RATANA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1921, Page 7

RATANA.

“THE MIRACLE MAN.” WORK DECLARED GENUINE. DISCUSSION BY MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION. “I am satisfied that his work is genuine and that he is doing real spiritual work amongst the Maori people.” This was the opinion expressed by the Rev. Wilfred Williams, the wellknown Church of England Maori missionary at a meeting of the Wanganui Ministers’ Association when the work of Ratana the Maori “miracle man” was discussed. Ths Rev. Mr. Williams said that he had visited Ratana’s place many times during the past year. He had attended several large gatherings and could not help being impressed with Ratana’s earnestness and the spiritual effects of his teachings. “Two months ago.” said the Rev. Mr. Williams, "we considered that the time had come for us to inquire into Ratana’s work and form decided opinions. So in company with Canon Williams, I spent a day and night at Ratana’s residence. We had two lang interviews with Ratana and we plied him with any questions that occurred to us about his teachings and practices. Then we went into the meeting house and sat amongst the crowd of visitors. We were both satisfied that his work was genuine and that there was no sign of the ordinary practices of Tohungaism. We saw the register signed by 1167 persons who claimed to have been cured. Can wt offer any explanation? That is the question that I asked myself. When we listened to Ratana we could not help thinking of the many people who came to the Lord when He was on earth; and how many came for healing. In many cases Ratana tells the Maoris tha their diseases are different to European diseases. He tells them to apostatize their faith, get away from evil beliefs, and to come back to God. He tells them to renounce Paganism, to believe in the simple faith of God for the healing of bodily diseases.” A BIT COLORED. Proceeding, the Rev. Mr. Williams said some of the newspaper accounts of Ratana’s work may have been a bit colored and one was just a bit doubtful to rely on some of the statements made. There was the reported case of a lady who motored up to the pah. It was said that Ratana was conducting a service and could not come, but he told them to return to the lady in the car, and when they did the pain had left her. Personally he did not believe it, as rt was not Ratana’s way of dealing with the™- ~ , x-o The Rev. Mr. Williams said that Katana began with a religious service and followed it with an address. He had a wonderul effect on the Maoris, who were spellbound. After the address it was Ratana’s custom to stand up and if any ’Maoris wanted to be healed Ratana proceeded to catechise them. Imagine that for a European! There was no confessional box with Ratana. At Christmas time there was a huge service with about 2000 persons present. They were present when Ratana questioned a number of Maoris. One was a man about 35 years of age, who said he had pains from his head to his feet. He said .he had been to a Tohunga who had given him an atua to heal him. The atua was an old Panama hat. Ratana asked him if he was prepared to renounce his sins and come to God and ask for forgiveness. The following dialogue then took place: RATANA’S LOGIC. Ratana (pulling out a watch): Who made this? The Maori: A watchmaker. Ratana: Supposing it goes wrong; would you take it to a blacksmith or a shoemaker? The Maori: I would take it to the watchmaker. Ratana: Well, if your body is wrong why do you take it to a Tohunga? Why not take it to God and let him heal it He understands it. What do you do when your watch is put in order? The Maori: Wind the spring. Ratana: Yes, you must keep the mainspring going, so you must keep in touch with God to keep your mainspring going. You must go away and pray to God to heal you. The Bev. Mr. Williams said Ratana did not lay his hands on the Maoris. He simply told them to have faith in God. What impressed the speaker with Ratana was that he told the natives he could only point them to God and his work. As to the actual cures the speaker would like an actual test investigated before and after healing. So far he had not done so. He could only go on what persons professing- to be cured had told him. There was a remarkable case of a' half caste from the Hawke’s Bay district who had been suffering for twelve years from a poisoned foot and had to get all his toes amputated. He was always in pain and had to have a hot water bottle in bed for warmth for' his limb. The speaker saw ihe native the morning after Ratana had dealt with him, and he said all the pain had gone. All other Maoris were amazed. The speaker had an interview with the Bishop of Waipu when over in Hawke’s Bay, who said that the particular case would be investigated and if it were genuine it would be regarded as sufficient. There were many other cures spoken of- A case of paralysis was brought by train and the patient was carried to Ratana’s house. In a few days the patient left and walked to the train. He left behind his chair, which is now hanging up amongst walking sticks and crutches. The Maoris regarded Ratana as wonderful and were coming from all over the country. Ratana entertained them all at his own expense, and would not accept any contributions. He said that he was a wealthy man and would spend his money that way. BELIEF IN FAITH. The Rev. Mr. Williams next told how Ratana started his work. About two years ago his little boy, ten years of age, ran a needle into his knee, and got it poisoned. He was brought to the Wanganui Hospital, where he remained for four months, and in spite of four operations got worse. Ratana shut himself up in a room for six* days and fasted and prayed with his Bible. He then went to the hospital and the doctor said that the boy would die if he were removed. Ratana said that the boy would die if he were left there any longer. He took him home, and all the family prayed for his recovery, and in three days he was well. In conclueion’ the Rev. Mr. Williams

said /doctors stated there were pseudo diseases and if persons could be freed from their mental condition a cure could be effected. He believed that that was occurring with Ratana. TOHUNGAISM RENOUNCED. In reply to questions the Rev. Mr. Williams said he had not heard of any cures of broken limbs or blindness from birth. Ratana had no hypnotic influence about him. It was amazing the way Tohungaism was being renounced. There was a great increase of spiritual fervor amongst the Maoris. He had heard of young natives giving up drinking and gambling, and having faith in God. It was a big responsibility for the missionaries to follow the work up and take advantage of it. In moving a vote of thanks to the Rev. Williams, the chairman (the Rev. S. Jenkin) said that it was an inspiring talk. They were gratified that the results were fraught with great spiritual benefits for the Maori race. That was the greatest benefit of all—Chronicle.