POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
213 
the Melitians viewed the apostle Paul when the viper 
fastened on his hand, and were, many of them, evidently 
disappointed when they saw no evil befall him, they 
did not attempt to rescue the gods, when insulted, 
and perhaps riven by the axe, or stripped to be cast 
into the flames. No tumult followed, and no one 
came forward to revenge the insult offered to the tute¬ 
lar deities of their country. Probably, Gamaliel-like, 
they thought it best not to interfere at that time, as 
their belief in the power of the gods had hitherto 
remained unshaken, and they doubtless expected that, in 
their own way, the gods would take signal vengeance on 
those by whom, in the sight of the nation, they had been 
thus dishonoured. 
The watchful providence of God, over His infant cause 
in these islands, was remarkably conspicuous in pre¬ 
serving Patii and his friends, and allowing them, after 
the events of the evening, safely and peacefully to 
return. There were many present, who were indig¬ 
nant at the insult, and filled with rage at the impiety of 
the act, as well as convinced, that if this conduct should 
be imitated by others, not only would their craft and 
their emoluments be endangered, but they would no 
longer be able to exercise that unquestioned influence 
over the people, to which they had hitherto been accus¬ 
tomed ; nor to indulge their base propensities, and live 
in that luxurious ease they then enjoyed. Had any 
popular tumult followed this heroic act, the idolaters 
were so numerous and powerful, and the Christians 
so weak, that their destruction would have been 
inevitable; and even the lives of the Missionaries, who 
would have been considered as the cause of all the dis¬ 
turbances, might not have been secure. God, however. 
