RELIGIOUS MAGAZINE,

OR

SPIRIT OF THE FOREIGN THEOLOGICAL JOURNALS AND REVIEWS.

MARCH, 1830.

a

ceal or qualify the disgust with which we have viewed a recent portraiture of him,-executed indeed by knowledge, but "knowledge," to all appearance, “much darkened by malice," portraiture which robs him of all amiable or dignified expression; which denies him the air, not merely of sanctity, but of common respectability; which represents him in the likeness of a pitiful, cowardly, sordid, unfeeling, hypocritical, self-interested knave; and which, in short, is altogether fitted to hold up his memory to public scorn and execration.-Critic.

From the Baptist Magazine.

POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, during a
Residence of nearly Six Years in the South
Sea Islands; including Descriptions of the
Natural History and Scenery of the Islands:
with Remarks on the History, Mythology,
Traditions, Government, Arts, Manners and
Customs, of the Inhabitants. By W. Ellis,
Missionary to the Society and Sandwich
Islands, and Author of the "Tour of Ha-
waii." Two vols. 8vo. London, 1829.

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one.

tion. This happy combination of persons and
means, has called into the field of action seve-
ral eminently qualified men, who in conformity
with the taste of the religious world, have
united the traveller and the missionary into
Ardent in the pursuit of general know-
ledge, they have subordinated it to the love of
God, and at once enlarged the boundaries of
science, and extended the sphere of pious acti-
vity. While they have ministered to our en-
tertainment, and promoted our mental cultiva-
tion, they have chiefly consulted our religious
predilections, and at once redeemed the book
of travels from the charge of impiety, which
the Christian world but too accurately adduce
against it; and the book of missionary records
from the charge of ignorance or dulness, which
the literary and scientific world in its turn, too
plausibly urged in extenuation of a cold or
proud disregard of their claims.

Amongst individuals of this class must be
reckoned Mr. Ellis: and we hail the appear-
ance of his volumes, as well on account of the
general knowledge they contain, as of their
large infusions of religious sentiment and mis-
sionary information. The distant situation of
the numerous islands to which they refer, the
beautiful natural scenery and delightful cli-
mate they describe, the curious habits, and
manners, and idolatry, now passing into desue-
tude, which are brought into review, the won-
derful transformation that has been effected
by the introduction of Christianity, the conti-
nued and successful efforts of holy labourers in
that great missionary field, still to diffuse and
to carry thence to the extremities of the globe
"the unsearchable riches of Christ," which
are detailed-all tend to impart to them an un-
usual degree of interest, and even though they
had been executed in a far inferior manner,
must have pushed them into extensive circu-
lation.

THE general thirst for knowledge, which is characteristic of the present times, has so stimulated the enterprising spirit of numerous individuals, that within a few years almost every region of the earth has been explored, and every library replenished with books of Travels and Researches. Curiosity, cupidity, or the love of fame, has laid open to view the geographical position and internal character of islands and sections of our globe, till recently unknown or unvisited; and without any personal adventure we have been enabled by a slight effort of the imagination, to traverse tempestuous oceans, to rove over distant countries, and to complete the most perilous under- Literature and science have not only been takings in all the snug security of domestic dissociated from religion, but not unfrequently retirement. We are thankful to those who set up in opposition to its requirements and inhave thus expatriated themselves for years to fluence, and the best disposed minds have repromote our comfort and instruction, even garded them as naturally at variance. It is though a little selfishness of motive should time, however, that it should be generally unhave intermingled with their public exertions. derstood that they may be united with reciBut another feeling, we rejoice to observe, procal advantage. Knowledge contributes to has of late been superadded to the mere thirst the illustration and establishment of religion, for knowledge, and has both refined and ex- and religion develops new charms, and widens panded it; it is the desire of doing good. In her sphere of influence when she ascends and not a few minds this has predominated over adorns the paths of science. The missionary every other sentiment, and given birth to some need not be less the traveller for his fear of of the most splendid achievements of benevo- God; nor the traveller less the missionary for lence in modern times. For the single and his love of science. In fact, we have often resublime purpose of advancing the moral and gretted the disqualifications of those who have spiritual interests of mankind, and under the explored other regions for the purposes of influence of considerations which bespeak at Christian benevolence, for communicating inonce a comprehensive range of intellect, and a formation on subjects connected with general heavenly charity of heart, men have gone forth knowledge or history. If a missionary or the to distant lands, encountered peculiar dangers, agent of a missionary society, were to go forth and suffered unwonted privations, and evident only moderately instructed in the elements of ly without any solicitude respecting their own general science, we should gain much informainterest or glory. The awakening of a spirit tion which otherwise must be inevitably lost; of Christian philanthropy which appears to information which he might obtain without inhave been slumbering for ages, has produced terfering for a moment with his supreme obthe formation of societies among different de- ject; calculated in fact, by improving his own nominations of Christians, for the express pur- mind, and stimulating his own mental enerpose of sending their agents into all the earth, gies, to give a zest to his pious efforts; indito convey to deluded souls the tidings of salva-rectly to advance the influence of religion

