256 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
per, mildly entreating those who reviled him, to 
examine for themselves. 
In the year 1813 he proposed to Tamatoa, the 
king of Raiatea, and Mahine the king of Huahine, 
to renounce idolatry. They determinately refused; 
but he still continued firm in his own principles, 
and persevering in all his endeavours to influence 
other chiefs in favour of Christianity. It was in 
consequence of his recommendation, that Taaroarii, 
the son of the king of Huahine, prohibited the 
abominations of the Areois, and sent for a preacher 
to teach him the word of God. Pomare continued 
the steady disciple of the Missionaries for several 
years, using all his influence in persuading the 
people to renounce their dependence on the idols, 
and to hear about the true God. His conduct in 
this respect was most commendable, for I never 
heard that he had recourse to any other means 
than persuasion, or that he ever held out any other 
inducements than those which the scriptures pre¬ 
sent. He had no honours or emoluments to be¬ 
stow, for he was at that time in exile; and the 
constant reproach of his family and adherents was, 
that his ruin was inevitable, as he had, by re¬ 
nouncing the national worship, made the gods his 
enemies. 
The conduct of the king in the battle of Atehuru, 
his treatment of the captives, and his clemency 
towards the vanquished, have been already de¬ 
tailed, as well as his journeys for the purpose of 
inducing the people to embrace Christianity. His 
baptism, and his promulgation of the laws by which 
the islands of Tahiti and Eimeo are now governed, 
have been also given. 
During the latter part of his life, his conduc* 
was in many respects exceptionable, and hi 
