1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1852 - Church Missionary Society, Middle District, p 403-408

Although there are now in my Institution considerably more than when I last wrote to you, I have, by some recent arrangements, been enabled to gain more time than I had formerly. The European Branch I found to be very heavy. From this I am now almost altogether relieved -- 1. by my young pupils having entered upon the line of life for which they had conceived a desire, viz. agriculture; 2. by my having been enabled, through the kind provision made by your Committee for our children, to send my two eldest boys to England. There is thus more simplicity and singleness, as well as a more direct Missionary Character, in my labours, which I trust will render them more easy and more effectual.

I find my Native Teachers an immense comfort. Almost all the secular duties of this establishment are now discharged by them. They receive and take care of the stores, purchase our provisions, issue the monthly and daily rations, attend to the children of the Institution, and to the many details--which, as you may imagine, are not few where so many are congregated together. They also render me very material aid in instruction, and in the supervision and management of the scholars when in School. I at least must

confess that I had never imagined that they were possessed of so many valuable materials for useful co-operation. Of this I am certain, that a Missionary who neglects his Native Teachers is depriving himself of the greatest earthly assistance and comfort that he can have in his labours. Not that I would have them employed at random, or with a blind, neglectful confidence; but the principle is as true in Missionary as in secular matters, that to be able to detect latent merit, and to employ it properly, is one of the surest elements of success. We have now upward of 80 in my Institution, who are superintended solely by myself and Native Teachers; and I am most deeply thankful to be able to report that I do not think we were ever in a more healthy or efficient state than we are at present. We have now many valuable lads, who are fast rising to man's estate, and who give promise of much usefulness hereafter.

The time is, I hope, not far distant when Christian Villages will rise in goodly numbers, like so many oases in the desert, to gladden the eye and refresh the heart of the traveller. In the south, at Otaki; in the north, at Waimate; 1 in the centre, at Otawhao, most cheering commencements have been made. The time is fast approaching in which your aged and enfeebled Missionaries will be compelled to cease rushing to and fro in their immense districts, in their exhausting efforts to keep alive the flame that our good God has enabled them to kindle. The victory has been achieved: our acquisitions must now be consolidated; and to no earthly means can we look with greater hope than to the establishment of these Christian Communities. They give employment of the best description to the aged and experienced Missionary; they prepare the young for rising with the tide of colonization and improvement now sweeping over the land; and become also a centre, a stimulus, and a model, to the surrounding population.

More than 120 Natives assembled, including many chiefs of the first rank, and several Native Teachers. I give extracts from the speeches of the chiefs and Teachers. The first is from Levi Mokoro, the principal chief of the Ngatiruru Tribe, and a man of much influence with all Waikato. "There is but one great thing. It is the Gospel which invites all to repentance. Why have we left off eating one another? It is because the Gospel has come to us. Why have our evil practices been discontinued? It is the Gospel. Why do our quarrels end without bloodshed? It is from the Gospel. The Gospel is good for the body, as well as the soul. I say, therefore, Let us be zealous to send the Gospel to that island where the Natives are eating one another." This man, a fine old chief, was at one time a fearful cannibal and sensualist.

The next is from Tarapuhia, one of the principal chiefs of the Ngaungau Tribe. "Evil is not of a day's growth: it is from Adam, and has come down to us. We had become more wicked than others, even eating one another; when this new thing came--the Gospel--to destroy our wickedness. Let us then magnify the Gospel, receive it ourselves, and send it to others."

The next is from Wesley Te Paki, the old chief of the Ngaungau, formerly a great priest. "This is the Word of God: The earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let light be; and light was. Now, at first there was darkness. We were also dark, sitting in darkness; but God has given us His Gospel, that great light by which we know our wickedness. We now assemble to worship God, and desire to forsake our evil ways. My word is, that we persevere in the Gospel, and send it to others also who are sitting in darkness."

