1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1841 - Australasia--New Zealand, p 541-548

We are going on steadily with our work, and I trust we have evidence of the blessing of God upon our labours. On Lord's Day, the Rev. R. Maunsell baptized ten adults. There are many more candidates on the books, who were prevented from coming by the unfavourable state of the weather. I trust there is a great work going on here: fresh inquirers after the truth as it is in Jesus are constantly coming forward.

On Lord's Day, the 5th of July, His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Hobson, accompanied by Mr. Clarke, as Protector of the Aborigines, and two other Officers in His Excellency's suite, spent the day with us at Maraetai, and attended our English Evening Service. He expressed himself highly pleased.

So far as I know, the Natives conduct themselves with much propriety: and it has been remarked again and again, by persons visiting here, that the behaviour of the Natives in this immediate neighbourhood is much better than they have observed in any other part of the island.

During the last six months, I have spent forty-six days in visiting the Natives at a distance. I was much pleased to find my message listened to with apparent attention. I have every reason to believe that many are earnestly seeking for salvation.

I have also visited all the Natives around the Settlement, and have taken the Services of the Station. There have been nineteen adults and three children baptized during the half year. ----- [Mr. James Preece.

In May and June I spent three weeks in a journey to the Thames and Matamata. At the Thames, I baptized 18 adults and 4 children; and at Matamata, 23 adults and 12 children; total, 57. The examination of the Matamata and Maungatautari Schools, on this journey, afforded me unfeigned satisfaction. Divided into ten classes, 472 Natives repeated the Catechisms; and 124 of them read several chapters in the New Testament, and were examined in them. They also repeated the Miracles of our Saviour, the Offices of the Holy Spirit, the Names and Titles of Jesus Christ, &c. Though suffering from inflammation in my eyes, I am enabled to spend much time in conversational meetings with the Baptismal Candidates, and to take Native Service, with the assistance of a Christian Native to read the Lessons. ----- [Rev. A. N. Brown.

During the past half-year, my time has been fully occupied in the general duties of the Station, in holding Native Services, and in attending to the sick. The School at Papa has been very poorly attended during the winter months, from the prevalence of cough, and a great scarcity of food. This scarcity has helped to carry off several of the Natives who were labouring under chronic disease, notwithstanding our utmost endeavours to prevent it. The English Service has been regularly held on Lord's-Day forenoon. ----- [Mr. J. Stack.

Aug. 16, 1839--Two messengers arrived from Uitau, the man who murdered

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Ngakuku's child at the Wairere in 1836. He professes repentance, and a wish to join the inquiring Natives at Patitere, a place about central between Matamata and Rotorua. I deferred sending an answer to Uitau; but supplied the messengers with such materials for a school as I possessed.

Aug. 31, 1839--We had hoped that the Natives were tired of this destructive war; but just as we were rejoicing-- although with trembling--at the widely-spread spirit of inquiry that is abroad among the Natives, and were making preparations for baptizing a party at Matamata, the tocsin of war was again suddenly sounded, and our plans frustrated.

Sept. 15: Lord's Day -- After dinner, I went to Maungatapu; and, on landing, saw a party sitting in a circle on the beach, repeating a new native song, which is to be introduced into their indecent war-dance, on the arrival of Waikato. "They are repeating the Devil's Catechism in class," remarked one of my lads, as we got out of the boat. Another party were busily employed in landing, from five canoes, a quantity of fencing, which they had procured from the woods, in violation of the Lord's Day. We passed on to the little rush Chapel, where I was pleased at finding 100 Natives assembled to hear the Word of Life. The conflict between light and darkness is increasing. May we be found on the Lord's side during the combat, and, through infinite mercy, share with Him the victory!

Sept. 17 -- An idle tale is current among the Natives, and seems to be implicitly believed by them, to the effect, that a Priestess accompanying the "fight" has power to seize the spirits of the tribe they are about to attack. Some leading Chiefs of Rotorua have already, it is said, been destroyed by her arts of necromancy.

Sept. 18--To-day I held an interesting meeting with seventeen Candidates for Baptism. At the close, I told them how much encouragement their conduct afforded me at a season when Satan was again stirring up the evil passions of the Natives, and exciting them to continue the war. "Do not be too glad," said one of the party: "you did not hear the Devil say to us, before we assembled, 'Go, my children, and hear what Brown has to talk about, and then come back and do my work.'"

Dec. 22--At Maungatapu, I to-day had the pleasure of baptizing six adults, one of them a woman--the first that I have been privileged to baptize at this place. Conversing afterward with Nuka, the principal Chief of the Pa, he acknowledged having sent an invitation to the Roman-Catholic Bishop to establish a Mission at Tauranga. Nuka did not, however, attempt to disguise his motives on the occasion. "We have heard," he said, "that the Bishop gives blankets to all who believe, and we want some of them."

