Te Pipiwharauroa 9

Te Pipiwharauroa 9

No. 9

1898/11/01

(Maori Version at NZETC)

[1] He Kupu Whakamarama

[2] He Kupu Whakamarama, Number 9, Nelson, November, 1898 Editor: Rev F A Bennett

ALCOHOLIC DRINK

(This is the continuation of the articles.)

Before I open up the second part of the article about alcohol, let me write the things observed by one man which show the effects of alcohol on a person.

That man climbed up a high mountain and looked out over a desert land. After  some time there he saw some birds flying. After a little while they alighted. They did their work. Then, as one, they set out, all heading for home.

They had not been flying for long when one of them got left behind. For a while its companions were close, but then they moved much farther ahead and the man wondered at its slowness in following its fellows. It was not long before it was left behind and the man observed that it was drifting aimlessly around in space. It was not long in floating around when it began to revolve around, its wings quivering. The fluttering was short-lived before the bird plunged to its death.

My friends, have you caught on to the reason for the death of that bird? Perhaps some say that it was a sudden death? But most say, ‘No! it was a new misfortune.’

Because of his ignorance around the death of that bird, that man went to look. When he was still at a distance he understood the cause of that misfortune.

The reason the birds had descended was to snatch rats as food. His companions seized rats and rabbits, but he seized a strange rodent, a weasel. This is a very bad rodent.

When that bird was flying, perhaps it thought that it would be carrying its prey to its home; it did not know that it was also flying with death. When they were seizing rodents he did not choose well. It was all food to him. What foolishness! As the bird flew, the weasel sucked out its blood; this is the way the weasel takes its food. When the blood was consumed the bird fell dead from the sky!

The effect of alcohol drunk by a person is not very different. Taking over a person it first sucks at the purse. As he drinks, a man’s strength begins to be sucked out, because his property is swallowed up along with the strength of his body; this is the sickness.

Many people of exalted status have fallen from their great pedestals, stricken by alcohol. Many are living in ‘Refuges’ – homes for indigent elderly, and many are in mental hospitals and other places.

We have written in the first part of the nature of alcohol. We saw that it is a poison. Associated with alcohol are narcotics, another poison. Many forms of poisoning are associated with narcotics – ether, hydrocyanic acid, chloroform, opium and others. Alcohol stimulates and makes a person talkative. Narcotics cause lack of sleep, delusions, giddiness. But alcohol has disastrous effects on the brain. One effect is swelling. The body lacks blood. A person is hungry. He has a desire for more alcohol. Alcohol does this. And these are not the only things that come about through drinking alcohol. The worst evils we see afflicting the Maori are confused thoughts. We see people returning drunk to their homes and striking their wives and children and sometimes turning to lash out at their male friends, and this becomes a ground for ill-will. If you give up alcohol, the poison, you will not think in these strange ways.

But that’s enough of explanations warning those afflicted by alcohol. Let us turn to the people who have not yet been affected by it. This affliction is very widespread among the people. Perhaps we observe the same boundaries as the Pakeha. No! It has spread even to small children. This is very sad. Their bodies and their minds have not yet matured These are the ones [3]we  hope will one day stand in the place of their parents, who will be men fit for the marae. There are many illnesses against which we have no defence. Those that we are able to do something about, let us fight them now. Do not add to the many illnesses that destroy people.

Let us devote the strength of our bodies and our minds to seeking a way by which the people will arise from the sadness of these and other wrong ways of the Pakeha.

We have worked on this here. We can choose Pakeha weapons to overcome his evil ways. The Te Aute College Association, although made up of young people, out of love for the people have dedicated their hearts to seeking means whereby people will abandon evil ways, beyond our ability to count them. The third gathering of this Association is being held on 14th of this month at Tuparoa, Te Tai Rawhiti, amongst Ngati Porou. It will seek health for the body and the spirit.

So, be strong! Keep strong drink away from little children and young people – all of them. Let them grow as persons and as a people. Teach them to love people and to fear God, so that they will become a people who give honour and glory to God and who aspire to the world of light.

