Excerpt from Memoirs of the Life of the Rev. John Williams, Missionary to Polynesia It is with sincere satisfaction that the author is at length enabled to present to the public the following memoir. Had the long delay which has occurred in its appearance resulted from his own negligence, the pain which he has suffered in consequence would have been a severe, if not a sufficient punishment. But of such a charge he is perfectly guiltless. For his own relief, and for the success of his undertaking, he was most anxious that the volume should have been completed at a much earlier period; but as he was far more solicitous that it should not be published in an unfinished state, he was induced to await, in the first instance, the arrival of documents from the South Sea Islands, and subsequently, the return of Mrs. Williams to this country; and the issue has satisfied him, that in resisting the strong temptation to go to press, he did well. Thus he has been enabled to enrich some parts of his volume, to complete others, and accurately to trace his admirable friend through almost every interesting scene of his diversified and instructive history. Reluctantly as the author ventures to make a personal reference, he may be pardoned for saying in his own justification, when he consented to compile the following sheets, he did so with extreme reluctance, and unfeigned self-distrust. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1843.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 edition. Excerpt: ...the periods passed at Sydney and Rarotonga, this favored and fruitful isle had been cheered by his presence, and blessed with his labors. But, henceforward, we are to follow him into other and wider fields of exertion; for, although he returned to Raiatea, he did so rath er as a visitor than as a resident. At this point, his stated and steady superintendeuce ceased. And it is a subject of congratulation, that it did not terminate earlier. Had-not the Great Head of the church frustrated the designs of his servant, and hedged up his way, he would undoubtedly have engaged in his Missionary Enterprises, ere the experiment so auspiciously commenced at Raiatea, could have been conducted to such a successful issue; and in that case, the fruit which his care and toil had brought to maturity, would have fallen unripe to the ground. But, happily, he labored there long enough to demonstrate, by the most conclusive evidences, the leading objects, the essential features, and the incalculable value of Christian Missions; and it is diflicult to conceive that a candid mind could consider the history of this island, without admitting their importance and obligation. What proofs are there here of the sanction, presence, and power of God! What a fulfilment of his promises to the faithful steward, and the devoted laborer l What encouraging evidence that the Gospel has lost none of that eflicacy to elevate, sanctify, and save the world, which was exerted in its earliest and widest triumphs! How amply does the case of Raiatea illustrate the excellency of this divinely appointed means, and its perfect adaptation to the wants and woes of our fallen nature! Here we may see its influence, not merely upon individuals, but upon a community. By this single...