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alone to teach them divine truths by His Holy Spirit. They do not like to hear about God: they often say, Speak no more about that: I am very frightened." Oct. 26, 1832-Some of the Blacks and myself have been very busy to-day, filling up a cellar, 6 feet deep, under one of our rooms. The joists were rotten, and the floor broken in. We worked hard, and got it filled up with earth and gravel. I conversed with them, while at work, on the subject of God and Religion. One of them, in reply to some remark I had made on the subject, said, " Bayal gammon that, I believe, Massa; (That is not untrue, I believe.)"

Oct. 27-The Blacks were very much amused to-day by looking at each other's faces through my bull's-eye glass, which is in a frame. Indeed, it does make them appear very horrible. They shouted and laughed at an amazing rate.

Oct. 30-Several Blacks in at Prayers this morning. More engaged cutting bark to-day. It is really surprising what very large sheets they cut down. My study faces the north-west*; and Mr. Fisher says, if I have not a verandah before it, all my books will be spoiled. For this purpose, then, I want the bark.

Nov. 4 Sunday- Laurie, a young Black-fellow, was brought three or four miles this morning to have his legs and feet dressed. It appears that, while he was sleeping last night in a hut, by some means a pot of boiling water was thrown over, which scalded his legs and feet in a very severe manner. I have given him some opening medicine, and dressed them several times with a cooling lotion: he suffers a very great deal of pain in them. Mr. Fisher brought up several Black Children again to church. Mrs. Watson gave a chemise to a little girl a short time ago; and her father, a very stout old man, instead of letting her come to church in it, tried to put it on himself, and thus tore it all to pieces.

Nov. 17-This evening, about 5 o'clock, we were very agreeably surprised by the arrival of our dear and valuable friend, the Rev. S. Marsden. He, in company with his son-in-law, and Capt. Jacob, of the East-India Company's Artillery, on the Bombay Establishment and a Member of the Committee of the Church Missionary Society there, had left Molong in the morning, but lost their horses by

Which, in the Southern Hemisphere, would correspond, in its effects, to our south-west aspect. - Ed.

the way. The Reverend Gentleman set off to walk, but providentially borrowed a horse about eight miles from this place. The other Gentlemen arrived shortly afterward.

Nov. 18: Sunday-Our Reverend friend addressed us in the morning, on the subject of David's fall and gracious recovery. O may we learn, from this solemn circumstance, to watch and pray; to guard every avenue, that sin may not enter, to separate us from our God! May we constantly, with the greatest fervour, breathe out our souls in that suitable prayer, 'Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe!" Several Blacks here to-day.

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Nov. 19-We held a Committee-meeting to-night, at which the circumstances of the Mission, &c., were taken into consideration.

Nov. 20-All the company started about seven o'clock in the morning. Mr. Handt and I accompanied them eight miles on the road. I should have been very happy if they would have remained longer with us; but no arguments could prevail on our Reverend friend.

Nov. 21-A good many Blacks here to-day. I hope I have succeeded in teaching them part of the Alphabet: but though I have spoken much with them on the subject of Religion, I fear they have not learnt any thing of the first rudiments. May the Divine Spirit prepare them for learning, and guide us in teaching! then our labour will not be in vain.

As the Missionaries consider it essential to their plans, that they should themselves seek out the Heathen, and carry the tidings of the Gospel to them, both Mr. Watson and his fellow-labourer are, at different times, acting on this principle. Mr. Watson's Journal gives, at this part of it, the following account of such a Missionary excursion.

Nov. 27-Last night, I packed in my would be useful for my journey; a little portmanteau such things as I thought tea, sugar, and bread, two pint tins, two bugle-horns, a small quantity of such medicines as it was probable I should want among the Blacks, a little tobacco, and a few pipes to distribute among any wild Blacks, whom I might find in the bush; and apparatus for procuring a light, should I have to sleep in the open air. I intended to commence

my journey about four o'clock this morning; but Spot, the mare on which Jeminy Buckley, my Black young man who was to accompany me, was to ride, was missing, and could not be caught before seven. After Prayers, we started. Jemmy had fastened a pair of old stirrups to a piece of rope, and thrown it across the back of the mare. We had not, however, proceeded above a mile, before Jemmy and his stirrups were on the ground, and Spot making the best of her way homeward. I rode after her, sounding my bugle; which brought the servant-men out, who soon caught her. We found Jemmy laid on the ground, where he had been thrown; but having sustained no injury, he immediately mounted again, but would not have the stirrups. We arrived at Goboleon about nine o'clock; and proceeded to another station, belonging to the Judge, under the superintendence of Mr. Fisher. Here we found several Black Natives, with their wives . and children. As the sun was very hot, we rested, and gave our horses in charge to two of the women to hold; but I was under the necessity of sending them to some distance, before I could get Jemmy to come up. The Black-fellows have a law among them, which prohibits young men coming within a certain distance of a Black woman. Here, one of the Blackfellows fetched some water from a neighbouring brook, while another kindled a fire.

