“Great Milestone In N.Z. History”

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

“Great Milestone In N.Z. History”

(New Zealand Press Association)

PAIHIA, December 25,

“This is a great milestone in New Zealand history,” said the Bishop of Auckland (the Rt. Rev. E. A. at the oflicial welcome at the Waitangi Treaty House grounds to those attending the celebrations of the Rev. Samuel Marsden’s Christmas Day service.

The official welcome came after the service at Oihi Bay in the morning. Bishop (rowing said: “May today be one of rejoicing and spiritual

commitment to him who was born at Bethlehem.” The Bishop said it was a “great encouragement” (hat representatives of other Christian denominations took part in the service. The Bishop of Aotearoa (the Rt. Rev. W. N. Panapa) said it was in 1809 that the Rev. Samuel Marsden had been returning to New South Wales from England when he found on the ship a Maori who had “been kicked about” and was suffering from illtreatment.

Marsden nursed him, and from him learned of the country across the Tasman where there was no knowledge of the gospel. Five years’ later he had taken the gospel to that land.

The Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson) said he felt he came always to Waitangi as a pilgrim. History had come to a crossroads there.

Crossroads often involved a decision, and a decision faith and courage. There was no more fantastic faith than that shown by Ruatara and Marsden when they proclaimed the gospel at that moment in history and that point in geography. “It was faith or almost insane optimism,” he said.