POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
341 
humanity, with the greatest abhorrence of paganism, 
under the sanction of which such cruelties were per¬ 
petrated. They are also adapted to convey a most 
powerful conviction of the true character of heathenism, 
and the miseries which its victims endure. 
The abolition of this practice, with the subversion 
of idolatry, is a grateful reward to those who have 
sent the mild and humane principles of true religion 
to those islands. This single fact demands the grati¬ 
tude of every Christian parent, especially of every 
Christian female, and affords the most cheering encou¬ 
ragement to those engaged in spreading the gospel 
throughout the world. 
The elevating, mild, and humanizing influence of 
Christianity, has not only effected its entire abolition, 
but it has revived and cherished those emotions of 
parental tenderness and affection originally implanted 
in the human bosom. A change of feeling and of 
conduct, in this respect, has taken place, as delightful 
as it is astonishing. The most civilized and Christian 
parts of the world do not furnish more affectionate 
parents than the Society Islanders now are. In general, 
they are too tender towards their children, and do not 
exercise that discipline and control over them which 
the well-being of the child, and the happiness of the 
parent, requires. 
The most decisive instances of parental affection are 
every day presented. Sometimes, in reference to the 
present enjoyment and temporal advantage of the 
children, and not unfrequently in regard to their 
spiritual benefit. I have often been deeply affected, on 
beholding a mother, whom I have known to have been 
guilty of the destruction of four, five, or six children. 
