MORMON MISSIONARIES AMONG THE MAORIS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7143, 22 April 1885, Page 4

MORMON MISSIONARIES AMONG THE MAORIS.

[From the Desert News, Salt Lake City.] We have recently given, as obtained from reports of returned missionaries from New Zealand, accounts of the remarkable spread of the Gospel among the natives of that part of the world, who are evidently a branch of the house of Israel. We are enabled to give a few further details, obtained ftom letters addressed to Elders Greenwood and Hinckley, who lately reached home from New Zealand. The following is from a communication written by Elder W. T. Stewart, at Muriwai, Poverty Bay, November 4th : — "The Friday after your departure I was leaving town on the Beach-road when I met the same young man that had invited us to call on him, between the town and Whakaoutu (William King). He invited me again to come and see him, which I did that night, and baptised six the next morning. The next Monday we baptised five atpapawhariki, among whom was Henry King. "The same day I took my departure for East Cape, but only went as far as Waiapu. I held 18 meetings while I was gone, all wanting to hear except at one place. I baptised 64 persons on the trip ; and blessed nine children, and I know of Borne ten others who wanted baptism, which I could not attend in consequence of my return to Gisborne. Among those baptised was a Maori prophet and doctor (Mathew) Henry Potae, son-in-law to Manihera, and Rangitira, Nui ; some other leading men also. " There will be a large field among the Ngatiporous. On my return here I learn that Brother Ash has four others at Papawhariki. among them the son and daughter of Jack Jury. The father also has declared his intention of being baptised. Brother Ash has also baptised five more at a place just bolow Eakeiterua. " I hear through the natives that Clarence has been baptising some, but do not know how many. "Elder IJeyborne has baptised four in his district, with good prospects ahead of him, so you see there is plenty of work in every direction." The annexed is an extract from a lotter from Elder E. Newby, written at Taonoke, H. 8., New Zealand, Nov. 3rd : - "My success in the language is very good, so the Maoris tell me. I have been assisted by Brother Otene and all the saints. They treat me with great kindness, for which I am thankful to God. " I have had the privilege of baptising 23 more at Ugatarawa and dedicating a fine new house they have built since you loft. I held a four days' meeting, and the people of the places that you and brother Otene visited are now investigating some of our principles. The Maoris held a large meeting at Omahu, to see if something could not be done with us { Mormons,' and it resulted in a letter to Parliament and in me baptising some that dwell there. The_ spirit of gathering is making itself manifest in the H. 8., but as yet I do not say anything about it."