COR IE Oe ag 9 Fy, 
IV. 
THE WORK. 
(De 
/ E have looked at Mr. Geddie’s parish—the “cure of souls” 
which he got from his Master’s hands. What did he propose to 
dowith them?—To civilize them ?—to teach them?—Butcan these 
savages learn? He meant to solve a far more important ques- 
tion—Can these souls live? He believed that the Gospel is 
the power of God unto salvation; and, relying on that power, 
he stepped on shore and began his work at Anelcauhat. 
The little frame-house which he brought from Samoa was 
soon put up, and alongside of it a House of God. They were 
lowly buildings ; but the one was a Christian Home, and the 
other a Christian TempLE—dwelling-places of God, in whose 
Name he thus took possession of the land. In a few weeks he 
was able to speak a few words to the natives in their own 
tongue ; and having made a circuit of the island, he planted 
down a teacher in each of the four maritime districts. 
The peace was soon broken, however. One day he observed 
that the chapel was almost deserted, and an angry scowl was 
resting on the faces of those present. He found on enquiry 
that he had committed three great crimes. In the first place 
he had pulled some cocoanuts from his own trees, which having 
been tabued for a feast, were sacred. Secondly, he had taken 
some coral from the reef and burned it for lime. The Natmas 
of the Sea had smelt it burning, and been made very angry. 
Thirdly,—He was erecting a fence round the chapel, which 
would cut off the path by which the Natmases were accustomed 
