RATANA'S WORK

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 52, 2 March 1921, Page 7

RATANA'S WORK

A RELATIVE'S TESTIMONY.

An interesting feature of a long discussion, oil. Maori work at the Methodist Conference, yesterday was an address by the Rev. Robert Haddon, the wall-known Maori missionary, who made special reference to Ratana, the miraolo worker. Tho speaker is a second cousin to Ratana, and has had the opportunity of'a close investigation of the work being done by t}ie Maori haaler.

RiUna's grandfather, he said, was a Christian man. A call came to Ratana to surrender himself completely to God — to icplate himself. He fasted six days and lived on prayer, and then the power came. He went to a sick child and prayed, and immediately she was healed. The Maori people thought more of "nrana" than of Christianity. "You must put away this 'mana' idea," sa-jd Ratana; "it is Tohtingaism. Have faith, and I will have faith, and God will heal you." When they did this at Ratom's request they were able to say. "My eyes can see," or "I can waJk." It was out-and-out Christianity, the speaker declared. R*tan» was against everything that tied tho Maori down. To accept Christ as n. personal isaviqur w»s the' only way to build up a Maori. Ratana. had eaid to him (the speakor): "I get the people. You ministers feed tyem wfith. the Word." ■

A great,meeting was to be held at Morrinsville on the 23rd Maioh. It would be a jrreat mission to 6000 people. Ratana built a ohurch and had. paid, for it, Mr. Haddon declared that Ratana was on right lines. "Don't forget to pray for him." he said. "Ratana declared that 'I'm, only a linger-poet pointing you to God.' " Loud applause gTeetid the closo of the address.