CHAPTER XX. 1852-1854.
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CHAPTER XX. 1852-1854.
THE rents of houses suitable for his family, close to Sydney, were beyond his means; but he was fortunate in securing a very comfortable residence in a salubrious and retired part of the eastern suburbs, at a distance of three miles from the centre of the city. The site commanded a lovely view of the harbour, and the premises were all that his family could reasonably desire. Thus free from ministerial care, in a short time his spirits rose, and his health improved. In May he wrote, "I feel more vigorous than I have done for eight months past, and hope to have strength to work again in my Master's vineyard." In June he began to visit about the hamlet, distributing tracts, and inducing parents to send their children to the Sabbath school, in which the members of his family took an active part. He formed a class in his house, and regularly met it when able. In July he resumed preaching, taking a morning appointment at New Town.
The District Meeting of that year, as had been anticipated, made him a Supernumerary. The following is the official record:--
"Brother Turner's health having so far failed during the past year as to render his retirement from the labours of his Circuit absolutely necessary for the preservation of his life, we unanimously recommend that he appear on the Minutes of Conference of 1853 as a Supernumerary.
"We desire to express, on this occasion, our high sense
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of Brother Turner's faithful labours during the thirty-one years in which he has been actively engaged in the Mission field, --in New Zealand, Tonga, and the Australian colonies. His consistent walk with God, his truly Christian amiability of disposition, his energetic and lively preaching, have rendered him an object of sincere attachment to all who have been placed in contact with him." 1
The decision of his brethren was in entire harmony with his judgment, though looking forward to it had cost him many months of deep feeling. No man had loved the active service of Christ's Church more than he had. He had not felt any part of it irksome, nor had he grudged the sacrifices it had involved. It had been his life, and it would have been strange had his "sitting down" not caused him feeling. At the meeting alluded to, all the brethren expressed the kindliest sentiments of regard and sympathy; but they were unanimous in the opinion that, for him to attempt to resume the regular work, would probably terminate his life. There was, on the other hand, the likelihood that, in the retirement of a Supernumerary's position, he might long be spared to his family and the Church, and indeed enjoy a lengthened term of peace and usefulness. The step having been taken with his full concurrence, he never in any degree regretted it, though at times he was eager for more active employment.
The Rev. Robert Young was deputed to visit the Australasian Churches and Missions on behalf of the British Conference, preliminary to their being formed into a separate Conference. Mr. Young attended the District Meeting held in Sydney in 1853. Mr. Turner attended most of Its sittings, and he felt it an occasion of gratitude to God that, as he was retiring, one of his sons was recommended to the work of the ministry.
Messrs. Young and Boyce, the Deputation to Auckland,
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expressed a wish that Mr. Turner would accompany Mr. Young on his projected visit to New Zealand and the South Seas. The prospect of revisiting the scenes of his early labours afforded him much pleasure, and family considerations alone presented a difficulty. At that juncture the Rev. Peter Turner arrived from the islands, and was welcomed as a temporary resident with Mr. Turner's family, and the island trip was taken. The subjoined narrative of the tour is compiled and extracted from his note-book.
The voyage to Auckland occupied nine days, ending September 8th. Messrs. Boyce and Young suffered not a little from sea-sickness. Mr. Boyce did not proceed with the "John Wesley" to Tonga, &c; but journeyed through New Zealand to Wellington, (Cook's Straits,) and thence returned to Sydney. They anchored in rough weather, and were landed at some risk, and found that the Missionaries from several stations had been some time waiting. He was greatly pleased with the admirable spirit of wisdom, prudence, and piety with which Mr. Young conducted the business of the District Meeting. He heard the Reports of several of the stations read, and was glad to find the brethren in general so prudently and piously prosecuting their work, notwithstanding many difficulties. The rapid decrease of the native population in every part of the land was painfully evident. Of one session of the meeting he wrote, "O, it was a season of mercy and love! The Chairman affectingly exclaimed, 'Lo, God is here!' My soul did indeed praise the Lord for such a body of men consecrated to His cause in New Zealand. Surely better days are before it." Mr. Turner spoke at the Missionary Meeting, but felt himself "tongue-tied and barren."
