BACK TO THE FOLD

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 132, 15 December 1928, Page 17

BACK TO THE FOLD

(By H. D. BENNETT.)

It was a great gathering of representatives of the Native race that sat around the squared courtyard at the famous meeting-house at Pakipaki, Hawkes Bay, on the afternoon of Sunday, 2nd December, when the first Bishop for the Native race was consocrated in the Napier Cathedral Along one side of the marae, seated on comfortable seagrass or cane chairs, sat most of the Bishops of New Zealand and their church officials and clergy. Facing them in opposite, angles, sat Lor stood, three and four deep, many hun . dreds of Maoris. Each diocese was officially represented, but, in addition there were drawn to the great event many who journeyed to Hawke: Bay to take part in what was subsequently described as a parallel to t,,e Marsden landing. The ceremony had commenced earlier in. the day at Napier, 20 miles away There, promptly at 11 o'clock, the greatest procession of Church dignitaries ever witnessed in New Zealand moved with majestic splendour slowly towards the main entrance of the beautif... Napier Cathedral. How could the noble cdi lice already packed to the doors with hundreds tin ) ■ unable to enter, accom modate this lung line of approaching clergy? All the bishops ot the dioceses of New Zealand and chaplains with their respective polished staffs made a most impressive mov.ing forest of episcopal ceremonial. The Bishop-elect moved in his allotted position, clad only in an ordinary surplice, and followed by a display of gowns of gorgeous colouring as only Church dignitaries can command. Scores of Native clergy follow ed the surplieed choir. There in the midst of it walked one only in wig and gown, giving by his presence just the one touch of civil authority .in contrast to the ecclesiastical. This was the Chancellor, Colonel H. Holderness, whose duty it was to make official declarations in public according to the law of the Church of Englan ' Away up in the chancel and nave, .some to right, others to left, to nooks and corners, slowly the procession found domicile. THE CONSECRATION SERVICE. Quietly, solemnly, and unostentatiously, the clergy of the great Anglican Church took their respective seats in Bishop Sedgwick's Cathodral. His Grace the Archbshop of New Zealand (Dr. Averll), now alone in front of the altar, in a clear but modulated voice, commenced the Communion Service. The sermon was delivered by the Yen. Archdeacon Herbert Williams, who preached first in the Maori language and then translated in English. The Litany was taken in Maori by the Rev. Pine Tamahori, with the rest of the Maori clergy chanting the responses, this part of"the servico. making a feature which proved to be the sir ject ot much favourable comment afterwards by the European portion of the congregation. ■ : The "laying on of hands,'1 the actual consecration, was a ceremony which will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to witness it. Seated immediately in front of the altar the Archbishop awaited tho presentation of the candidate. Their Lorships the 3ishops of Wellington and Waiapu proceeded down the chancel where at the lower end the kneeling Bishop-elect was called upon to be 'esiiorted to his Grace. Public examination, according to the rites of the Church of England, took place in the presence of seven Bishops. The great congregation was now seized in the grip of deep emotion. Quite a number retired for only too obvious reasons. One very old Maori remarked afterwards that the blessing given to the representatives of tho Maori people with the laying on of hands by seven English Bishops, brought back to his memory recollections that were dear to him, and gave him a fresh inspiration which nothing else could have conceived. After another few minutes the Bishop- of Aotearoa was gowned and robed. He then took his place at the chair allotted permanently to the I Suffragan Bishop in the Napier Cathedral. "CALLING ITS WAYWARD PEOPLE." The gervico proceeded. Many hundreds partook of the Cup at the h nds of all tho Bishops—a rare privilege, indeed, and thuß ended what was truly regarded, spectacularly, as a magnificent display of the richness of the Anglican ritual, but inwardly as a mighty gesture by a great conservative Church calling its wayward people back to the fold. No call could have been clearer. No greater recognition could have been made. The Maoris of New Zealand, at one time followers almost wholly of the two main denominations, have of latter.years .been rent by perverse .circumstances. The very foundations of the Anglican Maori Mission had been shaken as they had never been disturbed in eighty years. Many hundreds of its adherents had been excommunicated —a sad phenomena in its local history, which the Church prefers to forget. The establishment of a new Bishopric with a member, partly of its own race, was the solicitious peace offering. Not entirely without misgivings the decision was made, and the Bishop of Aotearoa was released amongst his people. He was ushered in with the goodwill of the whole Church and with the prayers of a large and unseen congregation. INSPIRING SCENES IN THE MARAE; Now let ms return tr the Pakipaki niarac, -or courtyard. • The Bishops were seated. Bishop Bennett acted as interpreter to the Primate. The poetry and oratory of the Native tongue, his imagery and rhythm captured the imagination. Metaphors "and similes raced in rapid succession. There was an atmosphere in that marae (courtyard). Speakers paid tributo to the memory of tribal leaders now with their forefathers, but who had sanctified this meeting house with their exhortations for God, King, and country. Sir Apirana Ngata, that great r.nA respected leader of the Maori people, opened the proceedings by a characteristic welcome to the Primate aud his "youngest child." He related the history of the movement,' and told of the difficulties thai: had beset tho3e > with him throughout tho negotiations whicli had been spread over four or five years. Tho obstacles came from within, he said, and it appeared probable at one time that the issue of whether or not the new Bishop had to be of the Native race or n European could never be settled. The Master had intervened, and they were there to celebrate the consummation. The Maori Mission, Sir Apirana likened unto a fertile field under cultivation with insufficient tillers. Behind and in front the noxious weeds grew rampant to the despair of a solitary worker. "But we will help you," he said, turning to the new Bishop, "and we know you will share .with us the grime and .sweat, common as well to tho tiller of

