Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 57, 19 March 1943, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

WITH THE MAORIS v «! The Rev. J. X. A. Smith gives some glimpse. 1 : into the life of a Lady Missionary among the Maoris. * The writer of this article has just j been reading a little book entitled "Women who have worked and won" j Such a title could, well be given to any story of the consecrated labours of the lady missionaries of our Maori Field. Xo other sphere of the missionary activity of our Church lias ' had to depend so miu-h upon the 'women folk as has the Maori work. t And it can be' saiil of our lady miss'onaries to the Maoris, with due respect to our brave women in China, India and the New Hebrides, that the story of their devotion compares more than favourably with any other record of missionary endeavour. "The onlooker sees most of the game" is an old adage, and the* writer has had the privilege of observing from close at hand, glimpses into the life of a ladv missionary. He 'will do his best to let the readers visit the Mission House and enter into the daily round of duties that come the missionary's, way. The Mission House is always the place to which the Maori women, and men too, come for help. Larly in the morning, at 6 a.m. perhaps, you would be awakened by a knocking at the door. But you needn't get alarmed, for it is only "Grannie' arriving to have her morning "karakia" with the lady worker. "Grannie" is a comparatively recent, edition to Church membership, and is a real help to her. Together the two have a reading, and prayer, and, they rise from their knees conscious of the nearness of God. This finished, "Grannie" waits to have breakfast, and then to help with the dishes. How often does occur? Once in a while? No, quite often several times a week, and for weeks on end, and the missionary never tires of ministering to her old Maori friend,, and indeed as many more as like, to come. "Grannie" may not have left the Mission House long when some 20 to 30 Maori women arrive to see Avhat 1 m '*in the bag." - They arc taken over to the Clothes House and, the missionary brings out her Avares for all to examine and purchase. There is little "haggling" over prices for all are eager to buy something for the different members of the family. Soon the bags arc .empty, and the ladies wander off in little groups of two or three discussing the bargains ofi the day. lif only the P.W.M.U. ladies could catch a glimpse of this piece of valuable work, for the missionary is not. content Avith merely passing on garments to give warmth and cover. She uses sale day as an opportunity • for speaking the word in season to some poor dissatisfied soul; and remember, no Avord can ever fruitless fall. The lady worker wends her Avay back to her cottage "dissatisfied

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE % (Supplied by the Whakatane Ministers' Association).

with herself and her weak ell'orW vji puts It., but in the eyes of others hers is a work well done. Teaching the great Bible stories to the children of the schools lakes up much time. Before eight o'clock I in the morning the baby car is brought out of the garage, picture rolls and hymn books placed in the back seat!, and off Ave go "with this tireless worker. At the schools she is welcomed by. pupils and teachers alike. The children listen with rapt attention as a Gospel story is told them, and then together scripture passages are committed to memory. Sometimes the lady missionary turns homeward wondering Just how fruitless her day's work lias been, especially since one Maori boy has told her that "Jeremiah was put in gaol for pinching apples, but God sent a Maori to get him out." But the future days tell a talc of faithful work, when the missionary sees those whom she has taught livfing upright Christian lives. That is the goal of all missionary work, and not infrequently this goal is achieved. One often wonders how so much can be crowded into one day. It is "I must make a milk pudding and go over and see the old people at the pa," and then. "There's old Mrs —. she's not well. I must look hnr up"; or, ''Margaret hasn't been at Biftle Class lately. I'll ask her why." And, so it goes on, strength being given day by day for these labours. No opposition daunts the faith of the missionary., no disappointment. too great for she shares it with her Lord, and no soul ever turns away without some message of hope, and the question might well be asked, "Docs, all the service so willingly rendered go unblessed?" While we cannot say with the writer of the Acts of the Apostles that "the Lord added to the Church dally such as should be saved" His faithfulness in adding some during the year is gratefully acknowledged. ! What, a joy it is, at the time of | Conference, when the workers see some of the souls whom they have brought to the", feet of Jesus Christ, j received into the membership ol' the t Church. The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand owes, a tremendous debt of gratitude to the women who have borne heavy bur- , dens cheerfully. It is they who have . set down a solid foundation in the preaching of the Gospel of Jc.su.' Christ; those who build thereon pa\ 2 tribute to their work. These arc s women who have worked and won c "I know my hand, may never reaj n its sowing, a And yet some other's may, - And I may never even see it growii\g, So shbrt my little day. y Still must. I sow, although I go forti r> weeping, I cannot, dare not stay. s God grant a harvest, though av< ir may be sleeping. 1 Under the shadows grey."