Jan. 28, 1840--At Maketu, the Natives were very violent in their language, and Mr. Wilson's lads were in great danger. The Chief Huka--the man who committed the murder which led to the present protracted war--wished to get possession of William Marsh Ngakuku, who was coasting in our boat. His plan, as we afterward learned, was to invite Marsh into the Pa, and murder him in the night. Providentially, however, the wind blew so strongly off shore, that the boat could not effect a landing; and thus the murderous design was frustrated.

The history of New-Zealand Missions, during the last few years, furnishes many pleasing and satisfactory proofs, not only of the avidity with which the Christian Natives seek to possess copies of those portions of the Word of God which have been translated into their language, but also of the diligence and attention with which they endeavour to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them."

Sept. 9, 1839--I have to-day been engaged with a party of fifty-two Natives from the Pas, who came over for religious instruction. At the evening-class, twenty-four others assembled. In the course of reading, I had occasion to inquire what a Temple was. "The praying-house of the Jews," replied William Thompson. -- "Do you recollect any other Temple mentioned in the Testament?" "Yes; the Temple of Heaven, in the Book of Revelation." --"Any other?" "Yes; the bodies of believers are Temples of the Holy Ghost:" and turning to 1 Cor. vi. 19., he read the passage. --On inquiring again what the Holy Spirit was to us, he replied.

"A Comforter--a Teacher--a Remembrancer;" and read John xiv. 26. in confirmation. --I was as much surprised as pleased at these apposite rejoinders, and at the readiness with which he turned to the passages. I feel persuaded that the Papists will gain little with many of these Natives, unless the Priests can point to Scripture in confirmation of what they advance. Nor will the perversion of a few texts avail them; for the Natives will search for themselves whether those things are so. They devote much time to reading the New Testament--"the best book," as Burkitt quaintly remarks, "that was ever written against Popery."

Oct. 22, 1839--I have been making a list of the Miracles of our Saviour, which I took from the "Companion to the Bible." On giving the paper to Thomas Bamford, he read it through, and then inquired why I had omitted the miracle which Christ wrought in order to pay tribute; --a pleasing proof of the diligence with which the Natives search the Scriptures.

Dec. 27--A party of the professing Natives of Otumoetai came to consult, as to the course they were to pursue on the arrival of Rotorua, who are daily expected to attack Tauranga. They pointed out several passages from their Testaments which they considered would justify them in resisting their enemies; among others, James iv. 7. Matt. xxii. 7. 2 Thess. i. 6. I explained the several verses to them, adducing Romans xii. 19. as a parallel passage to the one quoted by them from the Epistle to the Thessalonians. They returned, I trust, in a better spirit; having promised not to leave the Pa when Rotorua arrived, nor to take up arms unless their enemies should attempt to cut down the fencing of their Pa. The whole tenor of their conversation plainly shewed that they search the Scriptures; and this is a subject of rejoicing: but it shewed also the need of continually watching over them, lest they should wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. May the Great Teacher instruct them!

Jan. 26, 1840 -- This morning I addressed the Natives from the fourth verse of the Third Epistle of St. John; and then baptized thirteen adults, who have been on probation for the last twelve months, and whose general conduct is well reported of by the Christian Natives. More than 500 Natives were present at the Service, which we held on the site of their former Chapel. The spot was most tastefully fitted up; for, in order to protect us from the burning rays of the sun, they bad fixed a quantity of young trees in the ground, about ten feet apart, the tops of which were bound to poles thrown horizontally across, and the whole roof was then strewed over with small branches; while on the ground we had a carpet of green fern. Immediately after Service, the Infant School assembled, numbering fifty children. Throughout the afternoon I attended the Men's School and the Girls'. At the Men's, 141 were present; at the Girls', 120. The Boys' School was divided into five classes, and the Girls' into two. In the Men's School, 67 could read the New Testament fluently, and 13 others more slowly: of the women, however, only 4 were able to read the Testament. I have often mourned over the indifference of Native Females to spiritual matters. The position which they occupy, in common with the women of all savage nations, is so low, that it seems difficult to induce them to believe that they have an equal interest with ourselves in the glorious plan of salvation. Yet these dry bones shall live: a shaking among them has already commenced. Four of them came forward yesterday, to inquire if they might be admitted on the list of Baptismal Candidates.

