244 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
some time before they were ready. The district of 
Fare presented a scene strongly resembling that which 
Afareaitu had exhibited when the first portion of the sa¬ 
cred volume was printed there; and many said they could 
not sleep, from the apprehension of not obtaining a copy. 
It was not easy to distribute them to the greatest advan¬ 
tage, and we determined to give a copy to none but 
such as could read; but so importunate were many, 
that we could not abide by our resolution. Sometimes 
those who were scholars induced their chiefs to apply for 
a number of copies, guaranteeing their payment, and their 
suitable appropriation. From this representation, many 
were given to the different chiefs; but we found it desir¬ 
able afterwards, in order to insure the most advantageous 
distribution, to give only to those who we ourselves were' 
satisfied could read. 
Several blind persons applied at the different stations, 
earnestly soliciting books, stating, that though they could 
not read, they could hear and remember as well as those 
who could see. To have denied to those suffering natural 
darkness the means of obtaining spiritual light, when we 
had every reason to believe they were sincere in their 
expression of desire for it, would have been cruel; and we 
rejoice in having been honoured of God to communicate 
the gospel, as the servants of Him who— 
-from thick films shall purge the visual ray, 
And on the sightless eye-ball pour the day. 
It is a most pleasing fact, that, in the South Sea 
Islapds, a number of blind persons have not only had 
their understandings enlightene'd by the preceptive parts 
of Scripture truth, but that to many it has proved the 
light of life,’' more valuable than natural light, as the 
