Te Kopara 40
[3] Te Kopara, Number 40, Gisborne, 15 February, 1917.
‘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]
A NOTICE
Diocese of Waiapu : Hui Topu.
The Hui Topu will be held at Omaahu, Hastings, on Monday, 23rd April. The Service will be held on Sunday 22nd.
THE LIFE HEREAFTER III
By W Tureia Puha, Uawa.
Chapter III – ‘Te Reinga.’
We have seen in Chapter II that the ‘I’ does not cease even though the soul of the person is separated from his body. The body is buried but the soul cannot be buried. The body, we know, is something that passes away and does not last, but the soul is something that lives on and does not have an ending.
1. We have seen that the soul does not cease to exist, so some people will ask, ‘Where does the soul go to then?’ This is an appropriate question given the many mistaken views amongst Maori and Pakeha. It would be a waste of time for me to chase after the many mistaken opinions people hold so I had the idea of beginning to set down the opinions about the correct statement, namely, ‘It goes to Te Reinga.’ The Bible says, ‘The spirit returns to God who gave it.’ (Ecclesiastes 12.7) Some people will be disturbed in their minds and will say, ‘The spirit goes to God. That’s what the Bible says, too.’ A person who erects his house on one pile [?poraka] may say this, but we know that such a house will not stay up. One must use the appropriate number of piles, the desired number. Therefore we will not be able to build an opinion on the basis of this single verse and a person’s idea must take into account our idea. That idea is that the place to which the spirit goes is with God; that place is Te Reinga.
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We should know that the place where God is is heaven [te rangi]. If a soul has gone to God it has gone to heaven. Therefore this is not the meaning of the verse, rather it is what we have pointed out above. There are three who dwell in heaven, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and their Angels. It is clear now that all souls go to Te Reinga.
2. Many people mistakenly think that Te Reinga is a place where there is a great fire burning, a place where are tormented. The souls of the wicked people of this world go into that fire while the good souls go to heaven. This idea is wrong. The Reinga is a dwelling-place for all souls leaving this world. There is no fire in that world. This word Te Reinga is Sheol in Hebrew and Hades in Greek and it designates the hidden place for souls departing from this world. The English word ‘hell’ had the same meaning before. The place is covered over, that is, it is invisible to the eye. The Jews had three names for this place: (1) Paradise (Luke 23.43), (2) ‘Beneath the altar (Revelation 6.9), (3) The Bosom of Abraham (Luke 16.22). It is clear to us that Te Reinga is a place for all souls.
3. Many people mistakenly think that the souls of righteous people go to heaven and the souls of wicked people go to Te Reinga to the great fire. All souls go to Te Reinga whether they are good or bad. In the discussion between the spirit of Samuel and Saul before the deaths of Saul and his sons, Samuel said, ‘Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me.’ [1 Samuel 28.19] Samuel was someone who died as a good man, no evil could be found in him, while Saul was a man who had forsaken God and who came to a bad end. Although one was good and the other bad their souls were in the same place.
When Christ was on the cross he said to one of the thieves who was crucified with him, ‘Today you will be with me in paradise.’ The soul of Christ went to Te Reinga, paradise, the place for all souls even though he was a righteous man. After three days and three nights he rose. So the nature of Te Reinga is clear.
(To be continued.)
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German has said that it has not taken notice of ships of neutral nations because the English have misused the flags of those nations, so they have been torpedoed.
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WAR NEWS
Victory at Verdun.
We have received a great deal of good news about the French side. Shortly before Christmas there was real progress in the fighting between the French and the Germans on their battlefield at Verdun. In that battle 11,397 men, 584 German officers, 105 large guns, and 107 machine-guns were captured by the French. And one of the main forts held by Germany for the past nine months and which had been reinforced so that it could not be taken, fell to the French after two hours work. More than 20 square miles was taken by the French in this battle and it is said that the men went about freely on their manoeuvres. At one of the forts the Germas were afraid that the French would take the barracks so they fired their big guns from a different place as a screen lest the French take them. By the length of the shelling the Germans themselves indicated the location of the barracks. Then the shelling stopped and it was not long before the French charged and took the barracks, killing the remaining Germans. At 10 o’clock in the morning the rain stopped and the sun shone and their fighting began. In the afternoon at one o’clock the conflict came to an end. The Germans were defeated. The remnant retreated and escaped. The French victory at Verdun was sealed.
