Te Kopara 42
[3] Te Kopara, Number 42, Gisborne, 15 April, 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]
THE LIFE HEREAFTER.
By W Tureia Puha, Uawa.
Chapter V – ‘The souls in Te Reinga.’
All souls go to Te Reinga. These words cannot be shaken or contradicted given the words of explanation in Chapter III of these few words. Let us believe and agree as to the truth of these words and not be in two minds. When souls are in Te Reinga they continue to work, they are not lazy and God does not want them to be lazy. Nor do they come to an end but continue to live. The kind of work they do is designed to prepare them for the Kingdom of Heaven that is revealed to us by the Bible.
We in this world are in similar circumstances, we are preparing ourselves for that place, therefore it is right that what we do in this world should have in mind that path and not only our physical well-being. Recollect that we have souls and that is this that defines our humanity.
It is by death that we enter Te Reinga. But let us not mistakenly think, for example, that it would be better to kill ourselves so that our souls could get to Te Reinga more quickly because Te Reinga is better than this world, according to Chapter IV. Those who take their own lives in order to escape from the troubles of this world are loading a heavy burden on their souls when they arrive in Te Reinga. The time for our souls to go to that world is in God’s hands and it is not for us to determine. What happens to our souls in the next world depends on what we do in this world. If we do well in this world then we will be at ease in that world, Te Reinga.
Many people work for this world only and give no thought to the next world, that is, to Te Reinga and to the place beyond Te Reinga. Therefore let us consider these words carefully and let us not be in two minds but be single-minded. It is right and true that we should carefully consider these words so that we come to a right decision in our hearts to bring forth the fruits of the spirit in all we do just as the Lord hoped.
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Will Te Reinga then be our permanent dwelling-place? Certainly not. I have asked myself this question when I have heard some of us Maori during times of mourning saying something like, ‘So-and-so has gone to our lasting home.’ Te Reinga is not a lasting home for us, that is, for our souls. It is a dwelling prepared by God for all souls that depart from this world. There, let us say, we will be taught, and our Lord himself went there to preach to the souls. This is evidence to us that the work of correcting souls and preparing them for the Kingdom of Heaven goes on.
Christ is our example. His Spirit went to Te Reinga but he did not stay there but returned to this world with a different body. Afterwards he ascended into heaven. Similarly our souls will not stay on in Te Reinga. He has a time when our souls will take on a different aspect. Only God knows the time and hour. After Te Reinga what happens? This is a difficult question. There are many stories about what the soul is like after Te Reinga. I think that after Te Reinga comes the Day of Judgement. Then it will be known who will leave and who will not leave. An important thing is that we must not forget that after Te Reinga comes the Day of Resurrection. (In Chapter VI we will speak about this.)
(To be continued.)
A LETTER RECEIVED.
In the letter from Chaplain Henare Wepiha Te Wainohu to the Headteacher of Te Rau College he said: ‘My lads and I here are very well. My work now has become more difficult because their unit has been split up and I am always travelling from one emplacement to another. The work can be done by one man and so I am able to do it but only because the officers are very good men and make it easy.
One thing that has made it difficult is that the Maori groups coming from New Zealand now are not well-informed about spiritual things and the importance of the soul. What is the Maori Church doing in the Maori Camp at Narrow Neck (Takapuna)? The men arriving say that there is not a single Maori minister at that camp.
I saw in letters and in the newspapers from New Zealand that Maori are making great efforts to collect money for wounded soldiers. I think it would be very appropriate
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to send some shillings that I could use for them in the time when they really need it and that would ensure that many of them would be helped. My lads who are starting to feel unwell will not agree to be left behind; only when the illness becomes very serious will they go. If I had some shillings then I could get some things to give them a breather. Sir, could you try to collect a few shillings and sent them to Major Te Rangihiroa or to me?
The Marae of Battle.
1st February, 1917.’
(The Headteacher of Te Rau College, the Rev F W Chatterton, has sent £20 in response to the request from Chaplain H W Te Wainohu. That amount was taken from the money raised for the Maori soldiers by the people of Te Rau. – Editor)
THE GERMAN SHIPS AFLOAT IN AMERICAN TERRITORY.