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around him, and directly to furnish data to the have been the nursing fathers, and their queens Christian writer and philosopher upon which the nursing mothers of the church. And the to reason, and with which to vanquish the op- change has been produced upon men in no orponent of Christianity, whose real ignorance of dinary circumstances of mental and moral dehuman nature and divine operations, such dis-gradation; for they were not only savages but closures would often have a tendency to ex- cannibals. Iniquity as well as ignorance took pose. We regret, therefore, that Mr. Camp-deep root here in human nature, and for ages bell did not possess the disposition to inquire shot forth, in all the luxuriance of its baseness, into the nature, or the power to make instruct- into numberless ramifications. Man was not ive observations on society, when he penetrated only an idolater, but a tiger: whereas now the deserts of Africa, which Mr. Ellis has so these ferocious passions have been subjugated, clearly evinced, and so advantageously em- the yoke of Jesus has been assumed, the songs ployed during his residence in the Southern of Zion echo through those lovely vales and seas. We had anticipated a similar develop-around those beautiful shores, and the verdure ment of capability in Mr. Tyerman; and though he has been mysteriously summoned into another and a blissful world, we trust that we shall soon hear that his most important papers have been preserved for publication.

The term Polynesian, which has been given to the region to which the volumes before us refer, is considered as comprehending the various islands found in the Pacific, from the Ladrones to Easter Island. The principal groups are-the Ladrone Islands, the Carolinas, the Pelew Islands, the Sandwich Islands, the Friendly Islands, the Navigators' Islands, the Harvey Islands, the Society Islands, the Georgian Islands, and the Marquesas. Mr. Ellis thus describes his entrance on the future field of his labours in these interesting regions, when he landed at Eimeo in 1817.

of piety blooms on a thousand spots in those pacific regions.

In the progress of this great moral revolution, there have occurred many exhibitions of human character, of a kind analogous to what has ever in fact attended the propagation of the gospel. At an early period persecution manifested its fury, and Christian heroism displayed its grandeur. The following quotations afford a gratifying specimen :

"Aberahamar, an interesting and intelligent young man, who was a pupil in our school at Eimeo, was marked out as a victim; and when the servants of the priests came to take him, being obliged to fly for his life, he was pursued by the murderers, shot at, wounded, and but narrowly escaped. When he received the ball,' he fell, and unable to save himself by flight, crawled among the bushes, and hid himself so completely as to elude the vigilant search of his enemies, although it was continued for some time, and they often passed near his re

treat.

"Under cover of the darkness of night, he crept down to the dwelling of his friends, who dressed his wound, and conveyed him to a place of safety. But although he recovered from the shot, and lives, not only to enjoy the blessings of the gospel in this world, and to be useful in imparting its benefits to others, he will, to adopt the language of Mr. Davies, carry the honourable scar to his grave.'

