1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1853 - Church Missionary Society, Eastern District, Western District, p 105-112

The whole of the Natives may now be said to have joined either the Protestants or Papists. A few individuals only remain as Heathen, and even these are regular in the observance of the Lord's Day; and such things as are regularly practised by many professors of the Gospel in England-- such as opening their shops, &c, on Sunday Mornings--are never even heard of among these.

When Popery was first introduced, into the district I began to fear for the consequences; but now that it has tried its uttermost, perhaps there was never so little of Popery in the Wairoa since its introduction as at present. At Nukutaurua, a few years ago, there was a considerable party of Papists; but now there is not a single individual left to profess these tenets. The whole have joined us, excepting two who have gone elsewhere. At the Wakaki there were from forty to fifty: at present I do not think they count ten. At the heads of the Wairoa, where they established themselves, several of our baptized Natives went over to them, and some others, nearly all of whom have returned, and several of their baptized Natives have come over to us: two or three are now in the class of Candidates for Baptism, for they need instruction on the very first principles of Christianity. Those at Turiroa have dwindled down to a few individuals. Let us, then, thank God, and take courage.

Taking a view of the whole district, I think it may be said that it is, on the whole, in an encouraging state. At our last baptism at the Station many were rejected: out

of sixty Candidates, only nineteen were admitted to that ordinance. Many of those rejected had been negligent in the discharge of those duties which are required of them, and some, though young, could not read. Seeing so many refused, I fully expected that others would pause before they offered themselves as Candidates for the present year; but to my surprise nearly forty new ones came and offered themselves the next day. Many of these are persons who had long stood out against the Gospel, and some time ago were hesitating whether they should join us or the Papists. These are nearly the last in this neighbourhood, and it is a great comfort to us to know that there is mercy for every repenting, returning sinner, even at the eleventh hour.

The assembling of the Natives, to meet either myself or the Native Teacher for religious conversation, has been kept up with more or less regularity at all the outposts. These seasons have proved a blessing to many, a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and we may hope that the Word spoken at these and at other times will not return unto Him void; but will accomplish that which He pleaseth, and prosper in the thing whereunto He did send it.

The tribe, however, living close under my own eye, who have had the benefit of a more regular instruction than others, manifest much greater lukewarmness and indifference to religion than any other party with which I am acquainted. The whalers have always had a much greater intercourse with these than with any other tribes. This was not singular in our Lord's time, who upbraided those cities wherein most of His mighty works were done; nor is it singular in this land, though it is discouraging. The fever with which they have lately been visited has been more severe amongst these than amongst other tribes. Unsanctified affliction, however, only hardens the heart, and makes it more callous than before. Whilst this has been the case with some of them, though no affliction for the time seems to be joyous, but grievous, let us hope that many may be able to say, " It was good for me that I have been afflicted: before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept Thy Word. "

We have now lived full six years and a half at the Wairoa, and I must say that no part of the island has had fewer interruptions of peace, of which the Natives are fully sensible. They have lived in peace amongst themselves and with the Government. Whenever any petty quarrel has occurred, either among themselves, or between them and the Whites, both parties have called me in as their arbitrator, and things have again resumed their usual course.

May 2, 1850 --I started on a journey round the north-west division of my district, and reached the Tringataha this evening. Upward of 150 Natives had assembled at this place, and were waiting my arrival. Having addressed them at their Evening Prayers, the whole were arranged for reading by the light of two or three fires. There were seventy readers, and as many more listeners. It is truly gratifying to witness the progress they have made in the knowledge of the Scriptures. The last are certainly first.

May 6 --I went on to Whataroa. On arriving there I held a short Service in the evening, a good Congregation being present. The Service being concluded, I had a reading class: a considerable number were present. The good resulting from these reading classes is very apparent. The sacred text being thus continually brought before them, and a short explanation given of it, they are enabled to hear with profit the discourses delivered to them from time to time, and consequently are better able to see the propriety and agreement of the passages of Scripture quoted to support the doctrine contained in the text from which they are addressed.

