WASHING.
Friends! We know how very many of the Native children are diseased at the time of their suckling. Although the children born are many, yet but few of them arrive at adult age. Many are the causes which occasion this. Improper food is one thing ; want of warm clothing is another ; but the cause which we now consider, is uncleanliness. The body of the child is not washed by the mother, but with the garments, is always dirty. For many days the child is not put into the water, and for many weeks it has no clean clothes. Hence, it is soon affected with disease. Friends, listen ! The skin of man is covered all over with small pores, they are very small indeed. This is the way the perspiration comes forth, together with the evil parts of the blood. When these pores are kept open, then everything bad is constantly coming out, and the person is kept in health. When the pores are not open, then the evil remains inside, and causes disease. How are those pores to be kept open? By washing and by clean clothes. The effect of dirt is to close up the kino within, and so produce sickness. Mothers ! You love your children, and you do not wish them to be sick, but to be healthy. Therefore I here advise you, to wash your children thoroughly, every day. Put them into the wash-tub, and never mind their crying, they will soon give that up. Do not forget a single day, but do it continually. After being
washed, dry the child with a clean towel, and you will shortly observe the fine and healthy appearance of your great treasures. And by constantly applying cold water to the child, he is made into a courageous msn : he will not be afraid of the cold when you call him to his work. What is the cold to him ? he has been strong to encounter that, from his infancy. And let not the women say, " Whence are the Maories to obtain their towels"? Pray, how do you obtain your blankets, but by purchase ? So with the towel and soap and basin—buy them. " Where is the purchase money to come from" ? From the wheat, from the pigs, from the flax. Husbands, and parents of children, be strong to work, that you may obtain money with which to purchase all these things for your children, that they may be healthy, and that the Maories may increase I in the land. Be not deaf to this word, and consent not merely with your lips, but "rather go to work at it, lest you should, be left as murderers of your offspring. These children were made by God, and redeemed by Christ, and they are looked on as great treasures. God has given them up to be nourished and instructed by you. And if your work for them is good, He will reward you, and save both you and your children.
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Bibliographic details
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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 12, 2 September 1861, Page 5
Word count
Tapeke kupu
498WASHING. Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 12, 2 September 1861, Page 5
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