Australasia, New Zealand.
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Australasia.
New Zealand.
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
FROM the communications of the Missionaries, we extract various particulars which will throw light on their proceedings and prospects.
Notices relative to the Schools.
The necessity of providing food for the Native Children who attend the Schools will appear, on considering the state in which they live. Those, who are here assembled, are brought up by us from the different Settlements which we visit; at the distance of from four to twenty miles, on every side. When at home with their friends, they have plenty of food. There is no secular inducement to lead them to our Schools, as in India--the prospect of advancing their condition in the world, by education. It is not, therefore, to be expected, that, having abundance of food at home, they should come to live with us without food, from the mere thirst after learning.
But it will naturally occur to you, Why are not Schools established in the
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heart of these districts, where the natives are to be found? I answer, that the inhabitants are so few in number, and scattered over so wide an extent of country, that a sufficient number could not be collected together in one spot, to form a school: further, that they are of such a wandering disposition--to-day twenty miles inland, and to-morrow by the seaside--that there is little prospect, at present, of doing any thing in the way of schools, unless we draw them away from their parents, and form a distinct community.
The expense of food for a native is very little: 100 lb. of flour, costing 1 l., and one blanket costing 6s., is as much as we allow them for twelve months; and with which, indeed, they are abundantly satisfied. The proportion of clothing to be allowed we have lately reduced: it is, for men and boys, two pairs of duck trowsers, two shirts, one jacket, and one Scotch cap, in twelve months; for women and girls, three outer garments, three under garments, and one factory-cloth petticoat, in twelve months: clothes for men and boys amounting to 15s. 6d. each; for girls, to 1 l. 0s. 0 1/2d. Hence a School of 200 men and boys and 100 girls will cost the Society as follows:--
Food for 300 Natives for 12 months.. 390 0 0
Clothing for 200 Men and Boys....... 155 0 0
Clothing for 200 Girls............ .105 4 2
£650 4 2
FEB.
This sum, divided by 300, gives an average charge for each scholar of 2l. 3s. 4d.
[Rev. W. Williams.
Notices relative to the Natives.
During the last year, there has been a great mortality among the natives around us, both old and young. Many died, last Spring, with the whooping-cough; on account of which, the Great Enemy has not been wanting in prejudicing the minds of the natives against us. We are very often told, that, before we came to the land, they lived to a very great age; but, now, young as well as old die: and the reason which they assign is, that our coming to the land brought the different diseases among them. They say that our God is a cruel God, because so many of them die; for it is He that kills them. If we could ensure them that they should live for ever and not die, none would be wanting in coming forward, and saying that it was a good religion: all would embrace it. To die, and leave this world, is, to the New Zealander, the most distressing of ail things. [Mr. Kemp.
When we talk to them, they say, "How do you think that we can leave off these evil things? and why do you say any thing about it, when you ask the bad man to eat with you, and shake hands with him when he comes to see you? We cannot listen to what you say." All our actions, almost our thoughts, are watched by the natives: they are shrewd observers; and never fail to tell us of any, even the least inconsistency which they detect. [Rev. W. Yate.
We find the females invariably less attentive than the men. We can command the attention of the men; but the women scarcely ever listen, and generally walk away to their cooking. They are busy, and cumbered, and careful about many things. [The Same.
You will rejoice to hear of the continued good conduct of the natives; and of the many places which are opening upon us, whither we may carry our message. I very seldom go out, but I discover some village which I have never seen before, and many strange faces present themselves. Everywhere I am welcomed; and, for the time, attentively listened to. If they do not receive the Gospel, they hear it week after week; and I am convinced that it will, if persevered in, prove the power of God unto the salvation of many of the natives of these islands. One man told me the reason why the natives do not become Christians: he said, "If we were to do as you say that we must do, we should not be able to keep up our native ways. We believe that what you say is right and good, but it wont do for a New Zealander. It is of no use your talking to us: we shall never mind you." When I asked him the reason why he should never mind us, he said, because he was a native, and had got a native heart; and should do very well till he died. I could obtain nothing more from him. [The same.
Importance of Itinerating among the Natives.
The population of New Zealand is very thinly scattered over a very large surface. We cannot, therefore, as in India, walk out of our houses and find work, for not a day nor a week, but for twelve months, within two miles of our own doors; but we must seek the lost sheep which are scattered over the wilderness, and which are seldom to be met with in so great a number as 50 in one
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village. Our means, therefore, of accomplishing the important object of itinerating among the people will, in great measure, depend on the number who are concentrated in one given point: two persons only at one point must keep very near home: if that number be augmented to four, then two out of four will be at liberty to go from home frequently, and to a greater distance: if six be the number at a Station, then four persons may leave home at one time, and double the number of distant Settlements can be visited. [Rev. W. Williams.
We have free and uninterrupted access to the natives at all times, and have continual intercourse with them at their villages. I can with truth say, that I never arrive at a native residence but I am most cordially welcomed by the inhabitants. A poney having been purchased for my use in the Mission, I can and do itinerate very often. It is by constancy that we hope to prevail: the Gospel must be sounded in their ears, again and again: line must be given upon line, and precept upon precept, that, by degrees, they may become acquainted with the glorious truths of our Holy Religion; and be led, gently led, to see the folly of their own superstitions, and the danger of their present course of idolatry and sin. Oh that they may be made to feel their bonds! There is no seeking after Christ, till the fetters of Sin and Satan gall the spirit.
[Rev. W. Yate.
