POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
219 
state the fact^ as it is recorded by the Missionary in the 
island at the time, without making any comment ; which, 
indeed, it neither requires nor admits. On the minds 
of the family, and the inhabitants of the place, it pro¬ 
duced a powerful impression. They hastened to the 
idol temple of the district, which they demolished, 
breaking down the altars, and bringing forth their gods, 
which they execrated as false, and publicly committed 
to the flames. 
A similar instance occurred early in this year. 
One of the scholars, the wife of an areoi, who had 
for some time, with her husband’s consent, attended 
the school, was suddenly taken ill. The members of 
the family were alarmed 3 and, accustomed to attribute 
every calamity to the anger of the gods, immediately 
concluded that her illness was occasioned by their dis¬ 
pleasure, which she had probably incurred by attending 
the school and the Christian worship of the Missionaries. 
Patii, the priest of the district, was instantly sent for. 
On his arrival, a small pig and a young plantain were 
procured, and handed to Patii 3 who, in offering them to 
his god, thus addressed him: O Satani! eiaha oe e riri^ 
faaora^ faaora, Teie te hapa^ ua faariie ia oe, ua haava- 
rthia e te papaa, Teie te huaa, eiaha e riri; O Satan ! 
be not angry, restore, restore 3 this is the sin, deceived 
by the foreigners (she) has forsaken you. Here is a 
pig (as an atonement,) be not angry.” In this address 
it is singular to notice the application of the term Satan 
to the god Patii invoked. It was introduced by the 
Missionaries, and at this time adopted by the Christians, 
when speaking of any of the idols of Tahiti. Although 
dangerously ill at the time these efforts were made, the 
woman recovered 3 and, notwithstanding all the fearful 
