chap, vl THEIR STANDARD OF MORAL CHARACTER. 
157 
worlds. Intimately associated with their careful study of 
the Scriptures seems to have been their constant habit of 
prayer. It often appeared to me that they might have been 
appropriately called by the same name as that by which the 
early Christians in the South Sea Islands were universally 
designated, the 'praying people. The Word of God and 
prayer seem to have been the two sources whence they 
derived that vigour and maturity of Christian character which 
they have presented to the world. 
In these men, as well as elsewhere. Divine truth had 
produced those astonishing transformations of character 
which rendered them witnesses for God, living evidences, the 
unequivocal, unmistakable subjects of a wonderful moral 
change. 
The standard of moral excellence which, so far as I could 
learn, the Christians had selected, was simply that which is 
presented by the Scriptures, and to attain this standard and 
practically but most unobtrusively to exhibit it to others, 
appears to have been their constant aim, at the same time 
that it proved one undeniable source of their sufferings; for 
the introduction and exemplification of the morality of the 
Bible was said to be changing the customs of the country. 
Still it was even acknowledged by some whose office it was 
to try, condemn, and punish the professors of this faith, 
that their conduct was indeed different from that of others. 
We do not wonder at the observation of one of these judges 
who, when remarking on the scrupulous exactness with which 
property committed to their trust had been returned, ob¬ 
served, “ These people would be good servants indeed if it 
were not for their praying.” 
Besides intercourse with the people in reference to what 
had been the aspect which the Gospel had presented in those 
who professed it, I addressed a number of inquiries to persons 
of different classes, and their testimony confirmed the views 
