returning, but several Ngapuhi Chiefs, who have married wives from the south, have returned thither with them, with all their families; induced, I suppose, by the greater number of Europeans to the southward, and consequent greater facilities for disposing of native produce. And,

2. By reason of the very great mortality among the natives. I am not aware whether the people are decreasing so rapidly in other parts of the island, but I am convinced that the natives in the Waima Circuit are not now half the number they were nine years ago, when I came to the country. Many have gone to the south; but the great decrease is from mortality. I understand it is the same at the Bay, and, indeed, through all the northern end of the island. The births in this neighbourhood, for the last four years, have not been more than one to three as compared with the deaths. There are about two hundred people living in this valley, and all of them have not fifty children. A contemplation of this melancholy subject does not, I trust, in any degree damp my zeal, nor prevent my exerting myself to the uttermost for the spiritual interest of the people; but, I thank God, rather acts as a stimulus, for I believe that what is done for the New-Zealanders must be done at once, or we shall be too late. Our congregations continue good, and the people generally hear the word with great attention; and although of many it is evident that "the word preached does not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who hear it," yet many receive the truth in the love thereof, and find it to be the power of God and the wisdom of God.

I am often greatly refreshed in witnessing the influence of Christianity on the sick and dying. The New-Zealander has not many temporal comforts on a sick bed, and in a dying hour. Often stretched on the ground, with little to cover him, and nothing which he is able to eat, with little or no attention from his friends, it is then he finds the blessed book a companion indeed, and is often enabled joyfully to contemplate the hour which shall set him free from this world of suffering and woe, and admit him into the rest which remains for the people of God. The rising generation continue to give me much satisfaction, by the general desire they manifest for

knowledge, and the great attention with which they receive instruction. You will have heard from Mr. Lawry of the financial assistance obtained from Government for the education of natives. £120 was allowed for building a school-house at Waima, capable of boarding and lodging thirty children. The building, which is now nearly complete, is very substantial, sixty feet by twenty feet,-a great addition to our Station,-and will, I trust, by the blessing of God, be a great advantage to the people. I have had twelve lads living in part of it for the last four months, whom I have clothed and fed, hoping to be allowed for it by the Government. I have spent at least three hours with them every day, when at home; and am highly gratified with their attention to all my rules and regulations, and with the very encouraging progress they have made. They can ali now read the Scriptures in their own language, and are well acquainted with the first part of the Conference Catechism; in addition to which they have made considerable progress in writing and figures, and are trying hard to acquire the English language. Some of them are already reading in the English Testament, and are rapidly mastering the difficulties of the pronunciation. The acquiring the English language must, of course, be a work of time; but provided we can obtain the means of keeping the lads together, they will be sure to master it, as their desire is very great and their application untiring. Considering the absolute absence of all restraint over children at the native places, I have been surprised at the orderly con duct of the boys. To all the means of grace they attend with great punctuality, and their behaviour at worship is all that we can wish; so that I hope, by the grace of God, our school may be the means of weaning them from many of those pernicious native habits which are so detrimental to the work of God among their parents; and that they will imbibe a taste for the comforts of civilisation, and obtain vital religion in early life.

As a family, we are, thank God, in good health; and I believe I was never more desirous than at present of being fully devoted to God, and to his work. Thank God, I am not aware that I have any other object in life, than to please him, and advance his cause.

I SEND you the following extracts from my journal :

May 14th, 1849.-My time lately has been taken up in visiting the sick. Several of the people are in a declining state of health. On the 12th instant I went to Keteonetea, catechised in the school, and preached twice. The Church and my own natives were present. I baptized two children. On my way home I called at Tukekau, and preached to the people there.

21st. Yesterday, Lord's day, I was at Ketemarae, and preached twice to the people of that place and neighbourhood. I was much interested with the conversation of a Native Class-Leader of this place named David, whose knowledge of Scripture and its doctrines excited my surprise; and I believe that he is taught of God.

24th. This day I left home to open the new chapel, and to administer the sacrament to our people, at Turangarere. On my way I stopped at Wareroa, and preached to a large congregation out of doors; but it was a noisy assembly: children crying, dogs barking, parties preparing food, &c., all in the open air, made it difficult to engage the attention of the people with effect.

25th. I arrived at Turangarere, after climbing precipices, crossing rivers, &c., with my faithful companion, Thomas Rayner, one of the Native Local Preachers. The rain fell heavily, and I was wet to the skin. I preached to a large congregation in the evening, consisting of Churchmen and Wesleyans, from Acts xvii. 30. After the public service, my attention was engaged till late at night answering questions. It is impossible to describe the excitement which prevails on these occasions.

26th.-To-day we held the Missionary Meeting, which was a very crowded and peculiar one, on account of the singular addresses of the speakers.

