1872 - Turner, J. G. The Pioneer Missionary - CHAPTER XXI. 1855-1864, p 296-328 [Australia]

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CHAPTER XXI. 1855-1864.

HIS decision to found a family home, amidst a young and comparatively small population, five hundred miles distant, did not commend itself to all his Sydney friends: however, he thought he saw the Pillar of Cloud. For some time he sojourned with his son resident in Brisbane. He purchased an acre of land in the outskirts of the town, an eligible building site, with a fine view, and on it he erected a roomy cottage, the first home he ever owned, and, as the event proved, the last. From his boyhood he had loved gardening, and during his missionary career he had excelled in the recreative art. Many a wilderness of Mission premises had been redeemed and made fruitful by his industry and skill. His own table had been kept well supplied with vegetables, and perchance that of his successors with fruit. And now with the idea--a peculiar sensation to a Methodist Minister--of its being his last home on earth, the laying out, stocking, and cultivating his garden afforded him ample scope for his favourite pastime.

The townspeople, who were of a quiet turn, comprised many agreeable families, and soon supplied a pleasant circle of friends. Methodism had a living representation in a small society, and had recently shown signs of vigour. It had been established by the labours of the Rev. William Moore and the Rev. John Watsford. The Rev. S. G. Millard, the then resident Minister, hailed the arrival of

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Mr. Turner's family, as so much additional power to the cause of God. The parents early began to visit the sick and poor, and their children found work in the Sabbath school. The family correspondence of that winter shows that the removal to Moreton Bay had given them general pleasure. The climate, the new friendships, the work and prospective work in the Church, were alluded to with satisfaction. But summer came, and with it another story as to Brisbane climate.

Mr. Turner looked forward with great interest to the first Australasian Conference, and readily yielded to numerous invitations to attend it. He had been the cotemporary and immediate successor of Samuel Leigh, the first Methodist Missionary in the Southern World; had watched the struggles and shared the triumphs of Methodism for more than thirty years: he had seen the tyranny of heathenism and the not less hateful tyranny of convictism overcome; had been present at the planting of churches, cities, and colonies, and had watched them flourish in their youth. His heart was still young. He loved Methodism and its preachers, and thought but little of a thousand miles' voyaging, to be at its first Conference in this hemisphere.

He reached Sydney on the 7th of January, 1855, in time to attend the covenant service, and pleasantly spent the next week among friends in the city, and at Parramatta; but he did not feel equal to preaching.

The labours of forty years had planted the form of religion known as Wesleyan Methodism in Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, as well as upon the vast Australian continent, where its chain of stations stretched for three thousand miles. The future of this vast religious organization was important, and it was felt that the field could not longer be well worked from London as the official centre. Its exigencies had more than

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once baffled the wisdom of the Committee. And though the utmost loyalty to the parent Church had prevailed throughout, self-government had become a necessity. The Methodism of Australasia, including the Mission stations, comprised 78 Ministers and 7 Supernumeraries, 31 Ministers on trial, 19,897 Church members, and 83,000 hearers. Sundry preliminaries had been settled, and a constitution agreed upon. The Australasian Conference had been authorized, and its first sessions had been anticipated with much Christian interest on both sides of the world.

The Ministers to the number of forty met in the York Street church, on the morning of Thursday, January 18th, 1855. The Rev. W. B. Boyce, whose important services as General Superintendent for nine years had won for him the highest esteem of his brethren, was the President, by appointment of the British Conference. The occasion was one of solemn interest to all. There were the founders of a mighty work of God which, during their day, had outgrown their most ardent anticipations; and there were young Ministers, whose earliest religious instruction had been received at their feet. Before them were momentous questions, and upon their decisions seemed to rest in great degree the advancement of the Church of Christ. Never was Christian zeal more sacredly tempered with humility, than when they rose to sing, as their opening hymn,

The first prayer was offered by Mr. Turner, the sole representative of the first decade. During his prayer, and those which followed, by Messrs. Hull, Schofield, Eggleston, and Hurst, a most gracious influence prevailed. The Rev. John Allen Manton was chosen Secretary, and the Rev. Stephen Rabone and H. H. Gaud, sub-Secretaries. As the English mail with official despatches for the Conference

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arrived that morning, the afternoon session for the day lapsed. The Conference prayer-meeting held in the evening was largely attended, and was "a blessed season." At five A. M. on the next and succeeding days, the President and some of the fathers in the ministry met a number of the young brethren to hearten and counsel them in reference to their work. The Conference sermon was based on the address to the Church at Ephesus. It was preached by the Rev. Thomas T. N. Hull, and was regarded as one of the most eloquent and powerful discourses delivered in Sydney. The Ministers present will not soon forget their emotion and vows under the word that night. Among the arrangements of that first Conference was the founding of Horton College, in Tasmania. The Rev. J. A. Manton was appointed Principal.

Mr. Turner felt a great interest in the numerous aborigines of the Moreton Bay district. With others he had sought to establish a Mission among them; and he deeply regretted that he could not induce the Conference to make some special provision for their instruction.

As the Brisbane Circuit Minister was about to remove, he was properly concerned as to his successor. He wrote, "Were I in charge of the Circuit, or my subsistence depending upon it, I could scarcely feel more." The appointment of the Rev. W. J. K. Piddington, a young Minister of fine spirit and enterprise, was soon followed by the erection of a new town chapel. In this enterprise Mr. Turner and his family took much interest from the beginning. A vast Gothic sanctuary, forty feet by eighty in the clear, was a long way in advance of the Methodist part of Brisbane; but after its successful opening by the Rev. John Eggleston in January, 1856, its sittings were in demand.

Of this term I have nothing by which to link my narrative. In ordinary fine weather, Mr. Turner was wont to enjoy gardening for an hour or two before breakfast, and

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also in the early forenoon. He would spend the middle of the day in reading 6r in correspondence, and fill up his afternoons by services of love or mercy in the neighbourhood. The various public charities found him an active worker upon Committees. His class increased in numbers, and engaged much of his time. He never knew what it was to be dull, and was accustomed to say, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage." Christian visitors to his cottage, nestling in roses and jessamine, and to his lively group of children within, thought so too.

