Te Pipiwharauroa 13

Te Pipiwharauroa 13
No 13
1899/03/01

(Maori Version at NZETC)

[1]  He Kupu Whakamarama.

[2] He Kupu Whakamarama, Number 13, Nelson, March 1899, Editor: Rev F A Bennett.

THE SPEECH OF THE BISHOP OF WAIAPU TO THE HUI TOPU OF THE MAORI CHURCH, 6TH MARCH 1899

Dear Friends, it is right that we praise God for his blessings to us during the past three years since we met here for the Hui Topu of the Church in this Diocese. We know of his gracious works to this one and that one. For myself I recall now how he kept me safe when crossing the seas to England, returning to the part of his farm in which he has arranged for us to work together.



The great things about our travelss that I want to talk about at this time are what I saw and heard about the workings of the Church of Christ in the many countries of the world. Many Bishops had gone amongst peoples who had not heard the Gospel of Christ. I saw there the eagerness, the determination of some of the people of the Church to do what Christ said and to make disciples for him of all peoples. The Mission Society is still active; from there they sent preachers of the Gospel to this island in the year 1814. The Mission Society began its work in the year1798. It reached its one hundredth year in the year past. Not only New Zealand but many other lands have been touched by the Gospel, but most people have not turned to him. There are other organisations. The Society of the Propagation of Christian Knowledge is responsible for producing our Prayer Book and other books. The Bible Society has given us the Bible in the Maori language. It is for us to praise God for these great achievements on the part of his servants in the work. And to praise not only with words but by committing ourselves to his works and holding on to his injunction to preach the Gospel to all peoples. What Christ wants for his people is their sanctification, their separation from sin, and their increasing knowledge of him. He has made his ministers to be guides for his people, to bring to their remembrance his teachings, to make them aware of the deceitful works of the enemy.

But it is not for the ministers only but for all who have been baptised into Christ to be part of his body. There are many things that the people of the Church can do to support what the minister is doing.

For one thing, there must be prayer for him that he may be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, that he may best do the work that the Lord has committed to him. Then a person must take account of himself, that he does what is right, that he separates from sin, that he is not lazy when it comes to the worship of God, that he seeks always the Body and Blood of Christ in the Lord’s Supper to strengthen him and give his spirit confidence.

For another thing, he must give thought to the children of his village and see that they are instructed on Sundays, or perhaps another day of the week, about the things that will help them grow up as servants of Christ.

Yet another thing is that he thinks about the young men and women who attend Te Aute, St Stephen’s, and Hukarere that they may not be enticed by the devil and fail to grow.

Yet another thing that Church people must think about at this time is the well-being of their ministers who have been set apart for their work. If his recompense is small he will be greatly tempted to work at providing food for himself and to seek provision for himself, his wife and his children. There are the Endowments for the support of the ministry but they are not large and the interest is going down. If we want our ministers to be diligent about their work then let the many lighten the heavy burden of providing for the sustenance of the body. It is a good principle to have a collection every Sunday as Paul instructed the churches in Galatia and Corinth lest a man’s money be left to be consumed in gaming or other unfruitful things. One important use of money collected is to take the Gospel to the ignorant ones in this island, in the islands of Melanesia, and in other parts of the world. In this way we reveal a heart truly thankful to God for his love for us. If a person doesn’t engage in this work he is working against the things of Christ, and enabling the works of the enemy to spread. A person committed to Christ will also be committed to the works of Christ. It will be good for us to make a large collection to send to the Missionary Society to support its work, as well as to pray continually for that work of Christ to prosper in all parts of the world. And do not forget to support the work nearest to us, that is the work here in New Zealand and in the islands called Melanesia; these are our responsibility, that of the Church in New Zealand. Let us have a collection for these every year.

One thing I must speak about is the law passed by the General Synod for some Maori to enter the Synod of the Diocese. It is for the Maori in the three parts of the Diocese to hold a gathering of the Maori Church and choose representatives. This coming year (1900)  the people for the Synod are to be chosen. In the time ahead let us set in place the means of choosing three Maori people for the three areas of the Diocese. May God bless us at this time that what we do may be acceptable in his sight.