This was the first victory under the new commander, General Nivelle, who replaced General Joffre in the West.
And this was the French response to Germany’s request for a peace settlement. France will fight on and will not make peace with Germany.
THE SECRET DOINGS OF GERMANY.
There are now five secret doings, malevolent doings, of German. This one is its attempt to win over Mexico.; this was discovered from a letter written from Berlin. The contents of that letter are as follows:
‘Berlin, January 19th. On 1st February we began our work of destruction at sea. There was nothing trivial about our action. However we were careful not to arouse the Americans. If this resolve is criticized we have our own idea which is to befriend the Mexicans. If the Americans enter the war then they, the Mexicans, will be our allies in fighting them and they will be able to regain their territories
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which were taken by the Americans, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. It is for you to speak privately to the President of Mexico and to ask him to work strenuously to enlist the help of Japan in this project. Tell the President of Mexico that our attacks at sea will hasten England’s efforts to make peace. –
Zimmerman.’
This letter was written from Berlin to a German in Mexico named Eckhardt.
THE WESTERN FRONT.
We have received Sir General Haig’s notification that his offensive at Ancre is going well. It has been going for almost a week. The hand of Germany has not been raised insofar as its main defences were taken without difficulty as were three towns which were in their hands and which fell. One town that is being stormed by the English at present is Bapaume. Beyond Bapaume is a forest and some isolated houses. If they get to this area to carry on the fighting it is thought that here the Germans will suffer a major defeat if that place presents them with difficulties and if they do not run away.
THE EASTERN FRONT.
The Allies still go from strength to strength in East in the areas of Mesopotamia, Russia and Romania. Since 24th February General Maude has captured 25,000 Turks; more that 20,000 were wounded or killed. The survivors were not able to return directly to Baghdad.
CHINA AND GERMANY.
The Chinese Government has sent word to Germany asking it to bring to a complete end its murderous activities at sea. If they do not cease that activity they will become enemies.
[GREECE]
Greece has a serious problem with the king giving the impression of being antagonistic to this side, and the Allies have given him a short time to make up his mind. The communications we have received give the impression that the king and the Greeks who support him may fight against the Allies.
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LETTERS RECEIVED.
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Greetings. Here are some words of mine for you to send to our marae on Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu. I have heard that some members of the Mother Church of New Zealand, the Missionary Church [Church of England], have decided to reply to the derisory, mocking and envious words of the Church of Rome printed by them over many years in their paper Wharekura.
It is right that we should make clear their reasons because we Maori people are weak and blind and foolish. Those of us who understand are not troubled by the deceit.
(1) I don’t think we should be answering the envious words of the Church of Rome. If one answers them it gives some standing to their ideas; if one does not answer then one is fulfilling the saying of our forebears,
Me waiho ma te whakama e patu.
Leave them for shame to punish. [cf Nga Pepeha 2624]
(2) Let this parable explain it. It says, ‘A certain man’s dog was tied up. The moon rose over the horizon. The dog mistakenly thought that the moon was something bad. It barked and growled and while it was barking the moon continued on its journey, lighting up all places.’ So it was that the bright star of the morning came, the early bird of the morning came bringing the peace of the Gospel of our Lord to all New Zealand. Peace is spread abroad and we know our callings as younger and older brothers.
When conflict ceased, many Churches emerged, this one being the Church of Rome. But it is now in conflict with the Mother Church. It has been overcome by its idea that the Missionary Church is a devil, and those who have been baptized by the Missionary Church it has baptized a second time – this is something that it is doing now. In our law a person is put in gaol if he brands a beast for a second time; in God’s law he is thrown into Gehenna where the fire burns continually and cannot be extinguished.
