CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 310, 31 December 1940, Page 6

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

THE FIRST MISSIONARY. (To the. Editor.) In the News of the Day colur-n it 5s stated that on December 22, 1814, Samuel Marsden, the first missionary to vMt the Dominion, arrived in Xcw Zealand. Xot only did he brinpr Christianity to the Maoris," but he brought them the value of work. May I draw attention to the following true history of that first brining of Christianity to the Maori people. There were two missionaries, Thomas Kendall and his colleague, William HalL They arrived at the Hay of Islands on June 10. If-14. six months before Samuel Marsdcn ever saw Xew Zealajid, and during Their Ftay at the Bay of Islands they held t-erviees. Kendall's journal of that first visit gives us a list of those first services. In his recording he lias been careful to give us the day and date, tin:?: "June 12, June 19, June*2'i. also July 3. July 10. July 17, July 24," and during vhese six weeks at the Bay of Inlands they went from village to village. It was when the native* heard his message that one chief displayed his flag in honour of the day. not first when Marsd'-n six Tiionths Inter preached to the Maoris. Mnrsdcn vm not a missionary hezit to Xew Zealand. He was an agent appointed by the London Church Missionary Society to forward Thomas Kendall to New Zealand. The following i<4 a short extract of the appointment of T. Kendall to missionary work in Xew Zealand (see page 2- r > and 30 of ""Marsden'r< Lieutenants." by J. ]{. Eldcn): "Duly accepted for the work of the Church Missionary Society in Xew Zealand. Kendall, with his wife and five children, took pa«sngc in the Earl Spencer ..." (and further) '•Hβ is a most worthy and prudent man . . . W\wish Mr. Kendall, of course, to have his eye continually on Xew Zealand. Lord Bnthurst is fully apprised that this i= his ultimate destination . . .'and yon may feel yourself authorised (Marsden) by the committee to incur as agent any expense on this account which you may judgo conducive to our jrreat object." T. KEXDALL AVILLIAJiS,