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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
perceptions which they possess enabled them to look not 
only on the outward change in circumstances and in 
conduct^ but on that more delightful transformation of 
character, which every day unfolded to their view some 
new and lovely features. And with what loud ecstatic 
songs of gratitude and praise, must they have welcomed, 
to those realms of happiness, the first arrivals from 
those clustering isles, of redeemed and purified spirits, 
who had been made partakers of the grace of life, and 
heirs with them of immortality. 
The knowledge of the spiritual nature of Christianity, 
possessed by many of the new converts, was doubtless 
but imperfect, their acquaintance with the will of God 
but partial, and probably on many points at first erro¬ 
neous, but still there was a warmth of feeling, an undis¬ 
guised sincerity, and an ardour of desire, (in scripture 
called ^^the first-love’’) that has never been exceeded.Aged 
chiefs and priests, and hardy warriors, with their 
spelling-books in their hands, might be seen sitting, 
hour after hour, on the benches in the schools, by the 
side, perhaps, of some smiling little boy or girl, by 
whom they were now thankful to be taught the use of 
letters. Others might be often seen employed in pulling 
down the houses of their idols, and erecting temples for 
the worship of the Prince of peace, working in happy 
companionship and harmony with those whom they had 
met so recently upon the field of battle. 
Their Sabbaths must have presented spectacles on which 
angels might look down with joy. Crowds, who never 
had before attended any worship but that of their 
demon gods, might now be seen repairing to the rustic 
and lowly temple erected for Jehovah’s praise; amidst 
their throng, mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. 
