RECENT INTELLIGENCE.
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Australasia Mission. -- Advices have been received from New Zealand to the 4th of March. At that period the Missionaries were all well, and the blessing of God continued to rest on their labours; though the Natives were in a very excited state, and hostilities had taken place between two Tribes in the vicinity of the Missionary Settlements.
We regret to say that these communications extinguish the hope which had been excited, of the preservation of Mr, Charles Davis and his Wife. In pursuance of the intentions mentioned in our last Number, pp. 147, 148, the Society's Schooner, the "Active," sailed in quest of these friends on the 5th of January last. In a Letter, dated March the 4th. the Rev. W. Yate thus recounts the circumstances and result of the voyage:--
You will perceive by a former Letter of mine, that I was requested by the Committee of Missionaries to accompany the "Active" in her search for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis. I accordingly embarked, in the beginning of January, accompanied by Mr. W. Puckey, and sixteen Natives of New Zealand. After a month's rough passage, we arrived, by the blessing of God, at Tongataboo; where we found Messrs. Turner and Cross, the Wesleyan Missionaries, labouring with great success in the cause of our Common Redeemer. Having received all the advice I could from that quarter, and had a Letter of Capt. Christie's put into my hands, I determined to proceed to Lefooga; where I met with Chiefs from Feejee, Hamoa, Vavaoo, Niua, and several other Islands. The intelligence which I received from them, and also from a European, put the matter beyond all doubt, that the vessel spoken of was the "Cypress," taken by prisoners from Van Dieman's Land. No other vessel has been heard of, or seen, at any of the other Islands; so that there was not the least possible clue for any further research. With the advice of the Captain, Mr. Puckey, and Mr. Thomas, I departed from Lefooga to Tonga, on my way to New Zealand. where I arrived last midnight, after an absence of two months.
Mr. Yate promises further particulars by the next opportunity of despatching Letters, which it was expected would soon occur.
Mr. James Preece (p. 124) arrived in New Zealand on the 6th of February. He thus describes his impressions on entering on the scene of his labours:--
I arrived at Sydney on the 21st of December; and remained at the Rev. R. Hill's till the 15th of January, 1831; when I came from Sydney to New Zealand by the "Olive Branch," belonging to the London Missionary Society; and arrived at Paihia on the 6th of February.
Arrived at Paihia on Sunday Afternoon, just before my dear Brethren were going to the English Service. My heart was greatly refreshed by the appearance of so many Natives attending the Service of God in this distant land. In the Evening of the same day I went to the Native Service. There were, I think, about one hundred present: they were very attentive and orderly. The Rev. W. Williams preached to them, in their own language. The Christian Chief, Taiwanga, frequently stopped Mr. Williams, and asked him questions, which Mr. Williams answered. This mode seems to excite the Natives to great attention; and I trust it will bring many to inquire what they must do to be saved. I have visited all the other Stations; and the same pleasing prospects appear
I have been with my dear Brethren into several of the Native Villages; and there
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seems to be a spirit of inquiry amongst the people for the things that make for their everlasting peace. The Committee have stationed me at Waimate, which appears to be well selected for husbandry. There is an extensive field of usefulness opened to us there. We could form Missionary Stations in all parts of the land, if we had Missionaries enough to form them. Almost all the Tribes are inviting us, nearly in the language of the Macedonians of old, Come over and help us. Oh! did but the love of Christ dwell in the hearts of young men in England who call themselves Christians, there would be no want of Teachers when the Heathen are calling for help. If they could but behold the difference between those to whom the Gospel is preached and those that hear it not, I am sure that they would no longer refuse to come forward in this great Cause, the Author of which is God. I have frequently heard the Christian Natives, at midnight, praying and singing praises to their Creator and Redeemer.
