 of guile
- and an impatience of the least suspicion as to their rectitude as men or
Christians, have ever been prevailing faults in the Church. Nor is this to be
wondered at: for subject as Christianity is to the assaults of unprincipled
foes, we are naturally disposed to regard everything like an exposure of
ecclesiastical misconduct as the offspring of malevolence or irreligious
feeling. Not even this last consideration, however, shall deter me from the
honest expression of my sentiments.
    There is something decidedly wrong in the practical operations of the
Sandwich Island Missions. Those who from pure religious motives contribute to
the support of this enterprise, should take care to ascertain that their
donations, flowing through many devious channels, at last effect their
legitimate object - the conversion of the Hawaiians. I urge this not because I
doubt the moral probity of those who disburse these funds, but because I know
that they are not rightly applied. To read pathetic accounts of missionary
hardships, and glowing descriptions of conversions, and baptisms taking place
beneath palm-trees, is one thing; and to go to the Sandwich Islands and see the
missionaries dwelling in picturesque and prettily-furnished coral-rock villas,
whilst the miserable natives are committing all sorts of immoralities around
them, is quite another.
    In justice to the missionaries, however, I will willingly admit, that
whatever evils may have resulted from their collective mismanagement of the
business of the mission, and from the want of vital piety evinced by some of
their number, still the present deplorable condition of the Sandwich Islands is
by no means wholly chargeable against them. The demoralising influence of a
dissolute foreign population, and the frequent visits of all descriptions of
vessels, have tended not a little to increase the evils alluded to. In a word,
here, as in every case where civilisation has in any way been introduced among
those whom we call savages, she has scattered her vices, and withheld her
blessings.
    As wise a man as Shakespeare has said, that the bearer of evil tidings hath
but a losing office; and so I suppose will it prove with me, in communicating to
the trusting friends of the Hawaiian Mission what has been disclosed in various
portions of this narrative. I am persuaded, however, that as these disclosures
will by their very nature attract attention, so they will lead to something
which will not be without ultimate benefit to the cause of Christianity in the
Sandwich Islands.
    I have but one thing more to add in connection with this subject-those
things which I have stated as facts will remain facts, in spite of whatever the
bigoted or incredulous may say or
