1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1852 - Church Missionary Society, Middle District, Eastern District, p 480-488

Nov. 21, 1849 --Just after leaving Rangitaiki, a young Chief, who was formerly resident with me, ran after us with a beautifully-carved native weapon in his hand, and said to me, "If Marsh"--my late son--"had been alive, I would have given this to him; but, as he is gone to heaven, I give it to you as a token of love for his memory."

Conversing to-day with a middle-aged Chief, one of my travelling companions from Taupo, he pointed to a distant range of hills, whose tops were covered with snow, and said, "Formerly that was the residence of my tribe; but so many of them were killed and eaten by our enemies, that we abandoned the place to live at Taupo. In those days," he added, "men were our pigs"--that is, food. "If the Gospel had not been sent to us when it was, the Missionaries by this time would have had no one to preach to: we should have devoured each other till we had been extinct." What a testimony--and I have often heard it before from old men in different parts of New Zealand--to that Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation! and yet the question is sometimes asked, What good have the Missionaries done in New Zealand? I do not think that we are fully aware of the extent to which cannibalism was carried on in this country half a century since.

Dec. 15 --After Morning Service at Hinemongo we travelled to Parua. On the road, the cave of Tukaraka was pointed out to me, with its two entrances, from which the wretch looked south and north,

like as a lion that is greedy of his prey; and when any solitary Native was passing that way, he seldom escaped being murdered and eaten. If several were journeying in company, Tukaraka would invite them into his pa, a short distance from his cave, from which they were never permitted to come out. From the accounts given by Natives, Tukaraka appears to have been pre-eminently wicked amongst a most wicked tribe, and tradition has handed down his character as a perfect monster. What has the Gospel wrought! was my feeling as I examined the cave, and walked in safety with my little party along the beach. Tukaraka's tribe mustered in his lifetime 500 fighting men, and they are now, with the exception of five individuals, extinct.

Dec. 27, 1849 --We rose at daybreak and continued our journey home, where I found all well--another cause for gratitude and praise. I have been absent 57 days, having travelled 573 miles; baptized 184 -- 95 adults and 19 children; administered the Lord's Supper, at 19 different places, to 382 Communicants; and preached 69 times.

April 30 --I visited Hamuera at Pukewanaki. A great many Natives were present, anxious to hear his last words. I found him in a state of great weakness, his voice scarcely audible. I inquired, "What do you think of this sickness?" "It is all good, My God is very good to me. He has given me time to think about my soul. I lean upon Jesus only. He is all in all." As each Native came to see him, he said to them individually, "Be strong in the faith. I am going away from you to Jesus. Trust in Him alone. No other name but Jesus." I read and prayed with him, and found it a happy time to be able to minister in any way to one of God's precious ones.

April 9 --I went again to see Samuel, and found him still lingering--the outward man evidently wasting away, but the inner man gaining strength. If I stopped talking he would say, "Go on; I am not asleep; I am thinking." I asked him what was the mill, and all the world, to him now. He said, "Ah! my heart was too much in it; but I must leave it behind." I reminded him that Christ was a treasure that we could take with us, and every thing else was dross. "Yes," he said, "that is true."

May 27 --At Morning Prayers I exhorted the Natives to remember the dying words of their Teacher--to be strong in faith. We crossed a creek, and pushed on for Poututerangi, where is a very small party of Protestants. The majority are heathen and papists. I remained here for an hour, conversing with them while my lads were at breakfast. We got a canoe, and crossed the bay. The wind got up after we left the shore, but our frail bark, notwithstanding the waves, held out gallantly. One of my lads rigged a sail from his calico sheet: he stood with his feet on the edge of the canoe, and held it up against himself. We only shipped one wave.

On my arrival at Mokoroa, I found Samuel still alive, but longing to depart and be with Jesus. He shed tears on seeing me. He expressed his comfort in considering the work of salvation by God the Father, Son, and Spirit. He seems ripening fast for glory. I read and prayed with him. We had a Bible Class, Samuel now and then putting in a word.

May 28 --After Morning Prayers and breakfast, the two Teachers came to Samuel's, and we read a few verses of Romans viii. Samuel now and then spoke with great earnestness. He said, "How sweet--no condemnation, because Christ bore all the Father's curse due to us." We conversed together till dinner-time.

At Evening Prayers I preached from 1 Cor. ix. 24, and afterward prayed and read with Samuel.

May 29 --After Morning Prayers I took farewell of dear Samuel: we were both much affected.

