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MEMORIALS
OF
SERGEANT WILLIAM MARJOURAM,
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
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MEMORIALS
OF
SERGEANT WILLIAM MARJOURAM,
ROYAL ARTILLERY;
INCLUDING SIX YEARS' SERVICE IN NEW ZEALAND, DURING THE LATE MAORI WAR.
EDITED BY
SERGEANT WILLIAM WHITE,
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
WITH A PREFACE
BY THE AUTHOR OF "MEMORIALS OF CAPTAIN HEDLEY VICARS."
"Soldier of Christ! well done!
Praise be thy now employ;
The battle fought, the victory won, --
Rest in thy Master's joy!"
Second Edition.
LONDON:
JAMES NISBET AND CO., 21 BERNERS STREET.
M.DCCC.LXII.
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EDINBURGH:
PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND COMPANY,
PAUL'S WORK.
[DEDICATION]
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TO
MAJOR-GENERAL W. C. ANDERSON,
ROYAL ARTILLERY,
This Memoir
OF
A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER ONCE UNDER HIS COMMAND,
IS BY PERMISSION INSCRIBED,
WITH PROFOUND RESPECT,
BY
THE EDITOR,
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[CONTENTS]
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CONTENTS.
CONTENTS........ v
PREFACE........ xiii
INTRODUCTION....... xix
CHAPTER I.
BOYHOOD.
Early History--Enlistment--Promotion--Reduction--Marriage...... 1
CHAPTER II.
FOREIGN SERVICE.
Sails for America -- Conversion -- Captain Hedley Vicars --Dr Twining--Sunday-school Teacher......7
CHAPTER III.
THE "POLAR STAR."
Promotion--Return to England--Embarks for New Zealand-- Crosses the Equator--Burning of the Polar Star--Three Terrible Days--Marvellous Deliverance.............17
CHAPTER IV.
ST HELENA.
Safe Arrival at St Helena--Kindness shewn by the Inhabitants --Description of the Island--Napoleon's Tomb--Sorrow at Leaving--Voyage Home--Arrival in England...........37
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CHAPTER V.
NEW ZEALAND.
Second Voyage to New Zealand--Diary Out--Arrival--Proceeds to New Plymouth--Diary ceases for Three Years--Resumed in the form of a Narrative-- Visits Two Chiefs--Superstition of the Maories--Terrific Storm............47
CHAPTER VI.
DISTURBANCES.
Katatora and Iheia--Murder of Katatora--War with the Natives-- Description of a Pa--Promoted Serjeant--Establishes an Institute........69
CHAPTER VII.
TEMPEST.
Whirlwind--Visit from Major-General D------ --Earthquake--Reconsecration--Tea-Meetings--Letter from Serjeant W----- -- Christmas Day--Youthful Piety--Total Abstinence Society............85
CHAPTER VIII.
SUNSHINE AND HARVEST.
Climate and Harvest--Thoughts of finally settling in New Zealand --Arrival of the Governor-- Public Amusements--St Patrick's Day--Services of the Sabbath--Bible-Classes--Effects of the Races--Christian Communion............101
CHAPTER IX.
PROGRESS.
Sunday School--Good Friday--"Southey's Wesley" -- Effects of Drunkenness--Sudden Deaths--Queen's Birthday--Remark-
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able Instance of the Power of Satan--Blessings of the Sanctuary --Maori Tangi--"Old Folks at Home"--Self-improvement...........119
CHAPTER X.
ANXIETIES.
Prospect of Settling in New Zealand--Impatience unbecoming a Christian--Visit to Omata--Bible-Classes, Encouragement in --Fire--Aurora Australiasis--Narrow Escapes from Sudden Death--Trials of Missionaries--Prospect of War--British Messenger--Prodigal Son--Solemn Anniversary--Pleasure on Hearing of the Revival--Prayer Answered............133
CHAPTER XI.
INCIDENTS.
Birthday--Visit from a Native Chief--Dry Weather--Prayer for Rain--"Christian Progress"--Institute--Another Visit from Iheia--Personal Sufferings.............145
CHAPTER XII.
A CHEQUERED PATH.