In May, 1857, he again visited Sydney, the occasion being the marriage, on the same day, of two of his family. Of the celebration, which took place in the Surrey Hills church, he wrote home, "I never performed a service for any member of my family with more perfect satisfaction." He spent the Sabbath and a day or two at Parramatta, enjoying the kind hospitality of his friends the Howisons. Mr. Rabone accompanied him to Windsor, where they assisted Messrs. Watkin and Peter Turner at a Missionary Meeting.

He spent two Sabbaths at Maitland, where the writer of this memoir was stationed as Mr. Chapman's colleague. He was accompanied by one of his daughters, and wrote, "We were cordially entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Owen, and never was I more kindly treated. " Simultaneously the Rev. J. Eggleston visited the Hunter as a Missionary Deputation. Torrents of rain and miles of mud caused several postponements. Methodism, however, can find enterprises for all weathers. While enjoying a social hour with Mr. Joseph Ede Pearce, one of the best specimens of a Cornish Methodist, I suggested that a more profitable investment of time and labour might be made by the visiting Ministers than in travelling the country roads up to their horses' girths in mud, to spend their eloquence upon empty

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seats. Could they not give an evening to a representative meeting of the town congregation, and assist in initiating a new church-building scheme? West Maitland had for years been a flourishing commercial town, and an important Methodist centre; but the town interest had been hampered by the want of a larger and better church. The suggestion was accepted by the Superintendent. The heads of families, to the number of about fifty, were invited. Some thirty attended, and enjoyed their tea and the graceful attentions of two or three ladies only. The proposal to build was talked over, and, in a few minutes, the sum of nine hundred pounds was promised. The subscription list was considerably increased the next day. The result was the erection of a fine church, ninety feet by fifty-three feet, at an expense of six thousand pounds.

"The rains descended and the floods came." Mr. Turner was one of the last persons who re-crossed to the Maitland side of the Hunter, before its first flood of that year; and he but barely saved himself a week's imprisonment by the flood. That June flood, 1857, was the first of any importance which had occurred on the Hunter during many, perhaps twenty, years. It was, however, followed in July and in August by others much more disastrous. On Sunday, August 8th, the rich alluvial flats, for miles studded by the homes of industrious tenant farmers, were flooded to a depth of from two to twelve feet; and the various villages and small towns were crowded with refugees, many of whom had narrowly escaped drowning. About two-thirds of West Maitland were flooded. Four hundred refugees were accommodated in public buildings or by private friends on the higher parts of the town. Among several disasters to buildings was one to the Wesleyan Mission house. A corner of its foundation was underrun by the flood current, and a large part of the two-story building fell to the ground. The families of the Rev.

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B. Chapman and his brother-in-law, the Rev. Theophilus Taylor, and the household servants and myself, had a very narrow escape. We had been barely rescued by brave volunteers when the falling in occurred. The repairs cost some hundreds of pounds.

Mr. Turner regained his home in good health and spirits after a happy six weeks' tour. At the close of the winter he wrote, "I am now much more healthy and vigorous than for some years past; and I have plenty of work in assisting our young Minister in the Circuit." The September mail brought tidings of the happy death of Mrs. Turner's mother, aged eighty-three. She had lived in union with the Church for thirty-five years.

He was much gratified by affectionate remembrances of him by friends at a distance; --by one instance in particular. A kind friend in Hobart Town made him an overture to leave Brisbane, and remove to that city, to live among his former friends there. He would be at liberty to do just what public work he might feel equal to. The removal expenses of his family would be paid, and a liberal maintenance would be provided for them. Though he was much attached to Hobart Town, and to many there, he could not see his way clear to accept the generous offer. He was now advanced in years, and the Tasmanian climate would be too severe for him. Further, the arrangement so kindly proposed did not suit his independent spirit. On the question of the maintenance of Supernumerary Ministers, Mr. Turner always held the common-sense opinion that no Minister should be subjected to the temptation to labour, for the sake of family maintenance, longer than he could work efficiently, and also, from that time, a moderate but sufficient allowance should be secured to him, not by friendship or other private source, but by the funds of the Church he had served during his years of vigour.

Mr. Turner loved the Superintendent, Mr. Piddington, as

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well for his ministerial as his personal qualities; and in Circuit affairs and work gave him most cordially his utmost assistance. On the first of January, 1858, the Eagle Farm chapel was re-opened, and on that day week he re-opened one at Fortitude Valley, after enlargement. In this suburb of Brisbane he seemed to take a special interest. When there had been but a scattered community, he had preached out of doors. An innkeeper named Lowden, who somehow seemed to take a great liking to him, not wishing to see him exerting himself under the hot sun, offered him the use of his large room, which was well furnished with seats. The services were continued in that room for some time. Then another publican offered land for a church, and a good donation towards the erection. Including the Abbot Street church, there had been, during his first four years in Brisbane, four erections of churches, much of the credit of which was due to Mr. Piddington's enterprise. A Wesleyan church was at this date being built at Ipswich.

During the winter of 1858 Mr. Turner was laid aside by sickness, and for a time serious results were feared. I visited him from Sydney during his recovery, and found him cheerful, though much reduced and enfeebled. I sought very earnestly to induce him to write an autobiography, for the gratification of his family and numerous friends. He manifested the greatest reluctance for many days, --his objections always being given in the spirit of Christian humility. I pleaded that probably such a manual would do good in encouraging young Ministers, and possibly in reviving the missionary spirit. By these considerations alone, I succeeded in getting him to prepare the personal narrative from which much of this biography has been written. He wrote from memory, and from reference to Missionary Notices, and manuscript scraps which he had preserved. He began at once, and for many weeks devoted occasional hours of each day to the work.

