Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 17, 23 October 1942, Page 3

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakatp

MAORI MISSION FIELD

First Impressions of a New Recruit

by R. Lan Hall

ne Ministers' Association).

Recently there came to lie a let-, ter from a Bible Class member {i'n one; of our cities. This was one sentence, did not know there was any difference between Maori and Home Missionaries." Conversations with various members. of the Church, both clerical and lay, have made one come to the. conclusion that there is a quite considerable lack of knowledge as to our Church's Maori Mission work and the need for it. Fortunately there is one important section of the Church which is Jiot lacking in sympathetic interest. The new recruit is; soon made aware of, the solicitude of the P.W.M.U., and the indebtedness of Maori Missions to those women. Of the work itself, one of the first impressions received is the veneration of the Maori people for Hoani (the Rev. J. G. Laughton). His name always brings a smile of gladness. The people are never tired of recounting his linguistic abilities and his sympathetic knowledge of itheir traditional culture. The Maori Church members, and their Pakeha "Minitas?" also stand greatly in debt to Mr Laughton for his excellent Maori Service Book, which contains the orders lor Church services; Bible readings and prayers for family worship throughout the year; several metrical Psalms; and a selection of over one hundred hj r mns. The next matter which impresses itself upon one is the fact that although seventy-five per cent of the people speak and read English, they still think Maori. One must always reckon with this difference of approach to a common problem if one would render effective help. Perhaps the deepest impression is this, the Pakeha ma'kes the Maori. If the average Pakeha is honest,, upright in character, clean-living and God-fearing the Maori will definitely absorb those traits, and bring to them his own peculiar mysticism. When the Pakeha is characterless, given to vice, and anti-religious, themjust as definitely will the Maori reproduce those characteristics. To-day the Maori is as it were caught in a swiftly flowing river, against which he finds it impossible to battle unaided. Voices call to him from the bank; voices of the past; voices of the sirens of the river; voices of those who have mastered that river. Amid the roar of the torrent the call of these voices are so blurred that, often he finds himself unable to distinguish friend from foe. He is groping. The twentieth century has come to the man of the 'stone age. To. this man who hunted, fished, tilled the soil for sustenance; who wove and spun his : garments; who lived in villages; where the rule was share and share alike;, has come a mechanical civilisation in which food, and clothing are machine produced, where life is ruthless individualism. The cry, "Each man his own master," has broken down both tribal life and home life, with a. resultant, lack of discipline and parental control. Westernisation has caught the Maori in its grasp, he cannot escape it. how best can he live within it is his problem. And because it is both

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

fascinating and frightening, his reactions to it are of two Jle either absorbs its culture, generally the worst; or else he seeks to reject it and longs for "the good old days of quiet ease." ;

this bewilderment the Maori is genuinely appreciative of the least kindness and help. To anyone who will -guide and befriend he shows deep gratitude. With encouragement he is able to breast the stream. There are to-day homes among the Maoris which for cleanliness, orderly beaut3 r , and, that quiet sense of home-life, put to shame; many a Pa'kelia home in the same community. These homes are Christian homes. More Christian encouragement is needed. Unfortunately it is not being given. A recent survey reports on two# most disturbing facts. "Colour-bar is prevalent in New Zealand, and it is still a consider? able factor in relations, between Maori and Pakeha. While there is no bar to the political rights of Mia or i. there is. a definite ffar pery sonally. "The two peoples tend, to keep to themselves. The Pakeha forgets the tremendous difficulties of transition from a primitive people to one acquiring civilised habits, and there ia an essential lack of sympathy . . . "Alcohol is one of the chief problems. Stricter law enforcement is necessary to prevent the activities of the State in respect to health, housing, and education being brought to nothing," That report flings; a direct challenge at us —as a nation and as a Church. lin particular it is a challenge to those who live near Maori communities. Our task is to bring to the Maori people the best in our civilisation. They have already been given the worst and the mediocre. But the best is what they need and deserve. That best is Christ and His salvation. The Maori in this Urewera Country has but recently emerged from barbarism. Not. twenty miles away are Maoris who have tasted human flesh. One of our Mission Houses stands on the site of a cooking oven which was in use for cannibalistic orgiesi in the not far distant pasfy Under these circumstances there is demanded of us a long view in regard to results. Patience. Can we, who have a thousand years of Christian heritage, expect a full and immediate embracing of Christianity from these people? Let us remember also that our un-Christian modes of living, our uncharitableness, weighs more strongly in the Maori mind than our profession. & Our pioneer missionaries have brought Christ near to the hearts of many. Much still remains to be done. It is your responsibility. Jesus said, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." We have obeyed the Master as to Judea (our own folk), and as to the world (India, China, New Hebrides), but Ave are still inclined to spurn Samaria. "Colour-bar is prevalent in New Zealand"—less than six months residence in the field convinces one of the truth of that statement. On the Christian layman depends the removal of the stigma. 'Tie that loveth not his Maori brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not wcii?"