He visited at the "Three Kings," the Native Training Institution, then under the effective management of the Rev. Alexander Reid, who had been selected in England for that post. The roll numbered some thirty females,
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and nearly one hundred men and boys. One of the native Ministers delighted to meet in Mr. Turner his first teacher when a boy. The village and surroundings of Epsom were very charming. He visited the college presided over by the Rev. J. H. Fletcher. There were forty boarders and thirty day scholars present. It was then "justly regarded as the best college in the land." There was good feeling at the public weekly prayer-meeting of the Auckland Society; fifty were present. Among old friends and acquaintances who called after him was a former servant, Mary Allen, who had accompanied his family to New Zealand in 1836. From regard for her former master, she had travelled many miles, with her twin children, but three weeks old, for him to baptize. He visited Onehunga, the pensioner settlement, a fertile, lovely place, where he noticed a good store, managed by a Maori.
Mr. Turner was induced to conduct a native service at the Three Kings Institution. His heart warmed, and his tongue was free. He was astonished at his liberty in preaching. "Though I conducted the whole service, Mr. Reid only detected one mistake." At the Maori lovefeast in Auckland the testimonies to the truth and power of grace were quite equal to anything he had ever heard among his own countrymen. He spent most of his last Sabbath in New Zealand on board the brig. At eleven A. M., and at 5 P. M., he preached to the crew, and passed the interval with a dying Tongan who was on board. Far from his home and friends, Sampson said, "I am not afraid to die, for Jesus is my Saviour."
"Monday, October 10th. --Have said 'Farewell' to the city, with its fine churches and muddy lanes. Five P. M. The brig was tacking in the Gulf of Hauraki, near the spot where, in 1840, poor Bumby was drowned. On the other side of the gulf, beautifully situated, is the residence of
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Patuone, 2 our deliverer from apparent destruction when fleeing for our lives from Whangaroa, in 1827. I met him in Auckland Street, on the day of my landing, when his face beamed with pleasure as I saluted him as our kaiwakaora.
"Tuesday morning. --Have just passed the Great Barrier Island, on which a copper-mine is being wrought.
"Tuesday, 18th. --Last evening the vessel suddenly lurched, and threw my head violently against the boom, which knocked me down with great force on to my back. I suffered much all night. This morning for the first time was absent from the breakfast table. Am thankful no bone was injured."
On Friday, the 21st, Nukualofa was sighted; and, with the view, came a rush of memory and of feeling. He gazed with peculiar emotion on the familiar outline of the old hill, and upon the chapel which crowned it. He says, "How wonderful the dealings of Heaven with me! Twenty-two years ago I was removed from this place, a sick and, as some supposed, a dying man; yet, after so many changes in many lands, here I am in tolerable health, to visit the scenes of early labour." The arrival was sudden and unexpected. But few 'natives were on the shore when the ship's boat reached it. Mr. Turner's name had been a household word in the group; and, so soon as it was known that he had come, there was general joy. The greeting of Messrs. Amos and Adams was very cordial. Mr. Turner wrote:-- "The brethren appear very hearty in their work; but, alas! some of them are very sickly and feeble. Mr. Adams, a most devoted and excellent Missionary, appears very delicate, and fears a change to a more bracing atmosphere will be absolutely necessary. Mr. Millard urges a removal
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at once, as the only means of saving his life. Visited the natives in their different abes. Many remembered me well. Ebalahama Vakatuola, Abraham, brother to the late king, and one of the late converts, was nearly frantic with joy. I sought out and found Setalaki Mumui, formerly an interesting scholar, but now chief justice, and believed to be the most intelligent man in the land. Alas! fell disease has seized him. He received me with great delight. I took up his Tongan Book of Psalms, and read a portion for him. By his side was one of his manuscript sermons; well written. He is of the royal family, and has been a first-rate Local Preacher. I was greatly pleased with the spirit and manners of the king and queen. It is scarcely possible for any man to stand higher in the esteem of Ministers and people than he does. His piety is of the highest order, and his wisdom, prudence, and firmness call forth the praise of all under his government. The queen is deeply devoted to the interests of her husband. She is a godly woman, and is a useful Class-Leader."
There were three hundred present at the six o'clock Sunday morning prayer-meeting. Mr. Turner was impressed by the manifest power with God of those who prayed, and with the devotional and warm ascription, Faka fa tai! "Praise to God," so general throughout the meeting. At nine A. M. Mr. Young preached, and several, including the king, engaged in prayer. Mr. Turner conducted the afternoon service, but felt the restraint of being publicly interpreted, for the first time for many years.
