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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
already mentioned it. His spirit was subdued; he sub¬ 
sequently became a humble, and, we trust, sincere disciple 
of that blessed Redeemer whom he had persecuted. He 
died trusting in the merits of Christ for acceptance with 
God the Father. The history of the conversion of the 
great apostle to the Gentiles interested and ajffected him 
much 5 and though the scales on his bodily eyes were not 
removed, but his blindness continued until his death, 
such was the impression which analogy of circumstances 
produced, that when he presented himself for baptism, 
he desired to be called Paul, 
Other instances of spiritual illumination, equally pleas¬ 
ing, now exist both in the Society and Sandwich Islands, 
in reference to individuals suffering one of the most 
distressing and hopeless privations to which humanity is 
exposed. Some, of our most interesting conversations 
with the natives have been with such. ‘^My eyes,’^ 
said a blind man one day to Mr. Williams, behold no 
attractive objects when I am engaged in prayer, or 
hearing the word of God; and yet my heart wanders, and 
my thoughts are often engaged on other subjects. My 
eyes see not another man’s property, &c.; and yet, when 
I hear it spoken of, my heart covets it. The objects that 
tempt others to sin, are unseen by me; but my imagi¬ 
nation creates objects of sin, which often occupy my 
thoughts.” 
The experience of Bartimeus Lalana, a native of the 
Sandwich Islands, is also remarkably interesting and 
satisfactory. Blindness is not more common among the 
Polynesians than with the inhabitants of other countries; 
yet there are numbers of aged persons who have lost their 
sight; and the influence of that sympathy which this 
affliction always awakens in a Christian bosom, is now 
