Part 9 (2/2)
Miaki's men fled away in unconcealed terror; but Nowar came to me and said ”Missi, I know that my talk is all lies, but if I speak the truth, they will kill me!”
I answered, ”Trust in Jehovah, the sa murdered” But Nowar alavered
And now from all parts of the island those ere most friendly flocked to us They were clamorous to have Miaki and some others of our enemies punished by the Man-of-war in presence of the Natives; and then they would be strong to speak in our defense and to lead the Tannese to worshi+p Jehovah
Commodore Seymour, Captain Hu into everything, the Coed me to leave at once, and very kindly offered to remove me to Aneityuain, however, I hesitated to leavethat both Stations would be instantly broken up, that all the influence gained would be throay, that the Church would lose all that had been expended, and above all, that those friendly to us would be left to persecution and destruction For a long ti to be constantly on the alert to start at a moment's notice; yet, while hope burned within my soul I could not withdraw, so I resolved to risk all with my dear Lord Jesus, and remained at my post At my request, however, they met and talked with all the leaders who could be assembled at the Mission House The Natives declared frankly that they liked me, but did not like the Worshi+p The Co theed their word ued with them that as they had no fault to find with ood, they must bind theave him their hand to do so Lathella, an Aneityumese Chief, ith Dr Geddie, interpreted for hi fully to Lathella in Aneityulish, and Lathella explaining all to the Tannese in their own tongue
At last old Mouka spoke out for all and said, ”Captain Paddan and all the Traders tell us that the Worshi+p causes all our sickness and death
They will not trade with us, nor sell us tobacco, pipes, powder, balls, caps, and ans, but after that they will send a Trader to live as We love Missi But when the Traders tell us that the Worshi+p makes us sick, and when they bribe us with tobacco and powder to kill him or drive him away, some believe them and our hearts do bad conduct to Missi Let Missi reood conduct to Missi; but you must tell Queen 'Toria of her people's bad treat us with theirus lies to make us do bad conduct to Missi! If they come to us and talk as before, our hearts are very dark and ain lead us to bad conduct to Missi”
After this little parley, the Co with the Chiefs They saw about three hundred brave ed For all such efforts to irateful; but too clearly I knew and saw that only the grace of God could lastingly change theu to one another, ”If no punish the Missi there, we fear the bad conduct of the Tannese will continue”
No punisha, and the Tannese were soon as bold and wicked as ever For instance, while the Man-of-war lay in the Harbor, Nowar kept himself closely concealed; but no sooner had she sailed than the cowardly fellow ca that he was under no promise and was free to act as he pleased! Yet in the hour of danger he generally proved to be our friend; such was his vacillating character Nor was Miaki very seriously impressed Mr Mathieson shortly thereafter sent his boat round toher to deliver their e to me, some of Miaki's men at once jumped into the boat and started off round the island in search of kava I went to Miaki, to ask that the boated to seize it, and to hold on, pleading with God and talking with Miaki, till by interference of soed a little Returning ho till the boat returned, which she did in about eight days Thus light and shadow pursued each other, the light brightening for a
CHAPTER xxxIV
THE WAR CHIEFS IN COUNCIL
A TIME of great excite but as spoken of! Preparations for ere being es far and near Fear sat on every face, and ar each other, as if uncertain where the as to begin or by whom All as suspended, and that war spirit was let loose which rouses the worst passions of huain we found ourselves the center of conflict, one party set for killing us or driving us away; the other wishi+ng to retain us, while all old bitter grievances were also dragged into their speeches
Miaki and Nouka said, ”If you will keep Missi and his Worshi+p, take him with you to your own land, for ill not have hireat Inland Chief, rose in wrath and said, ”On whose lands does the Missi live, yours or ours? Who fight against the Worshi+p and all good, who are the thieves and murderers, who tell the lies, you or we? We wish peace, but you will have war We like Missi and the Worshi+p, but you hate them and say, 'Take him to your own land!' It is our land on which he now lives; it is his own land which he bought froo The land was not yours to sell; it was really ours Your fathers stole it froo by war; but ould not have asked it back, had you not asked us to take Missi away Noill defend him on it, and he will teach us and our people in our own land!” Sobroke into fiery speech, and separated withI was invited, but did not go, contentingthat they should live at peace and on no account go to ith each other But Ian himself came for me I said, ”Ian, I have told youI will rather leave the island or die, than see you going to war about me!”
He answered, ”Missi, come with me, co me away to kill me? If you are, my God will punish it”
His only reply was, ”Follow o He strode on before e of his ancestors His followers, arely with e Square or dancing-ground Miaki, Nouka, and their whole party sat ininto the center, he stood withround, exclaimed, ”Missi, these are my men and your friends! We areacross to the other side, he cried aloud, ”These are your enemies and ours! The enemies of the Worshi+p, the disturbers of the peace on Tanna! Missi, say the word, and the muskets of my men will sweep all opposition away, and the Worshi+p will spread and ill all be strong for it on Tanna We will not shoot without your leave; but if you refuse they will kill you and persecute us and our children, and banish Jehovah's Worshi+p from our land”
I said, ”I love all of you alike I am here to teach you how to turn away from all wickedness, to worshi+p and serve Jehovah, and to live in peace How can I approve of any person being killed for ry at me and punish me, if I did!”
He replied, ”Then, Missi, you will be murdered and the Worshi+p destroyed”
I then stood forth in the middle before them all and cried, ”You may shoot or murder me, but I am your best friend I am not afraid to die
You will only send me the sooner to my Jehovah God, whom I love and serve, and to my dear Saviour Jesus Christ, who died for me and for you, and who sent me here to tell you all His love If you will only love and serve Hiive up your bad conduct, you will be happy But if you kill er, rest assured that He will in His own time and way punish you This is , I turned to leave; and Ian strode suddenly away and stood at the head of his , ”Missi, they will kill you! they will kill us, and you will be to blame!”
Miaki and Nouka, full of deceit, now cried out, ”Missi's word is good!
Let us all obey it Let us all worshi+p”