68 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
atonement of Christ, and to indulge a hope of 
exemption from all the fearful effects of sin and 
guilt, this apprehension has not, in many instances, 
been attended by that sudden relief, and that 
exstatic joy, which is often manifested in other 
parts of the world, by individuals in correspond¬ 
ing circumstances. Yet, in many instances, we 
have not doubted the sincerity of their declara¬ 
tions, or the genuineness of their faith in the 
Redeemer. 
We have often tried to account for this apparent 
anomaly in their Christian character, but have not 
been altogether satisfied with the causes to which 
we have sometimes assigned it. It does not 
appear, generally, that their emotions are so acute 
as ours, or that they are equally susceptible of 
joy and sorrow with persons trained in civilized 
society. Besides this, though their ideas of the 
nature and consequences of sin, the blessedness of 
forgiveness, and the hope of future happiness, were 
correct so far as they went, yet the varied repre¬ 
sentations of the punishment and sufferings of the 
wicked, and the corresponding views of heaven, as 
the state of the greatest blessedness, being to 
them partial and new, the impressions were pro¬ 
bably vague and indistinct; while with us, from 
long familiarity, they are at once vivid and power¬ 
ful. Without pausing to inquire into its cause, it 
seemed right to mention the fact; better reasons 
may perhaps be assigned. 
We have often also remarked, that there are 
but few of what would be called sudden conver¬ 
sions. In general, the process by which their 
views and feelings have been changed, has been 
gradual, and almost imperceptible, as to its precise 
manner of operation, though ultimately most de- 
