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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
natives came at the time appointed ; the design 
of the meeting was explained by Mr. Nott. It was, 
to urge those who were undecided, and wished to 
become sincere disciples of Jesus Christ, to make 
their desires known—^that the Missionaries might pay 
them special attention, and give them suitable instruc¬ 
tions : they listened attentively, and many appeared 
deeply affected. They were afterwards individually inter¬ 
rogated as to their desires in reference to these impor¬ 
tant matters : during this inquiry thirty-one declared they 
had renounced the idols, their worship, and every prac¬ 
tice connected with idolatry; wishing to abandon every 
thing contrary to the word of God. These thirty-one 
requested to have their names written down as those 
that desired to worship God, and to become disciples 
of Christ. Others said they intended to cast away their 
idols, but did not wish to have their names written down 
at that time. All who felt inclined to come were invited, 
but none were urged. The names of these thirty-one were 
written down 3 and among the first of them, Oito and 
Tuahine’s were to be seen. In writing down the names 
of those who thus publicly professed Christianity, the 
Missionaries were influenced by a desire, not only to 
instruct them more fully, but to become personally 
acquainted with them, and to exercise over them a 
guardian care, which they could not do without knowing 
their names, places of abode, &c. To their number, eleven 
more were soon added ; and with these they afterwards 
held frequent meetings, for the purpose of informing their 
minds, and encouraging them to faithfulness in their 
attachment to the Redeemer. Among the last number 
was Taaroarii, the young chief of Huahine and Sir 
Charles Sanders’ Island, and Matapuupuu, a principal 
