1870 - Strachan, A. The Life of the Rev Samuel Leigh - CHAPTER III. FORMATION OF HUMANE AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS...

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CHAPTER III.

HOW beautiful in their adaptations are the figures employed in scripture, to describe the enlargement of the "kingdom of God" in the world! Isaiah compares it to the sudden and unexpected fertility of a "wilderness." " The desert," says he, "shall rejoice and blossom as the rose:" formerly it was "a solitary place," now it is covered with the "glory of Lebanon," and the "excellency," the luxuriance and fragrance, "of Carmel and Sharon." Daniel changes the figure; but marks, with equal distinctness, its aggressive character. He represents it as a stone, "cut out without hands;" and predicts, that, after "smiting" the empires symbolized by the image of Nebuchadnezzar, it should "become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth." Our Lord, speaking of it as "a grain of mustard-seed," "which indeed is the least of all seeds,"

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describes it as rising into magnitude, and extending its branches to a vast circumference. Let any one examine the import of those figures, and look at the advantages which Christianity confers upon mankind, and he will at once perceive the justness of the analogy. We shall bring an illustration or two from some of those institutions which owed their origin to the Wesleyan mission in Australia.

The established Church had expounded the truth for thirty years; but she had made no effectual application of it to the public mind. She had, no doubt, converted men; but she had no skill in uniting her converts in works of practical usefulness. She had plenty of materials within her reach; but she had no experienced artisans to form them into an engine of sufficient power to raise the mental or moral condition of the people.

But no sooner did the missionary meet with a pious soldier and a free convict adapted to his purpose, than he sent them out to visit the poor, and pray with the dying. They soon collected evidence to prove, that several outcasts had actually died for want of the common necessaries of life. There did not then exist any public provision for the relief of the destitute. The two visitors agreed to give each sixpence a week to the most necessitous case they should meet with. As they prosecuted their labours, the cases so multiplied, that they were led to lay the deplorable condition of the poor before the little Society. Their simple detail of facts awakened general sympathy, and led to the formation of a small committee. Mr. Leigh mentioned the subject to the Rev. W. Cartwright, who at once offered to become a member of the committee, and render them all the assistance in his power. They met once a week, divided the town into districts, appointed a visitor to each district, and made a general appeal to the people for assistance. Subscriptions flowed in on all hands; so that they were able to supply articles of food and clothing to great numbers of individuals. The visitors, who read and explained the scriptures in the dwellings of the poor, and prayed with them, brought such reports to the committee, from week to week, as greatly affected and encouraged them. They felt it to be "more blessed to give than to receive;" and were so delightfully employed in "doing and receiving good," that, before their suspicions were excited, they were £40 in debt. This discovery brought them to a stand-still. At a meeting of the committee, it was agreed that they should go in a body to a wealthy merchant, of the name of JONES, show him their books, and ask him to advance goods on credit for the next three months. Their institution, which was becoming generally known, was rising in public estimation. On stating the object of their visit to Mr. Jones,

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and showing him how much they had been enabled to accomplish with a comparatively small sum of money, he said, "Gentlemen, I will comply with your request, and execute your order to-day." They returned to the vestry, and, while they were deliberating on the state of their affairs, the cart arrived with the goods. On opening the invoice, they discovered that the account, amounting to £20, was receipted. There was another enclosure, which, on examination, proved to be a check upon Mr. Jones's banker for £40, the amount of their debt. When the announcement was made to the meeting, they rose up simultaneously, and then falling down upon their knees, the clergyman and the missionary gave God thanks with joyful lips.

This unexpected and handsome donation of money and goods inspired them with fresh zeal; and, before they parted, they resolved to apply to His Excellency for a government building, that they might bring the sick poor into one place. The governor complied with their request, and, by the assistance of a few generous friends, they were enabled to prepare accommodations for fifty individuals. They called it "THE SYDNEY ASYLUM FOR THE POOR." It was soon filled with persons of various nations; among whom were several aggravated cases of indigence and disease. Here they had medical attendance, with every domestic comfort, and religious services twice on the Lord's day, and three times on the evenings of the weekdays. This new establishment increased their expenditure beyond all their calculations; so that, at Christmas, when their books were balanced, they found themselves again in debt. Their subscriptions had increased, and they had multiplied evidences of the utility of their labours; but their income did not cover their expenses. They now determined to bring their circumstances under the observation of the governor. At an interview which they obtained, His Excellency said, "I am well acquainted with your proceedings. The management is admirable, and you are doing much good. But I question whether you will be able to maintain your establishment. I wish you to go on for the present; and I will issue an order for the immediate payment of the debt you have incurred."

A zealous churchman wrote home to Lord Bathurst, the colonial secretary, describing the growing importance of the "Sydney Asylum for the Poor," and expressing a wish that the management might be transferred, by authority, from the Methodists to the clergy and members of the Church of England. When Lord Bathurst's dispatch arrived, in reply, His Excellency the governor called the committee together; and, after expressing his great surprise that any private individual

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should have presumed to address the government without his knowledge, read the document. It declared that "the management of 'THE SYDNEY ASYLUM FOR THE POOR' must remain in the hands of those with whom the institution originated; that the accounts must be audited, as heretofore, once a year; and that the governor was authorized to pay, from the colonial revenue, its annual deficiency of income." His Excellency, laying the dispatch on the table, observed, "Gentlemen, I entirely concur in Lord Bathurst's sentiments." "Since then," said Mr. Leigh, "this has become a magnificent establishment. Thousands have been fed and cured, and instructed in their religious duties; and many have gone from it to glory. Who could have anticipated such results from the two sixpences of the soldier and the convict?"

