1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1838 - Australasia--New Zealand, p 256-262

The Lord's-Day Services have been regularly held, and the Natives visited at their villages. Some of them assemble to Morning and Evening Prayer, read the Scriptures, and catechize each other during the week-days; which helps to restrain and subdue their former bad habits, and to prepare their minds to hear the Word with profit. They are slow in their improvement; being so very ignorant of themselves, of God, of sin, of holiness, and of many things pertaining to this life, that it is difficult to impress their minds with just ideas on spiritual Subjects. ----- [Mr. King.

To raise a barbarous nation to a state of civilization, is not the work of twenty, neither of forty years, with the slender means which have been employed. The Europeans living here, hinder, rather than forward, the work; and what could the Missionaries have done had not their weapons been mighty through God to the pulling down of the strong-holds of sin and Satan? It was by dint of labour and exertion that this Mission was begun and carried on; and it requires the same to continue its operations.

When a Native begins to consider about his soul, and to seek salvation by Christ Jesus, he finds himself ignorant of every good thing, and knows not how to proceed. He does not cast off all his ignorance and sin in a day, and become an enlightened and civilized Christian. It requires not only prayer and watchfulness, and the constant use of the Means of Grace, but a course of time, before many inquirers are brought to a clear knowledge, and an established faith and hope in Jesus Christ. If this be the case with one brought up in civilized life, under the sound of the Gospel, and under the laws of his own country--which forbid to steal, &c, on pain of death, banishment, or confinement--what must be the case of a New Zealander, who has been from his childhood encouraged in every sin by his friends and neighbours, when he begins to discern a little light in the midst of darkness? Even when they are brought to know a little of divine things, how low their ideas of truth, honesty, and industry must be, I leave you to judge.

Owing to the great distance, and the secular duties connected with the Kerikeri Station, the Natives cannot be so regularly visited as we could wish. We have, however, cause of thankfulness to our Heavenly Father, that a work of grace is going on, we trust, in the souls of some of the Natives at the above places. At three of those places, Divine Service is regularly held by Christian Natives on the Lord's Day; when a good number attend the Services. At the same places, many of the Natives, both old and young, devote a portion of their time to school; and many have learned to

write, and to read the Scriptures, and have committed to memory most of the Catechisms. We trust that a divine blessing will continue to attend those portions of the Scripture which many of the Natives are now reading in their own language. Henari Wahanga, one of the Native Christian Teachers at Wangaroa, in consequence of the sickness of his wife Ripeka, was obliged to return to Keri-keri: and in March last, Ripeka, after a long illness, died triumphant in the faith; and is now, we doubt not, with her Saviour in glory. During their residence at Wangaroa, they were useful, and much respected by the Natives of the place.

The number of our Settlement Natives at Kerikeri has considerably decreased: some have gone out as Christian Teachers: others have gone to reside at their native places. Others have been taken away by death; some of whom, I doubt not, have died in the faith of Christ, and are now in Heaven with their Saviour. Two of them, I have the strongest grounds to believe, are now in glory--Rebecca Wahanga and John Taua: they not only died the death of the righteous, but they lived the life of the righteous for many years; and all who knew them respected them much: their walk and conversation was such as adorned their Christian profession. I may truly say, that their end was peace. ----- [Mr. Kemp.

The Natives in the Settlement, upon the whole, behave well; and those who have been received into the Church of Christ stand their ground! They do not, however, appear to be burning and shining lights. -----[Mr. Shepherd.

Through the tender mercies of our God, we have been brought to the end of another year. General good health has been granted to all the members of this Station; and the arms of Everlasting Love have been around us, to protect us. The Church at Kororarika has been erected during the year: it will, however, require much to be done to it, before it is completed. We have held Service in the Church, both with Europeans and Natives, during the last eight months. The attendance, though not large, is on the increase; and we cannot refrain from expressing a strong hope that the erection of this building will prove a great blessing to the community at large in the Bay of Islands. At the Kauakaua, a good commodious Chapel has been erected during the year: it is not yet completed. The congregations here have been large, and regular in their attendance: the Means of Grace have been well appreciated by many. As a community of Christians, they give good proof of their sincerity. We trust that they are growing in grace, as well as in divine knowledge.

Our schools have been on the increase. Many applications have been made by Natives, living far and near, for books, slates, &c, where there have been educated and well-disposed Natives willing to teach their countrymen. The English Girls' School has now become a charge of considerable importance: there are at present twelve under instruction in the school. The Paihia Schools have made a creditable proficiency during the year. The Schools at the Kauakaua have been conducted with regularity by the Christian Natives. ----- [Rev. H. Williams.

