350 POMARE'S CHARACTER. Thus died Pomare II., at the age of fortyseven years. Every one who has read this history must already be acquainted with his character. He possessed good abilities, great perseverance, and a fondness for study; he was of a stubborn and reserved temper, and was disposed to pride, covetousness, deceit, and intemperance; but the most odious part of his natural character was his treachery. He had, however, been a friend to the missionaries, and a blessing to his people; he appeared to believe the word of God himself-and persuaded many (whilst he forced none) to turn from idols. The last day will show whether he was a child of God; for the numerous faults that disfigured him to the last, rendered it doubtful to whom he belonged. A pious chief, named Hautia, said, after Pomare's death, "I could not sleep all night for thinking of Pomare. I was like a canoe rocking on the stormy waves, which cannot rest. I thought of his body-and I said in my heart," That is dead," and will soon be in the grave, but his soul, where is it ?" How many kings and common people (as Pomare himself once observed) had sunk into the grave without having heard of Christ! But God showed great mercy to Pomare, and sent to him the news of a Saviour. HIS DOUBTFUL STATE. 351 How sad it was that one, who had received such singular favours, should have continued in bondage to many sins! The force of old habits of iniquity must indeed have been stronger than we can imagine. Yet it was not too strong for God's Spirit to overcome, if Pomare had diligently sought for help. There were, however, some parts of his character, pleasant to reflect upon. His attention to God's word, his respect for God's ministers, and his zeal for the spread of the gospel, lead us to hope that the root of the matter was in him, and that when multitudes shall flock from the ends of the earth, Pomare shall come from the islands of the south to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. CHAPTER XXXVII. 1822. WHAT THE CONVERTED HEATHEN FELT FOR THOSE STILL IN DARKNESS. It was feared by many that much confusion would arise in the kingdom, in consequence of the death of Pomare. None, however, did arise. The people accepted Pomare's little son, who was a year and a half old, as their king. As so young a child could not govern, several chiefs had been appointed by Pomare, before he died, to govern in his stead. One of these had more authority than the rest. He was an old man, named Ma-nao-nao. He behaved in an oppressive manner, claiming many gifts from the people. The young king was called Pomare III., as he was the third of that name who had reigned over Tahiti. He was entirely committed to the care of his aunt, Pomare Vahine, who seemed fit for the charge. She had lately been admitted to take the Lord's Supper, and was both more cor RESIDENCE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. 353 rect in her conduct, and more amiable in her manners, than the child's mother. The king's usual abode was at Papao, near the Royal Mission Chapel, and the tomb of Pomare. The child's mother, the queen, also lived near her husband's tomb-not in the same house as her child, but in a large native house, in which she was surrounded by a great number of chiefs and servants. Her conduct did not give much satisfaction to the missionaries; for she chose to be tattooed, though tattooing was a custom forbidden by the laws, because it led to a great many evil practices. Mr. Nott came over every Sunday from Matavai, to preach in the Royal Mission Chapel, which was only four miles off; and he promised to come and live near it, as soon as a house was built for him, and to undertake the education of the little king. Pomare Vahine often took the child to another house belonging to her, near Mr. Crook at Papeete. The little king was very fond of Mr. Crook's family, which consisted of nine children, and with whom he had been a great deal ever since he was born. From being so much with them, he soon began to speak English. He also appeared to like A A 354 REMAINING SUPERSTITION. English people better than natives, and to prefer their food and all their ways. The missionaries were glad to observe this taste, because they hoped that, when he was older. he would delight in the things they would teach him, and hate all heathen customs. The late king Pomare had never cast off some of them; for instance, he never permitted a woman to eat in a house where he had been. The missionaries were sorry to perceive that the servants of the little king had some heathen ideas for once when the child touched with his foot some fruit that was lying on the ground, the servants said, "It must not be eaten, throw it away;" because they thought that the king, by touching it, had made it sacred. It is very long before a nation can' get rid of superstition, and follow no rule but the word of God. It was a very sad circumstance, that there was no place in all the converted islands, so wicked as that part of Tahiti, where the royal family resided. One reason of it might be, that many ships visited that neighbourhood; another was supposed to be, that the late king Pomare had been always attended by a train of the worst men in the island, who corrupted all around them by their bad example; for he had never made the resolution that King David |