At Bea, there was pointed out to him the spot on which King George had recently pardoned the rebel chiefs. The incidents connected with that event are among the finest examples of Christian heroism and honour ever recorded.
"We afterwards passed the largest tree in the island. It is called the 'orava,' and is of the banyan species. Its girth is not much less than fifty yards, and its branches
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are widely spread. We also went to see the much honoured Kolo, the royal city of Tonga. The Faitokas, burial places, are remarkable; they are raised mounds, some of them fifty yards square, surrounded by two or three tiers of massive stones, hewn from their native rocks, and said to have been brought from an island leeward of Tonga. But how they had been quarried or conveyed was a wonder. We measured one, and found it twenty-two and a half feet long, six feet wide, and seven feet deep. No vessel the Tongans now have, could have borne the weight of these stones."
Most of Thursday was spent in reviewing seven schools, and the visitors were much surprised and pleased with the knowledge exhibited. The king took leave of his household and people on the eve of embarking for Sydney. He had projected the visit, with the view of furthering the interests of the people; and the step was approved by the Missionaries. The demonstrations of his people, on his parting from them, were most affecting. Their adieus were given and repeated amid many tears, at the beach, in the surf, and on the ship's deck. A run of twenty-five hours carried them to Vavau. The entrance affords a picturesque view of the main land and of twenty islands. The spacious harbour, with its numerous coves and inlets, somewhat resembles Port Jackson. The brig anchored in a lovely bay which would hold the whole British fleet. The chief drawback to it is the too great depth for anchorage.
"Vavau has been our best and largest Mission in these islands. Formerly three Mission families resided here; now only one, and he, Mr. Daniels, looks poorly. The press is here, and is actively worked under his direction by an English resident, a New Zealander, and a Tongan. The chapel is a substantial native building, one hundred feet by forty-five feet. A good school-house stands close by.
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I visited the graves of the brethren, Francis Wilson and David Cargill. At a lovefeast, several references were made amid much emotion to the gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1834, in connexion with the labours and prayers of the Rev. Peter Turner, when occurred, unquestionably, one of the most extensive revivals of religion since the Pentecost. I attempted to speak through an interpreter, but my feelings were too much for such restraint, and my full soul found unexpected vent in the Tongan language."
His fortnight's association with the Tonguese had so revived his remembrance of the language, that he could understand all that was said in it, and could readily make himself understood. Many of the natives seriously begged him to return, and labour for a few years among them. He was much pleased with a view from Talau, a remarkable hill two miles from the station. Of a great part of the group, he wrote, "Every spot of each isle appears clothed with luxuriant foliage. Yet only here and there is it cultivated. Under English culture these islands would sustain several hundred thousand persons, whereas the present population is but some eight or ten thousand. The difficulty would be want of water; but as there are many elevations, reservoirs could be formed in most places."
On Thursday, November the 23rd, the anniversary of Mr. Turner's arrival in Tonga twenty-six years before, he bade farewell to Tonga. Under its bright green sod was resting the dust of hundreds of Tonguese who had slept in Jesus, and with them that of holy men and women who had told them of Christ their Life. Together they would live again in the Resurrection morning. "I felt for Brother Daniel in bidding him 'good bye.' He is alone with his family at this important station, has got the language well, and appears quite happy in the work, and bent upon doing all the good in his power."
He landed with Mr. Young at Lakemba, Fiji, on Sunday,
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during morning worship. Their unexpected presence in the chapel did not interrupt devotion; Mr. Polglase went on fluently preaching to a chapel full of deeply attentive hearers. The Missionary, with Messrs. Lyth, Binner, and Colliss, gave them a cordial greeting, and their Sabbath intercourse was much enjoyed. The Christian natives of Lakemba are considerably removed from the pure Fijian type, having traded and intermarried with the Tonguese for many years. Among the preachers was Joel Bulu, a choice man from Tonga, a Native Assistant Missionary. Not far distant was a town of Tonguese numbering some two hundred persons. Nearly all the twenty islands of Lakemba had lotued. At the native lovefeast, the bread used was a compound of arrowroot and taro, sweetened by the juice of the native fi-plant: its taste was not unpleasant. Though the Fiji dialect differs much from that of New Zealand and also of Tonga, Mr. Turner observed many words that he could understand.
