THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 263, 13 December 1856, Page 3

THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

On the evening of Monday, the Ist inst., the Bishop of New Zealand was present at a meeting in the Episcopal Church at I Dunedin. After the transaction of some local business, the Bishop gave a very interesting account of the progress of Missions amongst the islands of the Pacific. From the unhealthiness of many of these islands, it is not advisable for a European missionary to reside there through the \ year. The plan which the Bishop follows at present is, to visit the islands in spring, I and bring away some of the natives to be taught in the' Missionary College at Auckland ; and to take them back to their homes in autumn, before the cold weather sets in. This is slow and laborious work, and it is rendered more so by the great number of different languages or dialects, amounting to more than a hundred, which are to be found in the Melanesian groups^ There is a prospect, however, of the College being established in a more suitable locality, not too cold for the taught, nor too relaxing for the teachers. In his recent voyage the Bishop visited Norfolk Island, lately the penal settlement of New South Wales, but now rescued from such pollution, and assigned by- the Government to the descendants of the mutineers of the " Bounty," for whose increasing number Pitcairn's Island had become too small. Norfolk Island abounds in beautiful scenery, and has an almost perfect climate. It is strange to go through the Island now, and enter the immense prisons strongly fortified, and see the gloomy cells pierced with peep-holes for the keepers to overlook the solitary inmates, and passages hung with rusty fetters of every kind. Everything therein bears the impress of past sin and misery : but now all is empty and tenantless. Outside, in place of a former military establishment, are the peaceful cottages of the emigrants from Pitcairn's Island. Amongst these primitive people Christianity is exhibited in a purer form than could probably be found in any other part of the earth. A stranger might dwell there for twelve months, and hear no improper word, and see nothing which could offend the eye. One of the oldest of the present inhabitants told the Bishop, that he remembered hearing in. his boyhood a conversation between the aged Adams, the mutineer and murderer, and another sailor. What ! said Adams, do you mean to tell me that if I am a good man I shall not be saved for my good works ? Certainly not, replied the other, our good works can never save us ; but we must trust only to the mercy of God by faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is satisfactory to know that the old man, constantly studying hi 3 Bible and Prayer-book, came to the same conclusion before his death. Whilst the Bishop avoids any interference with the Missions of other denominations, he cultivates a freindly feeling with their missionaries and assists them as much as possible. His Lordship conveyed from Wellington the ILev. Mr. Ingles to join the Rev. Mr. Geddie, who was sent out and is supported by they Presbyterians of Nova Scotia. Their m/ssion-field is a cluster of five islands, one of which is Erromango, where Williams was murdered. In the largest island of the group theiiS labours have been most successful. Eight years back the island was the abode of murderers and cannibals, now each of its forty villages professes Christianity and has its school and native teacher, working under the missionaries. There are also two large chapels. On a former voyage the Bishop carried to the Mission a present of useful articles from the Scotch merchants of Auckland. And if, said the Bishop, any of his Presbyterian brethren here wished to aid that Scotch Presbyterian Mission, he would be glad to be the bearer of their offerings. The Bishop concluded by urging upon the congregation the duty of looking beyond themselves, and of assisting in sending the gospel to the ends of the earth. After the meeting a collection, amounting to £11 17s. 6d., was made in behalf of the Melanesian Mission. As the Bishop was entering his boat on Tuesday evening, a purse- containing £31 was placed in his hands, with a request that his Lordship would give it to the Rev. Messrs. Ingles and Geddie for their Mission, as an offering from the Presbyterians of Dunedin.

Scotland and England were now one. Any Scotchman who entertained animosity towards England, or any -Englishman who entertained animosity towards Scotland,, would be set down as simply insan|||||| Sheriff Bell % Glasgow, 24th June, 18jf*y|§||