1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1842 - New Zealand, p422-426

PAIHIA--Of the progress of the Mission you have heard much to delight you: the work is still going on; but it should be remembered that our duties are, in proportion, increasing. Our people need constant watchfulness, to secure of them strict observance of their baptismal obligations. The Native habits have been, from of old, sensual and devilish: nothing could exceed the corrupt propensities of this people. From their infancy they have acted without restraint; and even yet they are deficient in those feelings of decency and propriety, which are so universal among English Christians. The change is great indeed, even now; and we hope that, in time, they will attain that station which is so greatly to be desired. They are frequent in their applications to us for direction in their domestic proceedings.

On March 14th, I admitted to Baptism, at this place, 121, including about 30 children; all of whom, except the aged persons, could read with a little attention. Many could read well. In the examination for this Sacrament, I exercise every possible care as to their general conduct, and require that the older and more leading Christians should be answerable for their consistency.

At the Lord's Supper we had between 200 and 300, after a minute examination which continued about ten days. Our Chapel could not hold the communicants with convenience, not to mention those who did not communicate. ----- [Rev. H. Williams, June 22, 1841.

WAIMATE--During the past year many have been received into the Church by baptism. Of these, more has been required than formerly; few, excepting the aged, being admitted without having committed to memory the three Catechisms, and being able to read their Bible, in addition to other requirements. There is a gradual but evident improvement in the general appearance of our congregations; which is especially observable by persons who have visited those parts of the Islands where the Natives still remain in their original state. A great moral change is going on; and we entertain little fear that the Natives will succumb to the Europeans, as the Aborigines of every

other country have done: on the contrary, seeing the advantages of civilized life, though the step from their state to it is great, they are not discouraged from attempting it. This is perceptible, not only in their great desire to dress as Europeans, and obtain similar wages, but likewise in their eagerness to learn: there is a general wish displayed to acquire a knowledge of English, arithmetic, and geography, which is really astonishing. Ihat a moral feeling also has been called forth, which formerly did not exist, is evident, from this circumstance -- that many females, hitherto living with Europeans, some for years, have left their sinful companions; who, in some instances, have preferred marrying, rather than lose the society of those whom they had learned to esteem. We trust that an inward as well as an outward change has taken place in many--one which will last--front the readiness manifested, on more occasions than one, to send the Gospel to other heathen lands. If they are a covetous race--and we fear, generally speaking, it is too true--it must be a deep sense of the blessings of the Gospel, and of love for the Lord Jesus Christ, which could cause them cheerfully to part with the treasure which they so highly prize.

During the last year the Baptisms at Waimate have been, adults 252, children 99. The communicants have numbered 381. ----- [Rev. R. Taylor's Report of Waimate, for the Year ending June 30, 1841.

KERIKERI--I trust, that among the great numbers who have been admitted into the Church there are many who are sincere followers of the Lord, and are made partakers of that faith which is the operation of the Spirit, which works by love, and overcomes the world.

We have to mourn over some who made a great profession, but who have awfully disgraced that Holy Name which they professed to love. Never did the Mission stand in greater need of the prayers of all its faithful friends and supporters than at this time. There is a general profession of Christianity throughout the Northern Island; but--in consequence of its being colonized, and of the settling among these professors of numbers of Europeans who not only instil bad principles into their minds, but whose example of drunkenness and debauchery is calculated to have a most awful effect on the Natives at large --nothing but the special grace of God can preserve them. May a greater outpouring of the Spirit be vouchsafed to us, and to all who pray for the prosperity of the Mission! ----- [Mr. J. Kemp, August 9, 1841.

PAIHIA--It is very cheering to watch the progress of the Mission, the anxious desire for Divine knowledge--which, I may say, is shewn everywhere--and the numbers who are pressing forward for admission into the Church militant. The examination of all in connexion with this Station is as strict as I can desire. I have them, not in classes, but individually. This I find more wearisome and tedious, but more effectual in determining the extent of knowledge possessed by each person. I am now much engaged with those Natives who are undergoing their final examination before baptism, which will take place, D. V., on Lord's Day the 10th inst., when I expect about 100 adults will be presented to the Lord. By the present returns you will be able to determine more correctly the numbers of Christian Natives. In some instances you appear to have taken the return for the Waimate as the return for the whole Mission. The Natives assembling every Lord's Day, under our Missionaries, and Native Teachers, are not fewer than 35,000 or 40,000.

I have written to the Bishop of Australia, requesting directions on certain important points relating to the Natives. Many questions of moment frequently present themselves, on which we possess no authority to enter. We much hope that a Bishop for this Colony will soon make his appearance. ----- [Rev. H. Williams, Oct. 1, 1841.

TAURANGA--We can point with gratitude to the statistical returns accompanying this Report, as a new proof that God has been with us of a truth. Contrasting our present returns with those of last year, there is an increase of 334 in our congregation; 183 in our schools; and an addition of 100 to our Scripture Readers; while the number of Natives baptized, and the candidates still remaining for Baptism, are double the number of those last reported. We have other causes, also, for gratitude, in the increased number of Native Teachers--in the continued strong desire manifested by all around us to possess the Scriptures--and in the continuance in well-doing of the great majority of those who have declared themselves on the Lord's side. The examination of the schools held at Tauranga and Matamata have afforded another proof that our labour in the Lord has not been in vain. At Tauranga, 400 assembled in classes, of whom 80 read in the New Testament: at Matamata 472 were arranged in classes, 124 of whom read several chapters of the New Testament, and were examined in them. While therefore, in reviewing the past, we bless God, to whose mercy and loving-kindness alone the progress of our work can be attributed, we would desire to check every anxious thought for the coming year, and to exclaim with the Psalmist, Because Thou hast been our refuge, therefore under the shadow of Thy wings will we rejoice. ----- [Rev. A. N. Brown's Report, for the Year ending March 31, 1841.

