1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1847 - Church Missionary Society, p 479-487

This growing evil may in a measure be counteracted, under God's blessing, by a resident Missionary in or near the town. The Natives are sure to rally around him, and he may thus have opportunities of keeping them away or shielding them from the contaminating influences of vice. Nor will he merely effect a negative good; but, by opening a School and performing Public Service, the same advantages will be afforded to them which they enjoy from their Missionaries at their respective places of abode.

I have now each Lord's Day from 80 to 100 Natives assembled in this neighbourhood, to whom I am permitted to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Although they are not quite so tractable as my former flocks, yet I trust that after a little time we may understand each other better, and my feeble efforts prove a blessing to their souls.

We have also commenced a Boarding School for native girls. Four have been placed under our care by their parents, and their number promises to increase. To shield these poor things from the numerous temptations which threaten them on every side, and to lead their tender hearts to a saving acquaintance with Jesus Christ, will be our constant endeavour and earnest prayer. We may thus hope to raise up some Schoolmistresses, and helpmates for our Native Teachers, and thus benefit the New Zealanders at large.

Since I wrote to you last we have had an accession of six girls from our former School at the Kauakaua, Hicks' Bay. They subjected themselves to a passage of ten days in order, to be with their old Teach-

ers, and thus to profit by the instruction which we are anxious to impart. The number of native girls in our Establishment is now sixteen.

I am thankful to say that my health continues sufficiently strong to allow of my continuing my Missionary labours. On the first Lord's Day of the present year Mr. Dudley and myself admitted 40 native adults to the rite of Baptism at the Tamaki Church. It was indeed a season of refreshing to our souls, and I trust to many of the New Zealanders. The Congregations on Lord's Days are numerously attended; and I have thus an opening to unfold the blessed truths of the Gospel, and to check the progress of vice, which becomes daily more formidable to the native population. Our Establishment of native girls has been quietly and peaceably carried on.

Such are the circumstances under which we have now to give a Report of the cause of Christianity in this District. The extent of ground to be occupied is great, being from Hicks' Bay in the north to Palliser Bay in the south; so

that the Labourers who occupy this District have the fullest demand upon their exertions.

The distracting influence which has been alluded to, as well as that offence which has ever been attendant on the Religion of Christ, will account for many, who had received the Word gladly, having gone back again; so that in many villages the numbers in the Congregation are not so great as they have been, while those who remain stedfast may be regarded with more satisfaction, they having endured the trial under which others have fallen. Those who have altogether relapsed are not numerous; but there are many lukewarm professors.

The average amount of the Congregations throughout the District is 6060. The number of persons who, during the year, have partaken of the Lord's Supper is 1484. The administration of this ordinance is found to be a powerful means, under God's blessing, of keeping up a right feeling among the Christian Population. It is the universal practice of the Missionaries to converse individually with the Communicants, who thus have an opportunity of unburdening their minds, and of receiving that counsel and advice which their cases may require. The Christian Natives receive further instruction in Bible Classes, and those, for the most part, who avail themselves of this advantage form the chief body of Communicants.

The prospect of the Confirmation which the Bishop proposes to hold throughout the District, beginning from Palliser Bay, is producing, for the time at least, a salutary effect among the people. Those who walk consistently have been under a course of instruction for some months, with a view to this ordinance, and are thus continually reminded of the vows which they have severally taken at their baptism.

The adult baptisms have not been so numerous as in some previous years, for the obvious reason that many have been already received, while a number of very ignorant persons, having been rejected two or three times, have become discouraged, and ceased to attend for instruction. On the 21st of September, however, 132 adults, who had for a long period been on probation, were admitted to the Sacrament, and the number of Candidates is now much greater than during the preceding year; a fact which shews that a favourable re-action is taking place, though many still oppose themselves.

Of the Schools a very favourable Report cannot be given. The number, indeed, is 74, and there is an average attendance of 2500 scholars; but they are principally adults, and their attendance is fluctuating. The scholars are instructed in reading, writing, the Catechism, and occasionally in arithmetic; but those who are able to read, being a large proportion of the Christian Natives, feel that they have acquired all they can expect to obtain, unless it be in a School at a Missionary Station, where they can be better instructed by the Missionary himself. On the other hand, those who cannot read--being generally old persons, or persons of very obtuse intellect--become wearied, after long effort, because they do not reap any fruit from their toil. The instruction of the rising generation is of prime importance; but there are difficulties, from the scattered state of the population, in assembling many of their children in a native village

The temporal condition of the Natives is likely to be much improved by the cultivation of wheat, which is becoming general among them. It will furnish them with a marketable commodity with which to procure various articles of foreign manufacture, and will give them that addition to their food which they require. The introduction of sheep is also most desirable; but in the few trials which have been made the Native has shewn an indisposition to take the necessary care of them.