THE NEW MAORI BISHOPRIC IMPRESSIVE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL

the soil as to all other vocations calling for intensive industry." CLOSER TO THE MOTHER CHURCH. His Grace Archbishop Averill, on behalf of himself and the other Bishops present, thanked Sir Apirana and those associated with him for the kind welcome extended to them, and for the offer to help in the work of the new Bishop. "Let us learn to walk first," said bis Grace, "and who knows how soon it might be when the status of the new Bishop might be further en larged by the creation of a separate anil independent diocese, not differing in any way to any one of the existing sub divisions." His Grace concluded-by paying a tribute to the sincerity of tlicdesire of his Native people for closer contact with the mother Church, and he assured them of his wholehearted goodwill for tho future. .Then followed incident!! of a remarkable nature. A sumptuous but late dinner had been partaken of, ana the European portion of the gathering had withdrawn. Tlie field was clear for purely orthodox Maori exchange-., and it commenced in real earnest. Tiie Na tive mind, while poetical in its- expression, never shrinks from facing facts. The speaker wastes no time in seeking out another name toi a spade, and when the occasion demands it he is free in his criticism. Never, with bitterness or suggestion of malice, be will denounce without hesitation, though he is at his best in praise of virtue. Here was an opportunity that gave an opening for both. Imagination quick ly assimilated the uniqueness of the event then being celebrated. There were a score or more of speakers, and without exception the speeches ranked in oratory. Handicapped by the us^ of a hard and difficult language as the English is, an attempt at a translation would fall flat and feeble. N« such attempt will be made. "HARK BACK WHENCE YOU CAME." The old Arawa veteran, Mita l'aupopoki, from Rotorua,' as fitting hU rank, was the first of the visitors to ppeak. Old Mita, perhaps vow the best Known of living Maori chiefs, stepped forward with the assistance of a beautifullymounted cane, the.gift of the Duke of ,York. Though of great age, this patriarch still found his feet strong enough to carry him through the customary eui bellishments common to the delivery ol Maori oratory. . Bearing in mind thai the new Bishop is of Arawa descent, Mita observed that he could hardly regard himself as merely v, guest. He, however, expressed appreciation on behalf of the. Arawa people of the generosity and hospitality of the1 people of Hawkes Bay for having contributed so largely during the past ten years to the moulding of a son befitting him to throw lustre back to his own people. "1 am of the Roman Catholic calling," said Mita, "but I join with you in cole brating this great day, for the Maori' people.'' There should he, lie said, only two' denominations—the Anglicans and Catholics —and he , appealed for .consolidation. Turning to appro priate sections: the old gentleman said: "You of ,the Batanaites, Mormons', and Ringatus, accept the day, and take it as a message to hark back to the Church of England from whence you came." To the new Bishop/ he said that, though of another church, lie, the Bishop, could rely on the assistance of Catholics alike throughout the country. "This is a God-given day," he concluded, "and there, is a message behind it. Let us not be unmindful of its potentialities." Mita Taupopoki then presented the new. Bishop