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The Conference of 1859 being held in Sydney, afforded him another pleasant change. His letters home are miscellanea of Methodist intelligence, but give prominence to Moreton Bay affairs. "I have had to contend for Moreton Bay, as for my life." Infirmity and affliction somewhat marred the enjoyment of the visit, but his diary is that of an active, spiritually-minded traveller. Some weeks after his return he gave to a member of his family the following account of his illness. "The second day I was in Sydney, I had a sore attack of inflammation in the eyes, which blinded me for some time. Recovering from that, I took a severe cold, which brought on inflammation in the chest, accompanied by a most racking cough. Last, but not least, a very bad carbuncle was all the while forming on the back part of the left thigh, deep among the sinews. I suffered not a little during my return voyage, and my agony in walking home from the steamer, at twelve o'clock on Sunday night, I will not attempt to describe. I have been in Dr. Bell's hands ever since, and kept in bed for a fortnight. Two days ago I got up, and upon crutches (the first I have ever had cause to use) took a journey into the back garden, from which I returned to bed, really exhausted. My sensitive nature shrinks from pain, yet I feel assured it is all well, and try to pray,

In the spring he paid a visit to one of his daughters resident at the Darling Downs. He was "charmed with his grandchildren and their home at Rosalie." He quite enjoyed their family prayers, and his special public services with them. During his return journey, he preached in the large room of the Sovereign Hotel at Tonomba, and did a full Sabbath's work at Ipswich.

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Early in December he experienced a severe trial in the removal to Geelong of his son. He had been a resident of Brisbane, and for five years had been Mr. Turner's daily companion.

The next two years were a transition period. The whole community arose from something like bucolic quietude into the excitement of finding themselves political pioneers in a new and independent colony. Moreton Bay had been discovered by Captain Cook in 1770. Its settlement, however, had dated as recently as 1823, when, upon the discovery of the Brisbane River, the New South Wales Government established a penal station on its banks. In 1841, when transportation to that colony ceased, the northern part of it was thrown open to free settlement, and from that date it had been occupied chiefly for pastoral purposes, remaining part of New South Wales, and sending representatives to its Parliament. Its increased importance and ascertained resources, however, led to its being formed, at the date of our narrative, 1859, into an independent colony, under the name of Queensland, with representative government, --its first Governor being Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Bart. Queensland is the largest of the Australian colonies, embracing the whole of the North Eastern portion of the vast continent. Its eastern coast-line boundary extends for thirteen hundred miles, from Point Danger, in lat. 28 deg. 8' S., to Cape York, in lat. 10 deg. 40' S.

In January, 1861, Mr. Turner again visited Sydney, partly to enjoy the Conference, at which Dr. Jobson would be present, and partly to accompany his daughter, Mrs. Jordan, so far on her way to England. In his place in the Queensland Parliament, Mr. Jordan had initiated a liberal land and immigration scheme, which quickly found general favour, and passed into law. To carry out some of its provisions, the government arranged for his services in England, and sent him home as Immigration Agent for the colony.

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Mr. Turner had a free and joyous Sabbath, hearing Dr. Jobson and Mr. Dare. He wrote home, "It is many years since the depths of my soul were so stirred, as on Sunday morning, when the Doctor preached from, 'God is love.' O! what melting power attended the word! Dare is a fine fellow, and when he gets the Doctor's maturity in the work, will be a first-rate man. He looks you into love. We had a splendid meeting last night at York Street, to give Dr. Jobson a hearty greeting. His reply to the address presented was most effective. There was the grandeur of simplicity, holy zeal in its greatest fervour....... Pray for me that I may return home, a holier and better man."

When the "La Hogue" had got to sea, Mr. Turner spent a few days with the Mantons and other friends. Of the Conference, he wrote, "It opened well, and has progressed in a good spirit. Poor Hessel is going home, and I fear, there to die. Poor Adams, too, is obliged to take his children home. Heard Rabone preach his official sermon as President, --a good sermon to a good congregation."

He took little part in the discussions of Conference, except such as related to Queensland appointments. For three years he had assisted to his utmost the Rev. Samuel Wilkinson in Brisbane; but he now felt that the future of Methodism in that city and colony was a matter of moment, and depended, in a good degree, upon the earliest appointments to be made. Brisbane was now the seat of government, and a large influx of population might be looked for during the next Minister's term.

Conference over, he visited Newcastle and Maitland on his way home. He was very weary when he reached the steamer late at night. The saloon was crowded with passengers, some of them rather too lively. It was race week, and all the berths were "taken;" so he had free selection between a berth under the table, and one on top of it, with the prospect of a roll off. While he was studying

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his situation, two gents of the turf stood near a very comfortable berth, loudly disputing the ownership. Mr. Turner looked on and mentally judged that it belonged to neither; so just when they were about getting to blows, he quietly settled himself down in the berth for sleep. The disputants looked at the old Minister and at each other; and then settled the difficulty by leaving him to enjoy a good night's rest.

Mr. Turner's family had now all grown up, and in the providence of God were settled in different parts of the colonies. Though several were in Queensland, he much inclined to move towards Sydney, where Mrs. Turner and he might more reasonably hope to see them all in turn. He seriously projected arrangements with this view, when the removal of one of his sons to New Zealand altered his mind.

He had lived an exceedingly active life, and when well had taken, under the constraint of his generous nature, an ardent interest in all matters of public local concern, as well as in those of the State and the Church. Since he had been freed from the cares and responsibilities of a Circuit Minister, his public-spiritedness had developed itself into a marked feature of character. The interest which different members of his family had in Queensland fairly took hold of his own sympathies, and he became warmly and zealously concerned for all that affected her welfare, educational, social, religious, and political. Queensland and he were one. His letters are full of references to public institutions and questions, clauses in land acts, the founding of new settlements, corporation works, and kindred topics. From the wisdom and force of character for which he had been long known in the district, prior to its being erected into a separate colony, he received respectful notice by public men; and his letters reproduce with much care sundry conversations with the representatives of political progress. He liked to listen from the

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Speaker's gallery to a good speech, and to hail the victory of those he considered the friends of the colony. He early visited some experimental cotton plantations a few miles from town, and with much delight noted the progress of the industry. His letters comment with the zest and ardour of a young colonist upon the stock travelling to new runs in the north, and on the arrival from the other colonies of intending settlers.

