MAORI “MIRACLE MAN.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2300, 9 July 1921, Page 3

MAORI “MIRACLE MAN.”

“A WONDERFUL INFLUENCE.”

WORK DISCUSSED BY ANGLI-

CAN SYNOD.

Referencc to the work of the Maori “miracle man,” Tahu Wiremu Ratana, was contained in the report of the. Superintendent of the Maori Mission (the Rev. W. J. Williams) presented to- the Diocesan Synod at Yv ellington on Tours day. “We believe him to be one of many whom God has been raising up in these latter days in different parts of the world to give special message to their own people,” stated the report. “Ratana has certainly had a wonderful influence in recalling the people from a lapse into tohungaism and other practices of pagan superstition, and we feel that if his work is followed up by special effort, such as the proposed mission at Otaki, a real spiritual awakening may be looked for. Let us pray that it may be so.” At the evening session of the Synod, the Rev. Mr Williams moved “That this Synod is of opinion that some notice should be taken by the Church of the teaching and work of Tabu Wiremu Ratana.” Mr Williams narrated several instances of cures having been effected through the agency of Ratana, who insisted that the Natives should renounce the practices of tohungaism and the old pagan gods. Ratana showed that if his hearers woiuld give up all known sin and go hack fo a simple faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, they could claim not only forgiveness of their sins, but healing of their bodies as well. The great point of his teaching was an urgent insistence upon a personal faith in the Triune God. Mr W illiams said that as a result of Katana's work there was a great spiritual awakening amongst the Maoris. There was now a wonderful spirit of inquiry, and a readiness to hear the teachings of the Gospel, and all over the country there was a great demand for Bibles. Undoubtedly, Ralana had been raised up to check (he spread of tohungaism, or, rather, the cult of demonism, which it really was, and thus save the Maoris from the physical consequences of indulgence in pagan practices. The motion was seconded by the Yen. Archdeacon Innes-Jones.

Upon the suggestion of the Rev. H. J. L. Goldthorpe, Mr Williams withdrew his motion and substituted the following: —“That this Synod sends greetings to Ratana, and desires to express its very deep thankfulness at the success that has attended his efforts for the physical, moral and spiritual welfare- of our Native race; and this Synod further prays that Divine blessing may rest on his work in the future.” AN AMENDMENT MOVED.

The Rev. Y. H. Kitcat moved as aii amendment: —“That this Synod is of opinion that some notice should be taken by the Church of the teachings and work of Tahu Wiremu Ratana, and that a committee consisting of the Ven. Archdeacon Watson, Rev. R. 11. Ilobdav, and Rev. W, G. Williams be appointed to make an investigation, such committee to add to its number a wise and experienced physician, and report to the next session of Synod.” The reference in the amendment to the “wise and experienced physician” was made on the suggestion of Bishop Sprott, who said he would like to see a medical lhan on the committee. , “I feel we are in a very serious lime in the world’s history,” remarked Mr R. L. Button, “and we should be the very last to endeavour to throw cold water on any such movements as we have had narrated fo us to-night. The Christian Church to-da^ r is suffering for tha want of spirituality, and I do feel that we should encourage to the very best, of our ability any such movement as we have seen as Katana's. The only pity of it is that we don’t see more of it amongst ourselves.”

Bishop Sprott remarked that he believed in the possibility of Divine healing, but he also believed that all medical science was the revelation and gift of God. “HAS THE CHURCH FAITH?” .“bias the church any faith in miracles at all?” asked the Rev, W. Fancourt. “Does it believe in the miracles performed by Christ?” All that Ratana was doing was to take up the Gospel and put into practice the words of Christ, They, should not net as if they disbelieved the words of Our Lord in regard to the power of faith.

After a prolonged discussion, Synod-finally carried the following motion: —“That this Synod sends greetings to Ratana, and expresses its thankfulness for the great moral and spiritual revival resulting from his work among the Maoris, and prays for God’s continued blessing upon his work for the future.”