A LARGE HUI AT TURANGA

To Te Pipiwharauroa. Greetings to you and your editor. A few words for you to carry to the four corners of these two islans, that is, to Te Waipounamu and Aotearoa. There have been many hui to collect money to build churches in the Diocese of Waiapu, however I add my account of the Hui held here at Pakirikiri on 3rd March 1899. 

There were three objects of that Hui. 

(1) It was the Hui Topu of the Diocese of Waiapu

(2) It was to collect money for a church soon to be built at Kaiti, near Turanga. 

(3) It was for the feast for the unveiling of the New Zealand Government’s memorial to Hirini Te Kani-a-Takirau, chief of Turanga, who died here in 1897.

The Hui began on 1st March. Tribes from various parts of the Diocese of Waiapu assembled. More than 1000 people gathered here for the Hui. There are three large houses on the Marae – two sleeping houses and one dining room. The dining room is 48 yards long. There were two tables, one on each side, containing the things the Pakeha places on tables. More than 300 people were accommodated at the table at each sitting. All the work of the marae was done very well. The marae also provided what are called ‘entertainments’ in the form of band music, haka, and poi. Formerly the Pakeha provided the band but now the Maori. Poi dances began at Parihaka but are now found everywhere, however that came about. The poi is beautiful to see, but I think it should be kept as the specialty of some people like Te Whiti and Tohu. 

Four clergy were present for the opening of this Hui, Rev M Waaka, Rev T Huata, Rev A H Rangi, and Rev H T Huata. 

Over the four days the number of people and ministers grew. 

The addresses were allocated to different ministers in the morning and the evening. The hymn leaders were from Ngati Pahauwera, from Mohaka. The sermons were very good. However, as I looked at the people listening I couldn't help thinking of Christ's Parable of the Sower. Likewise I need to say that many from different traditions came to the Hui – Ringatu, Mormons, Kaupare, and others. However although there were many traditions represented, the clergy of this Church led the worship throughout the Hui.

On the fourth day the collection plate was passed around for the building of the church and £501.0s.0d was donated. This is the largest amount received from the Maori people in all the collections for building churches. 

On the 5th day we all gathered at the church at Manutuke called Holy Trinity. We, the Maori clergy also met with the elders, [4] Bishop Williams and Archdeacon Samuel Williams. All 21 Maori clergy gathered here, namely, Leonard Williams, Bishop of Waiapu, Archdeacon H Williams (Hawkes Bay), Rev H W Williams (Gisborne), G Maunsell (Opotiki), W Goodyear (Tauranga), A Williams of Te Aute (Heretaunga), T Huata (Wairoa), M Turei (Rangitukia), M Waaka (Turanga), H Waitoa (Kawkawa), E Kawhia (Whareponga), H Pahewa (Te Kahanuiatiki), M Pahewa (Tokomaru), R Te Aihu (Whangara), A H Rangi (Mahia), Nirai Runga (Petane), K Manahi (Heretaunga), A Teawekotuku (Rotorua), Hoete (Taupo), B Haumia (Maketu), A Tamihere (Whakatane), H Huata (Mohaka). Two of the clergy, T Tapeta and R Rangamaro, were not present

The service began by the Bishop consecrating Holy Trinity solely to the works of God. The consecration was declared by Ahipene Rangi entering the door of the building. That being done the Bishop recited Psalm 24 which was said also by the clergy as they proceeded to their seats. The great celebration began. The Archdeacon was the preacher. His text, Luke 17.19. The Archdeacon’s sermon was excellent. The opening part of his sermon was an exhortation to the congregation to dedicate themselves more fully to following Christ. In the last part he called for the abolition of the practices of the Maori tohunga. 

The offering at this service came to nearly £5.0s.0d. 

80 people took communion. 

The Bishop did not attend the large service after the dinner but went instead to the Pakeha. The Archdeacon led the service. Matiaha preached on 1 Corinthians 15.10. Matiaha Pahewa’s sermon was good.

