged a hope of establishing a 
Mission in Raiatea, one of the Leeward or Society 
Islands, when a series of domestic trials frustrated all 
their plans of extended usefulness, and confined them for 
several years to this island. 
On the 28th of July, 1812, Mrs. Henry finished her 
earthly career. She had accompanied her husband from 
her native country in the ship Duff, with the first Mis¬ 
sionaries who landed in Tahiti. In all the trials of the 
Mission she had sustained her part; and, with unwaver¬ 
ing devotedness to its interests, had endeavoured to per¬ 
form with efficiency and cheerfulness the duties of her 
station, until her life fell a sacrifice to the privations and 
toils of her eventful and perilous career. It was, how¬ 
ever, a sacrifice cheerfully offered on her part. Her 
memory was greatly esteemed by those who had borne 
with her the burden of the day, and survived her in the 
field. In a letter to the Directors of the London Mis¬ 
sionary Society, under the date of June 24, 1813, the 
Rev. S. Marsden thus wrote of Mrs. Henry—^^No 
woman, in my opinion, could be more sincere, and 
more devoted to the work, than she was. Her natural 
