PATIIS HEROIC RESOLUTION. 109 
in 1821. His father is ‘the venerable king of 
Huahine; and has, ever since his return, proved 
not only a father to the people, but a uniform and 
bright ornament to the religion of the Cross. 
Besides these regular periods of instruction and 
times of public worship, the Missionaries frequently 
held special meetings with those whose names 
they had written down, for the purpose of unfold- 
ing more fully the sublime doctrines of revelation, 
and uniting with them in social worship. They 
had the delightful satisfaction of hearing some of 
the new converts engage in prayer, and were sur- 
prised and gratified, in a high degree, with their 
fluency and fervour, as well as the appropriateness 
of their language, when officiating in this sacred 
duty. They also learned with pleasure, that they. 
were accustomed to retire morning and evening for 
secret prayer. 
In one of the visits which Mr. Nott made to the 
residence of Taaroarii, for the purpose of preaching 
to his people, he was followed by Patti, the priest 
of the temple in Papetoai, the district in which the 
Missionaries resided. This individual appeared to 
listen most attentively to what was said; and. 
after the conclusion of the service, he and Mr. Nott 
proceeded together along the beach towards the 
settlement. As they walked, Pati fully disclosed 
the feelings of his mind to Mr. Nott, and assured 
him that on the morrow, at a certain hour, he 
would bring out the idols under his care, and pub- 
licly burn them. The declaration was astounding; 
it was too decisive and important in its nature, 
and promised results almost too momentous to be 
true. Mr. Nott replied, ‘‘] fear you are jesting 
with me, and stating what you think we wish, 
rather than what you intend. I can scarcely. 
