PREFACE. THE AUTHOR, as Special Commissioner of the United States, visited in the years 1860, 1861, and 1862, parts of the West Coast of America, and the Hawaiian Islands. When not occupied by the duties of his commission, he availed of wayside opportunities of observation, and of otherwise obtaining information of these countries. In the intervals of professional engagements' since his return, this, and incidental reflections, have been thrown together, and are embraced in this volume. Among other things noted are the doings of certain religionists. This has been done with the freedom and candor demanded by the importance of the subject. "I speak not of men's creeds-they rest between The old Hawaiian paganism, which once protected from punishment those guilty of the greatest crimes who sought the inviolable "Pahonua," ceased to give immuni ty to wrong. Surely Christianity, which has followed it, should afford no refuge to false disciples, who "are hearers and not doers of the Word." The religion of Rev. elation is best served by the exposure and condemnation of such, wherever found, and whatever their profession of faith. “Faith without works, like the body without the spirit, is dead," says an Apostle of Christ. BALTIMORE, March, 1865. |