at Fiji. But at Nuku’alofa, Tonga, Aleamotua disrupted their plans. From Davies' perspective the Tahitians were detained at Tongatapu: "The chief called Tupou would not let them proceed. He had been himself a resident in Lakeba and calls himself the friend of Tui Nayau, the chief of Lakeba and as such he took possession of the present intended for the Fijian chief." Tupou's motives for appropriating the missionaries in 1826 were recorded by the same author. When Takai introduced the missionaries, Takai informed Aleamotua that the Tahitians had found the true God and the word of life and the two Tahitians were going to teach the Fijians the way to heaven. Aleamotua answered Takai and said, <blockquote>It will be no be so. If the word of life was a good word as he spoke, it must not go to the tail first but must begin at the head. Do you and the two Tahitian teachers must stop here with me and teach me and my people that good word and when we it perhaps we may embrace it too and when I and my people have embraced the word you speak of, let it be taken to the Fegees.</blockquote> LMS records show that Aleamotua was ready to accept Christianity. These were Tonga's first missionaries. With Aleamotua’s assistance, Hape and Tafeta started building a chapel and school and started teaching classes and conducting worship in Nuku’alofa. About three hundred people worshipped in Nuku’alofa. Arrival of the Methodist missionaries Mr. Thomas and Mr. Hutchinson arrived in Tonga on 5 July 1826. They stayed in Hihifo under the chief Ata, who offered them protection, but was not inclined to accept Christianity. On 17 April 1827, Aleamotua visited Mr. Thomas in Hihifo. Mr. Thomas wrote this of their meeting on that date: This evening Tubou, from Nukualofa, with Hohila, and a number of men, came to see us. Tubou would say but little while the men were present; but he talked freely after they went. He appears to rise above many of his countrymen as to denying himself, and as to property and the favour of man. He is displeased with his countrymen for their treatment of us at this part. On 2 November 1827, Mr. Turner and Mr. Gross arrived in Tongatapu. They joined the two Tahitian missionaries and their congregation on the first Sunday at Mount Zion, and were appreciative of the