MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. NEW ZEALAND. The following account of the Climate, Inhabitants, Manners, Religion, Superstition, &c. of these Islands, has been furnished by Mr. SAMUEL LEIGH, Missionary, lately come from thence; and from the communications of the Rev. T. KENDALL, of the Church Missionary Society, other particulars are added. Climate and Fertility of New "New Zealand is situated between the latitudes of 34 and 48 degrees south, and between the longitudes of 166 and 180 degrees east from Greenwich. This place was supposed to be part of a southern continent, but it is now known to consist of two large islands, divided from each other by a strait four or five leagues broad. Every kind of European fruits, grain, and plants would flourish here in the utmost luxuriance, as the winters are milder than those in Europe, and the summers not so hot, though more equally warm. Description of the Inhabitants and Population of the Islands. "The inhabitants of these islands are in general (says Mr. Leigh) very stout and robust, and are equal in muscular strength to the largest men in Europe; their number is supposed to be from one to two millions. Their colour in general is brown, but not much more so than that of a Spaniard who has been much exposed tothe sun. Both the men and the women have good features. Their dress consists of mats made of flax, which grows in abundance in the island, and is of a very fine texture. The natives are accustomed to mark, or tattoo their bodies, and particularly their faces. They have various weapons of war, the principal of which are lances, darts, and a kind of battle-axe. New Zealanders Cannibals. "While I continued in the Island, (says Mr. Leigh) one day, as I was walking on the beach, conversing with a chief, my attention was arVOL. XLIV. FEBRUARY, 1821. rested by a great number of people coming from a neighbouring hill. ` I inquired the cause of the concourse, and was told that they had killed a lad, were roasting him, and going to eat him. I immediately proceeded to the place, in order to ascertain the truth of this appalling relation. Being arrived at the village where the people were collected, I asked to see the boy. The natives appeared much agitated at my presence, and particularly at my request, as if conscious of their guilt; and it was only after a very urgent solicitation, that they directed me towards a large fire at some distance, where, they said, I should find him. As I was going to this place, I passed by the bloody spot on which the head of this unon approaching the fire, I was not a happy victim had been cut off; and, little startled at the sudden appearance of a savage-looking man, of gigantic stature, entirely naked and armed with a large axe. intimidated, but mustered up as much I was a good deal courage as I could, and demanded to see the lad. The cook, (for such was ster,) then held up the boy by his feet. the occupation of this terrific monHe appeared to be about fourteen years of age, and was half roasted. I returned to the village, where I found a great number of natives seated in a circle, with a quantity of coomery (a sort of sweet potatoe) before them, waiting for the roasted body of the youth. In this company were shown to me the mother of the child; the mother and child were both slaves, having been taken in war. However, she would have been compelled to share in the horrid feast, had I not prevailed on them to give up the body to be interred, and thus prevented them from gratifying their unnatural appetite. But notwithstanding this melancholy picture of New Zealand, I believe they are very capable of receiving religious instruction, and a knowledge of the arts in general. They are very ingenious and enterprising, and discover a surprising willingness to receive instruction. I did not visit any one village, where the principal chiefs did not strongly urge my residence among them; and I believe that God is preparing them to receive the ever-blessed Gospel of peace." "In the first year after our arrival (says Mr. Kendall) many New Zealanders died. They had not food sufficient to preserve life; and, in this weak condition, we could discern little of the native mind. Since then, the Natives in general at the Bay of Islands, and in the adjacent country, eager to procure implements of war and of husbandry, have exerted themselves so much in cultivating land for potatoes, Indian corn, &c. that they have not only obtained such articles as they wanted, but have lived much better themselves, and have had but little mortality among them. Their native disposition has, of course, been greatly revived; and, being Heathens still, they follow the customs and traditions of their forefathers with avidity. War is all their glory. They travel to the South, and kill great numbers. Although the Natives in general shew no disposition to injure us; yet, being so unsettled and unsteady, our situation among them is the more trying." son when these are planted in the ground, the planters dress themselves in their best raiment, and say, that, as Atuas' on earth, they are imitating the 'Atua' in heaven. The lands are, from that time, considered sacred, until the sweet-potatoe crops are taken up. No person presumes to go upon them, except such as are consecrated for the purpose of weeding and inspecting them." Their Superstition. "A Christian Assembly (continues Mr.Kendall) could not tolerate the recital of cases, a variety of which might be brought forward to show in what a sad state of captivity the great deceiver of mankind holds this people. In the time of sickness, and the near prospect of death, their situation is truly distressing. They will pray, and that earnestly; but, how dreadful are their petitions! The most respectable characters among them will use words, with the utmost fervour of soul, of nearly the same import in the English tongue, as the most hardened sinner in a Christian land would shudder at, in the time of severe illness, or at his dying hour. One of our scholars, for instance, was taken very ill. I heard the prayers of his father over him, and saw his motions. The poor, blind Parent, instead of importuning the Supreme Being, as one would have imagined, for