330 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
The astonishing and gratifying change which has 
taken place among them^ nothing but Christian prin¬ 
ciples could have effected. Numbers of the Areois early 
embraced Christianity, and some from the highest 
orders were amongst the first converts. With few 
exceptions, they have been distinguished by ardour 
of zeal, and steady adherence to the religion of the 
Bible. Many of them have been the most regular 
and laborious teachers in our schools, and the most 
efficient and successful native Missionaries. Among 
this class, also, as might naturally be expected, have 
been experienced the most distressing apprehensions as 
to the consequences of sin, and the greatest compunction 
of mind on account of it. Many of them immediately 
changed their names, and others would be happy to 
obliterate every mark of that fraternity, the badges of 
which they once considered an honourable distinction. 
I have heard several wish they could remove from their 
bodies the marks tataued upon them, but these figures 
remain too deeply fixed to be obliterated, and per¬ 
petually remind them of what they once were. It is 
satisfactory to know, that not a few have enjoyed a 
sense of the pardoning mercy of God, and though some 
have been distressed in the prospect of death, others 
have been happy in the cheering hope, not of a 
pagan elysium, or a sensual sort of Turkish paradise, 
but of a holy and peaceful rest in the regions of 
blessedness. 
One of these, whose name was Manu^ a bird, resided 
at Bunaauia, in the district of Atehuru. His age and 
bodily infirmities were such as to prevent his learning 
to read, yet he constantly attended the school, and, from 
listening to others, was able to repeat with correctness 
