and mercy of God, we have been brought to see the commencement of another year. Many have been the vicissitudes through which we have passed, during the last year. More than once we narrowly escaped a watery grave. Now we are in a situation which, for many years, it has been my most ardent desire to occupy, engaged as an ambassador for the Saviour to those who are altogether unacquainted with the Covenant of Grace. May the Lord enable me to do the work of an evangelist, to make full proof of my ministry, and to be, in some measure (weak and feeble as my efforts will most assuredly be), instrumental in gathering into the folds some of these Heathen sheep, for whom the Great and Good Shepherd offered His life as a sacrifice of atonement! May the Holy Ghost shine upon us, and on our work, directing, inspiring, animating, and sanctifying us, in and for the same!

Jan. 4, 1833-About forty Natives came up this morning, principally from Munore, fifty miles west of Wellington. While speaking to them respecting God, the immortality of the soul, &c., one of them said, that he believed what I said was true, for he was very much afraid when he thought of dying. I had much difficulty in keeping our children at their lessons this morning, as the newly-come Natives were standing on all sides, and laughing most heartily..

Jan. 5-I saw all our boys, at ten o'clock last night, apparently asleep. This morning, not one was forthcoming. It appears that they had taken the advantage of the full moon, in order to join the Natives. I felt at a loss how to act; whether I should go immediately and bring them home; or wait till some adult Natives came, and tell them, that if they did not bring back my boys, they need not expect to receive any more favours from us. However, I rode over to the place where I supposed they had encamped the preceding night. I soon discovered, by small fires in different places, where they had been sleeping; but most of the Natives had gone away into the bush, and with them all my boys, except two, whom I saw lying on the ground near a fire. When they saw me, they trembled exceedingly: their countenances betrayed the greatest alarm. As soon as they had resumed sufficient courage to speak, one of them asked me, "Yahnagree Wellington ?" ("Shall we go to Wellington ?") I replied, " Yes: I am not angry with you; but you ought

to have told me that you wished to come here." I felt sorry that I did not arrive at this place earlier in the morning; as there had been a large number of wildNatives, who will not go near the dwelling of a White Person. I was exceedingly hurt at losing so many of our boys, who had begun to read short words, to count, and to say their prayers very well. One little boy, Andrew, about eight years of age, was particularly quick. In my visit to Munore, by giving his father a blanket, I succeeded in obtaining him for a season. I brought him a distance of ten or twelve miles on my mare; but being very ill, he was not able to ride any further on horseback, and was brought to Wellington on a dray. These are Missionary trials, which are far more severe than travelling through the bush under a burning sun, or sleeping in the open air covered only by a blanket. May we have grace and patience to roll this burden on the Lord, and to persevere, in His Name, till He shall be pleased to cause light to shine in this dark corner, and water-springs to be opened in this moral desert! I am thankful to hear that Towney, a Native Boy, who was with us a short time ago, is sometimes observed going about clapping his hands, saying, Two ones are two; two twos are four," &c.

Jan. 6: Sunday-This morning the wife of a neighbouring Overseer, who constantly attends our Church, was taken ill during the Service, and is under the necessity of remaining here. Preached this morning, from the words, The world passeth away, and the lust thereof, &c. Felt it a very solemn season. May we be enabled to live above the world!

Jan. 7-Goongeen, a Native Young Man, returned this morning, apparently ashamed of having been absent for the space of a week, without leave. We would hope that he has an attachment either to this place or to us, as he has been with us ever since the second week after our arrival.

Jan. 8-The Natives in this immediate neighbourhood have been under arms (if I may use the phrase) during the last three or four days, expecting an attack from the Narrogaul tribe, fourteen miles east of this place. Sentinels have been stationed, at certain distances, all the way from Wellington to Goboleon, four miles; and some have been sitting near our house all the day, with their eyes directed toward the road by which they expect their enemy will come. Many mes

sengers have been passing to and fro during the last week.

Jan. 9,1833-All the Natives are gone westward into the bush. Several Native Females came up to day with their children, all of them in a wretched condition, from filth and disease.

Jan. 10-Barthary, a Wellington Native, came from Narrogaul. I asked him if they were going to fight. He said, "No: he told the Narrogaul Blackfellows that Parson would not have any fighting at Wellington, and so they threw all anger away." I have invariably endeavoured to impress on the minds of Natives from the various tribes, that this is neutral ground; that there must be no fighting here; but all must here meet together as brethren. Barthary told the females that "plenty of wheat sit down at Narrogaul;" and away they all hasted. It very shortly afterward appeared that two of our boys (the same I fetched back the other day) had also gone.

Jan. 20: Sunday A large congregation at Church to-day. We have got another Native Girl, named Murrahmil, about ten years of age.

Jan. 28-Mr. Richards, the Surveyor, came up yesterday. We felt happy this morning in having it in our power to accommodate him with a few articles of food, while surveying in the neighbourhood.

Feb. 3: Sunday -A large congregation at Church to-day: several adult Natives present.

