Local Melus

Colonist, Issue 3, 30 October 1857, Page 2

Local Melus

THE DIGGINGS. (prom a correspondent.)" *Brandy Point, Slate River, October 25. The weather still continues wet and stormy. Yesterday, the river rose and fell twice, at least three feet, so you may be sure there is no working for a day or two ; but with the river lowering bo Suiek, the diggers get to work sooner than you linkiof. Nearly every one I have spoken to seems in good" heart, spite of wind and weather, and are waiting patiently for the good time that is $|bming. The fine day or two that comes now and then just allows most of them to get a living in the meantime. Provisions I consider very reasonable, considering the wretched roads they have to be brought over; and the country is so mountainous that it will take a very long time to make better ones. The diggers are anxiously looking for the Government to do something in this respect, not so much perhaps as that they care about the roads themselves, but they want some kind of work to fall hack upon in cas#, to use their own expression, they get " dead broke." If the Government will do this, it will soon become popular. The Quartz Ranges are now a general topic of conversation, and the impression is that they will form the main diggings. I have seen and spoken with a good many from that locality, and they all say there is abundance of gold to he got so soon as the weather will let them work. There is an outcry for newspapers, and a few of the first copies of the Colonist will please the folks much. There is, of course, no political news here; but the diggers, generally speaking, are glad that Mr. Robinson has been electtd Superintendent. I will send you more news by-and-by. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. On Tuesday evening last the friends of this so-? cicty met, in Mr. Campbell's school-room, for the purpose of social intercourse, and to hear the Annual Report of the Committee for 1857 read for their consideration. There were about 100 persons present, and tea was prepared on three tables for the company assembled. . Among the gentlemen present, we noticed the Revs. Messrs. Warren and Watkins, Wesleyans; the Rev. Mr. Thomas, Baptist, (lately arrived to supply the place of Mr. Dolamore, removed to the country); the Rev. Mr. Calder, Presbyterian; Mr. Jenkins, native interpi-eter; Messrs. Lightband, Campbell, Daniels, Gardiner, M'Aitney, Aitken, and other supporters and friends of the society. After partaking of 'the cup which cheers but not inebriates,' Mr. Warren was called to the chair, in the absence of Mr. Saxton, detained by official duties from attendance. A hymn having been sung— The Rev. Mr. Thomas engaged in prayer, and Mr. Jenkins, the Secretary, read the following ANNUAL REPORT. In presenting their annual report, the Committee desire to express their gratitude to the Great He«d of the Church for His continued blessing upon the labours of His servants in every part of the mission field, enabling them constantly to realise the fulfilment of the gracious promise—" Lo! lam with you alway." As regards the w«rk in New Zealand :—Although we cannot announce any remarkable revival of religion among the natives here, as has been the case in other islands, yet we feel assured from the various local reports, that the gracious work of conversion is going on in almost every circuit; and New Zealanders are evidencing in their iives the vital truths of Christianity, some of whom are cheerfully devoting their time to preaching the Gospel of peace to their fellowsinners. Two natives—trained in institutions ai the Three Kings, near Auckland—have been received as assistant missionaries; and in reference to one of these it is stated—" His knowledge of the Holy Scriptures is extensive and accurate ; his statement of Divine truths clear and forcible; and his life is such as to recommend the religion which he urges others to embrace," an'l the other, in his report says:— " The knowledge of the things of God is increasing in this place. There are a great many good men living at Papahinu Pukaki who believe in God. The men who meet in class are thirty-two, and there are a great number who come regularly to worship on the Sabbath. There is no fighting, no murders at this place. All the chiefs are good—they are all believers. This is what I have to say to yon, Pakehas to all of