MANIHERA AND KEREOPA. 
367 
but be blessed to the conversion of those by whom it was shed, 
and become the means of dispelling the darkness of this tribe 
to spiritual things. 
Hence we reached Wai Marino, a Christian pa, where a 
very indignant feeling prevailed on account of the murder. 
They doubted the sincerity of the parties; but still, I think, 
will accede to my wishes for peace. We were hospitably enter¬ 
tained, and remained there for the night. In my discourse, I 
told them, if they were to take up arms and shed blood they 
would just be doing what the Devil would wish them, as the 
most likely way of getting them again into his power. I 
addressed them from the verse, “ An eye for an eye, and a 
tooth for a tooth.” 
We reached Motutere about noon the next day. Here we 
had the usual cry, and then speeches. They first bade us 
welcome, but inquired what was the object of our coming. 
Was it to see the Church trampled under foot, and the ser¬ 
vants of God slain ? Was it to give our hands to the murderers ? 
If this were the case, Rangipo* would be closed against us, 
and there would be no coming here in safety. Others spoke 
in the same strain. I said, I might also ask them what was 
the good of their words. Did God establish His Church here 
that it might continue war ? Was not the Devil the author 
of it ? Had they not sufficiently felt the evil of it in former 
days to prevent their commencing it again ? Would God 
permit His Church to be trampled under foot ? Could they 
extinguish the light of the sun ? God was the head of the 
Church, and we were the members of it—was it right that the 
members should act without the head ? The foundation of 
the Church was love—would it be seen if we rose up and killed 
one another? Was it not our safest way to leave all with 
God, and trust to him for the termination of this sad affair ? 
I also sent a letter to Hikairo, and to all the teachers of 
Rotorua, dissuading them from taking up arms to avenge these 
murders, but recommending them to leave all with God. 
I left Taupo with the conviction that those “ gloomy hills 
* The name of the road from Wanganui across the Tongariro plains to 
Taupo. 