Arrival of Maori Settlers--Land Question--Progress of Disease-- Glen Almond--Night-School--The Revival in Ireland--Discharge Delayed--Maori Bible--Goes on a Secret Expedition to Waitara.............157
CHAPTER XIII.
WAR!
An Aged Sinner--Rumours of War--Preparation--War resolved upon--Maori Warfare--Prayer-Meetings--Wi Kingi--Martial Law--Camp Life--Taking a Pa--Bible-Class in Camp--Open-Air Meeting--Proceeds to New Plymouth for Guns--First Engagement--Narrow Escape.................171
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CHAPTER XIV.
THE CONFLICT DEEPENS.
War continued--Thanksgiving for Deliverance--Prayer-Meetings --Sorrow of Parents over their Son--Rebels at Omata--Blockhouse-- Murder by the Rebels--Attack and Defeat of the Rebels--Narrow Escape of the Rev. Mr B--Appearance of Omata -- Supple Jack--Presence of Mind--Signal Station-- Public Auction--Reinforcement--Preparation for the March-- Service in Camp...........185
CHAPTER XV.
CAMP LIFE.
March to Waera--Native Signals--Courage of the Maories--Arrival at New Plymouth--Proceeds to Bell Block--Discomforts of Camp Life--Short Council of War--War-dance---Total Abstinence--Narrow Escape of Mr P------, --Alarm--A Spy Shot--Marching to Church with Loaded Rifles--Narrow Escapes from Drowning--Waikato Tribe--Maories very Daring............199
CHAPTER XVI.
MAORI TACTICS.
Surrender of Two Chiefs--Increase of Drunkenness--Proceeds to Waitara--Hot Work--Evening Service in Camp--Memorable Day--Battle of Puketakauere--Waikatos--Pleasing Account of an Officer--Arrival at New Plymouth--Appointed Signal-Master--Tents very Cold............213
CHAPTER XVII.
GLOOMY ANTICIPATIONS.
Perilous Position--Prayer for New Plymouth--Eight-inch Guns-- False Alarm--Use is Second Nature--English Mail---Proceeds
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to Waireka--Horrors of War--Tasmanian Maid--Frightful Death--Heavy Squalls--Danger of Women and Children-- Waireka Besieged by the Rebels--Danger of New Plymouth.........227
CHAPTER XVIII.
A SORROWFUL STORY.
Stormy Weather--Surrounded by Rebels--Incendiarism and Destruction--Wreck of the George Henderson--More Murders-- Women and Children to proceed to Nelson--Settlers' Cattle-- State of Siege--Chapels turned into Lodging-Houses--Sudden Disappearance of the Waikatos--More Fires--Sad Scene-- Enters the Bush--Fearful Night.............241
CHAPTER XIX
PROGRESS OF EVENTS.
Camp at Waireka broken up--Drunkenness on the Increase-- Proceeds to Waitara-- Service in a Marquee-- The L Pa--Subtlety of the Rebels--Sharp Work--Gallant Conduct--Return of Expedition to New Plymouth--Interview with a Sailor--Health Failing--Soldiers' Friend Society--Ngateruanui and Taranaki Tribes--Subscription for Tracts...........253
CHAPTER XX.
MAORI WARFARE.
Wi Kingi's Plan of Defence--Service in a Wharra--A Word in Season--Preparation for the March--Encounter at Huirangi --Medical Inspection--40th Regiment proceeds to New Plymouth--Heavy Rains--Still on Sick List--Wi Kingi's Force Increased--Anxious times--Goes to New Plymouth.........265
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CHAPTER XXI.
RETROSPECT.
Climate and Disease do their Work--Observance of the Sabbath-- Christian Communion -- "Death of a Christian Soldier"-- Pleasing Signs--English Mail--A Severe Skirmish--Funerals --Victoria and Niger..........279
CHAPTER XXII.
HEALTH DECLINES.
Prospect of being sent to England--Conversation with a Backslider--40th and 65th Regiments--Proceeds to Auckland-- Dead March--State of the Wounded--Work of the Holy Spirit upon His Child--Native Letter--Medical Board--Return to England decided -- Regret at Leaving -- Southern Rebels threaten an Attack--Settlers sustain a Great Loss.............289
CHAPTER XXIII.
AUCKLAND.