We sat down with them; took some tea, of which we gave them also a share; and talked to them about God and their souls. But, alas! little did they, I fear, comprehend the meaning of my words; one of them a very old man with no hair on his head, ripe for death, on the verge of eternity, altogether ignorant of every moral and religious truth; no idea of the existence of a principle within him that must outlive the havoc of death; no knowledge even that there is such a being as God! What heart but must pity, what bowels but must yearn over, what eye but must shed tears at, such a scene as this! For one of the human race to be in this condition, is lamentable beyond description: but it is not the case with one alone; it is the state of families, tribes, yea, doubtless, of all the Black Natives of this Colony. Oh that the Lord would now arise, and have mercy upon us! Oh that the time to visit these dark abodes of sin and death with the light and knowledge of salvation were now come !

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Having rested two hours and a half, we remounted, and proceeded on our journey through the bush. We arrived at Murrumberdjere, another Stock Station, where were four or five Black Natives whom I had not seen before. gave a little tobacco among them. I do not approve or practise giving it to those whom we know at a distance from home; that, I apprehend, would not have a tendency to draw them to Wellington, which we are anxious to do. But, on our first visit, I think trifles of this nature may tend to make a favourable impression on their minds. It was about five o'clock in the evening when we arived at this station; and having sixteen miles further to travel, before we should reach the place where we intended to rest, we did not halt, but proceeded onward.

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No sooner had the sun sunk below the horizon, than poor Jemmy began to be much alarmed—as they all are, when travelling in the dark. He was continually looking around, as if he expected every moment to become the prey of some infuriated beast of the forest. I said, 'Jemmy, you are very frightened ?" He said, "I believe so; very much indeed!" I took occasion, from his timidity, to speak of the protection that is afforded to good men by God, and of the confidence they have in Him; so that they are not afraid to travel in the dark, or to lie down alone in the bush. I told him, that if he learnt to read the Bible and pray to God, this would be the case with him. During the former part of our journey, I had endeavoured to instruct him respecting the existence of God, the order of the Creation, the fall of man, and the love of God displayed in giving His Son to die for us. He was very attentive; but whether he comprehended what I said, I cannot tell.

We travelled through deep bush, rendered particularly dreary by either being burnt or now in flames around us. Having my portmanteau to hold before me, I was very tired. I asked Jemmy several times if we were almost at the place: he has no idea of miles, and all the information I could receive from him was given in these words: Yahn (go), yahn, yahn, through bush; then come narrang (little) river; then yahn, cobohn (large) plain; then yahn, yahn, yahn, through bush, then come to Berdjere." When I supposed we were within a mile or two, we blew our horns, which brought the Stockmen out to meet us; Mr. Fisher having

told them that we were coming up. They had been in bed; but on hearing the bugles, they arose. They made us a fire; and having refreshed ourselves with a tin-pint of tea, and having had prayers, Jemmy spread his blanket in the open air. I did the same; and wrapping myself up in my cloak, with my portmanteau for a pillow, I was very thankful for such a resting-place.

Nov. 28, 1832-We were beset with hosts of musquitoes last night, although the men had made a fire near to us to keep them off. About one o'clock this morning, when I had just fallen asleep, I was aroused by Jemmy calling out, "Parson! parson! wallo (rain) wallo tumble down, cloak get all wet." We immediately arose, and went into the hut; for the rain descended in torrents, accompanied with thunder and lightning. In the hut we could scarcely sleep for fleas. We arose about five o'clock, had Family Prayers, and again commenced our journey about six o'clock. When we were within one mile of Munore, the station to which we were going, we met two Black Natives proceeding to Berdjere, with beef upon their heads for Mr. Fisher's men. It is remarkable, that these persons, idle as they are to a proverb, would carry a heavy load ten miles without receiving any other remuneration than a small quantity of meat or a little tobacco.