Although 45 persons of both sexes have been received as Communicants during the year--which, with 706, as per last year's return, makes a total of 751 -- only 297 have actually partaken of the Lord's Supper. Of the remainder, 46 have been suspended for misconduct --36 at Wairarapa, and 12 at the Station; while the majority have not had the opportunity afforded them of partaking. There has also been an increase of Communicants at Manawatu during the year --as, by arrangement made between Archdeacon Hadfield and myself, the converts there do now, after four years' waiting for an opportunity, partake with his flock at Moutoa, near the mouth of that river -- but I do not know the number of those who have recently been, for the first time, admitted, perhaps twenty additional.

The number of Candidates for Baptism is still on the increase, a few more of the Heathen having come over during the year. Of late, however, there has been no meeting of the Candidates living in the neighbourhood of the Station and Ahuriri harbour, owing to their very unsettled state and excessive worldliness.

The Mission-Station Congregation and Schools at this time last year, and in the beginning of this year, averaged 160: now they are considerably under half that number; and such is also, I regret to say, the case generally in the native villages.

Three Chapels have been erected during the year, namely, at Mataikona, Waipupu, and Turanganui. At these two last-mentioned villages there had not hitherto been any place set apart for Divine Worship. The new one at Mataikona is the second which the Natives of that place have erected; the former one-- built in 1843--having fallen. The Chapel at Turanganui--Wairarapa--is wholly of timber, and erected by European Workmen at the native expense; toward which upward of 100l. in cash has been already paid. Both the patience and faith of the subscribers have been sorely tried during the erection of this building, it having been blown down twice, each time when nearly finished -- a circumstance in great measure owing to the carelessness of the builders.

Mrs. Colenso has attended, as hitherto, to the daily Female and Infant School; but the general attendance, both in this and in the Adult Male School, save on Sundays and Mondays, is very irregular. Several have, notwithstanding, learned to read, write, and cypher in the more simple rules, during the year.

My annual Teachers' School commenced on the 1st of September, and continued daily until the 13th, inclusive, of that month. Sixteen Teachers and Monitors were present, from all parts of this district; of whom seven were from Wairarapa and Manawatu. This year we were engaged upon St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, devoting, also, an hour and a-half of every afternoon to figures.

During the year, several of the first-class Teachers have been actively employed in visiting the more distant villages.

Several Natives, of both sexes and of all ages, have died during the year, particularly in the Wairarapa Valley. A few of them have, I firmly trust, departed in the faith; leaving behind them a testimony to the power of the truth which will not easily be forgotten.

The Popish Priest, who last year came to reside in the neighbourhood of the Mission Station, has lately been joined by another. Hitherto, however, they have not only not succeeded in making proselytes, but have lost some of the few who did belong to them, who have voluntarily come over to the truth.

I ought not, perhaps, wholly to omit mentioning, that--in consequence of a sermon which I preached here, on 1 Tim. v. 8, a short time before the payment of the first instalment--a few days ago I received

a sovereign each from five individuals, Communicants, toward a fund for purchasing some simple stores for the sick. The conduct of one of these persons, the Native Teacher of the Station, Noah Huke, deserves to be more particularly remembered; as, from his not being immediately concerned in the sale of those lands lately transferred to the Government, he had only received that one sovereign, which he so willingly gave for such a good purpose. And I have good reason to know that he had not received any other money for the year--save a pound which I paid him in May last for repairing the verandah of our house--and that he is also now almost in want of food himself, as well as of several household articles.

