32 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
ciples, and uniform in the practice of every Chris¬ 
tian virtue. We now felt more than ever the 
responsibility of our situation, and were afraid le§t 
we should discourage, and throw a stumbling-block 
in the way of those who were sincerely inquiring 
after God. Yet we felt no less apprehension lest 
we should be the means of encouraging desires, 
and cherishing the delusive hopes of such as were 
either deceiving themselves or others, and, under 
cover of seeking the favour of God, were actually 
pursuing that which they imagined would improve 
their temporal condition, or add to their respecta¬ 
bility in society. Some who had been baptized, 
we found it necessary to admonish, lest they should 
rest satisfied with the attainments already made, 
and neglect the more important considerations. 
In the interesting and critical duties now 
devolving upon us, we endeavoured to act with 
caution, taking the word of God for our directory, 
and bearing in mind at the same time the peculiar 
circumstances of the people; avoiding precipi¬ 
tancy in our public measures: so that, if we 
erred, it might be on the side of carefulness. The 
everlasting welfare of the people was our only 
object; this we considered would not eventually 
suffer, whatever might be the effect of withholding 
baptism from those who might be proper subjects 
for it. But by administering this rite to those who 
sought it from improper motives, should it render 
them satisfied with the sign, instead of the divine 
influence signified, we might become accessary to 
their fatal delusion. 
Under the influence of these impressions, we 
were perhaps led to defer the rite of baptism to 
those who applied for it, longer than we ought to 
have done; and I have known many who have 