The anticipations of the rapid progress of the colony which Mr. Turner shared with the early friends of Queensland have been fully realized. The following statistical statements, which will be of interest to English readers, are taken from the last monthly summary of the "Brisbane Courier," December, 1870.

"The population has increased about fourfold. In i860 there were forty-one public schools, attended by one thousand eight hundred and ninety pupils. At the end of last year there were one hundred and ninety-two schools, and thirteen thousand four hundred and seventy-two scholars. During the present year, when the system of free education came into operation, the number of children attending the public schools has increased by one-third. At the time of separation there were six charitable institutions, giving relief to three hundred and ninety-seven persons; now there are sixteen such institutions, and between two and three thousand people derive benefit from them.

"Coming now to the figures which show the increase in the production of the colony, we find that from i860 to the present year more than seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land have been sold, and the number of pastoral leaseholds has increased from thirteen hundred to three thousand five hundred. There were forty-one millions of acres under lease in 1860, and nearly one hundred and seventy-two millions in 1869. The area of land under cultivation has increased from three thousand three hundred

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and fifty-three acres to forty-seven thousand six hundred and thirty-four acres. Since separation two entirely new branches of agricultural industry have come into existence. In i860 there were fourteen acres of land under cotton culture; in 1869 there were fourteen thousand four hundred and twenty-six acres. The cultivation of cotton has no doubt been stimulated by the protective policy of successive governments with regard to this product. Cotton growing is almost entirely confined to the Ipswich district. But there is every reason to believe that cotton cultivation will soon extend and flourish in every part of the colony where cheap labour is available during the picking season. The other branch of agricultural industry to which we refer, sugar planting, has practically received no direct encouragement. It has succeeded, simply because it is suited to the soil and climate of the coast lands of Queensland. The progress of that industry has been really surprising. Its commencement dates only six years back. In 1865, ninety-three acres were under cultivation with sugar-cane; in 1869 there were five thousand one hundred and sixty-five acres planted. During the present year the additional quantity of land taken up for the purpose has been very great, although no figures have yet been published, giving the exact amount. It is well known to be a fact that in a year or two hence the production of sugar will be greater than will provide for the consumption of this colony, and will then take a place amongst our more important exports. Under the head of production there must also be included the increase in live stock. Since separation, the number of horses has increased from twenty-three thousand to seventy-one thousand; of cattle, from four hundred and thirty-two thousand to eight hundred and ninety thousand; of sheep, from three millions to eight and a half millions. There were thirteen manufacturing establishments, including mills, in 1860; now there are two hundred and fifty.

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"Another proof of progress is afforded by the figures under the head of what the Registrar-General terms 'Intercharge. ' Some of them can most conveniently be given in a tabular form, in which the first year after separation and last year (1869) are compared.

1860. 1869.

Letters posted .... 199,168 1,704,370

Newspapers posted .... 149,236 1,087,345

Shipping, inwards, tons .... 45,796 145,213

Ditto, outwards, tons .... 39,503 142,802

Total imports .... £742,023 £1,804,578

Total exports .... £523,477 £2,166,806

Export of wool .... £444,168 £1,098,149

Export of tallow .... £25,628 £166,609

Export of gold .... £14,576 £523,045

Export of copper .... £50 £87,268

Export of cotton .... nil. £51,217

It comes under the same heading of 'Intercharge' to note that since separation two hundred and eight miles of railway have been opened for traffic, and an electric telegraph system has been established, which includes two thousand one hundred and eighty-two miles of wire.

"Perhaps the best proof of the progress of the colony is afforded by the fact that the number of the depositors in the Government Savings Bank steadily increased from one hundred and sixty-three in 1860 to five thousand three hundred and twenty-seven in 1869. and the business to credit of the bank from £7,545 to £300,522. The advances made by the different Joint Stock Banks amounted to £490,861 in 1860. In 1865 the amount exceeded two millions; but, notwithstanding the commercial crisis of 1866, the effects of which are still felt, the banks made advances last year to the extent of £1,576,747."

To his daughter in England, Mr. Turner wrote:-- "You will be glad to hear that we continue to be blest with every family comfort, and the smile of our Heavenly Father. I

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never delighted in my garden more than now. Everything is looking charming. The loquat trees are loaded with ripening bunches, --the mulberry tree bends almost to the ground beneath its weight of finest fruit. The early peaches will be abundant and are coming forward rapidly. Three orange trees are in full bloom. The pine-apples are doing pretty well, but there has been too much wet for them.... Our beloved Methodism is making sure progress; we continue to enjoy the ministry of Mr. Fletcher.... Brisbane is becoming greatly enlarged and improved. Although more than twelve hundred persons have arrived within the last few months, the want of labour is as great as ever."

Mrs. Jordan had visited her aged relatives in England, and her husband had preached in one of their homes. In Mr. Turner's reply to her notice of this visit, he says, "I feel humbled and grateful on learning that I am remembered so affectionately in the places in which I spent my early days.

May I be faithful unto death!" In November, he wrote: "A fortnight ago I was at Ipswich, assisting them at their third chapel anniversary; they have done a noble thing in clearing off their debt of more than £400."

For two or three years he had been the subject of a painful affliction, which at times had been almost insufferable. By much care, however, he had been enabled to enjoy life in comfort; but the disease now gained upon his constitution, and he was for several weeks wholly laid aside as "the Lord's prisoner." He wrote, "With the blessing of God on the careful use of well-directed means, I hope to recover my health; if not, the will of the Lord be done. My poor old frame has not had so serious a shake for a long time. I hope it has been sanctified to my best interest, and that I shall be more careful to be found

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of my God in peace, when He shall call me." His correspondence of this date breathes gratitude for family mercies, and deep concern for the spiritual welfare of his children.

