which they made was-" When that land will not produce us potatoes larger than the top of our little fingers, you shall have it." They also told me, that it would be well for me to live at Marsden's Vale, and not to go to their place; as the cattle, which I should bring with me, would damage their plantations of sweet-potatoes.

-At present, the wants of the New Zealander are but few. He can bring a few potatoes to us, for which he gets tools: he then selects a piece of good land in a wood, fells the timber, burns it off, plants the land with potatoes, takes his produce to the shipping, and sells it for muskets and powder; and these make him a great man. As those potatoes are what is termed by them a winter crop, as soon as he returns from the ship with his muskets and powder he begins to prepare his land for a second crop; generally sweetpotatoes: as soon as these are planted, he turns his attention to war, that he may have the opportunity of trying his musket, and raising his name among his countrymen. The Natives about us have not brought us any potatoes or pork for sale during the last six months, although they have had them in abundance; and had it not been for the Herald, we should not have had a potatoe to eat ourselves, and our promising Schools must have been altogether broken up: they do not bring us timber for sale as usual, so that we are obliged to go into the woods and cut our own: the reason is obvious: the Whalers frequent the Bay regularly, to purchase pigs and potatoes from the Natives; and the Traders to the Islands frequently come in here to purchase timber or any other article on which they can lay their hands, which they think they can get for a musket: all those articles are generally purchased with muskets and powder. When a Chief has two or three tools of a sort, he is contented: he wants no more of those articles for some time, unless it is to make presents to his friends; but it is not so with muskets : he is not satisfied till every man in his party has a musket: in short, I do not know what quantity of those articles it would take to satisfy a New Zealander. They have at this time many thousand stand of arms among them, both in the Bay and at the River Thames. The people of the Thames have lately got a complete victory over a party of Natives from the Bay, and are at this time flushed with their success. Shunghee is dangerously ill, and if he dies we know not what effect it may have among the Natives; as it is not unlikely but many may contend for the mastery: the poor Natives at Kauakaua, and at many other places, are in a state of suspense, fearing what may happen to them if he should die: I have heard that they have agreed together to sell nothing but for muskets and powder, that they may be prepared for the worst; as they expect to be fighting one among another at Shunghee's death. How it may fare with us, we know not; but may the Lord make us faithful unto death! Oh pray for us, that we may have our loins girt and our lights burning, that whatever may befal us we may be ready! [Mr. Richard Davis.

Encouragements in the Mission at the Time of the late Disturbances.

Many are our encouragements. Though darkness covers the land, still we think that we see the dawning of that glorious day, when the Lord shall lift up the light of His countenance upon these people, and deliver them from the yoke of Satan. Our Monthly Prayer-Meetings continue, and strengthen that bond of Christian Union which is so needful for us; but daily do we require selfexamination and circumspection, that we wander not from the fold. To the Lord we commit ourselves and our work. We rejoice in your prayers and best wishes for us. We feel that you look toward us with interest; and hope something effectual may soon be wrought, to the overthrowing of the Tyrant's dominion. Weak indeed we are, but in the Lord we put our trust.

-The Schools make considerable progress, and the children are anxious to be taught. We have many men and women under instruction; indeed, all who are in our employ. We could enlarge the Schools considerably; but we want the means to instruct and feed the scholars. [Rev. H. Williams.

We are now much straitened at Pyhea for want of a room sufficiently large for our Natives to assemble in for prayers; and are about to build a Church, 40 feet by 20, which will serve also as a School. It cheers us to be obliged to enlarge the place of our tent, to stretch forth the curtains of our habitation, to lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes; and we feel assured that the Gospel will here break forth on the right-hand and on the left, and that this barren desert will become a fruitful field. We entreat you to continue to stir up our friends in England to pray for us: we are beginning to feel the benefit of the prayers which have been offered, and this will encourage them to persevere.

-We continue happy among ourselves, and a brightening prospect opens upon us among the Natives; and though we have nothing of a decisive nature to mention at this time, yet we can look forward to the period when Christ shall reign triumphantly in this land. From my Journal you will see what are our trials, hopes, and encouragements: our trials we have been, and shall be, enabled to bear and to overcome-our hopes will gain strength daily, from the Word of God, and from those openings which break upon us from time to time.

