REVIEW OF THE CHANGE IN TAHITI. 177 
with themselves, or the people around them, lest 
subsequent events should disappoint the anticipa¬ 
tions which existing favourable appearances might 
originate. This prudential reserve, on some ac¬ 
counts, cannot be too highly commended; yet, it 
is possible to carry it too far; and, in the present 
instance, however honourable to the individuals 
who maintained it, it cannot be doubted that the 
world has been thereby deprived of a full record 
of events, intimately connected with the destinies 
of the people among whom they transpired, and 
with the propagation of the gospel in the most 
distant parts of the world, during every future age 
of the Christian church. 
I have endeavoured to present an outline of this 
great change. I would, however, only offer it as a 
substitute for the more explicit statement which 
my predecessors in the islands might render; and 
if, by attracting their attention to the subject, I 
should induce them to furnish such a desideratum, 
my attempts will not have been altogether in vain. 
Should this be elicited, they will confer no ordinary 
benefit on the cause of Missions, and afford great 
satisfaction to the Christian world. 
A number of interesting and important inquiries 
is naturally suggested by this amazing change; 
and we are anxious to be made acquainted with 
every fact, in the application of those means which 
induced its commencement, and sustained its pro¬ 
gress. In all its departments, and under every 
circumstance, it bears the impress, and exhibits, 
in the clearest manner, the sovereignty and the 
power, of the Almighty, in regard alike to the time 
of its commencement, the circumstances of its pro¬ 
gress, and the means of its accomplishment. 
In regard to the time of its occurrence. During 
II. yt 