The frequent intercourse of the sick visitors with the poor at their own dwellings laid open the domestic condition of the people generally, and brought to light a fact which accounted, in some degree, for the alarming prevalence of ignorance and vice. It had been remarked, that, throughout the districts into which the town was divided, very few copies of the scriptures had been met with. This discovery led Mr. Leigh, and the major of the military band, to visit every house in the city. This laborious canvass proved, that, on the average, there was but one Bible to every ten families; and these had been supplied, chiefly, by the Naval and Military Bible Society. Dining one day, soon after, with one of the magistrates, Mr. Leigh stated, that he had ascertained, from personal inspection, that there were but few copies of the word of God amongst the people; that he held in his hand a Report of the Colombo Bible Society, and that a similar institution was much wanted, and would prove a great blessing, in New South Wales. The magistrate, with whom he left the Report, put it into the hands of Lady Macquarie. On reading it, her ladyship was much struck with a beautiful letter, written by the lady of Governor Brownrig, of Ceylon. On finishing its perusal, she said, "Governor, cannot we have a Bible Society here?" "I am not aware," said His Excellency, "that there is any thing in the way of our attempting the formation of such an institution." He sent for several gentlemen, military officers, and the clergymen; and desired their opinion as to the propriety of establishing a Bible Society for the colony. The gentlemen assembled approved of the object; but gave it as their opinion, that it would be imprudent to call a meeting for such a purpose, in the present state of public feeling; besides, there were no Bibles in the colony, either for sale or gratuitous distribution. After respectfully delivering their opinions, they withdrew. The next

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Gazette, however, contained an advertisement calling a meeting to be held, in the court-house, three weeks from that date, for the formation of a Bible Society,--the governor to preside on the occasion.

During the intervening three weeks, several heavy packages addressed to His Excellency were received from England. They were found to contain Bibles and Testaments, which had been shipped by the British and Eoreign Bible Society. The following letter, which was addressed by Mr. Leigh to the secretaries of the above Society, soon after his arrival in New South Wales, accounts for this seasonable and abundant supply of the word of God:--

"GENTLEMEN,--I take this opportunity of thanking you for the parcel of Bibles and Testaments which I received, through the medium of Lady Grey, at Portsmouth. The Portuguese Testaments I distributed at Madeira, except three. A gentleman, brother to a priest, assured me, that many persons in Madeira would be glad to receive and read the New Testament. I had reason to believe that this statement was correct, from the numerous applications I had for the word of God. The English copies I have given away in this colony; and have had the satisfaction of seeing, in passing and re-passing through the bush, shepherds and stockmen reading the sacred book with deep attention. Were a Bible Society originated here, I am sure that Governor Macquarie and the clergy would cheerfully give their assistance. Should your Society favour me with another supply, you may depend upon a faithful distribution of your bounty."

When the day arrived for holding the meeting, nearly all the respectable people in Sydney attended. They were addressed with great effect by the governor, the judge-advocate, and the senior chaplain. No meeting had been previously held in the colony equal to this, in numbers, respectability, and unanimity; while its effects were general, permanent, and practical. Mr. Leigh and one of the governor's aide-de-camps were appointed collectors. Branch Societies were afterwards formed, in several provincial towns, which, after having supplied their respective neighbourhoods with the sacred volume, have remitted to the parent Society above £10,000.

The rapid movements and extraordinary labours of the missionary awakened the suspicion and jealousy of several of the subordinate agents, both of the church and state. While on a tour through the provinces, the governor invited the magistrates, military officers, and chaplain of Windsor to dine with him. During dinner, the resident magistrate inquired whether

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His Excellency were aware that a missionary was going up and down in the several townships, collecting large bodies of people together, and persuading them to become Methodists. Unless some restraint were laid upon him, they would soon, in his opinion, become a colony of Methodists. He concluded by recommending, that missionary Leigh be sent to work in the chain-gang, in the coal-mines of Newcastle. "You had better," said an officer present, "let missionary Leigh remain where he is, and keep a vigilant eye upon him." The governor replied, "Gentlemen, I am neither unacquainted with the person to whom you refer, nor with his proceedings. As I did not, in the first instance, approve of his mission, I have, I assure you, kept a vigilant eye upon him. I have now sufficient evidence, that he is doing good every where." Then, turning to the magistrate who preferred the complaint, His Excellency added, "Sir, when Mr. Leigh comes here again, I desire that you will call the servants of the government into the store-room, that he may preach to them. Remember, I wish this to be regularly done in future."

Soon after this affair, of which Mr. Leigh knew nothing at the time, the colonial secretary sent for him, and told him, that the Rev. J. Y., of Liverpool, had complained to the governor, that when he came into that town he had the bell rung to summon the people to his service. In the opinion of the reverend gentleman, such a practice was putting Dissent too much upon a footing of equality with the Church of England. The governor had gone into the country, but had requested him, the secretary, to inquire into the facts of the case. "I am surprised," said Mr. Leigh, "to hear this statement. It is true that the bell has been rung; but at whose instance, I am not able to say. I will make inquiry, and let you know." He did so; and informed the secretary, that the magistrate, Thomas Moore, Esq., had caused the bell to be rung, that his own family, the military, settlers, and convicts might know the time for commencing the service. When the case was reported to the governor, he said, "Tell missionary Leigh to go on quietly and patiently, as he has done, and I will protect him."

