92 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
tian intercourse, and the public ordinances of 
that religion, which is alone adapted to impart 
effectual consolation. Cut off also from the en¬ 
dearments of home, the pleasures of society in 
civilized life, the satisfaction derived from books, 
and the reciprocal interchange of all the offices of 
friendship, the only earthly solace a Missionary en¬ 
joys among an uncivilized people, except what he 
derives from his work, is found in the social en¬ 
dearments of the domestic circle. However remote 
from the land of his nativity may be its locality, how¬ 
ever humble its structure, however rude its appen¬ 
dages, or limited its sources of comfort, compared 
with what in other parts may be enjoyed,—around 
his rustic hearth, and in the bosom of his family, 
he finds the scene of his richest earthly felicity. 
In any situation, bereavements such as those 
which befel the little band at Eimeo at this time, 
would have been distressing: to the Missionaries 
they w r ere peculiarly so. The channels of com¬ 
fort were dried up, and though they had free 
access to the Fountain of all blessedness and con¬ 
solation, and were enabled to say, “ He hath 
done all things well,” yet their trial must have 
been peculiarly poignant and oppressive. It is 
remarkable, that at a period of such unparalleled 
domestic distress, the most encouraging appear¬ 
ances of the Divine favour towards the nation 
around them, should have been afforded ; and it is 
probable that the very cheering prospects under 
which they were at this time called upon to pursue 
their Missionary engagements, greatly alleviated 
their sorrow. 
They had established public worship ; Mr. Davies 
had opened a school; an increased and pleasing 
attention had been manifested, by several, to the 
