To the Editor of the 'Maori Messenger.'

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 90, 3 June 1852, Page 3

To the Editor of the 'Maori Messenger.'

Mount Wesley, Wairoa, April 19, 1852. Sir,—lf you are pleased with the contents of the accompanying sheets, will you insert them in your Paper, so that the natives of the various Settlements may know these things, and he "stirred up lo love and good works." My object in writing is to nrqiininl I/hi wilh the particular:; of a missionary meeting, held at Mount Wesley, at the conclusion of which a collection was made. This is Ihc sixth annual meeting held

:il Wairoa since the establishment (if lliiil mission. All llii' people assembled on this occasion except lliose who View, ill, and those who had particular engagements. 'l'ho whole of the people had arrived hy Friday; there wore many canoes: the ninnher of persons, including women and children, was .*>(!:>. 'litis ii ti in i >-.'•- wmdd Mill lie considered groat in oilier placed, lull in this place where llic; population is .small, an assemblage like lliis is (leeniL'd a great mailer. There is much good arising oui of these meetings, and the good will increase as llic* people advance in eivili/alion. During former meetings great (pianlilies of food were used and some wasted ; lint on this occasion there was only a siillirienr.y for llii: iininediale wants of the people. i The following, f think, are some of the advantages which arise out of these meetings: I I. The efforts made to obtain clothes. j Those who arc desirous of attending these. , meetings am anxious to procure proper gar- | meats, thai they may appear respectable. I Those who have no suitable clothing will deI vise some means by which they can gut some ' ere the time of assembling "the people arrives. Some will rear a pig, and others will , employ themselves in various ways. Hy j their own industry their wishes in obi;lin | clothes will be realised, and they will 1:01110 i to the meeting clad like Europeans from head to feet. It is pleasing to see those who worship God in clean attire, not to feed their pride, lint (hat their persons may appear decent as becomes Christians. When , 1 see a man in a place of worship clad in a j blanket, I imagine that his thoughts are not ] intent upon the worship of God, he reminds 1110 of one suffering from disease. A man who has obtained the grace of Hod will not enter Ills house . with filthy garments, or he uncleanly in his ' person those arc the works of the "old man," but "wo have put oft' the old man, with his deeds, and become clothed anew." j To attend to these things, is to do that which is good ; it is being like the man out of whom the Saviour cast the devils, who "was silling clothed ami in his right mind." Sir, be cnnslnrl in your exhortations to (he natives, with references to the use of the blanket nu I (In; evils atlendiiig it. This article of clothing fosters dirt and vermin, it causes t sickness, and isdisgusling in appearance. ! 2.// credits friemlhj feclinij annnii/ the projile. An opportunity is thus afforded of t hearing one another's statements, and of • strengthening one another in doing those . things which are praiseworthy, and laying , out plans for the future guidance of all the ' people. I 5. // c.vrites synspfilliy in lirlmlf <>f other 1 notions. By the Gospel the natives have bej come enlightened ;• die darkness has passed ■ away, and as they hove "freely received," j so must (hey "freely give" lotlieir brethren 1 who are. .silting in darkness in oilier lands. This will increase our piety, and ripen our good desires; we are now to "Sow to the Spirit and shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." We commenced our Hireling with the worship of (lod. After this I addressed the people and read extracts from the SVesleyan Missionary lleporl, which says— The number of Chapels belonging to the Society are . . . 511)0 Missionaries . ..... .(."■a Schoolmasters ,S(il No. of those who partake of die Sacrament ..... 10f,2r>,"> Members 011 trial .... 7Hi(> Children receiving instruction ill die various Schools . 80,070 Moneys collected during the years IS.'iO-IS.'il, by the Churches in England .X. 78,218 0 2 Foreign Lands .... 12,120 8 I Donations ..... 11,025 0 I £ 101,0(i I U \ After reading these extracts, die paper containing the first resolution was read—"That we give thanks 10 God for the progress of the, Gospel in the world during the past year, through the iiistiiiiiienlalily of his servants die Missionaries, Cod having owned their labours." Ilotini Waili then snid —My heart responds to the sentiments contained in this paper. The (iospel having reached these Islands, we now sit in peace. We are all one family ; the various nations have descended from out> common parent, and all the Churches are one. When the Klders of the Church exert iheniselves. the IfolvSp-iit blesses their labours, and lliis is I lie reason why the work prospers, l.el us thank Cod, and let us devise some plans for future usefulness.

Hcnmna Wili thou said, —This is my thought, that I ought to bring my shilling to this mooting, and come near to God, so thatllcmaydircctmc in my Christian course. Do not let the Committee think (hat my heart values this money. My knowledge of duly extends thus far : I am lo love those who arc silling in darkness, and help in sending them the word of God. Matin Hau said :—My thought is, Ihal this is the work of God, and my heart loves this work. I give my shilling towards defraying the expense of preaching the word of "the Lord in other places. Let these things alTeel our hcaiis so ihal litis work may he of a permanent nature My heart embraces these sentiments. I should do wrong were I merely lo give my shilling.' Lot us follow the advice which Mr. Duller gave us yesterday. The second resolution is as follows : "That wc constantly pray to God for the outpouring of Ins Holy Spirit upon all the Churches, that Missionaries may lie raised *iip to preach His Word, as commanded hy the Saviour, ' Pray yc to the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth labourers into His harvest.'" Tomati Taia then said:—This ts our sixth numm! meeting. This is what Christianity requires, that wc collect moneys for the purpose of extending the work, and God will succeed our efforts, for it is He who has preserved our lives during the past years, and to Him let us constantly pray on the coming days. Arama Karaka said:—This is my thought. I was living in darkness formerly, and was devoid of understanding. This is the third meeting of this kind at which I have been present, and now I understand that it is my duly to love those who arc in darkness, and pray lo God on their behalf, so that they may obtain salvation. Ituka Wcnga said:—My heart fully assenls to these speeches. This is the sixth collection I have, attended. The money, the man, and the heart should he brought into this collection. My reflections arc these— • that this money is our mark of affection lo , other nations, and while we are thus helping j others, let our hearts cling to God. | Third resolution—"That we increase our | love-offerings to God thai his Gospel may be | sent unto all the world, as Si. Paul says to i the people of.Corinth, 'like God who has' been gracious."' | Tomati ltcweti Pou said—This is the sul>ject of my thought, that my heart comes nigh to the work of the Lord, and j thereby help it forward. Let the money I be given lo the Elders, that they may send out Missionaries, and let us pray continually. ' My heart consents to the statements con- ! taincd in this paper. ! Wircmu Tipenc said—l tell this meeting my thoughts. I have fathers and brethren on the other side of the sea whom I love. Owing to their love the Gospel was brought - to this land and I became acquainted with it. If they had not shewn their love to us, ' we should not now sec, but we should he sitting in darkness My heart is thinking that we are aiding their good work, and our love is increased thereby. They are the, Ministers of Jesus Christ, and wc arc the fruit of their labours. .The Gospel is pros- ' pering and it will prosper. Christ himself 1 says, " Other sheep I have which arc not of (his fold, (hem also will I bring, and they j shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." This is the voice j of Christ. "Willi regard lo this Gospel the t money is required lo scud it so that all the people may hear His voice. Lei us give wilh love and rejoicing. Hepauo ilamo said—My thought is, thai this is cherishing love to those who are sitting in the dark places of the earth. This is the second meeting of this kind that I have attended, and the desire of my heart is that the work of God should prosper therein. If the Lord be pleased to prolong in mc, 1 will think of doing something for Him iu coming yea re. The fourth resolution —"Thatwewillperform all the requirements of Iteligion, so that our love may abound with reference to collecting money for God as the Scriptures declare ' that love is the fulfilling of the law.'" Matin Tc Aranui said—This is the first meeting of this kind I have attended. I sent my money on former occasions but I now come in person. lam very much pleased with this work of cnliglilening ihe people who are sitting in the dark places of the world. Let us lie urgent in this mailer and in all oilier good works. Keweli Maika said—This is what I have lo say. I hoard of these things formerly, but now I see. them. My heart weeps while it

"' This is not (o be uiulcrslooil literally, .several pounds way be meant by (lie word shiilini:.

gives ilsclf up lo this work. Lei us continue this work thai we may lie revived by the I Holy Spirit. "If our spirits agree then are we the sons of flod." Wiila More To Aim said—lf I possess riches iiud I :un aflliclcd so thai I die, I would give up till my riches lo the Church that they may he used' in scndingsalvalion to the people of benighted lands. I am anxious to have a new hearl. My body will decrease in strength, but the strength of my spirit will increase-. lam desirous that llie greal light should dawn upon all lands. Hohepa Tore .said—Yes, my hearl is pleased wilh this thing, namely,' the prosperity of the work al all season's. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is now stimulating some to exertion. This is my speech to us. If we possess perfect love i'l will be well with us. I do not mean Ihe common-place love we have already attained lo; bill (here is a greater degree of love. St. Paul says, " Without love lam nothing." If this perfect love lie ours llieu indeed our works will be increasingly good, for "love never failelh." The love I speak of will have a permanent effect upon us, and our (houghls will be in Heaven; anil as the love grows the mind will be elevated, anil the heart will Ik; lixed upon (Jod ill all times; we shall look up to Cod, and God will look upon us, and will increase! our capabilities of lovingllim. These were the principal speeches on Ibis occasion. The resolutions were all carried by a show of hands, siller which the collectors went round.

Strange Adventure.-A singular encounter look place a few days since, on the new road betwixt Lairg and Scourey, which has been recently opened up to the public. A labourer named Itoss, a resident in the parish of Lairg, while on his road homeward one evening from Sliiiiucss, where he had been at work 'through the day was crossed on his palh by a pet deer belonging to Mr. Gilchrist, of Ospisdale. As the animal, whether out of frolic or animated by a malicious intent does not appear, manifested what seemed rather a pugnacious disposition, as the man had no weapon of defence save a small whip, he, with a prudent regard to his own safety, judged it expedient to beat a retreat. Accordingly he took to his heels, making for the wood close by him, and clambered up die nearest tree with wonderful agility—a feat which he was enabled to accomplish ere his swill pursuer overtook him. The deer, however was not to be thus easily baffled. Setting to work in right earnest he dug all round the tree, with his antlers, endeavouring with much sagacity and perseverance to tear it up, provoking thereby the most grievous apprehensions in the mind of the perplexed object of his fury. The sufferings of (he latter were protracted for a long period, and became momentarily more and more acute as the chances of his rescue seemed to wax fainter. Ho shouted desperately for assistance and at length was fortunate enough to attract notice. A parly ofshepherds heard his cries at a considcrablodislance oil', and immediately repaired wlih their dogs to the place to discover their origin. I!y their aid the deer was beaten oil', and the poor man delivered from his plight, but in such a state of terror was he that the perspiration was dripping from him as if he had been thoroughly soaked in the nearest river.— Inverness Advertiser.

Tho donations wore as follows r£ S. (1. Captain Drnry, II.N. - - - I » 0 11. Atkins, Ks(|. - - - - - 2 0 0 Mr. Marriiior. ------ 1 0 0 Jolin Wilson ------ 0 10 0 Rev. J. Duller- - - - - - 1 0 0 I'arorc - 1 0 0 llaimonn Pita ------ 1 0 0 Wirenui Tipene, as a reinein- J brance of alTeeUon for Wi- ( renin I'arata and Halene f wlio sleep in death - - J 1 7 0 Tirarau, as a token of allec- » tionate remembrance for ? Apereliani who^ sleeps in death - . - - ' 0 1-2 <> Ditto, for Taeii[ianni - - - - i 2 li Smaller Sums, hall'-erowns, sixpences, shillings, ic. - - ir; IK 1 £27 Wi 1 [;i This is llie whole of mv letler to yon. Signed J. lin.i.Kii.