Te Kopara 17
[3] Te Kopara, Number 17, Gisborne, March, 1915.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
THE HOLY BIBLE (II)
This name, the Bible, is not used in the books of the Old Testament or the New Testament. One important name used in the Old Testament is ‘the Law of Jehovah’ [the LORD], which a person is to hold to if he wishes to be blessed by God. This is the thing for which people were condemned by the prophets – not listening to the instruction of the Lord (Isaiah 30.9). That person is blessed ‘who delights in the law of the Lord and who meditates on that law day and night.’ (Psalm 1.2)
At the heart of the law are ‘the words of the covenant, the ten commandments,’ which were written by God on the two stone tablets. (Exodus 30.28) Added to these were the provisions given by God to the Children of Israel to bring them close to him; those provisions are in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
After the Jews returned from Babylon all the books of the Old Testament were gathered together in three sections: (1) the Law, (2) the Prophets, and (3) the Writings. The section known as the Law contains five books called the Books of Moses. The section known as the Prophets includes Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Isaiah and other prophets except for Daniel.. The Writings are Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Song of Solomon, Ruth, the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the Preacher [Ecclesiastes], Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles. This is the Bible of the Jews; they have the same number of books. These three sections were referred to by Christ when he said to his disciples, ‘that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ (Luke 24.44)
In the time of Christ all these had been translated into the Greek language, and the books known as the Apocrypha had been included. At that time the Greek language had spread to all those lands as a means of communicating with different people and languages.
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Those books of the Old Testament are referred to in the New Testament as ‘the Scriptures’, as when Christ criticised the Sadducees as ‘not knowing the Scriptures’ (Mark 12.24), and when he pointed out to Cleopas and his companion ‘’the things about himself in all the Scriptures’ (Luke 24.27). There are many instances of that name being used for the books of the Old Testament. So Paul said, ‘All scripture is inspired by God,’ (2 Timothy 3.16).
The name ‘Bible’ is a later use. It is also from a Greek word for a collection of books, when many books are gathered together to make a single book.
Afterwards came the books of the New Testament. They are not books dictated by or written by Christ; rather ‘he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil’ (Acts 10.38) and teaching the people. His sermons, his parables, his instructions to his disciples, the stories about him, from the coming of the angel to Mary to his ascension into heaven, were not immediately written down in a book, but they were spoken of by the Apostles as they were reminded by the Holy Spirit, as the meaning of Christ’s word concerning the Holy Spirit became clear to them – ‘he will remind you of all that I have said to you’ (John 14.26). The work of writing them in a book began later. It was perhaps 20 years after the departure of Christ that the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians was written, followed by some letters to some of the Churches. After these came the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. John’s Gospel came much later, around the year AD100. There are also some books that were written which were not included in the New Testament. Those that were included were those that the Church recognised as being indicated by the Holy Spirit, for Christ also said that his Spirit would lead the Church into all truth (John 16.13).
THE CENTENARY OF THE MAORI CHURCH.
The Great Commemoration at Oihi, Christmas 1914.
On Christmas Day last year there was a large gathering of Pakeha and Maori at Oihi, at the place where stands the cross commemorating the first coming of the faith to New Zealand.
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The purpose of the hui was to celebrate one hundred years of the Maori Church from the arrival of the faith on Christmas Day 1814 up to the time of this celebration. On Christmas morning the town of Paihia was full of people, Maori and Pakeha. It was a beautiful day. All the business and the arrangement for this hui were in the hands of Archdeacon Hawkins and his colleague, the Rev McWilliams. They had arrived two days before. When they arrived they set up an altar beside the cross and set about decorating the marae. By 11 o’clock many, many people had gathered beside the cross waiting for the service to begin. In the company of those participating in the worship that day were:
The Bishop of Auckland (Dr Averill), the Archdeacon of Waimate, Canon Williams, the Revs J T McWilliams, E E Wayne, R F Geddes, F H Spencer, Venables, W H Keretene, Heke, Hekekana Poata, K A Karaka, Arama Karaka, Topi, Paerata, H M Paerata, M Taurere, and six Maori lay representatives.