"Monday afternoon. --Am greatly pleased with Mr. and Mrs. Lyth and Mr. Polglase. While my Mission friends were enjoying their English correspondence, I climbed a hill to have a view. The valleys in general are very rich, producing food in abundance. The principal of them have the advantage over Tonga, in possessing small streams. Went through the Fiji kolo, or town, one of the most wretched, filthy places that ever I was in. It is surrounded by a moat full of filthy water and mud, the home of myriads of mosquitoes. Tuiniau is one of the fattest, grossest men I ever saw; a real Eglon... Saw a Fijian woman making pottery......Visited the Tongan burial-ground, two miles distant, where lie the remains of some of my old friends. Their graves give proof of affectionate remembrance. At some distance is the grave of Tubou Totai and Lajiki, two Tongan brothers, chiefs of the first rank, and to whom, in 1826, I felt warmly attached. They had become
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restless and unsteady, and had finished their course in Fiji, with but little hope in their death. The examination of some of Mr. Colliss's four hundred scholars gave evidence of successful teaching, under a modification of the Glasgow system."
The notes of an English wedding are given. Many Tonguese were present on the happy occasion of the marriage of Miss Fletcher and the Rev. John Polglase. It was arranged for King George to take part in the solemnities. He read the Marriage Service in the Tongan language.
Much has been written of King George as a Christian and as a sovereign. He excels as a preacher, and I append notes of a sermon Mr. Turner heard him preach during his visit to Fiji. The king of Lakemba and his wife were among the hearers.
Text, Hosea iv. 6: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." After a few introductory remarks, he pointed out, --
I. The great evil of ignorance, and
II. What the people suffering from it should seek for.
I. (a.) Man the noblest creature of God.
Made in His image. To know Him. To love Him. To serve Him for ever. In proof of man's greatness: (1.) Appointed the ruler of this lower world. (2.) Redeemed by the sufferings and death of Christ.
(b.) Man now fallen from God.
Suffers under his great ignorance of Him. God's image, excellence, or dignity is gone from him. Is now a weak, degraded mortal; exposed to everlasting damnation.
Addressing the people of the Friendly and Fiji Islands, and designating the chiefs, matabulus, and common people, he asked whether his statements were not true.
II. What the people who are ignorant should seek, -- . instruction.
(a.) By learning to read.
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Chiefs and parents should send their children to school. Can anything good or noble or wise be performed without knowledge? The prevailing error in Fiji is, that accepting the lotu is sufficient. "Ignorant lotu is worthless."
(b.) Specially by obtaining the knowledge of the Bible.
This is "the great property, or riches."
(c.) But this knowledge must be sought by and from the Holy Ghost.
The cannibalism of Fiji is, perhaps, the most revolting in the world. Mr. Turner heard the following instances credibly related. A Fijian clubbed his wife, and, while the little one was crying for its mother, he cut off one of her hands, and threw it to the child to comfort it... Occasionally, when about to eat a man, they fasten him to a tree alive. They then cut off his hands or other portions of the body, and bake them before him, and offer him a part of himself to eat.
Joel Bulu, who delighted to acknowledge himself as one of Mr. Turner's children, was asked what he thought of the subjugation of the whole of Fiji to Christianity. He replied, "The thing is certain, but I think the progress will be slow." Mr. Turner had an interview with two resident French priests. They were of agreeable manners, and spoke the Tongan language fluently. They had but a miserable existence at Lakemba, and were not making any converts. Frequently they were unable to get any one to cook a few yams for them.
On the 14th they reached Ovalau, the scenery of which, and of the great island generally, was very bold. During their stay they had much pleasing intercourse with Messrs. Calvert, Joseph Waterhouse, and Hazlewood, all devoted Missionaries. He visited the tomb of the sainted John Hunt. [Two years before, while he had been preaching his memorial sermon in the York Street church,, a young convert, Mr. John Crawford, had been filled with an intense
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desire to go to Fiji as a Missionary. He afterwards went and died there.] Mr. Turner wrote to brother Moore of Bua, whom he regretted he could not get to see, but of whom "all the brethren gave an excellent account, as a devoted and useful Missionary."