the recovery of his son, was uttering the most dreadful curses and imprecations against him. When I asked him his reason for the use of such language, he replied, it was a good thing at New The Religion of these Islands. Zealand he did it to frighten the "Pride and ignorance, cruelty and 'Atua' away, who would otherwise licentiousness, are some of the prin- very probably have destroyed his son. cipal ingredients in a New Zealander's The boy had been out in the rain a Religion. He does not, so far as I whole day, and had caught a severe can learn, bow down to a stock or a cold; but the Natives will not allow stone; but he magnifies himself into that heat or cold can hurt a man. a god. The Chiefs and Elders of They ascribe every pain they feel to the people are called 'Atuas,' even theAtua,' who, they say, is preywhile they are living. Our aged ing upon them. They consider the friend Tiarrah says, that the God of Supreme Being as an invisible AnthroThunder is in his forehead. Shunghee pophagus, or Man-eater; and regard and Okeda tell me, that they are pos- him with a mixture of fear and hatred sessed with Gods of the Sea. When betraying impatience and anger the clouds are beautifully chequered, whenever they are visited by sickthe Atua' above, it is supposed, is planting sweet potatoes. At the sea ness. The New Zealanders willing to put their children under Christian Instruction. "Although the New Zealanders are exceedingly superstitious, and what religion they profess is constituted of rites the most horrible and offensive to an Englishman and a Christian, yet it is a very encouraging circumstance, that parents do not at all object to their children being instructed by us. They rather wish it: and the children themselves have always been ready to repeat their lessons when called on, and have been kept in a state of discipline far superior to my expectations. "When the Word of God shall be made known to them, that will form the foundation for all that is excellent to be built upon; and, while things, which are of real importance in their proper place, are not lost sight of, we must direct our chief attention to such things as may most directly assist us in the attainment of this greatest of all objects-the preparing for the people of New Zealand this Sure Guide from a world of sorrow to a world of glory. "It is by the gradual diffusion among them of the knowledge of the ruin and recovery of mankind, and the communication to them of the arts of primary importance to social happiness, that the New Zealanders are to be weaned from their warlike habits and superstitions." INDIA. Extract of a Letter from Mr. LYNCH, dated Madras, May 21, 1820. Last year, six Indian converts, under my care, exchanged earth for heaven; and two poor heathens, who never having seen a missionary, heard of Jesus by a country-born female, died, and I hope went to heaven. A poor heathen man was one day with one of my friends, to whom he was accustomed to bring wood once a month; she said something to him about God, but the poor Gentoo knew nothing about him. My friend told him a little about the creation of the world and of man; and also of that God who gives us life and health, our food, and our clothes. When he came again, he was anxious to hear more about God: she then told him about the fall of man, and finally of Jesus Christ. He seemed affected, and the next month but one sent his wife, who simply stated that her husband had sent her that she might be told something also of that good God who made the world, and gives us all good things, and who died to save us; adding, your God must be very good, for before my husband heard of him, he always came home drunk, and beat me and the children; but since you told him of your God, he has not done so, but alway's brings home the money and gives it to me. The next month they both came to me along with my friend, who felt truly interested in their case. She explained to them, as well as she could, in the Gentoo language, the death and atonement of Jesus Christ, and urged them to pray to him. The next month the poor woman came alone, and said, Oh! my husband is dead. On inquiry how he died, she said that when his friends came around him before his death, to go through their heathen ceremonies, he turned from them, and said, I love him whom they call Jesus. He told me, added the wife, to come to you to learn more about Jesus Christ. A few weeks after this, another person came to our friend, and told her, that the woman had died also, and that her last language was, I will go to Jesus and to my husband, for they are in heaven. I really would prefer the honour of being the spiritual father of these two Gentoos to all I ever did. We have a young man from England, who lives in the Mission House. He is a local preacher and leader; also a country born young man, who reads, preaches, and interprets in the native language. Beside these, we have a local preacher and leader, who was the founder of the Methodist society at Madras, and five others who pray in publiek, all converted to God. CEYLON. Extract of a Letter from Messrs. CARVER and STEAD, to the Committee. Humbled beneath a sense of undeserved favours from the Most High, and desirous of acknowledging his extended mercy, we at this time, dear brethren, feel pleasure in addressing you, and in confessing that we are "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." In the last Letters, brother Carver briefly made you acquainted with the general condition of the station, which admits, perhaps, of less variety than circuits more extensive. During the past quarter our intercourse with the natives, though much more frequeut, has admitted of less opportunity than formerly to give them spiritual instruction. We have indeed been busily engaged in that which, to a missionary, is labour extraordinary; that is to say, building and forming somewhat of an establishment; without which no man in India ought to dream of success. Undoubtedly many, through want of better information, may think differently, and consider such things necessary only in a very limited degree. But we are almost tempted to ask, where shall the rising generation and others receive instruction? And how shall we