Christianity and civilization are intimately connected, though not always united: civilization is constantly found without Christianity, but Christianity will invariably produce a progressive advancement in civilization, because education is an essential part of it, and opens the mind to new pursuits, and creates a wish for an improved condition. There is, indeed, a spurious kind of civilization, which consists in the promiscuous adoption of foreign ideas, in which there is often a larger proportion of evil than good. This is now being forced upon the adoption of the Natives who live in the vicinity of the newly-established towns, and hence the need of Christianity to modify those evils which cannot be prevented, and to fortify

the native mind by the inculcation of right principles, preparing it to reject the evil and choose the good. Such are the objects of the Mission throughout the country.

In the early part of October I paid a visit to Uwawa and Tokomaru for the purpose of administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The number of Communicants at the two places was 205.

On the 20th of the same month I left home for the south, by way of Ahuriri. Thence I passed through the country to the river Manawatu, into the district which has been occupied by the Rev. O. Hadfield, travelling by the coast through Otaki and Waikanae. It was truly gratifying to see the effect of the labours of that indefatigable servant of God. There is a large body of people professing Christianity, and shewing strong attachment to their afflicted pastor. The most remarkable character I met with was the Chief Rauparaha, respecting whom so much has been said. He has been for many months a diligent hearer of the Word, and gives reason to hope that he will become a sincere believer. From this district I passed on through Wellington, where I met the Rev. W. Colenso, under whose charge the Natives lying between this place and Ohuriri are placed. We travelled together up the eastern coast, and administered the Lord's Supper at Wairarapa, Mataikona, and Porangahau, to 116 Natives, and at Ahuriri to 127. Returning thence to Wairoa, the Lord's Supper was administered to 120 Natives; and again at Nuhaka and Table Cape to 76 Natives. I reached home on the 18th of December, after a journey of about 700 miles.

The Bishop is at present engaged in a visitation of this part of the island, which will have occupied about five months before its termination. His Lordship was at this place last month, confirming 460 Natives at Turanga and 260 at Uwawa. This occasion will, I trust, be attended with much good. It has served to stir up the people from a state of lethargy; and I hope that some, at least, may be led to feel the importance of those vows which they made in baptism, and have since renewed. The numbers whom it was judged well to bring forward on this occasion, being those who maintain a general outward consistency of conduct, were about half those who have been baptized.

The door to my future usefulness at Hicks' Bay is, to my deep regret, providentially closed. I have to quit a sphere of labour in which, for upward of three years, my heart has found delight. I shall no longer enjoy the outward demonstration of a mutual affection which exists between several Congregations and myself. I have to withdraw from a promising Mission Station, which I had the pleasure of forming, and to leave a comfortable home. This, however, I must not enumerate with the rest of my trials, for long experience in my Master's service has sufficiently taught me that a Missionary should seek no home in this present world: he ought only to regard as his home those everlasting habitations not made with human hands, where he will find heaven's rest, and joy, and glory.

One consolation still remains--that my successor, whoever he may be, will find materials prepared for his work, and so arranged as to require little more than that he should go on in a similar course to that on which God's blessing has been vouchsafed in time past, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may at last rejoice together.

The duties of the Station have been carried on with tolerable regularity during the half-year. The Lord's Day Services have been held with the Natives, morning and evening, together with Morning and Afternoon School. On weekdays Morning and Evening Prayers are held; and on Thursday evening a Lecture is added. Bible Classes have been statedly held, and the attendance has been very good. A good number of Candidates for Baptism have come forward to be instructed. The week-day Schools, both Adult and Infant, have been continued with little intermission; and the Schools at the different villages have been generally kept up, subject to interruptions from planting and gathering-in the crops.

On the 6th of July the Rev. G. A. Kissling administered the Lord's Supper at the Station to 75 Communicants. On the 5th of October, also at the Station, Archdeacon W. Williams administered the Lord's Supper to 123 persons, and baptized 10 adults and 10 infants; and on the 8th, at Tokomaru, he administered the Lord's Supper to 82 Communicants, and baptized 22 adults and 20 infants.

