MODE OF BAPTIZING. 23 
as of imparting to them necessary instruction. 
After several months had been occupied in devot¬ 
ing one afternoon in the week to their instruction, 
it was deemed proper to baptize a number of the 
candidates, and two of their children. 
It was now necessary to determine upon the 
mode : this had never appeared to us a very im¬ 
portant part of the matter. We should not have 
objected to immerse any individuals who had them¬ 
selves desired it. But as the scriptures are not 
decisive on this point, and though it is stated that 
Philip and the Eunuch went down to the water, or 
into the water, yet it was not in this act, but in the 
application of water in the name of the Trinity, 
that we considered baptism to consist: in such 
application, it is not stated that the Eunuch was 
immersed. Hence, we did not explain this, or 
other passages of similar import, as signifying 
immersion—and consequently the converts did not 
desire it. But had one of our own number 
thought it proper to have administered this rite by 
immersion, I do not think we should have said he 
acted wrong in so doing. In this respect, however, 
there was no difference of opinion, and conse¬ 
quently a perfect uniformity of practice prevailed. 
With regard to the other modes, we did not think 
it was very material whether we poured or sprin¬ 
kled the element upon the individual. 
The 12th of September, 1819, was fixed for the 
baptism of the first converts in Huahine. It was 
also the Sabbath. A suitable discourse was deli¬ 
vered in the morning to a numerous congregation 
who thronged the chapel. Mr. Davies, being the 
senior Missionary at the station, officiated, assisted 
by Mr. Barff and myself. 
The climate in the South Sea Islands is remark- 
