POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
269 
receive Christian instruction. The most pleasing results 
continued to attend the efforts of the new converts in 
Tahiti. Pomare sent most of his own family idols to 
the Missionaries, that, as he observed in a letter accom¬ 
panying them, dated February 19th, 1816, ^Hhey might 
either commit them to the flames, or send them to 
England.’^ 
These idols I saw at Port Jackson, in 1816; they are 
now deposited in the Missionary Museum, Austin Friars. 
It is impossible to behold them without sympathizing in 
the feelings of Pomare, when he calls them—Tahiti’s 
foolish gods. 
A number of interesting and important inquiries 
is naturally suggested by this amazing change ; 
and we are anxious to be made acquainted with every 
fact, in the application of those means which induced its 
commencement, and sustained its progress. In all its 
departments, and under every circumstance, it bears the 
impress, and exhibits, in the clearest manner, the sove¬ 
reignty and the power, of the Almighty, in regard alike 
to the time of its commencement, the circumstances of 
its progress, and the means of its accomplishment. 
In regard to the time of its occurrence. During no 
period in the history of the Mission, could the time to 
favour” the nation have appeared more unlikely than the 
present. The king’s mind appears to have been first 
seriously exercised in reference to the declaration which he 
subsequently made, after the dispersion of the’Mission¬ 
aries, and their departure from the islands, when only 
one (viz. Mr. Nott) remained with him; and when, 
in consequence of the state of perpetual alarm and 
agitation in which the people were kept by the wai*, 
none could be induced to attend preaching or instruction. 