The Rev. J. Y. then applied to the Rev. Samuel Marsden, and requested that, as senior chaplain, he would interfere and prevent the ringing of the bell in future. Mr. Marsden sent for the missionary immediately; and, in the presence of the complainant, stated the grounds of complaint. "My reverend friend," said Mr. Leigh, "has acted a very unkind part in this business. My own ministry created that desire for religious instruction to which he is indebted for his present appointment. On your recommendation he obtained orders in England; but,

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till then, he was, like myself, a poor missionary, in Tahiti. I dined at his house but lately, and he did not even allude to this grievance. He thanked me for the attention I had paid to the spiritual interests of his wife, who was converted by attending my ministry, while he was absent from the colony. He might have said, that 'he had somewhat against me.' But, sir, he has carried this frivolous and groundless complaint to the governor; and had I not been well known to His Excellency, I might at this moment have been under orders to quit the country. The bell has been rung at the request of your friend, Thomas Moore, Esq.; but my opinion was neither asked nor expressed on the subject." Addressing himself to the Rev. J. Y., the senior chaplain observed, "Sir, I am surprised at your conduct: you have done very wrong: you have grieved me much." Mr. Y. replied, "When I received ordination, the bishop charged me to have nothing to do with Dissenters." "That may be," said Mr. Marsden; "but he could not mean, that you were to persecute them! Mr. Leigh has nothing to do with your bishop, and I cannot allow him to be treated as if he were an enemy to our Church. You must not, in future, interfere with him. When he commenced his service in Liverpool, there was no desire amongst the people there to hear the word of God, nor was there a teacher of any kind within twenty miles of the town. You have 'entered into his labours.'"

Soon after these unpleasant occurrences, Mr. Leigh met the governor, as he was returning from the country. His Excellency ordered his carriage to stop, and inquired of him how he was getting on; why he had not applied for land, that, like the clergy and others, he might improve his condition by breeding cattle and sheep; and assured him, that he would feel a pleasure in assisting him in any way that he might suggest. After expressing his obligations to His Excellency for his condescension and generous offers, he respectfully intimated that he was sent there for purely spiritual objects; but that, though he could not accept of any gifts for his own use, he felt at liberty to avail himself of any offer that might be made of land, on which to build chapels or school-houses for the benefit of the Society. "Whenever you want a site," said the governor, "for either of those purposes, after making your selection, call at the surveyor-general's office, and, if it be unappropriated, present my compliments, and desire him to mark it off for your Society." The general muster of the colonists, which took place once in three years, was at hand. On those occasions, each colonist presented a schedule containing an inventory of his property in land, houses, cattle, and grain. On looking over the missionary's schedule, the governor inquired, "Mr.

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Leigh, have you nothing to return but your old horse? You seem to have neither cattle nor grain yet. Why, you will always be poor at this rate." Above five hundred gentlemen were present, including magistrates, clergymen, military officers, and wealthy settlers, who had come to pay their respects to His Excellency; and in their presence Mr. Leigh briefly explained the regulations of the Missionary Committee, and the design of the mission.

A letter from a pious soldier, then doing duty at Newcastle, about forty-eight hours' sail from Sydney, first called his attention to that settlement. He stated in his letter, that he held a prayer-meeting every night, when not on duty; that these meetings were well attended; that several convicts were inquiring what they must do to be saved; and urged him to come over, and give them a sermon. Mr. Leigh availed himself of the first opportunity for visiting and strengthening the hands of this humble pioneer. On arriving in Newcastle, he found but few settlers; amounting, with their families, to not more than thirty individuals. There was a small detachment of troops, and four hundred and seventy convicts. These were supposed to be irreclaimable offenders. They had been imprisoned in Great Britain. Many of them had been tried for highway robbery, house-breaking, forgery, and murder. Several had been condemned to death, respited, and afterwards transported. On their arrival in New South Wales, they had resumed their old habits, committed various crimes, were tried in the criminal court of Sydney, and re-transported to this place, where they were worked in chains from sunrise to sunset. They were chiefly employed in burning lime, and procuring coal and timber, for the government. Here labour and discipline combined to bring the profligate to a premature grave. "The wages of sin is death." The governor, who had just been in the settlement, on a tour of inspection, returned home deeply affected by the scenes which he had witnessed there. As those scenes no longer exist, we gladly throw a veil over them. His Excellency was grieved to find, that those wretched prisoners had no spiritual instructor to press upon them, in the last moments of life, either "repentance towards God, or faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." "I must," he observed to the Rev. W. Cooper, "build a church for the establishment at Newcastle. I really cannot any longer endure the existing state of things there. I will give instructions for commencing the work immediately; and you must go over at once and lay the foundation-stone, with as much solemnity as possible." The reverend chaplain went over; and the religious services were peculiarly awakening, solemn, and impressive. The convicts themselves seemed to

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think, that a happier day was dawning upon them. The church was neat; and, being finished with a spire, formed a striking and interesting object in the landscape.

There was some ecclesiastical difficulty in the way of obtaining a resident clergyman; and Mr. Leigh was requested to supply the church as frequently as possible. The distance, however, was so great, and the regular work of his own mission so fully occupied his time, that he could give them only an occasional sermon. The convicts were conducted to church by the military; they behaved well, and several of them soon showed great improvement in their disposition and habits. The surrounding country is remarkable for its beauty and fertility: it is now the residence of a bishop of the established Church. Just in proportion as knowledge and conviction pervaded the minds of the people, did they evince a desire to have places of worship, and the ordinances of religion regularly administered, in their respective townships. Several individuals, who had either lived in obscurity, or been grossly immoral, seemed to be suddenly called forth, as if by a special interposition of providence and grace, to occupy new and comparatively high positions in society. The change in those persons was so unexpected and remarkable, that it was universally admitted they had become "new creatures in Christ Jesus."