Some related their former degradation, darkness, present experience, &c. ; but all urged the propriety of sending the Gospel to the dark places of the earth. The collection amounted to £8. 0s. 64d. One Chief was powerfully affected on this occasion. His name is Thomas Walker, of Patea. He

e was clad in a large dog-skin, with a native weapon in his hand. He jumped, flourished the stick, shook his hair, rolled his eyes, &c., and shouted, in a screaming tone, "Send the Gospel!

Send the Gospel! It is good to send the Gospel!"

27th.-To-day there were large and overwhelming congregations at the schools and public services. I preached to the people from the first part of Acts ii., this being Whit-Sunday; and I felt liberty in speaking of the operations of the Holy Spirit, and exhorted all to seek his saving and sanctifying influences. After the sermon ten children were baptized. In the evening I administered the Lord's supper to the members, which was a solemn and profitable

season.

28th. The weather, during the assembling and departure of the people, was most severe. The rivers were swollen, and none could cross to return to their homes. This day a meeting was held of the Ngatiruanui Chiefs, about selling land. Nearly all were opposed to sell. There was much innocent amusement in the speeches delivered. One referred to a Whanganui Chief who had sold his land, and said that it was characteristic of him, as he hungered for white men. In the evening I preached again, and spoke from David's experience, Psalm cxxv. 2. I met the Leaders, Exhorters, &c., and was engaged again till late at night.

29th. This day I left the people to journey home. When I got to the swollen river, from the heavy rains, my faithful companion, Thomas Rayner, and four others, stripped, and bore me across safe to the other side. I had to ascend and descend deep ravines, extraordinary fissures from some convulsions of nature, and was liable to accident every moment; but I got out of danger by the help of the natives and the blessing of God. When I got home, I found Mrs. Woon in distress, fearing something had befallen me. This place is not safe to visit in the winter months.

31st. I went to Mawhitiwhiti to see one of the members, a steady, upright man, named Luke, who is in dying circumstances. I conversed and prayed with him, and left him in a good state of mind.

June 13th. I lately visited Katotauru and other places, and found much sickness among the people. I went to Mawhitiwhiti to-day, and buried poor Luke, who, when dying, told his friends that he knew in whom he had believed, and that he was going to heaven. The peo

ple from all parts were present to weep over his remains. It was a perfect Bochim. They came in groups, with their heads covered with the leaves of trees, their dress of mourning for the dead. Luke, when dying, exhorted his friends not to forget our kindness to him in supplying him with medicine, &c., and to make a suitable return. Gratitude in a New-Zealander used to be of

rare occurrence.

19th. On the 16th I left for Manawapou and Taumaha. I was overtaken with heavy rain, and I was obliged to remain at Manawapou. I preached three times to the people, and returned on the 18th, in dreadful weather, wind, hail, and rain, and I was stiff with the cold. I was glad when I reached home in safety. The roads on the coast are broken and very dangerous. I often wonder at my escapes. Notwithstanding my frequent visits to preach to, and take the oversight of, the people, not one will stir to repair a broken place without payment. The greatest danger, however, is connected with crossing rivers, being near the sea. They are flooded at this time with the heavy rains. The solitariness of my journeys, too, is indescribable. I travel sometimes twelve or fifteen miles, and do not see a human being. However, oftentimes, "in the multitude of my thoughts within me, His comforts delight my soul;" and, in the solitude of the bush, I feel it good to pour out my soul to God. How sweet is a throne of grace in the desert!

"Here it is I find my heaven,

While upon the Lamb I gaze;"

and to lead the New-Zealanders to Him is my happiest employ. May I be faithful!

25th. Yesterday, Lord's day, I was at Waiheke, and preached twice to the people of that place and the neighbourhood. Nearly all the people of Waiheke profess to belong to the Episcopal Church, and recognise the Rev. R. Taylor, of Wanganui, as their Minister. I generally preach to them twice a month. (Mr. Taylor has not been this way since June, 1848.) Some of them have proved most ungrateful. In sickness they apply for help; but when we want anything in return, they are deaf to our request, or want large payment for their labour, though supplied with the above gratuitously.

July 2d. I returned last night from Katotauru, having spent a profitable and interesting Sabbath with the people. The services of the day commenced with

the usual prayer-meeting. After breakfast, I visited the school. I was much pleased with the Superintendent's instructions, after catechising the people. Isaiahı superintended the school. The Eighth Section of the Conference Catechism, on prayer, was the part which engaged their attention. His remarks, in the course of catechising, were both judicious and scriptural. I delivered an address to them. In the morning and evening services, I enforced the important truths in 1 Thess. v., and all listened with deep attention. There were a few reckless young Chiefs present, who resist all remonstrance from their parents and friends, and whom I exhorted to "flee from the wrath to come."

