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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
nacious of their peculiarities, they had now the fairest 
opportunity of acting accordingly. 
General good, however, was our object; and that line 
of procedure, which, as a whole, we could unitedly pursue, 
in closest accordance with Scripture, and at the same 
time with greatest advantage to the people, was more 
desired by every one, than any peculiar views on minor 
points. I believe it is from the paramount influence of 
these feelings, more than from any other cause, that such 
uniformity exists. There was no agreement previously 
entered into among the Missionaries, but those of each 
station were left, with the people around who might be 
brought to a reception of the truth, to assume for them¬ 
selves such form of constitution and discipline, as should 
in their views be most accordant with the word of God; 
and yet I am not aware, that in any material point there 
is the smallest difference among them. 
As the subject had long been one of considerable 
anxiety, we had written to the Directors of the Society 
for their advice. They in general referred us to the 
New Testament. Several persons, however, interested in 
the progress of truth among the islands, wrote to the Mis¬ 
sionaries individually, and also communicated their views 
to the public through the medium of the Evangelical 
Magazine. Among others, the Rev. Mr. Greathead, whose 
views of church government were rather peculiar, wrote 
very fully. His plans were at first adopted by one 
or two of the Missionaries ; yet the free admission, not 
only to baptism, but to the ordinance of the Lord’s sup¬ 
per, of such persons as sincerely desired to receive the 
same, without requiring evidence of their being true 
spiritual converts to Christ, threatened great irregularity 
and confusion ; it was therefore discontinued. 
