144 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
CHAP. VII. 
The refugees in Eimeo invited to return to Tahiti—Voy¬ 
age of the king and his adherents—Opposition to their 
landing—Public worship on the Sabbath disturbed by 
the idolatrous army—Courage of the king—Circum¬ 
stances of the battle of Bunaama—Death of the idola¬ 
trous chieftain—Victory of the Christians—Clemency 
of the king and chiefs—Destruction of the image, 
temple, and altars of Oro—Total subversion of paganism 
—General reception of Christianity—Consequent altera¬ 
tion in the circumstances of the people—Pomare’s 
prayer—Tidings of the victory conveyed to Eimeo— 
Visits to Tahiti. 
In the commencement of the year 1815, the affairs 
of Tahiti and Eimeo, in reference to the supre¬ 
macy of Christianity or idolatry, were evidently 
tending to a crisis; and although the converts had 
carefully avoided all interference in the late wars 
which had desolated the larger island, they were 
convinced that the time was not very remote, 
when their faith and principles must rise pre-emi¬ 
nent above the power and influence of that system 
of delusion and crime, of which they had so long 
been the slaves, or plunge them in the deepest 
distress, and perhaps inevitable ruin. To maintain 
the Christian faith, and enjoy a continuance of 
their present peace and comfort, they foresaw 
would be impossible. Under the influence of these 
impressions, the 14th of July, 1815, was set apart 