All the Churches support the Ten Commandments [Ture X] of God, that one should not do any wrong things; the Church of Rome has no such rule – if a man sins in the morning, in the evening he goes to confession and is forgiven. It is no wonder that even the blind see the benefits of such confession; if one fornicates or commits adultery, etc., but then confesses, that it fine. Therefore my younger and weak brothers, pay careful attention and ‘seek to be like someone who thinks deeply and not like someone who doesn’t think at all.’
Manihera M Tumatahi.
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The Milan newspaper, Seccolo, says that the number of Turks killed in the fighting was 500,000, besides those from Erzerum who are not included in this count.
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A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HENARE TE WAINOHU.
Land of the French.
To [Rev] Poihipi Kohere,
Rangitukia.
My friend, greetings to you and your whole household. Here we are, the remnant of the Maori contingent who have emerged from the blazing fire of the enemy. It is not possible on paper or with a pen or in spoken words to express the pain and sorrow one feels for the young Maori who have given their bodies to death with the thought that it was for the good of King, the world and the people. There are the noble offspring of the Maori People of the two islands, of Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu, lying on the hills and in the undulating country of France. It is a pitiful thing in Maori hearts. The sorrowing heart also takes in the parents and the people at home. The thing that brings life to the heart is what has been written in the letters written to us – death in battle is an honourable death. Not one of them died like a moki but all died like white sharks [cf Nga Pepeha 1177, 1306, 1862, 1308]. All the young men living here are well.
Poi, my sympathy to you, to all of you who have learned that your younger brother, Te Reweti, Henare, has gone with those who gave their bodies for King and Empire. There is great sadness and heartfelt weeping for him.
Henare was gathered up amongst his young men. Six Maori were killed under the barrage by the guns. And Henare and fifteen others were wounded. On 14th September the advance began at night, and the next day, 15th September, there was the attack. At perhaps eight o’clock at night the enemy shelling reached us. We had only just finished our evening prayers. Had it arrived when we were praying perhaps many more would have fallen. At the end of the service he prepared with his ‘family’ to go forward to the enemy fortifications. His platoon was to work on some military installations. Soon afterwards the enemy shells came down very close by. He showed no fear or anything, rather he stood amongst them calling out to his lads to move on quickly. He went ahead of his platoon. Just at that time the shelling shifted to the place where they were. That was when he and the leading people of his group were caught. The shells continued to land amongst them. It was here that he fell. But even though he was in pain he had no thought for himself, his concern was for his lads. He had suffered two wounds, one in the hand and the other in the hip; it was from the hip wound that he died. Before he was carried to the hospital that night he spoke to Te Rangihiroa (Major Buck) saying: ‘After I have gone I ask that you place my
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children, all Ngatiporou, under my child, Pekama Kaa. (At that time Turanga was under Kaa and Ngatiporou under Henare.) Major Buck said, ‘Very well, I will do that.’ He looked up at the two of us together, Te Rangihiroa and me, and said to us, ‘I have no concerns because I know that you two are still here to care for our boys.’ And he also said that he was fine and not to worry about him. We did not know then that he would shortly die. In the middle of the night I was absent burying the dead and I went to see him again. He looked very well. At that time the car arrived to take him. We shook hands and he said, ‘Stay with our lads.’ And the car departed.
Poi, we did not see the closing of his eyes. We learned that from the newspaper. I did not write at length thinking that perhaps what the paper said was wrong. But eventually confirmation arrived that he had died, our treasured friend.
Henare was a man admired by small and great, from the private to the general. Now he has attained his awesome afterlife [?kua tae kei tona wehi i te po].
Poi, I’ve used up these rascally sheets of paper. (Pineamine) Tawhai is very well though in his heart he is sad and suffering. He makes great efforts to overcome his sorrow and he does not appear to be sad. But I know that he is very distressed about his older brother.
Kaa and his people are well. He is a good boy, easy-going, and liked by his lads. I received your kind letter to me and my boys. We are all fine. May God bless you all.
From your true friend,
Henare Te Wainohu.
October 26th, 1916.
A NOTE.
