ALAN QUINTIN'S INQUIRIES.

No. IV.

WHAT TROUBLES YOU?

WHAT troubles you? This is a short question, do not give me a long reply. Are you ill, crossed, disappointed, mortified, or unhappy? Does your trouble spring from yourself, or from another? Is it a passing, or an enduring grief? Is it increasing, or growing less? Can you fling it away at night, or does it compel you to groan in your weariness, and to water your couch with your tears?

What troubles you? Is it a light affliction, or a heavy grief? Does it affect the body, the mind, or the estate? Does it refer to the past, the present, or the future? Trouble of one kind or other we are sure to have. None are exempt! None can escape affliction!"Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward," Job v. 7.

We should not try to deceive ourselves; we are not made for pleasure only. Lowering days must be lived through, stormy skies endured, and rugged paths trodden, ere we reach the grave! "There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest," Job. iii. 17.

If we had no troubles, we should fall into strange mistakes; we should forget ourselves, and forget God. We should call weakness strength, and folly wisdom; grow proud, stiff-necked, hardhearted, and presumptuous. We should have high minds, lofty looks, and seared consciences. It would never do! It never could do! As continual sunshine oppresses the body, so would constant happiness enervate the soul.

What troubles you-for you may mistake your case? Trouble often comes as a sharp remedy for the soul's sins; as a rod that makes us feel our faults; and as a hook and bridle, that brings us back to the path of safety. Trouble may be a friend, and not an enemy; it may humble us, instruct us, make us better, drive us from evil, and draw us to good; such a trouble is not a curse, but a blessing:

Welcome that axe, though sharp its edge may be, That lops the ailing branch, and saves the tree.

What troubles you? Do you grieve because you have not your neighbour's health, strength, wealth, or learning? Do you break the law that says, "Thou shalt not covet?" Are you fretful be

cause your house is mean, and not mansion-like; your form ungraceful and not comely, and your lot lowly and not high? Is your diet plain, your speech simple, your coat threadbare; and do these things trouble you? Are you moping, while others are merry-making; poor, when they have full purses; weak, while they are powerful-and does this afflict you? If so, then are you making your own troubles, setting thorns in your path, and putting stumbling-blocks in your own road. You shut your eyes to the sunshine, and see not the mercies that surround you yours is the sorrow that worketh death!

What troubles you? Do you grieve that you are proud, and not humble; indolent, and not active; lukewarm, and not zealous? Do you mourn your heart's hardness, your soul's sinfulness, and the faults and backslidings that hinder you in your Christian course? This is good-this is excellent; this is that "sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

Some sorrows are ready-made for ussome we make for ourselves-some come to us without calling, while to others we give an invitation. Sorrows are of all grades and shades. They are like clothes made to order, for they fit every back and every bosom, every head and every heart. It is a sorrow to lose a friend, to lose property, and to be visited with a bodily affliction. How do you bear these sorrows; patiently, profitably, bravely? Are you fretful, repining, and angry? or do you bow beneath your chastisements, show meekness under trials, and call upon Him, who "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble?" If you do the latter, be sure that you will not sink under your sorrows, but rather be enabled to say, with the apostle, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

For the last time let me ask, and put to yourself the same question, What troubles you? Act humbly, confidingly, and fear nothing; the water shall not overwhelm, nor the fire consume you :

Though fiercely strong the raging flood may flow,
In meek submission to thy Saviour go;
His mercy supplicate, his grace pursue,
And he shall hear thee, and thy trouble too.

which is built of raupo and tohi-tohi grass, according to the native fashion. A small bell was struck outside the building, and it was an interesting sight to watch the effect it had upon the dwellers of the pah: one by one they came out of their houses, or crossed the little stiles dividing one court-yard from another, and, wrapping their mats and blankets around them, slowly and silently wended their way to the place of worship. On entering, each individual squatted upon the ground, which was strewn with reeds, and, with their faces buried in their blankets, they appeared to be engaged in prayer; they then opened their Maori Testaments, and a native teacher commenced the sacred service. It would have been a lesson to some of our thoughtless and fashionable congregations, to witness the devout and serious aspect and demeanour of these tattooed men, who, without the assistance of a European, were performing Christian worship with decorous simplicity and reverential feeling.

NEW ZEALAND CHIEF.

During my stay in Auckland, Pomare, the chief from the Bay of Islands, who was accompanied by his fighting-general, had pitched his tent close to the entrancegate of Government-house; and both himself and Nene lunched with his excellency captain Fitzroy on the following day. These two distinguished chiefs sat to me for their portraits, in their native full costume, wearing the topuni, or war-mat of dog's skin. Pomare, in keeping with his usual turbulent and offensive manners, was restless, and spoke very abusively of the queen; while Nene, who is all amiability and good humour, after stepping into the garden to gather a flower, with which he decorated his hair before the glass, stood with the utmost composure and politeness. After the sittings were over the chiefs drank wine with me, when Pomare again exhibited one of his leading characteristics, by emptying the decanters. Since my interview with Nene he has become one of the leading actors in the late war; and during the whole period of the rebellion, he has remained the firm friend and ally of the British troops; affording an example of nobleness of character seldom to be met with.