Gradual Civilization of the Natives.
Blankets, extra articles of clothing, and hardware articles, are given only for value received--that is, work done by the natives on account of the Mission. We have considered, in accordance with the views of the Society, that, next to religious instruction, it will be the most likely method of weaning the Native Mind from those habits to which it has been inured from infancy, to find better occupations for them. We receive into the Settlement, therefore, as many natives as we can feed and employ; and we wish to find out new occupations, as we increase in numbers. Some few receive instruction in carpentry, while others are employed in sawing timber, inclosing land, cultivation, and in general work. We have just made a commencement in brick-making; and have in prospect the erection of a bridge over a river near to us, together with a cart-road into the interior. We have dwelling-houses to erect; and we hope very shortly to be compelled to build a Church--the building which we have just completed as a School-room and Chapel being large enough for only our present number.
[Rev. W. Williams.
We have a number of natives living with us in our Settlement; I believe about eighty in all: it requires a considerable portion of our time to attend to them as they should be attended to; but this method I think the most likely to do them good, both in a temporal and spiritual sense. Those natives who live with us are always under our eye; and we are enabled to instruct them in many things, which will tend much to their comfort. Another advantage arising from keeping a number of natives about us is, that they are more in subjection to us, and are much more attentive to the instruction which is afforded them, than we can expect those to be who live at their native residences. We may hope, also, that, through the instrumentality of those natives who live with us, under the blessing of God, the work of evangelization and civilization will be greatly forwarded. I am happy to say that our natives are making considerable progress in learning, and that their conduct, on the whole, is pleasing: we hope in time that many will settle about us. Two natives have married at our Station: they are settled, and are doing very well: others are following in their steps. In this way we hope to establish ourselves among them in a more permanent manner.
[Mr. Kemp.
For the last two years, I have been glad to see the natives manifest a greater disposition to grow wheat; and, last year, I purchased of them from 40 to 50 bushels with blankets, for which purpose only they grow it: at present they do not think it worth their trouble to prepare it for themselves, as their own food is procured with much less trouble. I have encouraged them, in every possible way, to grow wheat; and, as they value blankets very highly, I hope that they will continue to grow it, and enlarge their cultivation: I have told them that we will buy with blankets all that they will grow. I hope the Society will supply us with good blankets: they are the most valuable articles of trade among the natives: the Chiefs now make them their principal garments. [The same.
Taiwanga goes on well, with his wife: their family is increasing: they have al-
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ready three children. Three of my single natives have got themselves wives; and are going on, upon the whole, very well.
As I have begun to build myself a more permanent dwelling-house, my friend Taiwanga is also wishing and preparing to do the same; which, with a little of our assistance, I trust, he will be able to accomplish. [Mr. R. Davis.
Progress of the Mission.
Since we anchored in Paroa Bay, opposite the village where Thomas Tooi then lived, many and great changes have taken place. Poor Tooi is no more: his tribe is almost extinct: the few who are left are scattered among the other tribes, little above the level of slaves. The people of Kaipara, who were once as numerous, have scarcely a vestige left of them. Whangarooa, during the same period, has been completely depopulated, and re-peopled by a different tribe. Pomare, Wareamu, and the renowned Shunghee, having killed by the sword numbers of other Chiefs whom I once knew, have ended their days in like manner. Amidst all, we have been permitted to keep our ground unmoved. Though often threatened by the poor savages, an unseen hand has kept them from executing their threatenings: the Lord has been as a wall of fire round about us; and the glory, we trust, in the midst of us.
During these years, a very considerable change has also taken place among the Heathen. Schools have been established, and many children and adults taught to read and write. To many the Gospel has been preached; and we are waiting and praying that it may have the saving effect: the Chiefs will sometimes attend with seriousness to our instruction. We have, therefore, much to encourage us in the work; and, comparing the present prospect with that of four years ago, we are compelled to say that a very great change has taken place in New Zealand; and we would ascribe all to the glory to God. [Mr. Clarke.
We are much encouraged in our work. We find that the Gospel is gaining influence among the people: some of the enormous crimes, that used to be openly practised, are now, almost generally, committed in secret; and their number, we have every reason to believe, is generally diminished. [The Same.
Through the mercy and goodness of our Heavenly Father, we have hitherto been preserved; and have been enabled to proceed in our labours among the Heathen, with much less trouble than we could expect. The general conduct of the natives toward us is pleasing; and we have very much to be thankful for to our Heavenly Father, in giving us favour in the sight of the Heathen. [Mr. Kemp.
Our natives behave generally well; and make considerable progress in reading, writing, and ciphering: they possess a great share of Scriptural knowledge, and their knowledge seems to have a considerable effect on their lives; but with respect to true conversions, at present, I can say but little. Rapid progress has been made in this Mission during the last three years; and, at present, although we are not without our trials, our prospects are bright. [Mr. R. Davis.
Call for more Labourers.
As we increase the number of our natives living with us, so do we our own labour in attending to them. Such independent characters, as the New Zealanders are, cannot be kept within due bounds, but with every possible care. Their law is opposite to ours: it is the law of nature--which is sensual and devilish. Most of the natives are persons of rank, and yet they are obedient: our attention, therefore, toward them needs to be constant: besides which, there are the Schools--travelling among the Natives--and the Translation of the Scriptures: these are no light duties, independently of the secular duties of the Settlements and the care of our families. We should gladly see five more families at this Settlement of Pyhea alone, in the course of the next two years.
[Rev. H. Williams.
