50 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
relatives and children; and so far from deeming it 
a burden to attend to them, in Eimeo, Huahine, 
and, I believe, in some of the other islands, the 
natives have formed benevolent societies among 
themselves, for the purpose of building houses, 
supplying with food and clothing those who, in 
their old age and helpless state, have no friends 
or children to take care of them. In these dwell¬ 
ings they are lodged, and clothed, and fed. Per¬ 
sons also visit them for the purpose of reading the 
scriptures, and praying with them; their present 
necessities are supplied, the decline of life made 
easy, and their passage to the grave comparatively 
tranquil and happy. It is only necessary to con¬ 
trast this with the former treatment of individuals 
under similar circumstances, in order to strengthen 
our conviction of the incalculable diminution of 
misery which has resulted from their reception 
of the gospel, and the temporal blessings it has 
imparted. 
During the year 1820, the Mission in the Wind¬ 
ward Islands sustained a heavy bereavement in the 
decease of Messrs. Bicknell and Tessier. The 
latter, who was a man of modest and unobtrusive 
habits, but patient and unremitting industry in 
the important work of educating the rising genera¬ 
tion, died on the 23d of July. His Christian 
course had not been splendid or attractive, but it 
had been undeviating and unsullied. His end was 
not only peaceful, but triumphant in faith, and 
glowing in anticipation of the holy and spiritual 
joys awaiting him in the abodes of blessedness. 
Mr. Bicknell, whose health was not firm, fol¬ 
lowed the remains of his faithful coadjutor to the 
tomb; and while standing on the edge of the 
closing grave, and addressing the sorrowing multi- 