We arrived at Munore about eight o'clock. I took up my abode in Mr. Fisher's tent. A short time ago, while chopping some wood, the adze slipped and cut my ankle: the wound was very slight, but the next day a small boil appeared on the other side of the ankle, which has been succeeded by many others, and I am still suffering extreme pain from them. This prevented me from going about deeper into the bush, as I could wish. There were not more than 14 Blacks here, besides their wives: the others are all in the bush. This is the furthest station on this side; and a short way further the Blacks are all wild. I showed those who were here some pictures, with the sight of which they were very much amused. I asked them what made Major, their Chief, die. They said, "Dibble, dibble (the devil)." I was exceedingly affected, a few days ago, when one of the Wellington Blacks told me that Major, the very tall stout Chief of whom I have before spoken, was dead. It appears that he was taken with a violent pain in his bowels; his body swelled

to an amazing size; and no medical aid being at hand, he died in a very short time, at a White-man's hut. Previously to his death, he would have all the White men in the neighbourhood brought into his room. What can be their reason for this, I am not able to say; but it appears to be a fact, that when they are about to die, they wish to have White men about them. They attribute all their misfortunes and afflictions to the devil; and there are certain persons among them who profess the "healing art," by conjuring the devil out of the sick man. They have different methods of attempting this. If near to a river, they make a circle on the ground with their womera; and after repeating something, they cast the stone into the water, and say that is the devil. When not near to any river or pond, they make a circle on the ground, and say that they conjure the devil down there. How it is that they should have a belief in the existence of the devil— and they have two or three names in their. language for him-and know nothing of God, I cannot say. None of them whom I have asked could ever tell me what the devil is; but they are afraid of him in the dark that is the reason they will not travel by night. I asked them where all Black-fellows came from? Who made all Black-fellows? Who made the sun, trees, kangaroos, &c.? "Bayal me know (I do not know)," was the general answer. I then told them, that some long time ago there was no Black man, no White man, no sun, no trees, &c.; but that the Great God who lives above made every thing. I then told them what God made the first day, second day, &c. They paid particular attention to what I said, frequently exclaiming, “Hye, hye!" I cannot say they understood me. It is a remarkable circumstance, that in our conversation with these people respecting God, &c., they very rarely indeed ask any questions. I suppose the other Blacks are engaged in war; for there is a general stir among all the tribes in the neighbourhood on this account.

I had heard, before I commenced my journey, that one of the Blacks, more cunning than the rest, since the death of Major, "had made a light (discovered) a cobohn (large) Black-fellow, sit down in the moon;" but notwithstanding I made the strictest inquiries, I could not learn any thing from any of them here on the subject: but they have a great deal of secrecy and mystery in some of their

movements; so, were this report correct, they might be unwilling to tell me. I succeeded in obtaining a black boy about eight years of age, as also the promise of a blind girl, who is not here at present. We left Munore about four o'clock, and arrived at Berdjere about six. I took up my abode in Mr. Fisher's tent, and, being very lame, did not go out any more during the evening.

Nov. 29,1832-Having had Prayers, we started between seven and eight o'clock, and arrived at Murrumberdjere about twelve, where we found several of our Wellington Blacks. Here we rested for a short time, and took some tea. Commenced our journey again about one, and arrived at Goboleon about four o'clock. After taking tea with Mr. Fisher, we proceeded homeward; and arrived at Wellington about half-past six o'clock, where, through divine goodness, we found all in peace, safe and well.

On his return to Wellington Valley, Mr. Watson thus reports the continuance of his labours.

Dec. 4 —Mr. Handt has gone with Mr. Fisher to a near Station. Several black children came from Goboleon to-day. I taught them letters by marking them out with pipe-clay on a board; and let each of them have a slate and a piece of pipeclay, to make letters themselves. They were much entertained by looking at my pictures. I hope all their fear of us is now removed; for the emissaries of Satan had told them, previously to our arrival, that we should put them all in prison." They come over every Sunday, and occasionally during the week. It is a great treat to them to sit down in my study, and look at the books. Scarcely any thing surprises the Blacks more than to see my library: they never saw so many books together before. Sammy, the wild boy, settles very well. Dicky Marshal, a black native boy about six or seven years of age, given to me by the Rev. T. Hassal, on whose farm at O'Connor Plains he had been for three years, is quite a changed character, as to morals. Mr. Smith, on the farm, is a pious man; but the boy used generally to be with some of the men, who laboured much to corrupt his mind, and they taught him to swear in a most awful manner. I believe that he never says a wicked word now. Also, he did not know the letters of the Alphabet when he came up with us: now he can read short words. We

have also a girl about eleven years of age, belonging to Narrang Jackey. Jackey has left her with us for a season: he has another wife, who has borne three children to White men, which she murdered as soon as born. This Jackey is a remarkably sharp and active fellow. One evening, as Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were returning home from Wellington in the gig, Jackey ran alongside for a good distance, and then said, "Fisher, bayal you be my brother." Mr. Fisher asked,

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Why not? What is the matter now, Jackey?" "Why," he said, "you ride, ride, ride, me yahn mandowhey (on foot) bayal you ask me to ride. I believe by and bye me yahn Sydney, get cobohn coach, bayal like yours, bulla (two) gallopers, and me get clothes all over: then me come up, make all Black-fellows look about; bayal me then ask you to ride." Well, well," said Mr. Fisher, get up, Jackey." When they arrived at Goboleon, he said, "You be cobohn brother now: when me get coach, then me let you ride." This shows that there is intellectual acuteness enough in them. Indeed, I have never found any deficiency of it in reference to things with which they are acquainted. So far wide of the truth is the charge of idiotism preferred against them.—The weather is extremely hot here. Thermometer yesterday, 94° in the shade: in the sun, 1200.

