The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-11-29
Heathen Temple Destroyed.

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The London Missionary ,Soci.SS HI-ohi-
Gle contains an interesting account OF
the last hsatBeatehpl9in Samoa The
Rev Joseph King, writing from this
Island in December last, saysil Bios %
The last heather temple in Samoa
has recently been destroyed 1t WAS a
large tree situated in the village OF
Saielavalu, only mile or two from the
spot where John Williams first landed
in Samoa. Under the shade of this
tree the principal deity Of the city was
supposed to reside Here the people
were formerly accustomed to assemble
to keep their teasts sacred to their vii
lage god. One Of the highest chiefs of
the village, called Sua, who has died
since We have been here, remained a
heathen to within about three months
OF his death, and by him the sacred
character Of this tree WAS observed
The influence Of this man upon the in
habitantS Of the village was very bane
fltl. Through him a great deal Of
heather superstition remained amongst
the people, although, with one or two
exceptions, they were all professedly
Christians. While they worshipped
Jehovah in His temple, it was evident
that many Of them had not ceased to
reverence the temple Of their old god.
Soon after the death Of Sua, | appointed
a new teacher to the village, young
man from the Malua Institution, full of
zeal and earnestness. Before leaving
the institution to 60 to his appointment,
one of his fellow-students, a yotlng
man of Saleaealu, urged him to com
mence his labors il the village -by.aan
attempt to destroy the heather temple.
Several attempts had been made to do
this in Sua's lifetime in vain, as it was
impossible to do it without the consent
oil the principal chief Of the village,
Now, however, all that was necessary
was the consent of the remaining rulers,
who were all profesSedy Christian.
The teacher went to his appointment,
resolved to carry out the suggestion Of
his fellow student. After being in the
village about fortnight, he went to the
chiefs and proposed to them that be
should be allowed to destroy the temple
! of Tiama, and so remove from their
midst what had so long been reproach
to them. They consented, although
some Of them did not do 50 without
manilesting considerable superstitous
fear. Having obtained their consent he
set to work, assisted by the boys Of his
school and other young men, members
Of the church, in collecting frewood, of
which they made huge pile around
the trunk Of the tree. This done they
waited till the evening, and then as the
villagers were lighting their evening
fires, at the hour at which, in their
heather state, they would have been
careful ly closing up all their houses, lest
1 the glare Of their fires should reach the
temple Of their god--iire being par
ticuIarly offensive to him--the teacher
lit his torch, and with grateful joy went
forth to kindle the fire which was to
destroy the last heather shrine in Samoa,
As the flames arose the whole village
wore attracted out of their houses to
witness the work of desccralion. -
Amongst them was decrepit old man,
hcathen, who was heard yehementy
imprecating curses from his gods upon
the teacher for this act Of PROCLAMATION. "