THROUGH HAWAII. 
379 
ers, except occasionally in making fences, small ca¬ 
noes are frequently made of it by the Society Island¬ 
ers. In addition to the above purposes, the nuts are 
often baked or roasted as an article of food, which 
the natives eat with salt. The nut contains a large 
portion of oil, which, possessing the property of dry¬ 
ing, is useful in painting; and for this purpose quanti¬ 
ties are carried by the Russian vessels to their settle¬ 
ments on the north-west coast of America. 
Before we prepared for our departure, we requested 
that the people of the place might assemble to hear 
the word which we had to speak to them. About 200 
collected, and were addressed from John vi. 40. They 
gave good attention, particularly the wife of Arapai, 
who was afflicted with an affection of the spine, which 
prevented her walking without support. She called 
us to her after the service, and told us she had in¬ 
curred the displeasure of the gods by eating a fish 
that was tabu, or sacred, and that the disease which 
rendered her a cripple was her punishment. She said 
she had felt great pleasure on hearing the invitation 
of Jesus Christ, desired to go to him and obey his 
word, inquiring at the same time very earnestly, if we 
thought he could and would save her. We told her that 
eating the tabu fish was not the cause of her suffering, 
and encouraged her to repair, by faith, to Him who 
was able and willing to heal her body if he saw fit, and 
who would assuredly save her soul, if she applied in a 
right manner; repeating several of the most precious 
promises of our blessed Lord to those that are weary 
and heavy laden with sin, and desire salvation through 
his mercy. Numbers of the people crowded round us 
when the service was ended, and with earnestness be- 