Feb. 5.-Several Natives came up to day. After I had been speaking to them a long time on the subject of Religion, one of them said, By-and-bye, I will come and sit down with you, and then you tell me more of these things." The girls have been reading and sewing, as usual: Mrs. Watson says that they improve very much.

Feb. 9-Several Natives from Munore and Mudgee came up to-day; but, alas! like all their brethren, they are altogether willingly ignorant of God, and of their own immortality. Surely there must be some, from among these Natives, destined to swell the triumph of Immanuel's Cross; but when, and by whom they shall be gathered, He only knows. Oh that the time were now come! It is heart-rending to hear them reply to our reproofs and instructions, "Well, never mind now!" We feel the difference between the climate of England and that here. Thermometer 96o in my study, at ten o'clock to-night.

Feb. 10 Sunday-I could not prevail on any of the Natives, except Narrang Jackey, to attend Church to-day.

Feb. 11-Prevailed with the Natives to work a short time to-day; and was much pleased with the attention they seemed to pay to me while speaking to them on religious subjects. Thermometer 106° in the shade.

Feb. 13-About fifty Natives, principally from Mudgee, fifty miles distant, came up to-day. Their King, Billy Tall Boy, is a very intelligent-looking Native. He, and some of his tribe, paid great attention to what I said respecting God, &c., and seemed to feel interested in it. I asked them what kind of a creature Buggeen (the devil) was. They replied, that they had seen him in the bush, and that he was about the size of a child. I gave to each of them a small quantity of wheat, and to most of them a pipe and some tobacco, with which they seemed to be much pleased: they immediately ground their wheat, and made cakes. This evening, they had all gone to the side of the river opposite our house, when three young Natives came up and inquired for them. One of them swore at his dog, at the same time mentioning the name of God. I immediately asked him where God was. He seemed not to apprehend my meaning. I again asked him, as he had named the name of God, where God was. One of his companions immediately replied, "No good swear, no good swear;" and then went away to their friends.

Feb. 14-All the Natives went away this morning, although I had promised to slaughter a sheep for them. Their King attended Family Worship last evening and this morning.

Feb. 17 Sunday - Bobby, King of Wellington, and several other adult Natives, came to Church to-day. They conducted themselves, during Divine Service, much better than might have been expected.

Feb. 18-Succeeded in getting some of the Natives to work to-day; after which I gave them some wheat, and they went away.

Feb. 20- Several Munore Natives came up this evening.

Feb. 21-Some of the Natives worked to-day. Towney, a Native Boy, was brought in, having been severely injured by a bullock.

Feb. 22 Eight Natives came up, among whom were the young men, Neddy

and Bobby, who have been much with us here: Bobby is a notoriously bad fellow. They worked a short time; received some wheat, which they immediately ground, and made into a cake and ate. They then went away, except Neddy and Bobby, who came in and said prayers with the children.

Feb. 24, 1833: Sunday - Preached this morning from Acts v. last verse.

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Feb. 25 Several Natives here today. When I was conversing with them on the subject of Religion, two of them said, Black-fellows in bush always laugh when we tell them about God; and we say, Don't you laugh: Parson don't laugh when he talk that way." It is some little encouragement to us to have reason to believe that they do not always forget what they have heard. It may be, that the Lord will be pleased to overrule their vagrant habits to His own glory, by making those who frequent this place the instruments of communicating to others at a distance what they have heard here, respecting Him. A young man, a Native, Booby by name, came from Berjere, 40 miles distant, for medical assistance. Both the Natives, and others who have seen him, say he is very likely to die. A short time ago he went into the bush, alone, to die; but finding that he did not die so soon as he had anticipated, he returned to mingle with his brethren, some of whom advised him to come here, which, with very great pain and difficulty, he has done.

Feb. 26-Several Natives here today.

Was much pleased with the attention which they appeared to give to what I said to them respecting eternal things. Booby, the sick youth, was very attentive. May it please the Almighty to teach him by His Spirit, and to raise him up to be a monument of His mercy and grace! We have erected a small weather-boarded hut, and thatched it with reeds, for the reception of sick Natives; for we generally have some here, and their loathsome condition, and dirty habits, render them unfit to reside with decent persons.

March 2-Our men attempted to plow, but they broke the coulter immediately, owing to the ground being so dry and hard. We have had very little rain for a long time: our garden, and indeed vegetation in general, are almost parched up. Scarcely any food for the cattle.

March 3: Sunday-A large congregation at Church. Two young Natives,

instead of coming to Church, went over to a Station in the neighbourhood.

March 4-Attempted again to plow; but broke the other coulter, and therefore gave up the idea till it shall please the Almighty to favour us with rain. The two young men who went over to the Station returned this morning. I spoke to them on the evil of wandering about on Sunday, and of the reasons why the Great God had commanded us to rest, and to worship Him on that day; but they would not acknowledge that Black-fellow walking about was the same as Whitefellow working. Had a pleasing conversation this evening with Booby, the sick youth, who is very willing to be instructed in the things of God: he is exceedingly ill. I have to attend him many times a day, to dress his wounds, &c., no Native being willing to do any thing for him.