With respect to the work of God in the Mission, we have much cause to thank God and take courage. Satan has tried hard to gain an advantage. We have been graciously preserved from despondency; and to our joy and gladness, the Lord is still carrying on His work. ----- [Rev. C. Baker.

In those districts where there is any profession of Christianity, there is a larger proportion of the inhabitants to be found in the House of God than in most Christian countries. This steady use of the means is followed, as a necessary consequence, by the addition of some, from time to time, to the Church of Christ, and by the general growth in grace of those who are already within the fold. Still, it must be allowed that there is a lamentable ignorance of Scripture truth in those who profess the Religion of Christ. An attempt has been made to remedy this evil, by the institution of Bible Classes; which give an opportunity for more familiar explanation, which is gladly embraced by many. During the year, there have been admitted to the rite of baptism, 87 adults and 49 infants: the number of communicants has been 106.

Went to Waitanga, to see William Taunui, who has been some time sick. His body suffers much, but his mind is in a peaceful state. --We had a very distressing case this morning, in the death of David Tira's child. Yesterday morning the little girl walked with its parents to the Chapel, apparently in good health. Toward the conclusion of Service, she was taken ill; and this morning was brought

up in a dying state, and in the course of an hour expired. It is, however, instructive to hear the poor man speak. He is a man, I should suppose, of strong natural affection; but yet he seems to rejoice under his affliction, in the assurance that his child is with Christ. In the evening, I met my Bible Class.

I met two large parties of communicants. The meeting was gratifying, because there is much of Christian simplicity. One named David Tira is an interesting character. He is a warm, lively, and consistent Christian. He came yesterday, to mention some conscientious scruples against receiving the Sacrament, arising out of an altercation he had had with his wife relative to the punishing of their child. It did not appear that either had acted improperly; but the proof of tenderness of conscience was pleasing. He has been three times to-day; and in the evening he came to say that he had made up his mind to partake of the Ordinance. On parting with him, I gave a common salutation, "Haere ki te moe:" (Go to your sleep.) "What!" said he, "go to sleep! No; I shall sit up, and read and pray. ----- [Rev. W. Williams.

Oct. 16, 1835--A large party came here for religious instruction. This week I have done little but converse with Natives. This state of things generally follows the Ordinance of Baptism.

Nov. 8--At Toutoka, my congregation consisted of about forty people. I hope there is, at length, a stir in this party. Some of them accompanied me nearly to Mawe, for the sake of conversation. At Mawe, I had about 130 hearers. I spoke to them from the words, I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, &c. -- During the last week, one of the baptized of this place was removed hence, I hope to another and a better world. At Kaikohi, my congregation was not quite so large as usual; some of them being out with parties who were encamped in the neighbourhood--among whom was David-- to make known to the strangers the way of salvation. The state of this congregation is most pleasing, and calls for much thankfulness.

Feb. 14, 1836--Went my usual round. The congregation at Toutoka was small: at Mawe and Kaikohi it was large and attentive. The great work is evidently on the increase.

Feb. 16--I met upward of 100 people to-day. All, I trust, are under religious impressions.

Feb. 17--Horses and men employed as usual. Rawiri [David] Taiwanga has been here, making himself a plough, under my directions. This man is likely to make the first start. How signally manifest the blessings of Religion are among this people!

Feb. 27--The Chief Titore paid me a visit to-day, in order to remove the tapu from some land which I want to break up. This stronghold of Satan is fast decaying: and what is there among these works of darkness, but must give way before the light of life? The Chief was particularly respectful.

March 1 --I met 122 Candidates; and took down thirty-four names for Baptism next Sunday week.

March 13 -- This morning, forty-four adults were admitted to baptism. I found much comfort in addressing the congregation, after the Service had been performed by the Rev. W. Williams. In the afternoon, I visited my old congregation at Taiamai. I found it small; but quite select. Found a blessing again while addressing the congregation at Waimate in the evening.

March 20 --My several congregations to-day gave me much encouragement. Natives, under conviction, accompanied me from place to place; and others met me on the road. Among the latter, was a man who has long been under a conviction of sin; but having two wives, and growing-up families by both, he has been held back. This morning, one of his wives received baptism at Waimate; and he, being present during the ceremony, was greatly affected. The poor man told me he could hold out no longer--that he must give himself up to Christ in baptism, and put aside one of his wives. He said, he felt it a severe task to do so; but he trusted he should receive strength from Christ, to enable him to overcome every difficulty. Fourteen adults have again been admitted to the sacred Ordinance to-day. Five of them were from

my catechumens. At Kaikohi Chapel, I saw the Great Priest spoken of in my Journal some time ago, as having brought up his son, from the womb, in a state of desperate wickedness. I shook hands with the poor deformed old man: he seems to be seeking after good things. Should this prove to be the case, what a miracle of mercy he will be!

