iii. Jan-March 1833
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Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.1.
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MS page no: 2-101
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[Note] Rec. May 8/34 [55]
[1 January 1833]
Jany 1st 1833. Through the goodness and mercy of God we have been brought to see the commencement of another year. Many were the vicissitudes through which we were brought during the last. More than once we narrowly escaped a watery grave. We are now in a situation which for many years it has been my most ardent desire to occupy, that is being engaged as an Ambassador for the Saviour to those who are altogether unacquainted with the covenant of grace. May the Lord enable me to make full proof of my ministry to do the work of an evangelist, and to be in some measure (weak and feeble as my efforts will most assuredly be) instrumental in gathering into the fold some of these heathen sheep for whom the great and good shepherd offered his soul 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.
[4 January 1833]
Friday 4th. About 40 Natives came up this morning, principally from Munore 50 miles west of Wellington. While speaking to them on the subject of God, the immortality of the soul &c one of them said that he believed it 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. Several of the females were in a most deplorable state with the venereal, but I could not persuade any of them to remain with us for the purpose of taking medicine. They were all highly pleased with some pictures which I showed them.
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.2.
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MS page no: 2-102
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[5 January 1833]
Saturday 5th. I saw all our boys at 10 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 wild Natives. I felt at a loss how to act, whether I should go immediately and bring them home, or wait till some adult Natives should come and tell them that if they did not bring back my boys they need not expect to receive any favour from us. However, I rode over to the where I supposed they had encamp'd the preceding night. I soon discover'd 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 laid on the ground near to 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 had not arrived at this place earlier in the morning, as there had been a large number of wild Natives 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 8 years of age, was particularly quick. In my visit to Munore I found him very ill with the disease, and by giving his father a blanket I succeeded in obtaining him for a season. I brought him
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-103
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a distance of 10 or 12 miles on my mare, but being so very ill he was not able to ride any further on horseback but was brought (to Wellington) on a dray. These are missionary trials, and far more severe are they than travelling trough the bush under a burning sun or sleeping in the open air cover'd 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 and saying two ones are two, two twos are four &c.
[6 January 1833]
Sunday 6th. 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 of St John, "The world passeth away and the lust thereof ["] &c.[56] Felt it a very solemn Season. May we be enabled to live above the world.
[7 January 1833]
Monday 7th. 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 since the second week after our arrival.
[8 January 1833]
Tuesday 8th. The Natives in this immediate neighbourhood have been under arms (if I may use the phrase) during the last 3 or 4 days, expecting an attack from the Narrogaul tribe 14 miles east of this place. Sentinels have been stationed
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.4.
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at certain distances all the way between Wellington and Goboleon (4 miles) and some have been sitting near to our house all the day with their eyes directed toward the road which they expect their enemy will come. Many messengers have been passing to and from during the last week.
[9 January 1833]
Wednesday 9th. All the Natives have gone westward into the bush. Several female Natives came up today with their children, all of them in a wretched condition with dirt, filth and disease.
[10 January 1833]
Thursday 10th. Barthary (a Wellington Native) came from Narrogaul. I asked him if they were going to fight. He said no, he told the Narrogaul Black fellow 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 the Natives from the various tribes that this is neutral ground, that there shall be no fighting here, but all shall meet together here as brethren. Barthary told the females that "plenty of wheat sit down at Narrogaul" and away they all hastened. And very shortly afterwards it appeared that two of our boys (the same which I fetched back the other day) had also gone.
[20 January 1833]
Sunday 20th. A large congregation at church today. We have got another Native girl named Murrahmil about 10 years of age. She is yeener to Geordie the King's brother. She has the disease and says she got it from a white stockman with whom she been living.
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.5.
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MS page no: 2-105
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[28 January 1833]
Monday 28th. 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.
[30 January 1833]
Wednesday 30th. The overseer's wife mentioned under date of the 6th instant has so far recovered as to be removed home today.
[1 February 1833]
Friday Feb'y 1st. Mr Richard's, the surveyor, has gone, and I imagine that Goongeen has accompanied him, for we have not seen him since the morning. Narrang Jackey, who left his young yeener Warrahbin with us a short time ago, came up last week, and as she is now well he wished her to go with him (he said) into the bush. She refused and though we desired her to go as she belonged to him, she seemed determined to remain with us. It appears, however, that Jackey did not want to take her into the bush, but to leave her with a man who holds a ticket of leave and whom his master has thought proper to fix within a mile and just opposite to our house. This person is the one whom I mentioned in my last as having too much reason to believe that he has murdered a child which a Native female who was living with him had borne to him. This man enraged at not obtaining Warrahbin persuaded Jackey to circulate the report that he (Jackey) was going to engage a number of wild Natives to lie in ambush and to murder me whenever I should go to look out Natives in the bush.
