1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1848 - New Zealand, p 443-448

Jan. 21, 1847--Early in the morning I rode over to the Wanake, to meet Mr. Maunsell. Here he baptized the adults and children, and administered the Lord's Supper to the Communicants. The total number baptized in my district during this visit is 98 --50 adults and 48 children. The total number of Communicants has been 134, which is an increase on the past year. It is pleasing to see so many brought into the Church of Christ, and bowing around the Lord's Table; but it is still more so to see a reviving among some of the little Congregations, manifesting itself in increased diligence in their attendance upon the public Means of Grace, frequent meetings among themselves in social prayer, a profession of penitence for their sins, and a desire to seek the Lord in private. Should this work, which is just beginning to manifest itself, be of God, I shall indeed have reason to thank Him and take courage. May He be pleased to prosper His own work, and pour down His Holy Spirit upon us and the people!

Feb. 4 -- I went to Ngauhuruhuru. Hakopa had just returned from Puketi, at which place, according to his suggestion, a party of about forty of the Ngauhuruhurus met yesterday for social prayer, reading the Scriptures, &c. The object of the Meeting was to implore the Lord to revive His work among them. May our Heavenly Father deepen His work in their souls !

Sept. 12--I went on to Te wera a te Atua, calling at Wareturere. At the former place the Natives are more regular in their attendance on Schools and Public Service; but their thoughts and conversation are too much absorbed with the purchases made by them at Auckland, while their journeys thither occupy far too much of their time, to the neglect of their families, and the neglect too, I fear, of the Means of Grace. But for these circumstances we should derive more unmingled pleasure from their advancing civilization. In their burying-ground they have some very respectable imitations of the tombs which they have seen erected to the memory of Europeans, and made, in part, of boards sawn by themselves. They have also a stock-yard and calf-pen for their cattle, and are in treaty with a millwright for the erection of a water-mill, as they find that they can grow corn to any extent, and with little labour compared with that necessary to raise sweet kumera.

Sept. 15--In the afternoon I baptized 6 adults and 9 children, and administered the Lord's Supper to 19. The Natives, as a body, are in a less satisfactory state than they were. One of the baptized Natives has lately taken two wives; and another, with scarcely any provocation, has shot a female slave. I had, however, a very interesting conversation with Ngarata, who has for many years attended Public Service, but never offered himself as a Candidate for Baptism, although his wife and children have long since been admitted into the Church by that rite. He said that his conscience struck him when he saw the baptisms this morning, and he thought that perhaps he should be cut off before another opportunity arose for his being baptized. He alluded to the death of several of his children, and said that his heart rejoiced on their account; but it was very dark when he thought that they were gone to a place into which, in his present state, he could never enter.

Nov. 17--My travelling companions kept me talking throughout the day, explaining passages of Scripture which they found it difficult to understand; among others, Salt of (he earth; Strong meat; Kegs of the kingdom of heaven; If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. From the latter verse, the Native who, ignorant of its meaning, had asked me for an explanation, had drawn, nevertheless, an important lesson. "I thought," he said, "of a man travelling through a desert country: he sees signs of a coming storm, and hastens to build himself a shelter, that he may not be found naked and exposed to the rain. Another sees the same sign, but travels on till he is overtaken by the rain, and, not being clothed, not having any shelter, he shivers and dies. So a man travelling through the world sees the clouds of God's anger against sin arising, but, taught by his lamp"--a common expression of a Native for his Testament -- "he covers himself with faith in Christ, and is not found naked in the storm; while another man sees the same signs, but, knowing nothing of Christ, he seeks no cover, but travels on naked in his sins, till, overtaken by the storm of God's wrath, he perishes everlastingly."

Oct. 24, --Very busy getting in our potatoes, this being our great planting season. I am trying to relieve myself from the heavy burden of purchasing so much, as my consumption of this article is very great. From being surrounded by so large an out-district I am constantly full of visitors--some for instruction, some for advice, some for medicine, some travellers. Then we have sick brought to remain; and then my Establishment of working women and schoolchildren (girls) and about four men and boys: these, altogether, average about twelve. Thus, from one cause and another, my consumption of potatoes alone is not less than 800 baskets a year, each basket weighing about 6O pounds. The sick, who come to remain, are only partially fed, according to the nature of their disease. These have flour, bread, rice, tea, pork, &c, occasionally a little wine; and sick infants, and very sick adults at a distance, have small supplies of flour and sugar, and slices of bread when asked for. Attention to these little matters takes up much of Mrs. Chapman's time, and they break in upon every other duty. Regularity is unattainable. The daily expense incurred is very little, yet thrown into a weekly amount, and multiplied by fifty-two, it is considerable at the year's end.