March 26, 1836--I met a party of Natives this morning, who had come from one of the distant branches of Hokianga River for religious instruction.

April 15--The carters, and all the hands I could procure, clearing out ditches, in order that we may be better prepared for the next heavy rain. I then met between eighty and ninety people, who had come for religious instruction; and spent the greater part of the day with them. Several attended who had not attended before. These are blessed days. The Church of Christ is being extended and enlarged; and the line of demarcation between believers and unbelievers is becoming more distinctly visible. The Church is growing in knowledge and in grace; and the wicked and unbelieving are becoming more wicked and degraded by those emissaries of Satan who infest the Bay.

May 15: Lord's Day -- This being Sacrament Sunday, our congregation was very large. There were 105 Native Communicants; the largest number we have ever had. Poor old Betty, of Mawe, left this vale of tears this morning for a world of light and glory: she is now, no doubt, among the happy number who surround the Throne. I should think she was very little, if any thing, short of a hundred years old. She was enabled to receive the Gospel soon after the formation of this Settlement. Who can deny the power of our most glorious Christ to save sinners?

Sept. 18: Lord's Day--This morning I rode over to Otuhere, about four miles from Waimate. William Jacob, a baptized native, accompanied me. As we descended the hill over which you approach the village, the rustic bell was struck, to give notice of our coming; but we found that the Natives had already assembled in the Chapel, and had finished their morning prayers. I read to them Rom. v., and spoke on some of its leading points. There were eighteen present, all orderly and attentive. The head man, Paparangi, has been baptized, by the name of Papillon. I spoke to him, after Service, about visiting them regularly and believe that they will be glad for me to do so. This village is visited by Mr. Clarke; but his congregations in another direction require constant attention; consequently, he can only meet the Otuhere people occasionally. The Chapel is an unusually neat building, for native workmanship. After a short conversation with some of the people, William and I walked on to Warengarara, which is not yet under regular visitation. The first persons we saw were, a Chief, and three women at work on their potato-ground. We went to them, and reminded them of the fourth commandment; of which they were not ignorant. The man said he had thought the sacred day would be to-morrow; -- just the excuse which was made last Sunday at the Aote. He however said, "We have only once had a Missionary to visit us: if you were to come often, we should know about these things." We proposed visiting them regularly, to which they did not object; but I have no idea, from their manner, that they care any thing about it. A little further on, we came to a native house, in front of which we met three women and a lad. I asked William to say a word to them, and was much pleased with what he said. He took for his subject, The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost; which he applied to our coming to seek out the people. The largest part of the village lying opposite the river Waiaruwe, we were not able to reach it on account of the late heavy rains, and therefore returned to Otuhere, on our way home. Again we heard the sound of their bell. It was for afternoon school; which I am informed they hold regularly on Sundays. ----- [Mr. Wade.

We have to acknowledge the merciful dealings of our Heavenly Father toward us, in having continued us in health and strength, and preserved us and the Set-

tlement from every outward evil. The Native Tribes which surround us have dwelt in peace during the past year; and, with few exceptions, are rejoiced to have us visit and hold Divine Service with them on Sundays. The chief scene of our labours on the Lord's Day has been at Waro, the Lord having opened the way for us to that populous District. We have there an attentive Congregation, of from 70 to 120; and this is all we can say of that place, at present. The other villages around us we have endeavoured to supply to the best of our ability, by occasionally visiting them ourselves, and appointing some of our Baptized Natives to hold Divine Service there on Lord's Days. As circumstances would admit, we have visited the distant districts of Karikari, on the east coast, and Wangape on the western coast. With regard to our Settlement Natives, and those who are living near us, we have reason to hope that many of their hearts have been touched by Divine Grace. Our Chapel has been well attended; indeed so thronged, that we were obliged to desert our old rush building, and build another twice as large. It is a custom with many of the Natives of the surrounding villages to come to our Settlement on the Saturday evening, so that they may enjoy the whole Services of the Lord's Day. Two separate Baptisms have taken place here during the past year. At the first, seven male adults were admitted to that Ordinance by the Rev. H. Williams; and, at the second, eleven adults, five of whom were women, and five infants, by the Rev. W. Williams. Seven of those formerly baptized were admitted to the Lord's Supper. We have also to notice the decease of three Christian Natives in our Settlement during the past year, two of whom were brothers, not baptized. Each of these three being afflicted with a lingering consumption, gave us, as we hope, long and decided proofs of their having an interest in Christ our Saviour. Their continued expressions, to the last, of their admiration of the mercy of God toward them, will long be remembered by us. The schools for Native men and boys have been attended to, as usual, by Mr. Matthews. The average attendance of the Natives of the Settlement, and those of the villages near us, is forty. The Girls' and Infant Schools have been alternately conducted by Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. Puckey. The average attendance of the women and girls has been thirty; that of the infants, twenty.

