276 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
of the Gospel of St. John to a number of the natives. 
When he had finished the sixteenth verse of the 
third chapter^ a native^ who had listened with avidity and 
joy to the words^ interrupted him^ and said^ What words 
were those you read ? what sounds were those I heard ? 
let me hear those words again.'"’ Mr, Nott read again 
the verse^ ^^God so loved^" &c. when the native rose from 
his seat^ and said^ Is that true ? can that be true ? God 
love the world, when the world not love him ; God so 
love the world as to give his Son to die^ that man 
might not die. Can that be true ? Mr. Nott again 
read the verse, God so loved the world," &c. told him 
it was true, and that it was the message God had sent to 
them, and that whosoever believed in him, would not 
perish, but be happy after death. The overwhelming 
feelings of the wondering native were too powerful 
for expression or restraint. He burst into tears, and 
as these chased each other down his countenance, he 
retired to meditate in private on the amazing love of 
God, which had that day touched his soul 3 and there 
is every reason to believe he was afterwards raised 
to share the peace and happiness resulting from the 
love of God shed abroad in his heart. 
Connected with the means employed in the accom¬ 
plishment of this important work, a few remarks on the 
agents who, under God, were instrumental in effecting it, 
may not be inappropriate. In common with the Mis¬ 
sionaries in other parts of the world, they have been 
described, by the enemies of religion, as ignorant and 
dogmatical fanatics 3 more intent on the inculcation of 
the peculiarities of their sect or party, than promoting 
the well-being of the people 3 holding out no induce¬ 
ment, by precept or example, to industrious habits, &c. 
