150 miles southward of Hokianga, on the western coast of this Island, On our arrival in that district, Wangaroa presented itself as an eligible place for missionary operations. Accordingly, I immediately left the vessel, which was lying at anchor in the next harbour to Wangaroa, and travelled overland, in order to ascertain the geographical situation of the natives-their desire for christian instruction having been previously expressed. I shall not soon forget the pleasure with which they welcomed me to their settlement, and their anxiety to render me comfortable. It is true they could not accommodate me either with a bed or a cup of tea, both of which I needed after travelling nearly two days through their immense forests; but they roasted a few potatoes for my supper, and spread fern leaves for me to sleep upon, and, after commending myself in prayer to the Keeper of Israel,' I slept soundly until the morning, when the natives were kindling a fire, and making the best preparation they could for my comfort. I was reminded of the circumstances of St. Paul, when the barbarous people shewed him no little kindness.'

After getting a piece of land cleared, and a house erected, which occupied nearly three months, I returned overland to fetch my dear wife; and, having made our house as comfortable as was necessary for our safety, we formally commenced the great business of our mission. During the first few weeks our numbers were small, but the good seed soon took root-sprung up-and became a great tree. One tribe after another seemed to be operated upon by the Holy Spirit, and thus brought to the house of God.

One of the greatest trophies of the Redeemer's cross, was a great warrior called Waitaia, who, with his tribe, abandoned all his heathenish superstition and barbarities, and yielded to the influence of the gospel. He was a man of considerable influence and discernment, but one of the most dreadful savages in the land. He was almost invariably at the head of every great fight, and has himself devoured many a human body. Since his conversion he has told me, that whenever he was seen marching, with his tribe, toward the interior of the country, the tribes residing there expected a murderous attack to be made upon them. The first time he came to our chapel, he begged permission at the close of the service, to speak a few words to the congregation, when he made a public declaration in favour of christianity, and stated his reasons for turning to the religion of the true God. He moreover stated, that he was aware that the steps he was taking would expose him to the sneers and ridicule of his old companions, but that was only a trifling matter, when compared with the indignation of God. He immediately came forward as a candidate for christian baptism, and, after several months' trial, during which time he had to make many sacrifices on account of christianity, he was solemnly baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and has ever since been a bright and a shining light. I have had frequent opportunities of hearing of him, and am happy to learn, that his days are spent in going about doing good.'

Although Waitaia's turning to God, was the most remarkable con

I

version I ever knew in the southern hemisphere, we were not without instances of a similar kind, while living at Waingaroa; in fact, there seemed to be such a gracious influence resting upon the people, as indicated nothing less than the mighty power of God upon their hearts. am happy to be able also to testify, that their general conduct was such as becometh the gospel of Christ. Their attachment was not only to the house of God, but also to his law, and the institutes of christianity generally. They regarded the sabbath-day especially, as holy and honourable.' Hence they avoided every unnecessary toil on that day. Those of them who had to come several miles to worship, made it a practice to come on the saturday afternoon, and return on the monday morning, thus avoiding sunday travelling. The evening of saturday was spent in preparing food for the sabbath; and, although they subsisted upon nothing but potatoes, they were careful to scrape them on the saturday, and not have to do it on the Lord's-day. This would afford a good lesson to some of our friends in England.

You will naturally conclude, sir, that to such a people, we felt considerable attachment and love, and that with such prospects we looked forward with expectations of a glorious work being established. But just as we were in the height of rejoicing, that the Lord had been pleased to work by his servants in so remarkable a manner, a letter came to hand from our committee, directing us to withdraw from Waikato, and find some other field of labour. For reasons judged sufficient, the two committees in London had mutually agreed to leave Waikato to the Church Society, and Hokianga and its vicinity to the Wesleyans. Thus we were taken away from a people dearly beloved, and with whom I could happily have spent all my days; but the Lord can carry on his work without us, and he does carry it on; for although they have no missionary among them, I have recently heard that the kingdom of Christ is rapidly extending among them, and that tribes from the interior are settling near our station, in order to join in the worship of God.