On the 6th day the Hui Topu was held. The Bishop opened it with prayer. Afterwards he gave a speech. In the first part of his speech he exhorted the clergy and the lay representatives and the whole Hui to praise God for his many blessings to us all. In concluding his address he urged people to be strong in advancing the works of the Gospel, that increasingly we may do what is right in the presence of God, and that God may be glorified through our works. But that is just the cream of the Bishop’s speech. A copy of his speech will be sent out. The business of the Hui continued for two days before it ended on the evening of the seventh day. On the eighth day the people dispersed to their various paces. 

From your friend and fellow-servant in the Lord. 

(Rev) Hemi P T Huata, 
Mohaka, Hawkes Bay, 
March 15th 99.

MARSDEN’S GRAVE

I had an idea which by good fortune came to fruition and I visited Port Jackson (Sydney). After four days sailing from Wellington we arrived at the great city of Sydney. The harbour entrance to that town is very beautiful, like a lake. There were a multitude of ships from battle ships to ferry boats. On our first night in Sydney we were bewildered by the many things for a stranger’s eyes to look at. The many ships were sailing and making noise. Voices of the many people were calling. Thousands of people crept along the streets, white-skinned, dusky or black. This town was Sydney, also known as Port Jackson. I could not tell you all the things I did and saw. There was a main object of my travels. I went to a meeting of college people. It was a good meeting. The Pakeha were very gracious and valued their visitors, Hamiora Hei and me. What has been said of the Pakeha’s love! We were taken to their places.

At the end of the meeting I was taken by a doctor to Paramatta, a town near Sydney. This Paramatta is where Marsden lived (Rev. Samuel Marsden). Here he saw Toki and Hira. Because of the goodness of his warriors, Marsden’s heart yearned [5] to proclaim the name of Christ to the cannibal Maori of New Zealand. We went into his church. On one side of the house is a stone memorial to that elder from some Maori in Aotearoa. This is the building in which Marsden urged his people to pray for the Maori people that they might turn to the Gospel of Life, of Peace. When we emerged our doctor friend was outside, then we went up by the road on which Marsden had meandered. I was shown the house in which he lived. Another person lives there now. Then we went straight to the burial ground. My friend had forgotten where ‘the Apostle to New Zealand’ had been laid. We searched the graveyard. Eventually I found it. This is what it says on the stone: 

‘Marsden, the first man to preach the Gospel to the Maori people in the year 1814, etc.’

Love descended upon me and my thoughts returned home. I sat on the grave of the father of the Maori people and thoughts came to my heart: “Yes! On December 25th Marsden’s voice was heard at Kororareka. He said, ‘I am the proclaimer of good news of great joy which will soon be shared with all people.’ This is the eighty-fourth anniversary of the coming of the Gospel to the land of my people, and how are they now? Some remain indifferent. Some have left the faith. Most of those who keep up worship do so perhaps only with their lips. Maori and Pakeha prayers are offered and they enter into them. Some have left their first Church, their mother. They have strayed like lost sheep as if there is no shepherd. Their decline is rapid and Pakeha are saying that they will soon disappear from the face of the earth.” As I was like this a prayer came into my heart. ‘Almighty God, remember my people. Do not remember their foolishness towards you. Bring them together into one flock. Bless them on the face of this earth and make them to be “a praise on the earth”.’

My beloved people, greetings to you all. 

From your servant, 
Reweti T Kohere.

NOTICES

Wellington, 
February 9th, 1899.

This notice is to inform individuals, tribes and the Maori people, that the Government is investigating the activities of those who are called tohunga. The work of those tohunga is to deceive people. They say that they will restore to health the invalids and all sick people; what they deliver is very different. They inflict pain on those they practise on, and some die. For another thing, it is said that they are above the law and they try to persuade others to turn to their practices. This is what the Government says: The Government does not want its Maori people to be led astray or to suffer because of the evil actions and the beguiling words of those tohunga. The Government will not allow a person to put himself above the law. So let Maori people be careful and not pay heed to the deceptive words of those tohunga and not respond to their instructions or commands. And this is a word of advice to those tohunga that they should be careful because the law is farseeing and its hands are long to stretch out to the wrongdoer and if any hurt is inflicted on a person’s body or anyone should die as a result of their doings, then that tohunga will be handed over to the law for punishment. And the police have instructions to look into the malpractices of those tohunga and to arrest them should they infringe the law.

