Mormon Missionaries Among the Maoris.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 92, 7 March 1885, Page 6

Mormon Missionaries Among the Maoris.

[FKOM TJlb "DEbKRT NEW«," S/iLT LAKE City.]

We havo recently given, a? obtained from roports of returned missionaries from New Zealand, accounts of the remarkable spread of the Gospel among the natives of that part of the world, who are evidently a branch ef the house of Israel. We are enabled to give a few further details, obtained from lettera addressed to Elders Greenwood and liinckley, Avho lately roached home from New Zealand. The following is from a communication written by Elder W. T. Stewart, at Muriwai, Poverty Bay, November 4th :—: — "The Friday utter your departure I was leaving town on the Beach itoad, when I met the same young man that had invited us to call on him, between the town and Whakaoutu (William King). He invited 1113 again to come and see him, which I did that night and baptized six the next morning. The next Monday we baptized five at Papawhariki, among whom was Henry King. "The same day I took my departure for East Capo, but only wont as far as Waiapu. I held 18 meetings while I was gone, all wanting to hear oxcept at one place. I baptized 64 porsons on the trip and blessed nine children, and I know of some ten others who wanted baptism, which I could not attend in consequence of my return to Gisborno. Among those baptized "was a Maori prophet and doctor (Mathew) Henry Potae, son in-law to Manihera and Rangitira, Is tii : some other leading men also. •'There will be a large field"among the Ngatiporous. On my return here I learn that Brother Ash has four others at Papawhariki, among them the son and daughter of Jack Jury. Tho father also lias declared his intention of being baptized. Brother Ash has also baptized fivo more at a place just below Rakeiterva. "I hear through the natives that Clarence has been baptisiug some, but do not know how many. •'Elder Heyborne has baptized four in his district, with good prospocts ahead of him, so yon see there is plenty of work in every direction." The annoxed is an extract from a letter j from Elder E. Newby, written at Taonoke, j H. 8., New Zealand, November 3rd :— ' • My success in the language is very good, so the Moaris tell mo. I have been assisted by Brother Otene and all the saints. They treat me with great kindness, for which I am thankful to God. " I have had the privilege of baptizing twenty-three more at Ugatarawa and dedicating a line new house they have built since you left. I held a four days meeting, and tbe people of the places that you and brother Otene visited are now investigating some of our principles. The Maoris held a large meeting at Omahu, to sco if something could not be done with us "Mormons," and it resulted in a letter to Parliament and in me baptizing some that dwell there. The spirit of gathering is making itself manifest in the H. 8., but as yot I do not say anything about it."