Reinforcement from England--Proceeds to Auckland--Meets with God's People--Sad State of the Drunkard--Kindness of the Governor--Very Ill--Auckland Safe--News from Taranaki-- Beginning of a New Year--Capture of the Maturikoriko Pa-- Sunday Well Spent--Great Kindness shewn--Infidels and Atheists............301
CHAPTER XXIV.
RETURN.
Return of the Robert Lowe--News from the Seat of War--Embarks for England--Robert Lowe--Character of the Crew--Change in
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the Day--Services on Board--Strong Gale--Storms in the Pacific--Off Cape Horn--Man Overboard--Very Cold--Encouraging Signs--Neglect of Parents--Storm--Sharks..........313
CHAPTER XXV.
HOMEWARD BOUND!
Speaks the Napoleon--Service on the Quarter-deck--Good Friday --Death of a Seaman--Funeral at Sea--Treat for Children on crossing the Equator--A Man Overboard--Prodigal Son-- Gulf of Florida--Calm............327
CHAPTER XXVI.
ISLAND OF FAYAL.
Island of Fayal--Description of Fayal--Visit to a Convent--Conscription--Pico--Farewell to Fayal--Gale--One Hundred Days from Auckland...........339
CHAPTER XXVII.
ENGLAND!
Old England--Plymouth--Disembarks at Portsmouth--Arrival in London--Woolwich--Very Ill--Attends Hospital--Last Entry in Journal..........349
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SUNSET.
Last Days on Earth--Admitted into Hospital--Patience and Resignation--Knowledge of an Approaching End--Commends his Wife and Child to God--Sufferings light--Power of Religion in a Dying Hour--"All is Clear"--Morning Breaks--Sabbath Below exchanged for Sabbath Above--Perfect Peace-- Asleep in Jesus.............357
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CHAPTER XXIX.
A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL.
A Soldier's Funeral--Exhortation at the Grave............367
CHAPTER XXX.
FAREWELL!
Conclusion............371
APPENDIX................377
[PREFACE]
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PREFACE.
THE watchword of Oliver Cromwell to bis invincible "Ironsides," PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD, AND KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY, might well have been selected as a motto for the memoir of Sergeant Marjouram.
Though a man of a peace-loving spirit, we find him unflinching before the foe; repeatedly sent on services of danger and difficulty; and commended, on his successful return, by such significant words as these, from the lips of his commanding officer, --"I knew you could do it! I knew my man!"
Words which remind us of Lord Gough's order to call out Havelock and his men for a difficult achievement, --
"Turn out the saints! Havelock never blunders, and his men are never drunk!"
"The Colonel's words," writes the honest, brave soldier, "made me forget the hardships I had endured!" "A word spoken in due season, how good is it."
None knew better than Napoleon Buonaparte the magic power of words like these from the lips of commanders.
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over worn-out and suffering soldiers. "The wounded French, after the battle of Marengo," he remarked to a visitor in St Helena, "started to their feet when they heard my voice saying that to their gallantry I owed the victory."
Whilst gratefully prizing the commendations of his earthly leader, Sergeant Marjouram had eminently "a single eye" to the approval and to the honour of the Great Captain of bis salvation. He could not rest satisfied with bringing but one trophy to that Great Captain's feet, --his own soul. He must form plan after plan for leading others thither also. Disappointments from time to time he had, in the work of the Lord. And who has not? But from the temporary prostration of spirit they induced, he rose up with a fresh baptism of faith and of the Holy Ghost, to pray more, to hope more, and to work more.
We find the honour which God puts upon the man who honours Him, humbly and simply told in such notices as these:-- "I held my meeting in the open air last night. It was well attended; and the Lord enabled me to speak without hindrance. Just before I assembled the men, the Colonel called me over to him and said, 'I am very glad you are going to have a meeting. We have had no service to-day; and it will make it appear like Sunday.' "
"This evening (Sunday) we assembled to give thanks to God for our safe deliverance. The congregation consisted of four officers, and about twenty non-commissioned
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officers and men. . . . . At the conclusion of our little service, an officer came to me and said, 'Let me know when you have any meetings, and I will attend them; and if I can assist you in any way, I will gladly do so.'"
