1865 - Davis, R. A Memoir of the Rev. Richard Davis - CHAPTER VI. MISSIONARY OPERATIONS... 1828 TO...

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CHAPTER VI.

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
2d April 1828.

"MY DEAR SIR,--This is not a time for Christians to hide themselves, or for ministers to be backward to declare the whole counsel of God. Religion is become fashionable. Satan has never made use of a more plausible or more dangerous temptation. Satan counterfeits his coin so well, and it passeth so current in the fashionable world, that the follower of Christ scarce knows how to distinguish genuine religion from that which is fictitious.

"I can spare but little time for writing. But if my poor letters have the smallest tendency to stir up missionary

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zeal. I am satisfied and thankful. My life is a very busy one at present. We have much to do, and there is very much to be done. The work of the Lord, I trust, prospers and progresses here. Last Sunday my visit to my poor natives was very pleasing. The principal chief was pointed out by his people to me as a man of prayer. They told me that he prayed twice a day with his family. From my former letters you will learn the influence the Lord hath been pleased to give us over the native mind. Surely this is a token of good. The natives did not understand the nature of our mission to them till quite recently. Thousands of pounds have been expended in vain to promote their civilisation. When I first arrived here, one person only could speak intelligibly to the natives. Everything was to be done with the axe and the hoe. I was told that AN AXE WAS THE BEST MISSIONARY FOR NEW ZEALAND. How any Christian, how any minister, could imagine that an axe was the best missionary for New Zealand, I cannot understand.

"To wear out in the service of God, while living and walking in the light of His countenance, is a privilege indeed. But, alas, my leanness, my leanness! My poor heart is often barren, very barren indeed. My time is much occupied with the local concerns of the mission, and my close attention thereto very often draws off my mind from God. At times the Lord is pleased to shine His graces into my heart, and to refresh my soul. Oh the value of a believing view of Jesus our gracious Redeemer! How refreshing to the weary soul! To be a missionary is a great, a solemn, an awful responsibility.

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From the sense of that responsibility agriculture was, as it were, a shelter. But agriculture having been found impracticable, I am obliged to stand forth a missionary. Oh, who is sufficient for these things! How awful to have to stand between God and never-dying souls! The translation of that holy Word of God, whereby the poor natives will be either condemned or acquitted at the last day, is a solemn responsibility. I need not request your prayers. I know you pray for us.

"Sunday, 6th July.--This morning we met around the table of the Lord. Oh that we may each experience that we have received spiritual strength, and manifest it hereafter by diligence in missionary work, and striving more earnestly to do Thy will, O God! There can be no standing still in the Christian's course. To stand still is to go backward. O God, make us more anxious for the salvation of the souls of the heathen!

"That the Lord may bless you and dear Mrs. Coleman with continual communion with Himself is the hearty prayer of,--Yours affectionately, for the Gospel's sake,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
6th October 1828.

"MY DEAR SIR, --The cask of presents duly arrived in good order. I need not tell you how thankful I feel to my many kind friends. It is impossible for any one who has never been circumstanced as we are to enter fully into our joyous feelings on these occasions. Blessed be the Maker of heaven and earth for His mercies towards us!

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Oh that our thanks to Him may keep pace with our mercies! The seeds are a prize indeed, enhanced by their quick passage from England, and by their reaching us in planting time. Our missionaries talk of returning public thanks to our friends for this very valuable collection of seeds. But I am not yet convinced of the propriety of this practice among sincere and faithful followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. During the whole course of His incarnation He seems to have avoided human praise as much as possible. And the more we are like Him, the more happy we shall be.

"When Mr. Charles Davis left New Zealand, I was on a voyage to the southward in the 'Herald' visiting the natives, and looking out for a supply of food for our schools. The voyage was not unpleasant. Though we did not succeed in obtaining the supplies of food we were in quest of, yet we were able to speak of the things of God to many natives who had never before heard the Gospel. Oh that I had a greater desire to travel more to make known the savour of a Saviour's name! His name is indeed as ointment poured forth to the meek, the lowly, the humble, and the penitent soul! Oh when will the natives of this land feel the power of redeeming love! The ever-blessed God protected us during the voyage, which was not without danger. We went where no European vessel had ever been before. After having visited Town-point in the Bay of Plenty, we weighed anchor, and stood away for the east Cape, and afterwards brought up at the western point of High-land Bay. We visited the natives on shore, and spoke to them from the vessel, proclaiming the everlasting Gospel. May

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we not hope that the seed, even thus sown, may hereafter produce fruit? Oh for grace to sow in faith, that we may reap in joy. Oh pray to the Lord to make us missionaries in deed and in truth.

"Whilst with these people, we heard of a navigable river not more than ten miles distant, which had never been seen by Europeans. Mr. Mair and myself and one native went on shore to explore its entrance before we moved the vessel. After landing, our first sight was the spot where they had been roasting human flesh. This filled our souls with horror, and chilled our spirits. Proceeding towards the mouth of the river we found a dead body, and another, and another. In fact the beach seemed strewed with the dead! We now turned back without having seen the mouth of the river, evidently a spacious river, which our fears deterred us from exploring. We walked back cautiously, with our guns on our shoulders, close to the water's edge, to guard against surprise. As soon as we were seen returning, a boat came from our vessel and took us on board, to our no small joy. When , on board, we saw natives quite naked rush from the woods along the beach towards the river. But the Lord delivered I us out of their hands. Afterwards the weather being hazy, and a stiff gale blowing from the north, we put into the snug harbour of Tauranga, where we anchored two days, and returned home in safety. You will have heard long ere this of the loss of the 'Herald.' You hear of it, we feel it. But in the midst of judgment God remembered mercy, and spared our friends. Two days before a vessel was lost on the same coast, and on the same spot, and all hands

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perished. The 'Herald' being a very strong vessel did not go to pieces. Thus God saved our people. I believe the Lord has taken the 'Herald' from us in mercy. In fact all He does is done in love and mercy to His people.

