In Memoriam.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 663, 11 March 1869, Page 3

In Memoriam.

THE REV. J. WHITELEY.

[Communicated to the Wellington Independent.J

Among many other shocking doings of our Maori enemies, the murder of the Kev. J. Whiteley has sent a thrill of horror through the Colony. No one supposed the natives would point the deadly weapon at him. For many years he had gone along the paths of danger, as though a chariu were thrown over his life —a charm which unnerved the arm of the savage, and secured the safe return of the messenger of peace. After an acquaintance of twenty-four years with this devoted missionary, I wish to pen a few memorial paragraphs. I claim not for the deceased talents of the highest order, nor learning of the exactest kind ; cut I do claim for him the essential qualifications of a useful Christian minister, displayed with more than ordinary humility, patience, and toil. It is almost impossible to suppose a case, among either Europeans or Mao is, which he would not have relieved at any amount of self-denial. Neither age, nor rank, lior denominative standing weighed with him, when either duty called or an opportunity was presented to bless.

Coming to this country in 1832, and sharing in the privations and hardships of those early days, he rejoiced with other devoted men when the change from a cruel heathenism to a Christian profession spread through many tribes. I can call call to memory happy instances of consistent piety, in the district lying between Kawhia and Mokau, which, twenty years ugo, he called his circuit. But ho rejoiced will) trembling, and to counteract the evils which he most dreaded, ten thousand copies of the "Eongo M>iil," were printed at the Mission Press in 1818. Mr Whiteley wrote thia tract to impress upon the native mind the evils of war and the advantages of peace. His influence was happily felt and cheerfully acknowledged by the Government, in the erection of the Colony ; and in its earliest years he walked many hundreds of miles to supply the help which his familiarity with the Maori language and customs so well qualified him to give. During the last thirteen years, the Taranaki province was his field of labor. At the military camp, the settlers' homestead, and the Maori pa, he and his horse were familiar objects. He often lpft the Mission house on Saturday, to commence his Sab bath labors thirty miles away from home; and spent the Sut day in ministering to half-a-dozen congregations Maori and European—till, already well spent, he arrived in town, in time to sit as a hearer in the house of GrOD, or oftener to conduct evening service. It was such a journey as this which led him to the White Clift'a on the 13th February, where blood-stained hands were waiting for their prey. We deeply mourn his death —yet it was noble. The hero of a hundred fights dies not more gallantly. Aftrr thirty-seven years' missionary service, and in the sixtythird year of his age, His body with his charge laid down He ceased at once to work and live. His death must tell in the Maori estimate of the war, and must tend to hasten its end. ' His name will live long, and his career will be remembered as an honor to the denomination which he served, and to the entire Church of Christ throughout this Colony.