Another time he writes, "There was an officer of the 40th present, who regularly attended. He was very much affected on this occasion, and his sobs and tears went to my heart, for I felt that God was present. After I had gone on board, I received a note from him requesting me to purchase a Bible for him in New Plymouth. I feel grateful to God for such manifestations of the working of His Spirit, and I pray that that blessed influence may spread till all feel His power."
And again, "On landing, I was welcomed both by officers and men, who expressed themselves as highly pleased at my return. Since I left the camp, a large marquee has been erected for the use of the Church of England and Roman Catholic ministers, and it is capable of accommodating a hundred and fifty men. This has been kindly placed at my disposal for evening services. I was thankful for the offer, for the place which I had been in the habit of using for the purpose was very small. This evening I had the pleasure of seeing upwards of one hundred men seated around me on the ground, paying the greatest attention, while I explained to them the memorable words, 'Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again.'"
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The regret expressed, both by officers and men, when Sergeant Marjouram's increasing illness obliged him to leave the country, was equally remarkable. But no assumption, no arrogance, was fostered by all this marked respect and consideration. A deepening humility, by Divine grace, seems to have been the personal result of the favour shewn him by God and man.
Beautiful is that grace which at once humbles the heart and elevates the soul. When we learn, from the pen of his brother sergeant and brother Christian, who was his dearest friend, and is now his able and graceful biographer, that Sergeant Marjouram was a man originally of little education, we are the more surprised by the power and beauty of many of the passages in his diary. His details of a shipwreck, on his voyage to New Zealand, are singularly graphic and thrilling.
Doubtless, the constant study of the oracles of God refined his taste, and improved his intellectual powers; whilst, by the mighty working of the Holy Spirit, it purified, enlarged, and ennobled his heart.
When we read of a Sunday-school opened for the children of the soldiers; and for the benefit of the soldiers themselves, a school and an Institute formed, and Bible-classes and prayer-meetings held, by this noble-hearted and devoted Christian; when we find, that far from confining his loving labours to the army alone, he was seeking alike the souls of officers, sailors, passengers, and
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children, when on board the ship which carried him home, a suffering and. a dying man, --we can but pray that every soldier in the army may lay to heart, as William Marjouram did, that as, in the service of his Queen and country, "England expects every man to do his duty;" so, in the service of the King of Heaven, God expects every man to do his uttermost.
And if that "uttermost" be done with an absolute reliance upon the power of a risen Saviour, and upon the promised help of the Holy Ghost; over difficulties, obstacles, and opposition, there will be, in the words of the Christian's war-cry, "Victory, through the Blood of the Lamb!"
Yes, these are the days of victories. The triumphant gospel is winning its fields on every side. Soldier of Christ, worker for Jesus, "only believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God." Know more and more of Jesus and the power of His resurrection, and you shall find that "Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ;" and that you shall have your blessed part amongst those of whom it is written, "and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."
"In life, in death, with God so near,
Every battle I shall win;
Shall boldly press through dangers here,
Triumph over every sin!
'What!' you say, 'a victor be?'
'No, not I, but God in me!'"
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[INTRODUCTION]
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INTRODUCTION.
VERY few remarks will suffice to lay this book before the reader.
It is the life and diary of an energetic soldier, and a good and useful man. It records minutely the events of a stirring period in the history of one of our Colonies, and is thus calculated, it may be hoped, to inform and to entertain.
Public opinion has already pronounced most favourably on the biographies of Havelock, Hammond, and Vicars, -- men who were ever found at their posts in the army of the King of kings, and who, rewarded as they were on earth by a grateful Sovereign, have reaped in heaven an everlasting recompense.
The following pages narrate the history of one who, in the humbler position of a non-commissioned officer, followed them as they followed Christ. They will prove that Divine faith, wherever it works, will be discovered by the same evidences, and followed by the same results.
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For many years before his death, Marjouram had kept a careful and elaborate diary. I could wish that the work of editing it had fallen into other hands than mine. Compelled, however, to undertake the task myself, or to leave it unperformed, I desire to lay before the reader the result of my labours: neither deprecating nor dreading criticism, inasmuch as I have simply endeavoured to present, in a connected form, what my friend had left behind him.
W. W.
WOOLWICH, 9th August 1861.
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