Dec. 5-About fifty Blacks, with their wives and children, are come to us. One, whose little girl I was anxious to get on my late journey, has given me his son Jemmy, about ten years of age. He is from among a tribe of wild Blacks at Bogin-there are two places of this name in the neighbourhood-but he has been much among White persons. I have got also another boy about the same age, named Billy. The Blacks received some provisions, a little tobacco, and some pipes. There were several, whom I saw on my journey, who have not been here, since my arrival, before to day. There are also some wild Blacks, who have come as spies, to see whether Wellington is indeed budgery (good). I again endeavoured to converse with them on the great truths of God, but have no pleasing results to record.

Dec. 6-Having made some provision for teaching on the Infant School System, I commenced this morning. But being in the bush, and but a poor carpenter, I was glad to make as good a substitute for the necessary apparatus as

was in my power. I procured a log of wood 18 inches high and 24 broad. Into this I drove two square-jointed staples, to receive an upright of about 7 feet 6 inches in length. I then prepared a board about 26 inches square: into the back of this I drove two staples, corresponding with those in the log, to receive the top part of the upright, that it might be raised or lowered at pleasure. I am thankful it answers so well. Provided then with this board, a piece of pipeclay and a sponge, I commenced by chalking out the letters of the Alphabet on the board, which I had painted black. And surely never were human means better adapted to the design, than the Infant System is adapted to teach the Aborigines of New Holland! The pleasing and amusing manner in which instruction is presented to them, makes it rather desirable than a task. The clapping of hands, marching, &c., falls in so much with their native habits of corrobborroing (dancing), that the Black children are quite delighted with it.-The Blacks had a corrobboro (dance) behind our house last night. They asked us to go, and I feel thankful that we did. Our Jemmy Buckley, the Black young man who has been with us since our arrival here, would not go near, but stood at a distance for a short time, and then went home to bed. Another young man who had been dancing was laid down by the fire. I went to ascertain who it was; but when he saw me approaching, he wrapped his head up in his blanket, apparently ashamed. I found it was the

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young man Bobby, who had been a good deal with us. I thought much about the conduct of Jemmy Buckley, in this instance; as the corrobboro is the greatest amusement they have, and even very old men will go a great many miles to one : moreover, Jemmy's mother and father were both there. I know that persons may say, with propriety, that an anxious mind is too apt to magnify trifles. But may we not, from these circumstances, see reason for encouragement? We may be disappointed; but is that a reason that we should let pass unnoticed, at least in our own minds, circumstances of this nature? When we came home, Jemmy said, Corrobboro in house (Family Prayers) is much better than that.

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young man, though naturally of a very volatile disposition, is always so solemn and apparently devout when he says his prayers and hymns, that Mrs. Watson' has often remarked to me how much her mind has been affected while witnessing him. It is so different from what he used to be: formerly he never came in to this duty but he laughed and trifled. All the children say their prayers and hymns to Mrs. Watson, morning and evening; nor do they like to say them to any other person, or when any one else is present. My heart has often been melted, while, from another room, I have heard them repeat their prayers and hymns, as with one voice.

We are compelled, for want of space, to postpone part of our communications from this Mission till next month.

PROCEEDINGS.

Departure of Missionaries. THE REV. Messrs. Woodcock and Lechler (see p. 13 of our last Number) embarked on board "La Belle Alliance," Captain Arkcoll, on the 30th of January; and, after having once or twice been driven back by contrary winds, they sailed on the 11th inst.

Arrangements for Association
Anniversaries.

After a careful consideration of the communications received from the different Associations, the following Plan of Journeys for the present year, differing but little from that for last year, has been arranged.

It is with feelings of lively gratitude to God that the Committee notice the growing interest which is manifested in

behalf of the Society's object, in different parts of the country. In the year 1832, 321 places were entered upon the List, and visited. In 1833 they increased to 379. During the present year they will be found to amount to 421; showing an increase in 1833 of 58, and of 42 in 1834. Without very extensive gratuitous assistance, the several Associations could not have been visited; the design and proceedings of the Society would not have been so generally made known; and the increased interest, in promoting its object, above noticed, would not have been excited. While therefore the Committee cordially tender to those friends their sincere thanks, they most earnestly solicit the continuance of their prayers and exertions.

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