Dec. 1--I received an invitation from the Teacher of Ohinemutu to attend a Huihuinga of Warekura (Christians). The visitors are invited to come on Saturday and remain till Monday morning--food, and every possible preparation, to be made on the Saturday.

Dec. 5 -- I left home for the Huihuinga, and reached in time for Evening Prayer. About 200 were present. It was very gratifying to see little parties, after the Evening Service, squatting in groups, chatting, as happy as warm weather and plenty to eat could make them. Their New Testament had done this for them.

Dec. 6: Lord's Day--I held Morning Service, the Chapel being filled to suffocation: about 320 attended. The people entered by tribes, their Teachers heading them; these being marshalled, on reaching the doorway, by the Teacher of the place. Nothing could be more orderly. I preached to them Jesus, and they were very attentive. After Service all were arranged in double rows, and abundance of food placed before them: the same had been observed at breakfast. The food was cooked in the boiling spring close at hand. After dinner we had School, which 275 attended. I questioned the children upon the Trinity, and found a few who had a clear knowledge on this head--and but a few. The Teachers took the other classes--Catechism, and reading the New Testament. I then held Afternoon Service, and baptized nine children. I was very thankful to see so good a day, and pray God to feed these infant Churches with the sincere milk of the Word.

Sept. 25--I reached Kenana, and found the Warekura here--a new Settlement-- sitting quietly under the care of an old Teacher of mine, Hakaraia, not much ad-

vancing in better things. This party have been dispersed these twenty years by former wars, and the remaining few are now seeking to establish themselves in the home of their fathers. I held Service with them, and stayed the night. Long, long conversations--willing to hear, and very desirous to rise a scale higher in society, but how? No system, no laws, no leader possessing authority--their principal Teacher, Hakaraia, obeyed just when it suits them. One quarrelling about pigs, another about the boundary of land he has no use for, and never will have: one for going to the right to locate, another to the left: one for disputing with a neighbouring party about their right there at all, another threatening to join them if they are not allowed to remain. So it is: all very good men, and perfectly quiet when there is nothing to disturb them. How this country will be brought into order I cannot even imagine. These people are surrounded--about a hundred of them altogether--by a ten miles square piece of land, having an endless forest adjoining it, beautifully situated, and fruitful land, with a fine deep river running into it, and emptying itself at Maketu-- yet almost garmentless, and in the spring almost foodless!

Oct. 10--Morning Prayers. A restless day -- all coming and going. Several little parties expected, and some preparations making for their reception. Food also preparing for the Sabbath; firewood getting in; potatoes to fetch from cultivations some miles inland. I made several attempts to instruct, but to little purpose: every body had every thing to do, and seemed determined to do it. Then so many questions, with hardly time to wait for an answer--then a good-tempered consciousness of my "must be pleased with them: have all turned 'Warekura.'" Thus I seemed in a kind of busy idleness all day. All things to all men if by any means I might gain some, is indeed rule and practice in such a position. Evening Prayer, &c. as before--73 crammed into the house.

Oct. 11: Lord's Day--I held Services and School. I formed a large class of the most uninstructed, and endeavoured, in the plainest way possible, to instruct them in the leading doctrines of our holy religion. Two Teachers from a neighbouring Pa, both of whom have perseveringly visited this place, met me here, and these greatly helped me to-day, among so many Inquirers. I was much pleased with Kakukore--a young man about four and twenty, with three wives --the son of the principal Chief. He appears to be of a most ardent disposition, and has already made himself notable for his bravery in native quarrels. He freely acknowledges the evil of all this, and declares his full determination now to follow, with equal energy, that which is good. The matter of his wives will be a serious affair by-and-by. He has already taught himself to read a little-- well enough to make out what he is reading about. The duties of this day rather tired me. The principal Chief and his wife took a tea supper with me in my tent at its close, and, as the old man seems desirous of instruction, I had thus an opportunity for some good chat with him. Altogether this seemed a good day, and I bless God for the circumstance of finding myself altogether in the possession of this place. I wish they could receive more attention.