People in WellPro Directory: Kelley (or Kelly?), P. | Richards, James Byrn
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.6.
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MS page no: 2-106
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[3 February 1833]
Sunday 3rd Feby. A large congregation at church today. Several adult Natives present.
[5 February 1833]
Tuesday 5th. Several Natives came up today. After I had been speaking to them a long time on the subject of religion &c one of them said by and by "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 W says that they improve very much.
[9 February 1833]
Saturday 9th. Several Natives from Munori and Mudgee came up today but alas, like all their brethren they are altogether willingly ignorant of God and of their 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. O 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 of here. Thermometer 96 in my study at 10 O'Clock tonight.
[10 February 1833]
Sunday 10th. I could not prevail on any of the Natives except Narrang Jackey to attend church today.
[11 February 1833]
Monday 11th. Prevailed with the Natives to work a short time today, and was much pleased with the attention they seemed to pay to me while speaking to them on religious subjects. Thermom. 106 in the shade.
[13 February 1833]
Wednesday 13th. About 50 Natives, principally from Mudgee (50 miles distant) came up today. Their King, Billy Tall Boy, is a very intelligent looking Native. He and some of his tribe paid
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.7.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-107
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great attention to what I said respecting God &c and seemed to be interested in it. I asked them what kind of creature Buggeen was (that is the Devil). 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 seem'd 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 to our house, when 3 young Natives came up and enquired 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. One of his companions immediately replied, no good swear, no good swear, and then went away to their friends.
[14 February 1833]
Thursday 14th. 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. Warrahbin again refused to go with Jackey at which he was not a little displeased, but he saw that it was not our desire to keep her without his consent.
[17 February 1833]
Sunday 17th. Bobby, King of Wellington, and several other adult Natives came to church today. They conduct[ed] themselves during Divine service much better than might be expected.
[18 February 1833]
Monday 18th. Succeeded in getting some of the Natives to work today after which I gave them some wheat and they went away. A Native female who has been living a long time with
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.8.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-108
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a white man, came up last evening. She said that she would remain with us, as she is very near her confinement, and as I had too much reason to believe the little infant would be murdered I used all means in my power to persuade her to do so, but today she has gone off. Her husband, Barthary, came this evening and begged very much for me to give him a pipe. I asked him how he could expect me to give him a pipe when he was in the habit of lending his yeener to white men, the only answer he could make was the common one, namely that "white fellow always ask you lend me yeener, you lend me yeener".
[20 February 1833]
Wednesday 20th. Several Munore Natives came up today.
[21 February 1833]
Thursday 21st. Some of the Natives worked today, among whom were young men Neddy and Bobby who have been much with us here. The latter is a notoriously bad fellow. He is always diseased when he comes. They worked a short time, received some wheat which they immediately ground, made into a cake and eat [sic] it and then went away, except Neddy and Bobby who came in and said prayers with the children.
[24 February 1833]
Sunday 24th. Preached this morning from the 5 Ch. Acts, last verse. They departed from the council &c. Towney recovered and gone away.
[25 February 1833]
Monday 25th. 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
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.9.
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MS page no: 2-109
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to believe that they do not always forget what they have heard here. 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 respecting Him. A young man (a Native), Booby by name, came up today from Berjere (40 miles distant) for medical assistance. He has a hole in his forehead, deep even to the bone, as well as ulcers in other parts from the venereal. 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.
[28 February 1833]
Tuesday 26th. 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 such Natives as are sick, for we generally have some here, and their loathsome condition and dirty habits render them unfit to reside with decent persons.
[27 February 1833]
Wednesday 27th. Had occasion to reprove Neddy and Bobby for wanting to have connexion with our Native girls. How painful such a circumstance must be to our minds will be easily conceived by true X'ns, and how naturally such a circumstance is likely to occur will readily appear to all who know that Native females are brought up in prostitution almost from their infancy. I spoke very seriously to the girls on the subject of God's seeing them, and I would hope that they seemed ashamed of their conduct.
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.10.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-110
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[2 March 1833]
Saturday March 2nd. Our men attempted to plow [sic], but broke the coulter[57] 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 is almost parched up. Scarcely any food for the cattle.
[3 March 1833]
Sunday 3rd. A large congregation at church today. Two young Natives, instead of coming to church, went over to a station in the neighbourhood.
[4 March 1833]
Monday 4th. Attempted again to plow, broke the other coulter and so 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 white fellow working. Had a pleasing conversation this evening with Booley (the sick youth). He 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 anything for him. This may arise from their extreme indolence, or from his not belonging to Wellington.
