546 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
as preparatory to a seminary, or college, for the purpose 
of training up native pastors for the different stations 
in the South Sea Islands. It is certainly a most im¬ 
portant institution, and will probably exert no ordinary 
influence on the future character of the nation at large, 
as well as prove highly advantageous to the individuals 
who become its inmates. It merits the countenance of 
the friends of Missions. Several individuals have kindly 
enriched its library with suitable elementary books, 
philosophical apparatus, &c, but these are still very in¬ 
adequate to the accomplishment of the design con¬ 
templated. 
While the establishment of this institution is a just 
occasion of gratitude to the Missionaries, it by no means 
removes all anxiety from their minds with regard to 
the future prospects of their families. The nature of 
their station, and the spirit and principles of their 
office as ministers of Christ, prevent the parents from 
making any provision for their families. The comfort¬ 
able settlement of their children is an object of most 
anxious solicitude to Christian parents at home—to 
foreign Missionaries it is peculiarly so. Their remote 
and isolated situation precludes their embracing those 
openings in Divine Providence for placing their children 
in comfortable circumstances, of which they might avail 
themselves in Christian and civilized society. The 
prospect of filling comfortable stations there, are all 
uncertain; professions there are none; commerce is in 
its infancy, as will appear from the fact of its being 
still carried on by exchange or barter. The circulation 
of money is very limited, and its use known to but few’. 
The fondest hope of every Missionary is, that his chil¬ 
dren may grow up in the fear of God, be made partakers 