The End.

ANSWERS TO LETTERS THAT HAVE ARRIVED

1. Reihana Ngatote, Peria, Mangonui.

Your letter arrived. Do send us your questions. It is for you to decide how large or small the seed for the bird is to be. We do not charge a set price for our paper. We leave it to the principle expressed in the words of St Paul: ‘If one sows sparingly one will reap little; if one sows abundantly then one will reap abundance. Let one do accordingly, according as one determines in one’s heart. Let it not happen reluctantly or because of compulsion: what God loves is a person who gives out of lightness of heart. (2 Corinthians 9.6-7)’.

2. To Henare Peneti, Moawhango.

Your letter has arrived with its disapproving words about the collections. Many people disagree with the collection. But their disapproval is perhaps the result of ignorance. The practice of the collection comes from the time of the Apostles. It has its established place in worship. See the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 16.1-3. What Paul says about the collection is that he arranges it for the first day, that is, of the week in which the collection will be made, so that their practice will conform to that of the Church of Galatia. See also the writings of Paul in 2 Corinthians 9.12-14. Paul approves of and praises the offerings of the people. The offerings are a great sign of the the faith of the people. So Paul says (2 Corinthians 9.13 – he is writing about the collection), ‘they glorify God because of you who have responded to and been obedient to the Gospel of Christ, because of your gifts’. By the gifts given by these people it is known that they have submitted to the Gospel of Christ. But this thing, the collection, goes back a long way. See Deuteronomy 26.5-10. Recall also the authoritative word of Christ concerning the widow who gave her tiny contribution (Mark 12.41-44). Remember also the principle laid down by Christ, ‘The labourer is worthy of his hire.’ (Luke 10.7)

Consider also the teaching of these verses, 1 Corinthians 9.7-14, 2 Corinthians 9.6-7, Galatians 6.6. ‘The person who is taught the word should provide his teacher with all good things.’

3. Hare T Rangi, Waitangi, Russell.

Your letter has arrived. Please explain the purpose of your riddle. If it is consistent with the teachings of the faith then it is suitable for this paper.

LETTERS RECEIVED

Takapu,

Rangiriri,

September 3rd 1898.

To Rev Perere Peneti.

Greetings friend, the voice of the bird of salvation, sharing the word of God with all parts of the country. Indeed, there are many tokens of love towards us in the hands of the salvation of God.

Friend, blessings on you in the power of your God. I have studied your Kupu Whakamarama. As a result I am writing to you for some hymns, that is some band music, to play in the churches. If you have a lot of hymns, please send some to me. My address is Te Takapu, Rangiriri, Waikato. This will be a sign of the growth of our Church. So friend, greetings to you – to all of you.

From your affectionate friend,

Hori Herewini.

[4] 

 Friend I forgot [to tell you] my name for our bird. It is ‘The Long Fish of Maui’. The idea behind this name is that Maui fished up this island. So that is my name.

Tehatepe,

Taupo,

September 1898.

From Rev. Hoeta Te Hata.

To the editor of ‘The white heron who flies but once’, that is, the Kupu Whakamarama. Greetings, friend. I have received your Kupu Whakamarama and note how well you are progressing the aims of this paper in accordance with our Lord Jesus Christ. It is good that the difficult questions in the Scriptures should be investigated to arouse the heart and to awaken the spirit. Well then, it is the case that the eye sees and the heart is enlightened.

I greatly admire the way you balance the things of God and the things of people. I’ve said enough.

Friend, Editor, my name for our bird is:

Te Kotuku Rerenga Tahi 
The white heron that flies once. [cf Nga Pepeha 513]. 

The origin of this proverb is that the white heron flies in only once a year. It is as if you were to come here to preach only once a year. You would be spoken of by the Maori as ‘the white heron that flies once’. Furthermore, even though our bird comes out once a month, I would say it seems like a year.

(To be concluded later.)

Gisborne,

November 1, 1898.