[5 March 1833]
Tuesday 5th. Rode into the bush about 30 miles today in a direction which we had not before been, but did not see more than 9 Natives during the day. Found Lady Grey (a Native girl of about 8 years, mentioned in my last quarter's diary as being here) with her father and mother at a white man's hut. I had often heard that this child was living with him as his wife and neither the girl nor her parents denied it. The man was not at home. Found other two females (Native) who are living with two white men
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.11.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-111
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I endeavoured to speak to them on the subject of their souls &c, but found them as ignorant and as depraved as their companions in iniquity could desire.
[9 March 1833]
Saturday 9th. Eight or nine adult Natives have been here for several days generally 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, 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 (Thommy) who has been much here, said "I am going". I asked where. He mentioned the station (about 3 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. O said he, "I am a young man, good long time before I die." I referred him to a very stout Native who had 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.
[10 March 1833]
Sunday 10th. Preached from John 15.22.[58] 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. May God enable me to feel and practice what I preach to others. Only one young man (Native) at church in the morning, the others said "too much yeener sit down there". However, I prevailed on 6 or 8 to attend in the afternoon. The young men and yeeners not being allow'd by their customs to come near to each other or to
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.12.
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MS page no: 2-112
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be in the same room is a source of considerable inconvenience to us. When Goongeen has been out with me and we happened to meet some yeeners he has always taken a circuitous rout. One of the Natives whom I lately reproved for going away on Sunday said to me today "what for you walk about on Sundays" and I had gone only a few yards in order to speak with them. This, however, shows that if they will not follow advice, that they remember it.
[13 March 1833] [59]
Wednesday 13 March. Several Natives have been cutting bark for us these 3 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 and not willing to assist another. I have had their wounds to wash [and] dress &c myself, and not 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. Bobby King of the Wellington Natives has long been complaining to me that P.K., a stockman (a mile from our house) had his yeener and would not give her up, that when he went for her that person abused and threatened him, challenging him out to fight and using other provoking measures. As Bobby had said the same to a gentleman who was in this neighbourhood a short time ago, I thought it my duty to go and desire the man to give up the yeener to Bobby. This he did, but with such awful imprecations and threatening to Bobby and all
People in WellPro Directory: Kelley (or Kelly?), P.
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.13.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-113
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the Natives around as horrified my mind and made me much afraid that Bobby would do the man some bodily injury. However, he did not resent it, but took his yeener and went up to our house in a quiet peaceable manner. The other yeeners and Native men were going away, being alarmed at the threats of the man. I told them if they thought proper they might remain there as the land did not belong to him or his master but to the Governor. This is the man whom I mentioned in my last quarters diary as being accused by the Natives of murdering an infant which this same yeener bore to him. Barthari and another Native fought this morning about two miles from here and then came up to have their wounds dressed.
[14 March 1833]
Thursday 14th. Passed through several stations today, but saw not more than a dozen Natives during a ride of about 40 miles. They dare not come to Wellington, the respective tribes being at variance. At 6 O'Clock arrived at Molong, a station belonging to the Rev S Marsden. Had family worship and was hospitably entertained by the overseer.
[15 March 1833]
Friday 15th. 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. 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 had sent him a short time before. Such characters are very rare in this part of the world.
People in WellPro Directory: Kelley (or Kelly?), P.
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.14.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-114
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[16 March 1833]
Saturday 16th. Rode Eastward into the bush, saw about 20 Natives and conversed with them according to my ability in their own language. Some of them seemed pleased to hear me and said they believed that I had been a Black fellow once. Found them ignorant of the existence of God but willing to listen. On my return I met Bathari going to look out some Natives of another tribe, to fight the tribe of the one whom he wounded near to Wellington a short time 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 3 or 4 days administering medicine to them, 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 those poor wretched creatures in the most humiliating point of view. Some of our young Natives had been cutting each others hair today, Mrs Watson asked Booley (the sick youth) why his had not been cut, he said "cut it tomorrow, no! Not tomorrow I believe, another day, tomorrow Sunday." It was pleasing to find that he remembered the Lord's day and that it was wrong to have his hair cut on that sacred day.
[18 March 1833]
Monday 18th. Some of the sick Natives have gone away. Three, Wallahmin, Joey and Booley, 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 afterwards assumed courage and repeated after me with apparent solemnity
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.15.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-115
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We have received another girl into our family, She is an orphan of about 8 or 9 years of age, her father died a short time ago in the bush when none were with her but 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. She was soon afterwards taken by a Native to be his yeener, but an Irish man succeeded in taking her from the Native and keeping her in a very improper manner. The master of that person, much to his credit, made him give her up to him and he immediately sent her to our house.
