CHAPTER V.

COMMUNICATIONS from New-Zealand, Van-Diemen's Land, and NewHolland-Mr. Leigh marries, and leaves England-Calls at Van-Diemen's Land, and establishes a Mission-State of the People there-Mr. Leigh arrives at Port-Jackson-Mr. Marsden's Reply to the Inquiry of Joseph Butterworth, Esq., M.P., relative to the New-Zealand Mission-Religious Condition of New South Wales-First Anniversary of the Australian Wesleyan Missionary Society-Speech and Contribution of John Lees-Singular Occurrence at a Meeting of the Committee of the Bible Society-The Missionary to the Aborigines introduced to the Governor-Appeal to the Governor in their Behalf-Their physical Aspect-Their Character and Habits-Their Claims upon the British Government-The colonising Policy of Great Britain censured-First Interview between the Missionary and the Natives-A Scheme for the secular Improvement of the Natives submitted to His Excellency-War in New-Zealand, and great Destruction of Life Mr. Leigh dissuaded from leaving New South Wales-Mrs. Leigh urges him to go, and leave the Issue with God-He takes his Leave of the Governor, preaches a farewell Sermon, and sails for New-Zealand-His Reception on landing-Singular Recovery of two Jackasses which had been banished to a desolate Island -State of Religion in the Settlement-Origin of the War'Hongi marches, with three thousand Men, against the Tribes on the River Thames-Hinaki, their principal Chief, shot'Hongi drinks his Blood-One thousand of Hinaki's People killed-Three hundred of the Slain eaten on the Field of Battle 'Hongi returns to the Bay of Islands-Cuts off the Heads of sixteen Captives before he lands-Twenty Slaves roasted and distributed amongst his Men-His Daughter, having lost her Husband, shoots and then strangles herself Mr. Leigh speaks to 'Hongi about these Atrocities—His Reply— The Rev. John Williams arrives-His Opinion of the State of Things at the Bay of Islands-The Natives treat the Missionaries with Contempt-Mr. Leigh claims the Protection of 'Hongi-'Hongi's Opinion of Christianity-Mr. Leigh opens his Breast to receive the Spear of one of 'Hongi's Warriors— 'Hongi interferes The War prosecuted for five Years—It leads to the rapid Diffusion of evangelical Truth.

ALMOST every arrival of the foreign mail brought to Mr. Leigh encouraging intelligence from his former spheres of labour.

The Rev. Samuel Marsden wrote from New-Zealand: "It is very gratifying to our feelings, and affords us a pleasing prospect, to be able to perform the worship of the true God in the open air, without any sensations of fear or danger, when surrounded by cannibals with their spears stuck in the ground, and their pattoo-pattoos and daggers concealed under their mats. We could not doubt but the time was at hand for gathering into the fold of Christ this noble race of men, whose temporal and spiritual wants are inconceivably great, and call loudly on the Christian world for relief. Their misery is extreme. The prince of darkness has full dominion over their bodies and souls. Such is the tyranny that he exercises over them, that the chiefs sacrifice their slaves as a satisfaction for the death of their friends; while numbers voluntarily and superstitiously devote themselves to death. Nothing but the gospel of Christ can set them free; and we cannot hope for the gospel having its full effect without the aid of the Christian world. Suitable means must be provided for the evangelization of New-Zealand; and, if this be done, there can be little doubt but the important object will be attained.”

About the same date, in 1820, Mr. Carvosso touched at Van-Diemen's Land, on his way to New South Wales, and disclosed a new field of missionary labour in that penal colony. "The people here," said he, "are literally as sheep without a shepherd. Considering the former character of these colonists, and their destitution of the means of grace, what can be expected but the greatest profligacy? The lieutenant-governor was quite agreeable to my preaching in the street, and ordered the chief constable to attend, and prevent interruption. I preached frequently to numerous, attentive, and increasing congregations. Animated by the example of the apostle of the Gentiles, I felt a strong desire to have the honour of laying the foundation of a church on this island, whose light should be seen from afar. Here is a fine opening for a 'man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.''

At the same time, the work was going on satisfactorily in Australia, under the active administration of Mr. Leigh's successor. In a letter addressed to Thomas Holy, Esq., of Sheffield, he observes: "I have witnessed many conversions lately, and several very promising young men are among the number of our converts. Every little thing here contains the germ of something great; and I am fully persuaded that as this is the rallying-point of all commercial and other affairs in the southern hemisphere, so it is and will be the refuge and nursery of Christian missionaries. I have been doing a little among the black natives, from whose eyes I have seen the tear fall, while I have been explaining to them the nature and intent of Christ's sufferings. I begin to have hope of them."

