MAORIS AND RELIGION

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 49

MAORIS AND RELIGION

NEED FOR MISSION WORK. AN INTERESTING LECTURE Some 40 people were present on Tuesday, 30th ult., in St. Matthew’s Schoolroom to hear an address on worn amongst the by Miss Seth-Smith. who came out from England 18 months ago at the invitation of the Bishop of Waiapu to work in his diocese amongst the Maoris. After a short service of intercession, conducted by the vicar of St. Matthews (the Rev. W. A. Hamblett), Bishop Richards, who presided, briefly introduced the lecturer, who said she would speak of “some opportunities for the Kingdom of God amongst the Maoris.” Sbe said our magnificent country was their country, and if, as in the opinion of Archdeacon Chatterton, of Rotorua, the Maori must be absorbed in time into our nation, we needed to give the best to the Maori that he might give his best contribution in the fusion with our race. What special claim, asked the speaker, had the Maori upon us? God had given the Maori people as a very special trust to the people of New Zealand. We could not ask English people to give for Maori work. We had undertaken to evangelise the Maori. Speaking of their characteristics, she said they showed great bravery and faithfulness. In the Great War they promised to maintain a unit of 509. Actually their unit was maintained at a strength of nearly a full battalion, 1000. In the early davs, when the fanatic chief Kereopa raided Waerenga-a-bika, the only house not burned was one in which two friendly Natives stayed. They said to Kcieopa: “If you burn this house you must burn us too.” In that bouse 20 boys were receiving Christian training. When taught they exhibit generosity. For a church in the Urewera Country seven men, with their wives and children, went into the bush for some months and sawed the timber, the Maori at one end and the wahine at the other end of the saw, and gave their labour free. At Manutuke they bulk a church and beautified it with carvings on heart of kauri planks, and gave £2OOO to its cost, and it was consecrated free of debt by Bishop Averilt. At a sale at Whakarewarewa one woman gave two family greenstone ornaments for the church. Illustrating their simplicity, she said as they were going to church one morning they saw their minister sitting m one. ol the hot pools shaving In answer to their interrogation he said: "Oh, yes, I 11 be at church in good time.” They exhibit a strong spirit of devotion. A school of jO white children is "run by two native girls. One old Maori lady paddles two miles daily id Whaka for the mission service and arrives regularly at 7 a.m. lor the weekly “celebration.'’ A Mauri child was the means of converting her sinful and bitter mother. She told her the stories learned at Sunday school. Jhe old woman applied for instruction, and was confirmed, and now wears a look of wonderful happiness. She said: “ I have been in hell for eight years, and now 1 see only one thingthe face of Christ.” They had their weaknesses and sins, 100, but less than 100 years ago they were living in the “horrors.; of sin, murder, strife, witchcraft.” The white man was not free from guilt. At first they found it difficult to understand the contrast between Bishop Selwyn and some others. They decided it must be due to the fact that there were “gentlemen” gentlemen and “pig” gentlemen. Drink was a great curse, and the “ clan ’’ spirit among them increased the evil. She said one hotel was almost wholly supported by their purchases at the bar. Witchcraft (tohungaism) still has a strong hold upon them. One of the mission workers recently saved a man condemned to die that his soul might wait on his chief. That man had become a devoted Ohrislian helper. Another instance was that _of a frenzied child who spoke with a man’s voice. The evil spirit was exorcised by the ministration of one of the clergy. They are sensitive to spiritual influences. Ratana’s mission haa meant a freeing from witchcraft. It was important that the Ghurch of God should teach them, otherwise they were likely to slip back. There were 50,000 Maoris in the North Island and 2000 in the South. Of these, from 6000 to £OOO are still heathen. They did not seem to be much iu the hearts and consciences of the Christian congregations. Amongst the Urewera, Waikato, and Haulm u tribes many were antagonistic to Christianity, and many were Mormons. One worker said it was not safe in one district to proclaim ‘ it. Most of the workers felt their loneliness and the absence of prayer and sympathy. Miss Hare had worked alone for six years at Ruatoke with 20 children. They had not even the necessitiea of life, and no books and no games. Miss Davis, of Tokoftlaru, the only Church worker amongst the East Coast. Natives, had broken down in health. Hundreds and hundreds of children were growing up as heathens. Many only knew the name of God in swearing. But despite discouragements there was enormous encouragement. Life at Whaka was very full and happy. Some 50 young people were daily about the mission. I hey had a young women’s working party, scouts, and evening social, -gatherings attended by over 40 men and women. They had at present a confirmation class of 13—ages ranging lrorn a3to 60 years. These"would lie confirmed in May. There were tr be a numer of adult lapt.isms. They were now ‘conducting services monthly ..t me villages around Lake Rotorua. They needed help urgently at Whaka. iho teaching was nearly all in English. We were sending missionaries to other Darts. Perhaps someone was coming to help at Whaka. Why do people not seem to care for the Maoris? asked the speaker. Some say, “It is more interesting in China. The real reason was “people do not know the needs, they do hot give because they do not know.” Two workers were coming from the Christchurch Diocese. One young woman gives annually Jier holiday time to the work. At present five stations in the W’aipau diocese were likely to close because there were no workers to staff them. The bishop hoped to establish a chain of mission stations where the Natives might be taught the glory of the love of God and the Carbolic faith. In response to the request of those present the lecturer said she hoped to come back to them in a year's time, and tell them more of the work. The bishop, in chunking Miss Seth-Smith for her interesting address, said he was sure she bad herself supplied the reason for lack of interest when she said “people do not know.” As the needs were made known he was sure they would respond to them. An offertory on behalf of Miss Se-b-Bmitil’s work was taken up, and liberally given to.