"An immolation equally affeeting was re

"On reaching the habitations of the missionaries, we were cordially welcomed to their society, and were rejoiced to behold them cheered by the intelligence we had brought, and the prospect of receiving a still greater accession to their numbers. The evening passed pleasantly and rapidly away, many of the pious inhabitants and chiefs in the neighbourhood came to greet our arrival, with evident emotions of delight. Among them was one whose salutation I shall never forget:'Ja ora na oe i te Atna, Ja ora oe i te haere raa mai io nei, no te Aroha o te Atna oe i tae mai ai'-' Blessing on you from God; peace to you in coming here; on account of the love of God are you come.' These were his words.lated to me by Mr. Nott. A fine, intelligent His person was tall and commanding, his hair black and curling, his eyes benignant, and his whole countenance beamed with a joy that declared his tongue only obeyed the dictates of his heart. His name was Anna, a native of Raiatea, formerly an areoi and a warrior, who had arrived with numbers of his countrymen to the support of Pomare, after his expulsion from Tahiti, but whose heart had been changed by the power of the gospel of Christ. He was afterwards associated with us at Huahine, sub. sequently became my fellow labourer in the Sandwich Islands, and was, when I last heard from the islands, about to be ordained pastor of a Christian church in Sir Charles Saunders's Island."-p. 152.

The conquest of idolatry in the South Seas, by the power of Christianity, has been one of the most remarkable of its achievements since the apostolic age. Its influence does not appear to have consisted in merely bringing over whole islands to the adoption of its external rites and services, but in the real conversion of multitudes to God. Here, literally, kings

young man, on becoming a disciple of Christ and a public worshipper of Jehovah, was ridiculed by his family; this proving ineffectual, flattering promises were made of temporal advantages, if he would again unite with those who had been his former associates in idol worship: these he also declined. He then was threatened with all their weight of vengeance; and still remaining firm to his determination, he was banished from his father's house, and forced to leave his home. Not satisfied with this, that rage and malignant hatred of Christianity, which is gendered by ignorance and idolatry, and cherished by satanic infatuation, pursued him still. A heathen ceremony was at hand, for which a human victim was required, and this young man was selected by his persecutors, because he professed to be a worshipper of the true God. A more acceptable sacrifice they thought they could not offer, as the reverge they should thereby wreak upon him, they conceived, would not only gratify their own insatiate malice, but be so acceptable to the gods whom he had rejected, as

'the noble army of martyrs,' and united in
ascriptions of grateful homage unto Him who
had loved him, and not only made him faithful
to the end, but triumphant over death.

Those who heard the young man's dying
words, and witnessed his calm, unshaken firm-
ness in the moment of trial, with many among
whom the report circulated, were probably led
to think differently of the religion he profess-
ed, than they had done before. The blood of
the martyrs has ever been the seed of the
church, and from an exhibition of principles so
unequivocal in their nature, and so happy in
their effects, it is not too much to presume
that it proved so on the present occasion.".
p. 228.