The first immigrant vessel to Queensland, the "Wansfell," arrived on November 14th. The next day he visited some of the immigrants; and his words of kindly counsel did not seem the less welcome as coming from an old man.

The Christmas was spent with his daughter, Mrs. Kent, and her family, at Rosalie. He was much pleased with the improvements on the station in two years. An unusually heavy fall of rain prevented his being driven; so he ventured to ride on horseback most of the way, and was pleased with his exploit; sixty-three miles in two days. "I was only troubled with too many good things...... Besides daily family prayer I preached for them three times, and gave two missionary lectures on New Zealand and the Friendly Islands. I spent one of the three Sabbaths at Iondaryan, a very large squatting station, fifteen miles from Rosalie, and preached in their beautiful little church morning and evening."

I extract a few notes from his early letters of next year. "Lizzie writes of my eldest sister, Mary, having been suddenly called to heaven, aged seventy-four, and of my sister Martha, also pious, supposed to be dying. I do not really sorrow for them. They are safe and happy... The weather for some weeks past has been dry, hot, and at times extremely sultry. My chest has been very weak and sore, but I am better again. Preached with great freedom and strength yesterday morning in Albert Street chapel. Got quite as warm as in by-gone days."

Writing in the autumn, he says, "My late indisposition has left my chest in so weakly a state that I fear my preaching days are ended. My class, I fear, will have to be led by another; for, besides my chest affection, my deaf-

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ness has much increased. But, thank God, I do not grieve or repine at increasing infirmities, for the Lord has indeed dealt well with His unworthy servant for many years. I rejoice and praise God for having enabled me to work so long, and happily too. I am seeking a full meetness for the inheritance above...... The Rev. Mr. Slatyer of Sydney is here on a visit for his health. Yesterday I heard him twice, and two better sermons I never wish to hear..... My class now numbers twenty, and we have had some blessed meetings of late. But we greatly need a breaking down among the sinners and formalists in our congregation...... Tenders for our new parsonage on the hill are to be opened this week."

Mr. Turner's July letter to England says, "I must not complain of a little temporary indisposition in the middle of my seventieth year....... I am still pretty well able to attend to my pet gardens as in days when we used to walk together and talk there...... At all the public meetings of the Churches in Brisbane I am still called to take a part. Such honour have not all God's aged saints. O, may I triumph at last!"

He much enjoyed the intimate friendship of many excellent Ministers of other Churches. The Bishop of Brisbane familiarly visited him, and as a Christian friend talked over the spiritual needs of the colony, and of the best way of supplying them. After one of his extended pastoral tours through the length and breadth of the land, Dr. Tuffnell gave him an interesting account of the settlement and labours of sixteen Clergymen, mostly in squatting districts, somewhat after the Methodist plan. He valued frequent cordial intercourse with the Rev. Edward Griffith of the Congregational Church, whom he found a truly Christian friend.

The future of Methodism in Queensland became an anxiety, if not a temptation to him. At no previous time in his life had the cause of Christ more engaged his sym-

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pathies. He saw in the thousands of settlers all over the colony the fathers of a great people, and mourned deeply that, so far, Methodism was making no adequate provision to supply the word of life; for the claims of the city demanded all the time and energy of its one Minister. There were no public funds by which others could be obtained or in part sustained for a time. Though the settled districts were of vast area, and were but thinly populated, if he had had but half the vigour of his earlier manhood, he "would have gone through the land, and soon," he believed, "have procured abundant means to support a few young men." But he felt himself a worn-out old man, unfit for such a tour; and it grieved him sorely that there seemed no likelihood of timely securing a supply of Ministers of the Wesleyan Church.

Brisbane was then a station of the Sydney District, and the Rev. J. H. Fletcher attended the District Meeting in November. A few weeks previously, in a Church Extension Fund Committee Meeting in Sydney, I requested that a movement might be set afoot for securing additional Ministers from England for New South Wales and Queensland. The project, which was declined at that meeting, was taken up and forwarded by some spirited laymen. The result was the arrival, within a few months, of five or six Ministers for New South Wales, the cost of whose passages was paid for by the Methodists of that colony. At the same time three arrived for Queensland, whose expenses were borne by the people there. This addition of working power, and the erection of Queensland into a separate District, gave Mr. Turner the greatest satisfaction.

During the eight years which have followed, young Methodism in Queensland has had to cope with great difficulties, such as, in my opinion, ought to have been relieved or much reduced by the foresight and liberality of the parent Church in England. With a much more extensive

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area than that covered by any similar Methodist population in the world, with its friends all young colonists having everything to do, and most of them having nothing but their muscles to do it with, it has had but very few Ministers. Most of these have been young and inexperienced men, and their stations in some instances are two and three hundred miles apart. Methodism has, it is true, struggled into a hopeful position. If, however, it had received timely assistance in the shape of say, a thousand pounds a year for five years, for the wise establishment and extension of the work, it would by this time have created for itself so much favour and power in the colony as to cause a mighty influence to be felt upon the rising nation there in all the future. I feel it right to add, that Queensland owes very little to the practical sympathy of the Australasian Methodists generally.

The Government of Queensland had adopted the national system of education, with which the public generally were satisfied. The Roman and Anglican Bishops, however, were unfriendly to the system, and did their best to have it superseded. Mr. Turner did not scruple to lend his influence on the side of the existing system, judging it much more likely to serve the interests of the country than the denominational.

In March Mr. Turner had a severe illness. He wrote, "In Brisbane we have been suffering from heat and moisture. We have had a good share of disease. Bilious, or gastric, fever has been fatal to many, especially children. For the last ten days I have been its victim. Our kind medical friend, Dr. Hobbs, has me under his charge, and has limited my diet to gruel and rice-water. I must not even taste broth, and my journeys are only to be between the bed and the sofa. I am trying to submit to my Heavenly Father's will, fully assured that I am in the best of hands, both for body and soul. I am not in severe suf-

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fering, but am weak and depressed at times, with much maziness in the head."