To the Editor of Te Kupu Whakamarama.

Greetings, friend. This is a good work you are doing, opening up the columns of your paper so that the ideas of all the people of our country may be expressed. In this way we can hear of the life and the failings perhaps, or of the questionings perhaps amongst us, and we can rejoice together, and at times of trouble we can help each other. It is a difficult work to choose and to publish the many articles it is appropriate to print in this kind of newspaper, and it is right that it should be supported widely by Maori-speaking people. This thing, a newspaper, is a great and real treasure to Pakeha people by means of which they become aware of the thinking of their Pakeha friends, and they can also get news of what is happening in their various areas.

One thing really pleases me about this paper of yours, that is, its championing of the things of the faith. Formerly, when the old Maori newspapers came out, most of the articles were concerned with the deceitful works of the world. It is enough, those have fallen and this one stands. So, sir, be brave, be strong, journey with a single focus. ‘Despise evil; hold to the good.’ [1 Peter 3.11] We live in times of much mistaken belief now. Draw away, keep drawing away the thoughts of the people of this generation to the things ‘which make for peace’. Furthermore, ‘Let our light so shine before people that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.’[Matthew 5.16]

I see, in the papers I have received, your request for a permanent name for this newspaper, and also the names suggested by various people. As I see it Maori are looking to name it after a bird. This is good thinking in that it makes clear the need to send raw and cooked food for their pet. This kind of bird will not survive if it is starved of these things. However I have not seen a name amongst those sent in that I like. If this is a paper concerned with making known the words of God, what good is there in looking to demons or to the fables of the ancestors to find a messenger on which to carry these articles. Rather let us seek the examples of God, maker of all things, to teach us.

While Noah was in the Ark, in his confusion he sent out a bird who ate badly, as his messenger. So when our bird saw the disgusting food, the things he desired, he did not return to his saviour. Whereupon Noah sent out a dove and this one returned faithfully to the ark. On his second flight he returned with an olive leaf in his beak. This was a heartening sign to Noah. He knew that the waters had begun to recede from the earth. When, on its third flight, the bird did not return, Noah knew that the time was near from him to disembark from the Ark. You see, that bird was the bearer of good news to Noah.

Likewise, if we listen to the Psalms of David and, indeed, the Song of Solomon, it only is the bird named as a sign of good in good times and in bad. For another thing, at the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple in Jerusalem, two doves were brought by his parents to fulfil the law of God. Also, at the time of his baptism by John, a dove [5] was God’s sign of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon him.

But I must stop my ramblings here lest I overburden you. It is for you to decide on what is bad or good and then you will know what is best for the future.

From your faithful friend,

Hohepa Peka.

SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Who are the Two Witnesses? (Revelation 11.3.)

In answer to this question, let me put it like this: according to the thinking of most of the scholars, Moses and Elijah are the two Witnesses.

There is not space in this edition of the paper to fully explain all the verses of the chapter. By and by it will be explained. But for the moment let me say that neither Moses nor Elijah died. Their bodies were taken up. Remember also their miracles – the fire, the closing of the heavens so that it did not rain, the emergence of the waters as blood, and all the plagues of the Egyptians.

See also Malachi 4.4- 5, and Matthew 17.3.

NO-ONE WILL BE CAST OUT

‘If anyone comes to me I will in no wise cast him out.’ ‘It is the will of the One who sent me that all who see the Son and who believe in him should have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.’ (John 6.30-40)

We see here that God has no desire to condemn anyone: even though their sins are many, and the roots of evil are still growing, Satan still holds on to them, they slip into wrongdoing, and they are apathetic about turning to Christ, he does not condemn anyone who wishes to be saved and who comes to him believing in his faithfulness and power and grace, who travels straight on the road laid down by him and seeks always what the Father wills. This is why the Son came from heaven. This is indeed his will, that none of the people given to his Son should perish and whether dead or living they should all be raised to endless joy in the last day.

