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I could multiply extracts to the same effect; the difficulty is not in selecting, but in rejecting any of the interesting details of this wonderful revolution.

Whilst reading over my authorities, I feel a warm desire to insert the whole of them, the accounts are so cheering, so delightful; but the limits prescribed to this work forbid such a course.. What are we now to think of the sentiments and predictions of those who declared that the natives of Otaheite were incapable of embracing the doctrines, or ever practising the morality of the blessed Gospel of Christ? Even Turnbull himself, the friend of the Missionaries, doubted the propriety of their mode of teaching, and seemed to prefer, as a precursor, (the way most plausible with worldly wisdom,) the cold, precarious, partial process of civilization; instead of trusting at once to the power of a preached gospel, from the lips of a faithful Missionary, whose heart is glowing with divine benevolence, kindled by the love of Jesus, and resting on the promises of God. Those unbelieving predictions were combated, at the time, by friends of the Mission; but it was reserved for the faith, patience, prayers, and unwearied labours of the Missionaries themselves, by the blessing of God, to complete their refutation; when the divine mercy, effulgent as the sun bursting through a cloud, poured a flood of light, life, and saving health, on the island of OTAHEITE.

On subjects of high importance, when actual experiment is beyond our reach, speculations may be

indulged, and certain doctrines and conclusions may be objected to: but where we are favoured with experiment and proof, equal to demonstration, it were as criminal as it would be absurd, to shut our eyes on facts, and deny their existence.

The whole population of Otaheite have been civilized; particular individuals are presented to us, in their savage state, and in their meliorated condition. Their whole moral character is changed; activity has taken place of indolence; benevolence of cruelty: they are manifestly new creatures from what they once were; they confess it, and declare the manner, and the cause of the change in them.

The agents, the benevolent agents in this godlike work, of bringing a whole nation from pagan darkness, to walk in the light of humanity and virtue, have proved themselves sincere by their patience, intrepidity, perseverance, and success. Let the powers of the mind of man be summoned to survey the character, the extent, the immense benefits of this heavenly work of holy love; and having surveyed the boundless subject, le their utmost stretch be exerted to comprehend, and exhibit the character and conduct of those apostolic men, whose labours have been blessed for setting a nation free from idolatry, cruelty, and death.

All that is dear to the human heart, in the enjoyment and exercise of friendly feeling and intercourse; all that is tender in the pure and relative affections of domestic life, introduced to a whole

society of human beings like ourselves, lately drenched in the pollutions of vice, yields a prospect of happiness, and an amount of blessings through successive generations, too mighty for the grasp of the human mind to comprehend in all its multiplied and blissful consequences. Is there a human being, with sympathy of soul, who feels not the thrilling of delight in the mighty mass of happiness thus secured to thousands yet unborn!

Ask those Agents what were the mighty means of dispelling darkness from the minds, treachery from the hearts, and murder from the social intercourse of a whole nation; and they will tell you with united voice, "by the gospel of Jesus Christ, the almost miraculous change has been effected."

May we not therefore conclude, that Christianity possesses the only efficient power of civilization? It not only requires holy principles, and prescribes a pure morality; but also supplies its agents with faith, patience, hope, and perseverance, for carrying on the work. It has abundant supplies in like manner, for all who sincerely desire to obey its commands.

To them who truly turn to Christ, are vouchsafed heavenly influences by the Holy Spirit, which change the whole man, subduing the corrupt, sinful, and selfish propensities of the human heart; and introducing humility, temperance, and the benevolent desire of promoting the best interests of the human race. Make every member of any savage community a true Christian, and you will have at once a humane, civiliz

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ed, harmonious society. I believe this proposition to be true, by universal consent; for whatever may be said of the cunning, and apparent sagacity of pagans in their rude estate, as connected with that wisdom which is "earthly, sensual, devilish;" there can be no difference in opinion, that "the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and GOOD FRUITS, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

If such be the consequences attendant on the successful introduction of the religion of the Bible, by the grace of our God and Saviour; hard must be the heart, and cruel the hand, that refuses to be warm and liberal in the Missionary cause.

Every genuine friend of civilization, must be the friend of Missions.

No principle can be more established than this, that He who created, can renew. If so, who is so "able to change the mind, or renovate the spirit of man, as God, who made him.

The highest degree of civilization must consist in the purest morality, or the strict observance of the decalogue in every transaction of life. Now, the very capacity to observe this law, is a prominent promise of that covenant, whereby God graciously binds himself to them that believe his word, and accept of his salvation. "I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them ;" and lest it might be said there was such an evil heart in them that they could not yield a wil

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ling obedience, the further promise is given; new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh." Should it be yet further urged, that a people were so defiled by idolatry and vice, as to preclude the hope of acceptance, even on exercising repentance and faith; there is yet another promise to obviate this difficulty: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and FROM ALL YOUR IDOLS will I cleanse you."

Now I would submit it to every man of reflection and candour, whether there be not in the preceding promises of God, something very near to a description of the actual process of civilization in the inhabitants of Otaheite.

If it be demanded, what the gospel has to do with this process, the answer is easy, and satisfactory; it is through the glad tidings of the gospel, that all the promises made by Jehovah, are brought nigh, and rendered beneficial to mankind. Hear the apostle's own words: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM, that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world through lust." Another apostle confirms the same assertion: "For all

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