The first business beside the cross before the service was the presentation to the Bishop by all of Ngapuhi of the Pastoral Staff they had made. This sceptre or staff was made by joining together native woods. At the presentation each hapu of Ngapuhi gave one of the many parts of that staff. The head of the staff was carved. The late Archdeacon Wallis designed that staff and he also designed the memorial cross which was made to commemorate Mr Marsden’s arrival. One of the leading elders of Ngapuhi delivered the speech at the presentation of the staff. The Bishop was very grateful to the Maori for their thoughtfulness and said that he would leave the staff to his Diocese and to his successors as Bishop as a treasured token of togetherness. After the presentation of the staff the service began with the singing of the ‘Old Hundredth’, number 60 in our Maori Hymn Book, which was the hymn with which Mr Marsden began the service on Christmas Day 1814. After the hymn the Bishop and his helpers set out the Lord’s Supper. After the Epistle and Gospel for the day the Bishop preached; his text was from Psalm 100. The Bishop said, ‘This hymn was sung in different circumstances in 1814, and we who are singing are in different circumstances. He sang it in 1814 as a prayer, a dream, a hope; today we are praising God who blessed the work of his servant whom he sent and who sowed the seeds
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of Pakeha wisdom which we have seen growing over the past one hundred years. I stand here, my feet on this holy spot, the nest in which was born the faith of New Zealand. I stand here blessed by the beauty of the sky above, at my side the two peoples of this country, Pakeha and Maori, who although they are of different colour are united in giving voice to praise and soon will be together in facing the sunrise, and I cannot stop myself from uttering these words, ‘How great and wonderful are your works, O Lord God Almighty. How good you have been to your land. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.’
People, picture in your minds what that first service was like at this place where we are standing. Visualize this place full of Maori of that cannibal world which has passed away. There is the pa of Ruatara on that high place and spreading down to the bay. Imagine the pleasure of Ruatara at the landing of his distinguished visitor, the one who befriended him, who became a father to him, Mr Marsden. He is pleased also because he is seeing the fulfilment of his heart’s desire that the great treasure of the Faith has come to the Maori People. Mr Marsden’s ship, the Active, is standing offshore. Ruatara has fenced off the worship area, he has made a pulpit and a lectern and has draped them with a black cloth he brought from Port Jackson. Their canoes have been set out upside down to provide seats for the Pakeha. When these things had been done, Ruatara showed them to Mr Marsden. Mr Marsden’s heart was overwhelmed with joy and gladness on that Christmas morning 1814 when he saw the English flag fluttering over Ruatara’s pa, a sign that the Faith and the wisdom of the Pakeha had arrived in New Zealand. Think of the bravery of this man, Mr Marsden, and how he placed himself in the hands of the Creator, bringing the whole crew of the ship ashore, leaving on board only the Captain and a boy. All around him are brown-skinned people with weapons, and women and children. Ruatara, Hongi and Korokoro are standing amongst them dressed in their military uniforms with their swords. In their hands are staffs with which they signal to the people so that they know when they are to stand or sit or kneel during the service. Mr Marsden spoke of the joy of seeing the fulfilment of his great hope. On that day his voice rang out and he said these words, ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy, etc.’ and his heartfelt prayer was that the light that now shone on New Zealand should never be extinguished.
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After saying these things the Bishop turned to compare the situation nowadays to that in the time of Mr Marsden. Now there are more than a million Pakeha living in New Zealand; they do well and most of them behave well. The first Pakeha to settle in New Zealand were Mr Marsden’s missionary companions, Hall, King and Kendall. This was the group who brought the Pakeha occupations of which we see the fruits at this time. We must not forget the struggle of those who cleared the way for us. The brave warriors we forget are King and Hall, men who lived on amongst a cannibal people. These are the men who set alight and kept burning the fire of the Faith and kept aloft the banner of the Church so that it was not cast down. On this day we give thanks to God for the work of his servants brought here by Marsden and of other missionaries, known and unknown. The Bishop then went on to speak about the Maori side. He said that on the day Mr Marsden spoke his congregation was made up of savage people; today, as we remember Mr Marsden’s day, that savage world has died away. Indeed, as I stand here, I look out upon a very different Maori congregation from that of Mr Marsden. There are Maori clergy, Maori lay-readers, with their many Communicant people. In the Dominion there are 60 Maori clergy, there are more than 100 lay representatives, there are 1000 communicants, there are several Maori schools, there is one school for clergy; some Maori have become members of Parliament, some are doctors, some are lawyers, some are farmers, some have qualified as mechanics, and right now 500 are preparing to go to the war to fight alongside their Pakeha companions to uphold the mana of England lest it be overthrown. Today we see the fruits of Mr Marsden’s work. Today let us praise God for the emergence of this land from darkness into light, and for bringing Maori from the power of Satan to God. It is true, as is being said, that there is now only a remnant of this noble people, the Maori, but I say that most of that remnant are people of faith. The outlook for them in the coming days is in the hands of the Father, and in some ways it is also in the hands of the Pakeha. If the people of this land hold to Mr Marsden’s teaching they and their work will progress. On this day we pray to God
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to bless our land and to make us cling faithfully to him. On this day we pray for a blessing on the Maori People that our Heavenly Father will lead them steadily onward, that they may advance in every way. On this day we commit anew ourselves, body and soul, to the God of Mr Marsden, of the Maori, of the Pakeha too, the God of all the peoples of the world. And so together with the heavenly assembly of angels we praise the name of the Lord for the blessings of this centennial year.
