The progress of Christianity appears to have been gradual, the converts at times suffering much from the rage of their heathen countrymen, until the month of December, 1822, rather more than a year after my first visit; when two circumstances contributed to the utter overthrow of idolatry in the of Aitutaki. The first was the arrival of the island vessel from Raiatea, which we had promised to send. The teachers had told the people that a ship would come to inquire after their welfare, and to bring them presents and information from their friends. This was believed by a few; but the greater part called them “Two logs of drift-wood, washed on shore by the waves of the ocean;” and said that no ship would ever come to inquire after them. Her arrival, however, set the matter at rest; and as the captain showed kindness to the chiefs, and made several of them presents of axes, and other useful things, their opposition to the teachers was not a little subdued.

There being no quadrupeds in the island, but a few millions of rats, we sent from Raiatea a number of pigs and goats; with a variety of other articles, which our people had contributed. The teachers gave the pigs and goats to the king's grandfather, and he, on the following morning, distributed them among the various chiefs of the island. A powerful impression was thus very generally produced in favour of Christianity.