MAORI MISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3021, 24 November 1891, Page 2

MAORI MISSION.

Thk Wesleyan Church, Te Awamutu, was crowded last Thursday, night with a largo audience, assembled to hear accounts of the Maori Mission. The Rev. Mr Thomas was in the chair, and in an introductory speacli referred to tha work now going on and eulogised the Rev Mr Oittos, the resident Maori Missionary to whom he had confidingly entrusted the entertaining of them all that eyenincr. Mr dittos then gave a long and interesting address on his favourite theme, the past, present and tho future of the Church's work among the Maoris. He began by referring to and praising all the well-known men who had laboured among the natives in the early days. Most of them after devoting their lifetime to the ups and downs of missionary life had passed away, but though they were lead yet they spoke for they had left monuments of their work that would last through all time. He then began to speak about the mission in the Hokiarga distrijt wherein it had been most successful. The speaker was intimately acquainted with the north and he used to pull the boats for the missionaries when a lad, long before he joined at the real work. He shewed how the effects of Christianity at a vory early period bore fruit in that many tribal wars were stopped. They soon had native Ministers and teachers helping them in their work. Many of these first helpers are now dead, but there is now quite a band of young Maoris in the north devoted to the frisk of teaching the gospel to their fellows. la every village the natives hold morning and evening devotions every day of the week, and they havo lately been quite concerned about their European neighbours who do not do likewise, and have offered to send natives to them to pray with them, and the work was very real, and they were very much in earnest. There are, of course, some bUck sheep among them, but ho was sure there was » great deal less hyprocrisy anions? them than among ordinary churctigoing Europeans and the northern natives would compare very favourably with them in every way. Mr fUttos then went on to speak about the mission in Waikato. The rosmib here was very different to tho north, owing to tho war. Just before war was declarod, the natives sent all the missionaries back to Ngaruawiihia to be out of harm's way, He did not like to say anything about the war, but they all knew his fealings on the mattor ; suffice to say he felt sure it ought never to have taken place. The greater part ot the good work of Mr Raid and his fellow workers in tho early days in these parte is now lost, and the natives (ire in » restless, unhappy state. You see, he said, the natives pretty well dressed riding good horses through the townships, and you think they must be prosperous; but you should go through all tho native settlements at Parawera, Kopun, and through the King Country and you wuuld than pity I them. He then went on to show the baneful effects of tho drink traffic on the native*, giving several graphic anecdotes and instances that had come under his personal observation at place* where land courts were being held. He also showed how the unscrupulous Buropean traders had deceived and tricked the natives, and thus taught them to be equally cunning and deceitful. All this mado the mission work vory up-hill labour, but still he never meant to givo in. Ho had lately had meetings with important chiefs, including Hewi, Wahanui, Taomii and Uopepa, aud each aud every oue of them said the samo thing: "Keep on as you are doing; although the Maori does not seein to be listening to your words aud appears callous, ho is really taking it all in, and the result will appear some day, and above all, do not give the Maori up." Hβ then mado a strong appeal to hie audience to contribute thf> sinews of ware to aid the mission. Last year the mission spent about £1000. Of this, although it might surprise them, £000 of it was contributed by the Maoris themselves, and the balance by Europeans. He told them to remember they wore their Maori brother's keeper, and concluded by urging them to use their influence with all the natives they camo into daily contact with allowing them a good example*, and doing their best to keep them from drink, and in every other way helping on the mission work. During the eveuiue fchu choir rendered several sacred selections in their usual good manner. A collection in aid of the mission fund was taken up, and the benediction concluded a really profitable evening.