POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
435 
of. The greater portion of the inhabitants having now 
embraced Christianity, they availed themselves of what 
appeared to them the most suitable means for impressing 
the minds of the converts with the principle laid down 
in the Scriptures, that it is the duty of those who enjoy 
the gospel, not only to maintain, but also to extend it. 
It appeared to them that both these ends might be 
answered most appropriately and effectually, by estab¬ 
lishing among the natives a Missionary Society, auxi¬ 
liary to the London Society, rather than by calling 
upon them, immediately after their conversion, to sup¬ 
port the teachers labouring among them. Such a 
measure might, while they were but partially acquainted 
with the true nature and design of Christianity, have in¬ 
duced some, who were perhaps halting between two 
opinions, to infer that the Missionaries were influenced 
by motives of pecuniary advantage, in their endeavours 
to induce them to receive Christian instruction. 
The inhabitants of the islands knew that many of the 
supplies which the families from time to time received, 
were sent by their friends in England, and procured by 
the voluntary contributions of those there, who had first 
sent, and subsequently maintained the Mission; and it 
was thought that it would be better that their contribu¬ 
tions towards the support of Christianity, should be 
combined with those of the contributors to the Mis¬ 
sionary Society; that the supplies for the teachers 
might still be drawn from this source, while at the same 
time the natives would be contributing towards the 
support of their own instructors, and yet identifying 
themselves with British Christians in their efforts to 
propagate Christianity throughout the world. 
The plan was proposed to the king, and at once 