One of the most prominent of this class was Mr. John Lees, of Castlereagh. From his first connexion with the missionary, he had exerted himself to the utmost to promote the general interests of the mission, and especially to bring his own neighbours into fellowship with the church of Christ. The blessing of the Lord was upon him; and he determined to render his prosperity subservient to the glory of God and the benefit of man. With these objects in view, he resolved to build a place of worship at his own expense, and give the exclusive right of occupation to the missionary. When finished, the appropriation of this little building to the purposes of religious worship was signalized by much of the Divine presence. It was noticed by Mr. Leigh in the following terms: "On the 7th of October, 1817, I opened a chapel at Castlereagh, built and given to the mission by Mr. John Lees. While I stood and looked at the people coming in carts, from various quarters and remote distances, I was reminded of the scriptural figure of 'doves flying to their windows,' and of the American camp-meetings. The place was soon filled with attentive hearers. I addressed them from, 'The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.' After the public service in the evening, the people were unwilling to leave the place; so we held a prayer-meeting: and truly Jacob's God was with us." At the close of these services,

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Mr. Lees said, "I have not yet done my duty: having made some provision for the worship of God, I must now contribute something towards supplying the building with the ministry of God's word. I cannot, at present, give money; but I will give one acre of my best land: I will plough it, sow it, reap it, thresh and sell the produce, and you shall have whatever it brings, without any deduction." The missionary took one end of the Gunter's chain, and the farmer the other; and they measured off the devoted acre. After applying the produce of this acre, for several years, to the mission, he observed, "It was a fortunate thing for me that I gave you that acre of land; for, since that time, my neighbours have all observed that my wheat has grown thicker and stronger than theirs."

At this period Mr. Leigh was peculiarly buoyant, and confident of ultimate success. In writing to his mother, he said, "I am truly happy in my work; and, although I cannot boast of any great things done, as yet, in this mission, I believe that those who come after me will have the pleasure of making known, to the friends of missions, great and glorious results. God has promised it. The Saviour has sealed the promise with His blood. The Holy Spirit has given the earnest; and the end is sure: 'My word shall not return unto me void,' saith the Lord. Yes; when you and I shall be in heaven, thousands upon earth will praise God and the Lamb for this mission. We want more missionaries. The harvest truly is great: multitudes are perishing, and I am here alone. You are saving something for me: here is a call: give it now: after your death I shall be provided for. O God, thou who hast the hearts of all men in thy hands, send us faithful 'labourers into this vineyard!'"

To another correspondent he writes, "You say, 'Return to England.' Were I to attempt it, I should expect to be engulfed by the waves before I could get clear of the shores of New South Wales. Let no man despise the day of small things. God has promised that 'all the ends of the earth shall see His salvation.' In the prosecution of my mission, I am as happy with a crust of bread, and a draught from the brook, as when I used to dine on your roast beef. But I am sometimes without even a crust. Travelling in the woods one day lately, I became quite confused, and lost all idea of the direction in which the settlement lay to which I was going. After riding until I was exhausted, I threw the reins upon the neck of my horse, and allowed him to shape his own course. He brought me, at last, to a stockman's hut. I alighted, and begged that he would give me something to eat. He said that his master had just left, and that he was not allowed to give any thing away in his absence. He had thrown some Indian corn to the fowls, who were picking it up

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in the back yard. I cheerfully joined the fowls, to which he offered no objection; and felt refreshed and strengthened by this providential repast. Here I obtained fresh instructions, set out again, and reached Liverpool at a late hour. The Indian corn which I had eaten with the fowls made me ill for a fortnight. What can one missionary do in such a country as this? Yet I have seen many penitential tears. I sometimes travel twenty miles, preach to twenty persons, retire to rest with twenty thousand blessings, and go off again in the morning, singing for joy. Pray that I may be filled with faith in Christ, and with a burning zeal for the spread of His gospel."

From the number of capital convictions in the criminal court of Sydney, and the frequency of executions, he was obliged to devote, in conjunction with the chaplains, a considerable portion of his time to visiting the cells of the condemned, and attending them in their last moments. It was no uncommon occurrence for six or eight to be executed in a morning. In December there lay, under sentence of death, four of the most notorious villains that had ever disgraced Australian society. They had committed almost every conceivable offence against the person and property of man. They were Irish Roman Catholics. They refused the assistance of the chaplain, and told the missionary that he was not of the true church, and that his scriptures were lies. They wished to confess; but there was no priest in the country. They sincerely hoped, they said, that, by praying to the Virgin Mary, the holy apostles, and the blessed saints, the Lord would be induced to show them mercy, and that their priests at home would get them out of purgatory. The earnest expostulations of the minister they treated with supreme contempt; "like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely." "I accompanied them," said Mr. Leigh, "to the place of execution, distant about half a mile. When they came within sight of the gibbet, one of them, who had appeared more reserved and thoughtful than the others, turned round and said, with much feeling, 'Sir, I depend entirely upon Jesus Christ for salvation. Will you pray for me? I did pray for him; and never did I see a man more deeply affected, or more earnest in prayer. I had hope in his death. The other three were exasperated by his conduct, and evidently died under the delusion of a corrupt faith."

The scenes occurring at the trial of the convicts were sometimes peculiarly affecting. At the preceding assizes, a father and son were arraigned on a charge of sheep-stealing. They were convicted on the clearest evidence, and both were condemned to be executed at the same time. When the sentence

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was pronounced, the elder prisoner stood forward, and addressed the court in the most pathetic terms. He admitted his own guilt, but begged to remind the judge of the youth of his son, who had been drawn into the commission of the offence by his father's persuasion and example, and whose previous good conduct rendered him not unworthy the royal clemency. If his son were spared, he, the father, would die cheerfully. Here the lad interrupted his father: he observed that, if his father were executed, it would break his mother's heart, and the family would be left destitute; that he had heard his father say, that, if he got off this time, he would not steal another sheep; and that, as to himself, he was too young to be of any service to the family, and would not be missed. He did hope that the judge would spare the life of his father. The hearts of all present were melted. The judge ordered the prisoners to be removed, and the court to be adjourned; while he abruptly withdrew to his private room. In a few days the sentence of the prisoners was commuted to transportation for life to the penal settlement of Newcastle.

An insidious and malignant letter was inserted in the "Sydney Gazette," calculated, if not intended, to excite the most determined opposition to the mission. While the friends of the mission were considering how they might best vindicate their proceedings, the governor issued his General Orders. In those Orders His Excellency said, "I deem it necessary, in justice to my own feelings, and also to the highly respectable and benevolent persons and societies engaged in missionary labours, which have ever received my sanction and support, thus publicly to express my disapprobation of a letter recently published in the 'Sydney Gazette,' and calculated to prejudice the public against those excellent men and their useful institution." Any organized hostility to the mission, after this official announcement, would have had the appearance of a direct opposition to the colonial government. The authoritative interposition of the governor averted the consequences of a religious controversy.

