Obituary of a Hopeful Native Convert.
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OBITUARY OF A HOPEFUL NATIVE CONVERT,
IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S STATION AT KAITOTEHE, IN NEW ZEALAND.
KAITOTEHE forms a part of the district of Waikato, and is situated about 50 miles to the SE of Waikato Heads, on the river Waikato, which flows from south to north. Mr. B. Ashwell, who is in charge of the district superintended by the Rev. R. Maunsell, gives in his Journal the following account of a dying New Zealander:--
I visited Nopera Hamini, a young man apparently near the grave, being in the last stage of consumption. I asked him as to his hope for eternity, when he replied, "My only hope is on Jesus my Saviour." I said, "About eighteen months ago I knew you to be a wicked young man: you did run well for a time, but your goodness passed away as the morning dew. Have you repented, and fled to Christ as your only refuge? The mere assent of the lips is not sufficient: do you feel your need of Him?" He answered, "Yes, my dependence is on Christ alone." --I then said, "Your conduct for the last year has been consistent. You have been constant in your attendance on the Means of Grace. Do you depend upon that for your hope of salvation?" "No," was the reply: "on Jesus is my hope." --I continued, "It is now a month since you were baptized: you are perhaps depending partly upon Christ and partly upon your baptism?" He again replied, "My trust and hope for the pardon of my sins and the salvation of my soul is not upon any thing I have done, or my baptism, but upon Jesus alone: He is my trust and my salvation."--I now said, "Our great spiritual adversary is always endeavouring to deceive us, or to induce self-deception as regards our state in the sight of God. I have a few more questions to ask you. Do you love secret prayer, and have you been habitually engaged in it?" His reply was, "Yes, within the last few months."--I then asked, "Is the Saviour precious to you? Do you desire to be like Him, to be conformed to His image?" He nodded an assent. I then read John xiv., and engaged in prayer with him. I trust we had the presence of God our Saviour.