Since America has entered this war it has impounded many German ships that were clocked there when the war began. These are the ships:
They may have been designed for shipping purposes or as travelling spies for the enemy.
[The figures are (1) the number of ships, (2) the tonnage of small ships, (3) the tonnage of large ships.]
At New York – 26, 1,685, 54,284
Boston – 7, 4,761, 22,622
Baltimore – 3, 9,835, 11,440
Philadelphia – 2, 6,026, 6,600
San Francisco – 2, 197, 4,756
Pensacola – 2, 1,769, 3,716
Honolulu – 8, 1,557, 6,557
Zamboango, Philippine Is – 3, 1,308, 2,168
Cebu, Philippine Is – 3, 449, 10,981
Manilla, Philippine Is – 17, 1,243, 8,007
Norfolk – 1, -, 5,454
Seattle – 1, -, 4,424
Savannah – 1, -, 2,974
Hilo – 1, -, 7,490
Jacksonville – 1, -, 3.716
San Juan, Porto Rico – 1, -, 3,537
Portland, Oregon – 1, -, 2,723
Winslow, Washington – 1, -, 2,164
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
By T Te Kanapu, Te Rau.
Chapter 1.
There may be someone, or perhaps many people, who on seeing the above title may mistakenly think that the man who is writing his article for Te Kopara is writing about the Church called the Church of Rome. Don’t be mistaken, but carefully search the following explanations of this ‘Catholic Church’ which is misunderstood by many people. Therefore we begin by explaining the meaning of this word ‘Catholic’. The source of this word is in the Greek language (Καθολίκος); it can be translated as ‘throughout the world’ (universal). Therefore the desire of the writer of these articles is (1) to investigate and to explain this ‘Catholic Church’, the universal Church, from its beginnings up to its present-day manifestations, and (2) to encourage the lowly and the great, the poor and the noble, and those who are benighted and who do not think much, to believe in the Catholic Church of Christ.
2. The ‘Catholic Church’ began on the Day of Pentecost. When we read our Old Testament we learn about the origin and all aspects of the Church of the Jews. In Moses and the Prophets the important things we find are the ‘prophetic words’ concerning the Christ. Moses and the Prophets are like a person leading his horse to drink water. When its stomach is full its craving is satisfied. Likewise we were guided by the Old Testament to understanding and to faith in Christ (Galatians 3.24-25). ‘The Word was made flesh’ – this is Christ (John 1.14). In the four Gospels we have accounts of all the works of Christ, his preaching, his establishing of his Church beginning with the Apostles, his death, his resurrection, until his ascension into heaven. But before his ascension into heaven he made this promise to his Apostles: ‘But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you’ (John 14.26).
3. ‘When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together with one accord in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages,
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as the Spirit gave them ability’ [Acts 2.1-4]. This happened to the Apostles and to all the disciples in Jerusalem while they were waiting for the fulfillment of what Christ had promised them. Now there were in that place devout Jews from every nation under heaven, ‘Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs’ [Acts 2.5ff].
When the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit they began their preaching. Peter began uttering the words given to him to speak by the Holy Spirit.’ There were eleven Apostles, a total of one hundred and twenty counting the Disciples. Many people heard these words and turned them over in their hearts. But ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’ [Galatians 6.7]. Therefore, as the Apostles sowed the name of Christ so they reaped three thousand people who turned to believe in the name of Christ. It is known that the first occupation of these men, Peter and Andrew, James and John, was that of fishermen; but now they had been transformed into people catchers.
The faith grew at this time and spread to all parts of the world. All the people who heard those words returned to their homes carrying with them the name of Christ. Jerusalem was the ridge pole of the faith. From Jerusalem it spread throughout Judea, to Samaria, and right to the ends of the earth.
(To be continued.)
NEWS ITEMS
The Turks are the people being battered by the English on the Eastern Front at this time; many prisoners have been taken and guns captured. One can add to this the news of the taking of the town of Istabulat where 20 officers, 467 men and 15 very large guns were captured along with a very large number of shells.
