THE MISSION-HOUSE AND PA AT WANGANUI, FROM THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF. 
CHAPTER XIX. 
SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
Of all the persons connected with the civilization of New 
Zealand, no one stands higher than Samuel Marsden. Cook 
took possession of the country in the name of his Sovereign, 
but it was Marsden who first unfurled the banner of the 
Prince of Peace, and claimed those fair realms, then laid in 
heathen darkness, on behalf of the King of kings. It was 
Marsden who first introduced their savage inhabitants to 
Christian philanthropy, and enlisted the sympathy of the 
Church in their behalf; and having obtained aid, he brought 
it himself, and was the first to proclaim the message of mercy 
on their shores. He was the honored instrument who laid the 
first stone of the Church, and thus commenced a work which 
