mission, as well as the part he acted during the American contest. It may be necessary, however, to add that as he advanced in years, he became subject to fits of the gout, to which, in 1782, a nephristic colic was superadded. From this time, he was afflicted with the stone, as well as the gout, and for the last twelve months of his life these complaints almost entirely confined him to his bed. In the beginning of the Spring, he was attacked with a fever and complaint of the breast, which terminated his existence; and he accordingly expired on the 17th of April, 1790, about 11 o'clock at night, closing a long life of 84 years and four months, without a groan.

No. III.

MEMOIR OF MOWHEE, A YOUNG NEW-ZEALANDER, WHO DIED AT PADDINGTON.- IN A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE

REV. JOSIAH PRATT, B.D. SECRETARY OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY; BY THE REV. BASIL WOODD, M.A.2d Edition.

THIS short biographical memoir has been published by the Church Missionary Society. Without entering into any of the disputes that have lately taken place in the Christian world, on the subject of missions to distant lands, we shall immediately proceed to communicate some particulars relative to this young and interesting convert.

It appears from the statement of the Rev. Basil Woodd, that Mowhee was born in the island of New Zealand, about the year 1796; and, at the request of this gentleman, who appears to have paid him great attention, he presented him with the following narrative in writing, which the hand of death prevented from continuing further than the close of the year 1814, when he returned to his native island.

"From this narrative, and from occasional conversation," observes the Rev. Author, "I have collected the following interesting facts; and, so far as I am able, I shall insert the statement in his own plain and unaffected words. The history discloses an extraordinary series of the interpositions of Divine Providence.

"Mowhee was a relation of Terra, a head chief, and a man of considerable influence, on the south side of the Bay of Islands.

"About the year 1806, one of the natives had gone to Port Jackson in New South Wales, and staid there some time. On his return, he told his countrymen what a fine place the

dying for sinners and the world.' He also persuaded many of the natives to wish to send their children thither.

a

The

"Shortly after, two ships came into the harbour. Captains came on shore; one of them to the spot where Mowhee's family resided. By the character Mowhee gaye of him, he appears to have been a man of a very friendly disposition, and of religious state of mind. He frequently conversed with Mowhee's father; and endeavoured to impress on his conscience the value of his soul, the importance of eternity, and the leading truths of the Christian Religion. This kind attention so much gained the affections and confidence of the father, that, when the ship was preparing to quit New Zealand, he earnestly entreated the Captain to take his son a voyage with him.

"Mowhee was at this period about nine or ten years of age. He had been a good deal with the Captain while on shore, and loved him as a parent. He had also been frequently on board the ship; and, as was perfectly natural, was greatly delighted with the novelty of the scene, and the prospect of the voyage to a new island.

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Accordingly, when the day arrived for the sailing of the ship, the father and mother and several natives accompanied Mowhee on board. Here he found a native with whom he was acquainted, who had been to visit the English Settlements, and was going back again with the captain. He spake highly of the kindness of the captain, and of the English people; and persuaded Mowhee to persevere in his intention.

"At this time the ship was surrounded with canoes, which kept her company till she was outside the heads of the Bay. About sun-set they left the ship; and now a most melancholy farewell was taken of Mowhee by his parents. The mother, in particular, was quite overwhelmed in an agony of grief. For a long time she refused to quit the ship; and was, at length, taken away by compulsion.

"This was the last time that Mowhee and his parents ever saw one another. Some months after, a fatal epidemic sickness was brought from a distant part of the island. Numbers

caught the infection and died; and, among them, the affectionate parents of our young friend. Mowhee always spoke of his father as a man who had learned of the Captain to worship the true God; and he trusted he should meet him again, to part no more.

"In the evening, the Captain called Mowhee, and the other native, whose name was Hearry, into the cabin. He spake kindly to them, and bade them be assured of his friendship; and told Mowhee, that he should in future call him by the name of Thomas.

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During this evening, the wind began to blow very hard, and the sea was very tempestuous for a few days. Mowhee was exceedingly terrified; but his countryman quieted his fears, by assuring him that the storm would not long continue, and that, in a short time, they would see Norfolk Island. As soon as they arrived off that island, a boat came on board, with a Mr. Drummond, who took Mowhee and the other native on shore, to his own house.

"The first object which engaged his attention and excited his astonishment, in this place, was the building of a brig; a sight to him entirely new.

"Mr. Drummond received him with great kindness; and assured him, that, if he was disposed to reside with him, he should be treated like one of his sons. Mr. Drummond placed him at a day-shool for near a year. Here he began to learn to read and write; and from this period, as a token of regard, he took the name of Thomas Drummond. - Shortly after, the whole family sailed for New South Wales. They landed at Sidney; and, in February 1812, removed to a farm, at a village called Liverpool.

"During this period, it appears that Mr. Drummond, and the Rev. Mr. G——, used to explain to Mowhee the general principles of the Christian Religion, the meaning of going to church, the nature of the worship due to Almighty God, and the Redemption of man by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here, to use his own words, he frequently was taught that the

soever believed on Him should inherit everlasting life. Mr. D. had adopted the pious and venerable custom of having all his family and servants, every Sunday evening, in his parlour. He heard them read portions of the Holy Scriptures, and then familiarly explained them, according to their capacities.

"Mowhee's ordinary employment was in the farm; and much of his time was occupied in taking care of the sheep, and preventing their straying to lose themselves in the woods. His mind, however, possessed too much ardour and activity for this mode of life. He described it as a lonesone employment; and, in a few months, he became completely weary of it, and expressed to Mr. Drummond, his earnest desire to quit the farm, and gratify his curiosity in seeing more of the world.

"Just at this crisis, the Rev. Samuel Marsden calling at Mr. Drummond's, Mowhee's desire was communicated to him. He arranged an exchange in consequence; and Mowhee was removed to Parramatta. He was thus placed under the protection of this distinguished clergyman, and enjoyed the benefit of his prayers, example, and daily instruction. About this period he was admitted to the Christian Church by the Sacrament of Baptism. He was also introduced to the acquaintance of another persevering labourer in the missionary cause, Mr. Thomas Kendall.

"This gentleman having, apparently by mere accident, passed by Bentinck Chapel one Sunday morning, about the year 1805, was induced, by hearing the sound of the organ, to go in. The consequence was, that he was one of the audience the first time that a sermon was preached there in order to excite Christians, by their prayers and exertions, to send the Gospel to other nations. The subject was quite new to him: his mind became deeply impressed with guilt, for having hitherto neglected this important duty; and he resolved, by the grace of God, to devote himself to the service of the heathen. Having waited seven years for a favourable opportunity, with much prayer, patience, and perseverance; the wishedfor day at length arrived, when he relinquished every temporal prospect in his native country; and, with his four children,