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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 4, Issue 62, 8 May 1851, Page 2

It is with a feeling of no common satisfaction that we direct the attention of our readers to the report of a native Missionary Meeting recently held at Otamatea. which will be found in another part of our paper of this day's date. The resolutions which were carried at | that Meeting, and the high and generous | spirit in which' they \v«-re framed, would do honour to any community; —but coming, as they do, from a people themselves so recently redeemed lrom pagan darkness Jo the glorious light of Christianity, they afford a tiiuuipliant testimony not merely to the inestimable value of Missionary labours but a most grateful prouf of the deep root which Christian faith has struck in the New Zealaiuler's heart. It is matter of no surprise to listen to the praises, or to chronicle the subscriptions of the Christian nations of the o'd world, anxious to ledeetn the benighted denizens of the pagan islands lrom their lamentable state of heathen bondage,— but it is a matter 110 less of surprise than of grateful thanksgiving to contemplate a people just rescued from idolatry, de voting both their advocacy and their means to the emancipation of others from the grievous religious and moral degradation from which they themselves have been so happily released. This is by 110 means the first time we have been called to bear evidence to the earnest anxiety 'evinced by the New Zealand tribes to promote the spread of the Gospel, both by their ti.oney and their example.—lt is a blessed feature in the native character; and if the religious virtues of lingland have commanded the honour and the reverence ot the surrounding nations, —certain are \ye that the zealous and practical piety of the Native New Zealanders will nut fail to elicit the equal admiration of tiio Christian world "On the 14th April a Missionary meeting was held at Otamatea, a settlement of the Chief Faiki'a, on the Wairoa. The purport of the meeting was to collect moneys to extend the Gospel to those nations who are living in darkness. This is the fifth meeting held at the Wairoa. Some of 1 lie Chiefs did not attend, but they showed their love to the cause by sending their contributions. About three hundred persons were present. " The people were for the most part attired in European clothing, an't looked very respectable. They met at the new house of the Chief Paikea, which hhs quite full. The old church- members rejoiced to see such a day, as did also their Minister—Mr. Buller. "On the evening of the Sabbath the sacrament was administered, and a collection made amounting to £1 4s. 10.1. This sum was given towards the completion of tl>c Chapel. " Natives to the number of sixteen spoke 011 this occasion. Wiremu Tipene, Arama, Karnku, Paikea, Paenyunui, moved the first resolution, namely, • that it is good to collect moneys to send forth the Gospel.' j " The second resolution was moved by the following persons, Paora, Tuhaere Tomati Reweti, Taimona Te Ikaum, and ■ Hairama Ngatahi. 'That this be considered an act of love to our fellow men who are still in darkues9.' j " The third resolution was as follows, ' That we pray to God Almighty to increase our love.' This was moved by 11 ohepa Tul, Paora Pokatea, Matiu Hau, and Tamati Taia. " The fourth resolution was moved by Aperahama Tukupunga, Hemona Witi, Hepana Ilamo, and Arama Kaiaka Kailoke.

."The retolution was as follows, 'Tliat (liis work of ours will prosper, and the benefits of sn'vntion be felt, only by y llie blessing of tlie Holy Spirit: tluit we earnestly pray therefore for his divine influence.' " The speeclioj were very good but wo cannot give them here, —let one suflice, that of Wiremu Tipene. ' Let each of us,' said he, ' who lias pigs, reserve 0110 for the collections of the ensuing year; and those of us Who have timber reserve a portion for the same purpose ; this will enal'le us to assist in sending Missionaries to various parts of the world.' These woids were approved of by the people present, and all that was snid at the meeting was consented to. At the close of the proceedings the moneys were counted, and the sum found to be Thirteen Pounds."