1835. 



CHRISTMAS — SEKVICF SINGING. 



589 



English community had assembled. Instead of performing the 

 whole service first in one language, and afterwards in the other, 

 as at Otaheite, the two entire services were mixed, and the 

 whole extended to such a length that had even the most elo- 

 quent divine occupied the pulpit, his hearers could scarcely 

 have helped feeling fatigued. Mr. Baker appeared to be more 

 fluent in the language of New Zealand, than in his own, a 

 fortunate circumstance for the natives, though not for the Eng- 

 lish who attend his church. In the mere glimpse which I had 

 of the missionary body at New Zealand, it appeared to me that 

 they rather undervalued their white congregations. They say, 



We are sent to the heathen, it is to their improvement that 

 every effbrt should be directed.*" " This is true,'" may be 

 replied ; " but does not the example of respectable settlers, or 

 visitors, assist the influence of missionaries .P" Would not the 

 natives take notice if foreigners whom they see in the land 

 refused, generally speaking, to conform in their habits and con- 

 duct, to the principles so earnestly insisted upon by the mis- 

 sionaries ? But unless Divine service is performed in a man- 

 ner which will, at the very least, increase respect for it, and 

 give rise to no feelings of slight towards those who, from the 

 nature of their highly responsible office, are expected to per- 

 form it tolerably well — -it does not seem likely that such as are 

 only sojourners in the land, will be seen at the church as often 

 as might be desirable ; thus a part of their example, so bene- 

 ficial to the great cause, will perhaps be lost. 



A very correct musical ear seems to be as general among 

 the people here, as among those of Otaheite. The responses of 

 thirty natives, women and men, were made so simultaneously, 

 and so perfectly in harmony, that I could no more distinguish 

 the different voices, than I could those of a number of good cho- 

 risters singing together. Their singing was equally melodious, 

 yet neither I nor others were disposed to think it equal to that 

 of Otaheite. 



26th. Disputes between masters of whale ships and their 

 crews, and between both these classes and the New Zealanders, 

 obliged me to meddle, though very reluctantly, in their aff*airs . 