More than 100 Maori and Pakeha partook of the Holy Communion. The service ended with the hymn of praise. [While shepherds watched their flocks by night.]
HUI ABOUT THE TE ARAWA LAKES.
A meeting about these lakes was held at Te Manoeka on 29th - 30th March.
After prayers the Rev Frederick Bennett was appointed Chairman. The Chairman spoke of the state of the case relating to the lakes from the beginning until the present day. Eruera Karaka explained the reason for calling this hui and read out the proposals made by Ngatirangiwewehi.
First Proposal. The first step for all the hapu of Te Arawa concerns Te Aare, who is handling the case. The money due to that man should be quickly paid. This was passed. The meeting set about determining how this amount should be split up between the hapu with an interest in Lake Rotorua. The final decision was as follows:
Ngatirangiwewehi, Ngatiapatahi, Ngatiparua, and Ngatiwewehi combined - £17; Ngatiuenukukopako and Ngatirangiteaorere - £7; Tuhourangi and Ngatitu - £6; Ngatiterorooterangi - £4; Ngatiwhakawe - £6; Ngatipuhonopu - £4; Ngararanui - £2; Ngatihinetai - £2; Ngatituteaiti - £2; a total of £50. This allocation was agreed.
After this there was a motion from Rangiteaorere, seconded by Te Koki:
‘The Chairman is to notify each hapu of the size of the contribution.’ This motion was passed.
The second motion was from Tamihana, seconded by Te Whakatana:
‘That all the money should be received during April, 30th April being the last day for paying in the money.’ This motion was passed.
The third motion was from Te Ropere, seconded by Timi Waata:
‘The Chairman is to be trustee of the money.’ This motion was passed.
Second Proposal. This case is to be taken to the Maori Land Court in accordance with the decree of the Supreme Court made in Wellington, that it should deal with the concerns of the hapu of Te Arawa about their lakes. This proposal was passed.
Third Proposal. That an application be made to the Minister of Maori Affairs and to the President of the Maori Land Court regarding Lake Rotorua. This proposal
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was agreed.
After this there was a motion moved by E Karaka, seconded by Te Wharehera:
‘That the Chairman be appointed to lay before the Maori Minister and the Chairman of the Maori Land Court the matters for discussion under the three proposals.’ This motion was passed.
Fourth Proposal. The Government Officer should be prevented from attending the Maori Land Court when the Maori are presenting their case about that lake or other lakes. This proposal was agreed. Afterwards there was a motion moved by Rangiteaorere, seconded by Mohi Tarau:
‘Some of Apirana Ngata’s proposals presented to the hapu of Te Arawa should be adopted as a whole to prevent them being discussed by the Maori Land Court.’ This motion was passed; and this also concluded the business of this hui. Altogether 40 people signed the paper agreeing to the completion by this hui of the matters decided under the leadership of Frederick Bennett.
All Ngatiuenuikukopako, Ngaiterangiteaorere, Ngatirangiwewehi, Ngati whakhemo and Ngaiterangi attended this hui, and people greatly appreciated the gathering and the things achieved and Bennett’s statement that at last this hui had dealt with the issues raise by previous Te Arawa gatherings. Ngatirangiwewehi and Waitaha of Te Puke contributed £20 for this hui.
THE WAR.
The Fall of Przemyal.
Przemyal fell to Russia in the early days of March. This was one of the very strong German emplacements in the East, a fort they valued and at which they hoped to hold back the Russians lest they enter deep within their territory, and a fort that they thought could not be taken. This fort was surrounded by the Russians for a time and was struck down because no food could get in to those holding the fort; this was the way the fort was defeated – through lack of food. The total number taken prisoner in this fort was 131,000 soldiers, 4000 officers, and 40,000 who were unarmed. Because of the lack of food all the horses in the fort were killed for food. The horses killed for food were the soldiers’ mounts. In this situation the price of a dog or a cat soared; the price of a dog was one pound and that of a cat to eat was eight shillings. The nationalities within the fort were Austrians and Hungarians. One of the Russian officers said that when they entered they saw how the Austrians and Hungarians were gnawing at the heaps of horses, gnawing them raw because of their hunger. They had the impression that their minds had
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been turned upside down as a result of hunger and their hands and lips were covered with the blood of the raw horse meat they were eating.
