NEW ZEALAND--COMPLETION OF THE MAORI BIBLE.
NEW ZEALAND--COMPLETION OF THE MAORI BIBLE.
It is matter for the deepest gratitude, that the translation of the entire word of God into the language of the New Zealanders has now been completed. Many hearts will sympathize with the writer, as their eyes run over the annexed extract from a letter of the Rev. R. Maunsell, dated Waikato River, August 12, 1856--
"The termination of my labours at translation having given a respite from study, I avail myself of this first opportunity to write to you. The whole word of God is now in Maori; and you, I dare say, can imagine the feelings with which I regard the completion, so far, of my labours. I have, through His great goodness, been now spared to assist in the revision of the New Testament and Prayer-book, and to finish an original translation of the Old Testament.
"Dark indeed were my prospects, when, this time thirteen years back, I saw my house, with all my books and papers, swept away in an hour and a-half by fire; when my wife, who was confined next day, lay in a wretched native hut; when our assistant, Miss Rymill, was also in considerable danger from an attack on the lungs; and I myself prostrated, my hands having been severely burned while I was endeavouring to extinguish the second fire--which took place in the shed in which, with the remnant of our goods, we had taken refuge.
"Still, the feeling has always been strong on my mind, that God had called me to be useful in this particular service. Even when in England, I longed, from reading Martyn's life, to render some service in the translation of God's word, and commenced studying Hebrew, and laying in a stock of books on criticism. Immediately, as soon as my hands recovered, I set to work again at my delightful employment; and, though often discouraged by the apparent impossibility of getting the work printed in this country, yet God--as I have already informed you--opened a way for my object, in a manner particularly gratifying to my feelings; and has enabled me to complete my work just on the anniversary of my time of sorrows. Whatever portion of my time may now remain to me, it is my earnest desire and prayer that I may have grace to give it entirely to Him."
On the reception of this cheering information, the Committee recorded their sense of its importance in the following resolution--
"That this Committee praise God for the completion of the whole Bible in Maori, and pray that it may be the means of increasing fruitfulness in the infant church of New Zealand; and they congratulate Mr. Maunsell on the honour conferred upon him by God, of being the chief instrument in the accomplishment of this good work; and they trust that he may be long spared to witness the blessed results of this and of all his other 'labours of love, and patience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.'"
