POM A RE’S LETTER WITH THE IDOLS. 173 
the Leeward Islands, and succeeded in persuading 
the chiefs and people to demolish their temples 
and idols, and receive Christian instruction. The 
most pleasing results continued also to attend the 
efforts of the new converts in Tahiti. 
In the beginning of 1816, Pomare sent most of 
his own family idols to the Missionaries, that, as 
he observed in a letter accompanying them, dated 
February 19th, “ they might either commit them to 
the flames, or send them to England.” These 
idols I saw at Port Jackson; they are now depo¬ 
sited in the Missionary Museum, Austin Friars. 
It is impossible to behold them without sympa¬ 
thizing in the feelings of Pomare, when he calls 
them “ Tahiti’s foolish gods.” The following is a 
translation of the letter which he sent with them. 
Its interesting contents will justify its insertion. 
Friends, 
May you be saved by Jehovah, and Jesus Christ our 
Saviour. This is my speech to you, my friends. I wish 
you to send those idols to Britane for the Missionary 
Society, that they may know the likeness of the gods that 
Tahiti worshipped. Those were my own idols, belonging 
to our family from the time of Taaroamanahune even to 
Vairaatoa : and when he died he left them with me. And 
now, having been made acquainted with the true God, 
with Jehovah, He is my God, and when this body of mine 
shall be dissolved in death, may the Three-One save me ! 
And this is my shelter, my close hiding-place, even from 
the anger of Jehovah. When he looks upon me, I will 
hide me at the feet of Jesus Christ the Saviour, that I 
may escape. I feel pleasure and satisfaction in my mind ; 
I rejoice, I praise Jehovah, that he hath made known his 
word unto me. I should have gone to destruction if Jeho¬ 
vah had not interposed. Many have died, and are gone to 
destruction, kings and common people; they died without 
knowing any thing of the true God ; and now, when it 
came to the small remainder of the people, Jehovah hath 
been pleased to make known his word, and we are mad© 