you. Give me a bell to call men. lam the least of all men. I have neither cattle nor horse nor farm. All the goods that I possess are in the hands of God. I have no settled place of abode. This is the number of shillings from this place—£3 Bs. 2jd." ■ The old missionaries in the Wellington district urge the necessity of appointing a number of " active young men who could acquire the native language, and be employed as itinerant evangelists among the natives and scattered English settlers; and they do this especially on the ground that the missionaries , now employed have already passed the vigour of their days." And your Committee would also suggest the propriety of appointing at least one such person to labour in the gold-fields of our Province, more particularly as a great number of natives will probably be scattered up and down among the gold seekers there. We are happy to state that one young minister has been sent since last year to labour at Motueka, principally among the native population there. On the whole, tken—considering the few labourers actually at work among the natives—we have abundant reason to "thank God and take courage," and earnestly to pray " That the Lord of the harvest may send forth more labourers into the harvest." The Friendly Islands have suffered much through the paucity of labourers. Four years ago they had eight European missionaries each, and last year only five; but we are glad to report that a reinforcement lias been lately sent there. Yet the work there is steadily progressing, and the people manifest the sincerity of their professions by increased pecuniary contributions, as will be seen from the following facts:—ln 1855, the proceeds of oil given by these people amounted to £544; in 1856, it was increased to £1271; their contributions being more than doubled, during the past. year. In addition to the European missionaries, they have 5 native assistant missionaries, 1 cateelusfc, 588 day school teachers, 405 chapels, 180 Sabbath school teachers, 1571 Sabbath scholars, 167 day schools, 6848 day scholars, 62G5 church members, 140 on trial for membership, 15,568 attendants on public worship. The prospects at Fejee are also very encouraging. Satan's kingdom is giving way to the peaceable mle of the Redeemer. Opposition, 'once so rife, has ceased! and the people are very desirous of receiving Christian instruction. Very many of the heathen temples, or "Devil's houses," have been converted into Christian sanctuaries. Thousands of the cannibal inhabitants have been soundly converted, and many of them are now preaching to their countrymen the same blessings of which they have so happily partaken. But much still remains to' be done for Fegee. There are yet inland districts which have only been occasionally visited, and where Satan reigns unchecked, and every abomination is daily practised. But even those people who " dwell in the dark places of the earth, which are full of the habitations of cruelty," are willing to have the teachers of Christianity to visit them, dwell among them, and instruct theni. But alas! there are none to send, or rather the means are required in order to send those who we willing to go, and the question which forces itself upon us is, " Whose duty is it to supply those means ?." The Australian Missionary Society (of which ours in Nelson is an auxiliary) is exerting itself in the laudable attempt to make its missions self-supporting, and thus to relieve the parent Society from the burden which it has for somanyyears so cheerfully borne. This, however, they cannot yet fully accomplish, having had last year to draw on the Home Committee for the Bumoflßo7Z. We rejoice also to notice that during the past year the missions have received the help of seven additional Missionaries, from England; one of this number is for New Zealand. A great increase of expenditure will necessarily follow, but the committee "believethat $c deeply necessitous circumstances of the missions

