iv. 1839

Report 4: 1839, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/30
MS page no: 2-382
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[note] Recd Sept. 4/40

Report of the Aboriginal Mission Wellington Valley
for 1839.

During the past year six children have been added to the mission family as permanent residents. Of these four were pure aborigines, and two half cast. The father of one of these aborigines was brought in February borne on the shoulders of four Aboriginal youths, apparently in a dying state to Mr Watson for medical aid, on his recovery he with his wife the child's mother, freely gave up the child to the mission. Several boys previously unconnected with the mission have been under instruction, who though not residing in the house have been supported by the mission and have attended Divine worship. Several of the Adult female natives have been more in the mission house and have rendered themselves more useful than formerly. Some boys who were under instruction, were compelled by the elderly natives, to go into the Bush, to be made young men; but they all returned in a few weeks. On this occasion a boy who had formerly been under the care of Mr Watson, but who had been decoyed away,

Report 4: 1839, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/30
MS page no: 2-383
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came to him requesting to be concealed from the elderly natives, and stating that he did not wish to be made a young man; however under all the circumstances of the case it was not thought prudent to accede to his request.
In the month of July an aboriginal native girl, of about fifteen years of age, and who had been on the mission for nearly six years died of the Influenza. At her own most earnest request she had been baptized, and previous to her death in the presence of respectable witnesses testified that she had not in vain been instructed in the truths of Christianity. She expressed herself as being happy in Jesus Christ and as professing an assurance that she was going to heaven.[2] As an evidence that the religious instructions imparted to the Children are not forgotten the following instance among many that might be adduced may be recorded. On going to church one Sunday, one of the children on seeing her mother, who had lately come from the Bush breaking wood for her fire immediately of her own accord called out, "Don't break wood today Mother, it is Sunday."

Report 4: 1839, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/30
MS page no: 2-384
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The young men have continued to make themselves generally useful, and to improve in reading and in the attainment of religious knowledge. Several can read the Holy Scriptures with tolerable fluency and are very partial to reading. Several journies have been taken into the Bush and from forty to fifty natives have occasionally visited the mission during the year.

Signed
William Watson
James Gunther
William Porter.

Report 4: 1839, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/30
MS page no: 2-385
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85

1839
Report of the New Holland
Mission for 1839, by Rev. Messes
Watson & Gunther & Mr Porter.