It is not salvation alone that Jesus brings to those who believe in him; he does away with the evil of sin, the power, the soiling and the consequences of sin; and in the end he does away with sin completely along with the fruits of sin when death is swallowed up by victory, and sorrow is lost in joy for ever.

Sinner, are you hesitating? Is your heart undecided about this important message? This is the day of salvation; it is the day when you may be saved, your many sins will be forgiven, your soul will be saved for ever. Christ still wishes to save you. So, allow him into your heart and he will carry you to heaven.

My desire is that some may choose the good things I have found in this message.

It is not by works but by faith that one is saved.

How shall I be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 16.30-31)

Everyone who believes in Jesus is justified in all things; he is not made righteous by the Law. (Rom 3.20-22)

The distressed heart finds great peace and is overjoyed by this message. Perhaps he is laid low, gnawed at by illness, the body swollen, the heart sorrowful. There is no strength to perform any good work to bring him near to the kingdom of heaven; he is destitute of the treasures of this world; he has no means of helping another sufferer.

Now if works are the means by which we draw near to heaven then all people are lost for ever. But our loving Lord thinks differently. He has not decreed that a work of the body should buy access to heaven. Rather, what he has laid down is faith in his loving Son.

If we have firm faith we will love; if we love we will do what he says. That action is a good sign of our desire to be sanctified, to be at one with God the Son. It is a mistake to believe that it is by deeds that we will come into God’s presence. [6] Rather the thing that qualifies us is faith in Jesus Christ, not the works laid down in the Law; we have no goodness of ourselves. (Rom. 3.20-28) So read all of those verses; read so that your heart will rejoice.

Here is peace for your heart, sinner; your sadness will cease, your fear will disappear. What God requires is not difficult; what he says to you is – the person whose thoughts are fixed on what he says (that is, who has faith), anyone who believes in his Son has eternal life. (John 6.47) It may happen that you give all your possessions in order to have life in the next world, but it is not his command that you should give anything. His word is this: drink of the living water without money, without payment. Leave behind your own righteousness, your own good deeds; it is only by the righteousness of Christ that you will be saved.

What grace provided a remedy against death and sin. By this, sinful people, wicked people will be saved; by this the demands of God’s law are fulfilled. ‘Christ is the fulfilment of the law so that there is righteousness for all who believe.’ (Romans 10.4)

MISCELLANY

1. On December 14th the gathering of the.students of Te Aute takes place at Tuparoa, East Coast.

2. On November 21st Ropata Paaka died at Motueka. He was a child greatly loved by Maori and Pakeha. He was in Nelson Hospital for three months but his sickness could not be cured. ‘Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them; of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ [Mark 10.14]

3. Prayers have been published for children and adults also to learn. Friends, teach your children to pray both in the morning and the evening. Let us all learn these prayers by heart.

4. There was no room for the account of Japan in this edition. In December we will print an account of the activities of the Church there.

5. The death of Wikitoria Katene. On the morning of Monday, November 7th, Wikitoria Katene (nee Ngarua) died at Whakapuaka. She was 90 when she died. Only a week after she became ill, she died. Almost all her children have died; only one survives, Huria Matenga. This elderly lady was deeply loved by the Pakeha.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS MONTH

Archdeacon Clarke, Auckland £1.0.0; Mr A S Atkinson, Nelson 2/6d; Mrs Ellison, Te Aute 5/-; Rev E Jennings, Waerenga-a-Hika 15/-; Pene Waru, Waerenga-a-Hiku 5/-; Eru Titi, Gisborne 2/-; Archdeacon Grace, Blenheim 10/-; Mr A Edwards, Motueka 10/-.

We are grateful to you all for your love.

People, don’t forget to send some sustenance for this bird. It is by your generosity that our paper survives. Even if the quantity of seeds you have is small, send a little so that your pet bird will come to your marae to sing for you. Only one month is left and then the new year starts. May God be with you all.

From your fellow worker,

Rev P Peneti,

Nelson.

Bond, Finney & Co., Printers, Nelson.