THE LAST MEETING AT PARIHAKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 193, 14 August 1879, Page 4

THE LAST MEETING AT PARIHAKA.

The special correspondent of the Taranikt Herald states that Te Wbiti's speech at Parihska on the 17th alt. contained little of importance. It consisted of a short addrers of welcome to his people for their attendance. The important part of the business was transacted in a semi-private manner, partly in the meeting-house at night, where he shut np all the scoffers who came there to witness his downfall, and partly by instructions to his principal adherents. Several attempts were made to throw ridicule on Te Whiti and bis doings— notably by Tahans — but they were all complete failures. Tabaoa spoke boldly at first, but Te Whiti's denunciations intermixed wilh bitter sarcasm, seemed to cow him, and from a standing position he was in when speaking, Tahana gradually sunk to lhe groand, covering bis blankets over his ears, as if to thut out from his hearing the bitter imprecations on his bold and imprudent utterance?. Te Whiti ia eviJently watching events and keeping in the back ground at present. He has no new schemes, •nd apparently wishes matters to settle down for a time. He says the present Ministry cannot stand long, but declines to give his reason for saying so. He is very silent as to bis own actions for tbe future. The following are the utterances of the prophet at ths meeting, as near as I can give them. TE WHITl's SPEECH. Te Whiti said:— My spirit hath en. tered into Te Rangi Praboaho, the chief man among tbe prisoners, wbo talks incessantly night and day. This is tbe only instance on record, from the time of Adam to tbe present day, in which the leader bas voluntarily given op his followers to imprisonment. The number should have been 120. A number of boys and old men were rejected, which brought the number down to 109. These people now belong to tbe holy army of martyr*?, and their reward will be a crown of glory. Te Whiti then proceeded to make plain to bis followers from Scripture quotations, the reason of bis people's imprisonment, saying tbat when they, tbe two witnesses (Te Whiti and Tobu) have finished their testimony, the Beast (Sir George Grey) shall make war against them and overcome them. The following will give some iJea of his utterance in tbis respect :— «■* When the Pharisees held a couocil how they might destroy bim he withdrew himself, and charged the multitude that tbey Bhould not make bim known, as it was prophesied. ' "I will not strive nor cry, but a bruised reed shall I not break, and smoking flax I shall not quench, and in my name shall the Gentiles trust." He then proceeded to say in August and September the pakeba will come to Paribaka in large numbers ; they will flow into the place like water, and bring food for the people. When the Government see Urge numbers at Paribaka they will release tbe prisoners and come up with tbem accompanied by a large force Then the Governor and Te Whili will meet face to face, and war together with the tongue. The Governor will be surprised at tbe audacity of Te Whiti his indignation will exceed ail bounds; in his passiou he will draw his sword •nd smite Te Whiti to the earth. The governments of tbe earth have built up • structure tbat exists only by tbe power of money. The head of the land —the Queen — is honored in proportion to the pomps aod vanities of her im. me iate attendants. Her governors all hold out tbeir hands for their wages, without which their patriotism would shrivel up. Tbe legislators, the magistrates, the police, Ac, make laws and put them in force at so much per day. From the highest to the lowest money is the motive force. Strike away tbis prop, ani the confnsion that would result could only be compared to that which eventuatedat tbebuilding of tbe Tower of Bibel. I have built up my power by tbe force of my will — no worldly considerations affect my followers. They are disinterested ; they are superior to tbe power of money; their thoughts are raised from earthly cares to Boar in the realms of bliss. Their hearts are being purified in anticipation of tbe great day tbat is at haod. I have an uniform distinct path that I travel continuously — peace and goodwill to men is the password. Tbe wayfarers are clothed in love and obarity ; tbe end of the journey to those wbo enter it is joy everlasting. He then denounced tbe backsliders, and portrayed in glowing colors the great reward that awaited the true and enduring believers who were martyrs to the good cause for wbich be had been sent upon the earth to see carried out. All the natives that were present Were evidently greatly influenced by his speech, and if there were any waverers amongst them they came from the meeting stronger believers in Te Whiti's power than ever.