332 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
remedies they were using for his recovery; but they 
gave me no answer. The chief seemed to have less 
pain than yesterday, and was much more communica¬ 
tive. He said the native doctors had brought him 
there in order to try the effect of medicines, which he 
trusted would give relief. I told him it was right to 
use every lawful means for the recovery of health; but 
cautioned him particularly against having recourse to 
the incantations of the priests, or making any offerings 
to their former gods, as that was not only foolish and 
useless, but offensive to God, the author of all our 
mercies, with whom alone were the issues of life and 
death. He made no reply, but turned the conversation, 
by saying he regretted that he was not able to furnish 
us with a canoe, and that his sickness had not allowed 
him to be more with us. I told him we wished to have 
had more frequent opportunities of telling him of Jesus 
Christ; and endeavouring to impress his mind with the 
necessity of an early application for the pardon of his 
sins, and the salvation of his spirit. When I left him, 
he said he would think of these things, and, should he 
get better, would attend to instruction, and use his 
influence to induce his people to attend. 
Maaro was attended by two or three natives, who 
were called kahuna rapaau mat , the name given to 
those who undertake to cure diseases, from kahuna , a 
priest, or one expert in his profession, rapaau , to heal, 
or to apply medicine, and mai, disease. Although among 
the Sandwich Islanders there are none who exclusively 
devote themselves to this employment, there are many 
who pretend to great skill in the discovery and cure of 
diseases. They are usually, as their name imports, 
priests or sorcerers, and seldom administer medicine 
