Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian IslandsYonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
Religion
Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands
Yonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
Missions -- Melanesia; Patteson, John Coleridge, 1827-1871
'It looks much like a small sea-side town, but not so substantially
built, nor does it convey the same idea of comfort and wealth; rude
warehouses, &c., being mixed up with private houses on the beach. The
town already extends to a distance of perhaps half a mile on each side
of this cove, on which the principal part of it is built. Just in the
centre of the cove stands the Wesleyan chapel. On the rising ground on
the east of the cove is the Roman Catholic chapel, and on the west side
is St. Paul's Church, an Early English stone building, looking really
ecclesiastical and homelike. The College, at a distance of about five
miles from the town, on some higher ground, northwest of it, is reached
from the harbour by a boat ascending a creek to within a mile of the
buildings, so that we shall not go into the town at all when we land. By
water too will be our shortest, at all events our quickest way from the
college to the town.
'July 9, St. John's College.--Though we reached harbour on July 5, and
landed the next day, I have scarcely found a minute to write a line.
Imagine my feelings as I touched land and jumped ashore at a creek under
Judge Martin's house, in the presence of Rota Waitoa, the only native
clergyman in the diocese; Levi, who is perhaps to be ordained, and four
or five other natives. Tena ra fa koe e ho a? "How are you, my friends?"
(the common New Zealand greeting), said I as I shook hands with them one
by one. We walked up from the beach to the house. Roses in full flower,
and mimosa with a delicate golden flower, and various other shrubs and
flowers in full bloom. Midwinter, recollect. The fragrance of the air,
the singing of the birds, the fresh smell (it was raining a little and
the grass was steaming) were delicious, as you may suppose. Here I
was, all at once, carrying up baggage, Maoris before and behind, and
everything new and strange, and yet I felt as if it were all right and
natural. The Bishop and Mrs. Selwyn had landed the day before, and
we were heartily welcomed. Mr. Martin took me into his study. "I am
thankful to see you as a fresh labourer among us here; a man of your
name needs no introduction to a lawyer." Nothing could exceed his
kindness. He began talking of at once.
'We dined at about 12.30. Clean mutton chops, potatoes and pumpkin (very
good indeed), jam pudding, bread, and plenty of water (beer I refused).
It did taste so good, I am quite ashamed of thinking about it. About two
o'clock I started with the Bishop for the College, nearly six miles from
Auckland.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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