From Seddon
Minister for  Maori Affairs.

Te Raukahikatea

On 9th March the Raukahikatea Ministry College opened. The teachers at this school are Rev. Herbert W Williams, M.A. and Rev Hector Hawkins. There are eight students; together with their wives and children there are nineteen people. The names of these students with their homes and tribes are: Turuturu M Ngaki, Te Puke, Te Arawa; Te Muera Tokoaitua and his wife, Tuihana, Rotorua, Te Arawa; Tuahangata Pereiha, Maketu, Te Arawa; Eru Hakaraia and his wife Rihi, Awanui, Te Rarawa; Mokai Kekero and his wife, Titaha, Waitotara, Taranaki; Ngarauru; Te Iwiora Whakarua and his wife, [6] Ngarongoa, Waitotara, Taranaki; Wiremu Keretene, Kawakawa, Ngapuhi; Matene Naera and his wife Memaima, Hokianga, Ngapuhi; Te Ropera Tahuri-o-Rangi and his wife, Mihirini, Rotoiti, Te Arawa. Reweti Kohere is living here at present and working on studies from Christchurch College.

My friend Bennett, I am sending some small seeds to feed our bird, Te Pipiwharauroa. The donation is from all of us. On the nights when there is plenty of food we will send you some more. Please send us copies of the Wharauroa as you are able. So may God strengthen you as you are oarsman for the work of the Church. We are all well. Our only problem is that there are too few of us. Who is going to come and stay in the rooms of this house? So long! 

Turuturu M Ngaki. 
Te Rau College. Gisborne.
March 15th, 1899.

A Prayer for the College

Lord God, you are the giver of wisdom and every good, Our prayer is that you make look kindly on this college. Support always the teachers and students, that each may work well to bring to good fruition the things you give them to accomplish. Protect our bodies from illness and our spirits that they may not be sullied by wicked thoughts. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Centenary of the Church Missionary Society.

Please announce this at the end of Morning and Evening Prayer on 9th April. To the ministers and people of the Church in the Diocese of Waiapu. My beloved friends, greetings. I have spoken in the address to the recent synod of the Maori Church about the Church Missionary Society which has reached its one hundredth year. Its centenary is on the same date as its birth, 12th April. Hence this message to us to pray for the work of the Church Missionary Society, that it may always be blessed by God, that there may be many workers, that the people of the Church may be quick to support that work, that is, the spread of the Good News to all the people of the world, and that we may praise him for calling us out of darkness into his marvellous light. It would be good if all the people of each village should gather perhaps at noon, perhaps in the evening.

Here are some Psalms, readings and a prayer for that service. From your Father, Williams, Bishop, Napier. 17th March, 1899.

For 12th April, 1899. Psalms 72, 96. First Lesson: Isaiah 49.1-14. Second Lesson: Ephesians 3.1-14.

A Prayer to follow the Prayer of St Chrysostom.

Almighty God, who through your Son Jesus Christ commanded the Apostles to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all people: we praise you for calling us into you Church. You have made us swift to fulfil your word, to be eager to make your ways known upon earth, your salvation to all peoples. Look upon the peoples who do not yet know you, the people who are scattered abroad like sheep without a shepherd. Father in heaven, you are the Lord of the Harvest, hear our prayer and send many workers into your harvest. By your grace, fit them for their work. Give them the spirit of power, love and a sound mind; comfort them in difficulties; may their conduct and their teaching result in your glory and draw all people to salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE ACCOUNTS OF TE PIPIWHARAUROA
for the year beginning March 1897 until March 1898.

Expenditure Printing £28.15s.6d
Postage £ 5.11s.2d
Clerical Duties £ 19s.0d
Cash in Hand £ 14s.2d
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£35.19s.10d

Receipts By Subscriptions £32.19s.10d
Special donation for
New title page £ 3.0s.0d.
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£35.19s.10d
F W Chatterton, Treasurer.

COLONIST PRINT

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