-In our conversations with the Natives they listen with much attention at one place especially, Tepuke, seven miles from Pyhea, visited by Mr. Richard Davis, I have been at times highly gratified; and trust that it will not be long ere some of the people embrace the Gospel. Mr. Davis had not met the people of Tepuke for some time: two Sundays he was prevented by tempestuous weather: the third Sunday he went, and found all the men absent on an expedition, inland; and, as they had neglected to give them notice, though they might have done it when at Pyhea a few days before, we thought it better to leave them last Sunday

to themselves: this temporary desertion had a good effect; and this morning some of the people came over, to see if we were coming: they were fearful lest we should leave them altogether; and when we reached the people, a few among them seemed to receive the Word with more eagerness than before.

[Rev. W. Williams.

I have continued to visit my Natives at Tepuke on Sundays: and have been much encouraged in so doing; while, occasionally, much cast down, in beholding their great indifference. My people have now for nearly two years never been to fight: this is a great blessing. May the Lord make me thankful for the influence of the blessed Gospel! On a late visit, they were very attentive, and appeared thoughtful: but they did not say much to me; and, being a little unwell, I did not stay so long with them as I sometimes do; but my friend Peter, a very hopeful Native who lives with me, staid behind, and had some conversation with the people after I left them. When Peter overtook me, I asked him what the Natives had been saying to him he told me that he had been talking to them on the subject on which I had been speaking, which was on the greatness of the Love of Christ in shedding even His blood for the sake of fallen man, and the truth of the Word of God from which I had been speak ing to them. I had also spoken rather feelingly to a woman who was ill, and who feared she should die, and go to the NewZealander's place of departed Spirits. Peter informed me that they told him, that they firmly believed what I had been telling them; and that their hearts were very bad, because they had not a person to visit them oftener than once on Sundays to teach them the nature of the good things; because, they said, it was nothing to be ill for a few days while they were in the world, but to remain in the fire for ever was a thing they were alarmed at. Those Natives, from the time that I first visited them, have generally paid great attention to what has been said; nor, as I said before, have they been to war: they are at times thoughtful, and I believe have begun to pray in their own way, for themselves. I should be glad to visit them oftener, but circumstances will not admit of it: they seem much attached to me, and I can truly say that I am no less attached to them; and I hope, through Christ, to meet some of them in our Father's house.

Peter has been living with me upward of two years. A change took place in him about five months ago; and ever since that period the man has been, in many respects, an altered character. He goes with me, on Sundays, and at all other times, when I visit the Natives; and very often helps me out when speaking to them: in fact, he explains spiritual things to the Natives in a way which I am not capable of doing, and often speaks in a very feeling manner. He is a petty Chief, of about thirty years of age, and has a wife; and, as they have no family, they both live with us. [Mr. Richard Davis. Having regularly attended to the instruction of the Natives at this Station (Pyhea) on Dec. 1827.

Sundays, and also assisted in the same on the other days of the week, it affords me much satisfaction in being enabled to inform you that their general conduct on those occasions continues to be encouraging: some of them will frequently say, when spoken to of those things which concern the welfare of their immortal souls, that they believe them to be true; acknowledging also that they consider their native practices to be wrong, and that their hearts are very dark. Such acknowledgments, we humbly trust that we shall find to be the earnest of greater things.

[Mr. C. Davis.

Our Schools and the Natives living in our families, at Kiddeekiddee, hold out very considerable encouragement to us. The general conduct and improvement of the children continue very pleasing: we have had since last March from 30 to 36 Native Boys and Girls, with a few Adults who are living with us as domestics, under regular instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic: 20 of that number are reading and writing; three are in Multiplication; and five are working sums in Addition. Our School now begins to put on the appearance of a Country Day-School in England. [Mr. G. Clarke.

It will afford you great pleasure to hear that we have considerable encouragement from the rising generation to persevere in the work of the Lord. The Native Adults who live with us are very regular in their attendance on the Means of Grace: some of them, I hope, begin to feel some concern for their souls: their conduct in general is pleasing. [Mr. James Kemp.

Critical Situation of the Missionaries. It has been hitherto understood by the great body of Natives around us, that we are in New Zealand solely for Shunghee's purposes, and under his entire protection: while, on the one hand, such a supposition on the part of Natives kept them in awe and afforded us a measure of peace; on the other, the body of Natives could take but little interest in us, for fear of exciting the jealousy of Shunghee, and were only anxious to know how far they might proceed in annoying us without provoking him and exposing themselves; for they could not see any advantages which they enjoyed, while under restraint. This supposition of the Natives affected us in another way if any change took place in Shunghee's affairs, and he became less respected by his countrymen, we also must suffer loss and bear reproach with him, according to the custom of New Zealand: and it is from this circumstance that our recent trials have sprung. Shunghee has, of late, been severely afflicted, in his person, family, and circumstances; and has, in some measure, lost his influence among his countrymen: so that he had determined to leave this part of the Island for a time; and it being expected that we should go also, the general conduct of the Natives, for a season, became very trying: they talked of nothing else but plundering us of every thing; and, on two occasions, were exceedingly rude in breaking down our fences and menacing us, but went no farther. Since, however, it has been

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to their pleasure. These are serious points: at present, we cannot determine any thing, beyond that of keeping possession till driven out by superior strength.

better understood by the Chiefs about us, that our object in living among them is their general benefit, they seem very desirous that we should continue; and will, we hope, more than ever, feel it their interest to protect us from the insults of the ill-disposed.

Another circumstance, which has for the moment operated against us, is, the arrival of the Settlers of the New-Zealand Company. Many of the Natives think that the Settlers would have fixed themselves among them, had not we been here; and it is evident, that very disrespectful remarks respecting us have issued from some of that body to the Natives. The expectations of the Natives were raised very high, by the arrival of the Settlers; and if they imagine, that we have, in any way, directly or indirectly, prevented the realizing of those expectations, we cannot be surprised at their late conduct.

But, amidst all our little trials, we cannot only say, but evidently perceive, that the Lord of Hosts WAS, and IS, with us-the God of Jacob WAS, and is still, our refuge. We can look further than these apparent causes of trouble; and can see, in them all, the working of the Prince of Darkness, who, we trust not without good reasons, begins to tremble for his empire in this dark corner of the earth. Nor can we doubt, but that the Lord will produce much good from these painful occurrences, both in and through us; by leading us more simply to look to Him, and by encouraging others to look for similar deliverances in every time of need. Truly we may every day say, that if the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, we had been quickly swallowed up; but, the Lord being our helper, we need not fear.

We feel also thankful, that, among the many changes which are daily taking place, no very material alteration has occurred in the School. Three of Shunghee's children have left; but we have still upward of 40 boys, girls, and adults living in our families. Many of them manifest a thorough hatred to the customs of their fathers; and we are daily led to see, that, through the medium of Schools, the great and glorious work of evangelizing the Heathen will be accomplished.

[Mr. G. Clarke.

The destruction of the Wesleyan Settlement at Whangarooa was unexpected, and without any provocation: many tribes had been there assembled, in consequence of the war which Shunghee was carrying on in that neighbourhood: their loss of property has been very great, nearly 20007.; independently of being driven from an extensive field. It is beyond a doubt, that, according to the present feeling and opinion of the Natives, as soon as Shunghee, who is considered as their Chief, dies, our Brethren at Kiddeekiddee will be plundered: this is according to the law of the land, and very agreeable to the disposition of the New Zealanders. We ourselves have been told, in as direct language as it is possible to use, that when our Chief, Tekoke, dies, we must expect the same: that is, our property will then become that of the Natives; and they will be further at liberty to destroy any buildings, according

The Natives have been, for some time, in a very unsettled state: they are jealous one of another. But still, though every thing is very gloomy at present, no one is much cast down; believing this state of things to presage a deliverance to these people. The minds of many of the Natives are bent on mischief, and we may be required to leave them for a season. It is pleasing to observe the Natives in the Settlement: they tell us, that if we go, they will go also. While we remain, our buildings must be but of a temporary nature, and the supply of stores more limited. The Natives buoy themselves up, under the expectation, that, should we leave the island, our places will be supplied by men from the shipping. I am unable to give an opinion how matters may terminate every thing is as uncertain as it can be. If they strip us, it will be with difficulty that we shall retain a blanket to cover our nakedness: it appears therefore needful to secure a retreat.

Mrs. King, Mrs. Clarke, and Mrs. Williams are on the eve of confinement: they possess great peace of mind. The mind of each of us is, I believe, stayed on the Lord; believing, that, whatever may be the result, it shall tend to His Glory. Should we stand, we have learned an important lesson: should we go, I trust it will be but for a season. The Natives are intoxicated with the possession of muskets and powder, an unusual quantity having been imported within these few months. But, to the Lord we look, and to the fulfilment of His promises. This may be the approaching deliverance of this people.

[Rev. H. Williams.

Whatever may befal our Mission, we are now prepared to depart or stay, according to the behaviour of the Natives; but it is, I believe, our united determination to remain until we are absolutely driven away: when the Natives are in our houses, carrying away our property, it will then be time for us to take refuge in our boats. There seems to be great indifference on the part of the Chiefs whether we go or stay; and many of those, of whom we have had a very good opinion, have been most forward to join in the late scenes of depredation. It may be the will of God that our work should be interrupted for a season, that it may be carried on with greater vigour hereafter. Of this we have no doubt, that a change will soon take place; and a proof of this is, the great opposition stirred up by the Wicked One. I would observe, at the same time, that there is no apprehension for our personal safety, according to the statements of the Natives: besides, we know that we are concealed in the hollow of the hand of the Lord, who will not suffer the enemy to do more than shall tend to the good of His people and the prosperity of His [Rev. W. Williams.

cause.

Improved Prospects of the Mission. Our prospects are somewhat brighter. I think, from the measures which we have

taken, that we may remain; but we must act on an entirely new system. Provisions we shall require of course, both for ourselves and the Natives in the School. In our.expenditure of trade, we must be very much more moderate. This shaking up, I doubt not, will prove a permanent benefit to us all. [Rev. H. Williams.

Shunghee is recovering: he has entirely destroyed two of the Whangarooa Tribes, and is about to return to the Bay very shortly: he sent a message to our friends at Kiddeekiddee, desiring them to "sit still;" for that if he recovered, no body would venture to injure them; but if he died, they must go and do the best for themselves. At present we have a prospect of remaining quiet; and it is for us to improve the interval, by preaching to them the Word of God, in order, that, by God's blessing, they may be raised from the horrible state of misery and degradation in which they now lie. It is remarkable, that the people whom Shunghee has now cut off, were those most active in the destruction of the Boyd and in the stripping of the Mercury: so sure is it, that vengeance will overtake the wicked! And, perhaps, the same lot may, ere long, fall to the Napuis, and Shunghee at their head, for the unnumbered cruelties which they have shewn to the other tribes. But we are in the hands of God, who will not suffer us to be tried above that we are able to bear. However the Enemy of Souls may devise plans against the work which is carrying on here, the Gospel will prevail to the utter subversion of his devices; and the opposition, which he may now raise, will only tend to make the glory of Christ more resplendent. [Rev. W. Williams.

Our last communications were such as could not but be painful to you. I do, therefore, most gladly embrace the present opportunity to inform you, that circumstances are changed for the better. Our prospect of continuing here is now much the same as it has been from the commencement of the Mission. Shunghee's recovery has removed, in a measure, those painful apprehensions under which, for a time, we had to labour; and his disapprobation of the proceedings of those Natives who plundered our Wesleyan Friends has been shewn in the strongest light, by his depriving them of their plunder, and obliging them to flee for their lives.

leader of the plundering party was the Head Wife of Tepui, the principal Chief under whom the Wesleyans were living; and that she acted in obedience to Tepui's orders, who left Whangarooa a few days before the event took place. From various Natives we have heard the same report, which inclines us to believe the statement of Shunghee to be true; and from the well-known character of Tepui, who was one of the chief actors in the destruction of the Boyd, we think it most probable that he was the principal agent in the whole matter of the Wesleyans: expecting that all the advantages which he derived from their residence in his neighbourhood were drawing to a close, he determined on making one general plunder, in order to possess himself of their property and to prevent those advantages from passing to others. We cannot pretend to justify, in any way, Shunghee's proceedings with the Natives of Whangarooa; but, we wish to shew that he is as favourably disposed toward Europeans as ever, although his late proceedings have indirectly, and we think unintentionally, been partly the cause of the destruction of the Mission at Whangarooa; for, had he not gone there, Tepui might not have come to the determination of plundering the Wesleyans.

