LANGUAGE OF NEW ZEALAND. 227 
with bark, secured with strong slips of native 
flax ; and, when completed, will be perfectly 
wind-and- water-tight. The door is placed in the 
middle of the eastern side ; and there is a good- 
sized window at each end. This is the character 
of most of the native chapels, as hitherto erected 
in New Zealand. In this chapel I baptized the 
two children of James Ngori, a Christian chief 
of the village. On leaving, I heard the following 
remark made by one of the natives. ‘‘ Now per- 
sons have been baptized in this place, it is indeed 
tapu ; and we shall not use it for any other pur- 
pose than for the ser\dce of God.*” 
The importance of ascertaining and fixing the 
native language was felt from the very com- 
mencement of the Mission ; and measures for 
effecting this purpose were early adopted by the 
Society, who availed themselves of the learned 
aid of the Rev. Professor Lee. The first steps 
were necessarily such as would require further 
revision ; but from these, and from the repeated 
improvements which have been made by the Mis- 
sionaries, results have at length been attained to, 
which must affect in no small degree the future 
prosperity of the New-Zealand Mission. A few 
remarks on this subject may properly find a place 
at this part of our description of the effects attend- 
ing the introduction of the Gospel into the island. 
The language of New Zealand is peculiarly 
soft and sweet; and in the longest speeches, not 
a harsh sound ever strikes upon the ear. It is 