When the winter had passed, he wrote to one of his children, "While I have been mercifully saved from serious sickness, I have had through this winter a good share of those lesser ailments which make 'the grasshopper a burden.'...... Don't regard me, my dear child, as uttering the language of complaint. O, no! 'Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord.' Mine has been, and continues to be, a life of mercy. While my physical strength is weakened upon the way to the tomb, I desire, and to some extent labour to secure, --

In August I again visited our Brisbane home. The changes of five years had told somewhat upon my father's strength and appearance. But he retained his characteristic cheerfulness, and was evidently ripening for heaven. His garden, which was full of bloom and beauty, still had daily, care; and, as far as strength would allow, he pursued his favourite work of love, visiting among the sick and poor. We had a drive to Ipswich and back, in the hottest weather I ever experienced. The journey was too much for him. While on the road he became very ill, and he was for several days a great sufferer. His intercourse with me, which was almost hourly for many days, was chiefly upon Divine things. A month later he resumed preaching, and hoped "the Lord would yet enable him to do a little good in His Name, --bearing fruit in old age."

A revival had broken out in Melbourne, in connexion with the labours of the Rev. William Taylor, of the California Conference. Writing to his daughter, Mrs. Harcourt, he says, "Your last did me good, raising my drooping spirits. It led me back to days gone by, when my soul lived in revival scenes like these, though on a

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smaller scale. In Hobart Town, Launceston, and Sydney, we were privileged to see the Lord's hand made bare in the conversion of many souls, for which I still bless His name. But, alas! I mourn that these are almost exclusively things of the past with me. It has been a rare thing here to rejoice over the return of a single prodigal. Still I hope a brighter day is dawning upon us. The gladdening news which I have published is not without its effect. At our lovefeast on Wednesday evening, two young men bore satisfactory testimony to their having within the last fortnight obtained a clear sense of their acceptance with God. I preached for the Baptist friends on Sunday morning, when I did not forget to tell them of the Almighty Spirit's glorious work in Melbourne."

The letter to which Mr. Turner was replying had urged upon him the desirableness of supplying the material from which in the future his memoir might be written. He answered as follows:-- "I must now try to set your mind at rest as to a history of my poor life and labours, written by myself. Some five or six years ago I commenced, not to make a book but, to write for my children a narrative of events in my life, in their chronological order of occurrence. I brought it clown to the date of our arrival in Sydney, when my journal entries ended. Then I grew discouraged, and gave up. When George visited us a few weeks ago, I allowed him to take what I had written. I laid no embargo upon him in the matter. It contains a good deal that may become interesting relative to the early history of our New Zealand and Tonga Missions. If any history were to be written without data, it would be an incongruous jumble of events, not quite true in themselves, and painfully misleading to others. Not a few such did I meet with, to my great grief, in the Life of Samuel Leigh, by Strachan, --things recorded as said and done by Mr. Leigh in New Zealand, which could only apply to myself

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and brethren, and which did not transpire till long after Mr. Leigh had left New Zealand. That blessed man, John Hunt, fell into the same error, to some extent, in writing the Life of the Rev. William Cross."

Early in December Mr. Turner visited Maryborough, about two hundred miles north of Brisbane. A letter to one of his children contains the following account of his tour:-- "My visit there was to prepare the way for the reception of one of the three young Ministers now expected; and I am happy to say my mission was prosperous beyond expectation. I found many who had been worshippers with us in other lands, and who were quite prepared to give the expected one a warm reception, and do all in their power towards his support. During the week I was there I preached three times to good congregations, visited many families, bought for church purposes two good allotments of ground in a central situation for one hundred pounds, half cash down, which I personally begged in the town. For the balance, which friends promised to collect, I gave a six months' promissory note with good names. I had the transfer made, and deeds handed over. I have not for many years spent a more laborious or profitable week; but I afterwards suffered a good deal from the over exertion. Mr. Fletcher, accompanied by Mr. Sutherland, visited Rockhampton at the same time, for the same purpose. He met with some encouragement, but land there is high. Unhappily we have allowed others to take the lead in that go-a-head place, and we shall suffer for our neglect. We are glad the young men are coming, and now wish there were four instead of three. But we hope to get another appointed by the Melbourne Conference, and then shall occupy Warwick, Towomba, Maryborough, and Rockhampton, as well as Ipswich, and have two men in Brisbane."

On the ninth of January he solemnized the marriage of

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his youngest daughter, and his correspondence notices the event with a fond father's delight.

The Rev. Messrs. Dixson, Woodhouse, and Olden arrived at the end of that month. Of their introductory labours Mr. Turner wrote, "They have commenced their ministry like men who intend to succeed in winning souls to Christ. They have been well received and spoken of by all who have heard them." 1 Like their brethren who arrived about the same time in New South Wales, these young Ministers had had all the advantages of the Richmond Institution.

During the first week in April he was seized with a serious attack of inflammation of the bowels, similar to those by which on two or three former occasions his life had been imperilled. Through Divine mercy, however, the skill of medical friends relieved him, and in a few days he was himself again. One of the earliest public meetings he was able to attend was the valedictory service to the Rev. J. H. Fletcher, recently appointed President of the Newington College. They had spent three years together in intimate Christian communion and ministerial cooperation. Throughout the term Mr. Turner had personally profited in a high degree by Mr. Fletcher's ministry.

In May he had the unexpected pleasure of welcoming his daughter from England. Mr. Jordan had conceived it his duty to pay a hurried visit to Queensland, in the interest of immigration.

The latest reference I know of made by Mr. Turner to

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his own public labours is dated July 7th:-- "I have once again tried to preach, and to meet my class."

