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"For Father's Sake," or A Tale of New Zealand Life

Preface

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Preface.

From the mysterious depth of my beloved New Zealand island there ascends an insuppressible voice that bids me arise and speak. Appalled I stand and listen, but my faltering lips refuse to obey, and the agitations of the awkward surge through my veins. "Who am I that I should converse with this mighty people? Untrained, uncouth, passionate. Would the utterances of such an one be tolerated? Would the reasonings and remonstrances be harkened unto?" But my endeavour to alienate the orders of my austere commander is fruitless; I hear in the vibrating air the deep thunder-sounding words, "Thou art a New Zealander." Like the rising of that ancient god of love from the waters of a hitherto impenetrated ocean, so rises the love of my country from the sea of emotion, and is wafted nearer and dearer by the zephyr of beneficence; and that which was once but a murmur is now become a roaring, mighty sound. The insuppressible voice has increased in strength and volume during its transmigration. Flowers, recognizing a kindred spirit, have sprinkled it with their everlasting perfume; ferns have beckoned, and, as it passed, have spread their soft green leaves before it that it might not receive the contagions of the way; even gigantic trees, which for a time held up their haughty heads, were finally compelled to stoop and press a kiss upon the fair, persistent pleader; while the huge white rocks, from whose riven, rugged faces the hurricane fled with fear, echoed and loved to echo the truthful words.

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Can mortal stand in silence while all nature heaves and cries? No! no! Mortal is not pulseless. Cession is not its forte. New Zealand is not a prison. "I obey thee, thou mighty commander. Though my speech is manacled by unculture, though it savours of earthly failings, yet earnestness shall give it eloquence. In its truthfulness there shall be power."

Upon the platform of the fulfilment of God's unfaltering purposes I take my stand; and, while Jesus resumes his seat in the chairman's officiation, I turn to face the audience.

O, New Zealand! New Zealand! my beloved home! How I long to pour out my heart's devotion at thy feet. How I yearn to see thee take thy stand among the greatest and the best. The eminence is thine if thou would'st only be guided by thy noble impulses. Along with the rest of thy people, nourish my love, I beseech thee, with the beauty and freedom of thine own pure soul. Let the breath from thy lips invigorate my failing strength. Make me as thou art in thy untampered state—noble, unselfish, proud, rendering honour unto whom honour is due, receiving honour from whom honour is required. Like the steamer that rides at anchor in our bay, that scorns the wrath of the storm, and that from outward appearance seems to be asleep, so thou rideth in the bosom of the Pacific, scorning the fury of contending nations, apparently asleep, so grand, proud and calm is thy isolated mien. Would that thy internal workings were as fair as thine outward appearances. Would that the sweet song of the lark was heard, and the soft breath of the harvest field was felt, in thy chambers of state; then thy inhabitants would rest in the serenity of faith in thy rulers' judgment, and they would not rise up so often to see if those rulers were page 5fulfilling their parts. Men of state, thou realizeth not the magnitude of thy power, neither hast thou applied unto thyself the truth that thou hast to render an account for the lamentations as well as for the praises of thy co-citizens. Happy are ye if, with satisfaction to your questioner, ye can answer the charges of your Heavenly Captain. But woe to the minister that knoweth, yet rebelleth: that neglecteth the truthful administrations. And thou, O my beloved! thrice blessed isle! my love leads me to seek nard for thy sores, lint for thy bruises. Resist not my services, because I needs must probe the flesh to find the embryo. Remember the proverb, "They cut to cure." And know that, though the voice may be keen and sharp at times, the heart is thrilling with deep, earnest love and quiet hope for the welfare of thy people and for the advancement of thy power. Thus I introduce myself to the audience, and in the "Story of a New Zealand Life," which is to follow, I carry out the command of that Spiritual Guide.

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