MAORI "MIRACLE MAN"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 49, 22 November 1920, Page 6

MAORI "MIRACLE MAN"

BELIEVER IN POWER OF FAITH MANY CURES REPORTED OPPONENT OF TOHDNGAISM - In view of the great interest being taken by Maoris in faith-healing, as practised by n Maori named latin Wiuremn Eatana, at Eatana, a Pressmn personally visited Tahn at his residence, and had an interesting chat with him (writes the Wangnnui correspondent ot the Christchurch "Sim"). . , The new faith-healer or "miracle man, ■ as lie is now known, is a grandson of Eatana Ngahiua, who was one cf the three native. 1 chiefs chosen to lepresent the New Zealand tribes at the Commonwealth celebrations. He possesses a line large house, and ahout GOO acres of land at 'Ratana. During the .past twelve months he has entertained, at his own expense, and claims to have been instrumental in curins, about MOO Maoris, the period of each cure averaging about two days. Blindness and eye troub es, paralysis, rheumatic fever, and oJht diseases were successfully, treated, and, he helieved, permanently removed. . But Tahn seriously objected to being called a prophet. He denied ever having posed as a nrophet. and said that he fc showing his people the fallacy of -tohitnenisiMr worshipping any otnr/ god but the true one. "While claiming; a Urge measure of success in the removal ot bodily affliction, he-tonic no credit to himself other than—as lie nut it—beinz a humble instrument in Gods hands, curing the sick by prayer and faith >n the Holy; Ghost. Presbyterian by Faith. Tahn, who firmly believes that faitn will remove mountains, told nis atofy somewhat as follows:—

"I am of the Presbyterian faith, and have always been a student of the Ho.y Scripture. As I delved more and more into the Old- Book, I became obsessjd with the desire to heal the sick. I knew that many of my people .believed in tohuncaism and the Maori 1 aipo. They believed in certain gods, and I knew that, in worshipping these idols and false ;gods, they were doing themselves and'their race "harm. I opened my heart to God, and I became strongly influenced by the Gospel according- to St. John, fourteenth chapter, in which it is stated, 'If ve shall ask any thing in .My name I will do it.' The passage bocame fixed in my mind, and h'eart. "When light came, I found that God was using me, and, for the past twelve months, I have been the instrument in God's- hands of sending over 1000 Maoris back to their homes, cured of the ailments with which they came here." The eick have come lanrcly from Taranaki, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Wang-i----nni, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, and other districts, as far north as Pukekohe. Asked as to his methods of u-entnien', Tahn smiled, and said. "I have no method except knee-drill. When my poor people come, I tell them they must put all other gods aside, and worship only the true God. I read the Scripture and pray with them, and it is marvellous how, when we plead at the Throne of Grace troubles disappear."

The Pressman was -taken to a vury large meeting-room, on tho walls of winch were dozens of crutches, eaue chairs, walking-sticks, goggles, eye-gkisses, etc.; wjncli patients had left behind as testimony to the prophet's healing power. Scores of bottles of medicine were also on the shelf, tho discarded physic having been prescribed by doctors and chemist;, without achieving- results. The cang chair, Tahu and' several of his followers explained, had been' used by a Maori fromTauniarunui. This sick man had been paralysed, and was quite helpless when ho arrived—as a matter of fact, lie slept in the chair. In a couple of (lays he was able to return home and leave tho chair behind. An old'woman who was obliged to smoko to give relief from asthma!' left a big pipe behind, as testimony to the fact that she no longer required it. her faith in -the Holy Ghosrt proving supreme. Cured of Blindness,

■■ One important witness' present, who" gave personal testimony, was iNgarangi iuititia Broughton, who once contested tlio Western Mauri Beat, and was defeated by the Hon. Dr. M. Pomare. Mr. Broughton informed the Pressman that ho had' lately suffered from blindness. Ho had been a Hau'Hau.and a groat believer in To Wliiti. He realised, however; that there was only one bod. -Through his faith and belief, he had W cured of blindness by the supplication of Tahu Katana. who was a good man and made no pretence of being anything else but a humble instrument in God's hands, healing thp sick and afflicted. , . , ~• n Mr Broughton had been practically Wind bei'oro he tested tho faith represented by Tahu, but ho was certainly able to see quite well to-day. He accompanied the reporter to the railway station, where another aged Maori was sitting. This old man, he said, had been blind for 28 years. He was we known in the Katana district. He had been led around, not being able to get about without assistance. I had not seen the moon or sun nearly al that time," he said, "and yet, by faith, I had my. eyesight restored, as you see. I now carry mailbngs Tahu Itatana was formerly engaged m growing wheat and other crops, and then in dairying. . Recently he relinquished that, and is now devoting is time and wealth-and ho appears to have plenty of the world's goods-to the aliov atton of the troubles of the sick and suffering who come, to him His work h gratuitous, and ho accepts.™ money for hospitality. His big residues and mwHnVnoW-we spoiled clean, and Z\\ ventilated, with a powerful ace ylei* gas plant for lighting nil the bu.ld'"tuliu is erecting at his own expense ■ n fine churA capable of -.seating Ml) neonle This lie how? to open on Christmas Dav. He holds service morning and evening. No ™nl !S i' 1 , 10 ™ 1 to '"' partaken until srrncc is said.