Such attempts, however, have been rather injudicious, and often ineffectual: in truth, a barrier almost insurmountable is presented in the dispositions of the people themselves.

Still, in this respect, the morality of the islanders is, upon the whole, improved by the presence of the missionaries.
But the greatest achievement of the latter, and one which in itself is most hopeful and gratifying, is that they have translated the entire Bible into the language of the island; and I have myself known several who were able to read it with facility.

They have also established churches, and schools for both children and adults; the latter, I regret to say, are now much neglected: which must be ascribed, in a great measure, to the disorders growing out of the proceedings of the French.
It were unnecessary here to enter diffusely into matters connected with the internal government of the Tahitian churches and schools.
Nor, upon this head, is my information copious enough to warrant me in presenting details.

But we do not need them.

We are merely considering general results, as made apparent in the moral and religious condition of the island at large.
Upon a subject like this, however, it would be altogether too assuming for a single individual to decide; and so, in place of my own random observations, which may be found elsewhere, I will here present those of several known authors, made under various circumstances, at different periods, and down to a comparative late date.