June 21 --We started from Pipikoriki at half-past seven o'clock, and found it hard work getting through the Wairere forest. On account of information respecting the swamps of Mangapouri, the most direct road to Matamata, we decided on crossing the Waihou river higher up. My men lingered a long time, being afraid of the flood. There was a great current in the river. However, one

bolder than the rest plunged in, and waded across: he soon got into a hot spring, and it was some time before he, with the others, returned for me. I rested my chest on the head of the tallest man, and gave my feet to another, having two underneath. The current carried us much below the crossing-place. The sun was sinking, and we hurried on, but were obliged to encamp for the night in the plain, Matamata distant about six miles. My lads went to bed supperless.

June 22, 1850 --We had heavy rains during the night. We started at half-past seven, and found the plain flooded in many places. We reached Matamata by ten. A large house was given up to our use, for which I was not sorry, as the wind and frost are severe. While my tent was being pitched, I accompanied one of the Teachers to see Te Waharoa, the principal Chief. I found him in the last stage of consumption, and very ignorant. I pressed on him the necessity of repentance and faith. On my return there were many present, who, as usual, began questioning on the Scriptures. At Evening Prayers I preached from Galatians vi. 8; and after tea examined a class of Candidates for Baptism.

June 23: Lord's Day --While at breakfast Natives came to my tent, plying me with many passages. A severe frost on the ground. At Morning Prayers I preached from 1 John iii. 14, 180 Natives being present--the majority are scattered in the woods, scraping flax--120 of whom remained for Sunday School. After dinner I examined a class of six Candidates for Baptism, and then held Evening Service. After tea I assembled twenty-six Natives, and for three hours we read Romans viii., I examining them on the meaning. After the Bible Class a few remained to ask the meaning of different passages. It was past ten when I told them that I required rest. It is a great comfort to visit these people, as they certainly manifest a great desire to become thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures. Private, family, and social prayer is regularly kept up, and may we not hope that God the Spirit will bless His own work?

June 24 --After Morning Prayers, while at my breakfast, the natives came, inquiring the meaning of passages of Scripture. I afterward visited Te Waharoa. He said the only reason he did not come forward as a Candidate for Baptism some time since was, lest he should fall away. I pointed him to Jesus, who alone can give strength to His people to resist the power of sin. Another reason I, however, discovered-- his unwillingness to part with one of his wives. I read and prayed with him. I had School with the Natives till past two, p. m. At Evening Prayers I expounded Ephesians ii. Natives are assembling from the outposts to attend the Bible Class: forty-six were present. We finished Romans viii., and enjoyed our conversation very much. Afterward, some remained to have matters arranged connected with those who had been put out of the Church, and others to have passages explained. When I told them I was tired, and purposed starting by break of day, they said, "Answer these questions." How could I refuse? No; their earnestness constrained me, and I conversed with them till past eleven.

June 25, 1850 --After prayers we started at six a, m., the moon just sinking below the mountains, and the wind southerly, directly in our faces. The swamps were flooded. On leaving Tapiri, the first swamp we came to, the man who was carrying me across sunk up to his hips, and it was with some difficulty we extricated ourselves. After dinner we got into a similar dilemma, but we pushed on, and reached Maungatautari whilst the Natives were at prayers.

June 27 --At Evening Prayers I got one of the Natives to expound from John i. 12. I was very much pleased. After tea, twenty-four Natives assembled for a Bible Class. We had a large fire in the centre, which afforded us light as well as heat. We read 2 Cor. v. 1-10. They shewed great desire to search out the references. We closed by ten p. m., but it was near eleven before I got to bed

June 28 --At Morning Prayers I got one of the Teachers to expound, and was much gratified to hear the truths of the Gospel so clearly set forth. At Evening Prayers I told another Teacher to expound John iii. 5. He set forth the new birth with great clearness, shewing that water baptism could not save the soul--that we must be baptized with the Holy Ghost, without which we could not see God.

An universal quiet appears to be established around us, now only interrupted by occasional civil dissensions, which nothing mars the general peace of the country. The two past years have ended without a single murder, or any remarkable violence, having occurred throughout the whole of this large district, and I believe other districts may report to the same effect. Our Christian Natives appear to hold on in the same steady course as heretofore; and if there is nothing to commend of increase, of spirituality--of hearts burning within them--we can affirm that the public ordinances of religion are nowhere neglected or despised. Schools are now only Sunday Schools--they have been no more for some years past; and each year seems to make the burden we feel on this account greater, because hundreds, baptized as infants into the newly-raised Churches of this island, are growing up toward manhood, untaught and neglected. Our Girls' School has averaged eighteen this year. But the restlessness of the girls has caused us much vexation, so many leaving just as they were somewhat improved, and thus keeping us always in a beginning state. We have now twenty-two in the School, of all ages, from five to fourteen. Early marriages and foolish relatives are among our greatest school evils--almost insurmountable.