Our prospects among the Natives are still pleasing. Numbers continue to live with us. Three have married, who are building themselves comfortable houses at Kiddeekiddee, that they may settle among us. If we are permitted to remain with them, we expect to see others settle also; and hope that a blessing may attend our labours among them. We continue to visit the villages about us; but it is painful to witness the unconcern of many of the Heathen, and often leave them with wounded feelings: they charge us as the authors of their evils; as having introduced among them many diseases: till we came among them, they say, young people did not die, but all lived to be so old as to be obliged to creep on their hands and knees! Our God, they say, is cruel; therefore they do not want to know Him. We know that this arises from the desperate enmity of the human heart: they are becoming sensible that their ways are displeasing to God; and, at present, this only makes them more desperate: but when it shall please God to reveal His Son unto them through the working of the Holy Spirit, then shall we see them clothed and in their right mind. We have been greatly supported in our late trying circumstances. The Lord has indeed been with us the God of Jacob was our refuge! [Mr. G. Clarke: March, 1827.

N. UU. American Indians.
Red River Colony.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Missionaries have transmitted the following satisfactory

REPORT OF THE STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE MISSION.

Rev. David Jones, and carries the concerns of the Mission up to July.

Happy Effects of the Ministry of the Word. We have, as you are already aware, two Churches; and there are two Services in each. Our Congregations are not numerically great: I should average the attendance at each Church at from 250 to 300 people. Considering the circumstances of the place, the different opinions and persuasions of the European residents, the scattered state of the inhabitants, the diversity of character composing the population, and that there will always be some who want the inclination, I am disposed to consider the attendance respectable and satisfactory. And when we consider further, that, without the exertions of the Society on their behalf, this people would have been destitute of the privileges of the Gospel, we cannot for a moment conceive, that either time, labour, or money is thrown away. I am happy to say that we have an additional ground of encouragement in the general attention and the anxiety to understand prevalent among the people.

Four years ago, the number of Communicants was only six: they have been gradually increasing since that time; and, at Whitsuntide, amounted to SEVENTY-THREE, as follows: Scotch Highlanders, 24-Orkney Islanders, 14-Englishmen, 5-Half-breed Natives, 27. Indian Women, 3. So far as human judgment can penetrate, we are convinced that these are subjects of that saving conviction of truth, which alone can enlighten and change the heart. At their examinations previous to admission, they appear to us to possess, in an exemplary degree, the requirements of our Church at the close of her Catechism; and I may, indeed, add, the requirements of the Word of God. The Half-breeds, in particular, walk in simplicity and godly sincerity: it is a fact, not less interesting than encouraging, that since I came here, ONLY ONE HALF-BREED has drawn back, and I hope this one not finally.

It appears to me but reasonable to expect, that the progress of true religion should be slow. The natural stubbornness and sterility of the soil on which Missionaries, as Christ's husbandmen, have to labour-the nature and power of the enemies, who continually lift up a standard in opposition to their progress and advancement-the numerous frailties and imperfections which cleave to the

best of men-these, and many other considerations, call upon us to wait with patience and perseverance; and to leave, in the discharge of our duties, the unfolding of God's purposes to His own infinite wisdom.

By the ship in 1826, Mr. Harrison wrote to me, signifying that the Hudson'sBay Company were disposed to attend to the repairs of the buildings on our establishment, and to defray the expenses of the same. On my return from the Bay, I lost no time in communicating with the Company's Factor at Fort Garry on the subject. He expressed a preference to the matter being left until the Governor's arrival in the Spring; but offerred kindly to assist, in any particular, in the mean time. When the Governor came, I laid before him a detailed statement of such expenses as were unavoidably incurred in re-establishing our Mission after the deluge, and which had been defrayed by cash charged in the Company's Book to the Society's account: he immediately ordered the Society to be credited with the amount, being 50% 28.; and added, to Mr. Mackenzie, (the Company's Officer, and the Superintendant of the Colony,) that he wished it to be considered a "standing order," that every attention should be paid to this particular, wherever either public utility or our personal comfort might require. I consider, in discharge of duty, that I ought here to express my gratitude to Governor Simpson for his invariable kindness and attention: he repeatedly and pressingly inquired if there were any way in which he might be of service to us, and urged us on all occasions to apply without hesitation to himself or his representative. I am happy to add that a perfectly good understanding exists between the Parsonage House and Fort Garry.

Native-Indian School.

There are, at present, on our establishment, fifteen Indian Boys, four Indian Girls, and two Native Women: there would be no difficulty in increasing their number to any extent; but the prospect of provisions being almost always very precarious, we cannot, with prudence, assemble more than we can, with a tolerable degree of certainty, provide for. The buffaloes have almost failed for the last three years: this, in connection with the failure of crops last year, has occasioned all articles of subsistence to run very high; and, in fact,