You will see the true state of the Natives in our part of the island, by our Annual Report for the past year. The Lord has been pleased to bless our labour in some small degree; which we hope is but an earnest of a still larger outpouring of His Holy Spirit. The Natives around us have dwelt in peace, since we have resided among them; and village after village has been opening to our visits. The chief scene of our Lord's-Day labours has been Waro. The Natives of one of the villages built a small rush Chapel, at which about thirty attended, being the mere inhabitants of that village; for such is the jealous character of the New Zealander, that he will not go on another man's ground, to hear the Word of God; but thinks himself slighted, unless we stop at each place, and have separate Services there. We have reasoned with them on the subject; and asked them if they had no feeling for us, who have had to go a journey of eighteen miles on their account, and could not, therefore, in one day have different Services at their several villages. We have, however, many times complied with their wishes; being grieved at their hardness of heart, and not willing to pass any by, without giving them tho opportunity of hearing the Gospel proclaimed. I am now happy to say, that these native prejudices are wearing away, and that our Congregation has increased, till the Chapel is not large enough. The last time I was there, I held Divine Service with them in the open air, the house being thronged; and quite as many Natives had collected outside as within, waiting my arrival. I was enabled to speak with much comfort from our Saviour's words, I am the good Shepherd. The Natives who are living near us-- that is, within four, six, or eight miles-- manifest their joy in hearing the Word of God, by their very new custom of not waiting for us to go to them, but by their coming to us. It has often cheered our hearts, and would cheer the hearts of our friends at home, to see the Natives from all quarters, on Saturday evenings, pouring into the Settlement, with their children and food on their backs, in order that they may enjoy the whole Services of the Lord's Day. The consequence has been the pulling down of our old rush

Chapel, and building one twice as large. But what has been done is but little compared to that which yet remains to be done. We still see, as it were, Satan going about us as a bear robbed of her whelps, and still determined to hold fast his once undisturbed possessions. But that which has long been promised to Christ, even the Heathen for His inheritance, shall be given Him, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. We all rejoice to hear, from time to time, of the prosperous state of our Society's affairs, and that, while new fields are opening for its exertions in the east and in the west, friends are increasing on every side, to support the proposed measures.

Pana, our principal Chief, who had been for some time a candidate for baptism, is now admitted into Christ's visible Church; as also his wife. This took place last Sunday. Fourteen adults and six infants were then admitted by the Rev. W. Williams to that Ordinance.

The death of the old Chief of whom I wrote to you, has been the means, in the hands of God, of bringing others to Jesus their Saviour. Shortly after his death, our principal Chief, Panakareao, with a number of others, met me on Monday, the assembling night; and being called upon to speak his thoughts, said, "I have but a few words to say, which are these: One of our canoes has arrived safe on shore: let us, with ours, be very strong to follow it." He repeated this one sentence over and over again, for the space of a quarter of an hour; which shewed how deeply he was affected by the death of his brother-in-law. I may safely say, that the whole tribe of the departed Chief are attentive to the means of grace. They generally attend Divine Service at the Station on Lord's Days. The brother, who is now at the head of that tribe, is becoming a changed man. His wife is now in the Settlement, waiting her exit from this world. With regard to his own experience, he said to me a few days ago, "I am like a little child: I have not yet learned to walk: I creep along."-- I told you in my last, that he and his wife had been baptized; and I think we have abundant reason to thank God for such a mercy. He has made several evangelical visits to his tribes; who all welcome him with his "weapon of war" --his book; and tell him, that as formerly he used to be their dread, when as a dog he wished to devour them, so now he was more than welcome with his new "weapon"--the book.