"All my sorrows and all my difficulties spring from a corrupt heart and a polluted nature. There is nothing from any other source worth naming. The poor natives living with us are becoming more and more thoughtful. My Te Puke people call me their father, and seem inclined to listen to me and my advice. They live orderly, and do not go to fight. I hope the Lord has mercy in store for them, and that ere long they will cry out, 'What shall I do to be saved?' All we can do is to preach Christ to them, in simplicity and godly sincerity. Where Christ is so preached, a blessing MUST result. But Christ must be preached in EVERY sense of the word before either a minister or missionary can expect fruit. All must be in the spirit and mind of our dear Redeemer, or there will be little or no effect. In our dear Jesus it is our privilege to live above the world. If its temptations or cares affect our peace, the fault is our own, and there is in us something not right, some cherished feeling which ought to be cast out. An eternal sunshine of communion with God is the privilege of, and ought to be enjoyed by, every truly truly humble soul. Perfection in ourselves in this life is impracticable, but the fault is ours if the blessed Spirit does not continually shine the eternal perfections of our exalted Saviour into our souls. In this sunshine of the soul it is our privilege to rejoice, and we will rejoice. This sentiment I held before I left my native shores.

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Some consider me singular, and some under a delusion, in expecting so much from God in this life. But as Christ has set no bounds to this covenanted privilege, we do ourselves an injury, and manifest unbelief, when we say, 'So far will I go and no further.'

"The doctrine of the glorious reign of Christ upon earth, and the probability that it is near, even at the doors, must refresh the soul of every Christian who receives it. That this glorious period will come, and that it is near, I have no doubt. Precious Lord Jesus, come quickly! Why are Thy chariot wheels so long delayed?

"Of late we have been threatened by natives, expected to invade the Bay of Islands, and to assail all missionaries, ourselves more particularly. This threat has made us thoughtful, for they may kill us, or even do worse. BUT THEY ARE MEN!!! I trust the Lord is our Guide and will be our Protector.

"12th November.--To-day I have redeemed another slave; I have now redeemed five, and they all turn out well I pray that they may become sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. The greatest instance of civilisation I have seen is, that slaves living with us are permitted to marry free girls. I have had two instances of this among my domestics. Oh that they may speedily be united in the bonds of redeeming love!

"1st January 1829.--I am once more permitted to write the date of another year. Oh that I may live this year near to God, and be fully and altogether devoted to missionary work!

"10th January.--I accompanied Mr. S. to visit some

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natives on the coast. While he was addressing one party I endeavoured to assemble another. The chief refused to come to me, and I went to him and stated the purport of my visit. They soon used bad language, and threatened to strip me, because I had given people medicine and they had died. One shouted out, 'Take his hat, strip him of his clothes.' But the Lord mercifully preserved me from insult. How much we need of the spirit and mind of Christ to enable us to bear with these poor creatures in the spirit of the Gospel!

"With my kindest Christian love to dear Mrs. Coleman and all friends,--I remain, my dear sir, faithfully and affectionately yours,

RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
20th January 1829.

"MY DEAR SIR,--I have been much disappointed from not having received more letters from my once loved and respected friends in England. If they have forgotten me, I shall never forget them. The names of many are engraven on my heart. Their silence is past my comprehension. My cause I leave with my God. But if they think it not worth while to write to me, I hope they do not altogether forget us or our cause in their prayers.

"Since my last we have been preserved among the poor heathen, and kept in peace. We are continually receiving-undeserved mercies from our God, yet we have not been altogether without our trials, which doubtless are necessary for us. Satan has stirred up the minds of the natives against us. During the last six months hooping-cough,

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brought by a brig from Sydney, has prevailed among natives and Europeans, I myself have had it with five of my children. Many of the natives have died of it. This cough is attributed by the Maoris to the anger of our God. Some say that our God has killed those who have believed, and some that He has killed others for not believing. Some declare that we are sorcerers, and that we have killed by sorcery, because they do not believe in our God. I BELIEVE THAT THE GREATER PART OF THE NATIVES CONSIDER THIS DISEASE A JUDGMENT FROM GOD UPON THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE WHITE PEOPLE THEY MURDERED AND ROBBED YEARS AGO. The hooping-cough was certainly never previously known in New Zealand.

"The schools of our settlement, containing above 100 natives, are flourishing. Six weeks ago there was a public examination at Paihia. All the scholars of the mission were collected, examined, and rewarded according to merit. Besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, they were examined as to their progress in general knowledge. Hats, tailoring, and carpentry were exhibited by the lads, and garments made by the girls. The order and cleanliness of their gardens and houses were examined, likewise their general behaviour and conduct. After the examination, the natives dined together on beef, pork, fish, sweet potatoes, and pudding. In the evening, the boys had an allowance of grog, and the girls drank tea together. Several neighbouring chiefs attended, and seemed highly delighted. Could we procure food, we might double or treble our numbers. I have endeavoured to grow wheat, but from want of land and means have not succeeded

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to any extent. I have planted potatoes, which answer tolerably for the support of our schools. This cultivation I hope to extend as fast as I can enclose lands. Seconds flour we procure from Port Jackson so cheap, that the whole expense of feeding a native is less than 1 1/2d. per day. We give them a 1/4 lb. for a meal, which they make into thin paste, and are well satisfied. The working men receive an axe per month for wages, wherewith they purchase provisions. So that with what they grow themselves, and the shell-fish they catch, etc., they live well. But now, from the low state of the Society's funds, our colonial supply of flour is curtailed, and we are obliged to refuse many natives applying for admission to our schools. What is the Christian world doing? Surely they know not our state, that this mission should be allowed thus to languish. Oh, my dear sir, lift up your voice like a trumpet. Proclaim aloud the state of this mission. 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.' When our wants are known, I trust we shall no longer want the means.

"The friends of the mission in the colony have long known our anxiety for supplies of food. Yet four ships in succession have publicly left their port for New Zealand without a single line to us, or any supply. One captain applied for letters, and was told there were none.

"30th January.--A part of these supplies has just been received, accompanied with a kind letter. Blessed be God, this has diffused general satisfaction.

"I have the most valuable garden in New Zealand. The seeds of the hazel, oak, birch, have failed. I have raised a few plants of the laburnum, and many of the bladder-

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senna. The cones of the pine are reserved for another year. The culinary seeds have all been productive, and are most valuable. I should feel very thankful for some apple-pips, and rhubarb seed, and a few acorns. I have one fine oak plant growing from an acorn brought from Goathill, and one white thorn plant, and have written to Mr. Coates to send me some haws.

