Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 47, 12 February 1943, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakatpne Ministers' Association). THE HALLOWED PAST , • WITHIN THIS ROOM

New Zealand may not be consid- j ered rich in history, nor in historic associations, and some spots that could have been preserved as wayside memorials have been ruthlessly destroyed. But the old Mission House at Tauranga, the second wooden house in New Zealand, that, still stands, as a tribute to the solid building of those early days, remains almost unchanged. The treasures, within and without, are lovingly cared for by Miss Maxwell, the present owner a niece of Archdeacon Brown, who established the home over one hundred years ago. An afternoon spent in this ■wonderful old home, and in the company of this gracious lady Avas a great privilege. Old scenes live and glow, as she relates the story of those pioneer days in the radiant ■ atmosphere, of her own reverence and l'aith. With lier richly develr oped inner life Miss. Maxwell links the past with the present, and by giving herself unstintingly in the service of welcoming visitors to her home, takes hundreds—perhaps thousands —into the quiet of the hallowed. past As avc sat in the large diningroom a fire burned brightly in the wide, fireplace, I was attracted to the red checked cloth which covered the table! I felt the texture. "Are you interested in that?" the lady said. Then she told me that it was, hand-woven, and to her knowledge it was 113 years old, and; had been in daily use for 75. years. The table itself, solid slabs of mahogany, cleverly devised, of wonderful workmanship, may be. extended almost to the capacity of the 1 room. * As Ave sat in that quiet place, filled Avi'th sacred memories, Ave heard a story that Avill remain vividly in our minds. It had to do Avith the battle of the Gate Pa, on April 29, 1864. Archdeacon and Mrs Brown kept an open house for the men in uniform—"Weary men had found here, in this land of strife, a place of peace.' 1 ' One can without effort imagine the gay uniforms about the picturesque, grounds at the water's edge. . On the evening before the battle a number of officers were entertained at supper. When the meal, with its cheerful laughter and animated) conversation Avasi over, the little company fell into quieter mood, AA-hile the kind host spoke to them of- higher things. Then "Abide: With Me" was sung, accompanied .on the first piano brought into New Zealand. (The piano is still to be seen in the library of the Mission House.) Every seat at the extended table was filled, as quietly and reverently, the minister dispenses the Communion to his guests;. /One guest was unable to find a seat, at the table. Next day the big battle Avas fought and only one of the supper party returned—the doctor. Four days later (for it 'took four days to make the coffins) the Archdeacon had the sad task of bmying all these 1 ,, his friends, along Avith many soldiers of the rank and file. A Tauranga lady, Mrs Iv. Hawkins, has depicted this "last supper" very graphically. We have her kind permission to print it.

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

Mrs K. Hawkins Witliin this room, upon that longpasl. night They set tlic table; and the April light Showed pale beyond each lofty 1 window frame When she, the kind and busy hostess came To see that all was done at her behest, To show due " honour to each coming guestr, That men who lived amongst war's miseries, Might know one precious hour of gracious ease. The light, of candles glittered on ithe board; Gold-braided uniform and hilt of sword Answered the gleam, and on the faces round Shone happiness; for weary men had found Here, in this land of strife, a place of peace But, though the talk and laughter did not cease, Some eyes grew wistful; for some thoughts would stray To other homes—in England far away. Then when the meal was ended, tale and joke Died into silence, as the kind host spoke. Lost are his words to-day, we only know That those who listened felt their hearts aglow With penitence; and, kneeling side by side. Grim Veteran and the lad in j-outh-ful pride. They took the sacrament of endless life, Then rose, strong-hearted for the morrow's strife. Within this, room", when but. two nights had fled, Was sound of mdurning for tluf gallant dead; Of all those happy guests who feasted here,But one was: left, to telil the story drear Of ambush, and a battle sadly lost, Of courage, vain, and of its bitter cost, When heroes, Pakeha and Maori, met, In that grim strife that we would fain forget. Still in this place to-day the quiet light, * Falls on a room scarce changed since that past nighit; And in its, quietudte the. questions rise; Was this the vision seen by dying eyes? Did that last glimpse of homely peacefulness: Shine through the pain of wounds to heal and bless? And did, the human kindness freely given Help some brave, soul to find the way to Heaven. ' Before. 1 wei left that scene of hallowed memories, our hostess, invited us to sing "Abide 1 With Me,"L— the old hypin, the same' old. room— a very different company but the words! came from our hearts just the same, accompanied on the old piano, and blessed by the presence of the gracious lady who had opened to us her storehouse of memory.