Another chief, Ngapaka, now got up, and said, "It is written in the Acts, that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues. This is another tongue--another language. Our language before was for war and bloodshed: murder was our delight. Now this is another tongue: it is the language of peace and joy, of love and of the Gospel. My word is, Let every tribe

hear this language: let us be zealous to send the Gospel."

After several other speakers, Stephen Tahatika, monitor of Maurea, got up, and said, "It is very good to send the Gospel; but do not let us be like that bird, the pipiwarauroa, when it cries kui, kui, kui, a sign of a bad year, a cold summer; but let us be like it when it cries, witi ora, witi ora, a sign of a good year. Let this be a good year. Let us send the Gospel to our brethren: let them hear of the love of God."

The next who spoke was Jowett Kakamomo, one of the monitors of Kirikiriroa. "Mine is a word of caution, that our work may be right. St. Paul told the churches to collect money for the poor. The wicked did not join in this work: it belongs to a holy people. Now, if we hear the money thrown into the plate with a great clatter, that is pride: it is not what the people of God will do. They give their money from love to Christ, and with prayer, not from pride."

William Otapo, Teacher at the School Bethany, now got up. His words were --"Let us all listen. These are the evils which caused death in former times-- sacred places and sacred things. House, comb, iron pot, garment, bed-place, pigs, when made sacred by a chief, caused death to those who broke the tapu, beside our other numerous quarrels. Why have we forsaken these foolish practices? It is because the Gospel has triumphed, and put a stop to war and murder, which was caused by our superstitions. Now, I say, Let us send the Gospel to all nations: let each tribe and each chief join in this great work."

Seth Tarawiti, Teacher at the School Bethany, next spoke. "Great is the joy of my heart to hear these chiefs speak for the Gospel. In old times, when Levi Mokoro, or Wesley, or Tarapuhia, and other chiefs, got up to speak, it was for murder, war, and bloodshed. When we used to assemble in old times, it was for the war-dance, and to incite each other to mischief. Now, what has caused this difference in these chiefs? What has caused the difference in our assemblies? Is it not the Gospel? Then let us send the Gospel to others, and be examples to other Churches."

The concluding remarks were by me, to this effect --"My heart is filled with joy because we are anxious to fulfil the last command of our Lord and Saviour, Christ, to go and teach all nations, &c. But let us not boast, because sin is mixed with all we do: our every action, every work, must be washed in the blood of Jesus, and confirmed by the influences of God the Holy Spirit. He has heard your assent to-day. He has heard our resolve to meet (D. V.) every year, to collect money, and to pray for the progress of the Gospel throughout the world. May a gracious God enable us to keep this resolution, and we will say, with David, Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory. Amen."

We then collected 6l. 12s., which appears a small sum; but the erecting of mills has drained their resources, and a great number did not attend: they were away at some distance, at their cultivations. Next year, if our lives are spared, I trust we shall have a much larger meeting and a more bountiful collection; but our gracious Father will not despise the day of small things.

I wish to remark, that none of the chiefs or speakers joined in the late quarrel about the land at Wangaroa, although they were related to both parties. This is to be attributed chiefly to Gospel Principles. In old times, the whole river [Waikato] would have been involved in war. The account of this dispute I forwarded a few months ago.

In the afternoon I had an examination of my School, 30 children and 10 adults. The chiefs, Teachers, and parents of the children were there, and as the children were singing I observed tears in the eyes of some of these. They were much pleased, and promised to send more children to school. We then drank tea together-- nearly 100--and concluded our happy day with our monthly Missionary Prayer-meeting. The quiet, subdued, earnest manner of the Natives, the freedom from boasting, proved that our gracious Father had been with us, by His life-giving presence, during the day's proceedings, a day which I shall not easily forget, and which induced my beloved wife to join with me in blessing and praising the riches of redeeming love, as manifested in sending the Gospel to New Zealand, and in its now reflex influence.

At the close of another year I am called upon to praise God for the many mercies vouchsafed to my family and myself during the last twelve months.

In reference to the spiritual state of the district, I regret to say that I cannot report any improvement upon the last year. There is a spiritual deadness amongst the people, which we very much deplore. This, and the sound of war in the early part of the year, induced many to take up arms in defence of what they believed to be their legal rights at Wangaroa. I am, however, thankful to say that no blood was shed.

