INSTRUCTIONS FROM ENGLAND. 55 
honoured of God to plant among the Gentiles, of 
every thing complicated or artificial, that they 
might be established in the purest simplicity of 
form, and, as far as possible, according to the 
directions of revelation. Had any been pertina¬ 
cious of their peculiarities, they had now the fairest 
opportunity of acting accordingly. 
General good, however, was our object; and 
that line of procedure, which, as a whole, we could 
unitedly pursue, in closest accordance with scrip¬ 
ture, and at the same time with greatest advantage 
to the people, was more desired by every one, 
than any peculiar views on minor points. I believe 
it is from the paramount influence of these feelings, 
more than from any other cause, that such uni¬ 
formity exists. There was no agreement previously 
entered into among the Missionaries, but those of 
each station were left, with the people around who 
might be brought to a reception of the truth, to 
assume for themselves such form of constitution 
and discipline, as should in their views be most 
accordant with the word of God; and yet I am 
not aware, that in any material point there is the 
smallest difference among them. 
As the subject had long been one of consider¬ 
able anxiety, we had written to the Directors of 
the Society for their advice. They in general 
referred us to the New Testament. Several per¬ 
sons, however, interested in the progress of truth 
among the islands, wrote to the Missionaries indi¬ 
vidually, and also communicated their views to the 
public through the medium of the Evangelical 
Magazine. • Among others, the Rev. Mr. Great- 
head, whose views of church government were 
rather peculiar, wrote very fully. His plans were 
at first adopted by one or two of the Missionaries; 
