1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1841 - New Zealand--Church Missionary Society, p 308-310

Having been obliged to quit my charge at Port Philip, on leave of absence, for the purpose of visiting England, I went over to New Zealand in the hope of meeting with a direct homeward-bound vessel; and during my two months' detention there, I occupied myself chiefly in endeavouring to learn, by personal observation, and diligent inquiries from disinterested parties long settled in the country, the prospective advantage of its colonization. My intercourse with the aboriginal inhabitants, therefore, was merely casual.

That there are many pleasing indications of the speedy evangelization of that splendid sample of the human race, the most cursory observer would readily discover.

On our arrival at Port Nicholson--the New-Zealand Land Company's principal settlement--in the month of April 1840, we remained at the entrance of the harbour for the acting pilot of the port; who very soon came off to us, in a boat rowed by some Natives. As the wind was contrary, and blew very fresh, we could not beat up the harbour till the following morning. I was much pleased to observe, that, previously to these poor fellows, but recently-reclaimed cannibals, retiring to rest for the night, each of them took from under his cloak a book, which appeared to be a portion of the Psalms and our beautiful Liturgy; and having chanted one of the Psalms with an agreeably-plaintive voice, they all knelt down upon the deck, and read some of the Prayers, in a truly devotional and impressive manner.

The next morning, at six o'clock, we perceived them engaged in a similar duty. One of the passengers having pointed me out as a Clergyman--or a Missionary, a designation which was better understood --they appeared to be much delighted: and, advancing, they smilingly held out their hands, and began to address me in their own language; shewing me their books, which it was evident they valued very highly.

On proceeding up the harbour, a Native Catechist, named Davis, came off, to see me. He spoke English intelligibly; and said, as well as I recollect, "I am glad to see you, Sir. Hope you will stay with us. We are all Christians here. To-morrow is Sunday: please to come on shore, and preach to us." It was accordingly arranged, that, after he had read Prayers, I should deliver an Address, which he would undertake to interpret. At ten o'clock the next morning, I proceeded, accompanied by the captain of the vessel and a few of our cabin-passengers, to their simply-constructed church; which was a Maori or native hut, composed of a few rough posts, interlaced with the branches of trees and rushes: and I was greatly astonished to find about. 300 Natives assembled there; the men on one side, and the women and children on the other. Their demeanour, during the hour of Worship, indicated deep humility and

self-abasement. It was, indeed, such as might put to the blush many of our religious assemblies in civilized Europe. The responses were uttered aloud, in excellent harmony, by the whole of the congregation. They conformed, in every respect, to the directions of the Rubric, kneeling during the Prayers, and fixing their eyes intently on their books. A deep solemnity pervaded the whole assembly; and, so far as their appearance might lead one to an inference, I should have no hesitation in saying that they were not engaged in an unmeaning performance, but that they were sincerely and penitentially acknowledging, before their "Almighty and Most-merciful Father, that they had followed too much the devices and desires of their own hearts, and had offended against His holy laws;" and supplicating, that, "according to His promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord, they might hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the praise of His holy Name."

Let it be observed, that this Station had received only a transient visit, a few months previously, from one of the Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society; and was left entirely under the care of a Native Catechist, who had been redeemed from slavery or captivity by Mr. Davis, the Church Missionary Society's Agent at Waimate!

How different, alas! was the conduct, on this sacred day of rest, of an Old Settler at this port, a native of Great Britain, connected with the Fisheries, and residing but a very few yards from the New-Zealanders' Chapel. He was actually engaged, during the hour that these simple-minded unsophisticated Natives were assembled in the House of Prayer, repairing his boats, and paying them, over with pitch; retaining also the assistance of some of the Natives in his employ, as well as Europeans.

Surely the Missionaries have reason to lament the introduction of a class of Settlers like this!

Another proof of their scrupulous attention to their Lord's-Day duties was afforded me on the following Lord's Day.

