Excerpt from The American Penny Magazine, and Family Newspaper, 1846, Vol. 2: With Numerous Illustrative and Ornamental Wood Engravings, for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and Moral and Religious Principles

The Areoi Society was a strange and detestable association, formed on the most immoral principles, and for the perpetration of the greatest crimes. It had existed from time immemorial, embraced a large portion of the people, and exerted a most baneful in¿uence. It seems indeed wonderful that any remains of decency could have sub sisted in a nation where so degrading and subversive an institution had a footing. In some of its principal features the Areoi may be compared with customs known among many of the tribes of Western Africa, and in some other parts of the world, as well as with the Bacchanals of the R0 mans. Strange as it may seem, however, even that ro¿' ate institution soon began to saccum beore the in¿uence of the Gospel, and was finally annihilated.

The following is a description of one of the numerous and interesting scenes which occurred during the early days of Christi. Suity in the Islands.

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