March 28, 1850 --After breakfast I visited two sick women; the one, Mary Eha, a Communicant, very near death, whom I could just get to hear what I said, she being speechless, or nearly so; the other, that fine young woman, Amelia Raumatomato, whose marriage with the heathen brother of Ngatuere I had been mainly instrumental in hindering. I had not even heard of her being ill; and I was now very much surprised in seeing her in the last stage of a consumption--so wasted, so altered, so very different from what she was when I last saw her! By her side was her well-worn Testament. Sitting down, I conversed with her, and found she had very properly given up all hopes of recovery, and was preparing for death. She said she believed in Christ; and though she knew she was a sinner she was not afraid to die, for Christ her Lord had died for her. She was, however, far too weak to talk much-- she said, to speak a sentence in a low tone was more than she had strength to do-- which, joined to the natural backwardness of a sick New Zealander to speak, kept her from saying much. I read a few passages of Scripture to her, and prayed for her, her parents, both baptized, sitting by. They wept, and well they might, and I wept with them. The last time I was here their little son died, and their only other child, a girl--save their eldest, a young man, far off in slavery at Waikato-- already very weak, seemed as if she would soon follow her dying sister. The resident Native Teacher here, Campbell Hawea told me that Amelia was particularly punctual in attending both Divine Service and School as long as she was able to walk; that even after she had got so weak as not to be able to do any thing whatever, she still managed to crawl to Divine Service, and to sit in the reading class at School.

Aug. 31 --I received an affecting note from Te Kaikokirikiri, from Joseph Te Pu, informing me of the death of not only his eldest daughter; Amelia, whom I had left dying, but, also of his youngest daughter, Ellen, which finishes his family, at least those who dwelt with him.

From Te Kaikokirikiri,
June 24, 1850.

Go thou, my love, to my pastor, to Colenso, residing at Te Awapuni. O Sir! greeting to thee: my love toward thee, the father of myself and my children, is very great. O Sir! possibly I may be the only survivor by the time you may arrive here, because thine and my daughter Amelia is gone, and here is Ellen just gone. This is the fourth of my children who have died. Notwithstanding, Job must be my pattern; even Job, who said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken to Himself:" even so, the name of the Lord shall be always praised by me, for ever and ever, even till I also die, that I may, if possible, go and live together with my children. That is all I have to say to thee on this subject.

From JOSEPH TE PU.

Among the Teachers was Richard Taki, the principal Native Teacher residing in Palliser Bay, who happened to be at Wellington--whither he had gone, a distance of 100 miles, for the fifth time within a few months, upon matters connected with the wooden Chapel now building at his village--when the news of my being about to hold a Teachers' School this year reached Palliser Bay. Upon his return to his home and family, he, being greatly desirous of seeing me--which pleasure we had not on my last journey thither--immediately left them again to attend the School--although, from the distance and short notice, I had not written to any Teacher residing beyond Castle Point to do so--and arrived here this day, but with sadly swelled and painful feet.

Sept. 17, 1850 --Closely engaged with the Teachers from sunrise to three P.M., when they all left. May the Lord be with them! Two Teachers from every locality were with me every evening till eight. Work done in the Teachers' School--the following chapters of the New Testament expounded, in a half lecture half Bible-class manner, viz. Romans iii., iv., xiv.; Hebrews xii.; 1 Cor. i., ii., iii.; John i.; Matt. vii.; beside instruction in arithmetic. I found that the most stupid among them got on wonderfully when in class. Poor Richard Taki had to endure the pain of his feet during nearly the whole of his stay, but which never kept him from hobbling to daily Morning and Evening Prayer in the Chapel, as well as to School. After the fortnight's School, he would have travelled nearly 500 miles in seven weeks, over such a country as this district, entirely for the purposes of the Mission.

