movements, by which Divine Providence had thrown open these great and effectual doors of usefulness in the South Seas. A paucity of means rendered it impossible for the committee to accede to the expostulations and entreaties of the brethren. But, indeed, this society has been precipitated, from time to time, by the ardour of its zeal, into labours that could not have been sustained but by consummate prudence on the part of the directors at home, and the most rigid economy and self-denial on the part of its missionaries abroad. It may be confidently affirmed, that no other missionary institution, since the apostolic age, has achieved so many signal triumphs over idolatrous systems, ferocious men, and barbarous languages, with such insufficient means. CHAPTER XI. THE Aborigines of New South Wales-Bishop Broughton-Threlkeld's Account of the Natives-Specimen of native Language -Scheme for their Elevation-Expense of Missionary Institutions Expedients of the Government for the Improvement of the Aborigines-The native Children escape to the Woods from the Church and Wesleyan Schools-Original Letters from the Kings and Chiefs of several Islands-Religious State of the Islands-Remarkable Displays of Divine Grace in TongaMelancholy End of an unfaithful Missionary-Mental Improvement and the Ministry-Anniversary of the New South Wales Auxiliary Missionary Society-Mr. Leigh's Appeal in Behalf of the South-Sea Missions—The Appointment of four additional Missionaries The Swan-River Colony founded-Description of the Country and People-District-Meeting in SydneyGeneral State of the Mission-Communication of the Rev. John Williams to Mr. Leigh-His Narrative of a Voyage of Inspection and Discovery to the Islands of the Pacific-His Testimony to the Utility and Efficiency of the Tonga Mission. We have previously adverted to the condition of the aborigines of Australia, and to the means that had been adopted by the colonial government and others, for the amelioration of that condition; but the subject must be reiterated until the British churches shall be induced to take it up with that consideration and gravity which its importance demands. The Rev. William Cartwright, who had paid more attention to the state of this unfortunate race than any other gentleman in the colony, estimated their numbers at considerably more than one hundred thousand souls; but accuracy cannot be expected, even now, with our defective knowledge of the interior of the country. If they had been a people constituted like the Kaffirs of Africa, the Indians of America, or the NewZealander, they would have long since awakened the attention of the civilized world; but having, after a few ineffectual struggles, surrendered their soil and the mineral wealth of their country to strangers, and quietly fallen P back into the solitude of their immeasurable forests, the public mind in this country has never rested upon their social misery with either curiosity or compassion. The confederated churches of Great Britain must take up their case; and, in the unity of their wisdom, strength, and benevolence, proceed to discharge a debt which has been accumulating for half a century. The annual meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, was lately held in London. That meeting was addressed by the Right Rev. Dr. Broughton, bishop of Sydney and metropolitan of Australasia. The right rev. prelate dwelt upon a variety of interesting topics at that meeting, but from the beginning to the end of a long, able, and eloquent address, to which the people responded with enthusiasm, there was no allusion whatever to the aborigines, though his lordship had been seventeen years in the country. We do not mention this fact for the purpose of reflecting upon the bishop, but simply to show, that amidst the boisterous demands and conflicting interests of the votaries of mammon in that country, there seems to be some danger, lest the very existence of the native savage should be blotted from the recollection of even good men. In 1827, the period of which we now write, a deep feeling pervaded the colony respecting the lost, helpless, and depraved state of the natives. We subjoin an abbreviated account, sent to Mr. Leigh by the principal agent, of an experiment then in progress for their improvement. It is dated from Lake Macquarie, is signed L. E. Threlkeld, and throws some light upon the character and language of the people. "The aborigines of Australia have no combined numbers, no political power, to render them the objects of either respect or fear. When the civilized hand comes to cultivate their soil, they are driven, like other wild beasts, from their districts without sympathy. Their existence as a people has been transferred to the king and parliament of Great Britain, who could prevent their speedy extinction, and induce them to become protectors of the emigrants, by appropriating a moiety of the sales of their hunting and fishing districts to the purchase of Indian corn to be distributed amongst the tribes, within the line of demarcation. Every enlargement of the colony might then be hailed by the natives with delight; and the murder of stockmen, the destruction of cattle, and the abduction of infants, be prevented. The present feeling existing in the colony would accord the equity of such an arrangement. An act of parliament, a glass of rum, or a loaf of bread, would most probably induce many here to be baptized, and thus become nominal Christians; but it is our office, as ministers of Christ, to teach them to think on these things;' to 'persuade them' to receive the truth, that they may be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them with meekness and fear;' and it is the duty of the church to meet the expense incurred with cheerfulness; for God loveth a cheerful giver.' "As it regards the occupation of our time, I would observe, that our mornings are generally spent with M'Gill, a black, who speaks English, in speaking and writing the native language. Our conversations generally arise out of inquiries into their customs and habits. Easy sentences, passages of scripture, and information on Christian subjects, are attempted. A few weeks since M'Gill said, 'I forgot to tell you, I was speaking last night to some blacks about what you tell me respecting Jehovah ; and they would not believe what I told them. I saw some pictures in your book. They desired me to bring a picture of Jehovah, and show it to them to-night.' To one who, in these lonesome woods, watches for the least sign of intellectual life in the death-like stillness of the native mind, this incident gave encouragement and inspired hope. The apostle's description of the 'unknown God' was the only picture I could present to the barbarian; and his reply, 'Thus, Jehovah is a Spirit,' convinced me that M'Gill understood the representation. This led to a description of the incarnation of Christ and of some of his acts. The raising of the widow's son, which is affixed as a specimen of the language, was translated to him, as an evidence of his power.* "The natives here have constant communications with each other, and even with tribes whose dialect differs so much from theirs, that they are unable to converse together. Their messengers travel with great speed, are * AN ATTEMPT TO RENDER LUKE VII. 11-16, INTO THE NATIVE 11. Tahri tah untah Purreungkah uwah noah Jesu Nain Another it it was day came he Jesus Nain kolahng, kowwol ngekoung kahtoah uwah, kowwol ngiyah kora. towards, great his with came, great much man. 12. Uwah noah pahpi gate ahko, kokere kahl kobah, tatteboCame he nigh gate it for, house place of of, dead one rahng kurraah wahrah tah ko, dunkahn kobah yenahl wahman was carried outside it for, korahkobah, mahbongun bountoah; widow only of, kahtoah kokere with kahl. house (place) of. 13. Nahkahlah noah Looked she; mother of son kora yahntebo uwah bounnoun man thereof came her Perrewollo bounnoun, minke kahn noah he Chief the to her, sorry being kahkahlah bounnoun, weah bounnoun, Ngurran bahn korah. to her, said to her, Weep was not. he 14. Uwah noah, numah noah, mung-ah; bakrur kurretoahrah touched he, covering; they carry-who Weah bohn noah, Allah! uhngngahrahbahn, Said to him he, (vocative,) Young man, Came he, ngahrokaah korun. stood still. weahn bahnu, Boungkaleah. say to thee, Arise. 15. Newwoah tatte kah berung yallahwah, butobiyah noah He weahleahlah. sat up, began he Ngutaah kahn noah bohn bounnoun dunkahn he him to her conversation. Gave ngekoambah. of him. mother they 16. Kintah bahrur kahkahlah yahnteyn, petal mahn bahrur Fear they was or were all, rejoiced bohn Jehovah nung, weahleyn bahrur kowwol ngurahke noah to him Jehovah to, saying pibaah kaan ngaurrun kin. appeared has us among. Come has kin ngekoung kah tah kora kah. among his are that people are. they great wise one he Uwah kaan Jehovah ko bahrun Jehovah for them |