RATANA’S POWER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2291, 18 June 1921, Page 4

RATANA’S POWER.

NOT IN THE MAN HIMSELF,

HE ASCRIBES IT TO THE

DEITY

THE HEALER IN AUCKLAND

A REMARKABLE MAORI

(From the Auckland Star.) “E niokio ana koe Ratana? (“Do you know Ratana?”) “Kahore.” (“No”) “Pewliea tona ahut ” “What’s he like?”

“Aua.” (“Don’t know.”) The Healer, like Dr. Hertz, the Jewish Rabbi, has a strong objection to. being interviewed by newspaper people, and is as hard to run to earth as a British Cabinet Minister was before the war. If one Maori standing this morning at the corner which the race affects when it is in town, were asked by the reporter for some clue to track down the Healer, at least a dozen were interrogated, and the invariable reply was a “Kahore” or an “Aua.” After many negatives and evasive answers, at last the reporter who had been told off to find the man who during the past eighteen months has sprung from the obscurity of a resident of a little Wanganui village to something like fame, found but that his quarry was down the street, and certain descriptions relating to his entourage were sufficient to'identify the strangers. The Healer had gone in search of kai, and knowing the Maori predilection for sea fare,-the reporter did a little Sherlock Holmes and scouted in front of a fish saloon. Sure enough, in a few minutes the clue proved correct. A Native of about 45 years of age, slender, clean-shaved, walking with a slight stoop, came out. His thin face and deep-set eyes bore all the marks of a man given to dwelling on things psychic, whether lie be white, brown, or black. The type is the same allover the world. \ou get something of the same east of features of oldtime priests in the Partridge collection in the Art Gallery. SECRET OF HIS POWER.

Although he speaks English quite well, Ratana does not apparently care to come in contact with Europeans, and there are always some of his entourage round to stave oft anyone. No doubt there is- very good reason. Ratana is no common man; neither is lie after money or notoriety. He seeks no glor_\. He claims nothing supernatural for the man Ratana; he ascribes everything he accomplishes to the Almighty. He uses the words of Christ (and without the slightest suggestion of irrcvcrance). “Thv faith hath made thee whole.” That, in brief, is the secret of whatever power the man may possess. Unless the afflicted believe in the power of God to cure them they cannot expect to be made well. There is no laying on of hands; 'no healing touch; he simply tells the sufferer to pray and believe [hat he or she will be cured, and according to the faith of the patient so will be the restoration.

If you ask what is Ratana’* religion you will bo told that he embraces all' those who believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. He has a simple prayer, which lie gives' tlio.-e who consult him, and I ells them to pray that they may be made whole. He holds meetings anywhere- and everywhere when on his pilgrimages. In a building, in a church, on the marae (or village square) —it is till the same to the Healer, All that is needed is a faith strong enough; the rest is with the Atua (God). As each patient comes forward the formula is the satrte. Halting within a few feet of Ratana, the question and answer are put. the prayer is given, and the number of people who go away cured is said to be remarkable.