PREACHING. 
291 
tion about thirty years since. The part over which 
we passed, being nearer the sea than that which 
the lava had overflowed, was covered with soil> 
and smiling with verdure. Near five p. m. we 
reached Keahialaka, the residence of Kinao , chief 
or governor of Puna. We found him lying on a 
couch of sickness, and felt anxious to administer 
to his comfort, yet did not like at so early an 
hour to halt altogether for the night. I therefore 
remained with the sick chief, while Messrs. 
Thurston and Bishop went on to a village at the 
east point, about two miles distant. When they 
reached Pualaa, the above-mentioned village, they 
were kindly welcomed by the head man, who soon 
had the people of the place collected at their 
request, and to them Mr. Thurston proclaimed the 
news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The chief 
entertained the travellers with hospitality, and their 
lodgings were comfortable. 
Just before the setting of the sun, I preached to 
the people at the village where I was staying, and 
spent the evening with the chief, who was afflicted 
with a pulmonary complaint, and almost reduced 
to a skeleton, earnestly recommending him to 
apply to Jesus, the great physician of souls. He 
seemed at first much attached to the superstitions 
of his ancestors, said he had performed every 
ceremony that he thought likely to be of any avail, 
and would do any thing to live ; but added, E 
make paha auanei , Perhaps I must soon die. The 
love of the Saviour, and his suitableness to the 
situation of the poor chief, were pointed out, and 
he was requested rather to seek unto Him for the 
salvation of his soul, than to priests, and the in¬ 
cantations of sorcerers, for the prolongation of his 
mortal life, which, although of infinitely less 
u 2 
