Recent Miscellaneous Intelligence.
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NEW ZEALAND.
Church Miss. Soc. --In our Number for July last (pp. 335, 336), a detailed account was given of the afflicting collision which took place at Kororarika, in the Bay of Islands, on the 11th of March last, between a British Force and the Natives. The Committee have since received various communications from the Mission, coming down to the 23d of May. Civil war between the Tribes who side with Heke,
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the rebellious Chief, and those who support the British Authority, the probability of which was formerly stated, has actually begun. Mr. J. Kemp writes from Kerikeri, on the 10th of April-- "A large party of Natives from Hokianga, under a Chief named Thomas Waka (Thomas Walker) Nene, have taken up arms against Heke, and war has been declared; the parties having taken up their positions on a plain between Waimate and Hokianga. Several battles have been fought, and about ten on Heke's side, and two on Waka's side, have been killed. Several, on both sides, have been wounded. They are still fighting. Heke wishes Waka to make peace; but Waka is determined to put the rebel party down; and, from all appearance, he is likely to conquer. What the end will be we cannot say."
Mr. Kemp adds--"Waka's party say that they are fighting for the Pakehas (Europeans), which causes Heke's party not to think well of us."
In these circumstances it is not surprising that the Mission Work has been much interrupted at the Paihia and Waimate Stations. Archdeacon H. Williams thus reviews their situation, in a Letter of the 26th of March-- "Our Congregations are very seriously torn to pieces in consequence of this sad state of things. It is indeed a day of sorrow and mourning; yet we know our work is not in vain. They have the word of eternal life, which shall not return unto God void; but shall accomplish the work whereunto He sent it. We must stand in faith and see the workings of the Lord, who can, and doubtless will, subdue these rebellious dispositions, and yet bring them into willing obedience to Himself."
Things being in this unsettled state, and the minds of the Natives in the Bay of Islands being much excited, the Missionaries judged it expedient to remove their daughters, and the press and some other portion of the Mission property, to Auckland. In a Postscript to Archdeacon H. Williams's Letter, dated the 2d of April, he says-- "I hope, by the steps which we have taken, that we may be enabled to continue at our work."
The Missionaries, with their wives, therefore, remain at their posts.
The communications from the Mission are, nevertheless, not without encouragement. At Kaitaia, the most northern of the Society's Stations in New Zealand, distant about eighty miles north from Paihia, Mr. W. G. Puckey states, in a Letter of the 20th of March-- "Our Natives are all living in peace, and we hope will not join in the war."
From the South-western District, the Rev. R. Taylor writes, on the 22d of March-- "The Natives of this District are living in peace."
And from the Waikato Heads, in the Middle District, the Rev. R. Maunsell thus writes on the 23d of April-- "It is with deep thankfulness to Him who alone can give the increase that I have now to report that I find my people in as satisfactory a condition as can perhaps be at present expected from New-Zealand Christians. The people are still regular, exceedingly regular, in their attendance on the Means of Grace -- Candidates for the Lord's Supper are steady in numbers and attendance --all seem to value, and desire frequent visits at their settlements--and the number of lapsed Natives is as yet but few. Our Sunday Children's School is also, I trust, making a little progress, and averages between 35 and 40. Under these circumstances, I cannot but feel cheered and thankful; and I indulge an humble hope that our good Master will vouchsafe His nourishing and strengthening influences to this our day of small things. The excitements of the northward have not yet reached us."
Our latest Letter, dated May 23, contains this cheering general remark-- "I write you a hasty line to say that your Missionaries and your Mission Stations are all secure, amidst wars and rumours of wars. Every thing remains untouched, and I do hope that there is a prospect of returning peace."
We doubt not that the state of the New-Zealand Mission occupies much of the thoughts and sympathies of the Members of the Society at this season, and that their prayers continually ascend to a Throne of Grace on its behalf. This encourages hope that a gracious God will be pleased so to order and controul the course of events, that all may issue to His glory in the future welfare and prosperity of the Mission.
In our statement respecting the New-Zealand Mission, in July last, we noticed certain reports which had been circulated to the prejudice of Archdeacon H. Williams, in reference to the afflicting events which took place at Kororarika; and added, that the Committee waited "farther information respecting those calumnies." Such information has now been received from sources of the most unquestionable authority; and, as the Committee fully anticipated would be the case, it not only fully exculpates him from the charges brought against him, but proves that his conduct, in the trying and perilous circumstances in which he was placed, was such as became him as a British Subject and a faithful Missionary.