During the past year, 20 adults and 40 children have been baptized. The Communicants have been the same as last year.

In reference to Schools, we have now 40 boarders, 36 of whom are half-caste. Application has been made for the admission of 10 or 12 more half-caste children. The progress of the children has been satisfactory, especially when we consider that instruction is given in the English Language only, and that many of the children, on entering, only speak the Maori Language. The new dormitory mentioned in my last report, together with a matron's room and clothes room, have been completed. The size of the wing is nineteen feet by forty-four. The timber for the opposite wing is ordered. The sum of 200l. has been granted me from Government Funds for educational purposes during the past year, the greater portion of which will be expended in the erection of buildings.

I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of several parcels of clothing from friends in England for the Schools. Such donations are very acceptable and valuable.

In October last I thought it necessary to visit Auckland to see the Governor-in-Chief. His Excellency received me with his usual kindness, and expressed the deep interest he felt in the advancement of the Natives. In reference to schools, he said that he had received instructions from the Queen to use every exertion to promote the education and the civilization of the aborigines, and he kindly promised to assist me as far as possible. He inquired into the wants of the School, and ordered fifty blankets for bedding, and 250 yards of canvas for mattresses. In reference to the agricultural establishment at Otawhao, he kindly granted me two carthorses, a dray, a plough and harrow, three sets of harness, a crosscut saw, and some axes. He also authorised me to engage a farm-servant to carry on the farming, and instruct the aborigines.

Her Majesty the Queen graciously accepted the present of flour sent by the two Rangiaohia Chiefs from their mill, and, in return, she has forwarded them, through Sir G. Grey, two highly-coloured prints of the royal family, in splendid frames. The gift is highly prized by the aborigines.

The progress of civilization in the district is satisfactory. It is very pleasing to see the young men and boys at Rangiaohia following the plough, and driving their carts to and from the mill, loaded with wheat and flour. We can only truly estimate the change thus effected by the Gospel of peace, when we look back to their state ten or twelve years ago as savage cannibals. Surely, under God's continued blessing, we have every reason to take courage, and hope for the future. At Rangiaohia, which is the chief village in the district, the aborigines have now nearly ripe a fine crop of wheat, about 600 acres. They have also about a dozen cows and about fifty horses, ten ploughs, seven carts and drays, and cart and plough harness for about twenty horses. The progress made at Rangiaohia has excited a desire amongst other tribes to follow in the same course, and they are now preparing flax at Kihikihi and Orakau, three and five miles from Otawhao, for the purchase of ploughs.

I regret, however, to state the exertions made by the agents of Popery at Rangiaohia. A priest has been resident there for several years, and timber has been sawn by them for the erection of a large chapel; and, unless proper exer-

tions are made by us, they may reap a harvest on which they have bestowed no labour, all the advancement in civilization having been made through the agency of the Church Missionary Society.

The Parent Committee have granted, on Mr. Morgan's application, 100l. severally tor the erection of Churches at Otawhao and Rangiaohia, like sums having been undertaken by the Protestant Natives.

An affection of the right knee compelled me to shorten my annual journey through the archdeaconry of Tauranga; yet I have been occupied ninety-four days in visiting, and have been privileged to baptize 137 adults and 59 children, and to administer the Lord's Supper to nearly 500 Communicants. When at home I have taken, alternately with Mr. Davies, the three Sunday Services of the Station and principal pas, and the two week-day lectures at Otumoetai and the Papa.

Miss Baker has continued the daily Afternoon Girls' School, the average attendance at which has been twelve, and has also taken the Sunday Afternoon School on every second Sabbath.