I have been enabled to visit the Thames,

and to make two journeys through that portion of Waikato which is connected with us. I spent two nights at Onematua, with a very interesting party of seventy, who had assembled from a considerable distance to meet me, and who, though much in want of food, agreed that we should spend that time together, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, and receiving the blessed memorials of our Lord's death. At Maungatautari, I was surprised and gratified to find, under the charge of a Native Teacher from Tauranga, a very interesting congregation; who, though almost in the centre of the island, exhibited considerable knowledge of Christian Truth; and in their whole deportment, but more particularly in their respect for their Teacher, presented the pleasing features of a growing Christian community. From what I have been able to see of the whole district, I am inclined to hope that the power of the Gospel is progressing--surely, if not so deeply or so rapidly as we could wish. Two Tribes of some importance, the only tribes on the river that have yet rejected the Gospel, have lately requested Native Teachers from us; and one of their leading men has already learned to read. The conduct of our Native Teachers is, so far as I can learn, consistent. We have thirty now labouring under our inspection; but we have still to regret that circumstances prevent our efficiently superintending their proceedings.

While at home, I have taken a considerable share in the management of the Morning School, and have conducted, alternately with Mr. Ashwell, our evening reading meetings. Of these meetings we entertain much hope: they are held three times a week, for the purpose of catechizing our people in the Scriptures. Between twenty-five and thirty-five is the average attendance; and even now it is apparent that a more solid knowledge of the Word of Life is spreading. A great scarcity of food has considerably affected our settlement congregations and schools. The average Congregation has been 200. The average attendance at the Sunday School has been 80 men, 50 women, and 15 children; Week-day, 15 men, 12 women, and 10 children.

I have baptized, during the half-year, 135 adults, and 78 children. All my spare time has been devoted to translation. The first twenty chapters of Exodus have been sent to the press; and a selection of twenty chapters from the Book of Deuteronomy will, I trust, soon be ready. ----- [Rev. R. Maunsell. Waikato Heads.

I have made two visits to Tauranga, Waipa, and Otawao. At Otawao I trust our labours have been especially blessed. The Christian Natives, in number about 200, have separated from their unbelieving companions; and have built a new Pa, in which no unbelieving native is suffered to reside.

The reading classes at the different places on the river and in the district have been useful in diffusing Christian instruction among the Natives, and in exciting a desire after Scriptural knowledge. ----- [Mr. B. Ashwell. Waikato Heads.

The Congregation at the Station on Lord's-Day mornings has averaged about 130 during the past half-year: the Sunday School, male and female, about 100. The diminution, as compared with last year, may be attributed to the great scarcity of food.

The meetings of Candidates for Baptism have been regularly attended; and much of my time has been also occupied in instructing those who have come from a distance, with a view to that ordinance.

The Schools and Services at the outposts have been conducted by the Native Teachers, and occasionally visited by the Rev. R. Maunsell, Mr. Ashwell, and myself. In Manukau, ninety adults and thirty children have been admitted to baptism during the past half-year.

A considerable portion of my time has been occupied in preparing for the Natives a pamphlet of about thirty or forty pages, to be called "The Elements of Geography." ----- [Mr. J. Hamlin. Manukau.

Our whole district comprises about 7000 souls, principally scattered, however, along the banks of the River Waikato, to a distance of about 120 miles from the Settlement, calculating the windings of the river. Thus distributed, there are no spots which can be said to be thickly peopled; while the number and distance of the cultivations of even the smallest parties give them a peculiarly migra-

tory character, and much increase our difficulties in visiting them. At two or three places, however, they have now built Chapels, regularly conduct Schools and Services, and present the pleasing appearances of growing Christian communities.

Of the folly of their own system the Natives are now pretty generally convinced; but of the Scripture Truth, The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, we have every day abundant evidence; and often are we compelled to pray that the Lord would undertake a work for which we are so inadequate, and give substance and life to the profession, which not individuals only, but Tribes, are hastening to adopt. Of the 7000 souls contained in our district, we compute that full three-fourths have embraced the Gospel.

The desire for Prayer-Books and Scriptures continues as great as ever; while the supply, I am sorry to say, is still very inadequate. Seventy Prayer-Books, which I took with me on my journey, were distributed, though with much caution, before I had proceeded through half the district. Scriptures I had none: they go as fast as we get them. Having promised a New Testament to one of the Congregations, about five days' journey from hence, as a reward for the superior neatness and care exhibited in the erection of their chapel, one of their party accompanied me the whole way back; and finding that they had not yet arrived, has this day proceeded to Mr. Hamlin's, twenty-five miles distant, to obtain it. Thus, when he has reached home, he will have taken a twelve-days' journey for this one book. Such a dearth of the Sacred Volume is now a sad hindrance.