I have made five journeys to Tokomaru, spending four Lord's Days there; and have, on these occasions, taken the Bible Classes, attended the Schools, and given instruction to the Candidates for Baptism.

I have visited all the villages connected with the Station; and in November spent a fortnight at Turanga, in the absence of the Archdeacon at the southward.

During the latter part of the half-year much time has been spent upon the Candidates for Confirmation, with a view to the Bishop's Visitation in this District. The sick, also, have occupied a considerable portion of my attention.

The attendance of the people upon the Means of Grace has been uniformly good. There have been some cases of immorality to deplore, and great deadness to spiritual things on the part of others has been manifest. Still, there is much cause for thankfulness. The Word of God is listened to, and it is the sword of the Spirit. The seed has been sown: with the Lord is the former and the latter rain. Until the Holy Spirit apply the Word with power to the hearts of the people they will remain barren and unfruitful.

At no period of my experience in New Zealand has there been a greater door open than is open now; nor do I think we ever had a greater prospect of success. There are many places where Missionaries are required; but, where are the men? The whole Missionary Band is very inadequate to the wants of the people. I do not refer to new ground, where the Gospel Plough has never been at work; but to places where the Gospel has been partially preached, and Congregations formed, and then the fair field left, for want of Ministers to enter on the work begun.

The Gospel has already done much in New Zealand. It is, indeed, the only means by which the Natives are converted to God: the only means suited to their case. Praised be God! we have not laboured in vain, nor spent our strength for nought! Some have been gathered into the heavenly fold, and many are within the Means of Grace, of whom we may hope a good number are true Christians. Others would gladly avail themselves of the means, were they within the compass. What do we want more than the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to make the barren wilderness a fruitful field, and this moral desert to blossom as the rose.

The Chapels in this District have nearly all been put up by the Natives at their own cost, save the contribution by us of a few nails, and sundry other things. The expense of building, beyond the mere dwellings of the Missionaries, has been very trifling.

On the 12th inst. Archdeacon W. Williams administered the Lord's Supper at the Station to 237 Communicants, including 88 from Tokomaru.

The work of God is steadily progressing, if we may judge from appearances. The attendance upon the public and private Means of Grace continues to increase; and I hope there is more earnest-

ness in the pursuit of Divine Knowledge. I think proofs are not wanting that the blessing of the Lord has been graciously vouchsafed to this portion of His vineyard. Some dry bones have, I hope, been quickened. O that they might all arise, and witness to the power of saving grace!

The plain truths of the Gospel, unaccompanied by the trammels of human invention, are best calculated to arrest the attention of the Heathen, and to affect their hearts.

Dec. 13, 1845 --The morning was spent in adjusting an unhappy affair. An English woman lately left Tokomaru, and Natives were engaged to take her goods on board the vessel, when a variety of articles and four sides of bacon were secreted. The circumstance, was the more painful from the connivance of several of the baptized Natives: although, except in one instance, not guilty of the theft, they took no pains to prevent it. With these, therefore, I had more particularly to deal. After having heard their defence, I informed five of them that they would not be eligible for the approaching Confirmation, nor be allowed to attend the Bible Classes for some time to come. In the evening, the principals concerned in the theft came and urged me to take cognizance of their proceedings, as they felt their position to be an uneasy one. I thought that, under all the circumstances of the case, it would be better to make some arrangements in the matter, and therefore told them that each person who had participated in the plunder must deliver a good pig to Broughton, the Chief, to be kept until the woman should return, or to be given up to such parties as might have power to receive them. I also stated, that on these conditions alone could any of the guilty party be permitted to attend the Services of the Chapel. All readily consented. It may be said that this was an easy compromise for an offence so glaring; but it was the only way within reach, for the British have no machinery for putting the law in force on this coast.

Jan. 25, 1846 --The Archdeacon read prayers at Native Service, morning and evening, and English Prayers in the afternoon. The Bishop preached, in the morning, to the Natives, and in the afternoon confirmed my three eldest sons, and preached the English Sermon. In the evening his Lordship confirmed 254 Natives.

Jan. 26 --The Bishop left for Waiapu, I accompanying him. We reached Tokomaru in the evening, and the Bishop had prayers with the Natives in the Chapel.