We are not getting much news at present. The news stopped altogether last month. Instead you may have heard that the sea [north of] Turkey was full of English and French warships. We have told you that that sea is very narrow. At the narrowest part it is two miles across and it is nearly fifty miles long. This is the sea on which the ships of the Allies will fight to get to Constantinople, the main city of Turkey. You may also have heard of the disaster that struck the warships of England and France. Two English ships were destroyed by mines and one French ship. However only those on board the French warship were killed. All those on the English ships survived. One of the largest of the English ships is fighting here – the Elizabeth. It has very large guns which can send shells more than fifteen miles – that’s how far the shells fly. This is the ship that bombards the forts on this sea. From far away it begins its firing and the shells of the enemy cannot get close.
Perhaps little news has arrived at this time because the Allies are preparing their armies for a major assault at the beginning of May. You know the answer Lord Kitchener gave to the question, ‘When will the war end?’ He said, ‘I do not know when the war will end, but I know that it will begin in May.’ So perhaps for the time-being there will not be much information forthcoming.
THE MAORI CONTINGENT IN EGYPT.
The soldiers are inspected in Cairo. – The Contingent is a great spectacle. – The swift training of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers.
On 31st March a telegram arrived from Captain [?Piini - ?Bean], the man the Australian Government has assigned to report news of the war.
He said that this Friday (which would be Good Friday) the Maori Contingent arrived in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt. At the great parade of all the Imperial soldiers there at that time, the people lucky enough to see that great event were united in declaring that the Maori Contingent was the most pleasing to look at – the physique of the men, their bearing, and the excellence of the movement of
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their legs, marching as if they were one. They paraded in public on two days, the Sunday and the Monday. On the Monday the New Zealand and Australian soldiers drilled separately. On this occasion an English officer said that it was amazing how quickly these Australian and New Zealand troops had been trained. “I have become acquainted with these countries over the past two years and men have not been trained and drilled. Now, as I look at them, I am aware that there is nothing left for them to learn, and they are ready to be sent anywhere.” I shall carry this statement in my heart day and night.
IT WILL NOT BE LONG BEFORE THE WAR ENDS.
An Australian doctor. who has just returned from France where he treated the wounded, said that it will not be long before the war ends. He thinks it will end in August or perhaps September. His understanding comes from some English leaders in France. Those men say that if the Allies do not lose many men the war will end. Germany will be defeated by being besieged by the English warships and by being surrounded by the Allied armies. It is not that the German food supplies will run out; no; but it will use up its ammunition and all other implements of war. It will not be able to make these things for the materials needed will not be able to get through.
THE SCRIPTURES
To Rev F H Spencer, Whanganui.
Bible, 2/6, 4/-, 6/- Fine Binding, 7/6 (Postage 8d)
New Testament 6d, 1/-, 1/6/ 2/-, 2/3 Fine Binding 4/- (Postage 3d)
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
1. Te Kopara is published monthly.
2. The subscription for the paper is five shillings (5/-) a year paid by postal note or stamps.
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4. Articles are welcome from all parts of the country, but the Editor reserves the right to decide on what to print. Write clearly.
5. Address all letters to:
Te Kopara,
Te Rau,
Gisborne.
A NOTICE
To those wanting a Prayer Book or Hymn Book. I now have plenty of books. The prices are:
Large, soft cover 2/6
Large, red cover 3/-
Large, hard cover 4/-
Large, superior cover 5/6
Small, soft cover 1/-
Small, red cover 1/6
Small, hard cover 2/6
Small, superior cover 3/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, soft cover 1/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, red cover 1/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, hard cover 3/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, superior cover 4/-
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, red cover, 3/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, superior cover, 5/6
Hymns 6d
Words for the Prayerful Heart 3d
I will pay the postage to send the books to you
H W Williams,
Naurea, Gisborne
People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.
Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.
New Testament with explanatory headings. 2/6, 3/-, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
Small New Testament with the Psalms. 2/-, 2/6, 3/-, 3/6, 4/-. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
Printed and published by H W Williams at Te Rau Printing Works, Berry Street, Gisborne, New Zealand.
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