POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
439 
delivered a shorty animated^ and suitable discourse^ 
from the Eunuch’s answer to Philip^ Acts viii. 30^ 31. 
As soon as this was concluded, Pomare addressed the 
multitude of his subjects around, proposing the forma¬ 
tion of a society. 
He began by referring them back to the ages that were 
past, and to the system of false religion by which they 
had been so long enslaved, reminding them very feelingly 
of the rigid exactions imposed in the name of their ima¬ 
ginary gods, for they were but pieces of wood, or cocoa- 
nut husk. He then alluded to the toil they endured, and 
the zeal and diligence so often manifested, in the service 
of these idols. To them the first-fruits of the field, the 
choicest fish from the sea, with the most valuable 
productions of their labour and ingenuity, were offered; 
and to propitiate their favour, avert their displeasure, 
and death, its dreaded consequence, human victims were 
so often slain. While i'eferring to these dark and dis¬ 
tressing features of their idolatry, the general serious¬ 
ness of the assembly, and the indications of re¬ 
morse or horror in the recollection of these cruelties, 
appeared to accompany and respond confirmation to his 
statements. In striking contrast with them, he placed 
the mild and benevolent motives and tendency of the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the benefits its introduction 
had conferred: alluding to the very fact of their being 
assembled for the purpose which had convened them, 
as a powerful illustration of his remarks. He then 
stated the vast obligations they were under to God 
for sending them his word, and the partial manifestation 
of gratitude they had yet given. After this, he directed 
their attention to the miserable situation of those whom 
God had not thus visited, and proposed that, from a 