Nene, or as he is now more generally known by his baptized name-Thomas Walker, (Tamati Waka), is the principal chief of the Ngatihao tribe, which, in

common with many others, is comprised in the great assemblage of tribes usually called Ngapuis. The residence of this celebrated man is near the Wesleyan mission station, on the banks of the river Hokianga, where he fully established his character as the friend and protector of Europeans, long before the regular colonization of the country. In common with most of his countrymen, Nene was, in his younger days, celebrated for his expertness in acts of petty pilfering; and he himself will now laugh heartily, if reminded of his youthful tricks. On one occasion, when on a visit to one of the missionaries at Waimate, a fine gander attracted his attention, and he secretly ordered it to be seized, and prepared for his dinner in a native oven; but, to prevent detection, the bird was cooked in its feathers. However, it was soon missed, and a rigorous inquiry instituted by its owner, but without success; until certain savoury steams arising from Nene's camp excited suspicion. To tax him with the theft, however, would have been contrary to all the rules of New Zealand etiquette; and the mystery of its disappearance was not unravelled until the morning after he had taken his departure, when the illfated gander was found concealed among the bushes, it having been found too tough for even a New Zealander's powers of mastication.

Some years after this, a chief of East Cape killed a relation of Nene's; and, according to the customary law in New Zealand of "blood for blood," Nene went in a vessel, accompanied by only one attendant, to seek revenge. Landing near the spot where the chief resided, Nene entered his pah, called the murderer by name, and, after accusing him of the crime, deliberately levelled his gun and shot him dead at his feet, and then coolly walked away. Though in the midst of his enemies, none dared to touch the avenger: all were paralysed at his sudden appearance and determined bravery.

But Nene is no longer the thoughtless, mischievous New Zealander; for many years he has been playing a nobler part in the great drama of life; and his conduct has deservedly gained for him a lasting reputation. Some traits may be mentioned to his honour. About the year 1839, the body of a European was discovered on the banks of one of the tributary streams of Hokianga, under circumstances which led to the suspicion

that he had been murdered by a native | called Kete, one of Nene's slaves. A large meeting was convened on the subject, and the guilt of Kete being established, Nene condemned him to die; the murderer was accordingly taken to a small island in the river called Motiti, and there shot! So rigid were Nene's ideas of justice!

When captain Hobson arrived, and assembled the chiefs at Waitangi, in order to obtain their acquiescence in the sovereignty of the queen over the islands of New Zealand, the governor was received with doubt, and his proposals were at first rejected; but when Nene and his friends made their appearance, the aspect of affairs was changed: Nene, by his eloquence, and by the wisdom of his counsel, turned the current of feeling, and the dissentients were silent. In short, Nene stood recognised as the prime agent in effecting the treaty of Waitangi. On another occasion his intervention was of great service to the British authorities. After the flag-staff at the Bay was cut down by Heki, governor Fitzroy proIceeded to the disaffected district with a considerable body of military, thinking, by a show of force, to overawe the rebellious natives. A large concourse of chiefs was gathered together, and many speeches were made; but amongst them all the words of Nene were conspicuous for their energy. "If," said he, "another flag-staff is cut down, I shall take up the quarrel;" and nobly has he redeemed his pledge. During the whole course of the rebellion, up to the present period, he has steadily adhered to his purpose, and has on numerous occasions rendered the most essential assistance to the military. He fought in several engagements with the rebels, and each time has proved himself as superior in courage and conduct in the field as he is in wisdom and sagacity in the council. The settlers in the northern parts of New Zealand are under the greatest obligations to this chief. But for him and his people, many a hearth, at present the scene of peace and happiness, would have been desecrated and defiled with blood-many a family, now occupying their ancient homes, would have been driven away from their abodes, exposed to misery and privation. Those settlers who were living near the disaffected districts, but remote from the influence and out of the reach of the protecting arm of Nene, have been driven as houseless wanderers to seek

safety in the town of Auckland; and such would most probably have been the universal fate of the out-settlers, but for the courage and loyalty of this brave and noble chief.

CHURCH MISSIONARY STATION.

It was several hours after sunset before we reached the church missionary station of Otawhao, where I was most hospitably received by the Rev. J. Morgan and his excellent wife. Nothing could exceed the kindness I received whilst staying under their roof; and during the few days I passed at Otawhao my natives recruited their strength, resting with their friends at one of the neighbouring pahs.

The mission premises at Otawhao are very comfortable, and there is an appearance of peace and happiness amidst the native population around, that speaks well for the worthy missionary's labours. Whilst attending to their spiritual interests, Mr. Morgan has not neglected the temporal amelioration of those about him; the sick are cared and provided for, and medicine is administered to those that need it; whilst Mrs. Morgan, who is called "mother," both by young and old, is unceasing in her kindness and attention to the women and children: her aid and advice are continually sought for.

