436 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chaf. XVII. 
vice of the mission ; and as soon as the newly-engaged 
missionaries had all arrived, sent two of them in the 
vessel, well armed, to the Bay of Islands, to make a 
trial of the disposition of the natives, and to bring any 
of the chiefs to New South Wales who might seem 
inclined to visit it and to forward their views. 
On their return with an encouraging report of their 
reception, and three native chiefs who expressed them- 
selves willing to concur in their projects, Marsden 
determined to accompany them on their final expedi- 
tion, in order to superintend their labours and assist 
in the great work. 
It is important to observe what were the objects 
aimed at by this model of a Christian missionary, and 
by what means he proposed to attain those objects. 
Mr. Nicholas seems to have been intimately acquainted 
with the character and thoughts of his companion, 
since he thoroughly appreciated his great talents, and 
claimed for his virtues that tribute which they undoubt- 
edly deserved. He tells us that Marsden was desirous, 
" as an Englishman, of showing to this bold, high- 
" spirited, and inquisitive people, the proper character 
" of his country ; and as a Christian, of calling them 
" from their gross idolatries to a knowledge of revealed 
" religion, enlightening their minds, and humanizing 
" their pursuits." His plan of operation is no less 
striking ; and I therefore copy it from the words of 
Mr. Nicholas : — " Contrasting the genius and habits 
" of this people with those of the other islanders in this 
" immense ocean, he found them much more prepared 
" for cultivation than the generality of savage tribes, 
** and less tenacious of their own barbarous institu- 
" tions. But he rightly conjectured that moral lec- 
" tares and abstruse religious discourses, however 
** proper at a subsequent period, when the mind became 