The Catechist called on me in the course of the week, to mention, that he was going over to Kapiti Island, distant about forty miles, on a visit to the Rev. Octavius Hadfield. --I am not sure whether Divine Service was observed in their Chapel on the Lord's Day; but, walking through their village and on the beach about noon, I perceived several groupes of from six to ten individuals reading portions of the Scriptures with great earnestness and seriousness, occasionally stopping and commenting, or committing to memory. In some instances, the groupe consisted of children, who were being taught to read by a native adult. In no one instance, except that before mentioned, was there any violation of the Lord's-Day duties observable. Although some of the recently-arrived Settlers had endeavoured to tempt such as were employed in putting up huts, by an extra consideration, to continue their work on the Lord's Day, they could never prevail on them to do so. Indeed, a respectable Settler told me, that, by the assistance of our Interpreter, he wished to make a bargain on a Lord's Day with some of these Natives about the building of a Maori or native hut; and was much surprised to find that one of them repeated the Fourth Commandment, and then appointed a meeting for the following morning.

During the week, many of them were employed in constructing Maori Huts for the newly-arrived Emigrants. On my passing them, they would look at me with a smile, and begin to chant a verse of one of the Psalms--sometimes exhibiting their books, which were generally carried about their persons.

The facility with which, it appears, they learn to read, and the eagerness which they evince to obtain the Scriptures, are striking characteristics in this singular people; and, I doubt not, will be found by the emissaries of the Romish Church, who are exceedingly active, formidable obstacles to the spread of their tenets: they number a few proselytes about the Bay of Islands, and at the Thames; who, I believe, are not remarkable for any change in their moral deportment. At the Bay of Islands, the Natives generally appeared to be sadly vitiated, doubtless from longer and more frequent intercourse with the seamen of the numerous ships calling there for refreshment.

I was anxious to learn to what extent Christianity had been disseminated among the New Zealanders; but considerable doubt existed on the subject. Two classes, or great divisions now prevail--the warekura, and the kainga maori. The Warekura are professors of Christianity--not all baptized Christians; but persons who attend schools, are able to read, and no

longer conform to native habits. The Kainga Maori are dwellers in native huts, or adherents to ancient customs. It has recently been discovered, that many families in the Kainga Maori Division are able to read, although they have not as yet had any intercourse with the Missionaries: for this purpose, they are known to avail themselves of every facility; such as, the return of individuals from captivity who had acquired the ability to read during their absence; or if any prisoners had been made in their hostile aggressions upon those tribes which profess Christianity, these captives have been found teaching their victors to read the Scriptures.

The appearance of the Church Missionary Society's Station at Waimate presented a pleasing contrast to the surrounding wilderness. On arriving at this Oasis at evening's close, the sight of the "decent Church," the sound of the bell for Evening Prayers, the cultivated farm, the never-failing brook, and "the busy mill," excited emotions which it would be difficult to describe. There is indeed much cause for thankfulness for what has been done at this place, through the instrumentality of the agents of the Church Missionary Society. To furnish details, would only be to reiterate much of what has been most probably communicated by the Missionaries.

The Rev. H. and W. Williams having gone into the interior of the country, my assistance was requested at the English Services at Kororarika, and consequently I had not the opportunity of attending many of the Native Congregations about the Bay of Islands: but that the tongue of detraction and envy has most unjustly assailed the Society's Missions in this part of the world, I could, if time permitted, adduce satisfactory evidence; and sorry indeed I felt that countenance should have been afforded to the unwarranted reports in circulation, to the prejudice of men so faithfully devoted to their Master's Cause, and to the interesting object contemplated by the Society in whose service they are employed.

The Divine Blessing has been accorded to this Mission so obviously, that one would imagine every mind not pre-determined to resist the most abundant and satisfactory evidence would instantly acknowledge it with thankfulness, and in every possible way gladly co-operate in so glorious a work as that which is now being accomplished.