MISSIONARY LIFE IN THE

SOUTHERN SEAS.

BY

JAMES HUTTON.

HENRY S. KING & Co.

65 CORNHILL AND 12 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON

1874

133. f. 71

[All rights reserved.]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

TAHITI.

PAGE

Discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa-Magellan

names the Western Ocean-Polynesia-The mountainous, the

hilly, the coralline islands-Two distinct races of inhabitants-

Tamatoa - Matetau - Natural disposition of the South Sea

Islanders-Visit of Omai to England-Cowper's lines-Revival of

religious feeling in the British Isles- Spanish and Portuguese

mode of conversion-Captain Cook's aberration of judgment-

Formation of the London Missionary Society-Captain Wilson's

strange career-The Duff sails for Tahiti,

1

CHAPTER II.

TAHITI continued.

Discovery of Tahiti by Quiros-Visited by Wallis, De Bougainville,

and Cook-The Georgian and Society Islands-Two Spanish ships

-Arrival of the Duff-Friendly reception of the missionaries-

The ex-King Pomare-Haamanemane, the high priest-Descrip-

tion of Tahiti-Mechanic arts - Linguistic studies - Human

sacrifices-Their disuse and abolition, .

18

CHAPTER III.

TAHITI continued.

Infanticide-Mr Williams's experiences - Modes of infanticide-Mo-

tives-The Areois-Extirpation of the practice-The children's

festival at Raiatea-Second despatch of the Duff-Failure of the

enterprise-Arrival of the Nautilus in Matavai Bay-Ill-usage of

the missionaries - Disruption of the party- Evil influence of

European seamen-Singular mode of baptism-The missionaries'

letter to the Society-Critical position-Assassination of the high

priest-Murder of Mr Lewis,

PAGE

33

CHAPTER IV.

TAHITI-Continued.

Erection of the first Christian chapel in the South Seas-Pomare's

offering-Reinforcement of missionaries-First preaching tour-

The Atehuru rebellion-The mission-house turned into a fortalice

-Suspension of hostilities-Perversity of the natives-Death

of Pomare I.-King's letter to the London Missionary Society-

Letters from home-Renewal of hostilities-Defeat of Pomare II.

-Break-up of the South Sea Mission,

CHAPTER V.

TAHITI-Continued.

Glimmerings of hope-Domestic trials-Pomare in search of truth-

First two converts- Many are added to the Church-Destruction

of idols-Progress of inquiry-First and last martyr-Conspiracy

to massacre the Christians in Tahiti-Battle of Narii-Defeat of

the idolaters-Extirpation of idolatrous worship,.