with his treasured gift cane from the Duke of York. "You are in your own country under the blessing of, your God, and this will remind you of our King," dramatically concluded this fine old chief, amidst the applause of many hundreds of members of his race. RATANA LEADER RETURNS TO THE FOLD. .Naturally the psychology lent itself to a discussion on denominations. No one hesitated. Was not it. only too obvious that this act of consecration was but the outcome of a bereavement iv the Maori mission field of the Church of England? Else why was it referred to as an experiment1? Tho leaven was already working. Tho next speaker was a Kataua leader. All eyes were, on Heinana Pokiha, 'the head of the Eatana Church in the Bay of Plenty district, himself a man of high rank, the son of the famous tribal leader of that name. Something was expected. Eyes and ears were strained towards Hemana. He had measured / his beat iv the courtyard. Though minus his taiaha this son of the Arawas filled in the traditional stance by the aic! of a modern walkingstick. Hemana reviewed the history of Christianity amongst the Maori people, bounded with the Marsden landing at one end, and the belated acceptance by that great Church of the appeal for closer determination as evidenced by the appointment of a Maori Bishop, at the other cud. He invited his audi ence to meditate on the activities, or tlie lack of them, of the Church politic fit various stages in the interegnum. "Who is there who could blame us?" he said, "for the loss of interest in a drifting derelict? The Maori mind is always susceptible to a spiritual sway, We found no comfort at home, and so we wont abroad. We have evidence to-day of a great thrust and revival." The man was speaking with a' riug of earnestness and sincerity. Fellow IJatanaites wondered what next he was going to say. Hemana did not hesitate, and in a voice firm with conviction he dramatically announced his return to the fold. Applause lasted a few minutes. The Church had won the first day. SAD AT LOSING MR. COATES. There were many other speakers. The day fortunately was nice and warm, and .vith the marae well lit, with electric globes, the speech-making lasted well into the uight. Ail had congratulations to make, both to the now Bishop and to the Church. Sir Apirana Ngata, as the acknowledged sponsor, was duly acclaimed. Incidentally it may be remarked as being specially noteworthy that the majority' of the. speakers commented with regret upon the loss that the Maoris had sustained in the then pending removal of Mr. Coates from the oflice of Native Minister. As the speeches showed, there was no doubt whatever that Mr, Coate? had endeared himself to the Maori peopl' throughout New Zealand. The probable appointment of one of their own race in Sir Apirana Ngata to that office took nothing away from tho speakers' feeling of regret, amounting almost to sadness. Hutana, Hori Tiipaea, and Friday Tomoana, representing the hosts, returned thanks on behalf of the Pakipaki Natives for the complimentary remarks made of them, and for the substantial monetary gifts made by the visiting tribesmen towards the cost nf tho marae. Bishop Bennett conducted Irii lii'at servitt ,iho open, thereby forging

another link with the respected past, aud thus ended the proceedings of a day which will go down in history as memorable both to tho Maori people and to the great Church which Ims mothered many a mission field besides that, associated with Hie Maori race of Now Zealand.