Feb. 1850 --At Maketu. I visited the Pa, and held Evening Services, which are attended by those near at hand. It is well known, however, that the Christian Natives never neglect, Morning and Evening Prayer in their houses, when they do not attend prayers at chapel; while many have regular Family Prayer whether they do or do not.

I left Maketu for Rotorua, and reached home, after a long absence, on April the 23d, to praise God for His mercies to me and to those I had committed to His care. I found Mrs Chapman's School going on with more than usual evenness; that is, fewer changes in the scholars than has generally happened. But under any circumstances the Girls' School must be persevered in. Wearied with unreasonable expectations; dissatisfied at oftentimes they know not what; fed, clothed, educated, and borne with; some have been taken away because they were not paid for trifling duties they have been called to perform, these being very essential as parts of female education. I was very thankful to find that the Natives generally were quietly pursuing their labours, and, however slowly, are still rising toward civilization. It was much grief to me to meet with several at Auckland from among my congregations here, nothing bettered by their residence, there. The religious duties of the Mission Station had during my absence been regularly attended to by my principal Teacher, Hohepa, who had also rendered Mrs. Chapman much valuable assistance in her many duties. The Rev. S. M. Spencer had also visited the various pas of Rotorua, supplying my lack of service.

April 28: Lord's Dag --I held Services, which were well attended. The quietness of our Sabbaths is very pleasing. We rarely see any one violating its sacredness: even the heathen enjoy its rest

The people are now very busy gathering in the fruits of the earth. This is indeed a fruitful island, and would be doubly so under different management.

Oct. 11 --I received an express invitation from Ohuapiri, one of our Christian Pas on the margin of the lake, to spend the Sunday with them, and baptize their infants. I consented gladly.

Oct. 12 --A party arrived for me, bringing a canoe as far as the estuary, but obliged to leave it there, as it blew very hard. I dined and left, walking to the canoe. It still continued to blow, and

we were obliged to go inland, leaving the canoe. This was a long and difficult path; and we did not reach Ohuapiri until nearly dark. It was cold, and I felt poorly. The Natives were kind, as usual, and my tent was soon erected and made comfortable for me. After a little chat, and some arrangements for Sunday Duties, I retired to rest. The Christian Natives of this place are among my best, and have more of the likeness of Christians than any other. They have just finished a new Chapel, highly creditable to them, both for finish and size. It is entirely native architecture; and yet, by keeping it carefully thatched, will last good for many years.

Oct. 13, 1850: Lord's Day --At Ohuapiri I held Services, baptized infants, and held a Bible Class and class for baptism. As the Natives from two other neighbouring pas came to meet me here, we had a full attendance, and a good day. Oh, what a difference from what I formerly remember! It was, I think, in 1836 that I paid my first Sunday visit to this side of the lake. We were then located here. I landed in the centre of their large pa, on the bank of a river. The people all gathered round me in groups, and among these my old friend Wiremu Hikairo, then the warring Chief of the tribe, and the man much looked up to in all their wars. Clustered in fives and tens, sitting, and muffled up in their smeared garments of all kinds, naked children covered with dirt, and some red ochred, women of all ages crudled up together, peeping over each other, they received a Missionary's first visit in silence and civility. Having given them an outline of the fall of man and man's recovery, I left them--I had nothing to complain of, for they neither derided nor questioned--they, to wonder what this new doctrine could mean, I, to hope and pray for that day I was now permitted to see--a new handsome Chapel adorning their pa, themselves acquainted with, and enjoying, the blessings of Christianity, and wars made to cease in all their borders. Surely the hearts of the first founders of the Church Missionary Society would rejoice, could they see such fruits as these crowning their then labours, and their prayers.

Dec. 4 -- It having pleased God to visit me with another severe sickness, long and painful, it is not until the present time that I have been at all able to enter upon any active duties. I have had much talk with Archdeacon Brown and Mr. Davies, relative to my entirely giving up my residing at Rotorua, even in the summer, and my settling down permanently at Maketu. I should then be in constant communication with the Rotorua and Tarawera tribes; this being their only place on the sea coast, and which is every year increasing in importance. For these five years past I have been subject here to very severe illnesses; but it was hoped that by wintering at Maketu I might still hold my position at Rotorua. This appears not to be the will of God: and my prayer is that He will fully care for these infant Churches, and provide them with a pastor who will watch over them, and feed them with the bread of life. As pioneers, we trust we have laboured faithfully, according to that which the great Shepherd gave us to do. Much energy is now required to build up these infant Churches--much zeal and patience, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to confirm them in their most holy faith.

