146 CHARACTER, AND LITTLE INFLUENCE, 
at all times engaged in mischief ; — that when men 
lie down to sleep, he hovers round their pillow, 
and makes them dream of evil ; when they rise, 
he rises too ; when they walk, he walks with them. 
If they go upon the sea, he sits upon the stern- 
post of the canoes; sings their songs, joins in 
their dances, chaunts their sacred services ; and 
when guests are invited, he comes unasked and 
unwelcome. This is the evil spirit, with whom 
they believe they have to associate for ever, in 
the Reinga; — and this is the evil spirit, whom, 
we tell them, it is in the power of Christ alone to 
conquer and cast out : and to effect this, we came 
to preach to them the glad tidings of Jesus, the 
Son of God, who was manifested, that he might 
destroy the works of the devil. 
The New Zealanders have no regular priest- 
hood, though there are many who assume the title 
of Priest ; and almost any person may perform 
their various superstitious ceremonies, or repeat 
their prayers, or consult their oracles, or charm 
their sick. The youngest brother of a family, 
when he has arrived to man’s estate, is the person 
most frequently employed : by general consent, 
the lot falls upon him; but being a petted fa- 
vourite, he may refuse to act, or only act when it 
suits his own convenience, or is likely to bring 
with it a good reward. It is evident, that, as no 
gods are worshipped, their priests cannot attain to 
any great importance. Having little hold on the 
senses, and none on the conscience, the priest is 