Our native teacher Zechariah has rendered important service in addressing his countrymen, both at Tauranga and the outposts; and I have devoted some portion of almost every day that I have been at home to imparting scriptural knowledge to him and another native teacher, who, impressed with a sense of insufficiency for his duties, came from Taupo at the commencement of the year in order to be instructed in the way of God more perfectly. Applications have been made to me by many natives in different parts of the Archdeaconry for religious instruction in their duties as teachers--six of whom, with their wives, are now on the settlement; and so impressed am I with the importance of this work, that, until a more efficient system is entered upon, I purpose to invite in rotation such of the teachers as desire instruction, to spend a portion of the ensuing year at our Station.

Our congregations, though exposed to new and increasing temptations with the advance of colonization, have maintained the average attendance of last year. The Papists work wilily yet I do not think they are making progress; and this is easily accounted for. The Bible had preceded them; and, in the light of the Gospel, Popery must ultimately wither. May it be consumed with the spirit of Christ's mouth, and be destroyed with the brightness of His coming!

Sept. 25, 1849 --Paraone and Hohaia called. I heard from them some pleasing particulars relative to poor Maihi's death. Nearly his last words were, "Farewell, my friends: do not detain me from heaven: you remain, and be strong in faith."

Oct. 13 --Nuka called. He gives an interesting account of the death of his wife. A long illness, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, appears to have changed that once noisy heathen woman to an humble, patient Christian. She died, exhorting those around her to forsake all native customs, and to keep near to Jesus.

Nov. 13 --We slept at Orano, on lake Taupo. I was awoke at dawn by a question from a Native at my tent door. This was followed by a series of scriptural questions during the time I was dressing. After Morning Service we pulled to Motutere, where the Natives have a noble Chapel in the course of erection, and then crossed the lake to Pukana. I called, in the first instance, on Iwikau, the beau-ideal of a liberal. "When you are at Taupo," he said, "I am a churchman; when the Wesleyan Missionary is here, I belong to his Church; when the Romish Priest calls, I am a Papist; and when there is no European here, I am a Heathen." He is full of the idea of carrying the bones of Te Heuheu up Tonga-Riro, which, with its active volcano and eternal snows, would certainly be a magnificent mausoleum. I held Evening Service with 50 Natives. Our Missionaries were the first to plant the standard of the cross at Taupo; but unless we soon occupy the place by a resident Missionary, this tribe will be lost to us.

Nov. 14 --After Service we crossed the lake to Wai-Ariki. I stopped a short time with the people, and then went on towards Tonga-Riro. We soon reached the spot where Manihera and Kereopa fell, and the low thick bushes, behind which the murderers lay concealed, were pointed out to us. I thought much of a passage in the Psalms for to-day, Dear shall their blood be in His sight. May it prove the seed of the Church! At Waipapa I had an opportunity of speaking to a few Natives.

Seven miles further brought us to Rotoairo Lake. There was something incongruous in the feelings with which I gazed upon the magic beauty of Tonga-Riro. We were seeking shelter beneath the branches of a tree from the intensity of the sun's rays, and yet gazing upon a mountain of eternal snows. Is it not something akin to gazing upon the cold and withering influence of heathenism from scenes where the Gospel is shining in mid-day splendour? We may pity, but it is almost impossible to sympathize.

I held Evening Service, and addressed the Natives, and afterward examined the baptismal class, but only three passed.

Nov. 15 --At the conclusion of Morning Service I again examined the baptismal class, and then accepted the invitation of Mr. Skinner, a Wesleyan Missionary, to breakfast. He shewed me a table of statistics of Taupo. The population, according to his census, was 1104, at twenty-four places, and was thus divided--Heathen, 188; Roman Catholics, 222; Protestants, 694, of whom 523 were of the Church of England.

Mr. Skinner mentioned to me, that, since his residence at Rotoaira, the Natives had informed him that the heathen party were aware of the intended visit of Manihera and Kereopa, and had planned to treat them with great kindness, and then propose that they should return to Rotoaira with a large number of their tribe --formerly the enemies of this people-- whom, on their arrival, they intended to murder. The blood-thirsty spirit of Huiatahi, swift to shed blood, prevented the execution of this tardy project. He murdered Manihera and his companion at once, and, by this sacrifice, the lives of many were probably saved.