Nov. 5 --This evening Mrs. Colenso related a conversation which she had had this morning with Paerikiriki, one of Tareha's wives, who has long been ailing, and who is a Candidate for Baptism. 1 This conversation I now extract from Mrs. Colenso's notes-- "Nov. 5 --After School this morning, a baptized Native, named Lydia, asked me to go and see Paerikiriki, her husband's sister, who, she said, was very unwell. I accordingly went with her. As we neared the village, we met her coming from the well with a small calabash of water in her hand, and looking exceedingly pale and ill. She sat down on the grass behind a breakwind fence, and we also sat down. After asking her a few questions concerning her illness, which I fear is consumption, I asked her what her thoughts were now that she was ill. She said she thought on God, and that she sometimes prayed, but not much. After several other questions, I asked her whether our good works would gain us acceptance with God. She said, 'Yes.' I said, 'Do you recollect this passage-- "Not of works, lest any man should boast"?' which we have frequently had in the reading class, of which she is one. She said, Yes; she recollected it, and that Christ's death was the only satisfaction. I said much to her, fearing she might not have long to live, upon the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of preparing for eternity; that her two little infants were gone before to the bosom of Christ, who loves little children; and how sad it would be for the parents to go to one place and the children to another. I cautioned her against trusting to her good works, such as attending Divine Services, Schools, &c, and not falling into open sin; which last if they avoid, and perform the first, the New Zealanders are too prone to think is quite enough to gain them acceptance with God. I told her the law of God required perfect obedience, extending to every thought of the heart; that we were unable to yield this obedience; and that if we only looked into God's Word, to see what He requires, and then prayerfully watch our own hearts for even one hour, we should see our vileness, and utter inability to do any good thing; that the best Christians felt this burden in themselves, which makes them cleave to Christ, and makes Him so precious to them; and that Satan is ever on the alert to instil into our minds evil thoughts, adapting himself wonderfully to the occasion.

The whole time I was speaking Lydia paid the most fixed attention, and assented continually in a very earnest manner, especially when I spoke of the temptations to evil thoughts and angry tempers when we are crossed in any thing. On my return she accompanied me to the canoe, to get some medicine for her sister-in-law, and told me that she, too, had been very unwell, while at Te Awatoto Village, with pain in her back and side; and that her husband was angry with her, and said she was pretending to be ill, so as not to work. This grieved her much, she said, and she could not help crying whenever she thought of it, and that she felt tempted with many evil thoughts; and that when she heard her minister's sermon-- from Col. iii. 15 --on Sunday Evening last, her heart assented to the truth of it. I told her that all who would be Christ's disciples must bear their cross, and that this was her cross, to bear with her husband's unkind and overbearing manner toward her; and that when she felt tempted, then was the time to pray, and that God would hear her, because He had promised to do so. This woman I have long had hopes of; and pray God, that if He has begun a good work in her, He will carry it on, and that she may become a crown of rejoicing to us in that day!

Dec. 21 --At Tangoio. Rutene, the

Monitor, informed me that Te Korou and his wife Wakinga, had cast off their papistry; and that his wife, who is very unwell, had been regularly visited by him --Rutene --who read to and prayed with her; and that she also prayed to Christ for herself, and wished much to see me. I felt cheered on hearing this, and sent her word that I would go myself to-morrow to see her, their house being about half-a-mile distant.

Dec. 22, 1850: Lord's Day --After School I went with Rutene to see Wakinga, the sick wife of Te Korou. Arriving at their hut, I found them both within it expecting me. Entering, we saluted each other, and, sitting down, I conversed with the sick woman for nearly an hour, the husband, who paid great attention, sometimes joining in the conversation. I plainly saw that the hour of her death was not far off, and told her so. I trust I dealt faithfully with both of them. I was gratified in finding that they had fully cast off their papistry, which I knew they had done before I entered the hut, or even spoke to them, from seeing a New Testament lying by the woman's side--a book which no New-Zealand Papist would be seen to touch; and my pleasure was increased on finding that they did not evince any dislike at my plain dealing, and also in observing the peculiarly eager manner of the poor woman, who, though in pain, would insist upon sitting up, devouring all I said. Her conversation was altogether of a pleasing character. She could not read, but she prayed often, and Rutene sometimes read to her. I read a suitable, portion of Scripture, which I also briefly commented upon, and having prayed with her, I left.

