ZEALANDIA'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 9

ZEALANDIA'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.

"KIXETT TEARS AGO. On (_r -tmas Day. 1814, at Rangihona. Bay of Islands, the Rev. Samuel Marsden held the first Christian service in. >*ew Zealand. He was brought from Sydney in the brig Active, by the chiefs Ruatara, Hongi. and Korokoro. On Christmas morning, these three chiefs, dressed in regimentals, given them by Governor Macquarie, marshalled their tatooed warriors and the rest of the tribes to attend divine service, near Ruatara's pa. over which the British flag was flying. The pulpit was a piece of an old canoe, and other canoes served as seats for the European's. The ' | Mantis sat on the ground. It is proposed I "' shortly to erect a large cross to mark the spot. Gone are the olden gods. Rangi and Maui; Gone is the rata tree, near the blue wave: But the s"ite is still shown where the flag was once flying, And the warriors first listened to Marsden the brave. ! j Gone are the ninety long years that have ; passed her. . 1 Still Ss Zealandia but reaching her I prime r ' How strange it all seems — the eld ship's ! bell ringing, i To call them to service that first Christinas time. * Purlingly lap the blue wavelets around It. ' -So peacefully washing the low. shingled bay: Close t_> the shore lies the level, green r pasture. Where ran? the "glad tidings" that first [ Christmas Day. ; Just where the mariner seeks it or leaves' it, ' Fond hands will soon raise a monument brave, i i Telling to all men. that they may receive ' it, That here first the Gospel was preached that "can save." -White it shall shine when the morning ; sun glistens. And golden its glow ia the light of the ' West; i Ever "twill beckon the mariner onward. Calling the wanderer to Havens of Rest. p Weary worn, the watching sailor. In his vessel homeward bouud - Re-rrentty with joy will' greet it Steering slowly through the sound. _ Last, when outward bound, he saw It As he hastened on his way; 5 And the sacred sign retreat _g Gave him benison that day. _ Shining in the morning glory, Silently it shall appeal; Round it lingering beams of sunset i lake an angelas shall steal. s And the white and holy emblem On the shore 6hall ever stand. To the wayfarer proclaiming That the spot is "Holj Land." ; Gone the warrior Rangitiras O'er Relnga's Spirit Leap; They have long ago passed onward To the darkened land of sleep. _ t With tha name of Samuel Marsden » History writes the names of Tares, 3_i The chiefs ~to wham ZeilapOlA L _____ fagg ___J_t»Btt& —_t____ U_s_.,