New Zealand--Church Missionary Society.
[Image of page 197]
NEW ZEALAND.
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
WE are sorry still to delay the Narrative of Mr. Marsden's proceedings in his visit to New Zealand, which we mentioned in our Number for March. It is long, but very interesting; and we are desirous of giving it all together.
Of this Narrative, and of the prospects of the Society with respect to New Zealand, Mr. Marsden observes, in a Letter addressed to the Secretary, under date of June 12, 1815,
With respect to the Narrative, which I have sent for the information of the Society, it has been written in haste, within the last lew days, and in the midst of much public business. It contains facts as they took place; and will give some idea of this noble race of men, for whose welfare I have felt much concern for many years. I shall leave the Society to make what use it may think proper of all that I have said relative to this people.
Many pleasing circumstances occurred whilst I was among them, which time will not allow me to mention. I left them, fully satisfied in my own mind that much had been done in a few weeks toward laying a foundation for their improvement. When the Active returns, I shall be able to write more fully my sentiments of any future measure which may appear to me necessary for the Society to adopt relative to the island of New Zealand. I should wish to act with great caution The most benevolent undertakings meet with strong opposition. The pious Israelites could not build the walls of Jerusalem without holding the sword in one hand and the trowel in the other. If we attempt, even in these pious days, to build the walls of our Jerusalem, we must expect to meet with the same spirit of opposition. I have met with hard contests in digging the foundation, and laying the first stone of the Christian Church in New Zealand; but I hope that the building will proceed. I believe the work to be of God. It has as yet gone on slowly, but progressively. I have not had the means, till lately, to make the attempt; though I have wished most ardently to see the work begun. If the public prejudice had not been so strong against the Natives of this island, the difficulty and expense of forming the Settlement would not have been so great.
[Image of page 198]
This island opens a large field for the exercise of Christian Benevolence, and for Missionary Labours. Had I been a few years younger, and circumstances would have allowed me to follow my own inclination, I should have fixed my habitation among this people: but this cannot now be.