will elicit an increased liberality from the Colonial Churches, and they hope to be sustained without any trespass on the funds of the Parent Society," and here your Committee would refer with pleasure to the donation at the head of the New South Wales subscription list of 10W, from " one whom God hath pros- ■ ]>ered." And they trust that this practical acknowledgment of a superintending Providence will prove beneficial as au example to others in their seasons of special prosperity; . : ■ ■ The following is a general summary of the Society's missions:—Number of chapels, 302 ; other preaching places, 295; missionaries, 31; assistant ditto, 13; English training masters, 2; catcchists, 154; day schoolteachers, 1223; sabbath school ditio, 462; local preachira, 864; class leaders, 178; full and a'credited church members, 13,079: on trial, 2iBL; sabbsth schools, 188; sabbath scholars, 5819; day schools, 429; day scholars, 17,779; total number of hearers, including church members and scholars, 64,263; printing presses, 2. Total receipts, 1855, 6774J; for 185G, 9022?, showing a net increase during the past year, of 2257 J. Total expenditure, 10,83 M, being 1807Z above the receipts. We conclude this report with the financial statement of the Nelson Auxiliary Society. The Financial Report which we now read is not the rjport of the current year. Tim, of course, cannot be complete Until after the collections in connexion with all the anniversary services are received. Next meeting- will be the proper time for reading the Financial Report of the present year. This is the report for the year ending December, 1856: —His Honor the Superintendant, 21. 25.; Mr. A. Bird, 1/.; Mr. R. Burn, 11. Is.; Mr. Brent, 10s.; Mr. Campbell, 11. ; A. Fell, Esq., LZ- Is.; Mr.Foy, 1/. Is.;a friend, IZ. Is.; Mr.Green, 11. ; Mr. Jackson, IV. Is.; Major Richmond, ll. is.; D. Rough, Esq., 11. Is.; J. W. Saxton, Esq., 11. Is; Mr. Turner, 1/.; Missionary Box, (Master Burn), ■U. 19s. Collected by Mrs. Warren .—A Friend for Feejce, 5/.: A Friend, Trafalgar Store, 11. 10s.; Mr. Jenkins. U. Is.; Mr. Lightband, 11. Is.; Two Friends, 11s.; Rev. J. Warren, 11 Is.; Mrs. Warren, 11. Is.; Miss Warren, 10s. 6d. Collected by Mi's. Nencarrow, 11. 10s.; Sabbath School Missionary Box. 10/. 2s. 7d,; public collection, 171. 12s. 4d.; ditto Richmond, 71. 10s. Spring Grove—Collected by Mrs. Higgins, '11. Motueka—Mr. W. Andrews, 1/. Is, 6d.; Mr. Nice, 11. ; Missionary Box, 11. Is.; total, 701. lls. 5d.; less by expanses, 18s. od.; leaving a balance of 69Z. 13s. Mr. Daniels moved the first resolution j seconded by Mr. Sewell, and carried :— . That the report which has now been read be adopted, and that this meeting rejoices in the success which has attended the labours of this and kindred societies during the past year, and gratefully ascribes that success to the Spirit of God. ■ The Rev. Mr.-Calder moved the second resolution; seconded by the Rev. John Thomas, and supported by the Rev. Mr. Watkins, and carried:— That while this meeting acknowledges the strong and ordinary claims of all heathen nations upon Christian enterprise, it also feels that New Zealand and the South Sea Islands furnish a special demand upon the efforts of the colonial churches, and pledges itself to evidence that feeling by renewed effort and increased liberality. The addresses were chiefly directed to the importance of union of co-operation, and perhaps of ultimate incorporation, of the various missionary societies—in the duty of Christians as missionaries generally, and the special duties of those set apart for the work and'sent out by societies and churches; the necessity of supporting them in their labors, and of sacrifices being made to cany out the purposes of the missions. Allusion was also made to the vices introduced along with civilization ; andinformation was given with respect to the reformation effected in the practices of drinking and smoking indulged in by the natives of the New Hebrides, as communicated in a letter from the Rev. John Inglis to Mr. Sewell. The Rev. John Thomas spoke of the value to be placed upon the conversion of-one soul, and how much good such a convert might be the means of doing in the families surrounding him. It had been purposed to bring other resolutions before the meeting, but the lateness of the hour prevented. An apology fov unavoidable absenco was received from the Rev. Mr. Butt. The sum of £5 ss. was collected during the meeting. At the close, Mr. B. Crisp made application to the seatholders present to pay up 'their arrears, for the purpose of satisfying* the claims of Mr. Campbell, in whose school-room' they (the Wes■leyans) were at present meeting. The minister could not make a formalcall, as there were no seats in Mr. Campbell's school-room to let.