The chief man of Ngatipou, one of the most powerful Tribes in the district, has begun, with his two brothers, to read; having for his teachers his two sons, very intelligent and well-behaved lads, who, with his nephew, have been lately baptized. A very respectable old Chief, Paki, a great priest formerly, during a late visit to us, read Rev. xxii.; and occasionally referred to his little boy, twelve years old, for correction.

It was with much pleasure and surprise that I met a party of seventy; who, having heard of my visit, had mustered from a considerable distance to meet me. We were all in want of food, but they gathered wild cabbage as a substitute; and I spent two days with them in reading the Sacred Scriptures, and examining Candidates for Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism I administered to twelve, and the Lord's Supper to fourteen. Our bread one of them fetched from a distance of ten miles; our chalice was a tin coffeepot; and our plate a tin dish. But He, who dwelleth not in temples made with hands, I trust regarded our little assembly with favour; and enabled us, in deed and in truth, to feast on that precious banquet, which requires neither silver nor gold, but only His own gracious presence, to ennoble it.

My week-day time has been chiefly spent in secular duties, and in removing the Station from the island to the main land. In consequence of this removal, little regular attention could be given on week-days to the spiritual instruction of the Natives. On Lord's Days--Mr. Chapman being confined at home by rheumatism during the whole of the half year--I generally visited one or more of the Congregations at Rotorua or Rotoiti. ----- [Mr. J. Morgan.

June 30, 1839--A leading Chief of this place, Kaikaitahuna, died a few days ago. Ikairo and the Natives of the place were assembled near where the body was laid out. Ikairo asked whether it was in consequence of the Chief's not having believed, that he died so soon; as he had been told it was. I told him, that I could not say so; as it was not in this world, but in the next, that God would make the grand distinction between the righteous and the wicked: that the righteous would go into life everlasting, but the wicked would be

turned into hell. I then exhorted them to repent, and turn to the Saviour. On my turning away from them, the chapel-bell rung; when nearly two-thirds of those who were assembled rose and accompanied me to the chapel. It is a great triumph of the Cross over Satan, when nearly two-thirds of the inhabitants of a heathen village assemble, at the sound of the bell, to listen to the Gospel of Christ. It was truly an imposing sight, when they stood up, with their books in their hands, to sing the praises of God.

July 14: Lord's Day--After breakfast, I started in my boat for Rotoehu, When we came in sight of Motutawa, the chapel-bell was rung, but we were obliged to continue on our course. On our rounding Ngarehu Point, the chapel-bell was rung. I was sorry to be obliged to call, and tell them that we could not land, as we were going on to Rotoehu. A few minutes afterward, coming in sight of Paniao, the bell of that place also rang for Service. It was a pleasing sound, to hear the bells of the different chapels ringing, on the Missionary boat appearing in sight; but painful to be obliged to pass them without holding Service. Six months ago, no such sounds were to be heard at Rotoiti.

Feb. 5, 1840--Yesterday, a Native from the Uriwera, a large tribe living in the forest some days' journey from hence, came to solicit books; a party there having built a chapel, and made a profession of Christianity. This place, from various hindrances, has not yet been visited by any European Missionary, or Native-Christian Teacher; but I hope, within a few weeks, either to visit them myself, or send some Christian Natives to them. In conversation to-day with the man, I put the following questions to him:-- "What must you do to be saved?" "Believe on Jesus Christ." -- "When you return home dirty from working at your plantations, you go to the river and wash, and are clean. Now, your heart is very dirty, from sin: how are your sins to be cleansed away?" "By the blood?" -- "By what blood?" "By the blood of the Lord." I was pleased to find that these saving truths were known, where Christ's Gospel had not been preached by either European or Native-Christian Teacher.

Being engaged in an expedition into the interior, partly to gratify my curiosity, and partly to ascertain the resources of this Island, it was my good fortune to arrive at this Station at the time of the General Yearly Meeting of the Christian Natives in the Waikato District of the Church Mission: and I do myself the pleasure of forwarding to you a sketch of the proceedings of the Meeting; convinced that you and your readers cannot fail to feel an interest in what transpired; the more especially as, after the usual examinations, the first Missionary Meeting, at which large contributions were made by Natives, was held in the Mission Chapel, where several hundreds were congregated.

