288 
SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
having made all his arrangements he and 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. Marsden, who had the 
honor of there first preaching the Gospel, and the lesson for 
the day furnished a most appropriate text—“ Behold, I bring 
you glad tidings of great joy.” (Luke ii., 10). He told Rua- 
tara that he must interpret the sermon to his people ; he re¬ 
plied, bye and bye, not understand it yet. Thus was com¬ 
menced the preaching of that Word which, after the lapse of a 
little more than a quarter 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. 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 to the hearts of the people ; it opened 
their eyes to discern the fallacies and enormities they had been 
guilty of, and it constrained them to abandon them. 
What caste is in India, the tapu was in New Zealand; it 
held unlimited sway over their minds, 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 
existence. 
Ruatara soon after died at Rangihu, to Mr. Marsden’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 in 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 for them, “We will protect our teachers.” 
Mr. King, one of the original teachers left by Mr. Marsden, 
