nine o'clock
What force or persuasion could not effect , affliction accomplished . During the time of his greatest distress he received a letter from King George of Tonga , urging him to delay no longer , but to turn to the God of the Christians . This letter seems to have decided him . `` On the 30th April , 1854 , at nine o'clock the death-drum was beaten -- the signal for assembling in the great ` Strangers ' House ' for the worshipping of the true God . Ten days before , its sound had called people together to a cannibal feast . Three hundred persons were present in the ample lotu dress , before whom stood Thakombau , the chief , with his children and wives . The missionary , who had so long watched for this event , was deeply moved , and could scarcely proceed with the service .