FIRST SERVICE IN N.Z. RE-ENACTED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30633, 26 December 1964, Page 3

FIRST SERVICE IN N.Z. RE-ENACTED

(New Zealand Press Association)

PAIHIA, December 25.

With the words “Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy,” the historical first Christian service on New Zealand soil was re-created today.

The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the service was celebrated at Oihi, in the Bay of Islands, by the great-great grandson of the Rev. Samuel Marsden.

Nearly 2000 persons attended the service celebrated by scarlet, purple and white-robed prelates of many Christian denominations.

Crowds came by road and launch, bus and ferry . . . but the scene itself had changed little from that of 150 years ago.

Apart from the attendance of the Rev. Samuel Marsden’s family, there was another link with the first missionary. The pulpit used today was from the first church at Kerikeri, built in 1823 and used by the Rev. Samuel Marsden. The Bible from which lessons were read today had also been used by the first preacher in New Zealand. With the arrival of the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson) and his party from the naval launch Hakau, and the Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand (the Most Rev. N. A. Lesser) the service began. Grouped around the cross, the official party waited while the clergy, led by the Archbishop’s gold cross, climbed up the steep slope. About 600 people were taken by boat across the Bay of Islands to remote Oihi Bay inside the northern headland, for the service. Ferrying operations went off smoothly. Maori Worship The 120-strong Maori group from Gisborne district was the biggest contingent to arrive by bus. They represented the Ngati Porou tribe. The Rev. Keina Poata, of Whangaroa-Kaeo, in welcoming the visitors, said the Maori people did believe in a supreme being before they accepted Christianity as represented by the Rev. Samuel Marsden.

In adopting the Christian faith they were in effect “superimposing” the European God of Marsden on to their own. Mr Poata said the Maoris did not worship idols in the form of their carvings, as some had claimed. They worshipped God. The Archbishop of New Zealand (the Most Rev. N. A. Lesser) said in reply the Maori people had in them an earnest desire for the food that is the bread of life.

“Here is an opportunity for us all to link our thoughts and prayers to find the true substance which will last through this life and the

next” he said. Archbishop Lesser said the celebrations were a magnificent occasion for the thanksgiving of 150 years of Christian opportunity. Messages Little would Samuel Marsden think on Christmas Day, 1814, that in 150 years time messages would be received from her Majesty the Queen and from his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury to commemorate with thanksgiving the act of worsrip in which he was to take such a prominent part, said the archbishop. “This celebration in which we are to participate is indeed a solemn reminder that ‘he being dead, yet speaketh.’ “But it is not ‘a voice from the dead’ to which we listen,” said the Archbishop, "but a voice vibrant with life proclaiming the eternal gospel which, although as old as the hills, is nevertheless refreshingly new every morning. “The words of Scripture from which Marsden addressed the people of Christmas Day were ‘Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy-’ “When the first Bishop of

Aotearoa (the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett) preached in Westminster Abbey, the first Maori so to do. he took the same works as his text. “The essential purpose of the celebrations will be lost unless we accept for ourselves the *tidings of great joy’,” said the Archbishop. Challenge Today The church today faced a challenge, different in many ways, but almost as great as that which faced Satnual Marsden in 1814. said the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Michael Ramsey) in a message for the celebrations. “It is only by a faith in and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ as splendid as his that you in your turn will be equal to that challenge."’ said the Archbishop. He said it was with great joy that he sent his greetings to the church at Oihi. “Marsden himself said: “The Gospel has been introduced to New Zealand and I fervently pray that the glory of it may never depart from its inhabitants till time shall be no more.’

“This is my prayer for you today and I send you my assurance of it and my blessings,” said the Archbishop.