598 
SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
funeral had ever taken place in New South Wales which was 
attended like his : all were there, from the highest to the 
lowest — the members of Government — the clergy — the laity 
— the rich — the poor — the Presbyterian — the Wesleyan — 
and even the Roman Catholic ; indeed, nothing could exceed 
the general respect paid him at his death and in his life. Mr. 
Marsden was plain and simple in his manners. To those who 
knew him a warm-hearted friend, his home was open to all 
— he gave no invitations, but was angry if his friends did 
not go without one; he had always some New Zealanders 
about him, esteeming them superior to every other abori- 
ginal race ; he once told me he met a Maori living up the 
country, and asked him what he was doing ; he said he 
had kept a store in the interior, until he was robbed by 
bush-rangers, who took away all but chairs and tables, then 
his creditors came, and a man got up, and knock, knock, 
went his hammer, until chairs, tables, and everything re- 
maining went also, but I am going to sea, and when I get a 
little money, I shall begin business again ; now here, said 
he, you see the energy of the New Zealanders, they are sure 
to be a great people. 
One of the earliest sayings of a New Zealander which 
interested Mr. Marsden, was in reply to his question, What 
did he think of God ? He replied, he is an eternal shadow. 
On one occasion, when he had his youngest daughter with 
him in a gig, he was stopped by a highway man, or bush- 
ranger as they are called, who demanded his money, Mr. 
Marsden remonstrated with him, and spoke to him of his 
sins, the man said, it does not signify, I am in for it, it is 
too late now to mend, and told him to give over preaching, 
bidding his daughter empty her father’s pockets, and give 
him the money, which she did, Mr. Marsden still continu- 
ing his lecture, and telling him the next time he saw him 
would be at the gallows. Some time after, a man was to be 
hung, who sent for him to attend him in his last hours ; 
he then recognized the person who had robbed him, he said, 
your word has turned out true, here you meet me at the 
gallows, Mr. Marsden prayed fervently for him, the criminal 