"With our joint sincere Christian regards to all friends, --I remain, my dear sir, truly and affectionately yours,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
4th February 1829.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Hitherto the Lord hath helped and preserved us from savage insult and ferocity, so that we have lived in peace in this land of darkness and the shadow of death. Once only have I been insulted in this country. This occurred about a fortnight ago, when I visited natives in the interior. In the morning, we reached the place of a friendly chief, where we left our natives who had carried our tent and luggage, whilst we proceeded to the adjoining villages to proclaim to the people the kingdom of God. Ere long a party who had been on a plundering expedition returned. One of the chiefs threw off his mats, and declared he would fight me, at the same time presenting his gun. Another chief prevented him from using his gun. Enraged, he rushed forward, and endeavoured to wrest my umbrella out of my hand. I asked him the cause of this assault. He replied, he had been told that I had threatened to cut off his head with a pair of scissors.

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I told him it was a falsehood, a mere idle pretence. Finding that he could not wrest the umbrella from me, he snatched my hat from my head, and ran off. Another chief caught him, took the hat from him, and returned it to me. He now cooled down, finding he could do nothing against me. The whole now attacked us, but were prevented by the chiefs from stealing our goods. The very chief who had assaulted me protected us from spoliation. They now told us we might proceed on our journey, after we had eaten with them. These affrays would have alarmed a missionary just arrived from England, but we, being acquainted with the native customs, were not much alarmed, though such circumstances are trying to the nervous system. Thus the Lord delivered us out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, so that they were not permitted to harm us. My constitution has suffered considerably. O that we may all stand prepared to enter into the joy of our Lord! It is a blessing to the Christian to know that there may be only one step between him and his Father's home. I am much worn down by fatigue, but there is a rest that remaineth for the people of God.

"I have turned my attention very much of late to road-making. Could I make a waggon-road into the interior, it would open the country before us, and afford a hope of our being able to make an English farm. We are now fencing in paddocks, and preparing to sow them to grass, to procure food for working bullocks and horses. Road-making is a difficult undertaking, and will occupy much time, because of the broken state of the country. If a road can be made and a farm cultivated during my short

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life, it will be all I can do. Pray, O pray for me, that God may direct my steps and guide me His unworthy creature!

"With pleasure I inform you that my two eldest daughters have joined the visible spiritual Church of Christ on earth, and I hope are maturing to join the Church triumphant. May the Lord make me thankful unto Him for these His UNSPEAKABLE mercies! Mary Ann is likely to become very useful. She has acquired a great knowledge of the Maori tongue. No female in the mission surpasses her. Through mercy her abilities have been improved by education. To see my children walking in the way of everlasting life, and becoming useful, is all I can wish for them.

"My kindest Christian regards to all friends known and unknown. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen!--I remain, my dear sir, yours truly and affectionately in the best bonds, RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
16th April 1829.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The loss of the 'Herald' was at the time a source of much sorrow, but that the Lord took her from us in mercy is now as clear as the sun at noon-day. I have given you an account of our last voyage to the southward, a voyage of danger seen and unseen. At one place the natives appeared friendly. But by these very natives we should have been cut off, had not God who holdeth the hearts of all men in His hand delivered us. Of the hostile party we were aware, but with the apparently friendly natives we deemed our-

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selves secure. But God seeth not as man seeth. We thought ourselves secure when in the most imminent danger, and had not Jehovah inclined the heart of an old chief to protect us, we should have been cut off. While lying at the apparently friendly place, a plot was laid for the destruction of us and our vessel, but the old chief would not consent thereto. Thus we were preserved, and the bloody-minded chiefs were disappointed of their booty. O the goodness and mercy of God to us His weak, sinful worms! Part of the happiness of heaven will be the retrospect of the way whereby Omnipotence hath led us to happiness and bliss. Soon after our departure the poor old chief died, so that had the 'Herald' not been lost, we should probably have returned to these people again, and lost both our lives and the vessel. How unsearchable is the lovingkindness of the ever-blessed God! Within the last six weeks a vessel, the 'Haweis,' was perfidiously seized by the very natives who wished to have taken us, as a payment, they said, for letting us go free. When taken, only four men were on board. Three they shot and ate. They shot off the arm of the fourth, who was second mate. They spared his life, and sold him to other natives, who redeemed him for the white people. The captain, the chief mate, and the rest of the crew were killing pigs on an island called Motuhoa, when the 'Haweis' was captured. The captain and his men instantly jumped into their boat and shoved off. The natives endeavoured to hinder them, then seized two of their oars, and finally fired upon the boat when impelled by the two remaining oars. When the boat neared the 'Haweis,' the natives on board

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fired on her. The captain pulled for Tauranga, forty miles distant, where another vessel was trading. This vessel immediately weighed anchor, cleared for action, and steered for the 'Haweis.' As soon as she hove in sight, the barbarians fled into the woods, having abandoned the captured vessel, which they had striped of all her sails and stores, and had even begun to take out the cargo of flax and pork. The recaptured vessel was then towed to Tauranga, where she lay a few days. The second mate having been redeemed, she was brought to the Bay of Islands, where she was fitted out with the 'Herald's' stores, and shortly sailed for Sydney. O that my thankfulness kept pace with my mercies!

"The present times are times of trial. Satan and the powers of darkness are endeavouring to stir up the natives against us. How far they will be permitted to go is uncertain. This we know, they can go no further than the arm of Omnipotence allows them. Many natives have died of late, and many attribute these deaths to our residence among them, considering us to be sorcerers who kill them by our prayers. They punish sorcery with death, and we understand that our lives have been threatened. I dread their threats less than that deadness of soul, which has taken such hold of me. At this time the powers of darkness are very active. I have always expected a combat with the enemy of souls, before the Gospel takes effectual root in this country, and this seems its commencement. Whether any of us shall fall sacrifices in this combat we know not. Whether we do or not, all will be well. If we die faithful to our cause, all will be well

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indeed, though flesh and blood shrink with horror from it. Pray to the Lord to make us faithful unto death. The Lord will support His own cause, and will render it effectual to the destruction of Satan's kingdom. Great missionary efforts are now made in New Zealand. Satan trembles for his kingdom, knowing that his time is short,

"I want to write to you on prophecy, but have not time now. Fail not to inform me of all valuable works on prophecy published in England or elsewhere. Should Irving publish again, please send me his work. His preliminary observations in Ben Ezra are excellent. I am convinced that the present corrupt Christian Church will be purged from her corrupt state, and that all things will not flow so smoothly as many modern professors now expect. The reign of Christ on earth seems most evident. But dreadful times must intervene before Christ's glorious Epiphany. Babylon must be destroyed, and the 19th chapter of Revelation fulfilled. Times of trouble and trial are near at hand, and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? It cheers my heart to hear the strong expectations of so many of God's chosen ones, that the day of redemption is near, even at the doors.

"I am more than ever delighted with Jahn's Hebrew Bible. Lee's Grammar and Gesenius's Hebrew Lexicon are invaluable. Blessed be God for raising up such men as Jahn, Michaelis, Professor Lee, Gesenius, and Gibbs for the elucidation of the Bible. Should Professor Lee publish any other work on Hebrew, please purchase and send it to me. Horne speaks favourably of a new edition of

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Taylor's Hebrew Concordance about to be published. I greatly desire to possess it. If not too dear, send it.

"I find the Bible without note or comment, studied with the aid of a Concordance, to be the best interpreter of the Divine will. They who spiritualize Scripture, and deny its literal interpretation, greatly err. How sweet to the humble heaven-taught soul to sit down with the Bible and converse with God! How sweetly does the Holy Spirit reveal to his mind the deep things of God! The Bible is a spiritual book, and its contents must be spiritually discerned, if savingly discerned at all. Commentaries have their use, but over-valued tend to impart a mere head-knowledge, often mistaken for change of heart.

"13th April.--Lately many rumours have reached us of a visit to be expected from a hostile tribe. Such reports are very trying to human nature, and require strong faith in us to enable us to maintain a stable peace of mind. My nervous system seems quite shattered. This hostile tribe live about fifteen miles from us in the interior, and attacked Mr. W. Williams and myself about three months ago. Ten days past a large party came to pay us a visit because of some old houses burnt in our settlement. The night before they came we got little sleep. It was an anxious time, and our natives were all on the watch. Of the anger of these expected natives there could be no doubt, because they are very superstitious about old houses, especially those which have belonged to the dead. They believe that Taniwa, the God of the waters, will upset their canoes, unless they endeavour to get satisfaction for a house destroyed, or for a Tapu broken into, etc. etc.

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At sunrise they made their appearance, and rushed into the settlement, some armed with guns, some with bayonets, and a few with hatchets on long handles. However angry before, they behaved in the most friendly manner, and not an angry word escaped their lips. They did not pilfer the smallest article, but departed most peaceably and satisfactorily, after feasting, dancing, and playing with our natives. Thus He, who sets bounds to the raging sea, preserved us from the hands of our enemies, and was better to us than all our fears. From this party we have been delivered. The next party we expect are they who have condemned us for sorcery and witchcraft. But the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

"With our united Christian love to Mrs. Coleman and all friends,--I remain, my dear sir, yours truly and yours affectionately, RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
24th April 1829.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The expectation named in my last of a hostile visit from an inland tribe has passed away; and as to that tribe, the Lord hath permitted us to live in peace. But we have been alarmed from another quarter. The day I despatched my last letter a native left me from jealousy of his wife. I was loath to part with him, because he was handy in brick-making, etc., and seemed a thoughtful character. As adultery is always punished with death, or the loss of property, I ought to have been more on my guard; but being fully persuaded that the woman was innocent, and knowing that the man was little

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superior to a slave, I anticipated no evil consequences. In this I was disappointed. The second day after the man had left, he brought an armed party to the back of our settlement, and watched the opportunity of evening prayer to attack my natives' houses. They carried off iron pots, etc., and much clothing belonging to my natives, and two pit-saws belonging to me. The alarm being given, I followed close after them, as did also the natives from the chapel. When in sight of them, from a point of land which lay between their canoe and our settlement, I saw them shoving their canoe into the water to carry off their booty. When they perceived me running towards them, they loaded their muskets with ball, and dared me to approach. When I came up with them, a scuffle ensued, during which Taiwanga (see his letter in Appendix II.) seized the leader of the party, and pulled him on shore, requesting us to keep him fast until the stolen property was restored. In the scuffle, our lads took from them a musket, etc., and we recovered the saws, the iron pots, and some other things; because, having possession of their chief, and being able to prove the innocence of the accused, the law was on our side. We did not return their gun that night. The next morning early a chief came for the gun, but as they had carried off a blanket and other articles, we detained the gun until they returned the articles stolen, and made satisfaction to Taiwanga for having nearly thrown one of his children into the fire, and for damage done in their attack.

"The chief professed to send off a messenger for the articles taken, but really sent for a powerful force to en-

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force the return of the musket. Mr. W. Williams and myself, thinking all danger past, went to visit some natives in the bay, and did not return until after dark. On our return, we found that a formidable attack had been made on the part of the settlement belonging to me and my natives. Our natives, though few and unarmed, through the mercy of our covenant God, were able to deter them from mischief. Our people had agreed to surrender the musket on condition of their making Taiwanga a present of a slave. They received their musket, and the next day brought the slave, a little girl, happily rescued thereby from much evil. Thus mercifully did the Lord deal with us. To Him be all the glory, for this our deliverance by the gracious interposition of His providence.

"Taiwanga and Peter are two stanch, valuable friends to me. Taiwanga is a regular warrior, but I trust is thoughtful of his eternal state. He has thrown off all native customs and superstitions, and sits with us as one of ourselves. He has three children, whom he brings up as Europeans. Peter is a humble, thoughtful character, and I have little doubt of his salvation. O that the Lord may speedily pour out His Spirit on the benighted Maoris! Satan's, activity is evident. May this be an earnest of good! O pray, pray that we may be led by the Spirit of God to the combat, and that by His divine influence we may become conquerors!

With kind remembrances to Mrs. Coleman,--I remain, my dear sir, faithfully and affectionately yours,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

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"NEW ZEALAND, 18th May 1829.
"MY DEAR SIR,--In this country we have many varieties of excellent potatoes, particularly of the early kinds. We grow two crops a year on the same ground well. As I have failed to raise wheat, I have this year planted potatoes, which have answered well. I have now 200 baskets; of early potatoes laid by for seed, which I hope to plant I early in the spring. I also intend to plant some Indian corn. The natives get great crops from it, and it ripens well. This year I have purchased from the natives a great quantity of Indian corn and sweet potatoes for our native schools. Many natives have begun to sow wheat, and their desire to raise wheat is on the increase. The whole of the trade of the mission devolves upon me, so that my time is almost devoted to trade and looking after food. For a blanket, I buy about 900 lbs. of potatoes, or Indian corn in cob. We also purchase pigs with blankets. One blanket is the value of a fat pig, weighing about 100 lbs. But pigs can seldom be purchased, as the natives prefer selling them to the shipping for muskets, gunpowder, and balls. They will give eight or ten pigs for a musket, and one good pig for thirty musket balls. For gunpowder they pay very dear. Nevertheless, of muskets, powder, and balls they possess a large quantity. Almost every native has now a musket, and a sufficiency of ammunition to last him for a long time, so that when they assemble together they present a formidable appearance. O that they were as anxious for the Word of Life as for muskets and gunpowder! Their cruelties on fighting expeditions are most

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horrible. They do not, like Europeans, stand up to fight each other, but prowl about to cut off and murder small detached parties. Those they do not kill and eat they make slaves of. And if in these expeditions they fall in with a person who has killed any of their friends, they use him horribly. Sometimes they cut the flesh from the body, and roast and eat it, while their victim is yet alive. This is rarely done, and only upon extraordinary revengeful occasions. I have hope that some of the Bay of Islanders begin to detest cannibalism.

"A party is now gone in search of some witches. The death of chiefs is rarely attributed to natural causes, more generally to witchcraft. The person accused of bewitching generally suffers death. Our old chief, eighty years of age, died lately. A person was accused of having bewitched him. He fled, but they killed one of his slaves as a payment. The murderous chief who shot the slave was asked by an old cannibal, if he intended to eat the slave. With disgust he answered, No. The cannibal exclaimed, I will eat him, and immediately began to cook the body.

"The Lord is still mindful of us His unworthy creatures, and has hitherto preserved us from that savage insult, with which we have been repeatedly threatened. I hope a work of grace has begun in the hearts of some natives. Some few, in my opinion, are fit subjects for baptism. Our Lord commanded that baptism and remission of sins should be preached to all nations. But hitherto baptism has not been spoken of to the natives as prominently as it ought to have been. This I consider a great neglect on our part. I have opened my mind freely

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on this subject to our brethren, and they seem inclined to take it into their serious consideration.

"The cause of Catholic Emancipation every real Christian should make his own, and employ all his talents to oppose Antichrist and that religion of hell, which our Protestant country has too long and too greatly tolerated. The accounts of the Irish Societies are very cheering. These are the means whereby Antichrist's power will finally be overthrown. The Lord reigneth.

"With my kindest Christian regards to dear Mrs. Coleman and all friends,--I remain, my dear sir, yours very affectionately, RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
15th March 1830.

"MY DEAR SIR,--I have now to write of mercy and judgment. Since my last a strong, earnest spirit of inquiry has manifested itself among the natives of our settlement. Many are inquiring what they must do to be saved. I have met them several evenings with delight and profit to my own soul. Wednesday, the 24th ultimo, it was my turn to address them in the chapel. Observing their attention to my address, I concluded by requesting those in earnest for salvation to come to my house, that I might converse with them concerning their everlasting peace. About thirty men and boys assembled, and I spent such an evening with them as I shall never forget. After prayer for a blessing, one requested all present to be attentive to the salvation of their souls, to leave off all sin, to go continually to God for grace to enable them to believe

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in Christ, that their souls might be everlastingly saved. Another said, 'Let us cleave to God, and we shall be happy.' Peter assured them that it was indeed a happy and blessed thing to believe in God, and that he had found it to be so from his own experience. Another exclaimed, 'Since I have given myself to prayer and thinking upon God, my heart has been full of light and love, and I have been happy.' Another said, 'I am very much afraid of everlasting fire, it seems at times very near me.' Another remarked, 'My heart is hard, and has been so for some time; once my heart was filled with light and peace, when I was attentive to the means of grace. I went home and forgot God; ever since my heart has been as hard as a stone.' Some said that they had a great desire to believe in God. As each one spoke his experience, I gave him a suitable word of advice. That advice was not in vain. They meet almost every evening for conversation and prayer. I heard Peter deliver an excellent address the other day. The extempore prayers of these natives are most affecting.

"There is also a great and glorious work going on among the native women and girls, some of whom are in a pleasing state of mind. In short, the Lord is in mercy causing His face to shine on a few of the natives. But, alas! Satan our great adversary is stirring up the neighbouring tribes to war and bloodshed, so that we have war on all our borders, and our little settlement is the only spot for miles round where people are not living in terror and dismay. Whether we shall be kept from savage violence God only knows. O what a blessing to know God as a Father!

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"On the 6th of this month a battle was fought at Kororarika, on the other side of the bay, in full view of our settlement, when nearly one hundred were killed or wounded. We only left the contending parties late the evening before, when we thought we had made peace, but it proved otherwise. When we saw them fighting, Mr. Williams, Mr. Puckey, and myself jumped into our boat, and were soon at the scene of action, only two miles distant, being the harbour for shipping. Six ships were anchored. We boarded one, and found the deck covered with the wounded, and blood running out of the scuppers --a ghastly spectacle. The firing prevented Mr. Williams from landing. The assailants gave way. The dead and wounded chiefs were now removed by both parties, but the dead slaves were left on the field of battle, and afterwards were buried by the Europeans. After the battle a chief came from the Pa, seized the dead body of an assailant, laid it on its back, cut the breast open with a hatchet, and took out a small portion of the liver. I questioned him why he did it. He replied, that he had taken it for the New Zealand God. We remained with both parties, only a mile apart, the whole day, and endeavoured to make peace. The assailants, 600 strong, being worsted, went away in their canoes for reinforcements. The defenders of the Pa, about 800, burnt the Pa, and departed. Peace has been concluded. May the Lord make us thankful for the termination of this war! This battle was caused by the wickedness of one of the captains of the ships.

"With our united Christian regards to Mrs. Coleman

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and ALL friends,--I remain, my dear sir, affectionately yours in the best bonds, RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
24th August 1830.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The greater part of the seeds have answered well. From rhubarb plants we made a pie, which was much esteemed. The imperial dwarf peas have grown well, as have the other culinary seeds. The pine-apples did not grow. The collections of seeds now received are exceedingly valuable, having had a short passage. I have already planted the peas, and sown the medicinal seeds. More seeds would have been sown ere this, had not the wet weather prevented. The seeds of the fir formerly received came up, but all the plants perished from the heat of last summer. Should the seed of the Cedar of Lebanon grow, I shall greatly rejoice.

"The cause of Jesus advances in this land of death. A fortnight ago one of our natives died in a very hopeful state. This lad was from Te Puki, and had often accompanied me when I went on Sundays to visit his friends. He was very indolent, and appeared inattentive to the concerns of his soul, but generally well-behaved. God visited him with a lingering illness. I felt for him, as I considered his case hopeless, and despaired of being of any service to him. Going into the chapel one evening I inquired how Rapi was. The natives told me that he was very ill, and lamented the hardness of his heart. As it was my turn to speak to the congregation that evening, I named the hopeless state of the poor lad, and endea-

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voured to impress on those present the duty of striving to pluck him as a brand from the burning. Through mercy this exhortation produced the desired effect. The converted natives visited him that night, and prayed with him. This they continued for a week, when one informed me that Rapi had begun to love Christ. My informant, like the heavenly host, seemed to rejoice when this sinner repented. I visited Rapi four days before he died. His state of mind was truly enviable. He told me that he was near to death, that he had no wish to live longer, but desired to die and to go to Christ. He said that his sins were washed away by the blood of Christ, and that he had become a child of God. What has God wrought! The next day he was received by baptism into the visible church of Christ, and three days afterwards his spirit, released from the tenement of clay, was, I believe, received into everlasting glory as a gem to the Redeemer's crown. Our natives are in a very pleasing state. Six are to be admitted to the ordinance of baptism next Sunday. I hope many of these natives will become missionaries to their countrymen. Many are now doing missionary work. They pray to God to make them missionaries, and they will not pray in vain.

"Many of my old friends seem to have forgotten me. I receive very few letters but from yourself. May the Lord make me truly thankful for having given me one friend during my journey through life.

"With my kindest Christian regards to Mrs. Coleman,-- I remain, my dear sir, most humbly and affectionately yours, RICHARD DAVIS."

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"PAIHIA, BAY OR ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
19th September 1830.

"MY DEAR SIR,--This morning six natives were received by the sacred ordinance of baptism into the visible church of Christ. They have, I trust, not only been partakers of the visible sign, but also of the inward spiritual grace. They are all, I believe, in earnest for heaven. One is the wife of David, alias Taiwanga, Davis. Taiwanga was baptized some months ago, with his four children, together with Peter and his wife. At that time his wife did not seem sufficiently serious to be then admitted to baptism. Since, she has become more thoughtful, and is now, I hope, a child of God and an heir of glory. The second is related to David's wife, and has been for some time living in our house. Her family is powerful at the Thames, but she was carried off as a slave, and I redeemed her when she was about to be sacrificed by being sent on board the ships. I trust the Lord has plucked her as a brand from the burning, and made her a partaker of saving grace. The third, a young man, is a relation of David. He has lived with me from a child. His profession of religion is consistent and satisfactory, and his life of late years has been strictly moral. The fourth and fifth are two pious young men, who have been living with Mr. Fairburn many years. The sixth is a girl, who has been living with Mr. Williams a considerable time. It was a solemn season. The Lord, I trust, was present in our little assembly. Angels rejoiced over these repentant sinners. The baptisms were administered after the second lesson, and an appropriate

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hymn was sung, composed by my dear friend and brother, Rev. W. Williams (now Bishop of Waiapu). What a season of joy was this! Surely we are now amply repaid for all our severe trials. O that you could have been present in our little chapel! I have now living in my native family six baptized adults, and four baptized children. One of my baptized girls (who, had she lived, would have been the seventh) departed the 13th instant, full of sure and certain hope. She was baptized the 11th of last April, and from that day to the time of her death was a very exemplary character. During her long illness she was so regularly visited by our praying natives, that our house might appropriately have been called a house of prayer. She both imparted and received spiritual advice and instruction.

"We are living, I believe, in the last times, times of trouble. O that we may be armed with the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand in the evil day! Our trials in this land have been grievous, but the Lord's mercies to us have outweighed them all. We have now days of peace and rejoicing, but these may not last long. The strong man armed will resist. Murder and bloodshed are the topics of conversation among the neighbouring tribes. O for grace to enable us to rejoice that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!

"Mr. Fairburn has had a severe illness, and been brought to the brink of the grave, but the Lord has been pleased to restore him, contrary to all expectation. This illness has been a profitable season to Mrs. Fairburn and to me. She has proved herself the faithful believer, the

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fond wife, and the affectionate mother. My wife and children all join in Christian love to yourself and dear Mrs. Coleman, for whose attention to my dear children I am especially obliged. Mary Ann is a dear girl, and much engaged in missionary work.--I remain, my dear sir, faithfully and affectionately yours, RICHARD DAVIS."

"SWARRATON, WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS,
New Zealand, 25th April 1831.

"MY DEAR SIR,-- On the 14th instant we removed to this place. At present we are not comfortably settled, because our new house is neither wind nor water tight. Consequently I am very busy endeavouring to remedy these defects before the bad weather sets in. I had just finished a very comfortable dwelling at Paihia with great labour and fatigue, which is now to be occupied as a mission-school by Mr. Brown, upon our removal here. I fear the cause of our Divine Master is making a slow progress at present. In fact the case is, that THE MISSIONARIES ARE LITERALLY BURIED IN SECULAR CONCERNS IN THIS COUNTRY. Here is little else but hard work. I am but, as it were, beginning the world again. Since my last some few natives have been baptized, and others are becoming serious, so, upon the whole, I trust we are on the advance. But I fear there is less stir and progress than heretofore. I have some exceedingly pleasing characters living with me, young men chiefly brought up by us, who go out on Sundays and preach the Gospel to their countrymen. One of the lads, a slave, has a very kind master, and his anxiety for the conversion of his master is very great. I saw and

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conversed with the chief, his master, a few days ago, who told me that he was much pleased being visited on Sundays, and evidenced a great desire to attend to Divine things. This chief actually refused to join an army, which they have endeavoured to raise to march to the south of the island to revenge the destruction of a party, who were ALL killed in battle a few months ago. Hitherto missionary influence, by God's blessing, has hindered their proceeding. Satan has used every effort to effect his purpose, but hitherto has not been allowed to prevail.

"Mr. Peerce, a wheel-wright, has just arrived from England. I trust he will be a great acquisition to us, not only as a missionary, but as an assistant in our agricultural establishment. Should we not be driven from this settlement, I think we may be able to carry on agriculture beneficially both to the natives and to the Society. But the Gospel must be preached regularly, faithfully, and affectionately to the natives.

"I consider the parable of the Ten Virgins to be prophetic, and that it will be literally fulfilled when our Lord comes to reign on the earth. I fear, from the prevalence of Romanism, and Apostasy from the pure gospel which Paul preached, that England will be a partaker in some measure of the dreadful plagues to be inflicted on the beast and his votaries. I also greatly fear, with Irving, that a large portion of the elect Church of God hold false and unscriptural notions of the progressive manner in which they think the Church of Christ will be extended and established before the Millennium. In many respects, Irving strains the point he wishes to substantiate, and

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overshoots the mark. But in this particular I deem him scriptural and correct. Into what an awful heresy has he himself fallen!--I remain, my dear sir, yours most affectionately in the best bonds, RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, BAY OR ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
3d September 1831.

"MY DEAR SIR,--You have no doubt heard of the pleasing state of the mission. These are new and refreshing days to us, to enjoy peace after so many years of painful anxiety. When I take a retrospect of the manner in which the Lord has preserved us, it seems not a miracle, but the act of a faithful God fulfilling all His precious promises to us His most unworthy servants. O how faithful the Lord has been to all His promises!

"On Sunday, 20th September 1829, Taiwanga and myself exhorted some natives to attend to the one thing needful, and to pray to God to pour His Holy Spirit upon them, when Ripi, the principal chief, replied, 'God will not hear.' Taiwanga answered, 'God will hear, and attend to your thoughts. Did you not get the new musket from the ship for asking for it? So the Holy Ghost will be given to you if you ask.' I asked Ripi if he would have obtained the musket had he stayed at home and not gone after it. He answered, 'No.' 'Neither,' said I, 'will God give you His Spirit, unless you ask Him for it. But if you pray to God from the heart, He will hear you, and give to you His Spirit.' After this conversation I saw Ripi but seldom, till I came to Waimate. While making our road, building bridges, etc., we lived in our tent during

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the week, and returned home on Saturdays, so as to spend the Sunday with our friends, but our natives remained in the tent, and visited their countrymen on Sundays to talk to them on religion. My lad Abraham visited Mawe, Ripi's place. He found Ripi's eldest son very ill, and prayed with him. We hope the son died a believer in Jesus. A work of grace appeared in one of Ripi's slaves living with me, but remaining at Paihia with my family. One Saturday, a letter was sent by Abraham to this slave of Ripi, who had been baptized by the name of William, to inform him that Ripi was likely to receive the truth. William was overjoyed, and on my questioning him the cause, replied, 'Shall I not rejoice to hear of the salvation of my master's soul?' When I came to Waimate with my family, Ripi became a constant visitor at my house, and a constant attendant on the means of grace. I then went to Ripi's place, and found the natives very attentive to the means of grace. On the next Sunday, Ripi whistled with his fingers, and above 100 natives attended divine service. After service, Ripi observed my difficulty in riding, from the badness of the road. The next Sunday I found a road had been made for me for more than a quarter of a mile in length with great labour, and another congregation from 80 to 100 collected in another place, so that I have now two congregations to preach to every Sunday. Ripi induced many families to adopt family prayer, and proclaimed the Gospel to a wild tribe at Kaikohe; the old chief whereof received him graciously, and said to him, 'Come here, my son, for you are my child. You have come here to tell me something you have heard

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to be good for the soul; come again, and bring with you a white man, who knows more about these things than you do, that I may hear from him the good tidings.' Ripi requested me to allow Abraham to accompany him. Abraham returned, exulting in the goodness of God towards the inhabitants of Kaikohe. Ripi related the impression my former conversation had made on him, and dated from that time his good desires towards God. How important is the injunction of Solomon: 'In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withdraw not thy hand.' Since then, another party have requested us to preach the Gospel to them. Thus, you see, there is a great stir among the Maoris, and that a wide door has been opened for missionary work. I rejoice with trembling.

"With my kindest Christian love to dear Mrs. Coleman and your honoured father,--I remain, my dear sir, your very sincere friend and very humble servant,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, BAY OR ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
15th September 1831.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The same spirit which is working in the minds of the people in Europe is working in the minds of the people here, both natives and Europeans. The natives are again preparing for war, and I fear that our influence will fail to restore peace without bloodshed. The scene of action will probably be Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty, two hundred miles to the southward of us. Our little vessel will go there previous to the meeting of the armies, and, should there be the remotest probability

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of restoring peace, will accompany the army from hence. This will be a hazardous undertaking. There is also an unpleasantness among the missionaries themselves. Moreover, a spirit of persecution has manifested itself in the unconverted natives against those who profess the Gospel, especially against Ripi and Kekeao, the two chiefs whose places I visit myself. They have threatened to hinder them from coming to Waimate, and to expel me from the country, should I persevere in my friendship towards these two chiefs. They have also threatened to drive away Ripi, and to seize his place, because he preaches Christ to the natives. Ripi is a chief of some consequence. Yet these reports pain his mind intensely. May the Lord strengthen him by His Holy Spirit, that he may be able to stand in the evil day! At present he is stanch to his profession, and I believe sincere to the extent of his knowledge.

"Thus you see we have our trials. O that we were diligent to live up to our privileges! With what brighter views should we be blessed of our personal interest in Christ, and consequently of our eternal happiness! If we walked in communion with Christ, we should walk in love, and live in love, one with another. I cannot reconcile the manner in which many Christians live, walk, and have their conversation in the world, with the Gospel of Christ. Whenever the Gospel of Christ is received into the soul, it cannot fail to produce the spirit, the mind, and the will of Christ. Consequently the list of Christian graces enumerated by St. Paul must, in a greater or less degree, be manifested. If these genuine graces are not spontaneously

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manifested in our walk and conversation, we are only influenced by a knowledge of the Gospel, which knowledge may bring forth the semblance of good works and of a Christian walk, apart from the possession of a present salvation, and the assurance of an eternal weight of glory. From the parable of the ten virgins many such nominal Christians may be expected in our day. In fact I question the state of every person who allows himself to live in sin,--in thought, word, or deed. A Christian must be holy in thought, word, and deed. Holiness must be his element. Without holiness none can be born of God, whatever unsanctified knowledge they may possess. Precious Saviour! may nothing satisfy us but a thorough conformation to Thy mind and will! Much more is said and written by many respecting the besetting sins of believers than is warranted by Scripture, or contained therein. I should feel thankful for your thoughts on this most important subject for my own instruction and edification, as it merits the most serious consideration of every Christian, especially of every Christian teacher. O what a glorious salvation our dear Redeemer has purchased for us by His most precious blood, even a present salvation to rejoice the soul of the believer while sojourning in this vale of sin and death! If we enjoy not heaven below, it is because we do not follow peace with all men, and holiness, as prescribed by the Gospel.

"With kind regards to dear Mrs. Coleman and your honoured father,--I remain, my dear sir, affectionately yours, RICHARD DAVIS."

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"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
19th September 1831.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Bad are the times in which we live. What will become of this world of sin and wickedness? I fear it will be bad for England. Her national sins are crying sins indeed. I hope, as a nation, she will be preserved, but I much fear for her Government. Port Jackson is also in a very bad state as regards religion. I have heard from my colonial correspondent, Rev. R. Hill, chaplain, from the Rev. N. Turner of the Methodist Mission, and from the Rev. J. Eyre, one of the oldest missionaries of the London Missionary Society. They all three deplore the low state of religion in the colony. I am sorry to hear from you of the sinful state of some who are within the pale of the Christian Church. But what may we not expect in the last days, when it is said by Him who saw all things from the beginning, that iniquity will abound, and the love of many will wax cold? Surely this prophecy is literally fulfilled in this our day.

"I have also heard from my faithful friend and correspondent, Mr. Broughton, Holborn Bridge, London. He has been a faithful Christian friend to me, from the first time I saw him in London to the present hour. Yourself and Mr. Broughton are my only regular correspondents at this time. May the Lord make me sensible of the value of such friends, and thankful for them!

"Saturday, 3d December 1831.--Since I began this letter the mission has proceeded much as usual. The influence of the Gospel seems increasing among the

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natives, yet conversions are rare. A fortnight ago eight natives were baptized. One was the lad Coleman Davis Auheke, who wrote a letter to you by Mr. Stack (see Appendix II.) He was baptized by the names of Coleman Davis. He has since been married, according to the rites of the Church of England. Through mercy, free mercy, I have been much blessed in my natives. Two other lads have been baptized, and are now on the eve of marriage. The chief Ripi has not yet been baptized. He leads a consistent Christian life, and is, I trust, a chosen vessel, a monument of sovereign grace. The natives of the Bay of Islands, in conjunction with those of Hokianga, are going to war against Tauranga. Through mercy Ripi has resisted every entreaty to join them. This lowers him much in the estimation of the neighbouring chiefs, and they may strip him when they return. But he is of an independent spirit, and takes little notice of the jeers of his former companions.

"Every effort has been made by us to dissuade the natives from this expedition, or to allow us to go with them to make peace. Mr. Williams and Mr. Chapman have been to Tauranga, and found them more inclined for peace than war. But our own natives are bent on murder and death, and our influence with them has been of no avail. Ripi's tribe starts to-morrow, so that I have taken leave of them for the present. Some of them, perhaps, I shall not meet again, until I meet them at the bar of God. Ripi will accompany the missionaries in the 'Active.' Mr. Williams is determined to accompany the native canoes, unless with united voice they forbid our interference.

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They are now willing that we should accompany the expedition. Some have already left. The main body will follow in a few days. After all our exertions I fear blood will be shed, as the Napuhi have assembled a strong force.

"It is very evident that Satan, the subtle foe of God and man, is alarmed, for he not only stirs up the natives to war, and fills their minds with the lie that we are the cause of the many deaths in New Zealand, but also instigates their hatred against us and the religion which we wish to impress on their minds. They will do nothing for us, and will part with nothing without payment, and expect us to pay for the use of their roads, which we traverse to convey to them the glad tidings of salvation. They have even threatened to dig up the road through one of their fern-districts, along which we haul timber, unless we pay them for its use. Selfishness ever has been, and now is, the prominent characteristic of the New Zealander. But, blessed be God, while this wicked spirit is manifested by the many, the few who seek the truth in the love of it, evidence the spirit of the Gospel. By the former our faith and patience are tried, by the latter our hands are strengthened.

"A short time since a French discovery ship visited Port Jackson and the Bay of Islands. This vessel excited great jealousy both in New South Wales and in New Zealand. This has caused the natives to come forward and to sign and send to the King of England a request to take them under his protection, and to allow them a place in the number of his allies. The French vessel was evidently on the look out for this island, but left without

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hoisting the tricoloured flag, in consequence of what the natives had done. A small vessel is now fitting out to cruise round this island for the protection of the natives, as it is said, but John Bull has, I fear, something else in view.

"My second daughter, Matilda, was united for life to Mr. William Puckey on the 11th day of October. I felt considerably on account of her age. But as the marriage met the most cordial approbation of my missionary brethren, and was urged by all the leading characters in the mission, I gave my consent, and I trust God will bless them, and make them a blessing, and faithful servants in the cause of Christ. It is probable that they will be sent to a mission in the south of the island, in connexion with two other of the brethren. Matilda is blessed with no mean talent. She has, I trust, the grace of God in her heart. Consequently I am easy on her account, because I know the blood of Christ has purchased and secured every blessing for His children in time and in eternity. From Thee, O God, I received her, and into Thy guiding care I return her again. Prepare her to glorify Thee by a consistent walk as a missionary's wife. Two of my natives, who have lived with us from children, have also been married today. This day twelve months I first came to Waimate to join our brethren in their labours. O God, how unbounded are Thy mercies!

"1st January 1832.--This is the first day of the New Year. The last was strewed with mercies. O that I may begin and spend this year to Thee, and with Thee, O Jehovah, and be more and more devoted to Thy service!

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"Mrs. Davis and family all unite in their kindest Christian love to Mrs. Coleman and yourself,--and believe me to remain, my dear sir, your most affectionate friend and humble servant, RICHARD DAVIS.

"A few more rising and setting suns, and we shall meet in the presence of our Jesus to part no more."