Dec. 8: Lords Day --My principal Teacher here, Hohepa (Joseph), read prayers and addressed the congregation. I assisted him on Saturday to make notes and references, and his address was pleasing and simple, quite scriptural throughout. Assisted by him in reading a portion of the Baptismal Service, I baptized eight infants. This, the portion I took, was all that the weak state of my lungs made it prudent for me to undertake.

By Mr. Davies's recommendation I visited Maketu, and reached there on the 9th. The mild sea air of this place soon restored the tone of my constitution, and enabled me to perform my ordinary duties. I bless my covenant God for His great mercies to me; and I pray that all His afflictions may do their proper work in my heart.

Seventeen regular congregations in connection with us, in number ranging from 30 to 150, within seventy miles, have been visited frequently, say from four to six times, during the past year. This does

not include several who are partially attached to the Wesleyans, and many small shifting parties who have regular Sunday and daily worship wherever they may be. Occasional Services at other congregations, in the course of duty or travelling, might perhaps be mentioned here. At each visit, besides regular Church Services, the Teachers have been assisted more successfully to impart religious truth to their people; the children collected into classes for learning to read, and to repeat the Catechism and portions of the Service in the Prayer-book; adult and aged Candidates for Baptism have been assisted in their preparation for that holy ordinance; and others have been examined for intelligently participating, for the first time after baptism, in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The lapsed have been admonished, encouraged, and restored. The time bestowed at each of the settlements has been proportionate to the numbers present, and the encouraging attention to each of the above duties. Several Chapels are in progress, and a few are well finished. A great hindrance in the erection of substantial Places of Worship, as well as in improving their habitations, is the number of their widely-scattered possessions of land; and they endeavour to establish their claims by indications of actual residence--not worthy the name of improvement--so that their lives are spent in partially subduing that which they do not remain to get the benefit of. As a necessary consequence, therefore, their domestic, social, and religious improvement are placed under great disadvantages. Still, enough of encouragement exists for the exercise of all the zeal and diligence which mortal man can put forth, for the work is the Lord's, and His Word which has gone forth will not return void, but will accomplish that whereunto He has sent it.

During the past year, my time has been fully occupied in attending to the duties of the district. I have visited the whole of Ruatahuna and Waikare Moana six times; Rangitaiki Valley and the Kupenga as far as Okorero near to the coast four times; and Runanga and vicinity twice; which has taken me from home 154 days. I have endeavoured, by every means in my power, to convey instruction to the Natives, by catechizing and addressing them as often as I have had opportunity. Although there is a general profession of religion, yet I fear that many are still dead in trespasses and sins. At some places there is a great cause for encouragement--evidently a thirst for scriptural knowledge. In other places, although they outwardly attend the Service, they do not appear to be in earnest about what they must do to be saved. Yet we are not discouraged, as we know that the Word of God shall not return void. May the Lord bless His Word, proclaimed to them from time to time, and grant that it may prove the power of God unto salvation! The number of Natives under my charge, who attend the Means of Grace, is about 800, scattered over a district about 115 miles long and about 45 wide.

From June 1 to September 1, I was engaged at home with a School for sixteen of my Teachers and Assistant Teachers, to whom I gave five hours' instruction every day, and three hours' instruction each day in sawing, carpentering, &c. Several of them made very good progress, and are now likely to be much more useful to the people with whom they reside. To supply means of instruction for my Natives, and for the assistance of my Native Teachers, I have prepared an explanation of the whole of the Church Catechism in native, containing 226 questions and answers, with nearly 800 references from Scripture, which have proved very useful.

The past year has been one of much

interruption, and we have laboured under disadvantages. In January of last year we scarcely knew the alphabet of the language; we had much secular work connected with landing in a new home in a new country, and again moving twenty miles down the coast; and we knew neither the people nor the district: still, through the blessing of God, something has been done. Two full Services have been conducted in the Station on the Sundays, an Adult and Children's School, and occasionally an English Service.

We have many encouragements and many discouragements. An assembly can easily be collected at any time, the people are willing to hear, and the Native Teachers are improving, and anxious to be taught. Our main discouragements have been, a great want of seriousness about spiritual things, a growing worldliness and covetousness, a carelessness about the education of the children, and consequently an unwillingness to pay any thing' toward their education, food, or clothing.

