BIOGRAPHY.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 104, 16 December 1852, Page 4

BIOGRAPHY.

TICKAWARIE TIGO, THE NEW ZEALANDER The record of every conversion that takes place in heathen lands is perused with deep interest, and surely that interest will be deepened, because more uncommon, when a poor benighted heathen comes to Ilritain to be brought into the fold of Christ. We have the pleasure of recording sucli a case, and trust it will prove interesting and profitable to the young. Tickawarie was a native of New Zealand. His uncle was the chief of the tribe. Hi s cousin, the young chief, died in battle just before his birth, and he was adopted as heir to the chieftainship. He was taught to read and write a little at a missionary school, in his youth; he also learnt some hymns there, He had witnessed cannabalism when a boy, but bad never practised it. Owing to sonic domestic quarrels, he had lied from his tribe and having a strong desire, to sec Ilritain, he left his native land when he was 178 moons old. He was received on board of a vessel bound for Dundee, at which port he was landed in the spring of 1838. When aboard the vessel in Dundee harbour, he was a great object of curiosity. The boys called him Smiler, because of his cheerful manners. He was a fine specimen of the New Zealand chief. He was tall and well built, his skin olive-coloured; he had black eyes, high check-bones, and his face tattooed with light blue figures. He was induced to join an exhibition of waxwork, and make a show of himself in his native costume, with his club and spear. He was then in the darkness of heathenism, for nothing would have induced him to act so after he knew the truth. He was discharged from this situation with 67. of wages ; but falling into bad hands, he was robbed of his money, and returned to Dundee with only a sixpence in his pocket. Some time after his return, he was pointed out to me as one who would rather die in the streets than ask any charity. This I found to be true, for he never would go to any house to partake of fcod without a special invitation. This spirit of independence never forsook him. It was on a cold evening in October, 1812, that Tickawarie was first invited to my house. His native costume had been taken from him, to pay for his lodgings; ho was Ihinly clad, shivering

Willi cold. Friends soon contributed flannels, and everything to make him comfortable, lie now, unasked, placed himself under religious instruction; he kneeled at the family altar, and attended the house of God. On his death-bed, he traced his first serious impressions to this time. He was deeply affected by the death of our eldest son, of thirteen years of age, who died in the joyful hope of " praising Jesus for ever and ever." He was put to Princes-street Day-school, and continued there a half-year, and learnt to read and write. He now read and studied the Word of God in English and in his own tongue, having received a New Zealand New Testament. In May, 1815, a few friends met and resolved to assist Tickawarie io learn some handicraft trade, that would make him useful when he returned to his native land. Eight pounds were subscribed, and he was boarded with a blacksmith, a mile out of the town, where he remained fifteen months, and acquired some facility in iron-work. Here he worshipped alone morning and evening, attended prayer meetings, and amused himself by singing hymns. Once, after the toils of the day, he was singing, "There is a happy land." The housewife said, " What happy land is it?" "It is heaven." She said, "On aye, we're a' gaun to the happy land." He said, ' No, no we arc all going to the happy land.' When we die, God will say» 'Did you believe in Jesus?' IfwosayNo, 'Go to my left hand V if we say Yes, 'Go to my right hand :' all not going to the happy land. In August, 1811, he was admitted as a mechanic at Messrs. Baxter, Brothers, and Co.'s Works. He was now able to maintain himself by his own industry. He had before occupied a free sitting at the chapel, but now proposed to pay for one himself. About this time he had several attacks of cold, on all of which occasions Dr. Osbourne gave him gratuitous medical attentions ; and lie has left on a blank leaf of his Testament grateful acknowledgements for his kindness. The Dr. iccoinonded him to return to his native land, as this climate did not agree with him ; but this he declined. I visited him when confined to his room with cold, and found him reading the Word of God. After some interesting conversation, 1 said "Would you not like to be baptized, and received among the people of God/" Ho said, "Oh ! no, I have such a wicked heart." I said, "It is well you know your heart is so bad, but it is on the ground of Christ's righteousness thai we are adminiltcd into God's family and then, looking to Jesus, our hearts will be purified, ■ml filled with holy feelings." At this time he was a scholar in Dens Mills Sabbath-school, and grew in knowledge and grace. To be continued.