MANIHERA AND IvEREOPA. 
361 
tragedy was perpetrated until sunset, ejaculating prayers for 
his murderers, that their eyes might he opened to the truth, 
and assuring his companions that all was light within. Having 
taken his Testament, and a kind of journal which I requested 
him to keep, and given them to one of the young men who 
accompanied them, he then expired. 
Such was the end of these two devoted men : truly they 
were soldiers of the Cross, faithful even to death, and doubt¬ 
less at the last day will stand in their lot, clothed in spotless 
raiment of white, in the holy company of those who have 
sealed their faith with their blood. 
Their companions, who were unarmed, loudly expressed 
their indignation at this treacherous deed; they carried the 
bodies back to Waiariki, and afterwards buried them with 
great solemnity near their pa, erecting a double fence around 
their graves. To mark the spot where these faithful soldiers 
of the Cross fell, they scooped out two hollow places in the turf. 
Not satisfied with this, they immediately sent round to all the 
Christian villages, exhorting them to take up arms, and avenge 
so unmerited a death ; they likewise wrote to me, and bade me 
lose no time in coming to Taupo. They were killed on the 
12th March, and on the 22nd the news reached us. We were 
all deeply affected. The following day we held a prayer¬ 
meeting ; I told the natives that I had no doubt the Almighty 
would over-rule this sad event for good, and that He in whose 
cause they had shed their blood, would not suffer it to sink 
into the ground unrequited, for the blood of the Saints is the 
seed of the Church. That Paul was not only consenting to 
Stephen’s death, but also the keeper of the garments of those 
who stoned him ; and yet that very man, in after days, became 
the cliiefest of the Apostles. So may this tribe, which has, 
through ignorance, consented to and joined in this cruel 
murder, hereafter become as eminent for its love to God 
and devotion to His service. 
I was rejoiced to find that Herekiekie, the Chief of Tokanu, 
was not at home when the crime was committed, and that, on 
his return, he was greatly incensed with his people for thus 
bringing such a stain on his place. 
