A VISION.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 212, 25 August 1893, Page 3

A VISION.

And it came to pass that I did hear a voice crying unto me arise ! arise! and get thee hence and go thou upon a long journey for strange things are about to happen in the land. And I did cry out who «rt thou but the strange voice answered me not, therefore did I arise and gird up my loins and departed upon my journey towards the far off country where these strange things were happening. And after much weary journeying and toiling, I did find myself again within the walls of the city of monopoly, "but this time the city was not fair to view, for in many of the by-ways was much desolation to be seen, f( and many of the habitants and dwelling places of the inhabitants did much stand in need of the skill of the workman, while the highways did appear like unto sloughs of despond. Now it came to pass that being a hungered, I did get me to a house of entertainment kept by one who calleth himself Rogers, and the kindly handmaiden did bring unto, and set before me meat and drink, that I might partake thereof, and having partaken I did for a surety feel much refreshed in body. And I did depart lienee for I desired that I might meet and hold converse with some of the inhabitants of the city of monopoly, for peradventure they might tell me concerning- the strange things taking place. And as I journeyed along the highway, I did meet with one called Williamus, and who did give me greeting saying, Whence comest thou ? and I answered ‘ From afar,’ But tell me, Oh Williamus ! how farest it with thee ? and what strange things-are taking place? Tell to me I pray thee, for it is long since I was a sojourner in tout city of monopoly. And he answered me saving for a surety many strange things are now taking place, but look ! dos’t see yonder large chamber? Yea! Then come let us get hence, for within its walls is a meeting of hosts, yea! of the toilers after resin." And we departed, and being now within the chamber, did give car unto one who appeared to me like a leader of thii meeting, for lie did speak with a loud voice telling the people there had come into this land men from a far off country, yea ! they who are called aliens, and are not of our people, and he dicl lift up his voice and did exhort the host that they should get audience with the Councillors of our land, that they should in their great wisdom make unto us a law whereby we shall have strength within us to stay these strangers and sojourners from o’errunnning the land, and as 1 listened lo I did marvel greatly and got speech with myself, ’lis well ! Then arose another of the host and lifting up his voice mightily, did beseech the toilers that they might all lift up their voices and cry aloud unto the councillors that they should not let these strangers and aliens drag from them their means of sustenance, and the host, did shout out with a loud voice, for the words spoken, were good. .Now there arose and made speech one who is called James: a man of integrity, yea, an honest man and of good report, and he did counsel the toilers speaking words of much wisdom so much so that they did hearken diligently unto him. and when he had spoken they did shout aloud, ’tis well ! But now there standeth forth and maketh a speech one who is patriarchal in appearance, yet I like not the look that spreadeth o’er the beaming countenance. But hearken ! he speaketh, yea ! but I like not the tomes, he tell-

eth you of great wiongs, but doth not he magnify them ? He speaketh of great injustices, but hath he not beer, the father and wet nurse of them ? Yea ! for a surety I tell ye these things are so, yet hearken ! for this man still speaketh, he lift eth up his voice like unto one bereft of his reason, he speaketh words of spleen, bitter as gall and wormwood, words which verily do much harm unto a good cause, and as he thus spake I did marvel and a great grief and anguish of spirit did come upon me, and I cried in my sorrow, woe ! How it came to pass that as I marvelled, I turned me to my friend Williamns, and did ask of him what means this man ? why speaketh he thus bitterly ? and lie answering saith, dost't not know this is he who again wishes to be sent up to the far off city as a Councillor of the land, and now again seeketh the goodwill of the toilers that they might cast votes for him. How for a. surety. Oh Williamns, but I verily believeth thou speakest the truth. Then hearken oh ye toilers, thou hast a just cause, thou art fighting a good fight, but beware ! choose thy councillors and warriors from among thyselves, trust not to those in whom ye know right well ye cannot trust, or thy cause, righteous and just though it be, will of a surety fail. For it, seemeth not good that thou should’st be made catspaws of, for I tell ye that not only will the fire burn, but the very chestnuts therein will

cause thy very finger tips to tingle and thou may yet find that they who would profess to aid ye are of a verity thy foes and would laugh at ye in derision, should they cause ye to shed the tear of contrition. Again I exhort ye, beware and we will yet again have speech with thee. Y ca verily.