RATANA’S “CALL.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2317, 18 August 1921, Page 4

RATANA’S “CALL.”

“A STRANGE VISITATION.”

. The Rev. Piri Munro, of Ohinemutu, who accompanied Ratana duying the latter’s tour of the South Island Maori settlements, addressed a crowded gathering on “The Healer’s Life and Activities.”

“Ratana,” he said, “was an ordinary Maori, holding a small farm, and was about 40 years old. During the influenza epidemic Ratana was impressed at the appalling amount of sickness. One day, as he was sitting on the verandah he noticed a ball of cloud rise'from a large pond in front of his house, and after flying. over some sandhills, it burst. Ratana fell into a trance, which lasted until the evening. Shortly after that he commenced to take peculiar fits, and walked alone about the farm, crashing through fences and other obstacles. He would not allow anyone to come near him. His mind suddenly became blank. He later became subject to violent moods, and while in these lie would break up furniture in the house, and smash the telephone. He became so violent that his wife arranged for him to be sent to a mental hospital. He was strapped to a chair, but half an hour before the train arrived he awakened, saw his bonds, and said: ‘lf you have any love for me, take these off.’ -They released him. From that time onward the violent fits never occurred, and Ratana remained at the farm.

A CELESTIAL APPARITION. “One day he noticed a ball of cloud similar to the one he had seen previously, at the other end of a room he occupied. As before, it burst, and appeared to divide into two forms. One seemed to become a celestial being, and Ratana received his commission to heal the bodies and minds of his people. Ratana had a nine-year-old boy who had unsuccessfully undergone several operations, and was to be sent to hospital once more for another operation. Ratana said : ‘The boy will be operated on, but not by doctors. It will l?e by the hand of God.’ The boy was cured of his affliction. From that time Ratana did nothing else but attend to hundreds ' and hundreds of afflicted natives. Last Christmas he invited natiy.es to assemble at his farm, where he had had a meeting house erected. He did some wonderful healing, and people began to realise that Ihe the source of his power was something above natural. From Christmas last- he had been daily treating upwards of 200 natives. A DEFINITE COMMAND.

Last May a definiate intimation was received by Ratana through the Celestial Being that he was to visit natives all over the North, South, and Chatham Islands, and go |r. whatever settlement invited him. He set out on his tour. At his first meeting 500 natives publicly declared their faith in the Holy Trinity, and said they would renounce the old gods of their forefathers. Mr Munro explained that Ratana asked him lo continue with him in the mission, as they worked in harmony, and the bishop's consent having been obtained, be remained with the healer and came South with him. His own duty was to speak to assemblages and create a proper spiritual atmosphere. He understood the Maori mind. His great grandfather was one of the last of the high priests, and the oracles of Maori paganism had been passed on to him by his grandfather, who had brought him up.

MAOKIISM AND TOIIUNGAISM. “Knowing the Maori mind, ’ he said, “I watched Katana closely, and I have never once seen in his work the slightest indication of ‘Ma’oriism.’ It may be asked why should Katana not treat Pakehas a ho? I think Ratana is being used to free the native mind front t'hc iniilienee of ‘Maoriism’ or ‘Tohungaisiu,’ and his gift of healing is only given to impress the people. I never realised before how steeped our race is in ‘Maoriism.’ It is often disheartening to sec native hoys and girls, after receiving a good education, and being well placed in the world, suddenly go wrong and make a mess of the whole thing.. Their failure must be attributed to the Maori mind, which some time or Other takes charge of the psychological position and directs the steps. We Maori clergy have failed to overcome the handicap of the Maori mind. but. Ratana has been raised up by God to do so. It lias been indicated to him that his itinerary through the Maori settlements must tease next Christmas. He does not know if he is to continue in the mission of healing after that, but a great gathering of natives will be held at his place next Christmas Day.”