ately welcomed by the Missionaries at Mangungu. To them the arrival of a reinforcement was a joyful and important event. Mr. Bumby seemed highly delighted with the river-scenery, the settlement, the surrounding plantation, and was struck with the novelty of everything he saw. The evening of the day after, he conducted the Mission-house class-meeting, and produced a deep impression upon the resident brethren by the spirituality and fervour of his counsels. He was present at a native service, too, on the Saturday evening, the language of which, of course, he could not understand; but he caught the full sympathy of devotion, and was full of wonder at the decorum and reverential behaviour of the natives. The next day, Sunday, was one of more than ordinary interest and joy. One thousand natives, at least, were on the station, and the chapel was filled to overflowing. Mr. Hobbs preached in the morning, from, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us ;" and the attention of the natives was fastened upon the Preacher. About two years ago, it had happened that three of the Native Teachers went among a heathen party, to persuade them to turn to God; when, in return for their benevolent efforts, they were fired at, and two were killed; the third having a very narrow escape from a ball, which grazed his blanket as he fled. At this service one of that hostile party was present, and also the young man who escaped, William Barton. At the close of the service, Mr. Turner called upon William to pray. William obeyed, and began in a strain of humble fervour; and, amongst other supplications which he presented to God, he prayed for the heathen native in question, the murderer of his companions, and implored that he, too, might have given to him a heart to pray. This produced a very deep simultaneous and tender feeling ; and our friend saw, to his comfort, even within a few days of his landing, that a New-Zealander could learn the lesson of the Cross, and echo his dying Saviour's prayer.

In the afternoon, Mr. Bumby addressed the largest English congregation ever seen in New-Zealand, from the words of the Apostle,- I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content; " and in the course of his address, which was very impressive, he felicitously described "discontent" as a grave where all God's mercies were buried."

In the evening the congregation assembled again; when, after an address in Maori by Mr. Turner, the whole Society, comprising both Europeans and natives, partook together of the Lord's Supper, administered in the usual and most affecting manner.

Simon Peter, the Chief who has been mentioned before, as having accompanied the Missionaries to Waikato, had been made a Class-Leader, and in that capacity was very useful; but he had departed in the faith and hope of the Gospel some months before our friend's arrival. His name had beforetime excited disgust and dread wherever it was mentioned. Once, on a war-expedition, he, with his party, took several of his countrymen prisoners; and on their way home he made a large oven, bound the wretched captives, and pitched them alive into it, roasted them as they were, and then feasted on their bodies. He was present at many cannibal feasts, at which the bodies of young and old were served piecemeal at the hellish repast. O glorious Gospel, to conquer a lost wretch like this! But he was conquered, and washed and sanctified too. Mr. Woon had seen the big, scalding tears streaming down his tattooed cheeks on occasions when, in the native service, they had been singing hymns expressive of the love of Christ; and it was not to be doubted that, for some time prior to his death, he could adopt the language of the newlypardoned Simon Peter of old, and say, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee."

It was evident, to Mr. Bumby, that the Christian natives were passing through a trying process; namely,

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the transition from a barbarous to a civilised state. They had begun to wear European clothing: this made them more liable to danger from wet and exposure; and hence every instance of neglect, or of natural recurrence to former habits, brought on morbid affections, which often resulted in inflammation, consumption, and death. The wife of William Barton, a fine young woman, daughter of Nene, or Thomas Walker, one of the Christian Chiefs of the Hokianga, was in a declining state from this very cause. died about this time; but they died in the Lord. Mr. Turner introduced our friend to the same Chief, Nene, who was a relative of Patuone, his protector when fleeing from Wangaroa; and the meeting gave pleasure on both sides. Mr. Turner spoke of his companion as the "father" (that is, the Superintendent) of the Missionaries. "Ah!" said Thomas, who was a very shrewd and sensible man, and subsequently took a very important part in his country's affairs, "it is well; but he a father! he is but a boy; but perhaps he has the heart of a father."

CHAPTER VI.

MISSION LIFE.

