TO MAORI MOTHERS.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 2, Issue 50, 21 November 1850, Page 4

TO MAORI MOTHERS.

Auckland, November, 1850. Well, my friends, I have just been hearing something which much delights me, and I think it must be interesting, and very encouraging to you. Do you remember the good things of which I wrote you in my lust letter f Those were things I taw in one of your highly favoured districts, where the people shew themselves to great advantage, being exceedingly careful and industrious, willing aud determined to learn. I now find that their Minister has introduced into their sehools of Industry several spinning-wheels for the express purpose of teaching tho children to spin. How pleasant to Bee the little creatures busy in their new employment! Like all oilier children tlicy will bo highly delighted at first, and each eager to he foremost in commencing. Let me remind you lliat this trait in children's character should not be too sharply checked, as it is always laudable to be forward in a good cause, —it should therefore be nourished and strengthened-, for you will find that that which appears childish forwardness only, frequently settles down into laborious efforts to acquire knowledge ; and as this thirst for information is likely to increase, we should be ever nnxious to place before them something worthy of their notice. In this same district last summer, they were measuring some excellent land for a farm. It is now a farm in actual operation. On this farm (which is called a model farm,) your own country people in due time, and under proper arrangements will be able to get instruction in that ever desirable art— Agriculture. Your friends greatly rejoice in the consideration of these things, because iu carrying out

such benevolent plana, there will be au abundance of suitable work, not only for your husbands anil sons, but for yourselves and daughters ; for be assured, in proportion as you advance in virtue and religion, so will jou look upon indolence with hatred, and disgust. I could bring you ninny texts to prove this from the New Testament —of which some of you are very fond—and should do so, if silting dawn find talking with you, instead of writing. In former days kings' daughters thought it honourable to bo engaged in some of the very pursuits to which I have been endeavouring to call your attention j and I cannot help thinking that you also will take prido and pleasure in them. You will find, there are no people more healthy, more happy, and more universally useful, than those who make it their business carefully to fill up ovcry particle of their time, in some advantageous manner. By a little reflection you will soon find out the best way of doing this, and as speedily reap the benefit, Now, my dear friends, I am qu'te sure it is impossible, for many reason.', for every district to be in the same state of advance—at least to be equal in improvements of the same kind; but there is one thing to bu discovered among your Maori friends referred to, that is, iheir great confidence (and it appeaved to mo almost without exception) in their Missionary. They consult him on all occasions, and believe what ho says. It is true they did not always do this; by which they have lost much valuable time, and consequently all its good fruits. Hut now, by long experience, they know he is their friend, and concerned for their best interest; and therefore most cheerfully lake liii advice. Now do you not think if you followed out their example in this instance, you would more gcurrally show signs of improvement as groat, though not exactly of the same kind, but according to your varied opportunities' This opinion is greatly strengthened in my own mind by observation, having to my great delight fallen in with somo in another district, who oro improting most rapidly, both parents and children ;—parents eagerly catching that knowledge which is so perseveringly offered to them, and encouraging their children to sue for it daily. In both these in- j stances love to Iheir minister is predoinincnt, and you can see it in their cheerful and constant attention to the instructions of these good men. You had a fine specimen of (bis in some of the Into columns of your Messenger, dated 7th of November. Now, my friends, it would be well, and very praiseworthy in you never to suffer your Ministers lo work alone ; try to work with thein, ns they seek your good. Consider how encouraged they will feci, if they see you cnI dcavouring to assist in carrying out whatever plans their better judgment may suggest. Let their instruction sink into your heart.';, and it will soon, vciy soon,discover itself in the practice of your lives. Gather your children around you from time to time; repeat these instructions in their ears ; strive to impress them upon their understanding); they will thereby see that you yourselves value them ; they will be led to treasure (hem up in their own minds; and you will be astonished lo find how soon, theeliectsmay he observed in nil their actions. Much indeed depends on your own care of your children, whether they grow up virtuous or vicious. Do you wonder why jour friend is always thinking so much about children i Why, my good women, has it never struck your minds that those who are men and women now must in their order pass away j (for it will he thus with us all ;) and those who aro only boys'and girls now, will have to fill their stations, and become chief actors in their time? Then, surely, if you wish well to posterity, you will take pleasure in earnestly striving to prepare your little ones for nciion in life. Why should not your children become as pleasant, as wise, and as useful ns those of any other country ? Be advised to \we your own ellbrts in connexion with those of your best friends, which will doubtless bo followed with success beyond your largest expectations. Consider these words from your friend and well-wisher, An English MoTiir.rt.