590 
SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
his two companions, dressed in regimentals given them by 
the Governor, with swords by their sides, and switches in 
their hands, marshalled their people on either side of Mr. 
Mars den, who had the honor of there first preaching the 
Gospel, and the lesson for the day furnished a most appro- 
priate text — tc Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great 
joy.” (Luke ii. 10). He told Ruatara that he must interpret 
the sermon to his people ; he replied, “ by and bye, not 
understand it yet”; thus was commenced the preaching of 
that Word which, after the lapse of little more than a quar- 
ter of a century, was to make such a wonderful change 
in the land, and, like the grain of mustard seed, was to 
grow and become a great tree, so that the fowls of the air 
might lodge in its branches. Various were the difficulties it 
had to contend with — times of prosperity and adversity ; it 
passed through every phase, overcame every obstacle, found 
its way into the hearts of the people, opened their eyes to 
discern the fallacies and enormities they had been guilty 
of, and constrained them to abandon them. 
What caste is in India, the tapu was in New Zealand ; it 
held unlimited sway over the mind, and compelled obedience 
to its requirements ; but it could not exist with Christianity, 
that word declares; “No man can serve two masters;” no 
sooner had the Gospel obtained root in the land, than the 
power of the tapu was destroyed ; the native mind became 
as completely emancipated from its thraldom as if it never 
had existed. 
Ruatara soon after died at Rangihu, to Mr. Marsdem’s 
great sorrow ; he regarded his removal as a most mysterious 
act of Providence, as he appeared to be the instrument raised 
up for enabling him to introduce the Gospel ; but the Lord 
clearly pointed out by his death, that it was not on an arm 
of flesh he was to lean, but on that Word which said, “I 
will be exalted amongst the heathen.” Ruatara charged 
his children and people, on his death-bed, to protect the 
Missionaries, and made each of them promise to be their 
defenders ; the guardians of his children took this duty upon 
themselves, and answered, “We will protect our teachers.” 
