er and love and mercy of Jehovah, and explained to
him the simple plan of salvation which He has offered to sinful man.

The chief appeared much interested. "I understand," he answered, "that
the white man's God is greater and more powerful than my gods, and I am
resolved soon to worship Him, as I am sure He can do more for me than
they can; but I have some enemies who have offended me, and I am about
to set out on an expedition to punish them, and when I have obtained the
victory, I will return and do as I have promised."

"Oh! my friend," exclaimed my father, "I should have told you of Satan,
who is allowed--we know not why--to go about the world to deceive men,
and he it is who has made you resolve to do this. Jehovah does not
allow you to say that you will serve Him by-and-by. He requires you and
all men to obey Him at once. Satan, on the contrary, ever strives to
persuade people to put off serving Jehovah till by-and-by, that he may
get them altogether into his own power before they can do so. Thus it
is that he deceives men and destroys their souls in all parts of the
world, and thus he has done at all times. Jehovah has told us that He
will not allow us to punish our enemies, but that we are to love them
and do good to them. Oh! let me warn and entreat you not to go on the
expedition you propose."

The chief was silent for some time. Lisele and Abela, who had arrived,
united with my father in entreating him to remain and hear more of the
truth.

"What you say may be very right and good for those who profess to follow
Jehovah," he answered at length, "but I have not yet abandoned my gods,
and they will, I am sure, help me to gain the victory. What I say is
wise, is it not?" he added, turning to his heathen attendants. Of
course they all applauded him, and greatly to my fathers grief, he arose
to take his departure.

"Remember, oh chief, that I have warned you," said my father. "We
cannot pray that you may gain the victory, because Jehovah will give it
as He thinks fit; but we will pray that your heart may be changed, and
that you may still worship Him whom you now reject."

"Alas! how many act as this poor heathen is doing," said my father,
after Masaugu and his companions had gone away. "They believe in God,
and yet, blinded by Satan, fancy in their folly that they can safely put
off the time to begin serving and obeying Him."

CHAPTER FOUR.

OUR ANXIETIES INCREASE ON THE DEPARTURE OF MAS