POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
245 
soul is more precious than the body^ and eternity more 
important than time. Some have died^ and we have 
reason to believe have entered those realms of day^ where 
night and darkness are unknown. 
One remarkable instance occurred during the year in 
which I left the islands. The native name of the indi¬ 
vidual to whom I allude was Him. He was the priest 
of one of the principal temples of Parea^ in the lesser 
peninsula of the island^ or Huahine iti. He was a priest 
of Hiro^ the god of plunderers and thieves^ and_, in perfect 
accordance with the spirit of his office^ was the captain 
or leader of a band of robbers^ who spread terror through 
the surrounding country. He was one of the first and 
most determined opposers of Christianity in Huahine; 
reproaching its adherents^ defying the power^ and dis¬ 
claiming the authority^ of its Author. But^ like Saul of 
Tarsus^ he found it hard to resist. 
He was in the prime and vigour of manhood^ being at 
the time between thirty and forty years of age. When 
the number of Christians increased in his neighbourhood^ 
and the Sabbath-day was first publicly observed^ in order 
to shew his utter contempt of Christian institutions^ he 
determined to profane that day in defiance of Jehovah.” 
He repaired for this purpose to the grounds in the 
neighbourhood of the temple, and engaged in erecting a 
fence; but while thus employed, his career of impiety 
was suddenly arrested. The twig of a tree came in con¬ 
tact with his eyes; almost instant blindness followed 5 
and he was led home by his affrighted companions, who 
considered it a visitation from the Almighty. 
I had frequent interviews with him afterwards, one in 
the precincts of his own temple, which I visited in com¬ 
pany with Messrs, Bennet, Tyerman, and Barff. I have 
