DELIGHTFUL CONTRAST. 
325 
the very spot where Satan’s throne stood, and 
where, a few years ago, if a female had eaten 
but a mouthful, so sacred was the place con¬ 
sidered, that she would have been put to death.” 
What a spectacle of loveliness and peace must 
the platform have on this day exhibited, when 
compared with the scenes of abomination, absur¬ 
dity, and cruelty, that had often been presented, 
when the very materials of which it was com¬ 
posed had formed part of an idolatrous temple. 
The children afterwards walked in procession 
through the settlement, halted at each of the 
extremities, sung a hymn, and then repaired to 
the chapel, where a suitable address was delivered 
to them by the pastor. These annual examina¬ 
tions and festivals are not peculiar to Bunaau’ia, 
but are instituted in several other stations of the 
Georgian group. 
In the Leeward or Society Islands the remem¬ 
brance of these exercises are among the most 
pleasing recollections I retain of my intercourse 
with the people. In Huahine they are usually 
held at the close of the public services connected 
with the Missionary anniversaries. 
On the 11th of May 1821, a large chapel was 
nearly filled with spectators. The school contained 
four or five hundred children. Several from each 
class were examined, and manifested that they 
had been neither indolent nor careless. I beheld, 
with no common interest, a number of fine, 
healthy, and sprightly-looking children on that 
occasion assembled together, and saw a little boy, 
seven or eight years of age, with a little fringed 
mat wound round his waist, and a light scarf 
thrown over the shoulder, stand upon a form, 
and repeat aloud two or three chapters of one of 
