408 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
resembled the Jewish more perhaps than the 
Christian Sabbath, was not directly inculcated by 
the Missionaries, but resulted from the desire of 
the natives themselves to suspend, during* this day, 
their ordinary avocations, and also from their imi¬ 
tation of the conduct of the Missionaries in this 
respect. 
We have always been accustomed to have our 
usual beverage prepared in the morning and after¬ 
noon ; but this is the only purpose for which, in 
ordinary seasons, a fire has ever been lighted for 
any of the Missionary families; and when destitute 
of these articles, which in the earlier periods of 
the Mission was often the case, no fire was lighted 
on the Sabbath ; their food was invariably dressed 
on the preceding day, and the warmth of the 
climate prevented their requiring fire for any other 
purpose. In this proceeding they were influenced 
by a desire that their domestics, and every member 
of their families, might have an opportunity of at¬ 
tending public worship. 
The example, thus furnished by their teachers, 
has led to the strict and general observance of the 
Sabbath by the nation at large. Their private 
devotions are on this, as well as other mornings, 
usually concluded by sunrise, and shortly after¬ 
wards the greater part of the inhabitants assemble 
for their Sabbath morning prayer-meeting. Be¬ 
sides a service in English, the Missionaries preach 
twice in the native language, and visit the Sabbath 
schools ; these services are as many as they are 
able to undertake : the service at the morning 
prayer-meeting is therefore performed by the 
natives. We have, however, sometimes attended, 
and always with satisfaction. 
It is impossible to conceive the emotions of 
