"7th October 1828.-I can truly say, 'God is a present help in time of need.' He will continue to support and comfort us. He has been our succour, and He will never leave nor forsake us. He sitteth above the water-floods; the Lord remaineth King for evermore. Of whom then

should we be afraid? How sweet, how refreshing, how comforting is the promise: 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. God is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works, and is nigh unto all who call upon Him faithfully. He will hear their cry, and will help them. These, and similar divine promises, are our support in this dark land. I know, my dear friend, we are not forgotten by you in your prayers."

"11th June 1829.-I desire to praise God for His protecting care in preserving us in this land of heathenism and cruelty. Last week a party of natives came to our settlement, and told us that they were taking up their potatoes, and would eat one of us for a relish. We were not afraid. We knew they could not hurt us without the Lord's permission. He hath said, 'Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen I will be exalted in the earth.' I humbly trust that this God is OUR God, and that He will be OUR rock and defence. Unto Him belong the issues from death, and He permitted not these natives to hurt us. Satan will roar when his

kingdom is invaded. I desire also to praise God for raising us up such kind friends as the ladies of Ryde. God hath put it into their hearts, and hath caused them to remember us and our natives.

"9th September 1830.-The Lord has been very mindful of us, having protected us from these savage cannibals during our six years' residence in New Zealand, and having given us whatever is requisite for this life. The natives are waking up from their sinful lethargy, and are eagerly inquiring how they can be saved. Eight adults and six children have been baptized, and there are many candidates for baptism. Above 100 natives reside with the missionaries of this settlement, of whom many are in a hopeful state. I have a sick girl close on the borders of eternity in a most pleasing frame. She longs to be with her Saviour. They hold their prayer-meetings, and pray, I believe, from the heart."

"22d June 1835.--Our eldest son, James, has been admitted to the holy communion. It rejoices our souls to witness his conscientious walk. You will joy with us, that the Lord has been pleased to bless our elder children with His saving grace. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits! We have been much exercised respecting a future provision for our children, but I am confident God will provide. Him, and cast our cares upon what He sees needful for us. this world of sin and sorrow.

Oh for
Him!

grace to trust

He will grant At times I feel weary of

Oh had I a closer walk

with God, I should not feel these little things which now make us to go mourning."

"March 1836,"last letter received from Mrs. Davis:My dear Serena is now with her sisters at Kaitaia for

change of air. I fear. But why should I fear? Is she not a child of God? Why should I despond? I want to submit my stubborn will and all my concerns to His allwise direction. Pray for us, that we may lie passive in the hands of OUR God. I need your prayers. I have never lost a child by death heretofore. The Lord has given them all to me. Surely He has a right to take them to Himself in His own time and way. Serena is a gracious child. Satan and my own wicked heart too often lead me astray. But I will do all I can against Satan. If I perish, it shall be at the foot of the Cross. There I am determined to carry my sins. Has not Jesus died for sinners? Be still then, and know that He is God. He shall be exalted among the heathen. He is exalted. The labours of my husband and children have been blessed to them. My husband has made many native farmers. I believe that agriculture is more likely to do good to the natives, and to raise them in the scale of civilisation, than any other worldly calling yet brought before them. But I am much alarmed for my poor husband. He has laboured for the Society early and late. His trials have been many and heavy. His mind has been on the rack. When this settlement was first formed, we sat down here with fern and bushes close round our little huts, without any fence of any description. No carpenter was hired. He worked with his own hands until we had a native carpenter trained up by ourselves. We have now fields of clover, wheat enough this year to sustain the mission, and ten acres of barley. He is going to turn maltster. He is also a miller. He is now very poorly, having had a bad cough for some

time past. He is evidently wearing out. Oh for grace to leave all events to our covenant-God, who cannot err. I know that we are in the hands of our heavenly Father. However we may love our children; and however dear they may be to us, we are infinitely more dear to Him who bought us with His own blood. Precious Saviour! May we all be found at Thy right hand at the last day! MAY THERE NOT BE ONE LOST SHEEP AMONGST US! May we all be reunited in perfection of bliss, holiness, and glory!"

The Rev. Henry Williams, now Archdeacon of Waimate, in his letter to me, dated 15th February 1837, thus sums up the character of Mrs. Davis:-"In Mrs. Davis, her husband has lost an affectionate wife, the children a tender parent, the members of the mission an esteemed and beloved sister, and the natives around a kind and affectionate mother. She was a mother in our Israel. Her attention to all was very great, particularly to the sick. Her house was always open, and her hand ready to administer to the wants of those who needed."

CHAPTER VIII.

MISSIONARY OPERATIONS, FROM THE DEATH OF MRS. DAVIS, 1ST FEBRUARY 1837, TO TRINITY SUNDAY, 1843, WHEN HE WAS ORDAINED DEACON.

Anxiety respecting Ordination-Psalm-Singing Colonel, and four faithful Ministers at Sydney-Roman Catholic Bishop and Priest arrive just as the Maori New Testament issued from the Press-Applies for a Bishop to superintend the MissionEpidemic Diseases-Death of Paratene-Second Marriage-Anticipated evils from Colonization-Progress of the Gospel at East Cape-Designs to erect a Mill for the Natives-Increase of Adult Baptisms, and of Natives seeking InstructionAtrocious Murder-Increase of Popery-Progress of the Gospel from Cook's Straits to the Bay of Plenty-The Queen proclaimed-Captain Hobson LieutenantGovernor-Opposition of Papists-Applies for Ordination-Great Increase of Native Communicants and Natives Baptized-Faith of an old Chief near to Death -Letter of Taurua on his Daughter's Death-Death of his Son, Coleman DavisMost Atrocious Murder-Arrival of Bishop Selwyn-Admiration of the Bishop and his Plans-Grateful Remembrance of his Examining Chaplain-Ordained Deacon.

"WAIMATE, BAY OF ISLANDS, 4th March 1837.

Nothing gives me so my beloved ones are

"MY DEAREST MATILDA,-The contents of your very interesting letter gave me pleasure. much satisfaction as to know, that employed in the Lord's work. To be able to rejoice over the returning sinner is to possess the spirit which actuates the angelic host, the blest inhabitants of the fields of light. To be made instrumental in bringing a poor soul to Christ is the greatest honour which can be conferred upon us.