Feb. 8, 1851 --I went to the Chapel to glaze some of the broken windows, &c, and was not a little pleased at the quantity of nice matting which the chiefs' wives had wrought for the floor, and which quite covered the whole area of the Chapel, 60 feet by 45. This I had, two months ago, asked them to do, but I scarcely hoped that they would weave so much or so finely. The Chapel, also, had been just finished repairing all round with bulrushes, &c, which will, D. V., afford us good room and shelter for another wet winter. While I was engaged about the windows, Tareha, one of the four principal chiefs, and several other chiefs of second rank, came to lay down the matting with their own hands. I held Evening Service, preaching from 2 Cor. iv. 5: congregation, 250.

Feb. 9: Lord's Day --This morning I held Divine Service, baptizing fifty-nine adults, and preaching from Rev. ii. 7. The Chapel was crammed to overflowing: congregation, 256 at close; among whom were, Te Hapuku, Puhara, and Hineipaketia--Puhara's wife--the principal person of the whole district, and several others, natives of rank, who are well-disposed, though still Heathen.

Among the persons baptized this day were, 1st, all the young chiefs of first rank of this neighbourhood, with the exception of Puhara's son, who has been baptized by the Popish Priest, and Tururu, whom I had rejected; 2dly, some of the wives of the elder first-rank chiefs, namely, of Tareha, of Te Moananui, and of Te Tawa; 3dly, the aged mothers of some of the principal chiefs; and, 4thly, the infant-sons of others. Thirty-one were males; of whom seventeen could read, and nearly the whole of them could also write and do a little cyphering. The females were mostly aged persons: of this sex, however, six could read well. Nearly the whole of the readers had learned to read in our Schools. All of them had been Candidates for some considerable time, and were well acquainted with the prominent truths of the Christian Faith. In the hearts of some of them I would dare to hope the Holy Spirit has already commenced His gracious work, which He will complete and make perfect. The chief Tareha's last wife, Paerikiriki--a fine young woman, and the mother of Ani Kanara Te Tuhitio--who has long been ill, and who, though extremely weak, perseveringly came to our late instruction classes and to baptism, is, I believe, near the end of her mortal term, and is, I also trust, being prepared for a better world. Her aged mother was also baptized with her; as were also the aged widow and son of old Zachariah Pikitoetoe, the first adult baptized by me here at the Station. There were also, among the elder men, one who had murdered his brother, on purpose to get his wife, whom he then took, and fled with her to the interior to another tribe, to escape the revenge of his own; nor did he dare to return hither again until the Gospel had somewhat ameliorated their hearts. But, if I were to write down their deeds of blood of former days, I should have much to say of every one. Blessed be God, that iron age is past!

March 8, 1851 --During the greater part of the day I was engaged with those whom I had chosen, 46 in all --viz. 23 males and 23 females -- of whom, however, only 12 were readers; the majority being grey-headed persons, and some very aged, of whom Te Tore and Kariwenua, the two ancient chiefs of the tribe, deserve particular mention. The latter, Kariwenua, a simple, quiet, venerable man, was attended by his son, grand-daughter, and great-granddaughter, together with his daughters-in-law and grand-son-in-law. Among the aged females was one, Hineitanumia, who had lived at Paihia with Mr. Fairburn, and there nursed his daughter, now Mrs. Colenso, upward of twenty years ago. She had been enslaved and taken hence by the Ngapuhi tribes, in Hongi's bloody days; and had subsequently found her way back to her home and people upon the spreading of the Gospel. Poor old creature! she now chose, apparently with no small degree of feeling, the name of Mrs. Colenso's sister, Esther, whom she had nursed some years from her birth, as a baptismal name for herself. Nearly the whole of the Candidates had been several years on my books. Toward evening, and while engaged with my last class, Mr. M'Lean 2 returned from Turanga. Having finished, I went out and saw him for a few minutes, when he came with me to see the Chapel, and the large numbers of good mats which the chiefs' wives had wove, and which their husbands were now busily laying down against to-morrow, and expressed his warm approval of what he saw. At sun-set I held Evening Service, preaching from Colossians iii. 9, 10; congregation, nearly 200.