A steady course of persevering industry for a series of years has enabled Mr. Morgan to have around him all the little comforts of life; so that, after undergoing toils and dangers of the most fearful description, and living for a long period at the mercy of two belligerent and cannibal tribes, he is now enabled to dwell at peace, enjoying the fruits of his labours, and witnessing the beneficent effects of Christianity amongst a people who, only eight years ago, held their banquets of human flesh at the door of the missionary's hut, and shook the severed and bloody heads and limbs of their enemies in the very face of his terrified wife.

One of the most interesting individuals at the mission station of Otawhao is Horomona Marahau, or "Blind Solomon, ," who has for some years acted very efficiently as a native catechist and teacher in connexion with the Church Missionary Society. The account of the early life and exploits of this once celebrated warrior, and his subsequent change to Christianity, as narrated to me from his own lips and translated by Mr. Morgan, affords a fair example of the troubled

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life of many of the New Zealand chiefs. | From a boy Horomona accompanied his father on all his fighting expeditions. At the taking of a pah at Waingaroa, he saw great numbers captured as slaves; he then went to Hanga, where many were slain and eaten; and at the taking of the great pah at Maungataritari forty were killed, besides women and children, and all eaten. At a second fight at Maungataritari, whither Horomona accompanied his father, sixty men were killed and eaten. After this, an attack was made by the Nga ti Raukawa tribe upon the pah in which Horomona resided; the assailants retreated, and were pursued by Horomona and his party, but the Nga ti Raukawas rallied again, turned back upon their pursuers, and slew upwards of one hundred of them, Horomona himself narrowly escaping. At Kawhia fight, sixty were killed and eaten. At Mokau, Horomona's party were beaten off, and two hundred of them killed: here the chief met with another hairbreadth escape. Returning to Mokau, Horomona succeeded in taking the pah, when two hundred were killed and eaten, and numbers of women and children taken as slaves. During the engagement Horomona took the principal chief prisoner, but finding that on a former occasion his own brother had been saved by this chief, Horomona, as an act of gratitude, led his captive to the mountains, to enable him to get clear of his enemies, and then let him go. The next expedition of Horomona was to Poverty Bay, where two hundred men were killed and eaten, or taken as slaves. He then went to Kapiti, and from thence to Wanganui; the inhabitants of both pahs flying at his approach. After this, Taranaki became the seat of war, great numbers being continually killed on both sides, and cannibal feasts held almost daily. At Waitara, Horomona and his tribe were attacked by Rauparaha's party, and ten of their number killed; they then fled to Poukirangiora, where they were surrounded by Rauparaha and his followers, and remained besieged for several months. When at length their supplies of food were completely exhausted, they contrived to send out a spy by night, who passed through the enemies' encampment, and reached the mountains in safety; travelling along the forest ranges until he reached the Waikato district, where he gave information of the condition of the besieged. Te Whero Whero and Waharo of Mata

mata, the father of Tarapipipi, the present chief of that place, went to their rescue with a large party; they were, however, all beaten off by Rauparaha, and twenty of their number killed; but the Waikatos again rallied, renewed the attack, rescued their friends, beat back Rauparaha, and returned home in triumph. After this, the Nga Puis from the Bay of Islands, headed by the famous E Hongi (Shongi), who had just then returned from England with fire-arms and gunpowder, came down upon them like a host, and made an attack upon the great Waikato pah, called Makutetuke; the Waikatos had only native weapons with which to beat off their enemies, and with so unequal an advantage the Nga Puis took the pah in a few minutes. Horomona and Te Whero Whero were amongst the captured inmates. At this dreadful carnage two thousand were slain; feasts were held upon the dead bodies on the spot where they lay, and all manner of savage and dreadful rites were held in unrestrained licentiousness to commemorate this great victory of the Nga Puis. The bones of two thousand still lie whitening on the plains, and the ovens remain in which the flesh of the slaughtered was cooked for their horrible banquets. So numerous were the slaves taken during this attack, that the Nga Puis killed many of them on their way to the Bay of Islands, merely to get them out of the way. The escape of Horomona from the general slaughter was almost miraculous: he fled to the mountains, and after the retreat of their northern enemies, his tribe once more collected together and marched to Poverty Bay, where the pah was taken by them, and six hundred were killed, and eaten after the fight was over. Not long subsequent to the attack on the inhabitants of Poverty Bay, Horomona became blind at Otawhao, where he first met with the missionaries; at Matamata he heard the Rev. H. Williams preach, and at length became a convert to Christianity. For the last four years Horomona has been a native teacher under the Rev. J. Morgan; and may be seen every Sabbath-day with his class, instructing them in the truths of the Scriptures with an earnestness and energy truly admirable. He is now about to start on a journey of ninety miles, to preach Christianity to a tribe that have not yet received it. The memory of Horomona is quite wonderful: he knows the whole of the church service by heart,