GRACE BEFORE MEAT.

243

expiring flames, which had consumed the chief idols of Eimeo.

The heathen returned home, astonished at what they had seen. Some expected that the gods would soon show their anger, while others doubted more than ever whether the gods had any power at all, and began to burn their idols and to destroy their temples. Patii himself from this time diligently listened to the missionaries, and walked worthy of the blessed gospel of Christ.

The queen's sister, about the same time, publicly showed her contempt for idols. She had arrived the year before at Eimeo, accompanied by a great train of servants. Amongst them was a man called Farefau, who became a Christian, had his name written down, and attended the school.

This spring the chiefs of Eimeo sent, according to the custom, a large present of pigs, and fruit, as a feast for the princess. Before the feast was given, the princess (who was herself inclined to be a Christian) consulted the king and her other friends on the subject. She wished to prevent the ears of a pig, or the head of a fish, being taken to the marae, as an offering to the gods; for she desired the food to be sanctified by the true God. It was determined that some person should offer a prayer to this God over the food, before it was eaten.

244

THE RED FEATHERS.

It required great courage to offer such a prayer before the idolaters. Farefau, however, undertook to do it, and kept his word.

The priests, who were waiting near, ready to carry the food to the marae, were enraged; but yet they durst not take it there, after it had been offered to the Christians' God.

Soon afterwards the queen's sister went over to Tahiti, accompanied by the queen herself. Pomare gave them a book to convey to his little girl, who was now three years old, and who was residing at Tahiti with her nurse.

When the idolaters in Tahiti heard, that the king had sent a book to his little daughter, they saw that he intended to bring her up in the new religion, and they were more determined than ever, not to let Pomare be king.

The chiefs, as usual, gave a feast to the queen and her sister, on their arrival in Tahiti. Some of the priests, observing that these ladies despised their gods, began to speak to them in an insulting manner, and to threaten them with the anger of the beings they despised, and, at the same time, pointed to some bunches of red feathers, which were hanging near, and which were intended to represent their gods.

Farefau, hearing these speeches, exclaimed, "Are these feathers the mighty things, with whose anger you threaten us? I will soon

"

POMARE'S ZEAL.

settle the sffair."

245

He instantly seized hold of them, and threw them into an oven, which was dug near, and thus destroyed them.

This act was perhaps unwise. The idolaters were exceedingly provoked by it, and though they durst not revenge themselves on the spot, they waited for an opportunity to do so.

While the queen and her sister were in Tahiti, Pomare set out upon a journey round Eimeo, for the purpose of persuading the heathen, wherever he went, to turn from idols. It may surprise you, after what you have heard of Pomare, to find that he could take so much pains in God's service. The missionaries also were perplexed by him: sometimes they hoped he was a child of God, and sometimes they feared he was a child of the devil.

During the journey he wrote to the missionaries. In his letter he said, "I am highly pleased, that the chief people attend so well to the word of God. This was my business in this journey, to make known to them the word of God; and, behold, they have listened unto it: they have regarded it. Had it been otherwise, I should have been much grieved. To-morrow is our meeting for prayer: the beginning of the new month. Should these even ask me to write down their names, how ought I to act? Shall I write them? Write your mind to me without delay, and give me in

246 VIOLENT CONDUCT OF THE REBELS.

structions how to do. May you be blessed of

God!

"POMARE, KING."

This letter would have given the missionaries much comfort, had not some parts of Pomare's conduct alarmed them.

.*

While the word of God was taking root in some hearts, sin raged more violently in those of others. The rebellious Tahitians had committed dreadful deeds for a long while past. They had seized an English vessel, had murdered some on board, and had attempted to seize other vessels ;* they had persecuted the christian natives, burnt one of their houses of worship, and hunted them as sacrifices for Oro. It was considered dangerous to be known to be a Christian. Some indeed were brave enough to worship God openly; but others, like Nicodemus, were afraid to confess Christ, and only met together for prayer, at midnight, in the thick woods, and lonely valleys.

Amongst those who suffered for the sake of Christ, was a young man, whose affecting history I will now relate.

* At this period Mr. Shelley (who was captain of a small vessel) narrowly escaped being murdered by some natives of Raiatea on board. Soon afterwards, he desired to return to the Friendly Islands, (where he had first laboured as a missionary,) but died, before he could execute his purpose.

THE VALIANT MARTYR.

247

When he became a Christian, his relations laughed at him; then they made him flattering promises, on condition he would again worship the gods; and last of all, they threatened him, and cast him out of his father's house. After he was become an outcast, his enemies fixed upon him for a sacrifice to their idols. They went in search of him, and found him sitting beneath some trees at the top of a hill near his little dwelling. He had retired to that quiet spot to meditate upon God, before he offered up his evening prayer.

He saw a crowd of servants of the priests and chiefs approaching-as once in Gethsemane, our Saviour had beheld Judas and his enemies. Suddenly the young man guessed the purpose, for which they were come. When they came near, they told him, the king was arrived and wished to see him: he calmly replied, that he did not believe the king was come. They then told him, some of his friends wished to see him. But he answered, "Why do you seek to deceive me? I know that a man is soon to be offered to the idols, and I know that I am to be that man. But Jesus Christ is my keeper. You may be permitted to kill my body, but I am not afraid to die! My soul you cannot hurt: Jesus Christ will keep it safely."

His enemies, finding that they could not