1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1846 - Church Missionary Society. Northern District, Middle District, p 328-336

We have great cause to be thankful for the preservation of ourselves and families. During the former part of the year, I attended to the duties of the Lord's Day, and to the Natives in the week: during the latter part, when I was ill, and unable to attend to my duty, my sons supplied my place on Lord's Days, and spent much of their time among the sick and other Natives.

Our Natives are keeping up a profession, having Service among themselves on Lord's Days and other days. A few come to Morning Service, and occasionally on week-days, to read the Gospel and converse on the subject; but their minds, as well as our own, are greatly token up with the news of war, which is the common conversation of the day.

How mysterious are the ways of Pro-

vidence! For years past the Natives have been flocking to Places of Worship, and have obtained much knowledge of the Scriptures. They were in the way of slow improvement; but are now, as if left under a strong delusion, ready to believe any falsehoods that may be told them. They have been favourable toward the Mission Stations at present; but we hang in suspense, not knowing what the result will be. We hope, however, that we are thus spared for some future benefit to the Heathen. Most of the Natives of this place have remained at home, and keep up the form of Religion, although they have sadly gone back to many of their old ways in practice. Hopaia Waikato has used all his influence to keep these people from joining Heke's party, and we hope to have a better account to give at some future time.

During the past year the Natives in connection with the Station have regularly attended the Services on the Lord's Day. They have also been instructed in reading the Scriptures, and in the Catechisms. Mrs. Kemp, assisted by her daughter Elizabeth, has attended to the instruction of the native children residing under our roof. Their improvement affords us encouragement to persevere in that part of our work.

The Natives at the villages--viz. the Ti, Takou, Waiaua, and Upokorau-- have had religious instruction afforded them. The Church Service has been read by the Native Teachers on the Lord's Day, and the Natives have met in classes to read the Scriptures and repeat the Catechisms.

The present state of the Natives calls for great exertion on the part of the Missionaries in their labours. The minds of many of the Natives, respecting spiritual things, appear to be at a low ebb. They do not manifest that desire for spiritual knowledge, and that improvement, which they once displayed. We fear that many are satisfied with the outward form of Religion, and do not seek the sanctifying influence of the Spirit to subdue the corruptions of their sinful hearts. Some, who once appeared to run well, have, like the sow that was washed, turned again to their wallowing in the mire.

It is with considerable pain and grief that I report the proceedings of the half-year now concluded, in consequence of the breaking-out, at the commencement of the year, among some of the tribes in the neighbourhood of the Bay, of a civil war, which has led to most serious and distressing consequences. The loss of life and property has been very considerable; and our Missionary work has been well-nigh totally suspended.

For many months a very jealous and turbulent feeling was exhibited among many tribes, owing to the evil workings of wicked and designing men upon the minds of several Chiefs; instilling into their minds that the British Government had taken full and entire possession of their country, and that now the Chiefs were slaves. This subject had been so generally dwelt upon, that for some time it appeared doubtful whether all the Natives would not rise to oppose the Government, as the Treaty of 1840 was stated to have caused all the evil. By a timely application, however, and full explanation of the Treaty, most of the tribes maintained their position and remained quiet, being disposed to hope that the terms of the Treaty were faithful.

Yet, in the midst of this serious evil, it is our great consolation to know that our work is the Lord's; and though we see not now, yet shall we ere long understand, that all these evils have been permitted by Infinite Wisdom, and shall be overruled for the good of His people, and the purifying of His Church in New Zealand. For many months previous to the breaking-out of this war a general indifference to religious duties had been observed, which must be regarded as the cause of this marked displeasure of the Almighty. The various Congregations were cautioned to take heed to their ways, lest they should be given up to believe a lie to their own destruction. I am happy to state that there are many tribes around the Bay who have remained quiet during this disturbance.

In consequence of the threats held out against Paihia, the Press, with all the

materials connected therewith, was removed to Auckland.

I have made one visit to Mangakahia during the half-year, having been unable to remove oftener from the Bay, owing to the disturbed state of the district.

The Sunday Schools at the Kauakaua continue to be well attended.

