POMARE’S UNDAUNTED PROFESSION. 99 
had anticipated : rumours of war prevailed in the 
western and southern parts of the island, and many 
of the chiefs sent professions of subjection ; but 
the continuance of such acknowledgment was 
uncertain. Some of his ablest allies, especially 
Tapoa the chief of Ratatea, was removed by death, 
and the others prepared to return to their own 
islands. Early in the following year, the district 
of Matavai was surrendered to Pomare, but he was 
justly doubtful of the sincerity of the surrender. 
Amidst all these unfavourable circumstances, he 
continued bold and uncompromising in his renun- 
ciation of the idols, and every rite of idolatry; 
observing the sabbath, and, on every suitable oc- 
easion, exhibiting the truth and excellency of the 
religion of Jesus Christ. Although this honourable 
conduct produced a surprising effect upon the 
minds of many of the inhabitants of Tahiti and 
Kimeo, who considered the king better acquainted 
both with the religion of the natives, and that of 
the foreigners, than any other person in the 
islands; it procured him many enemies, and 
exposed him to no ordinary degree of ridicule and 
persecution, or contempt, not only from his ido- 
latrous rivals, but from his allies, and the members 
of his household and family. These attributed all 
his reverses to the respect he had shewn the Mis- 
sionaries, and the inclination he had indulged 
towards their God; and declared that he need not 
expect his affairs to be retrieved, since he had for- 
saken the gods of his ancestors, and insulted those 
to whom his family was indebted for the elevated 
distinction to which it had been raised in Tahiti, 
and the neighbouring islands. Pomare, however, 
was uninfluenced by any of these representations, 
and, notwithstanding the embarrassed state of his 
H 2 
