RATANA’S WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 6

RATANA’S WORK.

A TE AROHA CAS!

MAORI’S REMARKABLE CURE. | At present (says the Thames Star) there is in Thames a Maori who is well known to a great many residents of town and Mr. Willie Nathan is now a resident of Tui Pa, near To Aroha, but he has come to Thames on business connected with the Native Land Court and his friends have been surprised and delighted to see him. For over 30 years he was a sufferer from rheumatism, for years in such an acute stage that he could not even feed himself. The power to use the hands had almost entirely gone, and it was only with tlie greatest difficulty that he could shuffle along. For long periods he could not leave his bed, and, generally, he was regarded as a chronic case of rheumatism. A visit to .Rotorua brought no relief. Towards the end of last year Nathan decided to visit Ratana at his home near Turakina, and early in January he made the journey. Speaking to a Star reporter he said that it was only by the kindness of the guards thht he reached his destination. The pain was intense. Asked what happened when he interviewed the. healer, Nathan said that, with great pain he stood up. “You are bad,” said Ratana, “but I cannot envo you. The One above (pointing upward) alone can cure you—Jesus Christ. If you believe in Him, ail the rheumatism will leave your body.” “And could you believe?” asked the. reporter. “Yes,” was the emphatic answer. “I believed. Ratana said to me, ‘Walk,’ and I went like this (Nathan shuffled along the. floor). He said ‘Walk quicker,’ and I walked like. this. Then he said, ‘Kun,’ and I ran like this.'’ And Nathan ran along the room. “Thep. he said, ‘Sit down. Do you feel any pain?’ 1 said, ‘Yes, here it is very hot’ (Nathan pointed to the ball of the big toe on the left foot). He asked me

what would make it cold, and 1 said, ‘Water.’ He said, ‘Come on,’ and was going to take me out, when I said, ‘Hold on; Jesus Christ can cure it.’ And it was all right. It was done iu 10 minutes.” “And has it stayed right?” “Yes,” was the prompt reply. “Seven months, and J t am fine.” “What did your people think?” “They were, happy, oh very happy, s All happy.” “And how does the wet weather affec you?” “Before, very bad. By jove, very bad. I couldn’t stand the pain. Lie in bed. Squeal like a pig with the pain. 1 couldn’t help it. I always knew whfcn rain was coming.” “And now?” asked the reporter. “Fine. See, 1 can pick cp anything. He picked up a paperweight with great glee. “I can dance and run and move. See,” and Nathan moved his limbs ' about with rapidity and evident plea- • sure.' “People here surprised,”* he went on., “I get messages to go round and see them. They'say, ‘By Jove, you look like a young man.’” And Nathan laughed heartily. “I go. to hspital. They ! know me and 1 show them.” _ The man’s delight was evident. He | could “fight anybody now.” “I can do i what 1 like.” His hands still show the ‘ effects of the rheumatism, but when he ! ahook hands he showed that iio had I full control of them. Smiling genially, . and with renewed assurance that he was fine and that his faith was bright, he left the office. .

MAORI SOLDIER DISCARDS HIS CRUTCHES. A returned soldier undergoing treatment in the King George Hospital. Rotorua, writes to a Taumarunui friend i as follows:

“There is a most wonderful example of a Ratana cure here. A Maori camin here three days ago. He had been at Narrow Neck Hospital for two years on crutches, with a crushed hip. He was due to leave here on Saturday for Narrow Neele, but he asked the Commandant's permission to go to Orakei on Saturday to see Ratana, who asked him if he believed there was only one God, and if’ he repented his sins, etc. His answers being satisfactory, Ratana said: ‘.in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, you are cured. Put away your crutches.’ “He said a warm feeling, like a hot wave went through him. He put away his crutches against the marquee, and then Ratana said: ‘Walk,* and he took his first step, feeling very uncertain of himself, nou having been off crutches for two years, but he took another step and then walked as well as ever he did. “It ali took place in under five minutes, and two days after I saw him running round like a hare. Isn’t it miraculous? He has just come back here io thoroughly regain bis strength. The doctors here were very greatly interested.”