1835. 



WILLIAMS — CHURCH. 



575 



rich : where it is small, and scarce, the land is not worth culti- 

 vating.* 



Mr. Williams, the elder, formerly a lieutenant in the navy, 

 was absent on an exploring and negociating expedition to the 

 southern parts of the island. I much regretted having missed 

 seeing him, as he was considered the leading person among 

 the missionary body in New Zealand ; and was said, by every 

 one, to be thoroughly devoted to the great cause, in which he 

 was one of the first, and most daring. I walked with Mr. 

 Baker about the little village, or hamlet, of Paihia. A sub- 

 stantial stone building I thought must be the church ; but 

 was a good deal disappointed at being shown a small low 

 edifice, as the place of worship ; and hearing that the large 

 stone house was the printing establishment. This I did not 

 like ; for I thought of the effect produced on ignorant minds 

 by the magnificence of Roman Catholic churches. No doubt 

 education overcomes superstitious ideas and observances ; and 

 the devotion of an enlightened man is not increased or dimi- 

 nished by the style, or by the decorations of a building : in 

 him probably no building made by hands would excite such 

 emotions as the starry temple of a cloudless sky. But ought 

 he, therefore, to despise, or think lightly of those outward 

 forms, and ceremonious observances, which influence ignorant 

 ipeople, who see without thinking ; and are too much guided 

 by that which makes a vivid impression. Would a little out- 

 ward show do any harm among such ignorant human beings 

 as the savages of New Zealand ; or among Fuegians, and New 

 Hollanders.? And may one not expect that an intelligent 

 native should notice that the ' House of God ' is in every 

 respect inferior to the other houses which they see erected by 

 Christians ? 



Paihia is a pretty spot. The harbour of Kororareka lies in 

 front ; and an amphitheatre of verdant hills forms the back 

 ground. But it must be hot during the summer, as it is in a 

 hollow, facing the sun. A visit to Mr. J. Busby, the ' British 



* Humboldt mentions fern-roots being- used for food near the Ori- 

 noco. 



