Transcription

155

carriage guides smoothly on the even iron way! The stupid vanquished White Aborigine, "Unfit to be a Slave, and incapable of being taught! -- How sits she now! -- A Glorious Queen, amongst the nations of the earth, nor plunders humbler Queens to enhance reception for Priests of Blood! The pale faced Haggard, the brutal Savage, who revelled in delight whilst tortured human victims were writhing in the flames, and without female modesty danced naked at the midnight fires! What delights thee now? Promulgating from pole to pole "Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace, good will towards men," "Liberty to the Captive," the Sons of Africa are free! and whilst exulting in her Christian peaceful triumphs over Pagan bloody rites, she diffuses widely heavenly knowledge to the uttermost parts of the [indecipherable]! But Oh thou anointed Cherub, set upon the mountain of God, in the midst of the Seas! "Look to the Rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged," and in these Aborigines, of anothet color, view thy former savage image. In prostrate, proud, imperial Rom, humbled to the very dust, behold a warning, and avert by Righteousness that Fate!
It may not be improper to state for the information of His Excellency the Governor in this early stage of His Excellency's administration the various employments which have occupied fourteen years of missionary service in this Colony at Lake Macquarie on behalf of the Aborigines.
During my residence in New South Wales, I have sustained a threefold office arising out of my employment as a Missionary, in which I have endeavoured "to exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men," whether mine own Countrymen, or the Aborigines, whenever duty has called for an interference on my part.
1st. As PROTECTOR, -- To which circumstances called me, ever since 1825
2nd. As INTERPRETER, -- In many cases which unhappily occurred  at the Supreme Court, when several were transported and others hanged
3rd. As EVANGELIST. -- In making known the Gospel to the Aborigines in their own language, &c. imperceptibly, amongst them. The answers given by M'gill, the Aborigine, to His Honor Judge Burton on the Bench, in an examination on the nature of an Oath, Truth, God, and Divine Punishment, &c. which led to the inquiry if I had baptised him, evince that his thoughts had been employed on the subject, and that he was not answering as a mere parrot. His general conduct is to be deplored  with regard to drunkenness, and his consciousness of it as an evil, led him to acknowledge to a lady that he feared he should go to hell when he died, in consequence of his habitual intemperance. Thus manifesting with many Europeans the necessity of receiving the Gospel in the truth and love thereof, conforming thereto in order that they may become "Temperate in all things," that they may be enabled "To use this world as not abusing it," "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."
The following subjects have also occupied my attention in the Aboriginal Language :--
1. Specimens of the Language.                )   Printed. Copies expended.
2. An Australian Grammar.                        )

3.The Gospel of Luke.                                                                   )
4. The Gospel of Mark.                                                                  )    In Manuscript
5. The Gospel of Matthew to the 5th Chapter                                )
 6. A Selection of Prayers.                                                              )
7. A Selection of Reading Lessons from the Old Testament.         )

8. An Australian Spelling Book                          In Print.

Besides laboring with my hands for and with the natives in various occupations for their benefit, whenever necessity required.
Unexpected occurrences, including sickness and death, have impeded my itinerating operations this year. It is hoped that the ensuing one will afford more favorable opportunities of extending them to Port Stevens, such being the only available means of communication with the Aborigines in these districts.
Many circumstances gave arisen in the past twelve months connected with the Aborigines, which have in various modes been brought officially before His Excellency, superceding the necessity of introducing them in this report.
Supplicating the Devine favor on our most gracious Majesty the Queen, and on all who are in authority in this and every other part of Her Majesty's Dominions, and that His Excellency the Governor may be guided and directed by heavenly wisdom so to govern. "That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and Honesty."

I have the honor to remain,
Sir,
Your most obedient and humble Servant,

LANCELOT EDWARD THRELKELD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Status: 
Ready for review