Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 17, 2025
The conduct of Alea, even in her living in a different part of the island from Vihala, excited their curiosity and gained their attention. So admirable an example had they set, and assiduously had they laboured, that many of those who had become Christians were already well instructed in the faith, and could give a reason for the hope that was in them.
Alea, as the daughter of the king, they treated with even more consideration than Vihala. Most providential was the influence the young people were thereby enabled to gain over their savage countrymen; nor did they fail to endeavour immediately to exercise it for good. This was clearly one of God's ways of working, and one which has been more than once employed in Polynesia.
We anchored the ship in a secure harbour, and at once sent Vihala and several natives on shore as a deputation to the chief, to inform him of the arrival of his daughter. After some time, they returned with the announcement that the chief would receive us, and that his daughter would be welcome.
Vihala and Alea were delighted to see us again, but when they heard of Mr Bent's death they shed tears of unfeigned sorrow at the thought that they should see his face no more. They both had advanced greatly in Christian knowledge, and Vihala appeared to me equal to the taking entire charge of a station, however large.
"Ah, would that I had Vihala with me," he would frequently exclaim to the missionary. "When you are gone he would instruct me further in the wonderful things I hear." But neither Vihala nor Alea were to be found. He had driven them forth, there could be no doubt, by resolving to unite his daughter to a heathen chief; and yet was Vihala free from blame in carrying off the young princess?
The old man said he came from a station about fifty miles off. The young lady was his daughter. They had come over on a periodical visit to the Christian converts of this island, and were much concerned to hear that Vihala and the young princess had disappeared. "They should have abided the storm," the old man remarked.
Her longing desire was to meet him in heaven, and to prepare their two boys to follow in his footsteps. Notwithstanding all that had occurred, Vihala undauntedly resolved to remain. "If I fall, it is in God's cause, and to advance His glory," was his only remark.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking