1865 - Davis, R. A Memoir of the Rev. Richard Davis - CHAPTER VII. MISSIONARY OPERATIONS...1837

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CHAPTER VII.

MISSIONARY OPERATIONS, FROM THE MARRIAGE OF HIS SECOND DAUGHTER, MATILDA, TO THE DEATH OF MRS. DAVIS, 1ST FEBRUARY 1837.

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
21st April 1832.

"MY DEAR SIR,--I rejoice to learn from you, that some of my old dear friends are still pursuing the narrow path to glory. The cause of Christ does not gain ground here, although we are able to hold our own. Our Satan-bound infatuated natives are now on a fighting expedition against the natives of Tauranga. Every argument failed to deter them. They unwillingly allowed the 'Active' to accompany them. For three months Messrs. H. Williams, Kemp, and Fairburn have been engaged in this pacific embassy, but

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in vain. Several skirmishes have taken place, but few have been killed. Some few have remained at home from good motives, especially Ripi, and the greater part of his tribe; so that I have, generally, a congregation of 100 at Mawe. Ripi seems growing in grace and in knowledge. He accompanied our brethren in the 'Active,' and spoke boldly at Tauranga in presence of the whole army against the war. I bless the Lord for this man, who helps to hold up my nerveless arms and support my drooping soul. I expect a harvest of souls from his tribe, and long for it. Oh, my dear sir, pray for me! Oh, pray for my poor natives! I cannot tell you, how unworthy, how despicable I am in my own eyes.

"In my last, I gave you an account of the marriage of my second daughter, Matilda. I have now the pleasure to inform you that my eldest daughter, Mary Ann, is soon to be married. Her suitor is a missionary catechist of our Society. He asked and obtained my consent, and they now look upon each other as engaged for life. He is a young man after my own heart. I feel particularly thankful to the Lord for bestowing such a blessing on my dear child. O how good and gracious the Lord has been to me! From the time I parted from you at the Angel Inn in Sherborne, my life has been one conspicuous monument of mercy.

"At Mawe, the congregation filled the chapel. I spoke to them from the text, 'Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.' After the service, I requested a young native to engage in prayer. I never heard a native pray with greater solemnity. I

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felt a nearness to God while we were thus engaged, and I believe the Lord was present with us. Could my friends in England have heard this prayer of the native, how would their souls have rejoiced! After chapel, the congregation, as usual, shook hands with me, and made known their medical wants, which I have learned to supply from a medical work, presented to me by your honoured father before I left England.

"O how much the Lord blesses me on every side! I have hitherto been much blessed in my children, and also in my natives, whom I dearly love. Several of the latter are blessed of God; among which number are my carpenter and his wife. A few weeks ago, three more couples were married. The day previous was spent in procuring nine large pigs, and killing them. The following night was spent in cooking these pigs all whole in one oven. The next morning the cooked pigs were taken out of the oven, and laid upon boughs of trees, and the oven was again heated to cook potatoes. At the appointed time, flags were hoisted, and the bridal folk, all dressed in neat European style, walked in procession. The chapel was crowded to excess, as the natives around were anxious to witness the ceremony. After the marriage ceremony all returned in order, followed by a dense multitude. As the cooking had been in process all the time, a large quantity of food was ready, to which I added some flour boiled into a paste. About 350 natives assembled at this open-air feast, all orderly and in good humour. All were well and amply feasted, and much food was carried home which they could not eat. In the evening, tea was provided for the bridal

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folk, which closed the jovial day. My native lads are a great comfort to me, and are as free from vice as Europeans of the same ages. Some are seeking the one thing needful. Their number is twenty-seven, and the women and children are sixteen. Thus we have forty-three immortal souls under our immediate care. May the Lord direct and bless our supervision of them. Some are carpenters, some makers of bricks, some build chimneys, and some are sawyers. All work is done by ourselves, assisted by the natives, to save the funds of the Society. I can work as a carpenter or blacksmith. I have never been so happy in society as I have been since connected with my present colleagues.

"With my Christian love to Mrs. Coleman and your father,--I remain, my dear sir, yours affectionately in the best bonds, RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
8th July 1832.

"MY DEAR SIR,--For some days past my soul has been blessed with access to God. At our prayer meeting last Monday I commenced, and never felt a more solemn season. The gates of heaven seemed open for the ascent of our prayers to the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth. Blessed seasons! How much we lose by absence therefrom! Mary Ann keeps the native girls' school. To-day she has had sixty scholars. On Sundays, after our eleven o'clock dinner, she rings her bell, and the house is soon filled, not only by the natives living with us, but by those also who come from the neighbouring villages. This school is a

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growing establishment. It opens with singing and prayer. They then repeat their catechisms, and are afterwards examined as to what they remember of the morning sermon. This examination occupies much time, because some have retentive memories, and remember much. Thus the seed of eternal life is sown, here a little, and there a little, and sometimes beareth fruit. One will soon be baptized, the wife of one of my native boys, who, at his own desire, had the name of Coleman given to him at his baptism. After dinner I take my Sunday round. On approaching the chapel at Mawe the bell began to ring. This bell is a large French hoe, one of the very tools actually employed by Bonaparte in his Russian campaign. I was in London when the Society purchased a large quantity of these articles. How they fell into the hands of the English I know not. This hoe is suspended by a string, and struck with a hammer to summon the natives of the village to divine service on Sundays, and to daily family prayer. The chapel was filled with attentive hearers, about 120; and at Tautaka, where the natives had for some time absented themselves from public worship, the hearers were about fifty. On our return home I conversed with Ripi on baptism, and asked him whether he wished to be baptized. He replied, 'You know me, and my manner of life. You know what I do. You hear what I say. I wish you to judge for me on this subject. My heart is very very sinful, but I wish to carry my wicked heart with all its sinfulness to Christ, that He may wash away all my sins.' I remarked to him, 'Ripi, in this I rejoice, that this wicked heart will soon be mouldered into dust: the new heart only we shall

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take with us to heaven.' He said, 'I am afraid to tell you my thoughts, lest I might appear to boast. I prayed to God to reveal to me the wickedness of my heart, and He has revealed it to me, and I long to be delivered from all sin.' He afterwards added, 'When you spoke to me first at Paihia I became thoughtful, and no longer desired to possess guns. Knowing but little, I merely observed the Sabbath day. But after the station was formed at Waimate, and you visited me, I began to understand, and to pant after religious knowledge.' To God's free and sovereign grace be all the glory. I feel that I am one of the most sinful, unworthy clods of earth that ever existed.

"August 5.--As usual Ripi accompanied me in my Sunday round. At the first village we met a chief who had been absent from the chapel, and who told Ripi that a call from some friends had detained him. 'Ah,' replies Ripi, 'your feast has been a little native talk. We have been to a feast of good things. God's messengers have sowed the seed of God's word in our hearts. Had you been there you would have had a portion. Why were you prevented attending by so trivial a circumstance?' At Tautaka the hoe-bell reminded me of Bonaparte. The congregation was very large. At Mawe I enforced the necessity of boldly confessing Christ before men, and enlarged on the present blessings now enjoyed by God's children. I trust God was present with us. On our return home Ripi expatiated on the state of the native mind. He remarked: 'Those people who merely asked how they could be saved, and did not seek to find out the way themselves, by attending the means of grace, would

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never come to the knowledge of the truth. In prayer,' said he, 'the heart engaged should be emptied of all wicked and worldly thoughts, that it might be prepared for the reception of heavenly blessings. For the heart of a person in prayer, being full of the world, has no room for the things of God in it. It was impossible that good and evil could exist and mingle together.' This chief is ripening for glory, and will doubtless be a bright gem in the Redeemer's crown. O that the day were come when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ!

"August 11.--Satan is manifestly doing all he can to hold his own amongst the heathen. The chiefs just returned from the south seem soured and unsettled in themselves. Moka has this day been teaching his children to blaspheme God, and to praise the works of the devil. Satan seems to be stirring them up to leave us altogether. Some, especially Taria, are looking out for new places of abode, that they may withdraw themselves from us and the Gospel. O Lord, protect and extend Thy infant Church in this land!

"I close this letter by subscribing myself, my very dear sir, your most affectionate friend and very humble servant,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
2d September 1832.

"MY DEAR SIR,--You will rejoice to hear that this morning the chief Ripi, with his youngest child, has been admitted to the ordinance of baptism. The sight was

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most affecting. How much it looked like an offering to the Lord! He was dressed in a suit of my clothes, and holding his little boy in his arms, who was also dressed in European style, he confessed his faith in Christ in presence of a large congregation, and was received into the visible church. I had long considered him a member of Christ's spiritual Church, and I trust that a double portion of God's Spirit will now rest upon this interesting man. I was overjoyed in spirit contemplating this baptism. He was called Nicholas Broughton, after my much esteemed friend Mr. Broughton, Swan Yard, Holborn Bridge, London. How would the faithful in England have rejoiced, could they have witnessed this pleasing sight! Angels saw it. The redeemed saw it, and sang redeeming love in highest strains. How thin the veil between us and the heavenly world! St. Paul speaks of the cloud of witnesses. Surely they are often present with the redeemed. How often does the sound of the high-toned chants of the heavenly choir vibrate on the souls of poor despised pilgrims, even while travelling through this vale of tears! O the glorious realities hereafter to be revealed!

"Ripi, whom I shall hereafter call Paratene, the nearest orthography in the Maori tongue for the pronunciation of Broughton, is growing in knowledge and grace. He has many difficulties to contend against, but I trust the grace of God will be all-sufficient for him. At his place he said to the congregation, amounting to 130, 'Let us be careful how we hear the Word of God. Hearing with the ear alone will be of no service. We must hear with our hearts. Singing with our lips alone will be no good. We

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must sing from our hearts. Praying with our mouths alone will not benefit; we must pray from our hearts. I fear many of you only come here for form's sake. Because, as soon as Mr. Davis turns his back, you begin to talk about worldly matters, not about the things of God. It would be much better for you to talk one to another on the state of your souls.'

"17th September.--Two natives have lately died at Mawe. From Paratene's report I hope they are gone to glory. Others are in a hopeful state. But they have many lets and hindrances in their Christian course, of which polygamy is not the smallest. A chief of Mawe requested me some time ago to redeem from him one of his wives, who was a slave, because he heard it was not right to have two wives, and therefore wished to put her away. I redeemed her. She is living with me, quite at liberty to be married again. Paratene has also put away one of his two wives. There is a great stir on this subject, which presents many practical difficulties. The whole subject has been submitted to the London committee. I told Paratene we must pray earnestly to God to direct our steps aright, and must wait with patience until we knew our path of duty.

"The blessed Gospel is making progress here. The desire of religious knowledge is evidently increasing. The language of distant tribes is, 'We want to hear what the missionaries have to say.' Vile men have spoken much against us. They have told the natives again and again that we are impostors, that we have the power of destroying them by sickness, that this power we have exerted to kill them, that what we tell them is a heap of lies, and

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that our object is to take away their country from them. You may wonder that these falsehoods have not caused our destruction. But here we are, living in peace, and respected by the natives. The very chiefs to whom these false statements have been made, have been induced thereby to send for us to visit them, that they may hear for themselves the message we have to deliver. The missionaries have received a most hearty welcome from these very chiefs, and their message of mercy has been listened to with the greatest attention.

"A few more short years at the farthest, and I hope we shall all meet in our Father's house, and then we shall for ever have done with sorrow, sin, and discord. In this settlement we are living as happy as possible, one with another, in brotherly love and peace. With kind love to all friends,--I remain, my dear sir, your most sincere and very affectionate friend, RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
11th April 1833.

"MY DEAR SIR,--You will rejoice to hear that the natives continue to inquire after Divine truth. Temorenga, a head-man in this part of New Zealand, a few weeks ago professedly received the Gospel. Temorenga is head-chief of one party of natives, as 'Hongi was head-chief of the other party. He is an old man, has travelled over the greater part of New Zealand, has been a great warrior, although generally mild and just in his dealing. His conversion has made a great stir in his tribe. He described to me the dedication, or rather baptism, of their children

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to the devil. About eight or nine days after the birth of the child, it is taken to a sacred place where there is water, when the child is washed, and incantations and prayers are pronounced over it, wherein they pray that the child may grow up a courageous warrior, and amply revenge all affronts to himself, and all insults which have been offered to his ancestors for generations back, and may become tutu, i.e., wicked, in every sense of the word. The child is gradually initiated into all their barbarous customs, and consequently becomes hardened and senseless, and regardful of self only. These children, thus initiated into evil, will practise and delight in what would horrify the most hardened European. A youth once told me, that before his birth his father had dedicated him to Satan, that he was kept without food to compel him to steal, that he was teased and tried to the uttermost, that the weeds of anger might be fostered in his heart. His father instructed him in the black art of New Zealand, that he might bewitch or destroy at pleasure. His father taught him, that to be a great man he must be a warrior, an expert thief, and able to practise every evil. When the Gospel came to him with power, and revealed to him his exceeding wickedness, he hated the sins of his past life. His father, when he heard of this gracious change, discarded and disowned him. When he first came to me, he seemed to have the devil's mark on his forehead, and involuntarily I shrunk from him. His countenance is now altogether altered, and we may well say, 'What hath God wrought!' Through mercy we have brighter days in prospect. People may boast of civilisation. The blessed Gospel alone, which is the

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power of God, can avail to better the moral state of these poor deluded creatures.

"April 29.--All is tumult and terror at present. The chief Temorenga has been ill, and the ignorant natives have been stirred up by Satan to believe, that his illness has been caused by his becoming a Christian. A message has been sent to me that Temorenga was dying, and that when dead they meant to come and kill me and my family, because I had caused his death. My mind had previously been pained by similar reports, and by the bad behaviour of our natives. Hence my nerves are so affected, that it will be long ere I can expect to get over it. Our own people have been stirred up by wicked Europeans, whose threats are neither few nor small. But the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Not a hair can fall from our heads without Divine permission. Blessed be God, the cause of Christ flourisheth in spite of all the efforts of the subtle foe to lay it low.

"May 18.--I am just returned from Paihia, where some chiefs and myself have witnessed the instalment of Mr. Busby into his office as British Resident. He was escorted on shore by the captain and officers of H.M.S. 'Imogene.' Many chiefs, accompanied by us missionaries, joined in the procession. The spectacle was imposing. Mr. Busby read Lord Goodrich's letter, and then addressed the chiefs in English, which was interpreted by one of the missionaries. A few blankets and pounds of tobacco were presented to the principal chiefs. Mr. Busby and the officers of the 'Imogene' then lunched at Mr. Williams'. The chiefs and their attendants feasted on beef, potatoes, and

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flour boiled to a paste. Mr. Busby seems to be a sterling Christian character.

"1st June.--The arrival of Mr. Busby as British Resident has given a different turn to the native mind. The chiefs who frequent the seaport of Kororarika had given out, that when they came to Waimate they meant to treat us roughly. How different has their behaviour been from their threats! Instead of blustering and abuse, they conducted themselves respectfully. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes, because we are so unworthy of these most signal mercies. Old Temorenga has recovered, and is building a chapel. May we be truly thankful to the Lord for these His mercies.

"9th September.--Permit me, my dear sir, to thank you for your kind presents to us, and for the garments for Coleman and other natives. For missionary intelligence I must refer you to my letters to your son.--I remain, my dear sir, with much respect, yours very truly,

"RICHARD DAVIS."
"To BENJAMIN FREEMAN COLEMAN, Esq."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
23d July 1833.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Hitherto the Lord our Helper has carried us through difficulties and perils not a little trying to flesh and blood. We are now living peaceably with the natives. To some the Gospel is a savour of life unto life, to others of death unto death, as in days of old. Many are called, few, I fear, are chosen. The fields of New Zealand seem ripening fast for the harvest, and we anticipate a speedy outpouring of the Spirit.

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"The dear native lad, Coleman Davis Auheke, of whose letter to you Mr. Stack was the bearer (see Appendix II.), has for some time been ill of consumption, and is daily drawing near his heavenly home. He has lived with me from a child, and has always conducted himself well, particularly since his baptism. He was a good carpenter, but his work is done, and God has better things in store for him. He is in the hands of a Saviour who will never leave nor forsake him. He told my daughter Mary Ann that as his outward man was decaying and becoming daily more weak, his inner man was increasing in vigour and strength, notwithstanding frequent temptation. His wife is delicate, and perhaps may not survive her husband long. The baby is also weak, and perhaps the Lord is about to take it to Himself. Both his mother and wife seem to wish to be sanctified and made one with Christ. They are a very interesting family.

"Our missionary concerns seem to prosper. Latterly many of the natives have asked, 'What shall we do to be saved?' Some of Paratene's people are in a pleasing state. Timu said to me after divine service, 'I am about to run away. I am weary of my present manner of life. Sin is become exceedingly hateful to me. I wish to forsake it altogether, and run away as Paratene did--I must run to Jesus Christ.' I answered, 'You wish to run to Christ by baptism.' 'Yes,' said he, 'that is what I want. The love of Christ in my heart constrains me. The love I feel in my heart is very great indeed, far surpassing the love of a parent to his children, or that of any earthly object.' On another occasion Timu said, 'Sin is planted in the heart

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from the sight of the eye, from the hearing of the ear, from the speech of the mouth, and from the work of our hands, and does not fail to produce a plentiful crop.' A woman, who has been a regular scold, is brought under the influence of convincing grace, is in a pleasing state of mind, and bids fair to become a bright gem in the Redeemer's crown. She said to me, 'I have been a thief, a liar, and a wicked woman. I have been stubborn, noisy, and covetous. But I have done with it all. All I now seek and want is Christ. It was not Rawiri (Davis) who made me feel. It was not man, but Christ.' Another of this tribe, brought under the influence of the Gospel, has undergone a severe trial from the adultery of his wife. To God's holy name be all the glory of the manifestations of saving grace!

"Mr. Earl, in his work entitled Nine Months' Residence in New Zealand, has held up the New Zealand missionaries to derision. When his house was burned, Mr. Williams and myself were among the first to assist him, and supplied to the full every want he named. Christ's servants are indeed made spectacles to the world. If Mr. Earl has sinned in so writing, the reviewers, the guardians of the reading class in Great Britain, have been partakers of his crime. The day is coming when God will have these mockers in derision. May the Lord bless with true conversion those our bitter persecutors!

" 24th August.--Grace, mercy, and peace continue our daily blessing. This I attribute, not to any good in us, nor to any merit in our weak endeavours to preach the Gospel to the heathen, but to the free grace of God our Saviour bestowed upon us his unworthy creatures, that we

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may be His instruments in communicating His rich mercy and grace to the poor natives of this country. At Paratene's place we have ten candidates for baptism. The whole tribe seem to be in a thoughtful, hopeful state. Paratene lives consistently, and is active in preaching. His lungs are so strong that he preaches for many hours continuously, and his voice is clearly heard at the distance of a quarter of a mile. We have just received from Port Jackson the printed translation of the Scriptures, comprising the first eight chapters of Genesis, the Epistle to the Romans, and First Epistle to the Corinthians, besides a large portion of the Prayer-book and Catechisms. May the Lord make us truly thankful for these His mercies!

"With Christian love to Mrs. Coleman and your honoured father, in which all my family join,--I remain, my dear sir, affectionately yours, RICHARD Davis."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
10th September 1833.

"MY DEAR LADIES,--As I feel quite inadequate to the duty of writing a suitable letter of thanks for the many kind and valuable presents received from you for ourselves and our natives, I hope you will accept the will for the deed. Our hearts are deeply and duly affected with gratitude for your kind care of us and our cause.

"Your kind supply of clothing has reached us most opportunely, as we were nearly destitute of articles essentially required by the natives. Every missionary in New Zealand may be considered the father of an extensive

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family, looking up to him as their teacher and protector. In our different native families we have many redeemed when young from cruel masters. These redeemed slaves have grown up amongst us, and from their training are altogether different from their countrymen. They have been brought up to fear God, and are generally moral. They have been regularly clothed and fed, consequently in their habits and constitutions are altogether different from their countrymen. Besides the above there are many children of rank of both sexes, who have lived with us from childhood, and consequently, in morals and habits of living, resemble the above-mentioned. These natives intermarry one with another, and live in cottages around us, so that they are rapidly forming villages. Most have young families. Their children, as soon as able, go to an infant school, and form a very interesting group. Many of the parents have been brought to the knowledge of the truth, and endeavour to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I contemplate these little communities with great pleasure, and rejoice in every increase to these villages. But how are these people to be supplied with necessaries to enable them to live in a state of civilisation? It is our wish, under God's blessing and guidance, to direct them to Christ as the Saviour of His people--Christ crucified and Christ glorified. Secondly, it is our own wish to communicate to them many of the civil arts, to raise them in the scale of civilisation, and thus make them independent in the world. In the meanwhile they necessarily look to us for many necessaries of life. And as clothes, especially for women and children,

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are essential requisites in which they are deficient, I view your unlooked for kindness, dear ladies, as a provision made for us by our heavenly Father.

"There is also another call for garments for the natives pressing upon us. The powerful influence of the Gospel has heretofore been chiefly felt by the natives living with us, but latterly that influence has extended to those living in the adjacent villages, who look to us for assistance as well as our native families, though not to the same extent. Where Christianity rules the heart, it never fails to produce consistency of life. It is a purifying and refining principle. It refines the manners, whilst it purifies the heart. The poor savages of this land expose their persons in the most disgusting manner. After conversion to God they become more and more careful not to do so. They become modest and chaste, and, in every sense of the word, are new creatures in Christ. As far as practicable, we hope to benefit these, as well as those living with us. Clothing, I consider, for a time will be a boon to them, will improve them much, and greatly promote their civilisation. Thus, dear ladies, there is another channel through which your salutary stream of Christian philanthropy may beneficially flow. Go on, dear ladies, in the work of faith and labour of love, and the Lord will assuredly bless the labour of your hands. The poor, despised New Zealanders must be saved, and God will be glorified in their salvation. My prayer is that all you do may be from life, and not for life, and that you may enjoy all the blessings derived from the experimental knowledge, that the death of Christ was the effect and not the cause of the FATHER'S love. Well

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may we call Christ our precious Christ. But oh, the love of the great ETERNAL! It is indeed, as Paul once said, past finding out.--I remain, dear ladies, with much respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,

"RICHARD DAVIS.

"To Mrs. HEWITT and Mrs. COLEMAN, and the other Ryde Ladies working for New Zealand."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND, Sept. 17, 1833.

"MY DEAR SIR,--It is impossible for us to express our gratitude to the ladies of Ryde for their kindness to us and our poor natives. My young men are highly pleased with their garments, and think very much of them, and are as thankful as a New Zealander can be. But the word thank exists not in their language.

"Former kindnesses from Ryde have added much to the comfort of my destitute native family. The present supply is most timely, as their number rapidly increases, and urgent calls are now made upon us from the native villages. I have repeatedly told you that the native population is in danger of annihilation. Now I believe much may be done, with God's blessing, for their preservation. Their children, when young, are not properly provided for. Being without clothes they are much exposed during their childhood, and many die in consequence. The greater part of those who survive are carried off by consumption or scrofula, contracted in their childhood for want of proper care. They are also deficient of food fit for young children when weaned.

"It is our wish to remedy and remove these evils. We can do so in our native families, and wish to do so in the adjacent villages. May the Lord make us thankful for this

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timely assistance from Ryde, which He has so unexpectedly raised up for us! We hope soon to have nourishment necessary for young children more plentiful. Our cows at present do not give much milk, for want of proper fodder. This we are endeavouring to remedy by sowing grasses. The natives plant much Indian corn, but, for want of a mill, fail to make the most of the produce. This will soon be remedied, as our millwright is now erecting a mill. The Society wish to supply the native chiefs with cows as soon as possible, and the chiefs will greatly value them. Thus, through God's mercy, the mission promises to be a blessing to the natives both in body and soul.

"Time was when the natives were not partial to European clothes. Nine years ago they would not receive them in lieu of wages. Now they prefer them, and cannot do without them. When Paratene was baptized I gave him a suit of my own clothes, which he has worn on Sundays. Lately he told me his clothes were worn out, and he wanted a new suit. The casks lately received will enable us to supply him, his wife, and family with such comforts in the way of clothing as they never possessed before. Paratene and his wife are exemplary Christian people.

"The success of the Gospel in New Zealand rejoices your heart. But your poor unworthy friend has still to lament his shortcomings and unfruitfulness in the Lord's vineyard. The Lord has indeed been pleased to use me as an instrument in the conversion of souls, and in building them up. At this I do not wonder, because the weaker the instrument the more His great name is exalted and glorified. But I want to possess more personal holiness,

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more humility, more meekness, and a greater similitude to my dear Redeemer. I want a closer communion with God, and a more ardent longing for the salvation of souls. How needful, how appropriate is the admonition: 'Work while it is day.' The night of death may not be far distant, when whatever of our instrumentalities we leave undone, will be left undone for ever.

"23d September.--This morning my poor native, Coleman, died. His loss is irreparable, but I trust my loss is his infinite gain. He never gave me an angry word or rude answer from the time I redeemed him until he drew his last breath. He is the first baptized native that has been buried in the settlement.

"16th December.--This morning my dear daughter Mary Ann was united in the bonds of wedlock to Mr. Matthews. O Lord, employ this dear child during Thy good pleasure in Thy vineyard here, and hereafter receive her into Thy kingdom of glory!

"Two adults and six infants have been baptized in our chapel. One of the adults was the wife of Auheke, and one of the children was his also. My two sons-in-law are appointed to form a northern missionary station among the most northern tribes.--I remain, my dear sir, with much respect, affectionately yours, RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
January 1834.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Since my last letter to you God has graciously continued to follow us with His wonted mercies and blessings. On the 16th December my dear affec-

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tionate daughter, Mary Ann, was married to Mr. Matthews. On the 3d of this month Mrs. Puckey (my daughter Matilda) honoured me with the title of grandfather by presenting us with a lovely boy. Since Mary Ann's marriage, Mr. Matthews has returned to his station, Kaitaia, which is seventy miles distant from Waimate by the present road between the two places. Mr. and Mrs. Puckey and Mrs. Matthews are preparing to follow him as soon as Mrs. Puckey can undertake the journey. We have a road in contemplation whereby the distance will be reduced to fifty miles. But it must be carried through a dense forest, which the natives have offered to make on our payment of one pound per mile. A mission station has also been formed on the north side of the river Thames. The district will extend as far as Mercury Bay. The settlement itself is nearly on the same latitude with Mayor Island in the Bay of Plenty.

"17th February.--This morning Mr. Puckey informed us of the death of his little boy. What a shock to us all, particularly to the poor mother. O Lord, be pleased to sanctify and bless this affliction to our souls! O Lord, bless and support my dear daughter, and prepare us all to do and suffer all Thy holy will!

"If the Gospel is not making rapid progress, the great work is not standing still. Natives from a distance visit our settlements for religious inquiry. All that is wanted here is an arduous, zealous, persevering attention to preaching the Gospel. The Gospel has a saving effect on the few. The many yet walk the downward road that leadeth to perdition. The natives may be divided into four classes.

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The first class are the few to whom the Gospel has been a savour of life unto life. The second class are inquirers after Divine truth. The third class are the many who are decent and respectful towards us, and reverence our message. The fourth, a numerous class, pay no attention to God's message of mercy, but wallow in their former evil and vile practices. The Gospel is all-powerful to break the hardest, the most obdurate heart, so that though unbelieving natives are numerous, yet many, I hope, will prove vessels of mercy to the honour and praise of God.

"There is much mortality among the natives. Were it not that some natives are partakers of the benefits and blessings flowing from the blood of the everlasting covenant, I should expect that in a few years the Maori race would be annihilated altogether. May the Lord make His missionary servants here faithful and diligent in proclaiming redemption through the blood of Christ, that the Maoris may be preserved to glorify God in this world, and to rejoice in Him for ever! Temorenga, the Christian chief of Taiamai, is dead. I believe he had peace with God through Jesus Christ. He was removed from Taiamai by his friends before death by his own desire, that the unbelieving chiefs should not perform their superstitious rites over his corpse. The fear of this greatly disquiets believing natives of rank when near to death. Last week I visited a chief on the point of death, and he requested me to bury his body as soon as he was dead. Another dying chief this week begged a coffin from me, that his body might be interred therein, and not carried away by a great priest, a former friend of his.

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"A certain class of men are desirous to colonize this country. Hitherto their application to Government has failed. O that the Lord may ever bring all their evil councils to nought! May the Maoris ever be preserved from the evil machinations of those who would thus rob them of their country! The salvation of their souls I professedly came to seek. May the Lord enable me by His grace to perform this duty with faithfulness! At the same time, I will never neglect their temporal improvement as a nation, nor omit any opportunity of raising them as speedily as possible in the scale of true Christian civilisation. It is my ardent wish that they may become a Christian, a happy, and a free people.

"My soul is at times much bowed down by a sense of indwelling sin, which seems to retain possession within me. This ought not to be the case. Lately I have been much struck with St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. What an eminent perfection of holiness is there described by the apostle! How happy must that soul be which has attained thereto! I know there are great blessings prepared by our glorious Saviour for the present enjoyment of His people, because they are written as with a sunbeam of love in God's Word for the edification and consolation of His people! Alas, I have not yet attained that eminent standard which, I believe, is attainable by all God's people. I sometimes endeavour to bring these rich promises before the natives, and apparently they pay great attention thereto. These great and wonderful truths are an unfathomable abyss of love in which all my thoughts are drowned. God has dealt with me in faithfulness and much love. O that

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I could love as I ought Him who first loved me. A fresh instance of His love I must record: my son James is seeking the salvation of his soul. He has been admitted to the holy communion, and I believe he is influenced by a missionary spirit.

"I have lately read Ellis's Polynesian Researches. This work, as respects the customs of the natives, is a counterpart of the history of New Zealand, and I know it to be authentic.--I remain, my dear sir, with much respect, affectionately yours, RICHARD Davis.

"TO BENJAMIN FREEMAN COLEMAN, ESQ."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
April 5, 1834.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Many thanks for your kind letter, and for your considerate present to my beloved daughter. The wedding-cake arrived some few weeks after the marriage had taken place. It arrived in very excellent condition, only that the queen had lost her head. I showed the cake to our baptized chief Paratene. When I took off the cover of the tin which enclosed it, he started back, and said, 'What! do your people shut images up in boxes?' I gave him a bit of the iced sugar which had fallen off. He turned it in his hand and asked, 'Is not this whiting mixed?' I told him it was sugar, and begged him to eat it. He ate it readily, asked for a piece more, and told his people that I had received a cake sent out from England, covered with images.

"The Lord has been pleased to afflict us by the death of Mrs. Puckey's baby. This was a bitter cup to the poor mother. The bitter feelings of a bereaved mother are

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beautifully described in Zech. xii. 10. The dear mother has also been brought down near to the gates of death. But in the midst of judgment God remembered mercy, and has preserved from death our dear child.

"On the 12th of last month I left Waimate with my daughter Mary Ann to take her to Kaitaia, where her husband had been previously labouring for many weeks by himself, Mr. Puckey not being able to leave home. The parting scene was striking, the natives taking leave of Mrs. Matthews most affectionately. We rode to Paihia, where we slept the first night. We had two boats, our own boat having a crew of ten natives to propel it with paddles, should they be required. Having the wind abeam and a press of sail on the boat, we cleared the heads of the Bay of Islands and rounded Point Pocock in two hours. Having the wind aft we had a good run all that day. In the afternoon we passed the Cavally Islands, and ran our boat into a snug bay. The natives divided themselves into two parties, one to cook for themselves, and one to cook for us. Native cookery is thus performed: They dig a hole about ten inches deep, wherein they light a fire. When the fire is sufficiently strong, they heap stones on it, and keep it burning until the stones are very hot. They then place a few wet boughs on the stones, and the potatoes on the boughs. They cover over with wet boughs, pouring a little water over all to increase the steam, and closing the whole with earth so as to prevent all escape of steam. In twenty or thirty minutes they open their oven, and find the potatoes nicely cooked. After having dined and commended ourselves to God, we re-

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embarked at dusk, and under easy sail proceeded on our voyage. At night the winds were light, and the rolling of the boats retarded our progress. In the morning the wind freshened so that we rounded Point Knuckle, and after a run of ten miles passed the heads of a river called Rangauna, five miles to the south of Camel Mount. Here we landed, and waited for the flood. In the afternoon we ran ten miles up the river to the landing-place. Here Mr. Matthews and a large party of natives met us with every demonstration of joy. We landed and unloaded our boats after dark. The next morning we started early for Kaitaia, passing by the residence of the principal chief. He sat in state, and received us stiffly. We then travelled six miles over a very barren country, until we reached the brow of a hill, from whence we had a clear view of Kaitaia, half a mile distant, where the land all around appeared fertile. The natives made the valley ring with their firing. The sight of the settlement and the joy of the poor heathen at the arrival of my children almost overpowered me, whilst my heart breathed a prayer to God to make my dear children faithful to their trust and a great blessing to the heathen. Had my daughters been married to two of the most potent princes of Europe, I should have thought it nothing in comparison with their being thus employed as humble labourers in the vineyard of the King of kings. Bless the Lord, O my soul, may all that is within me bless His holy name for ever and ever, for His unspeakable mercies to me and mine! O that the light of truth may here shine forth resplendently, and that the lives of the missionaries may be wholly and zealously spent in the

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service of the dear Redeemer, and that many souls may be saved, and God's great name glorified!

"Next morning we surveyed the land, from 600 to 700 acres, which the natives had sold to the Society. About 300 acres are fertile, being an alluvial deposit. The site of the settlement is a rising ground, about 100 feet above a river which runs within 100 yards of the back of the settlement. This river abounds with ducks, and might easily be made navigable for barges and flat-bottomed boats. From the settlement, which nearly fronts the north, there is an extensive view of the eastern and western coasts of the islands, the island not being here more than ten miles across. It being essential that the price agreed should be paid, and the land surrendered during our stay, on Monday the principal chiefs received payment, namely, 80 blankets, 70 axes, 30 iron pots, 30 hoes, 40 plain irons, 30 pair of scissors, 30 combs, 10 shark-hooks, 2000 fishhooks of sizes, and. 50 lbs. of tobacco. The chief having received these articles, and begun a division among his friends, we left to get a cup of tea, which we had scarcely time to drink, when our own natives ran in to tell us that the different parties were fighting over the articles, and the weakest went to the wall. A rush was then made by the savages, quite naked, to plunder the settlement, and a battle seemed imminent, some being for, and some against it. Seeing matters look bad, I ran to protect my daughter. The principal chief and a small party came to the house, stark naked, to defend us. The other savages rushed towards the house, but stopped at our fence. Both parties had their war-dance, and made speeches, which showed

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that the quarrel was between themselves. Hence those who had threatened to break into the mission-house were scolded by all the others, and the chief made a spirited speech in favour of the missionaries. I believe this outbreak will be productive of good effects. The whole valley was made to ring by the firing of musketry. The night was spent in debate by the chiefs, and the next morning all the parties left us in quiet possession of the settlement. On the 19th of March we left Kaitaia, and reached the heads of the harbour. Here we pitched our tents, and went to bed, but not to sleep, because of noxious vermin, called by the natives Katipo. The katipo are very black, much like spiders, and have the property of the bug. When large, their bite produces inflammation, and sometimes death. Providentially none of a large size found their way into our beds. At this miserable place we were detained all the next day. We pitched our tents close to the water's edge, and early the second morning pulled out to sea, and after a tedious passage landed safe at Paihia on the 24th. Thus the Lord in mercy preserved us in perils both by land and water, and restored us safe to our families. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise His holy name.--I remain, my dear sir, most truly yours, Richard Davis.

"TO BENJAMIN FREEMAN COLEMAN, Esq."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND, April 12, 1834.

"MY DEAR SIR,--I went to serve a chapel in the lower district of Waimate, in the place of Mr. Clarke. On reaching the path which led from the main road to the

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chapel, I saw before me a post twelve feet high, having a board nailed to its top with this inscription, 'Kua haurangi nga tangata i te rama e te Karaka;' that is, 'The people have been drunk with drinking rum, Mr. Clarke.' I asked my companion why this inscription was written on the board. He replied, that Mr. Clarke might see it, and preach on the subject. I introduced the subject into my sermon with great effect. Two young men, believers in Jesus, addressed the congregation, after which the chief of the tribe, a young man, delivered a spirited address. It appeared that one man, and two or three women, had been enticed to drink rum at Kororarika, and that one of the women had used indecent language. The young chief pointed out the reproach it would bring on the cause of Christ, and the handle it would give to the enemies of the Gospel. He said, 'We are called a believing tribe. We have been often sneered at by our countrymen for professing the Gospel. What they said, they said unjustly. But now they may speak evil of us in truth, and, because of these evil deeds, will speak evil of all the tribes who profess to have received the Gospel. Some of us are not honest in our trade. I saw some baskets the other day made to convey Indian corn to Keri Keri for sale, which baskets were too small. We must be just in our dealings with men.' Perhaps reading this, you will exclaim, 'What, this from a savage?' I answer, 'No.' Once he was a cruel, blind savage, but the power of the Gospel has transformed him into the zealous Christian. These are indeed glorious triumphs. O that I were sensible of them, and more grateful for them!

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"19th April.--Whenever I visit the Mawe and Kaikohe tribes, I perceive a sensible improvement. The influence of the blessed Gospel evidently increases, and the Divine teaching of the Holy Spirit is more manifested in their conversation. A native of Mawe, a candidate for baptism, told me that he had been thinking of our late conversation, and was convinced that he should never think aright if the Holy Spirit did not inspire his thoughts, and that he should never understand aright if he were not divinely taught. Another, lately baptized, remarked, that the people who were seeking after God, were upheld by the hand of Christ. I heard another repeating a hymn. After repeating a few lines, he exclaimed, 'I have sung this hymn with my lips many times, but never before saw its beauties.' When we reached the abode of his mother, he addressed her most kindly on the necessity of living near to Christ, and of seeking salvation through Him. The mother's reply was equally tender and affectionate, and she assured him, that it was all her desire to seek pardon for her sins through Christ, and find salvation through Him. This aged woman is, I trust, converted to God. The views of these natives are generally very simple, though, in some few cases, erroneous. The tender eye of the loving Shepherd, who carries His lambs in His bosom, is continually upon them for good. Paratene told me yesterday, that there were few in the tribe who were not in an inquiring state.

"Very many profess the Gospel who have little more than a name to live. A true believer cannot but be holy. He lives and walks always in the presence of God. He

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maintains continual communion with God in Christ. He possesses the Spirit of Christ. He feeds continually on Christ in the promises, and therefore becomes a partaker of the Divine nature. Consequently he must be holy. His holiness is not perfect and complete, but he earnestly longs for perfection of holiness and sanctification. Nothing can satisfy the true believer but to be holy as God is holy, and pure as God is pure. This is the experience which, through mercy, is beginning to be manifested in some few of the New Zealanders. Our dear Redeemer is about to be glorified in the salvation of their souls. Here I hope to see religion reign in simplicity, free from pomp and show, at least for a time. God is about to gather in a rich harvest of immortal souls from among the natives.

"Many seem to think that we are going swimmingly on to Millennial days, and that we have nothing but green and flowery pastures to pass through before we attain the glorification of the Church of Christ for 1000 years, when all will be righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Alas! how deceptive are these views! How much are they calculated to foster a spirit of supineness in ministers of the Gospel, and to deter them from sounding an alarm to their congregations to rouse them to seek shelter from impending wrath.

"As I find myself deficient in mechanics, please to procure for me The Operative Mechanic, or Code of Mechanical Science, by John Nicholson, Esq., civil engineer. Also, I want a good scientific work on agricultural machinery, with the latest inventions; and besides these two, Geo-

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metrical and Graphical Essays, by Jones, mathematical instrument maker, latest edition. Mr. Broughton has purchased for me a theodolite, from which I trust my children will derive benefit, when I shall be no longer with them. Please to buy for me a good work on geology. Several geologists and other men of science have visited this land for scientific purposes, and from having been in their company, I have felt my defect in these branches of knowledge. I feel very anxious that my children should possess knowledge, and I wish to supply them with all I can. In England knowledge may be acquired from observation, but in this country can only be acquired from the study of standard works.

"The kingdom of Christ is striking deep root in New Zealand. Many in the vicinity of Waimate are in an inquiring state. Six or eight are to receive baptism next Sunday. With Christian love to all known and unknown friends,--I remain, my dear sir, most truly yours,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
17th June 1834.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The cause of Christ rapidly extends in this country. God's set time to favour this people seems to be come. Fifty-four natives were baptized in the chapel of this settlement last Sunday week, and an equal number are candidates for this sacred ordinance. We have much missionary work on our hands. Scarcely a day passes without visitors coming to me to inquire what they must do to be saved. These are glorious days.

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Several missionaries are about to leave the Bay of Islands, and settle among the more southern tribes; and, as the Gospel cannot be preached in vain, I expect a great harvest of souls will be gathered in to Christ. Our Christian natives continue to adorn their profession by the consistency of their lives. But I fear it will be long ere they advance much in civilisation. This world passes away, and the fashion thereof. A soul saved is saved for ever. Paratene goes on satisfactorily. I have urged upon him advancement in civilisation. But the salvation of his soul, and deliverance from the power of sin, seem to occupy his whole attention.

"You will no doubt rejoice to hear that I have been able to purchase from the natives not less than 2500 acres, of which 500 acres are good land, which my son James has begun to cultivate. We have twenty head of cattle, and a small flock of sheep. This purchase of land, and all I have, I receive as coming only from the good hand of my faithful God. By the continuance of the blessing of Heaven, I hope to live to see my family comfortably provided for at Swarraton. All I want now, my dear sir, is a genuine, grateful heart to that God who has dealt so very graciously with a sinner, the most unworthy of the unworthiest.

"Our labours multiply fast upon us, with a growing responsibility. The recent churches planted among the different tribes will require much care. The name of Jesus begins to sound with great sweetness to the ear of the Maoris, and He reveals Himself to them in the tender accents of His love. I have seen some trembling under

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deep convictions of sin. I have witnessed others rejoicing in a Saviour's love. This evening a native brought in a pig as a payment for a saw-file, which he tells me he stole from me nearly seven years ago. I believe him to be not only a candidate for baptism, but an heir of glory. A few days ago a young chief expressed the wish that the love of God in his heart was like a living spring of water. I reminded him that it was indeed a well of water springing up into everlasting life in the heart of every believer. How does the simple experience of these natives substantiate the truths of Scripture! They desire what God in His Word has promised to bestow. They follow me daily to converse on the state of their souls, even while I am immersed in discharging my agricultural duties. May not St. Paul have experienced similar difficulties, and therefore have commanded that the Word should be spoken 'in season and out of season?'

"I remain, my dear sir, with much respect, affectionately yours, RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
21st June 1834.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Last night was our first night of frost this year. The ice this morning was the thickness of a shilling. To the poor natives the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in their land. Truly the Lord is dealing graciously with them.

Last evening a baptized native came to ask me, if he had rightly applied a passage of Scripture to an old chief who had given up one of his wives for conscience' sake.

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The passage is that wherein our Lord has commanded us to break off from our sins, although as dear to us as our right eyes, or our right hands. This chief having heard of the fifty-four baptisms which took place last Sunday week at this settlement, and that the Kaikohe chief was one of the number, and having been in a thoughtful state of mind previously, made known to his friends that he should give up his second wife, and devote himself to Christ. They agreed, that this circumstance should be made known to the tribe when assembled for prayer in their chapel. In the morning, the chief went to the chapel attended by several baptized natives, and after prayer the circumstance was made known, and several of the baptized natives addressed the chief and the congregation. The baptized native quoted the text above alluded to, and others expatiated on the same subject, and on the love of the Saviour, until some were strongly moved, and they wept. The poor old chief seems to have wept much. This weeping sprung from the love felt in their hearts to Christ.

"We are going on much as usual, and numbers are being added almost daily to the mass of professors of the Gospel. But we do not, I lament, experience that growth of grace in our congregations which we desire. Some, however, adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things, and we hope for an increase of the number. Three weeks ago above eighty natives came to me on one day for religious conversation. Many were very ignorant, but their visit on the whole was satisfactory. The truths of the Gospel have a certain effect on

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many natives to induce them to give up their native customs, and to be regular attendants on the means of grace; but vital godliness is rare amongst them. Self-righteousness seems to be the rock on which many strike.

"19th September.--Paratene came in with a large party of natives for religious conversation. During the day I spoke with eighty-nine natives separately, and heard what they had to say. In all I have conversed with ninety-nine natives to-day.

"2d November.--After service I visited an old greyheaded, tattooed chief at the point of death. I knelt by his side, and thought, 'His glass is nearly run, and his disembodied spirit is about to appear in the presence of God. What can be done for him?' He told me that his mind was fixed upon Christ his Saviour. I thought I had been kneeling over a poor, ignorant, dying savage. But oh, the riches of sovereign grace! I was kneeling by one of God's dear children, resting firmly on His omnipotent arm in the midst of the river of death. His views were clear; his evidences bright. 'Christ,' said he, 'is in my heart, and that makes my soul joyful. I have no fear, for Christ is with me.'

"O pray for me, my dear sir, for my faith at times seems weak, and my zeal in the missionary cause appears to flag. With our united Christian love to dear Mrs. Coleman, and your honoured father,--I remain, my dear sir, with much affection, most truly yours,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

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"WAIMATE, NEW ZEALAND,
2d February 1835.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Your kind letter came safely to hand the 9th of last month, with your handsome present of a bell for our chapel. For this and all other favours accept my best thanks. The account you give of ------'s death is truly melancholy. May we be always ready!

"On excavating a site for a mill, two natives were buried under a mass of earth. On reaching the fatal spot, I found the poor men extricated; and, properly, laid on their backs, with their heads raised. Between them was a large fire, on which stones were placed. The weather being intensely hot, I ordered the fire to be removed, and then bled the men, and administered medicine, and set to the best of my skill a compound fractured leg. The natives had made the fire to heat the stones. The native remedy is to place heated stones in a hole about the size of a man's body. The stones are then covered thickly with soft branches of trees, and water is poured on the branches and stones until the heat is so reduced as not to scorch the body. The man is then laid on the boughs, and covered with boughs and earth closely up to the neck, the head alone being free. In this posture the man remains as long as he can bear it. This remedy is employed when the back is injured, and when there is pain or rheumatism in the limbs. In cases of fever they place the patient in some purling stream, so that the stream runs over the whole body. If the patient cannot be moved, they pour water over the whole body. A girl, to whom I had administered calomel and antimonial powders,

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was taken in the middle of the night and laid in a running stream of water. I feared the result; but she soon amended, and is as healthy as ever. Many cures are attributed to the prayers and charms of their priests, but through mercy this superstition is dying away. I hope ere long to see the Maoris as a nation brought to the feet of their Saviour, and clothed and sitting in their right mind.

"30th May.--A large meeting of natives has been held here to celebrate their accustomed feast at the removal of the bones of deceased relatives. Two thousand baskets of sweet potatoes were laid in a row three deep for the visitors to take away. One hundred pigs were killed, and other food was amply provided for their consumption on the spot. Knowing these feasts to be fruitful sources of evil, and that many natives, both Christians and Pagans, desired to discontinue them, we held a private conference with the principal chiefs. They stated their inability themselves to discontinue them--that the act and deed must be our own; but, that if we would take the initiative, and propose the subject to the visitors, they would second and support us. On the day appointed we broached the subject, and carried our point; and public notice was then and there given by the chiefs, that the present was the last feast of the kind that would ever be given by them. Satan's emissaries opposed, but were overruled. To God be all the glory! We told the principal chief, that the peace they now enjoyed was the effect of the Gospel, and that God had still greater blessings in store for them. I spoke of the love of God to their souls.

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'Yes,' replied the chief, 'that is good for those who can read the Book. I cannot read.' I told him that reading the Book was not necessary to salvation, because the Holy Spirit, by whom the Book was written, was ever ready to take up His abode in the heart of the humble believer, and to teach him the truths contained in the Book. He answered, 'My heart is dark, although I attend the means of grace. You have brought us many things. We have received them all. Your cause must succeed, and it will succeed. We must consider you as our fathers.' He spoke with much feeling. I hope he is not far from the kingdom of God. Thus far has the Lord been pleased in mercy to prosper His work in our hands on this occasion. It will be a day long to be remembered in the annals of New Zealand.

"Sunday last, forty-six communicants partook with us of the Lord's Supper at this place. Next Sunday we expect that eight or ten adults will be added by baptism to the visible church of Christ. Yesterday, when we were busy wheat-sowing, a man came into the field who had travelled nearly fifty miles to obtain religious conversation with me.

"With Christian love to you all, and to all friends, in which my family cordially join,--I remain, my dear sir, respectfully and affectionately yours,

"RICHARD DAVIS.
"TO BENJAMIN FREEMAN COLEMAN, ESQ."

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"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
19th March 1835.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The Lord hath blessed my son James, and called him to the knowledge of Himself. He seems to possess a missionary spirit. But I can only consent to his union with the Church Missionary Society as an ordained missionary, because he would be more at liberty in the mission field as an independent settler, than as a catechist.

"In company with Rev. W. Williams, I have paid a visit to my children at Kaitaia, and have been much gratified by all I heard and saw. During our stay, seven adults were baptized, all respectable natives. One of them was well known, from having killed the principal chief of the North Cape, when that tribe was cut off. As your name is as well known at the Cape as in the Bay, this chief requested to be called after you, which request was granted. We conversed with many candidates for baptism, who seemed earnestly to seek salvation through Jesus Christ. Wonderful is the alteration in these savage tribes. Twelve months ago they were perfect savages, now they are teachable and mild, and many are willing to sit at the feet of the Saviour to be clothed and to possess right minds. One chief, who had been a frantic savage, is now a broken-hearted penitent. One notable old chief spends his Sabbath in the settlement, and is not far from the kingdom of God. All seems changed for the better at Kaitaia. Peace exists at Kaitaia in place of war, murder, and bloodshed. I visited a chief eighty years of age, who lived five miles from the station. His manner was civil,

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but his language coarse. He paid great attention to what I said, and expressed his surprise at the change effected by the Gospel in the Bay of Islands. Next Sunday he and his family attended divine worship at Kaitaia. After the close of Rev. W. Williams's address last Sunday evening, two young chiefs spoke with feeling. One said, 'Let us lay strong hold on these things. Our fathers did not lay hold of them, because they never heard them. We have taken whatever the white people have presented to us in the way of tools, etc., and shall we not lay hold of the good things of God?' Kaitaia is an interesting promising mission field of great extent. Surely the lot has fallen in pleasant places to this part of my family, and they have a goodly heritage. May the Lord make them worthy to be thus employed!

"With this letter you will receive the first-fruits of our mission press at Paihia--namely, the Epistles of St. Paul to the Ephesians and Philippians in the Maori tongue. For this timely supply we cannot be too thankful to God. With kindest love to dear Mrs. Coleman, and your honoured father,--I remain, my very dear sir, respectfully and affectionately yours, RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
9th June 1835.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Yesterday, my son James finished sowing ten acres of wheat at Swarraton. The land is good, and the situation beautiful, commanding a most extensive view of the surrounding country, and of ships at anchor in the Bay of Islands. Surely these blessings call

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loudly upon me for gratitude and love to my heavenly Benefactor.

"The glorious cause of our most glorious Redeemer continues to prosper. The natives follow us into the fields for instruction. Last Sunday nine adults and six children were baptized in this settlement. So anxious are the natives for baptism, that sometimes it is difficult to persuade them to wait till they are more fully instructed. To-day a chief has been with me anxious for immediate baptism. He is much in earnest for the salvation of his soul, has professed the Gospel for two years, and has acted satisfactorily under persecution and affliction. I told him he must wait. 'Oh,' said he, 'let me baptized next Sunday. The grave is open before me. Christ is a Saviour. I have much sin in me. The Holy Spirit will destroy it.' Many natives under conviction of sin, and feeling sin to be strong in them, think that baptism will free them from its power. Last night I met sixty persons all anxious for the salvation of their souls. I took down fifteen names as fit for baptism when next administered, and expect that before that time the number will be doubled.

"A few days ago I was visited by a powerful chief, with whom I became acquainted from having prevented him from killing a slave girl. The circumstance occurred two or three years ago, and from that time he has always treated me with respect, and has been a regular attendant on the means of grace. He is a man of strong passions, and neither fears nor cares for any man. His mind, he said, had long been satisfied that we were right, and that he was wrong. One circumstance had greatly influenced

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him. His wife was very ill, her mouth was closed by tetanus, and she was apparently dying. He wrapped her clothes round her, and bound her up, and considered her a corpse. Some of his children being also ill, he applied to us for medicines. As his wife had still life in her, he resolved to give her some of the medicines prepared for the children. Inserting a small wedge of wood, he forced a passage for the medicine. Her death-bands were loosed. She soon recovered, and is now a very healthy woman. The medicines were also blessed to the cure of the children. These cures he attributed to that God whom the missionaries preached to the people. He said to me, 'I am now earnestly seeking Christ, but my heart is hard, and very dark. I have been a very wicked man. I have carried things with a very high hand. Wickedness was my delight. I was the most wicked individual in the tribes connected with Waimate. I cared for nothing, and was strong in sin. Nothing could turn or arrest me in pursuit of my object. Now my strength and hardihood shall be turned into another channel against sin and against my perverse heart.' I told him I was astonished at the great love of God so strikingly manifest towards the natives generally, and towards those who had been most wicked in particular. I reminded him of the Kaikohe tribe, how wicked they had been above all others, and how graciously God had dealt with them--that many now knew and felt the love of God in the heart, and that nearly all were under religious impressions. They were, said he, a wicked tribe, but I was the one notorious wicked character in my tribe. I pointed him to Christ as a Saviour ready to em-

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brace him in the arms of His mercy, ready to impart to him all needful heavenly blessings, to change his heart, to destroy the power of sin in his soul, to wash away all his sins, to bless him with a present salvation, and to make him a child of God and an heir of glory. This cheered him a little, but he added, 'I have been so very wicked, and my heart is so very dark, it may be long before I shall be considered a fit subject for baptism.' I pointed out to him the full, free, and finished salvation which Christ had wrought out for us, and His willingness to receive sinners. Surely this is a brand plucked from the burning! What cannot the free and sovereign grace of God effect?

"The anxiety of the natives for religious instruction to prepare them for baptism increases. Every day they follow me into the field. Yesterday I discoursed with some very interesting characters, among whom were respectable chiefs, who all had had a plurality of wives, but had repudiated them, retaining only one each. Truly the Gospel is the power of God. To-day I have been borne down by the number of religious visitants, so that attention to many working men and working women, as well as to these religious inquirers, has quite overpowered me. One chief, who came yesterday, has repeated his visit to-day, being anxious for an early baptism. I have added eight more adults to my list, so that I have now twenty-five names down. May the Lord prepare them to receive the sacred ordinance in the fulness of those blessings which our dear Redeemer intended it to convey to all its spiritual recipients!

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"We are all, through mercy, pretty well, excepting my dear Serena. My family all join in kindest love to Mrs. Coleman, yourself, and your honoured father.--I remain, my dear sir, with much respect, affectionately yours,
"RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
23d June 1835.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Paratene was much pleased with his school-slates, and values them much. His greatest pleasure would be to see his tribe walking in the fear and love of God. He is very energetic, but his views are simple. He thinks little of this world's goods. He has just recovered from a severe illness, partially brought on by persevering attention to the spiritual concerns of his neighbours. Once a week he meets those of his tribe and neighbourhood who desire to converse on the one thing-needful. He has no desire to benefit his temporal condition. He is thankful for any present made him, but sets not his heart upon it.

"Sunday last we met seventy native communicants around the table of the Lord in our little chapel. I have lately visited Kaitaia to take Mrs. Davis there, that she: might be with her children in nature's trying hour. Rev. H. Williams accompanied us, and during our stay seven more adult natives were baptized. Thus fourteen have: been received into the visible church at that settlement. May this be only the first sprinkling of a very fruitful shower! The baptized natives, as many as were present, partook of the Holy Communion. Had our stay been

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longer, we should have examined more candidates for baptism, as several seemed not far from the kingdom of God. We had religious visitants every day we remained. The principal chief, who exercises great influence, seems a thoughtful man. Should he be brought to the knowledge of the truth, great good may result.

"On our arrival at Kaitaia, we found that the time of nature's trial had come upon my daughters earlier than they had anticipated. Consequently each presented us with a grandson on our arrival. Mothers and children are well. This was a rich mercy indeed! O that we were more grateful to God for His tender dealings with us!

"2d September.--The account of your prayer-meeting is cheering. If God has put it into the hearts of His children to pray for us, He intends to answer their prayers. I fear many are not sufficiently acquainted with the power of prayer. In Holy Writ are recorded many instances in which the voice of prayer has been all-powerful with God. The Bible gives much encouragement to prayer, and from experience I know that God answereth prayer. When I consider the humble, yea, the very unworthy instruments whom God has used to make known His purposes of mercy to the natives of this country, I can only ascribe it, next to His purposes of mercy, to the fervent prayers of His children. I believe there is a nearer connexion between saints on earth and saints in glory than we are aware of.

"The burning of the Houses of Parliament was an alarming catastrophe. God will assuredly visit England for her sins. What sad accounts we hear of the desecration of the Sabbath! I am sorry to hear of the increase

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of Popery. BUT THE BOLD APPEARANCE OF THE BRAZEN FOREHEAD OF INFIDELITY IS, I FEAR, THE TERRIBLE SIGN OF THE APPROACHING PUNISHMENT OF THE BRITISH NATION.

"Saturday. --I spent the afternoon in company with some of my Kaikohe candidates. It would have refreshed your soul to have heard them relate their experience, their doubts and fears, and their hatred of sin. Their most anxious desire was that they might be delivered from the power of sin. Some enjoyed a glimmer of light, through which they had a faint perception of the love of God. Others were crying out under the burden and power of sin. One seemed to entertain a deep sense of the nature of the Gospel covenant. There were nearly twenty, who all appeared to strive lawfully for the crown of life. Our converts have a deep conviction of the power of sin. The candidates are greatly on the increase. May the Lord increase them a thousand-fold!

"7th September.--This evening upwards of sixty natives have come to me for religious instruction. The Gospel triumphs. To God be all the glory!

"With our kindest love to Mrs. Coleman and your honoured father,--I remain, my dear sir, yours affectionately and respectfully,
RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
27th October 1833.

"MY DEAR SIR, --Last Sunday week between seventy and eighty natives sacramentally commemorated the death of Christ. Nearly half my time is spent in daily conversation with inquiring natives. Some regularly travel twenty

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miles to receive instruction in spiritual things, and God is very gracious to them. My Monday evening meetings are so crowded that I cannot possibly converse with all present.

"30th October.--All to-day natives have followed me from place to place for conversation on religion. Much difficulty was anticipated from the existing plurality of wives possessed by the chiefs, but all has vanished before the power of the Gospel. A few Sundays ago a chief, with twenty-eight other adults, was baptized. He had been long under conviction of sin, but his three beautiful young wives were a snare to him. He voluntarily repudiated two of his wives, and was received. He belonged to Paratene's tribe. Two similar cases existed in the same tribe. In one case the chief had two wives, and growing families by both. But he found sin to be such a burden that it drove him to Christ, and he has consented to repudiate one of his wives.

"27th November.--We have just had 2000 copies of the Gospel of St. Luke struck off from our own press to be bound with the Epistles of Ephesians and Philippians. To-day fifty natives came for religious instruction. Some of these travelled twenty miles yesterday with their food on their backs. This party generally come every fortnight, but now they came at the end of ten days, hearing that I was about to leave for Kaitaia. Some of these are quite children. One of these expressed sorrow of heart, because her sins were always before her, and earnestly prayed that God would set her sins at the back of her heart. They especially complain of little sins, to which they had given no previous heed. These sins are a grief to them. Some

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are panting after holiness, as the hart panteth after the water-brooks. My congregations at Mawe and Kaikohe are in a most pleasing state.

"8th December.--Never had I such a meeting as on the 5th instant with about forty natives. Their experience evidenced the work of the Holy Spirit. One chief of note visited me in my house, and told me that he viewed the blessings produced by religion in the soul as similar to the blessing and comfort produced by strong sunshine after a long series of wind, rain, and hail. I have spent the greater part of this day in company with forty seven natives all anxious for admission to the visible church. The Word of God seems to have free course and to be glorified in New Zealand. My visitants of each sex and of every age are acted upon by the same Spirit. Some are little girls. One is a very extraordinary character. She quotes some of the most precious portions of Scripture with such expression as leads me to believe that she experiences their influence. She will not be here long. She is far gone in consumption. Her father is a very interesting man, and, I believe, one of the redeemed. In fact, the whole family seem seeking after God. The line of distinction between the Christian and the Pagan natives becomes more and more distinctly visible. Those who are for God openly profess His cause. Those who are for the old ways are more resolute therein. There is also a middle party, from whom I trust many souls will be gathered in to Christ. But the most singular fact is, that the most wicked and most daring characters, with few exceptions, have been brought under the power of the Gospel. This part of New Zealand may be said to

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have been civilized, and is a pleasant country to live in. We enjoy peace and security. FORMERLY TOOLS OF ALL KINDS NOT UNDER LOCK AND KEY WERE STOLEN. NOW THEY ARE SECURE, WHEREVER LEFT. LOCKS AND BARS ARE BUT LITTLE NEEDED HERE.

"The grape seeds you sent have produced above fifty healthy plants. These I value much, as it is my intention to cultivate the grape with care. I have received a number of the most valuable cuttings from Mr. Busby, and much important information respecting the culture of the vine, with his invaluable works on that culture.

"My native visitants are now so numerous that I have been obliged to set apart one day in the week for their religious instruction. Friday last a party came above thirty miles to inquire of me. During the conversation a youth seemed less thoughtful than the rest, and rubbed his foot on the floor. But not wearing shoes this made little noise, and but little obstructed the hearing. Nevertheless the party stopped him, so intent were they to catch every word. This little circumstance caused me to feel the deadness of my own soul, and to mourn over the backwardness I occasionally feel in instructing the heathen. O pray for me I A native remarked that before we came their consciences were quiet, and they were under no apprehension of an offended God, but that now, if they did wrong, their conscience reproved them, having been taught by us the nature of the law of God. What an evident proof of the fulfilment of that scripture, 'By the law is the knowledge of sin.' A baptized chief of Paratene's tribe accompanied the party, and said he had found very little rest

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since his baptism, because of the temptations and assaults of Satan. Poor fellow! May the grace of God be all-sufficient for him! This was the chief who had repudiated two of his three wives, both fine young women.

"16th December.--Yesterday I conversed with 161 natives on the state of their souls. Some came a distance of twenty miles, some came much farther, carrying their food with them. Several Christian natives cried out under a deep sense of the sinfulness of sin, and lamented the many temptations to which they were exposed. One said, 'My body must be fed in this world, but let my spirit, my heart, my soul, be filled with Christ.' Another from a distance said, 'I am come seeking the new thing. I have left my place for this purpose.' Some were in a happy frame of mind. Some bitterly complained of the hardness of their hearts. I addressed them in the chapel from Ephesians i. 7. I trust a blessing from heaven rested upon us while thus engaged. I had a most fatiguing day. May the Lord prepare me for, and bless me in, His work, and grant me many such days! My dear friend, I want more grace, I want more zeal, I want more love for immortal souls, I want more love to Christ. O pray for me!

"My old friend Paratene and family are, under my direction, cultivating land. He lives at Kaikohe, ten miles from us. His herd of cattle increases. He makes butter, sends it to the Bay, and sells it for two shillings a pound. My soul is much strengthened by his consistency. I hope to provide him with a plough when his herd shall be strong enough to work one. I shall clothe him and his family out of the garments received from Ryde.

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"Through mercy my family is all well except Serena, who is yet an invalid. They all unite in kindest love to Mrs. Coleman, yourself, and your honoured father,--and believe me to remain, my dear sir, respectfully and affectionately yours,
RICHARD Davis."

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
12th December 1835.

"MY DEAR SIR,--It gives me real pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter and of the cask. May the Lord reward you a thousand-fold for your kindness to us and to our natives, especially for the spectacles presented to Mrs. Davis and myself.

"I read your letter to faithful Paratene. Being full of trouble, he did not receive it with his wonted vivacity. Allow me in his behalf to thank you for it, and for the suit of clothes you sent him. He has lately buried a nephew, a pleasing youth, to whom he was much attached, who had not been long baptized, nor long married. But his chief distress was the illness of his eldest son, who was then considered at the point of death. He yet lives, but very much reduced. His disease has been prevalent in this locality for the last eighteen months. It begins with a violent headache, then passes by the glands, and settles in the throat. A violent fever ensues. The throat closes, so that the patient can only swallow liquids with difficulty. Some few recover, the disease generally passing from the throat to the shoulder and shoulder blades. But the greater part die.

"Two cases of declension have also occurred in Paratene's

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tribe from fornication. The first occurred between a near relative of Paratene who had been baptized, and a young slave. Paratene assembled all the people who frequented his chapel. The young man was publicly dismissed, and the name he had received at baptism taken from him, so that he is only now known by his original name. The guilty pair were ordered to quit the village and retire into the woods. They have since been legally married, and sent back to the woods until they shall manifest repentance. On minute examination into the state of the tribe another case of fornication was discovered. The man, being from Waikato, was sent away to his own place. This declension has been a source of great grief to us, and calls for a more strict examination and scrutiny. It will doubtless prove beneficial to some, and will ultimately tend to the furtherance of the Gospel. The enemy will make a handle of it, but God's purposes must stand, and He will do all His pleasure. It has already begotten godly jealousy in my own natives, who are adopting measures to guard against future falls of a similar nature.

"The vessel which I expected to have taken my last letters sailed two days before her appointed time, and, therefore, I was too late in sending them. During the eight or ten days this vessel lay in the bay, the crew gave themselves up to drinking. When the vessel was about to sail, the captain found her surrounded with the grog-vendors' boats, and the wretches ready to present their bills, one of which amounted to £90. The captain took the alarm, and told the publicans that they must wait

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until the vessel had gained the offing. Having cleared the harbour, he forgot to drop his anchor, and the wind being fair and strong, these emissaries of the pit soon lost sight of the ship in the blue distance. This one fact will give you some faint idea of the state of the Bay of Islands. Few vessels touch there now but from sheer necessity. The few merchants we have are alarmed, and have agreed to sell no more spirits after the end of the present month. The natives have prepared a petition to the Governor of New South Wales to advise them how they can most effectually eradicate the sale of this body and soul destroying drug.

"30th December.--Captain Fitzroy paid us a visit on Monday last. He expressed great gratification at all he saw and heard. The extent of our labours at this settlement, during the short time we have been here, has quite astonished him. (See Appendix i.)

"Sunday last 106 communicants belonging to the different congregations assembled with us around the table of the Lord. I addressed them from Isaiah liv. 13. The congregation was very large.

"Yesterday 154 natives attended as inquirers at my catechetical meeting. The whole day was occupied in conversing with them all. I add a few short specimens to show how they expressed themselves: One, 'My heart looks continually to the living spring, and sorrows continually for it. The knowledge of God produceth peace. Satan often comes to tempt. My heart is fastened to Christ.' Another, 'Let the door of my heart be broken to pieces. I wish to bring all my sins before God. The

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blood of Christ must cleanse my heart-sins. My heart tells me that Christ is my Saviour. When my sins are revealed, I say, let the sins of my heart be slain. Christ alone must do it.' Another, 'From the very root of my soul I desire the forgiveness of my sins, and I seek-earnestly the light which cometh down from heaven.' Another, 'When I am at home, my soul is often lifted up by the Spirit, and my heart and spirit fly to the living God. My soul rejoices in, and sorrows after, God. When I hear the word of man, the love of God sends away my heart, and bids me fly to another place. Satan is strong to follow me, but the Holy Spirit adds to my strength and enables me to fly from him.' Since I have appointed and set apart a day in each week to meet them, they grow more rapidly in knowledge and in grace than when I met them separately. I attribute this progress to their hearing each other's warfare and experience.

"Begging you to cast the mantle of love over all imperfections,--I beg leave to subscribe myself, my dear sir, respectfully and affectionately yours,
"RICHARD DAVIS.
"TO BENJAMIN FREEMAN COLEMAN, ESQ."

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
29th February 1836.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Yesterday seventy-five communicants assembled with us around the Lord's Table. Had sufficient notice been given, the number would have exceeded 100. My weekly meetings are again resumed since harvest, and are well attended.

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"March 1.-- I am just returned from one of these meetings. One hundred and twenty-two candidates for baptism attended, and fourteen communicants. I have given to Rev. W. Williams a list of forty to be examined by him previous to the administration of baptism on Sunday week. I expect about fifty adults will be baptized on that day besides children. Two of this number are little girls, about ten years old, in a very pleasing state of mind.

"The news from Kaitaia is most satisfactory and gratifying. Their congregations increase so fast, that a larger chapel is instantly required. Their candidates for baptism, among whom are many females, increase also. Native ignorance must ultimately be enlightened by the power of Divine teaching. Bless the Lord, O my soul: let all that is within me bless His holy name.

"The political state of the country is bad, and cannot be remedied, unless the British government will legislate for the natives. The settlers multiply fast, and in proportion as they increase, wickedness gains ground among the tribes and people hostile to Christianity. Some Europeans on the island would disgrace a prison.

"This season our wheat has turned out well, and from what I have grown, and what can be bought from our new-made farmers, I consider we are no longer dependent on the colony for flour. I have enough by me to supply the whole mission for a year. Flour is now selling in Port Jackson for 30s. per cwt. According to this price, the Society's wheat I have raised and have in store must be worth £500. Thus I trust the Society will ultimately be

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repaid all the expense they have incurred for me and my family. This to me is a cheering thought.

"6th March.--From Mawe and Kaikohe many have been received into the Church of Christ. From Toutoha only one solitary individual has been baptized. To-day I have seen more fruit from that small congregation than I had anticipated. I have a few candidates among them of long standing, and have lamented their slow progress in the Divine life. To-day I have conversed with two under religious impressions, who seem savingly united to Christ through the blood of the everlasting covenant. This, my dear sir, causes me to rejoice. But my joy is shortened from the manifold temptations whereby I am tempted, arising from the multiplicity of secular concerns intrusted to me. The Lord has been pleased to use me as a mean to communicate the knowledge of salvation to others. But my own soul is depressed by temptations.

"26th April.--The Lord continues to bless our missionary labours. Last Sunday fortnight, in the Waimate chapel, there were 105 communicants. There have been also some baptisms at Kaitaia. But we have our trials. Wickedness is on the increase among those who have not received the Gospel. The poor natives learn much evil from some of the settlers, and from many of the ships which touch here. The intervention of our Government can alone stem this torrent of wickedness. As of old, those born after the flesh persecuted those born of the Spirit, so is it now in New Zealand. Our Christian natives need protection.,

"Sunday, May 15.--Congregation very large, 105 native communicants. This is the largest number we have had.

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Blessed Lord, ride on gloriously in Thy Gospel chariot. May the stone soon become a mountain, and fill the whole earth! Poor old Peli of Mawe died this morning. Praised be Thy name, O Lord, for Thy great mercies shown to this poor woman. From her appearance I should judge her to have been 100 years of age.

"I am in the midst of wheat-sowing, but have been hindered by very heavy rains. Yesterday the rain poured down almost in sheets, accompanied with thunder and an appalling hurricane. The ground was under water for some time. You can scarcely conceive how heavily the rain falls occasionally in New Zealand. My young wheats have received damage, and the fallows are so broken up, that the subsoil is laid bare to a great extent. Such rains would ruin much land in England, but as our soil is volcanic, we have only to plough up the subsoil, and give it a slight dressing, and it becomes as fertile as ever.

"Praying for every blessing on Mrs. Coleman, yourself, and your honoured father, to whom my family join in Christian love,--I remain, my dear sir, yours respectfully and most affectionately,
RICHARD DAVIS."

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND,
February 13, 1837.

"MY VERY DEAR SIR,--What a comfort it would be to me, in this my season of deep affliction, could I but have an interview with you! But, alas! why should I look so much to the creature? The Lord doeth all things well: death is only the door which admits the believer's soul to glory. This, I firmly trust, my dear wife--the beloved

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wife of my youth--experienced on the 1st inst. Her illness was only of about twenty-one hours' continuance; --the disease, the common cholera. Several of us had been attacked by it, but my dearest wife has only yet fallen a victim to it. The best medical advice we have was at hand, but all to no purpose. The word was gone forth, and who could reverse it? O what a stroke it has been to me! O my much esteemed and best beloved friends, pray for me! O pray that this affliction may fully answer the purpose for which it was sent! My soul is at times so overwhelmed within me as to lead me to fear that I shall not bear the shock. But it is my wish to lie in the hands of the Lord, as clay in the hands of the potter, and to be perfectly resigned to His will. But, alas! my heart is rebellious. This, together with the fiery assaults of the enemy, makes the stroke doubly heavy. Sometimes it seems as though all was over; but then the standard is lifted up, and I experience deliverance. Yes, my dearest and most beloved friend, God is good, and He is gracious to me, even to me, a most rebellious worm. No one has been more blest in his children than I have been. They are everything to me I could wish. My dear brothers and sisters are kind beyond expression. The mission is all in mourning, not only from respect, but from affection. And the sympathy of the poor natives gives me a melancholy pleasure. My dear departed was much respected and loved by them. My dear children have not yet arrived from the North, but I expect them in a few days. Will you, my dear sir, just drop a line to Mr. Broughton and to Mr. Coates to

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inform them of my loss, as I feel writing on the subject very painful.

"Three days previous to my dear wife's death, we received and read together your letter informing us of the goods sent by the 'Spartan.' The goods have not yet arrived. I have much to say, but my spirits are so depressed I cannot write at present. Satan is very busy here, and seems to be working in every shape. I hope the cause in which we are engaged is not at a stand. We hear of wars from various quarters; but, hitherto, in our vicinity, the stratagems of the wicked one have been crushed.

"With Christian love to dear Mrs. Coleman, to your honoured father, and to all our dear unknown friends at Hyde,-- I remain, my very dear sir, with much respect, most affectionately yours,
RICHARD DAVIS."

"In the morning I asked her how she felt in her mind. She replied, 'I was just thinking, that without Christ I should feel myself a lost sinner.' I asked, 'Can you lay hold of Christ as your Saviour?' She said, with much emphasis, 'Yes, I can. This is the stay of my poor heart.' I remarked, 'This is quite unexpected to me.' She answered, 'It is not unexpected by me. I have long-expected it. I thought this disease would bring me to the grave.' Conscious that her end was approaching, she requested us to pray for her. I read the 14th and 15th chapters of St. John's Gospel, and prayed with her. This was the last time she was to hear the holy Word of God with her mortal ear. About two o'clock a.m. on the 1st of February, she was free from pain, and raised herself in

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bed--nature's last effort. I took her in my arms, and she breathed her last. I felt her heart give its last pulsation. I shall never forget it. The world seemed dark and dreary to me. Everything reminded me of her. As soon as the natives heard of her death, they filled the house, for they loved and respected my dear Mary very much. The principal chiefs of my congregations came to condole with me. O Lord, bless my congregations. The Lord, who has never forsaken me, unworthy as I am, was good and gracious to me; and I felt assured that my beloved one was everlastingly happy. On the Sunday following the funeral, Rev. W. Williams preached from these words, 'For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him!' The Lord dealt very graciously with me. I was enabled to View her sleeping dust as sacred, and her grave as being perfumed with the body of Christ. Justly hast Thou, O Lord, afflicted me; but I trust mercifully. O that my future life may indeed be devoted to Thy service."-- Journal.

The following extracts from the letters of Mrs. Davis, addressed to the author, will show that to her to live was Christ, and to die was gain:--

"27th March 1828.--I go to bed tired of an evening, but I trust I find sweet peace to my soul. What a comfort to a believer to have Christ for a refuge in time of trouble! I hope the time will soon come when we shall hear the New Zealander anxiously inquiring, 'What shall

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I do to be saved?' At present the natives are very trying. Our only way to get on with them is by forbearance and love. The Lord God of Israel is our Protector and Guide amidst native wars and native threats. We enjoy one great blessing, peace among ourselves. We live as brothers and sisters. To stand at the foot of the Cross with softened hearts and melting eyes, to forget our sins, sorrows, and burdens, while we are wholly swallowed up in the contemplation of Him, who bare our sins in His own body upon the tree, is our highest wisdom on this side of the grave. What do we owe to Him who hath redeemed us from that place of unutterable torment, where there is weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth FOR EVER, without hope or respite? O that we could always behold by faith Jesus crucified before our eyes! How would it compose our spirits in regard to the sweets and bitters of life! What a banner would it prove against all the snares and temptations whereby Satan would draw us into evil! What firm confidence it would afford amidst inward conflicts arising from unbelief! I long for more of that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, that I may be preserved, humble, thankful, watchful, and dependent. To contemplate the love and glory of Jesus is the only effectual way to participate in His image. How sweet to my soul is the passage, 'Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look at the things which are not seen and are celestial, and not at the things which are seen and are terrestrial.'"

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"7th October 1828.--I can truly say, 'God is a present help in time of need.' He will continue to support and comfort us. He has been our succour, and He will never leave nor forsake us. He sitteth above the water-floods; the Lord remaineth King for evermore. Of whom then should we be afraid? How sweet, how refreshing, how comforting is the promise: 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' 'God is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works, and is nigh unto all who call upon Him faithfully. He will hear their cry, and will help them. These, and similar divine promises, are our support in this dark land. I know, my dear friend, we are not forgotten by you in your prayers."

"11th June 1829.--I desire to praise God for His protecting care in preserving us in this land of heathenism and cruelty. Last week a party of natives came to our settlement, and told us that they were taking up their potatoes, and would eat one of us for a relish. We were not afraid. We knew they could not hurt us without the Lord's permission. He hath said, 'Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen: I will be exalted in the earth.' I humbly trust that this God is our God, and that He will be our rock and defence. Unto Him belong the issues from death, and He permitted not these natives to hurt us. Satan will roar when his kingdom is invaded. I desire also to praise God for raising us up such kind friends as the ladies of Ryde. God hath put it into their hearts, and hath caused them to remember us and our natives.

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"9th September 1830.--The Lord has been very mindful of us, having protected us from these savage cannibals during our six years' residence in New Zealand, and having given us whatever is requisite for this life. The natives are waking up from their sinful lethargy, and are eagerly inquiring how they can be saved. Eight adults and six children have been baptized, and there are many candidates for baptism. Above 100 natives reside with the missionaries of this settlement, of whom many are in a hopeful state. I have a sick girl close on the borders of eternity in a most pleasing frame. She longs to be with her Saviour. They hold their prayer-meetings, and pray, I believe, from the heart."

"22d June 1835.--Our eldest son, James, has been admitted to the holy communion. It rejoices our souls to witness his conscientious walk. You will joy with us, that the Lord has been pleased to bless our elder children with His saving grace. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits! We have been much exercised respecting a future provision for our children, but I am confident God will provide. Oh for grace to trust Him, and cast our cares upon Him! He will grant what He sees needful for us. At times I feel weary of this world of sin and sorrow. Oh had I a closer walk with God, I should not feel these little things which now make us to go mourning."

"March 1836,"--last letter received from Mrs. Davis:-- "My dear Serena is now with her sisters at Kaitaia for

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change of air. I fear. But why should I fear? Is she not a child of God? Why should I despond? I want to submit my stubborn will and all my concerns to His all-wise direction. Pray for us, that we may lie passive in the hands of our God. I need your prayers. I have never lost a child by death heretofore. The Lord has given them all to me. Surely He has a right to take them to Himself in His own time and way. Serena is a gracious child. Satan and my own wicked heart too often lead me astray. But I will do all I can against Satan. If I perish, it shall be at the foot of the Cross. There I am determined to carry my sins. Has not Jesus died for sinners? Be still then, and know that He is God. He shall be exalted among the heathen. He is exalted. The labours of my husband and children have been blessed to them. My husband has made many native farmers. I believe that agriculture is more likely to do good to the natives, and to raise them in the scale of civilisation, than any other worldly calling yet brought before them. But I am much alarmed for my poor husband. He has laboured for the Society early and late. His trials have been many and heavy. His mind has been on the rack. When this settlement was first formed, we sat down here with fern and bushes close round our little huts, without any fence of any description. No carpenter was hired. He worked with his own hands until we had a native carpenter trained up by ourselves. We have now fields of clover, wheat enough this year to sustain the mission, and ten acres of barley. He is going to turn maltster. He is also a miller. He is now very poorly, having had a bad cough for some

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time past. He is evidently wearing out. Oh for grace to leave all events to our covenant-God, who cannot err. I know that we are in the hands of our heavenly Father. However we may love our children; and however dear they may be to us, we are infinitely more dear to Him who bought us with His own blood. Precious Saviour! May we all be found at Thy right hand at the last day! MAY THERE NOT BE ONE LOST SHEEP AMONGST US! May We all be reunited in perfection of bliss, holiness, and glory!"

The Rev. Henry Williams, now Archdeacon of Waimate, in his letter to me, dated 15th February 1837, thus sums up the character of Mrs. Davis:--"In Mrs. Davis, her husband has lost an affectionate wife, the children a tender parent, the members of the mission an esteemed and beloved sister, and the natives around a kind and affectionate mother. She was a mother in our Israel. Her attention to all was very great, particularly to the sick. Her house was always open, and her hand ready to administer to the wants of those who needed."