On the fall of Kororarika, the Rev. W. C. Dudley removed to Auckland. The Church and Mission-house at Kororarika were seriously injured by the shot from H. M. Ship "Hazard" on the 11th of March last, and have since been much pulled to pieces by Natives of different parties.

Owing to the disturbed condition of the Waimate, in consequence of the contending parties assembled in that neighbourhood, the Infant-school children were removed to this place, at which the School has since been carried on. There are at this time forty-five children under instruction.

On my arrival at the Waimate, John Heke had already commenced his career, which has since led to such disastrous consequences. This Station has felt, more than any other, the sad effects of the war; and from the beginning of March to the present time we have been in a constant state of excitement and alarm. The loss of the fourth flag-staff, and the destruction of Kororarika--attended as it was with the loss of life-- was the commencement of a storm which had long been pending, and which we are at this moment feeling in all its horrors. The Settlement was often threatened with destruction by some of the more desperate of Heke's party; but it is due to Heke himself to say that he has always shewn respect for it, and prevented, as far as possible, any mischief being done to us or ours. The troops having once occupied the buildings here, have, in the Natives' estimation, removed that sacredness which they have hitherto supposed to be attached to the place. It is now a question how long we may be allowed to occupy our present position. Hitherto, no injury has been done to the Settlement by the disaffected Natives, but we have to lament the mischief caused by our own troops, notwithstanding the vigilance of some of their officers to prevent it.

From my arrival until the beginning of March I was fully occupied with the duties of the Station. Since that period my time, during the week, has been chiefly taken up in visiting the disaffected, the allies of our Government, and the neutral Natives. I trust my endeavours among the neutral party have prevented not a few joining those who are disaffected.

Heke has used all his insinuating arts to draw them away, telling them that their only safety is in joining him, and making one determined effort to drive the possessors of their soil out of the country. Their old native custom, of visiting the faults of one on the whole tribe, has tended not a little to lead them to expect the same treatment from the British.

Our School, which was rapidly increasing in numbers, and gradually assuming the appearance of an industrial establishment, has been well-nigh broken up. The remaining few, whom the parents have allowed us to keep, we have been compelled to remove from this scene of excitement and warfare to Paihia.

In taking a retrospective view of the sadly-altered state of this District, during the last year, we have much cause for humility. How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! Some, who promised well, have now apparently joined heart and hand with Heke; the conversation of others is any thing but that which becometh the Gospel of Christ; and the withering effects of war and bloodshed are most apparent among all our people. There are, however, bright spots here and there in our beclouded skies; we know of some who are frequent and earnest at a throne of mercy for a suspension of the stroke which, at this moment, threatens us with a long and bloody war. For the preservation of life, and for the general respect shewn us by those who are at open war with our Government, we have great cause

to be thankful, it is true that the Missionaries' agency in obtaining signatures for the Treaty of Waitangi has again and again been brought against us; but, notwithstanding, not a hair has fallen from the head of any of us.

May He who has hitherto helped us make us stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!

From the 1st of January to the 14th of March we remained at Waimate. Much of my time was spent in my District, and in packing goods to remove to Kaikohi. This removal cost the Natives a great deal of hard labour, as they had to carry all on their backs. As there was much excitement among the Natives about the flag-staff, which had been cut down by Heke, and re-erected by Government, every thing which could be done to appease them, in order to avert the impending storm, was done; and we sometimes thought the object accomplished. But the Lord seeth not as man seeth: we were to be scourged. As our house was nearly ready at Kaikohi, I assembled the Natives to learn their opinion of the solemn aspect of affairs, and their intentions if things should come to the worst. They acknowledged it to be their opinion, in the District, that the rise of the Natives would be general, and that if Heke should fall in the contest they should all become Heke's. They recommended Mrs. Davis's immediate removal among them, and assured us that, if things should come to the worst, they would die with us. As our way appeared to be open, we agreed to their proposal, endeavouring to rely on an Almighty arm for protection.

All things were ready, and the people ready to take us to Kaikohi, when Kororarika fell on the 11th of March. This catastrophe caused a little hesitation; but as Mrs. Davis declared that she was willing to remove at all hazards, and we heard that the Bishop was in the Bay, intending to visit Waimate, we only awaited his Lordship's arrival, which took place on the evening of the 12th. During the night his Lordship assembled the Natives, and, after hearing from them their intention to protect us, committed us to their charge.

On the 14th, while the fires were still burning at Kororarika, we left Waimate, and safely arrived at this place. Since we have been here we have had much to distress and harass our minds. Kaikohi has been much exposed during the conflict, in consequence of Heke's Pa being in the neighbourhood, as parties of Natives have often assembled at this Pa when going to fight, or returning, and the whole of the warfare has beeu carried on within five miles of our house. Our Christian party, for the most part, has stood firm; but they have been much enticed, as some of their friends, who had nothing to do with the Kororarika affair, have fallen in battle, and several have been wounded. My labours have been almost solely confined to this place, as I did not consider it right to leave my family. The whole of my people of Ohaeawae and Maungaturoto have been involved in the conflict from the beginning, and lately those of Otaua also. On our first arrival, my youngest daughter, under the superintendence of Mrs. Davis, commenced a promising School. This was continued until the danger became too apparent for my daughters to remain, and we sent them to Kaitaia for safety.

The failure of the troops in storming the Pa at Taiamai was a cause of much anxiety, as we not only sincerely lamented the fall of so many of our brave countrymen, but were fearful of what might be the next step of the Natives. I have had many wounded men to attend to, and for a length of time they engrossed nearly the whole of my services: three have died of their wounds, and a fourth is likely to die. Heke has not been unmindful of us. If we had not been here it is probable that this would have been made the scene of conflict; but he promised it should not be so, and up to this time he has kept his word. The Mangakahia people have often visited us, and have behaved well.

Upon the whole, in the midst of our affliction we have much, very much, to be thankful for. The Lord has preserved us from harm in the midst of hostilities: not a hair of our heads has been suffered to fall to the ground. We trust our coming here has been under the direction of God, for, in addition to keeping the people of the place together, many of the scattered sheep have found a place in which they could assemble. Several of the Mawe people, several of the Kiripeka, and a few from Ohaewae, have joined us, and taken up their abode with us. This

they could not have done if this Settlement had not existed: they must have remained with the fighting party, with whom both their bodies and souls would have been endangered, or have fled to the woods far away from the Means of Grace.

In giving our Report for the past year, we desire to thank God that our Natives have lived in peace, that we have been enabled to perform our duties among them without hindrance, and that they have been abundantly blessed with plenty. The earth has yielded to them her increase, and we trust also that, with regard to spiritual food, God, even our own God, has given them His blessing.

They were highly favoured in their crops of wheat; and it is evident to us, that this is an important step in their civilization. Their anxiety to possess steel mills has been very great; and when they shall have been supplied with the mills which they have ordered, and which they have, in many cases, paid for beforehand, there will scarcely be a village among them which will not possess a steel mill and flour sieve. Some of our Natives already possess sheep, and all are anxious to possess them. It is their wish to learn to weave their own garments, and we have no doubt they will accomplish this if they can be perseveringly instructed: nothing less than this will achieve so desirable an advance upon their present state.

We are happy to state that the Means of Grace have been appreciated. The Natives in the distant districts, as well as those around us, have been visited by us.

On Lord's Day, the 2d of February, the Rev. R. Burrows, assisted by the Rev. J. Matthews, administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 165 Natives and 5 Europeans. 29 Infants have been admitted into the Church by Baptism.

Our Native Teachers continue to render us essential aid in holding Divine Service with the people in the Native Settlements, and also in teaching them to read. On Saturdays the Teachers come to our Settlement, when a Meeting is held for their instruction in the subject for the ensuing Lord's Day. They return to their places with the heads of the sermon, and a few remarks printed for their use. We think we are able to discern a decided improvement in our people since the Teachers have thus had weekly instruction given them in the subjects to be brought before their hearers.

An Infant School has been established in our Settlement for all whose parents will provide food, the Committee finding them clothes. The children appear to be very happy, and make considerable progress in what they are taught. A Christian Native, of the name of John Bunyan, takes the general superintendence of the children; but it is also regularly attended to by Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. Puckey.

We are thankful to state that the Rarawa have not joined in the alarming disturbance and open war between Ngapuhi and the British Government. There have been several Meetings of the Chiefs with their tribe, and the most decided attachment to the English Government has been manifested.

I have spent nearly five months of the past year in visiting the Districts of Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Te Waihi, Ruatahuna, and Opotiki.

During the same period, I have baptized 156 infants and 71 adults, and administered the Lord's Supper to 293 Natives.

The Infant Schools established at Tauranga are encouraging, although the ill-health of the Rev. C. P. Davies, and other circumstances, have caused considerable irregularity in attendance. The Otumoetai Morning School is in charge of Mr. Davies. The Papa School is under the care of Mrs. Davies and Miss Baker. Miss Baker has, in addition, the charge of

the Native-Women's School, which she attends in the afternoon.

The Lord's Day Congregations have maintained their usual average attendance; the places of some, who have cast off their profession, being occupied by others who have lately joined the Church. The Daily Services have not been attended with the regularity which has marked past years, and the Adult Daily Schools, with few exceptions, are discontinued. Numbers of the young men have been tattooed during the last few months; and with this return to the heathen custom of their forefathers they have discontinued their attendance on the Means of Grace; while the northern war has not been without its effects in rendering many of the Natives listless to the message of salvation, and inducing suspicions in their minds that their country will ultimately be wrested from them.

The preceding brief facts will shew that, amidst very many discouragements, the work in which we are privileged to engage is yet progressing. The Baptisms, the Communicants, the Infant Schools, are proofs of it. There may be cause for anxiety, but not for despondency; a straggle, but not a defeat; a storm, but not a shipwreck. Offences will come they form no new page in the history of the Church. The parable of the Sower will never lose its power of illustration. There will still be Canaanites in the land; Galatians who did run well, and then became bewitched; Ephesians who have left their first love; Laodiceans who are neither cold nor hot; men striving to serve God and Mammon--wearing the livery of Christ, yet doing the works of the Devil. But these things, if viewed aright, are but so many calls to increased exertion and prayer: they remind us that we walk by faith, not by sight. They send us back to those promises which, like their great Author, are the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever; and which assure us that a period will arrive, when at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.

The children have mastered the great difficulty of the pronunciation of the English Alphabet, and have learned several sentences. The average attendance, during the past six months, has been 41. I am sorry to say that I receive very little encouragement from the parents of the children; for they frequently allow them to accompany them on fishing excursions, or when they take a journey.

The Services at our different Stations have been regularly attended. I have visited all; and been much pleased at the general conduct of the Natives at Divine Service.

The number of attendants at the Infant School, during the past six months, has averaged 35. This, at first sight, might appear to indicate that our School is on the decrease; but such is not the case, for twenty-three children, belonging to the Papa, remained to be taught by Mrs. Davies and Miss Baker; and I have been obliged to expel some of the children of Otumoetai for bad conduct. The children are making very fair progress: the facility with which they have learned many texts of Scripture, the Lord's Prayer, and Hymns, in English, is truly gratifying.

While war has still been going on in the Northern District, I am happy to say that I have been privileged to accompany 150 of our Natives, principally Chiefs, in a journey to Maketu, for the purpose of making peace with the Ngatiwakaue-- Rotorua--Tribe, who for years have been bitter enemies. The effect of this peace has been, that Tupaea, the principal Chief of Tauranga, has since regularly attended our Church, and that many Chiefs of Rotorua have followed his example.

We are working and trusting; but it is amid much searchings of heart, for these are troublous times. With regard to the Natives of my own District, I never had more cause for encouragement than now. The numbers of those who form

our Congregations have lately increased considerably; and the Christian Natives are warm in their professions of determined attachment to the holy cause and Church which they have espoused.

I have been engaged, during the last fortnight, in attending a party of 400 Rotorua Natives, on a peace-making visit to Tauranga. We were well received, and peace was ratified; although the possession of the Island of Motoiti caused some contention, and was at last left undecided. Still, peace is made; and should Motoiti be allowed to remain -- that ia, should no one of either party locate there--the cruel southern war may now be said to have ended. Huka, who committed the murder which caused the war, was among the foremost in this peace-making; as also Tohi, whose name has become known on account of his being among the most savage of his tribe.

The state of this District is perhaps as satisfactory as circumstances will allow us to expect. One Missionary, in a District of a very wide range, with at least forty distinct places in it, can pay but little personal attention to any, and some escape altogether. The Lord's Day Services are regularly conducted in the different villages by the appointed Teacher; Sunday Schools are general; and Daily Schools partially observed. Our Congregations have slowly increased; and though few adults have been admitted to Baptism, the Catechumens are numerous: the greater part of them will probably be received into the Church, by Baptism, in the course of the following year. A large, new, beautifully-finished Chapel has been burnt down, through the carelessness of a stranger thrusting a pipe, which he supposed contained no fire, into it.

At the Ngae, the Mission Station, a comfortable School-house has been erected, and an efficient Teacher provided; but the attendance of the children is very irregular and unsatisfactory. The unlocal habits of the parents is one great cause of this irregularity; a difficulty only to be remedied by boarding and clothing them and the children altogether. It is reported, with much satisfaction, that the turbulent character of the Maketu Natives has undergone a favourable change. The Chapel is now well attended, and the Lord's Day rarely openly violated. The Papists are increasing in their visits to every part of this District, and have succeeded in attaching a party to their cause in many places. They will baptize anybody, and the children of the Heathen unconditionally.

There have been two Huihuingas, of considerable importance, this year, of the Warekura, and at their own expense. The first was held on the 11th of May, in the District of Tarawera, at a place called, by the Natives, Epeha. Here about 500 persons assembled, and stood up in classes, including 90 children. At this Huihui I distributed, for the use of Chapels and Schools generally, 27 Psalters, 50 Liturgies, 78 Testaments, 50 Prayers with the Hymns, and 50 Catechisms. The feast consisted of a liberal supply of pork, kumera, potatoe, and fresh and dried fish.

The other Huihui was held at Puhirua, a Rotorua Pa, on July the 22d. This was in every respect similar to the above. 429 adults, and 196 children, stood up in class; and every thing, in both these meetings, was begun and concluded in a quiet and Christian-like manner. As the first feast lasted from Thursday to Monday inclusive, and the second from Wednesday to Tuesday inclusive, it may be supposed that very large quantities of provisions were consumed.

Toward the end of June, a Meeting of the Schools took place, when nearly 600 were present, about 250 of whom read in the New Testament.

The Natives of Wakatane, who have joined the Romish Church, in conjunction with those who still adhere to the superstitions of their ancestors, have given our people of the Pa no little vexation and disquietude during the last winter, and have more than once been on the verge of open hostility. It is only a few weeks since these aggressors made an assault: they were soon repulsed, and were spared by the victors, who generously refused to take any advantage of their confusion and flight.

In some few instances it has been exceedingly grievous to observe traces of the revival of former superstitions: it seems to have arisen from certain dreams in

which much confidence has been placed. There are other facts, however, of a more pleasing nature. As a people, they have manifested no intention to take any part in the present struggle between Her Majesty's Government and the Natives at the Bay of Islands. The conduct, also, of those who reside at Opotiki has been peaceable and moral. The attendance in the School for children, commenced there last autumn, has been more regular than could have been expected, and some few of the children can read tolerably in the New Testament.

Opotiki contains a population of about 1200, and is situated on a flat at the entrance of the river. Mr. Wilson had just returned from Tauranga when I visited the place. I had four days of hard labour, principally in examining the Candidates for Baptism. People from several days' journey distance had come for admission into the Church. Venerable Chiefs, with their hair as white as snow, who formerly wielded their deadly weapons to the terror of all around them, sat at my feet, repeating the Church Catechism, the Creed, or the Ten Commandments, or reading some portion in the New Testament, and answering questions in the spirit of little children. It is surprising with what grasp of mind they enter into the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures. I baptized at Opotiki 70 adults and 6 children; some of them belonging to Wakatane, some to Urewera in the interior, and some to Opotiki itself. I also administered the Lord's Supper to a solemn assembly of Native Christians, most of whom were baptized by the Bishop last year, on his tour along the coast. This was the first time that the tokens of the Saviour's love had been dispensed at this populous Pa. Opotiki has of late years been occupied by Roman-Catholic Priests: one, and sometimes two, reside in the Pa, and give Mr. Wilson a great deal of trouble.