Immediately the scene changes, and reveals the social state of the colony: "Three men, who were executed last Friday, seemed to be truly penitent. I had paid sedulous attention to them; and so did several others. Before they ascended the platform, we sang a hymn, which produced a considerable effect upon the spectators. There were six thousand convicts present, many of whom were in tears. We knelt down upon the grass, and, after spending a short time in prayer, they ascended the scaffold. They addressed the assembled multitude with much earnestness, and with evident effect. We then sang another hymn, at the close of which the drop fell. Twelve men have been executed this session. I attended the last of them yesterday. They all evinced deep contrition of heart."

In this, and in various other ways, have hundreds been saved in New South Wales by the instrumentality of the missionaries, whose names have never appeared on the list of communicants, nor in the Minutes of the Conference. Mr. Lawry was seasonably relieved from the pressure of public duties by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Carvosso; who were speedily followed by Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield.

Mr. Leigh was now maturing his plans for leaving

England. Experience and observation had long convinced him, that no single man should be appointed to labour amongst a barbarous people. In the hope of promoting his own comfort, and extending his usefulness amongst the natives of New-Zealand, he went down into Staffordshire, and married a lady of the name of Clewes. He had been intimately acquainted with her in early life. She was a person of good sense, deep piety, ardent zeal, and indomitable courage. In no circumstances, either by sea or land, amongst the civilized or savage, did she seem to be the subject of fear. When surrounded by tribes of armed cannibals, who waited only for a signal from their leader to transfix her with their spears, she always appeared calm, firm, and self-possessed. To Mr. Leigh she was an invaluable companion, a "Dorcas" to the widow and fatherless, and to the mission an indefatigable and successful co-adjutor.

After a sojourn in his native land of little more than eight months, during which period he had visited the principal towns in England, and attended numerous public meetings, in an indifferent state of health, we find this intrepid man sailing from Gravesend, in the ship "Brixton," April 28th, 1821, to resume his duties in the South Seas. He carried with him a suitable assortment of goods, and was accompanied by Mrs. Leigh, Mr. and Mrs. Horton, and Mr. Walker. The public services were well sustained during the voyage; the daily intercourse of the missionary party with the passengers and crew agreeable and profitable; and various plans were suggested and discussed relative to their future proceedings.

On the 8th of August they reached Van-Diemen's Land, and cast anchor in Sullivan's Cove, Hobart-Town. Very little was known of the interior of the country at that time. This beautiful island, which is one hundred and seventy miles in length, and one hundred and fifty in breadth, is remarkably fertile and healthy. The population, including prisoners and free people, amounted to eight thousand. "The aborigines," says Mr. Leigh,

"have a better appearance than the natives of New South Wales. They are black, with woolly hair; their limbs are small; their bodies are exceedingly thin, arising, no doubt, from the poverty of their diet. They live by hunting, and have no knowledge of the arts. They decorate their fleecy locks with the teeth of the kangaroo, pieces of wood, or the feathers of birds. They draw a circle round each eye, and waved lines down each arm, thigh, and leg, which give them a most savage appearance. In summer they wear no clothing; in winter male and female dress themselves in the skins of the kangaroo. They believe in the existence of two spirits; the one good, the other bad. When they are on a journey, they sing in honour of the good spirit, for the purpose of securing his protection. Their voices are sweet, and their melody simple and expressive.

"The moral state of the Europeans can scarcely be described. Considering their crimes before they were banished to this colony, we may easily account for the surrounding profanity. Adultery, drunkenness, and blasphemy are sins which prevail amongst both rich and poor, male and female, bond and free. With these are inseparably connected idleness, dishonesty, quarrelling, and misery. Almost every tongue has learned to swear, and, amongst the lower classes, every hand to steal. The houses are surrounded by fierce dogs, to guard against nocturnal depredations. There is but one aged clergyman, whose labours are almost wholly confined to the town; so that the out-settlements have no religious service whatever."

During Mr. Leigh's absence in England, a small detachment of soldiers had been removed from New South Wales to Hobart-Town. Sergeant Waddy and two privates, who had been members of the Sydney Society, agreed to commence a prayer-meeting. They mentioned their intention to a resident of the name of Nokes; who said he would be happy to unite with them, and, if possible, procure a house in which to hold their meetings. He obtained the use of a carpenter's shop, which soon became