As the winter wore on, his friends thought they saw a decay of power. Of this, however, he did not appear to be conscious. The ardour of his temperament suffered little abatement, and he continued to evince his interest in the church and colony. Every sign of progress and opening for usefulness engaged his attention and animated conversation. He was wont to say almost in the tone of impatient zeal, "If I had but the physical strength of gone-by days, I would like to visit every town and station in Queensland and preach the Gospel." Infirmity often kept him from his class, but at such times he would most devoutly pray that the Lord would "bless each member." His late visit to Maryborough had been made a blessing to his soul, and he hoped to go again, when the new chapel should be opened.

Early in November he had the gratification of being often in the company of the Rev. W. Taylor, who was then engaged in special services in Queensland. He had much sympathy with that Minister and his work. He said to him one day very solemnly, "Brother Taylor, God has raised you up at a most interesting period of the world to do a very important work. I prayed that I might live to see and hear you, and God has answered my prayer. My work is done, but it is a great joy to me to see that God is raising up such workers: God bless you, my brother."

Reference has been made to a disease from which he suffered much pain. None, save a few members of his family, knew what extreme torture he endured. On the 18th of October his medical attendants apprised him that it was necessary for him to undergo a critical surgical operation, which they desired to perform, and which, they stated their conviction, they could safely carry him through. He remained perfectly calm, and readily and cheerfully

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consented. He trusted his doctors, and stated his confidence that God would give him strength to bear the trial, would bring him through it, and perhaps add years to his life. Counsel having been taken with several of the most skilful medical men of the city, an appointment was made, as advised.

On the following day he wrote to his son-in-law, as he had been accustomed to do monthly, during his former residence in England. I copy the letter, as it is the last he is known to have written.

"BRISBANE, October 19th, 1864.
"MY DEAR SON,

"By the mercy of God, I still live in this dying world, but in all human probability my days below will not be many. I was apparently in an improved state when you left, but the return of those dreadful spasms has thrown me back again, and occasioned me much suffering. Dear Emma is paying us a short visit, (Annie's state would not allow of her coming also,) and she proposed a homoeopathic lotion for me, which, for several days, had most beneficial effect; but on Sunday last the worst symptoms returned with great violence, and continued through the night. Monday morning we called in Drs. Hobbs and Bell again. They came and diligently sought for what they expected to find, a 'stone in the bladder.' That such is the case they are fully satisfied, and that this has been the cause of my long and severe suffering. Also, they assure me, that unless this be removed, my sufferings must continue to increase. They advise me (my personal friends and medical advisers) to submit to this operation without delay. They do not fear any evil consequences from the use of chloroform, but by the blessing of God they may not only give present, but permanent relief, and in all probability add years to my life. Since this painful discovery, we have had many sighs

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and tears, accompanied by earnest entreaties to Heaven for Divine guidance and support. Prayer has been already heard and answered in the renewed strength and peace of my own soul. I have been greatly blessed in my soul this morning, more than in many months past. Looking at the case in all its bearings, I calmly conclude the doctors are right in their views of the matter, and therefore I think it right to submit to this, as my Heavenly Father's will.

"My nature shrinks from suffering; but to continue on earth with an increase to present suffering is what I could not choose at my Father's hand, unless coupled with strong assurance that I should thereby advance His praise. On the other hand, should I die under the operation, I should calmly pass away from the sorrows of earth to the joys of heaven, and my much-loved children will know I am gone to my Father's house above. Unless stronger reasons be advanced against it by my dearest ones and best friends, I shall, I believe, submit to this thing as the will of my Heavenly Father. O, may we in this be guided aright!

"Mamma has prepared a letter for dear Lizzie, in which will be found all family news. The prints will supply all you can desire in reference to politics, progress of the colony, &c Church affairs much as when you left. I shall conclude with a suffering, perhaps a dying, father's love and blessing to his dear children, and their very, very dear children. O, may the goodwill of our Heavenly Father rest upon you, and His best blessing upon your labours! Amen! Amen! Amen!

"(Signed,) NATHANIEL TURNER.

"H. JORDAN, ESQ.,
17, Gracechurch Street, London.

On Tuesday morning, November the 7th, he prepared for what he well knew might prove a mortal suffering; and

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nothing could exceed the tranquil confidence with which he did so. Though very feeble, he arose earlier than usual, and shaved and dressed as for a Sabbath service. He breakfasted, and had prayer with his family, including Mr. and Mrs. Crouch of Melbourne. The tones and words of that family worship were so loving and solemn that all were bathed in tears. When the surgeons were all in readiness, he affectionately embraced his wife, and said, "You must help me to be brave." His illness had occasioned much sympathy in the community, and especially in the Church; and while the operation was being performed, a special prayer-meeting was held in the Abbot Street chapel, for its success.

Though their patient was over threescore years and ten, and though the disease had made considerable progress, the operation was successful. Mr. Turner was full of praise and hope. For about a fortnight he appeared to be rapidly recovering; his medical friends said, "Nothing could be better." Indeed, he more than hoped for a perfect recovery; and in the manuscript draft of the preaching appointments for the ensuing Sydney Conference, his name stood, with his consent, in its customary place, under that of the President. Towards the end of the month, however, an attack of diarrhoea set in, which, in his very reduced state, baffled the utmost skill and the kindest attention of his medical and other friends.

The visits of Christian Ministers and other pious friends were greatly blessed to him. The Rev. Dr. Tuffnell with much tenderness and affection visited him repeatedly, and prayed with him. He profited much by the hours he spent with Mr. Fletcher, who twice went down from Ipswich to see him. For many weeks his Bible was his constant companion, and his family were pleased with the accuracy with which he would direct them to any passage he desired read to him. He found special comfort in the presence of his

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daughter, Mrs. Kent, who, far from her home, arranged to spend much time with him, reading to him the Word of God, and the comforting and animating hymns he had so long used and admired.

