NEW-ZEALAND MISSION. 167 
natives of Wangaroa, for some time prevented 
these early Labourers from proceeding farther 
than New South Wales : nor was it till the latter 
end of the year 1814 that they reached the scene 
of their future toils, and effected a landing in New 
Zealand. The difficulties with which they had, in 
the first instance, to contend, and the dangers to 
which they were exposed, have been narrated at 
large, in the publications of the Church Missio- 
nary Society. It was no small consolation to the 
friends of the Heathen, (and they took it as an 
earnest that the blessing of God was in reserve for 
this people) that a footing was obtained amongst 
them. Their faith was enlarged, and their hope 
was strengthened, as they heard, that, from day to 
day, the lives of these Labourers were preserved, 
amidst all the dangers of this savage land. 
Rangihoua, a native village on the north-west 
side of the Bay of Islands, under the chieftainship 
of Tuatara, was the place first selected, or rather 
first occupied; for there was then no choice of 
situations : and, notwithstanding powerful ene- 
mies from both within and without, the Gospel 
has never yet been driven away from that place. 
During the early years of the Mission, almost all 
that the members could do, was to keep their 
ground. The threats which were frequently held 
out to them by the natives would probably have 
sufficed to drive them away, had they at that time 
understood the language, of which, happily for 
them, they were ignorant. Privations of almost 
