POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
277 
The present state of the islands in which they have 
spent so many years^ compared with what it was at the 
time of their arrival, and during several subsequent 
years, is a sufficient refutation to every charge of this 
kind. 
But there are individuals, from whose general habits of 
observation, and principles of judgment, it might have 
been supposed a more just conclusion would have been 
formed, who have occasionally described them as 
the most unsuitable agents that could have been em¬ 
ployed. This mode of representation, although I do 
not regard the Missionaries or their proceedings as per¬ 
fect, I consider to be far from just or correct. It is not my 
intention to eulogize their diversified labours, or to lavish 
panegyric upon their achievements. But in the esti¬ 
mate of their character, qualifications, and exertions, 
a variety of considerations ought to have a greater in¬ 
fluence on the minds of those by whom they are thus 
represented, than they are sometimes allowed to exert. 
Missionary effort, on the extended scale, and in the dis¬ 
tant and comparatively unexplored field in which they 
attempted it, was an event as new among the British 
churches, as the broad, catholic principles, upon which it 
was undertaken, were unparalleled. 
The authentic information possessed by many who 
combined in arranging the plan, as well as by those who 
attempted its execution, was not only exceedingly 
limited, but received through a medium* that neces¬ 
sarily imparted a higher glow of colouring, than those 
channels through which more accurate accounts have 
since been transmitted. Many, no doubt, embarked in 
the enterprise, as subsequent events fully proved, with 
* Voyages of Cook, Bligh, &c. 