OUR friend, on his arrival, soon found that Mr. Turner and his other brethren were very desirous to extend the Mission down to the most southerly parts of the western coast, leaving to the Church-ofEngland brethren the occupation of the eastern. It was arranged by the executive Committee, that their valued Missionary, Mr. Turner, should now return to the Colony; and he was desirous, in consequence, of hastening to his new appointment; but was detained awhile, and very properly so, till his successor had

The first

taken а brief survey of his field of labour. step in this direction seemed to be a visit to the south, where the other faithful brethren had prepared the way, and to fix upon a spot for a permanent Mission-settlement there. His plan was to take a vessel from the Bay of Islands, skirt round the east coast, then by way of Cook's-Straits to Port-Nicholson and Taranaki.

On a matter of some preliminary business, he left Mangungu, April 6th, in company with Mr. Hobbs and Captain Todd, to visit the Bay of Islands. They had three native lads as attendants, to carry their coats and bundles. He was struck with the vast tracts of fern, and the magnificent forest-trees, and soon began to experience the peculiar toil and fatigue of New-Zealand travelling, where roads and bridges were then out of the question. He was kindly received at the Churchof-England Mission-station of Waimate, and attended a service on the Sunday, at which his companion, Mr. Hobbs, partially, and in conjunction with the resident Missionary, officiated. On Monday he dined with the British Resident, J. Busby, Esq., an accomplished and affable person, who was doing what he could to check and overawe the wickedness of the population, and especially the European population, around him; but who was soon to give place to an official invested with ampler powers. At length the needful arrangements were made, and the circumstances of the tour may be related in Mr. Bumby's own words:

August 20th, 1839.

My letters, under the dates of April 10th and May 4th, would inform you, that it was the opinion of the brethren here, that, as such a vigorous effort had been made by the Committee, in sending out so many additional Missionaries, something should immediately be attempted to meet the wants and wishes of the numerous tribes of the south of the island; and also, that we had been unsuccessful in our endeavours to obtain a suitable vessel for the conveyance of our families, as well as unable to induce natives to accompany us on a tour of observation and

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inquiry over-land. Soon after my last communication, the Hokianga," a small vessel which has sometimes been employed for Missionary purposes, came into the bay; and we were informed by the proprietors, that she was about to proceed to Kawia for a cargo, but might be at our service for a few weeks. On the reception of this intelligence, it was proposed that I and Mr. Hobbs should avail ourselves of the opportunity of going round by the east coast, through Cook's-Straits and Taranaki, to Kawia; from which place, it was suggested, we might manage to travel over-land to Mangungu. I hesitated some time, in consequence of the time which would be occupied, and the expense which would be incurred, by such an excursion. But, remembering the instructions of the Committee, directing me to obtain all possible information as to the state of the island; and considering the necessity which rests upon us, to extend our evangelical operations to the regions beyond, where nothing has hitherto been attempted; together with the importance of seeing the country, in order to the selection of the most suitable locality for a new station; I ultimately determined, in company with Mr. Hobbs, to undertake the expedi tion. Mr. Turner, though exceedingly anxious to remove to the Colony, kindly engaged to remain at Mangungu till our return.

On Monday morning, May 11th, having resigned our families, and committed ourselves, to the protection and care of our heavenly Father, we left Mangungu for the Bay of Islands. Our retinue was composed of about twenty youths, chiefly southern natives, taken in war. Many of them had lived for years with the Missionaries, and, having experienced the grace of God in truth, had long wished and prayed for an opportunity to return to their brethren and friends, to tell them how great things the Lord had done for them, and that He had had mercy upon them. We were detained several days in the bay, by rough weather and contrary winds. Soon after the commencement of the voyage, having a heavy head-sea to contend with, all became sick. The New-Zealanders are ill fitted to endure affliction: they generally abandon themselves to despondency and inactivity, like persons for whom there is no help and no hope. We passed Wakari, or White-Island. It is volcanic, and abounds with fine sulphur. Tradition says of this island, that when Mawe, the principal god of the country, first saw fire, he incautiously took it up in his hands, which so severely scorched him, that, in his agony, he plunged into the sea, and there immediately appeared this island. The aspect of the country is rocky; and woody hills of different shapes and elevations rise, ridge behind ridge, till their broken summits appear to mingle with the clouds of the sky. After being about a week at sea, we