At this time, Mr. Leigh had the happiness to receive seven missionaries and a lay gentleman, sent out by the London Missionary Society to strengthen and extend their missions in the islands of the Pacific. "While they remained in the colony," said Mr. Leigh, "all of them have acted in perfect unison with myself, and been zealously employed in preaching in various parts of my circuit. They conducted themselves, while under my observation, like men of God. The Rev. W. E., one of their number, took for his text, the first time he occupied my pulpit in Sydney, 'I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.' I told him, at the close of the service,

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that the text was rather inappropriate, for we had not much to divide; and that, at present, there was no schism in our church. He was then a young man: he has since distinguished himself in several spheres of missionary labour, and in various departments of literature. With the spirit and bearing of the Rev. John Williams I was particularly struck. He was obviously a man of a devotional spirit, prudent in all his proceedings, patient in trials, and persevering in difficulties."

The name of the lay gentleman who accompanied them was Gyles. He had, for many years, been employed as the manager of a plantation in Jamaica, and was consequently well acquainted with the cultivation of the cane and the manufacture of sugar. The directors of the Society, being assured that their missions had produced a new organization of society in many of the South-Sea Islands, were anxious to promote habits of industry, and lead in the train of Christianity all the commercial advantages of civilization. Their missionaries had successfully cultivated coffee, cotton, and sugar-cane; and, although their experiments had been conducted upon a small scale, they were sufficient to prove that, under judicious management, those products might be manufactured as articles of trade and commerce. The superintendence of this secular department of the mission was confided to Mr. Gyles. He was engaged for four years; during which time it was supposed he would be able to raise the cane, instruct the natives in the art of manufacturing the sugar, and leave them capable of conducting the business themselves.

The Rev. Samuel Marsden greatly approved of this experiment. Writing to a friend, he observed: "I am happy to inform you that the labours of the missionaries have been greatly blessed at the Society Islands. The missionaries have begun to translate the scriptures, and have now a printing-press at work. The Society have also sent out materials for manufacturing sugar; and the missionaries will set the natives to grow cotton. I hope, in a little time, we shall have a cargo of sugar at Port Jackson from Otaheita, which will lessen the heavy expenses of the mission. The colony will furnish a market for all the sugar that can be made for a long time at the Society Islands. I cannot but entertain the pleasing hope that all the inhabitants of the numerous islands will, in due time, receive the blessings of the gospel. The British settlement in New Holland is a very wonderful circumstance in these eventful times. The islands in the Great Pacific Ocean could not have been settled, unless there had been a settlement formed previously in this country. The missionaries could never have maintained their ground, had they not been encouraged and

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supported from Port Jackson. How mysterious and wonderful are the ways of God! The exiles of the British nation are sent before to prepare the way of the Lord."

While Mr. Gyles remained in Sydney, he was wholly occupied in completing his arrangements for entering, at once, upon, his duties on his arrival in Tahiti. Learning that the son of a highly respectable West-India merchant, of the name of Matthews, lived at no great distance from Sydney, and that he was well acquainted with the manufacture and working of the sugar-mill, he resolved to pay him a visit. As Mr. Leigh had met Mr. Matthews a few times in Sydney, Mr. Gyles begged that he would accompany him to that gentleman's house. Getting the best information they could respecting the settlement in which Mr. Matthews resided, they set out on their journey. Having crossed the Lane Cove, an arm of the sea, they soon entered the woods. Here the coppice was so dense, that their progress was not only slow, but laborious. Night came on, with heavy rain. They were both satisfied that they had either been misinformed as to the distance, or had lost their way. Having taken no provision with them, they became both hungry and faint. As the night advanced, the dark clouds that surrounded them began to break, and the moon gradually rose upon them with Australian splendour. About midnight they came to two large trees that had been blown down, and obstructed their progress. Leaning against the trees, they consulted together as to what was best to be done. In such circumstances they knew that it would be dangerous to go to sleep; for, if there were no snakes in that particular locality, they must sleep at a great risk in their wet clothes. It was ultimately agreed, that one of them should rest upon one of the trees, while the other stood by and watched. Mr. Gyles, having stretched himself upon the tree for a short time, got up cold and stiff; and while Mr. Leigh was taking his place, he heard a sound like the barking of a dog. He exclaimed, "Lift me up, Mr. Gyles." "Why," said Gyles, "what is the matter?" "I have heard," he replied, "the bark of a dog. Let us shout as loud as we can; for, if he be a domestic dog, he will bark again; but if he be a native dog, he will not." They both shouted, and the barking of the dog was distinctly heard. They continued to shout, and thus kept the dog in a state of irritation, following, at the same time, in the direction of the sound, until they arrived at a fence. "Now let us get over," said Mr. Leigh; "for I am sure there is a homestead in the neighbourhood." Laying hold of the fence, and raising themselves up to get over, they observed five men on the other side, with their muskets levelled. The men called out, "If you

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advance another step, we will fire into you." A momentary pause ensued; after which, Mr. Leigh, who was a stranger to fear, threw himself over the fence, and was instantly collared by the men. One of them turned his head round to the moon, and, looking into his face, cried out, "What! is this missionary Leigh?" Mr. Leigh, knowing his voice, replied, "It is, Mr. Matthews." "Thank God," said Mr. Matthews, "we have not shot you! Come in, come in, and I will give you our reasons for acting as we have done. We fully intended to have shot you."