Jan. 27 --After Morning Prayers and School, we proceeded on our journey. At Wareponga the Bishop had prayers, and afterward took a reading class, appointing me to catechize another class: there was a large attendance.

Jan. 28 --The Bishop had Morning Prayers and School, and we afterward passed on, calling at the different villages. We reached Waiapu in the evening.

Feb. 1, 1846 --The Bishop confirmed nearly 500 Natives to-day at Waiapu. The Congregation numbered about 900. Both the Morning Service and the Confirmation, in the afternoon were held in the open air, the Chapel not being large enough for more than half the people.

My little cottage of two rooms is now finished. It has a neat appearance, being reeded within and without, and has a snug verandah. I had Service in the evening, with a good Congregation--indeed, the best I have ever had at Anaura. The remainder of the evening was taken up in conversation with a number of the most intelligent, who came to my cottage for that purpose. The Natives of this place appear to be doing well, and the number of outward worshippers has lately increased.

June 9 --I went to Puatai, and had

Service in the evening. Just as I had finished, a party of upward of twenty came into the house, turning some of my Congregation out, and saying, that as they had not had Service, the room being too small for the whole, it was now their turn. They had been on a journey, and had returned with a view to meet me. I yielded to their request, and had a second Service and Lecture.

June 10 --I held Morning Prayers, and afterward catechized the whole Congregation. The people of this village are in a promising state: almost, if not every individual attends the Services. Materials for a Chapel have long been prepared; and I had the satisfaction to find that the people had commenced building.

I have held two Native Services, and one English Service, every Lord's Day, with very few exceptions. Service has also been held, either by a Native Teacher or myself, on the evenings of Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Candidates for Baptism and the Lord's Supper have been frequently met, but the numbers attending have been small. The Bible Class, held every Friday, has been well attended during the half year, and has been marked, more than any other Means of Grace, by solemnity of feeling. When my health would allow, I have attended to the Day-school for adults; in addition to which a Children's School has also been kept both on Lord's Days and week days. I trust there is a little band whose hearts God has touched, and whose general conduct is a pleasing evidence of living faith; while many of the baptized, on the other hand, though they are morbidly scrupulous in attending to things indifferent, give no evidence that they were ever born again.

I have generally held three Services on the Lord's Day, and during the week have met the Candidates for Baptism and Confirmation. On Friday I have devoted most of the day to the Native Teachers' instruction. The Native Schools have suffered, both from my inability to maintain a constant oversight of them, and from the indifference of the Natives. One Native, named Matthew, who died during the half-year, left us a bright evidence of his being a sincere believer, I rest in hope that he is one of the faithful few gathered from this moral wilderness to join the Church of the first-born above. Some of the people of late have been stirred up to use the Means of Grace more diligently, in the hope of Confirmation by the Bishop, who is expected soon among them. On the 14th of December last the Rev. G. A. Kissling administered the Lord's Supper at Rangitukia, when ninety-four Communicants were present; and on the 21st at Tuparoa, when twenty-eight partook of the Sacrament.

My time, during the past half-year, has been employed in attending to the ministerial duties of the District. I have also, when at home, attended School on the week-day mornings, instructing the Natives who have attended in reading and writing. The instruction communicated on Lord's Days has been confined to read-

ing the Scriptures and catechizing. On Mondays the Natives have assembled to hear the Scriptures expounded; the average attendance being about sixty. On Fridays I have occasionally met as many of the Native Teachers as could assemble, to read the Psalms and Lessons for the following Lord's Day, and to have a text explained to them from which to address their countrymen. I have also visited the fifteen Out-posts belonging to the District --distant from ten miles to three days' journey -- beside administering to the wants of the sick and afflicted, which has occupied no small portion of my time. Mrs. Hamlin has had School, on the week-day afternoons, with as many of the females of the Settlement as have attended: the average number has been about fifteen. The Congregation on the Lord's Day morning has varied considerably; sometimes upward of 400 have been present, and at other times not above 150.

At present about three-fourths of the population of the District attend the Church Services, and Prayers morning and evening during the week. It cannot be supposed, however, that there is any thing more, in the great majority of them, than the mere outward observance of Religion; from a sense, perhaps, of the temporal benefits which it confers upon them: every day's experience teaches us that it is to be feared that very few feel any thing of the power of Religion in their hearts.

Oct. 14, 1845 --I pitched my tent at the Tringataha. In the evening a large party arrived from Ruatahuna, who professed to belong to the Papists of that District.

