SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
211 
and the roof is supported by four pillars, which bear up the 
ridge. It is capable of containing two hundred persons. 
Two doors and twelve windows give it light and air: the 
pulpit and reading-desk are neatly carved and painted, with 
a variety of pretty designs; and the benches for the people 
are arranged neatly round. Close to the church is the 
burying-place, which is a mound of earth covered with green¬ 
sward : and the whole has an air of modest simplicity which 
delighted no less than it surprised us. 
The history of Manti is short. It is under the dominion 
of the king of Atui, the Wateeoo of Captain Cook. This king 
having been persuaded to relinquish his idolatrous worship 
and destroy his idols, accompanied two English missionaries 
in a small vessel, called the Endeavour, to this island. As 
soon as he approached, the chiefs and people immediately 
thronged out to meet and welcome him; and on his going 
ashore, while they were yet assembled round him, he said— 
“ I am come to advise you to receive the knowledge of the 
true God, because hitherto you have been adoring senseless 
pieces of wood, the work of your own hands. I shall leave 
you a teacher to instruct you, and show you how you have 
hitherto been in error/’ 
He then gave orders for the destruction of the morais, 
and for the burning of the idols. Thus, in one day, and 
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