264 POLYNESIAN -RESEARCHES. 
The greater portion of the inhabitants having now 
embraced Christianity, they availed themselves of 
what appeared to them the most suitable means for 
impressing the minds of the converts with the prin¬ 
ciple laid down in the Scriptures, that it is the 
duty of those who enjoy the gospel, not only to 
maintain, but also to extend it. It appeared to 
them that both these ends might be answered most 
appropriately and effectually, by establishing among 
the natives a Missionary Society, auxiliary to the 
London Society, rather than by calling upon them, 
immediately after their conversion, to support the 
teachers labouring among them. Such a measure 
might, while they were but partially acquainted 
with the true nature and design of Christianity, 
have induced some, who were perhaps halting be¬ 
tween two opinions, to infer that the Missionaries 
were influenced by motives of pecuniary advantage, 
in their endeavours to induce them to receive 
Christian instruction. 
The inhabitants of the islands knew that many of 
the supplies which the families frqm time to time 
received, were sent by their friends in England, 
and procured by the voluntary contributions of 
those there, who had first sent, and subsequently 
maintained, the Mission ; and it was thought that 
it would be better that their contributions towards 
the support of Christianity, should be combined 
with those of the contributors to the Missionary 
Society; that the supplies for the teachers might 
still be drawn from this source, while at the same 
time the natives would be contributing towards the 
support of their own instructors, and yet identify¬ 
ing themselves with British Christians in their 
efforts to propagate Christianity throughout the 
world. 
