Early Missionary Experiences.

Manawatu Herald, 30 November 1893, Page 2

Early Missionary Experiences.

The widow of the Rev Nathaniel Turner, one of the early Wesleyan Missionaries to New Zeaiand, died on the 10th ult., at Melbourne, at the age of 95. Mr and Mrs Turner, with the late Rev. John Hobbs, arrived at the Bay of Islands, by the Brompton, on,; August 28, 1828, and proceeded to Whangaroa to take up the work commenced by the Rev Samuel Leigh. For three years and a half they pursued their labours for the good of the natives, though they were constantly subject to much op* position and many annoyances at their hands. On July 13th, 1824, the first Wesleyan Church was opened for Divine Worship at Whangaroa. This structure was, however, shortlived. The lawless spirit of the natives vented itself in the complete destruction of the church and mission house by fire on January 10th, 1827. The mission* anes were turned adrift, and the body of Mrs Turner's infant child was disinterred for the sake of its blanket. The fugitives found a home, and received greatest Christian hospitality among the families ot the Church Missionary Society Kerikeri, till on the 31st January, they embarked for Sydney. Mr Hobbs returned to New Zealand the following year ; but Mr and Mrs Turner were appointed to the Friendly Islands. There the mission enjoyed great prosperity. In 1886 Mr and Mrs Turner returned to New Zealand, accompanied by the Rev. James Buller as a faraly tutor. During this three-year period of Mr Turner's-., ministry in New Zealand great' progress was made in the work of evangalisation. Mrs Turner had a narrow escape of her life on August 18th, 1888, when the mission premises at Manganui werex-iaew cidentally destroyed by fire, and £800 worth of property lost. Mb Turner finished an honoured career at Brisbane on December sth, 1864; his venerable widow surviving him nearly 19 years, and retaining her mental vigour to the last. — Pima.