I have a little incident to mention, which must thus be prefaced. Tawai-- who is now named Moses--is a powerful Chief of Waima, in the vicinity of Hokianga. A battle was fought between him and our people some few years since, and malice, connected with fear, was strongly maintained in the hearts of each party. Several times have the Tribes up the valley been in fear, and told me that Tawai was coming. I was myself present, at Ngaruwati one Lord's Day, when two men came to give notice of his intended invasion. After this, our Chief commenced fortifying the valley. No attack was ever made. On Lord's Day, Dec. 3, 1836, this once bloodthirsty warrior, Tawai, was in the Settlement. He and one or two of his children had arrived on Saturday. I was told, to my great surprise and joy, that his name was changed to Moses. I was so much struck with the circumstance, that my mind led me to choose the following words of prophecy for the Lord's-Day morning subject--Noble Panakareao and Moses Tawai being present-- The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, &c. The congregation was very attentive, as I appealed to them to witness the fulfilment of this ancient prediction. To use any figure of speech which compares man to a beast, is exceedingly offensive to a New Zealander; although he, in his native state, is worse than the beasts which perish--far more savage and brutal than the ravenous tiger or the furious bear. --Even this very week, a wicked old man, named Taranui, in a village which we visit, killed--wantonly killed--a little girl, in order that her spirit might be in attendance on the spirit of his niece, who was on the point of death! This actually took place while Mr. Marsden was at our Settlement. However, this is now a very rare case in this part, --In the afternoon, while visiting

a sick person, I was informed by a Chief sitting by, that my morning discourse from Isaiah had created great astonishment. Noble felt a little fidgetty, on account of his old antagonist being present; and said, in an audible voice, on coming out of chapel, "How is it that he chose this talk for to-day? If it were in the Bible, should I not have heard of it before?"--I was myself quite amused to learn that the people hardly believed that such words were in the book, and that they said one to another, "He chose this subject on account of these two Chiefs having met in the House of God." I took the opportunity, in the evening, of declaring to them that those words were correctly translated from God's holy Word. In the evening, Moses Tawai came to spend an hour with me. He gave me an account of his life; which, if I were to relate, would at once shew that the Holy Spirit by Isaiah had but fairly drawn his picture. He said to me, "What you spoke this morning is true: my likeness was there described: I was indeed like those beasts of prey." He, of his own accord, gave me the history of his conversion to God; --and what do you think were the means used? One of his slave-girls lived with Mrs. B., Paihia. He made her come away, and live with him. She would repeat her Prayers and her Catechisms: he threatened several times to shoot her for so doing: she kept on; and his heart was touched. He repented, and is now a child of God. He now, after some months, resolved to visit the Rarawa Tribes, who had lived in fear of him, and to assure them that he was no more for war. He, with his grown-up children, went to all the principal Chiefs, to assure them of his change of heart. When he was within ten miles of our Chiefs residence, he was joyfully astonished to hear that Pana was baptized, and possessed a new name -- Nopero. They spent the Lord's Day together, in a very profitable manner, talking over their change of mind. Tawai being pleased with the Sunday School, Pana invited his new friend and visitor to visit the school on the following morning. On going myself into school, I witnessed a sight which, to me, was one of the most interesting and novel I had seen in the land; --Nopero Pana and Mohi Tawai, two of New-Zealand's illustrious Chiefs and warriors, for years antagonists to each other, met together in the same class, standing with only the Teacher between them, reading the first chapter of St. John's Gospel. You may rely on the above as being only a simple relation of facts, which I witnessed with mine own eyes.

July 23, 1837: Lord's Day--I visited the Pa and Chapel at Manowenua; where I held two Services, and afterward addressed two other small parties who did not attend the Services. A woman among them observed, that the Missionaries would be put into boiling water by the serpent, when they died; and that Jesus Christ would not be strong enough to save them. She was interrupted by an old Chief, who, though not a believer, yet remarked that "the talk of the Missionaries tended to life"--a testimony that I have frequently heard given to the labours of our Missionaries, by those who nevertheless hold out against the Gospel, their conscience bearing witness. A baptized Native made the following self-righteous observation: "When you enter a wood, you see a great many inferior trees; but a very few good ones. I am like a fine Kauri-tree, surrounded by the Pa Natives, who represent the stunted useless timber!"

July 30--I visited four parties in the Rev. W. Williams's round, who seem as hard as the nether mill-stone; but who, on that very account, the more claim our sympathies, our labours, and our prayers. The last party to which I went, and who are connected with the Rangihoua Tribe, seemed determined to oppose all that was said to them. One Native remarked, that they got nothing from the Missionaries-- that all their good things came from the traders. Another said, that it was false to call our books the Word of God, for they did not come down from heaven; --that we wrote what we wished, and sent it to Paihia to be printed. A third remarked, that they would all believe, if they were paid for it, &c. From such a congregation I could expect little attention to a regular service.