Page:The Native Tribes of South Australia (1879).djvu/170

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

104 CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER. broke it. I felt that it would not do to let mere boys act in this way without showing that it could not be tolerated. 19th. —To-day I received a Testament from Tewunungge, the aunt of Waukeri. He died at Milang. Before he died he gave it into her charge, begging her to bring it to me. This he did out of reverence for the Word of God. He was a steady, pious fellow. Often he would go away into the bush by himself to read the Scriptures. I marked many passages for him, and he said that he believed and understood them. He was not one to make a noise about his religion, but more inclined to retire from observation. 20th November. —To-day Turtle was very impudent to Mr. Stapley. He not only threatened him, but used such violence— he is a powerful fellow—as to hurt him severely. This arose from my assistant telling him to leave the room where the school children were having their dinner, and where he was behaving badly. I could select other instances of the same kind. The way in which this came to an end was mournful and instructive. Two of the youths who gave us most trouble went into a rapid consumption and died. One died hopelessly impenitent; the other professed repentance and faith in Jesus, After their decease their brother—the very Nipper who burned the camp— became deeply impressed, and decided to become a Christian. I never saw a clearer case of conversion. Naturally he is a badtempered man, but he has exhibited for years a steady Christian life, and is respected by all. His infirmity needs our forbearance yet, but I believe he has overcome it very much. Several youths who gave us trouble have become Christians, and are now consistent members of the church. Fifty-six adult natives have been baptized up to the date when this is written. Of these seven have fallen back from their profession of Christianity. On the 2nd of January, 1866, we commenced the celebration of the Lords Supper. Seven of us united for the first Commu