CHEERING PROSPECTS. 
161 
gospel to Tahiti, have viewed the pleasing change. 
Those patient labourers also, who had toiled in 
the field, but had been called away before the first 
waive-sheaf was gathered in, must have felt their 
joy increased, as the enlarged spiritual perceptions 
which they possess enabled them to look not only 
on the outward change in circumstances and in 
conduct, but on that more delightful transforma¬ 
tion of character, which every day unfolded some 
new and lovely features. And with what ecstatic 
songs of gratitude and praise, must they have wel¬ 
comed, to the realms of happiness, the first arrivals 
from those clustering isles, of redeemed and pu¬ 
rified spirits, who had been made partakers of 
the grace of life, and heirs with them of immor¬ 
tality. 
The knowledge of the spiritual nature of Chris¬ 
tianity, possessed by many of the new converts, 
was doubtless but imperfect, their acquaintance 
with the will of God but partial, and probably on 
many points at first erroneous, but still there was 
a warmth of feeling, an undisguised sincerity, and 
an ardour of desire, (in scripture called “the first- 
love,”) that has never been exceeded. Aged chiefs, 
and priests, and warriors, with their spelling-books 
in their hands, might be seen sitting, on the 
benches in the schools, by the side, perhaps, of 
some smiling little boy or girl, by whom they were 
now taught the use of letters. Others might be 
often seen employed in pulling down the houses of 
their idols, and erecting temples for the worship of 
the Prince of peace, working in companionship and 
harmony with those whom they had met so recently 
upon the field of battle. 
Their Sabbaths must have presented spectacles 
on which angels might look down with joy. 
II. M 
