Samuel Ironside Diaries- 8 Oct 1843
Last Modified: 27-9-2023 19:35
8 (Oct 1843) late last night I arrived at home & this the great Providence of God found my dear wife as well when I left & of course being very thankful because God had preserved me & brought me home in place. We arrived at MOTUEKA on the fourth day of our leaving home after a quick passage, & once or twice were exposed to danger but the Lord was with us On Sunday 25th September I baptized 37 adults besides children & was on the whole pleased with the natives there. But they will need much grace & must be very watchful lest they should be led out of the right path there the influence of Europeans. Generally speaking the coming of English people is not attended with spiritual good to the natives, however it may better their temporald . On arriving at Nelson, I waited on Mr. REAY, the church minister who has been left there by the Bishop. He appears pious & wishes to be useful. Our conversation was long & touched on some subjects on which we could not exactly agree. He is very anxious for the union with the Church & the Wesleyans, but I doubt whether the heads of his church would make any sacrifice or not to gain that object. The Wesleyans would have to give up much, such as our love feasts, class meetings, etc, But would the Bishop on the other hand be willing to allow that our Presbyterian ordination was valid? I frown not. And yet I think few of us would be disposed to seek re-ordination in order to increase the ministerial function in the church. It is certainly desirable that there should be few divisions in the Church, but I do not think that the concessions in order to union should be all on one side. Notwithstanding this our difference of opinion, our conversation was friendly & agreeable - My feelings on the Sabbath (Oct 8th) were peculiar. It was my spiritual birthday, on the second of October 1831 God was pleased to convert my soul & make me his happy child. After a faithful sermon from Brother TIMOTHY HAYWOOD, I stayed (for) the prayer meeting , & along with five or six others went to the persistent form & whilst kneeling before God & confessing my sins to him with sorrow of heart, & endeavouring to exercise faith in the atonement, Jesus made himself known to my weeping soul & all my sin was gone. But I have been very unfaithful since then. Thou, O Lord, knowest. Had I gone on as I began I could now have been able to tell a different tale then what I am compelled to tell. Oh the wandering of mind! Oh the trifling disposition! Oh the neglect of closest duties! Merciful God, why am I spared but because thou art rich in mercy! And yet I thank God I am still walking his way. I still seek his glory. I still delight in his favour more than all the treasures of the world. I think I can appeal to the great Searcher of Hearts "Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love the". I preached four times this Sabbath, once to the natives, twice in the open air to Europeans, & in the evening in private house to a crowded company. I felt very tired at nigh but very happy. On Tuesday we started for home arrived at the PELORUS RIVER on Wednesday night, On Thursday we had a baptismal service, between thirty & forty who had been long on trial were introduced into the Church militant by baptism. We likewise opened the large beautiful chapel here, erected by the natives without any expense to the Society. Yesterday, Friday, we were graciously preserved in our return from the journey & though I have been three weeks away, yet God has graciously & mercifully dealt both with me & my dearest Sarah & we are brought to see each other again. Lord help us to be thankful!
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Samuel Ironside Diaries- 8 Oct 1843. (2023) Retrieved April, 29, 2024, from https://www.marlboroughonline.co.nz/marlborough/information/history/samuel-ironside-diaries-mission-in-the-south-island/samuel-ironside-i-57