What from the want of food, the severity of the night, and the fatigue of the journey, they were scarcely able to walk. Mr. Matthews conducted them to the house, which they had been seeking all day; and, while the servants were preparing refreshments, the travellers were wrapped up in warm blankets, and put to bed. By the morning they were much refreshed, and able to join the family at the breakfast-table. Mr. Matthews then stated, that yesterday, being St. Patrick's day, his people resolved to have a spree in the evening; that their hilarity was interrupted by the barking of the watch-dogs; that on sending out the servants to ascertain the cause of the incessant noise of the dogs, they returned to say, that they heard several voices in the woods, and that they were approaching our residence. "We instantly concluded," said Mr. Matthews, "that a body of bush-rangers was coming upon us; and, not knowing their number, five of us loaded our muskets, and came out, determined to shoot them in defence of ourselves and property. Your making a stand, though it was but for a moment, saved you."

After mutual congratulations and united thanksgivings to God, Mr. Gyles explained the object of their visit. Mr. Matthews entered, at once, into the views and plans of Mr. Gyles; and offered to have the necessary machinery made on his own premises, and under his own superintendence. He sent Messrs. Leigh and Gyles home to Sydney; completed, in due time, his contract; and shipped the sugar-mill and its appendages for Tahiti, where Mr. Gyles himself arrived in August, 1818. He carried with him a letter and several presents from Mr. Leigh to the king. The king was pleased with this mark of respect, and acknowledged it in the following terms:--

"DEAR, FRIEND,--I wish you every blessing, and also your family, through Jesus Christ. I have received your letter, which was written on the 12th of May, and also the things you sent me. I feel much pleased that you wrote to me, and also

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for the things you sent. I have commenced a journey round Tahiti to animate the people to attend the word of God, and to send abroad the missionary to all lands: that is our work at present. In May there will be laws established here, at Tahiti, to make straight the crooked parts: when straight, it will be well. I am well, and hope you and your family are well.
"I wish you every blessing, through Jesus Christ.
"POMARE."

Mr. Gyles removed to Eimeo, where he erected his machinery. He enclosed a considerable tract of ground in the fertile and extensive valley at the head of the beautiful Bay of Opunoku, usually called Taloo Harbour. Sugar-cane was procured from the gardens of the adjacent districts, and sugar made in the presence of the natives, who were delighted on discovering that an article, so highly esteemed, could be made on their own shores, from the spontaneous produce of their own soil. This well-intentioned scheme, which was meant to be an auxiliary to Christianity, was rendered abortive by the misrepresentations of the captain of a South-Sea trader. He informed the king, that, should the attempt to manufacture sugar succeed, individuals from distant countries, possessing influence and large resources, would establish themselves in the islands, and, with an armed force, which he would in vain attempt to oppose, either destroy the inhabitants, or reduce them to slavery; that Mr. Gyles had come from the West Indies, where foreigners had entered in a friendly spirit, but afterwards brought troops, exterminated the inhabitants, and remained masters of the islands. The king was so far influenced by those statements, that it was thought best, in deference to his wishes, to advise Mr. Gyles to return to New South Wales, by the first conveyance: which he accordingly did.

The political state of the East Indies rendered it necessary to remove all the troops, that could be spared, from the colony to that country. The men draughted for that service included nearly all the pious soldiers who were members of the missionary church. These men were ornaments to Christian society, and had occupied, for some time, various departments of usefulness. They were commanded by Colonel Moore, who, to mark his approbation of their conduct, gave them the privilege of passing the sentinels after regimental hours. By this relaxation of barrack-discipline, they were enabled, when not on duty, to attend all the week-night services. When they embarked, the colonel ordered the officers to afford them every facility for holding their religious meetings while at sea. He had always encouraged Mr. Leigh in the prosecution of his mission, and

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evinced a lively interest in its success. The destination of those troops was Madras, where they arrived in safety. They soon ascertained that the Rev. James Lynch had arrived, and formed a church of twelve members, who were all persons of colour. The military class-leader, Sergeant Ross, said in a letter to Mr. Leigh, "I was struck with the fervour of their devotion, and the solemnity of their worship. The few times we met with them were indeed 'times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' We had also several profitable interviews with Messrs. Loveless and Knill, of the London Missionary Society; and, although we are now removed one hundred miles from them, we keep up a profitable correspondence. So soon as we got settled, I called our little band together to my house, when we agreed to meet in class on Tuesday evenings, as we had been accustomed to do at Sydney. We petitioned the colonel for liberty and protection in the exercise of religious worship. He replied,'You shall have both.' We have bought and fitted up a house, at our own expense, and opened it for exhortation and prayer. Mr. Lynch, being on a tour through the country, visited us, and met our class. The Lord was with us of a truth! This being the first Wesleyan preaching-house ever built upon the territories of the East-India Company, he desired me to give him a drawing of it, and an account in writing of our commencement. We are blessed with a pious chaplain; but, in my opinion, the missionary system alone can meet the claims of India. There is evidently a great work of preparation going on amongst the people around us."

While those pious soldiers gave a fresh impulse to the infant church at Madras, and exhibited, by their example, a steady light, in the midst of surrounding darkness, their removal from Sydney was painfully felt by that Society at their devotional meetings, and in working their Sunday-schools and Tract Society. But the promise, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be," is as applicable to the church collectively, as to her individual members. The diminution of their numbers brought the Sydney Society into closer compact, and led to increased exertion and more earnest prayer. The Lord, who maintains His sovereignty, and yet responds to the intercessions of His people, vouchsafed a special blessing to His own ordinances. As the "son of man" had the pleasure of seeing that, by prophesying, the Spirit of the Lord was brought down upon the "bones," which were "very many, and very dry;" so Mr. Leigh had the gratification of seeing the word of the Lord "running" amongst the people, and being "glorified," in the conversion of a number sufficient to fill up the vacancies occasioned by the change that had taken place in the colonial forces.

