twice. The chiefs made their speeches, and peace was happily concluded. During the whole time we stood with some chiefs from both parties on the neutral ground, so that had peace not been made, and they had fired, we must have fallen the first. The Lord was gracious to us and to the poor heathen in bringing this sad affair to so auspicious a termination. Many shots were afterwards fired by evildisposed persons on both sides, but no one was wounded. The natives dispersed immediately. The Wesleyan brethren came with their boat, the Pa being situated on the bank of a navigable river, and we reached their mission settlement the same evening. Early the next morning we started for Keri Keri, which we reached at five o'clock P.M. We then took our own boat and arrived safe at home the same night, having journeyed nearly fifty miles in the course of the day.

"Thus was brought to a happy conclusion one of the most alarming circumstances which has ever occurred in New Zealand since the commencement of the mission. Had these rival parties fought, much blood must have been shed, and what the result might have been no one could have foreseen.

"Pray for us, that we may be faithful and diligent in endeavouring to make known a Saviour's love to the perishing heathen. I remain, my dear Sir, yours very affectionately in the bonds of love,

"RICHARD DAVIS."

CHAPTER VI.

MISSIONARY OPERATIONS FROM THE DEATH OF 'HONGI, MARCH 1828, TO THE MARRIAGE OF HIS SECOND DAUGHTER, MATILDA.

Loss of the "Herald "-Threatened Assault by the Southern Natives-Hooping-Cough brought into New Zealand from Sydney-Examination of Schools-Seeds from England-Assault by a Chief-Road-making-Two eldest Daughters Communicants -Ship "Haweis" captured and re-captured-View of Prophecy-Study of Hebrew --Opinion of Commentaries-Attack of Natives-Taiwanga and Peter-Cost of Potatoes, Indian Corn, and Pigs-Atrocities of Natives-Baptism-Religious State of Natives-Battle in view of the Settlement-Seeds from England-Conversion, Baptism, and Death of Rapi-Baptism of Six Natives-Parable of the Ten Virgins-Conversion of Ripi-Baptism of Eight Natives-French Discovery Ship-Marriage of his Second Daughter and of two of his Natives.

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, 2d April 1828.

"MY DEAR SIR,-This is not a time for Christians to hide themselves, or for ininisters to be backward to declare the whole counsel of God. Religion is become fashionable. Satan has never made use of a more plausible or more dangerous temptation. Satan counterfeits his coin so well, and it passeth so current in the fashionable world, that the follower of Christ scarce knows how to distinguish genuine religion from that which is fictitious.

"I can spare but little time for writing. But if my poor letters have the smallest tendency to stir up missionary

From my

zeal, I am satisfied and thankful. My life is a very busy one at present. We have much to do, and there is very much to be done. The work of the Lord, I trust, prospers and progresses here. Last Sunday my visit to my poor natives was very pleasing. The principal chief was pointed out by his people to me as a man of prayer. They told me that he prayed twice a day with his family. former letters you will learn the influence the Lord hath been pleased to give us over the native mind. Surely this is a token of good. The natives did not understand the nature of our mission to them till quite recently. Thousands of pounds have been expended in vain to promote their civilisation. When I first arrived here, one person only could speak intelligibly to the natives. Everything was to be done with the axe and the hoe. I was told that AN AXE WAS THE BEST MISSIONARY FOR NEW ZEALAND. How any Christian, how any minister, could imagine that an axe was the best missionary for New Zealand, I cannot understand.

"To wear out in the service of God, while living and walking in the light of His countenance, is a privilege indeed. But, alas, my leanness, my leanness! My poor heart is often barren, very barren indeed. My time is much occupied with the local concerns of the mission, and my close attention thereto very often draws off my mind from God. At times the Lord is pleased to shine His graces into my heart, and to refresh my soul. Oh the value of a believing view of Jesus our gracious Redeemer! How refreshing to the weary soul! To be a missionary is a great, a solemn, an awful responsibility.

From the sense of that responsibility agriculture was, as it were, a shelter. But agriculture having been found impracticable, I am obliged to stand forth a missionary. Oh, who is sufficient for these things! How awful to have to stand between God and never-dying souls! The translation of that holy Word of God, whereby the poor natives will be either condemned or acquitted at the last day, is a solemn responsibility. I need not request your prayers. I know you pray for us.

"Sunday, 6th July.-This morning we met around the table of the Lord. Oh that we may each experience that we have received spiritual strength, and manifest it hereafter by diligence in missionary work, and striving more earnestly to do Thy will, O God! There can be no standTo stand still is to go

ing still in the Christian's course. backward. O God, make us more anxious for the salvation of the souls of the heathen!

"That the Lord may bless you and dear Mrs. Coleman with continual communion with Himself is the hearty prayer of,-Yours affectionately, for the Gospel's sake, "RICHARD DAVIS."

"PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEw Zealand, 6th October 1828.

"MY DEAR SIR,--The cask of presents duly arrived in good order. I need not tell you how thankful I feel to my many kind friends. It is impossible for any one who has never been circumstanced as we are to enter fully into our joyous feelings on these occasions. Blessed be the Maker of heaven and earth for His mercies towards us!

Oh that our thanks to Him may keep pace with our mercies! The seeds are a prize indeed, enhanced by their quick passage from England, and by their reaching us in planting time. Our missionaries talk of returning public thanks to our friends for this very valuable collection of seeds. But I am not yet convinced of the propriety of this practice among sincere and faithful followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. During the whole course of His incarnation He seems to have avoided human praise as much as possible. And the more we are like Him, the more happy we shall be.

"When Mr. Charles Davis left New Zealand, I was on a voyage to the southward in the 'Herald' visiting the natives, and looking out for a supply of food for our schools. The voyage was not unpleasant. Though we did not succeed in obtaining the supplies of food we were in quest of, yet we were able to speak of the things of God to many natives who had never before heard the Gospel. Oh that I had a greater desire to travel more to make known the savour of a Saviour's name! His name is indeed as ointment poured forth to the meek, the lowly, the humble, and the penitent soul! Oh when will the natives of this land feel the power of redeeming love! The ever-blessed God protected us during the voyage, which was not without danger. We went where no European vessel had ever been before. After having visited Town-point in the Bay of Plenty, we weighed anchor, and stood away for the east Cape, and afterwards brought up at the western point of High-land Bay. We visited the natives on shore, and spoke to them from the vessel, proclaiming the everlasting Gospel. May