certainly to render them propitious. On the
evening of the day preceding that on which
the ceremony was to take place, the young
man, as his custom was, had retired to the
brow of a hill that overlooked the valley where
he dwelt; and there, seated beneath the em-
bowering shade of an elegantly growing clump
of trees, was absorbed in meditation, previous
to offering up his evening supplications to his
God. While thus engaged, his seclusion was
invaded and his solitude disturbed, by the ap-
pearance of a band, similar in some respects
to that which broke in upon the Saviour's re-
tirement in Gethsemane. A number of the
servants of the priests and chiefs approached
the young man, and told him that the king had
arrived, and, wishing to see him, had sent We must not, however, with our restricted
them to invite him down. He knew of the ap-limits, persevere in extracts, with which it
proaching ceremony-that a human sacrifice would be easy to fill many a pleasing page.
was then to be offered-and he no sooner saw Our readers must allow us to make a general
them advancing to his retreat, than a sudden reference to the volumes themselves. They
thought, like a flash of lightning, darted are full of incident and information on mission-
through his mind, intimating that he was to ary, literary, and scientific topics, in connexion
be the victim. He received it as a premonition with Polynesia. The author's style of writing
of his doom, and in reply to the request, told is engaging, his statements are authentic, and
them calmly that he did not think the king derived from personal observation, and he is
had arrived, and that therefore it was unneces- always the Christian and the missionary, as
sary for him to go down. They then told him well as the traveller. The whole might per-
that the priest, or some of his friends, wished haps have been advantageously compressed
to see him, and again exhorted him to descend.
into a narrower space; and yet, whoever has
"Why,' said he, do you thus seek to deceive the means of so considerable a purchase, will
me? The priest, or friends, may wish to see scarcely regret the quantity: in quality he
me, but it is under very different circumstances will certainly find an equivalent exchange.
from what your message would imply. I know
a ceremony approaches, that a human victim
is then to be offered-something within tells
me I am to be that victim, and your appearance
and your message confirms my conviction.
Jesus Christ is my keeper; without his per-
mission you cannot harm me. You may be
permitted to kill my body, but I am not afraid
to die! My soul you cannot hurt; that is safe
in the hands of Jesus Christ, by whom it will
be kept beyond your power.' Perceiving there
was but little prospect of inducing him, by
falsehood, to accompany them towards the
beach, and irritated, probably, by his heroical
reply, they rushed upon him, wounded, and
murdered him; and then, in a long basket, THE strong feeling excited in this country
made with the leaves of the overshadowing
on behalf of the Protestant Vaudois appears,
cocoa-nut tree, bore his body to the temple, from the pamphlet before us, to be extending
where, with exultation, it was offered in sacri- itself to the Continent. Its author is already
fice to their god. They had, perhaps, beheld,
They had, perhaps, beheld, advantageously known to the English_reader
with fiend-like joy, his writhing agonies in by his work upon the Ecclesiastical Law of
death, and listened, with equal delight, to his Germany; and the information now comma-
expiring groans. The unconscious earth had nicated to us increases his claim to public gra-
been saturated with his blood, and when they titude and attention. We must confess, how-
placed his body on the rude altar, or suspend- ever, that "the strong and unanswerable ar-
ed it from the sacred tree, in the presence of gument" is more ingenious than convincing.
their god, they not only supposed they offered Count Ferdinand Dal Pozzo contends, that the
a sacrifice at once acceptable and efficacious,
transfer of Piedmont to the crown of Sardinia
but, doubtless, viewed the immolation as one by the treaty of Paris in 1814, and by the treaty
by which they had achieved for idolatry a tri- of Vienna in 1815, was made subject to a re-
umph over humanity and Christian principle. servation of all the rights acquired by the in-
Before, however, these feelings could be exer- habitants while under the dominion of France.
cised, and the earth had drank up his blood, or And he grounds this claim upon a clause in
his insulted corpse was deposited on their altar, the treaty of Paris, stipulating that no indivi-
his liberated and ransomed spirit had winged
dual in the transferred countries shall be ha-
its way to the realms of blessedness, received rassed, either in person or property, for politi-
the welcome greeting of his Saviour, and, in- cal offences committed prior to the date of the
vested with the robes of victory, the palm of treaty. The writer quotes “ Vattel exceeding-
triumph, and the crown of glory, had joinedly well;" but, even with this help, he fails in

From the British Critic.

THE COMPLETE EMANCIPATION OF
THE PROTESTANT VAUDOIS OF
PIEDMONT, advocated in a strong and
unanswerable Argument, and submitted to
His Grace the Duke of Wellington. By
their Countryman, Count Ferdinand Dal
Pozzo, late Maître des Requêtes, and First
President of the Imperial Court of Genoa.
London: Rivingtons. 1829.