[20 March 1833]
Wednesday 20th. 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 today. Goongeen, one of our Natives (who went away with Mr Richards the Surveyor on the Instant), came with them. As he went away without saying anything to us, and had been in the bush nearly 3 weeks, I thought during his absence that if he should return I would look shyly at 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 and 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 after death than for them if he did not attend to them. He appeared serious and thoughtful. All the Natives came in to family worship and remained to say prayers with the children.
[21 March 1833]
Thursday 21st. The Cobra Natives went away this morning and Goongeen too, though I had been speaking to him of the evil of running about in the bush like those who don't know anything respecting God &c. In the afternoon I was a short distance
People in WellPro Directory: Richards, James Byrn
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.16.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-116
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off in the bush. Goongeen came up alone and sat down on an old tree that lay close by. I asked him where he was going. I don't remember what answer he made me, he seemed very pensive but he came home with me and says he shall continue here. It is pleasing to find that he has not forgotten his prayers by being absent. We have 9 under religious instruction and it is deeply affecting to observe with what solemnity they say prayers, grace and respond at church. These are pleasing circumstances amidst all our painful ones.
[23 March 1833]
Saturday 23rd. Much grieved today on having learnt that two Native females who were with us are living with a wicked stockman opposite to our house and about a mile off.
[24 March 1833]
Sunday 24th. Narrang Jackey (husband to Warrahbin, one of our girls) and some Native females came up to church today.
[25 March 1833]
Monday 25th. Commenced plowing today. Narrang Jackey has towering ideas of his greatness. This morning he said to Mrs Watson "you give me biscuit and I give all about to poor man Black fellow, but you give me bread, I be gentleman." This evening after family worship he remained to say prayers with the Natives but he would not kneel. Mrs Watson told him that he must kneel. He said "poor man kneel, not me". Mrs W said there is no difference between poor man and gentleman before God and in Heaven. He replied "very well that will do" and immediately knelt down. Was much grieved this day to learn that on the night than Geordie took Murrahmil (a young yeener belonging to him) away from here, he lent her about to many Natives, some of whom I know were wretchedly diseased, and that
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.17.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-117
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early the following morning she escaped from the camp and ran towards Wellington, Geordie running after her with a Bearah (club) and that she would have reached this place had not an old Native intercepted her path and by his spear driven her back again. Female prostitution is one of the horrors of heathenism, but no where practised to a more awful extent than among these Aborigines.
[26 March 1833]
Tuesday 26th. Several Natives came up today, among whom was Wesley, once a pupil of Mr Harper, a Wesleyan Missionary.[60] He appears to be as ignorant of God and Divine things as the rest of his brethren. I had a long conversation with him this evening. I asked whether after the opossum had been killed, it would live again. He answered no. I asked him the same question in reference to themselves, the answer was as before.
[27 March 1833]
Wednesday 27th. Several more Natives came up today. I spoke to them of many of their evil practices, especially of their lending yeeners all about, but they have no idea of moral evil as far as I have been able to ascertain. They worked for a short time at burning weeds &c.
[28 March 1833]
Thursday 28th. Narrang Jackey went away this morning, having secretly disposed of Warrahbin to another Native for a season. As she had not taken breakfast, and we having learnt the above circumstance, Mrs Watson would not give it to her which was the means of detaining her, and so the Natives went away without her. On my asking Booley (the sick youth) if he understood any words spoken during family worship, he replied, yes a few. He seemed pleased when I told him that by and by he would understand more.
People in WellPro Directory: Harper, John | Watson, Mrs
Journal 3: January-March 1833, p.18.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/14
MS page no: 2-118
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[31 March 1833]
Sunday 31st March. The last day of our second quarter's labour among these benighted souls. Many have been our difficulties of a moral nature, but great have been the mercies vouchsafed towards us by our covenant God and Saviour. We have no conversions to record, but we do hope and trust that our labours have not been altogether in vain (feeble as they have been). Many of these heathen have heard truths connected with their eternal destiny, of which they never before heard. The evil of their conduct has been pointed out to them, in many respects in which they have been rendered much worse by their intercourse with Europeans, but how far these admonitions and instructions have been made beneficial, or whether they have derived any benefit from them, is known only to him who searcheth all hearts and knoweth what are the motions of every mind. Every days experience confirms the truth of our Lord's declaration "Without me ye can do nothing". O may it please him to smile upon and bless our feeble efforts to his own glory.
[signed] William Watson