Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1835. CHRISTMAS — SERVICE — SINCING. 589 English community had assembled. Instead of performing the whole service first in one language, and afterwards in the other, as at Otaheite, the two entire services were mixed, and the whole extended to such a length that had even the most elo- quent divine occupied the pulpit, his hearers could scarcely have helped feeling fatigued. Mr. Baker appeared to be more fluent in the language of New Zealand, than in his own, a fortunate circumstance for the natives, though not for the Eng- lish who attend his church. In the mere glimpse which I had of the missionary body at New Zealand, it appeared to me that they rather undervalued their white congregations. They say, " We are sent to the heathen, it is to their improvement that every effort should be directed.'" "This is true,'" may be replied ; " but does not the example of respectable settlers, or visitors, assist the influence of missionaries.?'" Would not the natives take notice if foreigners whom they see in the land refused, generally speaking, to conform in their habits and con- duct, to the principles so earnestly insisted upon by the mis- sionaries.? But unless Divine service is performed in a man- ner which will, at the very least, increase respect for it, and give rise to no feelings of slight towards those who, from the nature of their highly responsible ofiice, are expected to per- form it tolerably well — it does not seem likely that such as are only sojourners in the land, will be seen at the church as often as might be desirable ; thus a part of their example, so bene- ficial to the great cause, will perhaps be lost. A very correct musical ear seems to be as general among the people here, as among those of Otaheite. The responses of thirty natives, women and men, were made so simultaneously, and so perfectly in harmony, that I could no more distinguish the diff'erent voices, than I could those of a number of good cho- risters singing together. Their singing was equally melodious, yet neither I nor others were disposed to think it equal to that of Otaheite. 26th. Disputes between masters of whale ships and their crews, and between both these classes and the New Zealanders, obliged me to meddle, though very reluctantly, in their affairs .