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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
seats appropriated for them in the chapel; and where 
there have been galleries, these have been occupied by 
the scholars. Frequently we have been approaching the 
place of worship at the same time that the schools have 
entered it, and it has often afforded the sweetest satisfac¬ 
tion to behold a father or a mother, with an infant in 
the arms, standing under the shade of a tree that grew 
by the side of the road near the chapel, to see in the 
line of scholars, a son or daughter pass by. When the 
object of affection has approached, a smile of pleasure 
has indicated the satisfaction of the child at the notice 
taken by the parent, and that smile has been recipro¬ 
cated by the parent, who, in silent gladness, followed 
to the house of God. 
The morning service commences with singing, during 
which the congregations stand; a portion of scripture is 
then read, and prayer offered, the congregation kneeling 
or standing. This is followed by singing a second 
time; a sermon is then preached, after which a short 
hymn is sung, prayer presented, and the benediction 
given; with which the service closes, between half¬ 
past ten and eleven o’clock. 
Although the religious exercises are now rather longer 
than they were when the people first began to attend, 
they seldom exceed an hour and a half on the Sabbath, 
and little more than an hour at other times. It has 
always appeared preferable, even to multiply the services, 
should that be necessary, than weary the attention of 
the people by unduly protracting them. When the 
congregation has dispersed, the children are conducted 
to the schools in the same order in which they came 
to the chapel, and are there dismissed by one of their 
teachers. 
