The roof--steeply inclining to within a man's height of the ground--was thatched with leaves, and the sides of the edifice were open.

Thus spacious was the Royal Mission Chapel of Papoar.
At its dedication, three distinct sermons were, from different pulpits, preached to an immense concourse gathered from all parts of the island.
As the chapel was built by the king's command, nearly as great a multitude was employed in its construction as swarmed over the scaffolding of the great temple of the Jews.

Much less time, however, was expended.

In less than three weeks from planting the first post, the last tier of palmetto-leaves drooped from the eaves, and the work was done.
Apportioned to the several chiefs and their dependants, the labour, though immense, was greatly facilitated by everyone's bringing his post, or his rafter, or his pole strung with thatching, ready for instant use.

The materials thus prepared being afterwards secured together by thongs, there was literally "neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was building." But the most singular circumstance connected with this South Sea cathedral remains to be related.