282 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
direction, but to demonstrate the practicability of 
accomplishing, by means within their power* what 
had been proposed. 
The directors of the Missionary Society were 
fully sensible of the necessity of introducing a re¬ 
gular system of industry among the islanders, in 
order to their assuming and maintaining a station 
amongst Christian or civilized nations; and felt 
that the interesting and peculiar circumstances of 
the people at this time, required something beyond 
the inculcation of the principles of Christianity, 
and instruction in the use of letters. They 
justly inferred, that, unless habits of industry 
were introduced, and civilization promoted, the 
people, if they did not absolutely return to all the 
absurdities, superstition, and cruelty of paganism, 
would develop but partially the genius and spirit 
of Christianity, and exercise very imperfectly its 
practical virtues. The state of feeling, also, that 
prevailed among the inhabitants at this time, 
predisposed them readily to attend to any recom¬ 
mendations of the kind; and the great deference 
they now paid to the counsel of their teachers, 
presented an opportunity more favourable than 
had ever occurred before, or was likely to occur 
again. 
Influenced by these considerations, the Directors 
sent to the South Sea Islands Mr. Gyles, a gentle¬ 
man who had been many years manager of a planta¬ 
tion in Jamaica, and who, being well acquainted 
with the culture of the cane, and the manufacture 
of sugar, was furnished by the Missionary Society 
with the necessary machinery and apparatus for 
introducing this branch of industry. Mr. Gyles 
was engaged for four years, during which time it 
was supposed he would be able, not only to com- 