Oct. 15 --The party who arrived last night came and asked me for books. I expressed my surprise that they should come to me for books, seeing they were Papists, when they said that they intended to leave Popery, and begged I would give them some Prayer-books and Testaments. Accordingly, two of them accompanied me to the Station to get them.

Dec. 14: Lord's Day --I preached in Native, after which the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to 129 Natives. In the evening I read prayers, and Archdeacon Williams preached. I baptized 20 adults in the afternoon.

Jan. 4, 1846: Lord's Day --There was a large Congregation this morning. Our temporary Chapel, which had for some time been too small, has been enlarged full half: it is now 65 feet by 18. It was, however, full this morning; and 350 were present at School in the afternoon.

Jan. 25: Lord's Day --I went to the Wakaki, on the coast, 10 miles distant, and conversed with the Natives for some time, answering questions on various passages of Scripture. When I first came, I might go the length and breadth of this District without having a question put to me on a single passage of Scripture; but now the questions put are very numerous.

About three-quarters of a mile before we reached Atohaka, at which place we intended to sleep, a considerable land-slip came tumbling down at a place where the sea washes close up to the foot of the cliff, and from which there is no possible way of escape. About two minutes before, myself and several Natives had passed. Mrs. Colenso, upon a native amo (a sort of litter) carried by the Natives, was a little behind me. About half-a-minute before the foremost of these Natives, who had one of the children on his back, came to the spot, another large slip came tumbling down, and for a few minutes almost darkened the air with the dust which it created. This Native passed; but I began to be under considerable alarm for Mrs. Colenso; and as soon as her bearers came to the spot I beckoned to them to make all possible speed. They scrambled over

the stones and rocks as fast as they could; and thus, through the mercy of a gracious God, got safely past this dangerous place.

Jan. 11: Lord's Day --There were about 500 Natives present at the Service this morning. At the Bishop's request I read prayers, and he preached. His Lordship held an English Service after the Native Service; but only one European was present beside our family. At the School, in the afternoon, 400 stood up in classes: some were reading, and others repeating the Catechism. In the evening I read prayers as far as the Second Lesson, when the Bishop proceeded with the Confirmation: 70 men and 21 women were confirmed; which being concluded, his Lordship preached.

During the last six months I have been engaged as follows-- On the Lord's Day in holding Divine Service twice or thrice, catechizing in Schools, &c.; during the week in attending to the Morning Adult Male School, instructing and examining Native Candidates for Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Confirmation, holding Bible classes, visiting the sick, dispensing medicine, settling disputes, &c.; and on Thursday evenings in lecturing, and also attending to many secular duties. On the 12th of September I left the Station on a visit to the villages in the neighbourhood of the Rotoatara and Watuma Districts, and returned on the 25th of the same month. On the 18th of October I again left, to visit the Natives throughout the District along the coast and on to Wellington, and returned in company with the Archdeacon of the District on the 4th of December. Mrs. Colenso, when at the Station, has attended to the daily Female and Infant School. The half-year has been a time of unusual trial, both mental and physical. The Natives of the neighbourhood have behaved themselves in a very rough manner; but I venture to hope that they are becoming more tractable.

I believe that I differ from some of my brethren on the importance of advancing the civilization of the Natives. It is asserted that civilization draws their thoughts from Religion; and, to a certain extent, this cannot be denied: but where are we to look for unmixed good? I confess my own opinions have somewhat altered, but they have altered with circumstances. Whether we may not be able to imagine a barbarous people, led by the influence of Religion to abandon their own usages, and substitute in their place some simple code of laws, and continue in a simple, peaceable state, unencumbered with the many wants of civilized life, is not now the question: we have to deal with a people who are now British subjects, and are necessarily brought into contact with civilized people. To retard their civilization would not promote their advancement in Religion; but would certainly hasten their destruction. If a perpetual annual grant from some extraneous source, and a continual supply of Ministers, are not to be expected, it follows that the Natives must be led to rely, as soon as possible, on their own resources for the supply of these, toward the maintenance of Christianity; but it is difficult to imagine how this can be done without a considerable advance and improvement in civilization. 1 think that, next to the communication of direct religious instruction, the object of the Missionary ought to be the civilization and improvement of the Natives in every way: not that he need spend much time on this object, but, as occasion might offer, he should do all in his power to promote it. No time should be lost in leading the Natives to depend for their improvement in every respect on their own energies and resources.