MANIHERA AND KEREOPA. 
561 
were so much like the earth in color as to escape my previous 
observation ; he said he was constantly reading and praying. 
I demanded did he truly repent of the crime he had com- 
mitted, he said he did ; I then told him Christ died even for 
the greatest sinners, and if we truly confessed our sins His 
precious blood would atone for them ; he said he only pleaded 
his merits. I then asked if he wished to be baptized before he 
was taken away; he replied, if I thought that sacrament might 
be administered to him ; under such circumstances, I resolved 
to do so, but I found even his own friends and relatives had 
deserted him, there was not one of them who would help to 
carry him into the church, at last two strangers volunteered, 
and he was baptized during the evening service ; the following 
morning I left, a few days after on my return, Rangi irihau 
was no more. Such was the end of this murderer. 
Mamaku retired to the Upper Wanganui, where he still 
lives ; he became a candidate for baptism ; having lost his 
three wives, he said it was a clear indication that it was his 
duty to turn to God, as there was now nothing to hinder his 
doing so ; I baptized Te Karamu, Mamaku, Nga-tai, all these 
are his names; his new one being Hemi Topini, (James Stovin.) 
Manihera and Kereopa. 
Some notice in this work is due to the memory of Mani- 
hera, especially as I have given brief sketches of the prin- 
cipal heathen Chiefs. The contrast between their lives and 
that of a Christian Chief, will forcibly show the wonderful 
effect and power of the Gospel on the mind, and the differ- 
ence between the fruits of the spirit and those of the flesh. 
Manihera was a Nga ti ruanui Chief, and many years the 
head teacher of his tribe at Waokena and Whareroa. He 
was always conspicuous for piety and attention to his duties, 
and instead of the first love growing cold, his appeared 
to increase with time ; indeed, his love of Christ was written 
upon his countenance. At the Christmas meeting at Wan- 
ganui, December 24th, 1846, I held a prayer-meeting with 
o o 
