156 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
were desirous of becoming the disciples of Jesus Christ, 
they were accustomed to associate together for this 
purpose. Private prayer has long been almost universal, 
as well as the practice of imploring a blessing on 
their food; and although they at first asked whether 
they must not learn to pray in the English language ? 
whether God would not be angry if they should use in¬ 
correct expressions in prayer? or whether, when they had 
retired to their gardens, or the bushes adjacent to their 
dwellings, and were there engaged in prayer, their atten¬ 
tion should be diverted by an intruder, they should leave 
off or continue? Sometimes they would ask, whether 
engaging in conversation, and praying, with very wicked 
persons, such as had been murderers, &c. would not 
appear in some degree sanctioning or extenuating their 
crimes ? With more frequency, however, and greater 
eagerness, they often inquired how they could prevent 
evil thoughts arising in their minds during seasons 
of devotion—how they could avoid repeating words 
of prayer unattended by devotional desires—and how 
they could at all times engage the heart in this ex¬ 
ercise ? I recollect a father and a mother asking 
with ardent solicitude, whether it would be right to 
take their little boy or girl, with them to the bushes 
or the garden, talk with it in this retirement, and teach 
it there to pray to God. Prayer in their families 
was regularly observed; and among the many inquiries 
in reference to this subject, it was once asked, whether 
Jesus Christ had family prayer with his disciples, 
whether among their own domestic establishments, in 
the event of the sickness or absence of the husband, the 
wife should not convene the family, and perform this 
important duty ? 
