OF THE REV. JOHN HEWGILL BUMBY, WHO WAS DROWNED IN THE RIVER THAMES, PUBLISHED BY J. MASON, 14, CITY-ROAD ; 210. i. MM. PREFACE. No sooner had the tidings of the lamented death of the subject of these pages reached this country, than a desire was expressed by many of his friends to possess some permanent memorial of his devoted zeal and characteristic excellencies. Many obstacles, however, interposed at that time to hinder the attainment of this object, which it would be tedious and improper here to particularise, and the design seemed to sleep; but about a year ago the author being favoured by two or three circumstances of advantage in the way of writing a brief narrative of our departed friend's life and labours, he gathered such papers as were available, and the results are now before the reader. Very cordial and respectful thanks are due to the Rev. Dr. Beecham, Senior Missionary Secretary, and late President of the Conference, for his kindness in affording access to all needful documents in the Mission-House, as also for other information obligingly rendered; to the Rev. Elijah Hoole, his colleague in the Secre taryship, likewise, for similar aid, hardly less important and valuable; and to those respected friends who have transmitted letters. Although the interest of the personal narrative may have lost something by delay; yet as the writer has been enabled, now a dozen years have elapsed, to trace to a very successful issue that great work in which the deceased lost his life; it is hoped that every Christian reader will find, in contemplating the triumphs of the Gospel among the aboriginal races of New-Zealand, a deep and sacred delight, which will be more than a countervail for this disadvantage; and so an apparent error may, by the God of grace, be overruled for good. MANCHESTER, December 27th, 1851. A. B. |