will elicit an increased liberality from the Colonial Churches, and they hope to be sustained without any j trespass on the funds of the Parent Society," and here your Committee would refer with pleasure to the donation at the head of the New South Wales subscription list of 1001, from " one whom God hath prospered." And they trust that this practical acknowledgment of a superintending Providence will prove beneficial as au example to others in their seasons of special prosperity; . : ■ ■ The following is a general summary of the Society's missions:—Number of chapels, 302 ; other preaching places, 295; missionaries, 31; assistant ditto, 13; English training masters, 2; catcchists, 154; day schoolteachers, 1223; sabbath school ditio, 462; local preach*rs, 864; class leaders, 178; full and a'credited church members, 13,079: on trial, 2iBL; sabbath schools, 188; sabbath scholars, 5319; day schools, 429; day scholars, 17,779; total number of hearers,1 including church members and scholars, 64,263; printing presses, 2. Total receipts, 1855, 6774J; for 1856,9022?, showing a net increase during the past year, of 2257 J. Total expenditure, 10,83 M, being 1807Z above the receipts. We conclude this report with the financial statement of the Nelson Auxiliary Society. The Financial Report which we now read is not the rjport of the current year. Tim, of course, cannot be complete until after the collections in connexion with all the anniversary services are received. Next meeting- will be the proper time for reading the Financial Report of the present year. This is the report for the year ending December, 1856: —His Honor the Superintendant, 21. 25.; Mr. A. Bird, 1/.; Mr. R. Burn, 11. Is.; Mr. Brent, 10s.; Mr. Campbell, 11.; A. Fell, Esq., LZ. Is.; Mr.Foy, 1/. Is.;a friend, IZ. Is.; Mr.Green, 11. ; Mr. Jackson, IV. Is.; Major Richmond, ll. is.; D. Rough, Esq., ILls.; J. W. Saxton, Esq.,U. Is; Mr. Turner, 1/.; Missionary Box, (Master Burn), U. 19s. Collected by Mrs. Warren .—A Friend for Feejce, 5/.: A Friend, Trafalgar Store, 11. 10s.; Mr. Jenkins. U. Is.; Mr. Lightband, 11. Is.; Two Friends, lls.; Rev. J. Warren, 11 Is.; Mrs. Warren, 11. Is.; Miss Warren,. 10s. 6d. Collected by Mrs. Nencarrow, 11. 10s.; Sabbath School Missionary Box. 10/. 2s. 7d,; public collection, 171. 12s. 4d.; ditto Richmond, 71. 10s. Spring Grove—Collected by Mrs. Higgins, 21. Motueka—Mr. W. Andrews, 1/. Is, 6d.; Mr. Nice, 11. ; Missionary Box, 11. Is.; total, 701. lls. 5d.; less by expanses, 18s. od.; leaving a balance of 69Z. 13s. Mr. Daniels moved the first resolution j seconded by Mr. Sewell, and carried :— . That the report which has now been read be adopted, and that this meeting rejoices in the success which has attended the labours of this and kindred societies during the past year, and gratefully ascribes that success to the Spirit of God. ■ The Rev. Mr.-Calder moved the second resolution; seconded by the Rev. John Thomas, and supported by the Rev. Mr. Watkins, and carried:— That while this meeting acknowledges the strong and ordinary claims of all heathen nations upon Christian enterprise, it also feels that New Zealand and the South Sea Islands furnish a special demand upon i the efforts of the colonial churches, and pledges itself to evidence that feeling by renewed effort and increased liberality. The addresses were chiefly directed to the importance of union of co-operation, and perhaps of ultimate incorporation, of the various missionary societies—in the duty of Christians as missionaries generally, and the special duties of those set apart for the work and'sent out by societies and churches; the necessity of supporting them in their labors, and of sacrifices being made to cany out the purposes of the missions. Allusion was also made to the vices introduced along with civilization ; andinformation was given with respect to the reformation effected in the practices of drinking and smoking indulged in by the natives of the New Hebrides, as communicated in a letter from the Rev. John Inglis to Mr. Sewell. The Rev. John Thomas spoke of the value to be placed upon the conversion of-one soul, and how much good such a convert might be the means of doing in the families surrounding him. It had been purposed to bring other resolutions before the meeting, but the lateness of the hour prevented. An apology fov unavoidable absenco was received from the Rev. Mr. Butt. The sum of £5 ss. was collected during the meeting. At the close, Mr. B. Crisp made application to the seatholders present to pay up 'their arrears, for the purpose of satisfying/the claims of Mr, Campbell, in whose school-room' they (the Wes■leyans) were at present meeting. The minister could not make a formalcall, as there were no seats in Mr. Campbell's school-room to let.