You may better conceive, sir, than I can express, what my feelings were, when we turned our backs upon our flocks, leaving them like sheep without a shepherd. I shall never forget some of their expressions, as we were tearing ourselves from them. One chief (and he had lost both his father and mother by death) said, he never knew what sorrow was, until he heard that his teacher was to be taken from him. Another said, 'We will not let you go, we will tie your hands and feet,' and several others wrote letters to our Committee, requesting them to send their teacher back; but those letters have never been sent, they are still in my possession. When the vessel which was sent to remove us, came in sight from our station, the poor natives, who had assembled by hundreds, seemed to be like a large family, about to be deprived of both their parents by one stroke,-they clung around us with all the affection of children, and followed us with weeping to the ship-sorrowing most of all for the words which were spoken, that they should see our face no more.' Some of them took their canoes, and went with us as far out to sea as they could with safety; and then,

throwing themselves into their canoes, watched us, until we were carried far from their affectionate embrace.

Since that time many of them have travelled to us, overland, a distance of more than 250 miles; and at the hazard of their lives, having to pass through the midst of their greatest enemies, in order to request us to return to them. The last time they were addressed by us at Waingaroa, they were directed to regard the mysterious change, as one of those dark dispensations of providence, which, though they could not now understand, would be disclosed in another world, and endeavour to view it, as they were accustomed to view things in nature. They were referred to the changes in the vegetable creation—the rising and setting of the sun-the blowing of the wind, and the ebbing of the tide. One old chief, who has lately been over to seek a missionary, observed, 'When you were leaving us at Waingaroa, you told us to regard the mysterious change, as we were accustomed to regard the ebbing of the tide; but,' said he, the tide does not always ebb,when will it flow again, and bring us back our missionary?'

We are living among a small tribe, who have not the least desire to know the truth, but who dwell in error and vice. They seem to be literally buried in sin, and, were it not for the promises of the gospel, I should think it impossible for these dry bones to live. However, the gospel is the power of God, and not of man; and when I consider what has been effected at the southward, I am compelled to hope, that even in this place the arm of the Lord will be made bare in the sight of the people; but faith and patience, as well as prayer, are especially required to be exercised by the christian missionary, and he very much needs the prayers of the church at home. Little indeed do those friends know, what it is to plant the gospel in heathen lands, and among barbarous savages; but prayer and divine promise support the missionary's mind. Often when sowing the good seed in tears, and almost ready to conclude that it will never spring up, my soul is encouraged by the recollection, that many faithful prayers are daily ascending to God, that success may attend our labours. May I request, you, sir, still to continue your prayers in behalf of the savage tribes of New Zealand, that they may be raised to the privileges of God's people, and ultimately saved from eternal ruin.

APPOINTMENT OF A SEAMAN'S CHAPLAIN, GLASGOW.

At a full meeting of the Directors of the GLASGOW SEAMAN'S FRIEND SOCIETY, held on Wednesday evening, the 21st ult., the Rev. A. MACPHERSON, chaplain of the Acteon,' steamer, was unanimously elected chaplain to the above Society. We understand this is the first time the Society has ventured to retain the entire services of a chaplain for seamen in this port, and it is cause for congratulation, that the election has fallen on a gentleman of great promise and rising reputation as an efficient preacher of the gospel.

NAUTICAL INFORMATION.

Table of Wrecks, in which the Crews have all perished! !

From Lloyd's List, and the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, from 17th June, to August 10th.

Exhibiting a wreck of eight ships, and a probable loss of eighty lives!

TABLE OF ACCIDENTS!

Damaged Stranded. Foundered Abandoned. Sunk. Condemned. Wrecked. Not heard of. Total

Here we have a total of one hundred and thirteen casualties; and on an average of one life being sacrificed in each casualty, gives an aggregate of one hundred and thirteen lives! Then by looking at

• Penzance, July 29th. Three bodies (part of the unfortunate crew of the Perseverance,' of Leith) have been washed on shore and buried, one of whom had marked on his linen, 'David Morgan,' who proves to be the late mate.

