TO THE NATIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 11, 31 October 1857, Page 8

TO THE NATIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.

In my different missionary journeys I have been led to observe the great variety of appearances which are made by those attending the Lord's Supper. Some in the manner of their dress, and some in the stale of their persons. I have seen the thoughtless dress out their heads as if they wished to look foolish and vain; others with tawdry ornaments, Gne clothes, and dirty skins; others with fine outside and dirty inside garments; holding out a hand to receive the " bread" so thick with dirt that scraping would have been suitable before washing. But this is not all I have seen that requires alteration. I have seen individuals coming, who from utter carelessness in seeking instruction, between the different periods of celebrating the Holy Communion, have required leach* ing, as if they were almost strangers to this sacred rile. And why is all this? Your ministers are not anxious upon matters relative to dress, so that proper neatness is observed And, surelv, cleanliness is not only proper but necessaly. Think of any one approaching the Lord's table with dirty hands and dirty under garments ! Water is abundant everywhere, and soap so cheap that none are so poor but they may obtain it; and as for casting aside all thoughts of the Lord's Supper until another opportunity again offers for its celebration, is shewing little regard for its benefits or for Him who instituted it. 1 have oi her little matters that may perhaps be worth talking to you about, in connection with the Sacraments. But a little at a time and well observed is belter than many words and soon forgotten. From your old friend, T. Chapman.

Ma n a watu, August 26th, 4857. Friend Mr. McLean, — Salutations to you. I heard that you had arrived at Ahuriri. I have becu think-

ing whether or not you would come here to Manawatu. Perhaps you have no heart to come, because you may think it would be useless, as you have seen how hard we are wilh respect to the land. Yes, your thought in this respect is correct; we were a hard people formerly, but do not suppose that we will be so always. No. I was the chief* of that unyielding system, when you were with us formerly; but I now see that my ideas then were wrong. Within these few months my heart has become enlightened as to the terms proposed by you. I now see that it will be right for us—for Te Hirawanu and party, and also for Hunia, aud the rest—to act together in selling land. When I first thought of this, and spoke in this manner to my people, they were very stubborn • and angry with me; but by constantly urging it upon them, they have at last consented to this new arrangement; an J, therefore, 0 friend, I ani very anxious to see you here. My desire is to sell you the whole of mv land. J There are twenty of us, men of influence, who have sided with me. Our thoughts are to sell you our land, although some of the others may not wish to part with theirs. But I think, 0 friend, that if you and 1 contrive to start one plank of the vessel, she will soon be altogether broken. If some of the others will hold out, what then? Do you consent to what we say about selling. Now only will the land be disposed of. Friend, when you can find leisure from your work at Ahuriri or Wairarapa, come here as soon as possible, as I am very anxious to speak to you about the land. When you see this letter, write me an answer speedily, that I may know what you think about coming here. From vour loving friend, To Mr. Commissioner McLean, Auckland.

Tekapoai, October 1, 1857. Friknd the Governor, — Salutations to you. Great is my love for you. Mr. Kogan has arrived among us, and we have heard his words. Enough, we consent to what he says, and to the terms of the letter that llaimona sent to you some time ago, for the purpose of getting the Kaipara road made at the present time. It will commence at Waikouku, and proceed thence to Waipapa, Te kohatu-o-te-naonao—then

on to Te Tangi-o-te-Turiitu, thence on till it reaches Paehoka, on 10 Turirorea, thence descends to the Kaipara beach atTe Awaroa. Enoiigh—it will reaiain with you to send the Surveyor here. Our thoughts that we now send you are, that do not wish this road to be paid for. This is all. We have no more to say to you. From Hikiera " llattraki " Paraone ** Te Whaivponn fflatini " Tiiierua Pakihi And from the meeting of Hifciei a. To His Excellency the {JovernoF;

Papurona, October 2nd, 1857. Friknd the Governor— Salutations to you. Great is my love for you. Consent was first given at the first meeting of Hikiera. When Mr. Regan came, we then heard that the road 'was to be made to Paekoka. Yes, all have consented. This second consent is given bv Ngaiiwhatua, the whole of them. By Otene By Maiaka Hohepa " Te Tihi " Te Koakoa " Kahia " Tawaewae ' " Te Para " Marurahi " Whakahau *' Wiremu " Mawete Takerei " Perahama •' Matatini " Kaupapa Tnkiake " Te Wetere Tuari « Hori Mereana « TeWaiikina Te Kaiona " Wi. This is by the meeting of Te Otene. To His Excellency the Governor.