10th. On the 6th instant, I went to Manawapou, and returned last evening. The people of that place, and from other settlements, met to make arrangements to get a mill erected, and I embraced the opportunity to spend a little time with them for religious purposes. I held several services with them, conducted the school on the Sabbath, conversed with the Teachers, and felt the necessity of being "instant in season and out of season,' in order to lead them in the way to heaven. I was much gratified with the knowledge of the Scriptures evinced by the Teachers, and with their ardent desire to add to their stock of knowledge; but grieved with some of the people on account of their apathy and lukewarmness. Two members connected with Manawapou and Patea have died within the past few days, and others appear on the brink of the grave. I regret to find that the natives are decreasing in the Circuit. What necessity to work while it is day! the night cometh when no man can work."

16th. On the 15th, I was at Ketemarae, and held services with the people, Church and Wesleyan: I expounded portions of the ninth and eleventh chapters of John's Gospel, and enforced the solemn doctrines of repentance, prayer, salvation by faith, resurrection of the dead, &c., on their attention. The minds of some in this settlement, especially those professedly connected with the Church of England, are imbued with the idea, that the souls of the departed are confined somewhere, from the old Popish tradition, introduced by some Romanising Clergymen in the land. They plead for this notion from the words of the Apostle, in 1 Peter iii. 19, 20. One of our most sensible Teachers upset this tradition, and ex

plained the Apostle's meaning. The natives are very fond of bringing forward difficult passages for explanation; and with many, I fear, the duties of repentance, prayer, &c., are neglected. On my return home, I reached the beach when it was quite dark, and the waves of the sea from the tide dashed under me and the horse; but I got safe along without accident. The weather of late has been very severe. The natives have been painfully pinched with the cold. Many are ill, and we have supplied a quantity of medicine both to the Church-of-England natives and to our own people. Last week a respectable Chief of Patea died. He was a good man, and much respected.

23d. The 224 being the Sabbath, I visited the people at the two principal settlements in this place, and preached as usual to them. The rain poured down, and I was wet to the skin. I was much tried with one of the members at Katotauru. He had neglected his duty, and was reproved by his Leader. He took offence, and threatened to leave us, and join the other party. This prevails more or less throughout the Circuit. Several have left us in this way. The Church of England has been by some termed "the Queen's," or, "the rich man's Church;" the Wesleyan "the poor man's church!"

August 20th.-During the past three weeks, I have been at Waiheke, Patea, &c., visiting the people. At Patea I administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper to the members at that place, and at Manawapou, and Taumaha. I was grieved to find several neglecting the command of the Saviour, "Do this in remembrance of me." I was much interested with the inquiries of the Leaders respecting the Scriptures; and while here I distributed a quantity of Psalters for the use of the people. I returned last night from Ketemarae, preached to the natives of that place, and met the classes. I called at Tukekau on my way home, and preached to the Inuawai tribe.

27th. I went to Katotauru on the 25th, where the people from the surrounding settlements met to receive the Lord's supper. After a quiet and pensive journey on the Mission-horse, I arrived,

and found a large party collected under a lawn, and the people of the place brought the food. This consisted of whole and cut-up pigs, potatoes, flour baked into large flat cakes, almost as hard as a brick-bat, with other food, which was distributed to the different parties, and all made a substantial meal. In the evening they all met in the chapel, and I addressed them from the eighth Psalm. I met the Leaders after the service. On Lord's day, as soon as the light appeared, they were all in motion. The first thing was the prayermeeting. Then their food. Then the school. This was a most interesting service, catechising, &c. The subject was the institution and design of the Lord's supper. After the usual questions, one of the Teachers addressed them on its obligation, in a feeling and eloquent style. After the school came the public service. The chapel was crowded to excess. I spoke from 1 Peter i. 16: "Be ye holy; for I am holy." After preaching, I baptized a child. In the after part of the day, I administered the Lord's supper to the members. Several were kept back by the Leaders for uttering improper words, family quarrels, &c. This is always a solemn and interesting season. They have clear and correct views of the atonement, and of the obligations connected with the ordinance, and are most scrupulous in keeping back any one who may have walked disorderly, &c. Not a sound was heard during the administration, and all separated in the evening in peace. But I was most interested, between the services, with the conversation of two of our Teachers, Thomas Rayner and Reuben. It was an argument on the doctrines of the resurrection and the immortality of the soul. Job and Paul were adduced, especially the Apostle's masterly argu ment in 1 Cor. xv. The new body was represented as being like the butterfly escaped from its prison in the earth,before its change an unsightly worm! I was greatly delighted with what I heard.

31st. 1 There is much sickness throughout the Circuit. Medicine is in constant request. The natives are dying in all directions.