While lying on his mortal couch, prayer and praise were his constant employment. His mind was not once for a moment disturbed by worldly care, nor did he express a wish as to his temporal affairs. His only anxiety was, lest, under the influence of pain, he should in any degree dishonour God, whose gentleness and love he hourly acknowledged. He said, "I do not murmur, but I cannot help moaning. Lord, help me! O, do not suffer me to grieve Thee! Pity Thy poor worm: help me patiently to bear all I may have to pass through! The cross was the light of his mind, and the home of his heart: he often said, while the raising of his emaciated hand expressed his confidence, --

The utter unavailing of human merit which he had so prominently and so long set forth to others he "steadfastly in death declared;" and his friends understood the emphasis of his triumphant words, --

Calmness was in his manner, and gratitude and humility were in his tones, as he uttered the following remarkable sentence: "For more than fifty years I have loved and served God; I have made many mistakes, but I am not conscious of having once wickedly departed from Him."

Once only, as far as is known, was he permitted during his last illness to be harassed by Satan. On the Friday before his death, he said to Mr. Jarrot, a good old leader:

"I have had a most distressing struggle with the enemy

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of my soul; but, O, I obtained such a glorious victory, that I feel as if God were about to raise me up again, and add years of usefulness to my life."

He expressed a desire to partake once more of the memorials of his Saviour's love, and it was arranged that he should do so the next morning. During the night he rested very little, and in the morning, feeling drowsy, he became very anxious lest he should in any way during the sacramental service dishonour his Saviour. To his son he said, "Don't let me be agitated;" to Mrs. Turner, "I do most sincerely cast my soul on Christ. There I rest. 'Other refuge have I none.' The precious blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." The service was conducted by the Rev. William Taylor, who wrote of it to me as follows: "It was Saturday, December 3rd: there lay the veteran soldier of Jesus, and next to his bed-side the noble wife of his youth, who had shared the toils and trials of his whole missionary career; next were their dear daughter, Jeanie, and Mr. John S. Turner, their eldest son, and his wife, and with them an old nurse. Beside these, there were the two Ministers of the Brisbane Circuit. I administered to this little congregation the emblems of the sacrificial death of Jesus. We all felt, 'It is the last time.' We did not sorrow as those who have no hope, but we all wept."

When reminded that he would meet many in heaven whom he had been honoured in leading to God, he replied, "0 yes! But I shall see my blessed Saviour there!" There is one to whom especially the looks, words, and incidents of those days of suffering and of triumph are all memorable. As he fondly stroked her hand, he looked upon the wedding-ring, and smiling, said, "'Till death us do part.' You cannot go with me over Jordan, but you can come to the brink; and when you leave me, Jesus will take me up. You must be brave! 'Thy Maker is thine Husband;' you will soon follow me."

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Throughout his last Sabbath he was very peaceful and happy. After the morning public service, many friends called to have a moment with him, and to shake his hand once more. To each he said most touchingly, "God bless you, my brother," "Live to God," or some such few words. His expressions of triumph suggested to the Rev. W. Taylor the dying sentiments of Bishop M'Kendree, and in his softest notes he sang to him the stanzas in which they have been preserved. During the time of singing, Mr. Turner's countenance beamed with more than earthly delight, and he waved his hand in token of his own triumph. He continued for some time in an ecstasy, saying distinctly, though very feebly, "Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!" Presently, when he had quieted down, Mr. Taylor told him of an incident in the last triumph of an eminent Christian physician of Washington. When he was dying, Dr. Sewell shouted aloud the praises of God. His attendant physicians admonished him against exhausting his strength, and said, "Don't exert yourself, Dr. Sewell: whisper, Doctor, whisper." The dying saint exclaimed, "Let angels whisper; but a soul redeemed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus! O! if I had a voice, I would shout that all the world might hear, and proclaim the saving power of Jesus. Victory! Victory! through the blood of the Lamb." The incident but expressed Mr. Turner's feelings. In the afternoon more kind friends called than could be admitted to see him. He said, "Tell them all I am truly grateful for their kindness, I love them all, and would most gladly see them all, but poor human nature is almost gone, I shall soon be in heaven." Many went into the verandah, and from the window saw his face for the last time.

His physician, Dr. Hobbs, called to see him. Mr. Turner took him by the hand, and said affectionately, "Doctor, you have done your best; I want to thank God

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for all your kindness to me and mine." There was such a touching tenderness in his manner and tone that all present were moved to tears. Still holding him by the hand, he added, " The precious blood of Jesus that cleanseth me from all sin is efficacious for you, Doctor. God bless you." "Give my best love to all my friends, and tell them I am thankful for their sympathy." To Mrs. Turner he said, "Let me go, do let me go." She answered, "We will, dear, we will." He replied, "Yes; but not cheerfully;" and when she had answered, "Yes, we will, dear," he said with much content, "That's right."

He passed Sunday night without much suffering, Mrs. Turner and their son being with him. During nearly the whole of Monday his daughter Martha was at his side. She left him at six o'clock, not thinking the end was near. In about an hour a change was observed. Mrs. Turner and her daughter Jeanie, and Mr. and Mrs. John Turner, with Mr. Brooks and the nurse, watched in the chamber of death. He did not appear to suffer much, but had some difficulty in breathing. He once said, "Raise me up." When this had been done, he said, "I am going home; but all is well. Praise my God! All is well." He kissed his frail daughter Jeanie, a loving child of God, and said to her, "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth me from all sin." After a short sickness, he said again, "I am going home. All is well."

About eleven o'clock, while the pallor of death lay upon his brow, he said, "You will please all retire to bed, and I will take a quiet sleep, and I shall be able to talk with you in the morning." Mrs. Turner asked whether Mr. Taylor, who had come in, should not once more pray with him. He assented, and then clearly and calmly whispered a distinct response to each petition of the last prayer he heard on earth. For nearly an hour his family stood near, watching the peace and light of that midnight hour. They

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caught a few words faintly spoken...... It was nearly twelve o'clock...... So peacefully had he passed away, that they did not know the exact moment. The last words he spoke on earth were, "Farewell. All is well."

In the Brisbane Cemetery, in a spot he had himself chosen, he rests from his labours. He is indeed "taking a quiet sleep, and will be able to talk with us again in the morning."

"FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM."