1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1852 - Church Missionary Society. Amount of Native population, Northern District, p 238-241

In the character of the people a great moral change has taken place, under the influence of Christianity, to which has been superadded the intercourse with English settlements.

The first effect of Christianity was to lead the people to give up that system of warfare which for generations had made every tribe the enemy of its neighbours. In any part of the country where danger was apprehended, the population was not scattered over the district; but, for mutual protection, they lived in fortified villages, and their cultivations were carried on so near at hand, that, upon a sudden alarm, they could speedily rush into a place of safety. Now, the people are scattered in small parties, and every man can reap the fruit of his own labour without molestation. One natural consequence has been, a great increase of agriculture, which has been promoted by the demand for wheat and potatos in the English towns. In their purely native state every family had within itself its own resources. Their food, their clothing, their habitations, were all provided by the different members of the family, and the only interchange in the way of barter was in the purchase of canoes and the finest kind of mats, which are made in perfection by a few only of the tribes. But now, in proportion to the facility of obtaining the necessary articles of clothing and agricultural implements, the New Zealander is stimulated to raise twice as much produce as he requires for his own consumption, and by traffic he supplies his wants at a much easier rate. This alteration had its beginning, therefore, in Christianity, which has introduced a state of peace before unknown, and the opportunity of giving the attention to quiet pursuits. It was then promoted by intercourse with civilized man. The mind of the New Zealander, by nature active, is continually pushing forward to some object in the distance; and the sight of something new generally fosters a desire to obtain it, if it be within reach; and the effect, to a certain extent, has been salutary, inasmuch as it has urged the people to habits of greater industry. A very few years have seen a vast change in their general appearance and pursuits. English clothing has superseded the native garment, and, next to the immediate necessaries of life, the proceeds of labour are expended in the erection of water-mills to grind their wheat: then small vessels are purchased for the conveyance of their produce to the towns, they being quite alive to the advantages of going to market for themselves.

To produce a radical change in the customs of a people is hardly to be expected. Our own experience will tell us that a new generation must spring up, before the habits which have become a part of the man from childhood to the state of manhood can be shaken off from their hold; but in New Zealand these changes have been effected to a great extent, and in many cases there is shewn an aptitude to adopt even the refinements of civilized life. There is a disposition, not merely to imitate that which is superior, but happily, under the influence of Christianity, they are ready to bestow much labour and expense upon the erection of Places of Worship and the establishment of Schools.

The progress of Christianity, however, cannot be satisfactory if it produces only an improvement in manners, or if there be reason to suppose that it amounts only to a general profession, and a conformity to certain external observances. We have reason to believe that there ever will be, under the present dispensation, a large number of tares among the wheat--much profession, and only a moderate proportion of sincerity. The Natives professing Christianity in connection with the Church Mission may be about 45,000: the average number of Communicants is between 5000 and 6000. But let it be remembered that the Communicants are not, as in England, admitted to the Lord's Table simply because they express a wish to come. Every time the Lord's Supper is administered they undergo an examination, in company with their Native Teachers and neighbours, when there is but little opportunity for inconsistency of conduct to pass unnoticed. There is, therefore, the best reason to believe that the amount of real Christianity is great, and that the outward change may be viewed as the fruit of a sound principle within.

I have continued my visits to the Natives at the villages of Takou, Waiaua, and the Ti, and have also made one visit to the natives at the Ngaere and Matauri, being out sixteen days. I generally spend about four days out on each visit. The Natives are always glad to see me. To

the sick I have administered medicine, and many have received benefit.

I am thankful to say that a more regular attention is paid to the Service on the Lord's Day, and the Natives are generally better disposed to receive instruction. There is, I trust, a growing desire for reading and conversing on the Holy Scriptures. When spending the night at the native village, many have come for instruction on different portions; and I trust some of those who have been wandering far from the fold have been brought back to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls.

The Church Service is read by the Native Teacher at the above places, and those who can read meet in class to read the Scriptures, while others are instructed in their Catechisms.

Service has also been regularly read to Natives and my family in the Kerikeri Church: at times a number of Natives have been present. I have eight Natives living with me, who are daily instructed in the Scriptures and prayer. With the blessing of God on our labours, we trust our feeble endeavours to do good to the bodies and souls of the poor Natives have not been in vain.

The Native Chief Shortland, at the Ti, whom I mentioned in my last Report, was removed to his eternal rest on the 1st of February last. He had been baptized by the Rev. R. Taylor some years before. His conduct and conversation had always been consistent; and during his long illness of two years his patience and resignation to the will of the Lord was truly wonderful: the Natives have frequently mentioned it with astonishment. From my frequent visits and conversations with him, I have great cause to believe that he died trusting alone in the merits of Christ for salvation, and is another poor New Zealander added to the Church triumphant. The Natives who attended him observed that "he was a man who truly believed in Jesus Christ."

Whilst the chequered scenes of the past year have served to remind us of the instability of all things here below, and have been such as should humble us before God, the improved state of our Natives, at least in the outward observances of Christianity, has been a cause for thankfulness. Many of those who, from the date of the last war--1845--had cast off all restraint, have, during the year, joined in worship with our stated Congregations; others, who were careless, have manifested an earnestness which we have not before witnessed; a considerable party, who formerly professed their adherence to the Romish Church, now assemble with us on the Lord's Day; and not a few of the heretofore Heathen are Candidates for Baptism.

The duties of this station and district, during the first six months of the year, were attended to by myself; but since June last, in consequence of the vacation of Paihia, I have, in accordance with the wish of the Northern District Committee, and with the sanction of the Bishop, taken temporary charge of that district in connection with the Waimate, Mr. Davis supplying the latter place in my absence as often as the duties of his own district would allow. Mr. Matthews has also spent six weeks in the Waimate District since June. In the absence of a Clergyman, Mr. E. M. Williams has taken the Services. Paihia and Kororarika have been visited by me every alternate week, when I have not been absent at some one of the more distant localities.

One visit has been made to the Rawiti, two to Waikare, one to the Karetui, and one to Wangai. At all these places the people received me with marked kindness, and urged me to visit them frequently. At each of the villages I found Candidates for Baptism. At Waikare there are about twenty Natives, formerly Romanists, now offering themselves as Candidates for Baptism. The party at the Rawiti, who were formerly Papists by profession, I found at work on the Sunday. Upon inquiry, I discovered that they had thrown off all pretence to worship, and were living as heathen. Since my visit several of them have joined our people in their Sabbath Worship, and also at their morning and evening prayers.

Three visits have been made to Wangaroa, and the Lord's Supper administered twice. The people of this district have for a long time been very lukewarm; but on my last visit I was cheered by witnessing marks of improvement. Unfortunately a quarrel took place between two tribes, the greater part of whom are Hea-

then. After several unfruitful efforts made by neutral tribes to make peace, a native of one of the parties, with a view to bring on war, deliberately shot one of the enemy in the sight of his own pa and people. The murderer was quickly pursued, but made his escape in a canoe. The relatives of the murdered man immediately avenged themselves by shooting three of the opposite party, who are now clamorous for war. I returned from Kaitaia two days after the catastrophe, and saw them. They were very civil, but urged the necessity of war, upon the plea that they had lost three men, and the others only one. It was, apparently, in vain I argued with them on the fact that they were the aggressors.

Two visits have been made to Kaitaia, for the purpose of administering the communion. The condition of the natives of this district is encouraging. There is an apparent earnestness in their devotions.

The Waimate Girls' Boarding-school continues to give hopes of future benefit to our districts. The improvement of the girls in reading, writing, ciphering, sewing, and domestic work, is very apparent.

In July last we commenced, in accordance with a resolution of the Central Committee, a Boarding-school for boys, the building formerly occupied by Mr. Davis having been shingled and fitted up for the purpose. It quickly numbered thirty scholars. Their progress in reading, writing, ciphering, and singing, under the teaching of Mr. E. Clarke, has been very satisfactory. The elder boys are employed out of school hours at some industrial work in connection with the farm.