May the Lord give me grace to be more faithful to my extensive and populous cure, and may His Gospel flourish more and yet more!

I am sorry to say the priests have gained a considerable advantage here, from the weak state in which this district has always been left. No ordained Minister having been placed here, our people always have been, and still are, put to great inconvenience for the administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and are thus become a reproach to their Popish Neighbours. They are consequently much discouraged; and, as I have before remarked, some of them have joined the Papists. I hear, indeed, that the Rev. Christopher Davies has been appointed to Whakataane by the Bishop; but, as he is only in Deacons' Orders, this will not facilitate the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

The good hand of our God has been with us throughout another year. His mercy and faithfulness have been manifested, and tokens of the divine blessing have not been wanting to encourage us. A good number, who had last year separated themselves from the public and special Means of Grace, have for some months been in attendance at the Public Services.

On a review of the whole, I trust that some good has been done. Some of the people have been stirred up to more earnestness and circumspection; while others have been reclaimed from their waywardness: hence the considerable increase of Communicants over any former year. Not a few have sought to be admitted on the roll of Candidates for Baptism. There are not many, if indeed any, who so remain on the side of heathenism as publicly to profess it.

Would that I could say much in behalf of real and heart religion. We have the form, but I fear there is but little of the power, of godliness. The full force of many of the divine precepts has not yet been understood. Whilst the people may be said to be emerging out of darkness, there is a fuller light to be discovered. Whilst abandoning much that is peculiar to heathenism, and, indeed, wickedness in general, still there are many things in them to be deplored. Were the dispositions of love and gratitude more prominent in their character, how much more cause would their Missionaries have to rejoice over them! Divine grace alone can make them all that we desire to see. It is the Holy Spirit's influence that we so much need, upon ourselves as Missionaries, upon the Teachers who assist us in the work, yea, and upon the people of our charge. Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, but God alone can give the increase. With God is the former and the latter rain. O that it may descend more abundantly upon this part of the Mission-field, that its fruitfulness may appear, and that glory to God in the highest may be the song of both Missionaries and people!

Oct. 27: Lord's Day --Large congregations. Morning discourse on the Lord's Supper. The Schools presented a pleasing sight. It did my heart good to witness the operations. In the evening I lectured from Phil. i. 6.

Oct. 28 --I was engaged many hours to-day with the Candidates for the Lord's Supper, and some few for Baptism. I trust there is a little revival here. O that the Lord would breathe on these dry bones, that they may live!

Oct. 31 --I set out for Anaura, Tokomaru, Waiapu, and Hicks' Bay, and came to Anaura by noon. Many people there. Had Candidates for the Lord's Supper and for Baptism. I spent several hours in the examination of Candidates, and had Evening Service.

Nov. 1 --I had prayers at sunrise, and afterward spent several hours in questioning the Candidates for Baptism. Several pressed to be admitted who had not exhibited decision of character during their probation. I could not, of course, give any encouragement to them. We came to Tokomaru in the evening, and had Service. I spoke from the epistle of the day, being All-Saints' Day.

Nov. 2 --I spent seven hours to-day in examining Candidates for Baptism. I have selected about sixty from the whole of them. Afterward I had the Teachers' Class, and urged upon them personal religion. Had a number of affairs to settle, and was fully occupied all day.

Nov. 3: Lord's Day --I had an early class of Communicants. Large congregations, and good attendance at School. The Schools exhibited the following picture--

Men readers, 48; women, 28; total, 76
Catechism: men, 49; women, 50, [Total] 99
Children readers, 23; Catechism, 20 [Total] 43
Teachers - - - - - - - - 8
[Total] - - - - - - - - - 226

After School, I took another class of Communicants. Total of the classes, 125.

I lectured in the morning from 1 John

iv. 11, and then had English Service: four traders present. I hope that the work is gradually advancing here.

The affairs of the district have gone on as well as I could expect. We have found many difficulties to contend with, which, owing to our imperfect knowledge of the language and Natives, have in our case been somewhat formidable. Still, I trust our labour has not been in vain. The Natives appear to enjoy catechetical instruction. This part of my duty I have found more encouraging and easier than other parts. My School for Native Teachers has just closed. I have been pleased at the interest manifested by those who have attended. Two months ago we had a large vessel wrecked in the bay; and many of our Natives have not proved as honest as we could have wished. Temptations have been very great, and have been aided by the settlers giving and selling spirits to the natives.