+ Wivenhoe, June 16th. The foreign vessel Emanuel,' Clausen, with deals and battens, 365 tons burthen, from Gottenburg to London, at 3 A. M. yesterday, during thick fog, got on the sunk sand,--was abandoned by the crew, and brought to this place on board the smack Lord Howe, Powell, of Durham, which said smack had unfortunately lost three of her crew. Whilst attempting to board the ship, a heavy sea struck the boat, and half-filled her; before the water could be got out, another sea struck her, when all met a watery grave. Not a month since a similar accident took place.

Whitby, July 20th. Two fishing luggers belonging to this port have lost three men each, on the Dogger bank; and it is reported that other luggers have sustained a similar loss.

the foot-notes, there will be found an actual loss of at least twenty individuals, making, from all causes during the two months, a total loss of two hundred and thirteen lives! The fact that so many lives are being constantly sacrificed, while it should have the most impressive and salutary effect on the hearts of sailors themselves, who are necessarily the victims, should also awaken the deepest sympathy and the holiest solicitude of all, who, through the mercy of God, have a good hope beyond the grave.

¶ Falmouth, 23rd May. In lat. 48. 58., long. 36. 54. W., boarded the wreck of a brig laden with deals, waterlogged, and stripped of every thing,---her foremast standing, with the head of it carried away. She appeared to have been stove on the larboard bow. All the letters of her name that could be made out, were 'E N N V' on the windlas, 'Caird, of Greenock, maker.'

A vessel of apparently from 400 to 500 tons, long in the keel, and a fine bottom, copper bright, and in good order, (supposed on her first voyage) bends good, and lately blacked, with white streak and ports, and apparently a full length figure head, painted white, was passed bottom up, and supposed not to have been long capsized, 3rd inst. in lat. 38, long. 31, by the Moffat, Bolton, arrived off Portsmonth.

Milford, June 15th. A vessel (supposed an American) of about 300 tons, bottom up, was passed yesterday off Dardsey Island, by the Lady Kenmore, arrived at this port.

Bayonne, June 14th. A vessel with gilt stars on her stern, (supposed to be about 300 tons) capsized, and with little more than part of her keel out of water, was seen drifting into Givan Bay 1st inst.

Quebec, June 3rd. A brig is wrecked on White Island Reef, belonging to Workington or Maryport.

The Dutch ship, Sarah Betsey, Blowpot, went on shore at the entrance of Bushman's Ring, Algoa Bay; the boatswain and thirteen men saved, all the rest with the ship and cargo lost!

Paris, June 19th. A vessel of about 55 feet keel, bottom upwards, was passed on 12th inst., in lat. 46. long. 11., by the Maria, arrived here.

New York, June 5th. The wreck of a vessel, (supposed a brig) dismasted, waterlogged, and abandoned, with a billet head, and narrow white streak, and covered with barnacles, was fallen in with, 6th ult., in lat. 42. long. 52., by the Chandler Price, Dobbs, arrived at Philadelphia.

Gibraltar, June 30th. A vessel bottom up, apparently from 100 to 120 tons, single bottom without copper, bottom in good condition, and apparently not long upset, was fallen in with 13th inst., in lat. 46. long. 8., by the Margaret, Preston, arrived from London.

Quebec, June 24th. A ship, a brig, and a schooner, were seen wrecked on Anticosti, by H. M. S. Pique. A ship was seen on fire 3rd June, in lat. 48. long. 48.

Bristol, 26th July. The Caledonia, Tucker, arrived from Trinidad, on the 14th July, passed a brig waterlogged, with bulwarks, lower masts, bowsprit, anchors, and chains gone.

Pembray, August 5th. Two more bodies of the unfortunate crew of the American ship Pickering Dodge, namely that of the chief mate, (Mr. L. Goldwhite) and one seaman named Thomas Winters, have been picked up on the sands just below this place. Both have been buried in the churchyard at Pembray village. No property was found on either of the bodies, except a silver watch on the chief mate, and a common pocket-knife in the pocket of one of the seamen.