He saw Bau, the veriest hell upon earth, also Thakombau, and his great house appropriated to strangers, where the most violent cannibal tragedies have been enacted. "Mr. Joseph Waterhouse is about to reside in Bau. Poor young man! he will need all the nerve, prudence, and zeal he can obtain. To take a delicate wife to such a place must be more than commonly trying; but he does not seem appalled. If Bau once submits to Jesus, all Fiji will soon follow."
From what he saw of the Fiji Mission field, Mr. Turner was led to coincide with Joel Bulu's opinion. Wondrous success had been achieved. But the ignorance and fearfully depraved character of the masses of the islanders called for continual intercession with God, and persevering, zealous effort.
On Friday, November 18th, as the "Wesley" passed the outer reef, homeward bound, he said, "Farewell, Fiji! dark, cannibal Fiji, farewell! The Sun of Righteousness has arisen upon thy children." Twelve days afterwards he was recounting his adventures and mercies to his own children at home.
The last month of the year was happily spent in the bosom of his family, and in receiving visits from ministerial and other friends. On New Year's Eve, after a very hot day, he was attacked by cholera. For many hours it threatened his life. Through great mercy he recovered in a few days. A few weeks before he had left for the islands Mr. Thomas Turner, his eldest son, resident at Launceston, had been at the point of death; and for a time his father had thought of visiting him instead of taking the voyage by the "Wesley." While Mr. Turner,
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senior, was away, a trip to Sydney and several weeks' rest from office work had considerably restored his son's strength. Upon his return from the islands, his father became very anxious to see him, and made early arrangements to do so, going via Melbourne. On reaching that city he met a young friend who had just come over from Launceston, who gave him sorrowful tidings. Mr. T. J. Crouch had but two or three days before left his son on board the "Lizzie Webber," in the Launceston harbour, mortally ill; and he was then on his way to Sydney, hoping that he might be spared to see his father once more before he should die. With an anxious, troubled heart, the good old man voyaged homeward the next day, and for three days at sea was in great suspense. The Launceston brig had not reached Sydney when he arrived there. For three days more his suspense was continued, and then the captain reported that his eldest son had died four days previously.
"Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight." Though the dear old man was able to say this, it was from a crushed heart. Though it is his brother who writes, he feels free to say that few young men have more deserved the sorrow which his untimely removal caused. From his boyhood his spirit and life had won the admiration and love of many friends. His manner had been somewhat reserved, but he had evinced a nobly unselfish nature. As a son and brother he had been dutiful, loving, and prudent in a high degree. He had cheerfully rendered conscientious labour to the Church of Christ as a Sabbath school teacher, church trustee, and otherwise. His medical advisers had sought to dissuade him from taking the voyage, believing he would not survive it; but he was so anxious again to see his father, that he was willing, in that hope, to risk an ocean grave. His sufferings on board were great; but he evinced the utmost Christian resignation. The only impatience he showed was to see his father. To one on board
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he said, "O, my father is such a good man I would give all I have to see him again!" His latest words were, "I am happy now! I am happy!"
"The sea shall give up her dead."
The bereaved family bowed in submission to the Hand which had smitten. The providence was all mysterious. The steamer by which Mr. Turner was returning to Sydney ordinarily called in at Twofold Bay; but on that trip she did not: had she done so, his father would have found his son on board the brig, lying there windbound, upon the last day but one of his earthly life.
"Thou art my hiding place," was his comfort in affliction, and the work of God was his solace. A supply was needed at Chippendale the next Sabbath morning, and he undertook the service. Calmly and in tones of heavenly resignation he announced the text: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord."
A few weeks after this he visited Brisbane, Moreton Bay, where his now eldest son and two of his daughters were residing. The trip was taken partly with the view of forming an opinion of Brisbane, as suitable or otherwise for his place of residence for the remainder of his days. The climate was reported dry and agreeable, and two of his family were settled there. The opinion he formed was more favourable than he anticipated it would be. Brisbane was then a quiet town of about two thousand inhabitants, its population comprising many agreeable families. The expense of living there would be much less than in Sydney, where his cottage rent, two miles from town, was about to be increased from £78 to £225 per annum. After serious consideration, he decided to make Brisbane his future home, believing the arrangement would prolong his life, and afford him a quiet sphere of usefulness with his family, and in the church of that young community.