HAURAKI--The Tribes in this District have been kept in peace, and the greater part have attended on the means of grace. During the year we have visited all the Native residences on the eastern side of the Thames. Schools are established, and Services held, in every village in the district. Forty-eight adults and sixteen children have been baptized during the year. The average attendance on the Services, at all the principal places, is about 1740;, Sunday-schools. l560; Weekday-schools, 961. ----- [Mr. J. Preece's Report, for the Year ending March 31, 1841.

WAIKATO--The numbers baptized by me in the half-year ending March 31, 1841, are--adults, 178; children, 65. I do not here record the 200 baptized at our late mustering of Schools: they will be returned next half-year. I find, at this date, that in the District of Waikato alone I have recorded the baptisms of 964 adults and Children. ----- [Rev R. Maunsell, July 12, 1841.

ROTORUA--Notwithstanding the efforts of Popery in this neighbourhood, the cause of pure and undefiled Religion is steadily marching onward. The difficulty of keeping pace with the increasing calls made on my time and attention by the widely-spreading spirit of inquiry among the Natives prevents my communicating with you so fully and frequently as I most anxiously desire to do during these eventful times for New Zealand. Within the last four months I walked upward of 500 miles, in two journeys; and during the same period baptized, at Maungatautari, Matamata,

Tauranga, Rotorua, and Taupo, 269 Natives; 190 of them being adults, who were strictly examined in all the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. A large portion of these form the first-fruits of the Rotorua Mission. ----- [Rev. A. N. Brown, Sept. 8, 1841.

1. The geographical extent of this District is 180 miles on the Map; but in consequence of the difficulties of the road, it requires from twelve to fourteen days' hard travelling to pass through the whole length of it.

2. The idols are already cast to the moles and to the bats; the swords are beaten into ploughshares, and the spears into pruning-hooks; that is, the whole fabric of Native Superstitions is gone, whether relating to the living or the dead-- the old priests being as forward to take this step as any others. Their weapons of warfare are laid by, their animosities with distant tribes are given up, and their petty quarrels are settled by arbitration.

3. The disposition to receive instruction--shewn by the fact, that more than 8000 persons assemble every Lord's Day to worship the God of Christians, for the most part in chapels neatly built.

4. The desire to possess Prayer-Books and Testaments; --for the purpose of obtaining which they will come from the extreme points of Hawks' Bay; and for which they are always ready to pay, when the distance does not prevent them from doing so. Numbers have brought a payment beforehand, to make sure of early possession on the arrival of a supply; and since the Testaments printed in New Zealand are expended, they are perfectly satisfied to leave their payment, (Sept. 1842. ]) hearing that others are on the way from England.

5. The number of candidates for baptism--upward of 1400 of whom are under weekly instruction.

6. The number of Native Christians-- 878 adults having been received into the Church of Christ after careful examination, and 363 children, making a total of 1241. Among the adults are included a large proportion of the leading Chiefs.

7. The general consistency of conduct in those who profess Christianity. In the absence of more extensive testimony from persons unconnected with the Mission, may be given a copy of a paper found at Waiapu, on my last visit:--

Waiapu, July 21, 1840.

These are to certify, that John Brown, of the brig Martha, seaman, was unfortunately drowned on the beach, and was buried by the kind assistance of the Chief and Missionaries (Native), who paid every attention, by having the rites performed in a proper manner and with good order. Given under my hand at the Pa, this 21st day of July 1840,

G. POWELL, Master.

8. A large community of Christians being now formed, it becomes necessary that instruction should be regularly given, of a character which is beyond the knowledge and ability of the Native Teachers. Their diligence in the work, and consistency of conduct, call for much thankfulness to Him who has made them what they are; but they are themselves babes in Christ, and, with their flocks, require to be fed with the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby. Without this mode of instruction, unfolding in succession the precepts of the Gospel, errors of a serious nature must necessarily arise.

9. From the great transition which has taken place in so short a space of time, there must be difficulties of continual occurrence, which require the judgment of persons possessing more maturity of thought than the Natives can be supposed to have. I allude to their petty quarrels, from various causes, and particularly from damage done to their crops by the pigs of their neighbours. These quarrels are no longer to be settled in the summary manner of former times; but are to be regulated on Christian principles.

10. The increasing activity of Satan. I know not how many Popish Priests were in New Zealand previously; but last month there was an arrival of four Priests and eight Catechists.

11. This request for help is not made with a view to the occupation of new ground, but that what is already in possession may be kept. We have not now to say, Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it: it is subdued.

12. A great work has been accomplished, in which the hand of the Lord has been signally manifest. It has not been by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. It has not been through the labours of your Missionaries; for the Word has only been preached by Native Teachers. We have literally stood still to see the salvation of God.