convince a heathen population of the permanency of our cause? Is not instability constantly charged upon the natives? And does not every thing in civil, judicial, and military matters among them change? To expect, therefore, much success among a people, (whose welfare you wish them to believe it is your object to promote,) and yet neglect to form places of worship among them, is a folly which will be cured by time. In our work we have been happy, but much interrupted by continual calls to look after work-people, which breaks up all order and regularity of study. The congregations have been irregular, occasioned by the violence of the monsoon; and some members of the class have removed to other parts of the island. The three schools have not been less interesting than usual; and reading the Scriptures in them, catechising, and occasional preaching, have given the adults who attended, an opportunity of hearing we and understanding the redemption While writing this, brother Carver is called off to seek for a book in Tamul, to help a Mohammedan boy (who has just applied to Mr. Hunter,) to contend, by strong arguments, with the head of that sect. The circumstance arose thus: The boy having made great progress lately in his learning, began to find pleasure in singing praises to God and in prayer; and his parents wishing him one day to read the Koran, he began to read to them, in their own language, some useful tracts which he had just received. This so astonished them, that they resolved to take him to the chief priest to have him "converted," as they expressed it, to the true Musselman faith. He was furnished for the controversy with a dialogue between a Mohammedan and a Christian; but we have not yet heard the result. Another circumstance took place préviously, which will shew, in some measure, that the hindrances to the spread of Christianity in the East are widely different to those experienced in Europe. In the nations of Europe the general tone of feeling is infavourofChristianity; but in India, the tone of feeling is against it. On the 23d of November, 1819, the government school master, Gabriel, called at the Mission House to say that Ferdinando, the old native Protestant priest, was dead. Gabriel had taken much trouble to go here and there, but it was no one's business to bury him: he was told by one and another, they had nothing to do with it. The heathens would not come near the place where he lay. The Roman Catholics could not be expected to look upon, or, according to their principles, afford funeral rites to one denominated by them a heretic; and thus-- "Deny'd the charity of dust to spread O'er dust! a charity their dogs enjoy,”– it followed, that his bones must either whiten upon the surface of the earth, or be thrust into a hole without a coffin. Conscious what pernicious effects might follow from deserting a native Christian, and especially one among them accounted a minister, we immediately gave orders to our work-people to make him a decent coffin, and to colour it with black as a token of our great respect. Our young man was ready to go and read the service over him at the burial-ground, when a fresh difficulty started in our way: no one could be found that would defile himself by carrying him to the grave! At last, on speaking to our coolies, eight of them bore the aged padre to the "peaceful chamber," where áll distinctions cease. In the beginning of December, three married missionaries from America landed here, bound direct to the province of Jaffnapatam, to reinforce the party of three who were in that district before. One of them remained a few days at the Mission House, and then set out by land to Jaffna; the other two went round in the vessel by way of Colombo. The conclusion of the year brought together, for the first time in this place, the children of our native schools, to be examined and rewarded. On Christmas-day, a great number of them were waiting with presents at the door when our English congregation retired; this caused the greater surprise, because they were not expected to come before the time appointed, which was two days after. The circumstance, however, seemed greatly to affect some of our English hearers; and indeed many of the little innocent looking creatures were very interesting. We were the more glad, inasmuch as the smallest concessions in favour of our holy religion, in a place like this, ought not to be despised. Monday, Dec. 27th, our scholars collected themselves, though the rains every half hour came down in torrents; and at ten o'clock our place of worship was filled with children. So many sable yet sparkling countenances, fixed upon us at our entrance, rewarded in a measure the missionary for the hours of labour, anxiety and toil, experienced in gathering them out of the hovels of heathenism. And he accepted it as a sign for good, that even in this place so many were induced to enter the house of God. Our En glish scholars were also present, and seemed to gather consequence from the circumstance that they had now to sit at the head of a greater number. In examining the boys, one of the head class was called upon to question the others, on their progress in the catechism. This he did, in a very masterly manner, proceeding through several sections of Wood's Catechism in Tamul, till he had only two boys left, the others being unable to keep up with them. Those two were specially rewarded. When the little presents were distributing, expectation sat sparkling in every eye; which, on the possession of the gift, gave place to satisfaction. A few of the higher class boys sang a Malabar hymn, much better than we expected. They then sat down, and our English scholars sang, in English, equal to what we have often heard in our native land. We then dismissed them with prayer. Thus, dear brethren, have we briefly laid before you what we conceived chiefly worth notice during the last three months; and would conclude with an ascription of praise and thanksgiving to God, for his distintinguished mercies during the past year; for in journeying by sea and by land, hath he preserved us from danger; but above all, we thank him for communications of spiritual grace; for blessing us with a desire to enjoy |