EAGERNESS i'OR BOOKS. 11 
not another man's property, &c.; and yet, when 
I hear it spoken of, my heart covets it. The objects 
that tempt others to sin, are unseen by me; but 
my imagination creates objects of sin, which often 
occupy my thoughts.” 
The experience of Bartimeus Lalana, a native 
of the Sandwich Islands, is also remarkably in¬ 
teresting and satisfactory. Blindness is not more 
common among the Polynesians than with the 
inhabitants of other countries ; yet there are num¬ 
bers of aged persons who have lost their sight; 
and the influence of that sympathy which this 
affliction always awakens in a Christian bosom, is 
now excited in the natives themselves, though for¬ 
merly the blind were objects of neglect and ridicule. 
There is now connected with the Missionary station 
at Bunaauia, or Border’s Point, a blind man, who 
could repeat correctly half the Gospel by John, 
very soon after it was printed. 
When we have been distributing the scriptures, 
two or three fine boys or girls have come, begging 
for copies, though they could not read—assuring 
us, they were learning; and, when they have 
failed, they have entreated that we would write 
their names on the books, and reserve them till 
they were able to read. To our satisfaction, in 
this request they have often been joined by their 
parents, who have offered payment for the copies. 
We have usually complied with their wishes, and 
have witnessed the most entire confidence on their 
part, as it regarded the ultimate accomplishment 
of their wishes, when once their names have been 
written. 
In Huahine it was necessary to select some public 
place for the distribution of the books; the school¬ 
room was fixed upon, and, on the day appointed, 