Here at home we are continually receiving news of the qualities of Chaplain Wepiha Wainohu – of his care and great concern for his young men of the Maori Contingent and of the affection of those young men for their father, from the time they fought in the Dardanelles and after they arrived in France. Recently we have been informed that Captain Henare Wepiha Te Wainohu is one of those who have been presented with the medal of honour (Military Cross), a White Eagle (White Eagle, 5th class), by the King of Serbia. Few people receive the honour but the honour it is shared by the whole people.
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CAPTAIN OF AN ENGLISH SHIP TAKEN PRISONER.
When and English ship, the Caledonia, was sunk by the Germans the Captain (Captain Blaikie) was taken prisoner. It is thought that this is a warning to the English Government to be careful of Germany and of shooting a German officer on land while an Englishman is a prisoner on board one of its submarines. And the newspapers are urging the Government to deal with this matter quickly before Germany carries out this wicked threat. America has been greatly disturbed by that threat.
The English feel strongly about this now following the murderous acts of Germany. Recently, shortly before June 22nd, an English ship, the Brussels, was captured and the crew and captain, Captain Fryatt, were seized. Although nothing was known of his trial, news came that he had been executed by shooting. The English Government is acting cautiously, not knowing what Germany has in mind for the Captain of the Caledonia now.
MORE ITEMS OF NEWS.
At the hui of the Association of Teachers at Maori Schools held in Auckland the participants took a serious look at the Maori observance of tangihanga [funerals] for the dead. It is the case that in the Ringatu area in the Bay of Plenty the body may lie unburied for as many as nine days while the Maori Council law states that if a body is left unburied for more than three or four days a fine is payable. In some cases the death may be from typhoid fever or some other of the many diseases. It is right that the Government lay down rules for this matter.
Having seen the good results of reducing the number of liquor outlets throughout England the Board controlling liquor has decided to close a further 60 [hospitals sic – ?hotels].
When alcohol was prohibited in the state of Arizona, USA, one thousand gallons of liquor was pumped onto a vehicle for pouring water on the streets of Phoenix and then they poured it onto the streets to dampen down the dust. But a constable went with it sitting on top as a guard lest thirsty throats should come along and fill their bowls from the streets and drink the stuff.
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A Pakeha from Christchurch objected to going to the war on the basis of his Church’s teaching. He was asked by the War Board for a verse from the Bible which supported him. He answered, ‘The Bible says, “Love your enemies.”’ The Board – ‘And is it the case that you love your enemies at this time?’ Answer – ‘That’s a very difficult thing to say.’ The Board – ‘Do you love the Germans and and approve of those abhorrent acts?’ Answer – ‘No. I do not approve of those actions.’ The Board – ‘You said that your verse was the basis for your objection. Do you then love your enemies at this time?’ Answer – ‘No, I am not able to say that I love them at this time.’
One of the important leaders of Russia is General Brusiloff, a man of faith. He is also a very poor man because he has given all his wealth for wounded and disabled soldiers and for orphaned families whose fathers have died in the fighting.
One of the treacherous things being done by the German submarines is to send word by telegraph saying that they are in trouble and calling for someone to come and help (an SOS message). On one occasion their message was picked up by a Dutch ship. When the men on the German submarine saw the Dutch ship sailing to help them they were angry and sent a further message: ‘We do not want you to come and save us; we were rather wanting the English to save us.’
When the people on board the German ships in America learned that shortly America would be fighting against Germany they began to break up and to set on fire and damage the machinery on board some of those ships. All those ships and the people on board are now in American custody.
In a letter from Private H Pawhau to his father he tells about their journey from New Zealand to Egypt and France and the things that happened to them.
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
Died of Disease: Privates M W Reiroa, J Tawhai, P Tuhora.
Wounded: Privates Lara Te Ohaere, Wi Paki Reweti. Lance-Corporal C W Maru.
In a serious condition in hospital: Corporal M Akapita, Privates N Ngatipehi, A Perano, R Huki, J C Tunuiarangi, K Poutu, H T Haenga, M Kahukira, R Reihana. Sergeant T A Rukiruki. Private R Para. Corporal B Kiri.
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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.
3. Anyone wishing to take Te Kopara should send the money with the covering letter.
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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