I was accompanied by Lady Franklin, the Rev. H. B. Churton, Colonial Chaplain, Dr. Johnson, Colonial Surgeon, Lieutenants Donop and Elleman, of H. M. S. "Favourite," Mr. D. Sinclair, and Lieut. Bagot, 51st Light Infantry. The Meeting was numerously attended by Chiefs and their followers, from all the Tribes between Manukau and Kawia; amounting in all, according to the general estimate, to upward of 2000. The examinations were most satisfactory. The young Christians were ranged in different classes, according to the progress which they had made in knowledge; and each class underwent a close catechization, under the direction of the Rev. R. Maunsell, and Messrs. Hamlin, Preece, and Ashwell, of the Church Mission. Numerous questions were asked, by Mr. Churton and others; the answers to which fully proved that all were well grounded in the principles of Christianity, each answer being perfectly to the point, and accompanied by texts from the New Testament. The examinations over, a feast ensued; and reconciliation was made, after the native fashion, between certain Tribes which had been for some time at variance.

On the third, the Chapel was filled with people, all anxious to subscribe a mite toward defraying the expenses of Missions in distant parts, in testimony of their gratitude for that Gospel which had been preached among them. This was by far the most interesting part of the Huihuinga.

A subscription of any sort, for any purpose, is so entirely opposed to the old feelings and customs of the New Zealanders, that it is remarkable that any should have been induced to assemble for the purpose: and it is principally to record the fact that such a subscription has been made, that I am tempted to address you.

I had the honour of being called to the Chair; and after addressing the Meeting through the interpretation of Mr. Maunsell, several Resolutions were proposed, and unanimously adopted--proposed and seconded by Natives of high rank and influence. The Meeting closed with an eloquent address from Mr. Churton; and, after prayer, a Collection was made, at which the sum of 28l. 3s. 4 3/4d. was realized. After the Service on Lord's-Day Morning, 220 received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; and I have seldom seen a more devout congregation. In the evening, 170 adults and children were baptized.

--This assembly desires also to express its gratitude to the Church at the other side of the ocean, for their kind consideration to us, in sending Teachers; and although our means are scanty, we desire to make a little Collection, as a testimony of our love to God, and as a means of furthering the Gospel to those places which have not as yet heard its blessed message.

Letters from the Hokianga speak of the indefatigable exertions of the Romish Priests to beguile the simplicity of our Native Converts, and proselyte them to their own faith; but it was anticipated that the Scriptures, which the British and Foreign Bible Society has so liberally furnished, would prove the means of defeating their projects. The Rev. Mr. Warren, of Waima, says, (April 8th,) "Such is the general thirst for knowledge among all classes, that I do not believe the Priests would be able, by any means, to prevent the people from reading the Scriptures, if we had copies to give them." [The supply from the Bible Society had not then been received.] "Our people value the New Testament above every thing; and they constantly read it with such attention, that many of them find no difficulty in repeating whole Epistles from memory." Some of our members had died in peace, and the Romish Priests exerted themselves to the uttermost, at frequent visits, to persuade one of them, especially, to become a Papist; but their efforts were in vain, and he died in full prospect of a blissful immortality. It would seem, that, in New Zealand, as in other Heathen Countries, the Priests tempt the people to enter the Romish Church, by allowing them to retain, to a great extent, their old heathenish and sinful practices.

Mr. Waterhouse gives an interesting account of the reception of himself and his companions at Ngametu, Taranaki, when he conveyed Mr. and Mrs. Creed thither, on his way to the Friendly Islands. Having summoned the people, and asked if they wished that a Missionary should live among them, and whether they would build a Chapel and listen to his instructions, they replied-- "We have long expected a Missionary: but his delay made our hearts dark; and we said, 'The white people are buying up our land, and other tribes come to destroy us: we may as well sell all, and flee to the mountains, and die.' But now, if you will give us a Missionary, he shall be our father: we will attend to his counsel, and keep and cultivate our own lands, and we shall yet be a people."

The evening before his departure, Mr. Waterhouse met a large number of both sexes and all ages, for the purpose of catechizing them, and was delighted to hear them repeat the entire Catechism; and Mr. Creed, in a journey of upward of 100 miles, which he took a few weeks afterward, found that everywhere the spirit of religious inquiry had been excited by the labours of the Native Teachers, and a considerable number of the people were meeting in class, and attending school. He mentions several places where he preached to hundreds of Natives, met classes, attended the schools, married various couples, and baptized children. At Waitotara, he found 200 Natives meeting in class; and at Patea, he saw a house which had been built in hope that a Mis-

sionary would be sent to inhabit it. At another place, an old Chief told Mr. Creed that he had been waiting for a Missionary --that all his family and friends had embraced the Gospel--and that as the Missionary had now come at last, and he had heard the Word of God from his mouth, he would at once become a decided Christian. "I presented him," says Mr. Creed, "with a New Testament, for which he had been earnestly wishing; when he said, 'Now I shall be right, for I have the light for my feet.'" The inhabitants of this extensive district appear to be a people prepared of the Lord.