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But, while he seemed to others to "rejoice as a strong man to run a race," he had become the subject of deep emotion, and of considerable physical suffering. He had been two years in the colony without having received a single letter from England. These had been years of wasting labours and constant anxiety. "It is not natural for me to complain," he would say, "but my public duties and mental perplexities are sometimes more than I can well sustain. I go to the post-office, on the arrival of the mail, full of expectation, and return disappointed and grieved. I am generally relieved by prayer and tears." During the war, the correspondence between Great Britain and her distant colonies was very irregular. The missionaries of another Society were seven years without hearing from their official directors. But the cases must be extraordinary that can warrant even the appearance of remissness in public bodies, whether they be ecclesiastical or commercial, in maintaining a free and frequent correspondence with their foreign agents. The semblance of indifference on their part to the personal safety and comfort of their servants abroad, will be found generally to strengthen the temptation to unfaithfulness, while it weakens the sense of responsibility.

The long rides which Mr. Leigh was obliged to take in the heat of the day; his having frequently to lie down at night upon the ground, with his great-coat for his only covering, and his saddle-bags for his pillow; made a visible impression upon his constitution, and reduced him to a state of extreme weakness. The Rev. Samuel Marsden, having heard of the state of his health, sent for him; and, after expressing the most fraternal solicitude, urged him to take a voyage by sea. "You are aware," he observed, "that in 1814 I established some lay settlers in New Zealand. Since then, I have always had several of the natives living with me: I think this will tend greatly to enlarge their views, to increase their thirst for knowledge, and make them acquainted with the comforts of civil life. They will also learn the use of our sabbaths, the meaning of public worship as well as family; and, on their return to their own land, will impart to their friends what they have seen and heard. The New-Zealanders are considered the most warlike savages known, and are all cannibals; yet they have been kind to my lay settlers, and are even partial to them. They have begun to cultivate their land, and to raise various productions. The climate is fine, the land fertile, the country in all parts well watered, and every thing favourable, in a local and natural point of view, for its becoming a great country. It has fine rivers, abounds with valuable timber, while its streams and shores are full of excellent fish. I am sending over a ship with stores for my lay

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settlers. I will give you a free passage, and make such arrangements as shall secure every comfort at sea, and your personal safety while you remain in New Zealand. When you have considered what I now propose, let me see you again."

Up to this period less was known in Europe of New Zealand, than of any other island in the Pacific Ocean. The occasional intercourse which had taken place between the natives of these islands and civilized men, had tended only to generate mutual hostility. Having observed that Europeans thought it no crime to murder and plunder those islanders upon the most trivial occasions, and often from mere wantonness, the sympathies of the Rev. Samuel Marsden were moved towards them. He cultivated an acquaintance with such chiefs as occasionally visited Port Jackson, studied the national character, acquired the confidence of those chiefs, and resolved to reclaim the population of the country to Christ and civilization. The announcement of his plan for the accomplishment of these objects was treated with ridicule; and the destruction of the first men that should land upon the shores of the country was predicted. He was reminded that Tasman, who first visited them, had a boat's crew murdered on landing; that Mariner had twenty-eight of his men murdered on the beach; that ten of Captain Furneaux's crew were surrounded, murdered, and eaten; and that from eighty to one hundred persons, on board the ship "Boyd," met a similar fate. He was assured that the appearance of his sails on the seas of New Zealand would lead to a confederacy amongst the tribes along the coast to seize his ship, and cut off both crew and settlers.

Mr. Marsden's intercourse with the chiefs led him to the conclusion, that the above massacres were to be regarded only as acts of retaliation for numerous unprovoked deeds of cruelty and injustice practised upon the natives by white men. Duaterra, a chief of some authority, had resided in Mr. Marsden's family for nearly three years, and had formed a strong and sincere attachment to that gentleman. He assured the chaplain that, if teachers were sent to his country, he would guarantee their safety, and treat them with hospitality. Mr. Marsden, having studied his character well, knew how far he could depend upon his promises of protection in his native land. The ship "Active" was purchased; and, being well manned and armed, was sent over to New Zealand, to try the disposition of the natives, and test the integrity of Duaterra. After visiting the territories of Duaterra, and satisfying themselves as to the practicability of Mr. Marsden's scheme, they returned to New South Wales, bringing Duaterra and two other chiefs on board.

Their report was so favourable, that all necessary preparations were now made for returning to New Zealand to establish the

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settlement. Mr. Marsden resolved to go himself, and share in the glory or hazard of the enterprise. He selected Messrs. Hall, King, and Kendall, and their families, as the persons to be located amongst the savages. The one was a schoolmaster, the other a carpenter, and the third a shoemaker. They were to follow their respective trades, teach them to the natives, induce them to adopt European habits, and prepare them to receive Christian instruction. The governor invested the schoolmaster with the office of resident magistrate, and issued a proclamation, informing all captains of ships visiting New Zealand, that they would be held responsible to British law for any acts of cruelty or injustice which they might perpetrate upon the persons or property of the natives. After they were ready to sail, the governor hesitated as to the propriety of giving them permission to leave the colony on so dangerous an undertaking. It was with extreme reluctance that he parted with the senior chaplain; and no persuasion could induce him to extend their leave of absence beyond four months.

The "Active" sailed from Port Jackson November 19th, 1814. Thirty-five persons were on board, with numerous animals, and various stores. They had been at sea but a few days, when the chiefs on board became gloomy, sullen, and reserved. Duaterra, in replying to some questions proposed to him by Mr. Marsden, said, "From the very depths of my soul do I regret having given you the slightest encouragement to leave New South Wales. A gentleman in Sydney informed me, that the consequence of granting protection to your settlers will be that others will be introduced, who will take our lands and kill our people." As might be expected, such a statement created a great sensation on board the "Active." Mr. Marsden assured Duaterra that their motives were disinterested, and that, unless they could depend with entire confidence upon himself and the other two chiefs sailing with them for protection, he would order the ship to return immediately to the colony. After consulting the other chiefs, and taking a little time for reflection, Duaterra informed Mr. Marsden, that it was very probable that the other chiefs, 'Hongi and Korrakorra, would be prompted to acts of violence on getting to their own country; but that, if he would establish his settlement at the Bay of Islands, he and his tribe would be able to afford ample protection. On this assurance being given, the captain was ordered to sail for the Bay of Islands. They entered the Bay on the 22nd of December. After several friendly interviews with the natives, they landed.