March 5-Rode in the bush about thirty miles, in a direction we had not before been; but did not see more than nine Natives during the day.

March 9-Eight or nine adult Natives have been here for several days, doing a little at felling trees, &c. I find that I obtain more of the language when working with them, than when sitting down; as, when they speak to each other, I ask the meaning of the words spoken, and immediately write it down. I frequently endeavour to lead their minds to God and religious subjects, but generally, I fear, without much effect: sometimes they are attentive, and will ask a few questions; at other times they are altogether indifferent. This evening, a young man, Tommy, who has been much about here, said, "I am going." I asked him, where. He mentioned the Station, about three miles distant. I told him that the day following was Sunday, and that he ought to come to Church. He replied, that he did not care. I said he would care when he died. Oh," said he, I am a young man: good long time before I die." I referred him to a very stout Native who died suddenly a short time ago. He went away unconcerned. Such indifference to spiritual things is extremely painful; but I have often witnessed as much in my own country.

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March 10: Sunday - Preached from John xv. 22. I hope the Lord enabled me to press home on the consciences of my hearers their aggravated guilt, if, after possessing so much knowledge of the Way of Salvation, they should be found

without an interest in Christ. Only one young man, a Native, at Church in the morning however, I prevailed upon six or eight to attend in the afternoon. One of the Natives, whom I lately reproved for going away on Sunday, said to me, "What for you walk about on Sundays?" I had been only a few yards, in order to speak with the Natives: this, however, shows, that though they will not follow advice, they remember it.

March 13,1833-Several Natives have been cutting bark for us the last three days, to cover a hut for our men. A large number from Munore came up today; about a dozen of them in a sad condition; some of them literally covered with wounds and corruption from head to foot (the effects of vices introduced by Europeans), and not one willing to assist another. I have washed and dressed their wounds myself. No one, who has not beheld these poor creatures, can form any adequate idea of such employment; but I am thankful that God gives me ability and a disposition to do it.

Mar. 14-Passed through several Stations. Saw not more than a dozen Natives, during a ride of about forty miles. They dare not come to Wellington, the respective tribes being at variance. At six o'clock, arrived at Molong, a Station belonging to the Rev. 8.Marsden: had Family Worship, and was hospitably entertained by the Overseer.

Mar. 15-On my way home I met several Natives, who seemed pleased to see me; but, like the rest, they are afraid to go to Wellington. I was much pleased with the conversation of an old man, at a Station where I rested for a short time. He appeared to be thankful for some Tracts and a Testament, which I sent him a short time before: such characters are very rare in this part of the world.

Mar. 16-Rode eastward, into the bush. Saw about twenty Natives; and conversed with them, according to my ability, in their own language. Some of them seemed pleased to hear me, and said that they believed I was a Blackfellow once*. Found them ignorant of the existence of God, but willing to listen. On my return, I met Barthary going to look out for some Natives of another tribe, to fight the tribe of the one whom he wounded near Wellington a short time

* Meaning, probably, to express their surprise at his kindness and sympathy toward them, so un. al in a White Man.- Ed.,

ago.

Thus animosities are raised, which

will, probably, exist for years. I am happy to find that Mrs. Watson has attended to my sick patients during my absence for three or four days, administering to them medicines, dressing some of their wounds, &c. A short time ago, the very witnessing of such scenes would have been very afflicting to her; but now the Lord has enabled her to attend to these poor wretched creatures in the most humiliating point of view. Some of our young Natives had been cutting each other's hair to-day. Mrs. Watson asked Booby, the sick youth, why his hair had not been cut. He said, “Cut it to-morrow. No, not to-morrow, I believe; another day: to-morrow Sunday." It was pleasing to find that he remembered the Lord's Day, and felt that it was wrong to have his hair cut on that sacred day.

Mar. 18-Some of the sick Natives have gone away three, Wallahmin, Ivey, and Booby, still remain here. As they cannot attend Family Worship, I have thought it to be my duty to teach them in the open air; and, although at first they appeared reluctant, they afterward assumed courage, and repeated prayers after me with apparent solemnity. We have received another girl into our family: she is an orphan, of about eight or nine years of age. Her father died a short time ago in the bush, and no one was with him but this motherless child. She looked out a piece of bark, put him into it, and then covered him over with leaves and earth.

Mar. 20-Our sick Natives came in to Family Worship this morning, of their own accord. Through Divine mercy, they are much recovered. Five or six Natives from Cobra came up to-day: Goongeen, one of our young Natives, who went away on the 1st instant, came with them. As he went away without saying any thing to us, and had been in the bush nearly three weeks, I thought, during his absence, that if he should return I would look shyly upon him; but as soon as I heard his voice, my relentings were kindled within me, and my feelings were like those of a parent on hearing the voice of a long-lost son. I spoke very seriously to him this afternoon, respecting God, Christ, and heaven; and told him that he knew these things better than the poor Natives in the bush, and therefore it would be much worse for him than for them, after death, if he did not attend to