THE MORMONS AT WAIRARAPA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1638, 19 March 1884, Page 2

THE MORMONS AT WAIRARAPA.

(prom a correspondent of tiieotago DAILY TIMES!)' About two years ago two Mormon evangelists came to Wellington, upon a missionary tour. Their advent was duly advertised in the newspapers by an announcement that preaching and musical performances would be held (one of the Mormons could play upon the dulcimer). Large but most unappreciative audiences attended the services, Neither sympathy' noi* conversions resulting from their most strenuous efforts, they in disgust left the " Empire City," and journeyed northward into the various towns of the Wairarapa, Here, alas for them ! in every place of meeting in each of tlte 1 townships, and; notwithstanding their melodious vocalism to the dulcimer accompaniment which invariably formed part of their usual services, in every instanco the congregations, like tho proverbial deaf-adder, would not be charmed into acquaintance with and acceptance of the gospel of "Joe Smith"—some half-dozen accepted, of whom more anon. So for a season no more was heard of the pair; but about a twelvemonth ago the news got abroad that the Mormons had made themselves quite at home at the different Maori pahs of the Wairarapa where it seems Mormon teachings are " just the idea" for Maori sentiments. These apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (as they style themselves), have satisfactorily proved to their brown-skinned converts that the Maori race are the lineal descendants of the lost ten tribes of Israel, who, they aver, were ages ago inhabitants of North America, from whenco they emigrated to various isles of the North Pacific Ocean, and in course of time discovered and occupied New Zealand. This, they assert, can be proved by Mormon revelation. Doubtless such authentic (I) information "fixed" their attention, but the doctrine of polygamy fairly" fetched the Natives"; for, like most Orientals, the " Bangitira Maoris'" (Maori chiefs) indulgence in the luxury of a plurality of wives is only limited by his means of their maintenance. Hence their ready acceptance of such teaching, sanctioned by inspiration, and exemplified in the sainted person of Brigham Young and bis elders of tho Church. Several Maoris "have been baptised by these men into the Mormon faith, and moreover, believe that were they to "sell out" and go' to Salt Lake they would be treated as brothers, for there all men are equal. It is asserted, moreover, and for that matter fully believed in by some of the Maori convertsmen, although but semi-civilised, of intelligence—that ere long tho true Messiah will personally appear at Salt Lake and reign, from whence his peculiar peoplo will proceed "from conquering on to conquer." Doubtless the foregoing has something to do with the arrival in this district a few weeks ago, from Australia via Wellington, of two Mormon apostles—a kind of inspectors-general—en route upon a tour of inspection of tho doings of their pioneer brethren, and probably to interview sundry European converts (referred to above), about half-a-dozen ot whom some twelve months ago sold out and went away to Utah. Two'or three of them, it is reported, were only too glad to make their escape and get home again to Now Zealand. The success, such as it is, of this Mormon mission amongst the Maoris of the Wairarapa is by no means a matter of surprise to an observant resident of the district. In every township there are ohurches and Sabbath-schools for the Europeans, but very little, if any, effort is made to preach Christianity among the Maoris,