Divine service was celebrated, for the first time in these lands, on the following Sunday, being Christmas-day. Duaterra had made a reading-desk of an old canoe, and prepared seats

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for the Europeans with some planks, which had been brought to the ground. The whole population of the neighbourhood assembled on the occasion. Korrakorra drew up his warriors, and marched them, rank and file, into the enclosure; while all that could be spared from the ship were landed, to join in the service. The chiefs were dressed in regimentals, which had been presented to them by Governor Macquarie, with their swords by their sides; while the savages stuck their spears in the ground. Mr. Marsden conducted the service in a very impressive manner. Duaterra acted as interpreter. No doubt the prayers of that day moved heaven, and occasioned "joy in the presence of the angels of God." At the close of the service about three hundred natives surrounded Mr. Marsden, and commenced their war-dance, shouting and yelling in demonstration of their joy.

It was now deemed safe and necessary to proceed at once to procure timber, and erect suitable buildings for the families of the settlers. On witnessing these proceedings, Duaterra became much excited, and exclaimed, with an air of triumph, "New Zealand will be a great country in two years. I will export grain to Port Jackson, in exchange for spades, axes, hoes, tea, and sugar." The grand object of his life, for the last ten years,--an object which was the constant subject ot his conversation, namely, the civilization of his countrymen,--was, in his opinion, about to be speedily realized. Under this impression, he made arrangements for an extensive cultivation, and formed a plan for building a new town with regular streets, after the European mode, in a beautiful situation, which commanded a view of the mouth of the harbour and adjacent country. Mr. Marsden accompanied him to the place, and examined the ground fixed upon for the town. He pointed out the situation where the church was to stand, and said that the streets were to be laid out before Mr. Marsden left the country. At the very time when these plans were to have been executed, Duaterra was stretched upon his death-bed. "I could not but view him," said the chaplain, "as he lay languishing beneath his affliction, with wonder and astonishment, and could scarcely bring myself to believe that the Divine Goodness would remove from the earth a man whose life appeared of such infinite importance to his country, which was just emerging from gross darkness and barbarism. I fondly hoped that he had only commenced his career. He was a savage of clear comprehension, quick perception, of a sound judgment, and void of fear. At the same time, he was mild, affable, and pleasing in his manners. He was in the prime and vigour of manhood, being about thirty years of age, and extremely active."

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Mr. Marsden's term of absence having expired, the "Active" was unmoored, and sailed for the colony. Duaterra, the statesman and warrior, on whom, more than upon any other individual, the emancipation of his country from savageism seemed to depend, died four days after Mr. Marsden left New Zealand. The senior chaplain felt a deep interest in the fate of the lay settlers whom he had left behind, and availed himself of every opportunity that offered for supplying their wants, and encouraging them in their labours. He was of opinion that a short residence in New Zealand would improve the health of Mr. Leigh, and, at the same time, greatly serve the interests of the infant settlement.

While Mr. Leigh was deliberating about the voyage, the Rev. Walter Lawry arrived from England. He had had an agreeable passage of four months and eight days. He sailed in a convict-ship, and preached regularly to the prisoners, the military, and the mariners on the gun-deck. Many heard the word with gladness, and several "received it in the love thereof." He had the most satisfactory evidence of the repentance and conversion of these men. One of the passengers and the captain's clerk trained a choir of singers, which added much to the interest of their public services. Those two gentlemen were exceedingly zealous and useful in promoting the instruction and reformation of the convicts.

On the day after Mr. Lawry's arrival, May 2nd, 1818, Mr. Leigh returned from the country. He had been separated from his ministerial brethren for three years; and when he saw Mr. Lawry, he kissed him, and exclaimed, "Bless the Lord, O my soul! and forget not all His benefits." Mr. Leigh and J. Eager, Esq., introduced Mr. Lawry to the governor, who received him with marked cordiality, and wished him much success in the work in which he was engaged. On retiring, Mr. Leigh observed, "Who that duly considers the benefits of civil government, can refrain from saying, 'God save the king!'" Mr. Lawry spent the Sunday in Sydney, and preached twice with much acceptance and power. He subsequently waited on the resident chaplain, "from whom," said he, "I received that hearty welcome which might be expected from a holy minister of Christ. I lost no time in paying my respects to the reverend the senior chaplain, who lives at Paramatta, and was not surprised that his 'praise should be in all the churches.' The fields here are white to the harvest; and what may we not expect from a people thus prepared of the Lord? Mr. Leigh is every thing I could wish in a colleague. In commencing this mission he has not only been alone, like a sparrow upon the house-top, but has endured calumny and opposition from those

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from whom he expected assistance. I need not dwell upon his wanderings in these forests without food, having no shelter by day, and frequently no bed by night. His patient soul endured all in quietness; and the effects of his labours will be seen after many days. By his exemplary conduct he has established himself in the good opinion of almost every one here, from His Excellency the governor to the fisherman at the stall. We are agreed to live upon two meals a day, if we may have another missionary and a printing-press."

As soon as Mr. Lawry had been introduced to the principal friends, and was made acquainted with the working of the circuit, Mr. Leigh felt himself at liberty to accept the generous offer of Mr. Marsden, and embarked for New Zealand. The distance was only fourteen hundred miles; but the weather was tempestuous, and the ship a bad sailer, so that they were twice the usual time upon the ocean. The lay settlers received him, as he expected they would, like Christian men.