March 9: Lord's Day --This morning I held Divine Service, baptizing 47 adults, and preaching from 1 Pet. i. 2. Congregation, upward of 300.

I have, perhaps, scarcely conveyed to you a correct impression of the interest with which the Natives of the place, and of the surrounding villages, regard the proposed School. The readiness with which they gave up the very best land they had, in the immediate vicinity of their own dwellings, and which they had at the time under cultivation, on which there were some beautiful crops, was a sufficient guarantee to us that they were in earnest in their co-operation, and that they felt that their children had already derived benefit from the School which has been in operation.

Aug. 1 --On my way to Whareroa it rained heavily, and I found it extremely difficult riding down steep clay hills, and passing along over-grown paths, the trees compelling me to be continually on my guard lest they should strike me.

I found my Natives busily engaged in

enlarging their Church for the hui (gathering). After the Evening Service I held a Prayer-meeting of the Communicants. One prayed that his thoughts might always fall upon God, as the rain fell incessantly day and night.

Aug. 2 --The Natives were busily engaged this morning in making a temporary Church with boards, which they have already had cut for their new Church. I told them it was like their place, which is called Whareroa, or long house, as this is about sixty feet long. Natives from all parts kept arriving all day. In the afternoon I addressed the Communicants, and then administered medicine.

Aug. 3: Lord's Day --When we assembled in the Church, it was found to be incapable of containing more than half the Congregation. I therefore held Service in the open air, and afterward administered the sacrament to 180.

Aug. 4 --I arose by candlelight, got my breakfast, and then had Service with the Natives. I trust I was enabled to speak a word in season, from the lesson of the day. I then left. It was still very rainy I had several narrow escapes of being thrown in going to Waokena, once in crossing a river. The bank was steep on the opposite side; but fortunately there was a tuft of grass by the side, on which I dismounted; and, immediately afterward, the horse, in attempting to climb up the bank, fell head over heels into the river. In another place my horse was bogged; but I was enabled to get off and escape before he plunged in getting out. I could not help thinking, when I meditated on the many apparently hair-breadth escapes I have had, that it is only to be attributed to the Lord's fulfilling His Word, that they who bear His message of glad tidings to the Heathen shall be more especially under His care; and yet, what poor unworthy beings are we: but the Lord magnifies Himself in us, that, our weakness being so apparent, the work may be manifestly His alone. We reached Manawapou by noon, and had some difficulty in ascending the slippery clay cliff in continued rain. We arrived at Patea at half-past two, where the old ferryman hastened to cross us over, and then, with some difficulty, we passed round the point below Rangiawia, the surf dashing furiously against the cliffs, amongst the fallen masses, through which we had to thread our way. We stayed the night at Wenuakura. I have had a very satisfactory and interesting conversation with the inhabitants. Speaking of the origin of evil, one old man, named Horopapera, said it originated with Satan, who fought with Jehovah, and was expelled from heaven, and cast down to hell. Then his wicked heart led him to inquire what revenge he could have for his expulsion. He then said, Eve shall be my payment, and her offspring also. Thus he tempted her, and she and her husband fell, and we also with them; and thus wars, murders, thefts, and hatred have arisen, and continued ever since. That Maru, their ancient god of war, was only another name for Satan, and he continually thirsted for blood; and so they sacrificed men, women, and children on his altar. But now the Word of God came to put an end to evil, and to reveal the true light. The poor old man was so animated, and so rapid in his utterance, that I could only gather a portion of what he said. Oftentimes I am led to doubt whether there is any of the true seed growing; but when these thoughts arise I generally have something to dispel my fears, and convince me that the Lord has a seed amongst the New Zealanders.