On 17th German submarines sank two hospital ships sailing to England. On board one of them were 234 English wounded and 167 Germans; 23 of the English and 15 of the Germans were lost.
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WAR NEWS
Mines in the North Sea.
We all know from information since the beginning of the war that the coastal areas of Germany and the bases for its warships in Heligoland have been surrounded with mines and that Germany alone knows the channels that are available for its warships to reach the sea and to return.
Now the First Admiral, Lord Jellicoe, has given orders for mines to be laid beyond but close to the German mines, and the laying of mines has been completed from the seas to the north to those to the south of Heligoland. The German warships in these harbours have been contained inside; although its warships could go freely through the parts where they have laid mines they are no longer willing to move because England has completed laying mines outside and they do not know which channels are free of them. The Dutch newspapers support the mine-laying.
America and Germany.
We have all heard of America’s situation in these days when it is about to sever the bonds between it and Germany, and that it is preparing to gird itself up to be ready for war. The reason why America has stirred is Germany’s statement that on the first of the month it is going to deploy its submarines and encircle England completely so that in two or three months it will be short of food and gunpowder and will agree to a peace settlement. All ships, even those of neutral countries – and America is one, that enter the areas designated by Germany will be sunk without warning. America is not the only country that has condemned this German diktat. All the neutral countries are angry and the Spaniards and Chinese are particularly strong in their objections and will perhaps fight against Germany if it continues with its policy of sinking their ships at sea. On 14th of this month the German Ambassador, Count Bernstorff, and his party of 330, returned by ship to Germany. And the American Ambassador, Gerard, and his officials returned to America. The most recent news was that Gerard was in Spain. The German ships that have been impounded on the American coast
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since the beginning of the war are being guarded by America, because the Germans have been secretly at work damaging the machinery and some have been set on fire while some have been prepared to be set alight by mines. Also America has begun to seize the German spies who have been secretly going about their work there. America has also said that it would be good to equip all its ships with guns to protect themselves against German submarines lest they be torpedoed. We should pay attention to these signs which indicate that perhaps President Wilson will agree that America should enter the war. It is still a case of waikahua me waikatohu – ‘Who thinks, who knows?’ [cf Nga Pepeha 1654]. When a loud voice is heard and when the shout of the great canoe of [puaki-nui puaki-rangi] resounds over America then we will know that America has been fighting. America has a reputation in the past for fighting on and not giving up. Therefore Wilson, let the blade of the weapon be raised. From the time of the death of our Lord [Good Friday] it was thought that America would take up the cross, that is, it would enter the war on the side of the Allies.
OTHER ITEMS
The Independence Belge newspaper for 17th April said that Germany has established an oil factory at Strith, close to Belgium. That German factory deals with the bodies of its people who die in battle. They are taken there, preserved, washed thoroughly and left to dry. Afterwards they are cooked and the fat is strained off. This being satisfactorily done, it is poured into casks, The fat is yellow. The fat of 2000 men weighs two tons.
Recently six German warships came secretly by night to attack the part of England closest to Germany, namely, Dover. It was not long before they were sighted by two English spy ships which followed them; then the two fought with the six. Before long the Germans fled, two of their ships having been sunk. The newspapers commented on the bravery and ability of the men on board the two English ships. Of the eighteen men manning the large guns only six survived but they stayed at their stations. The man at the helm [steering wheel] suffered four shrapnel wounds but held on to the wheel. When the fighting ended he said to his captain, ‘Goodbye, I’m going.’ After saying this he collapsed.
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OUR HOUSE IS BEING BURNED DOWN.
‘Our house is being burned down, so let the man who wishes to help, take off his coat and extinguish the fire so that it dies out.’
These are the words spoken by the Roman Catholic Archbishop Kelly urging men to go to the war, as reported in one of the Australian newspapers, the Sydney Morning Herald.
He uttered these words in his address at the opening of the worshipping space for the Roman Catholic soldiers in the soldiers’ camp at Liverpool, NSW.
However it is very sad indeed that Archbishop Kelly did not make an effort to pull together the thinking of the people of his Church during the recent vote to approve the law compelling people to go to the war. That recent vote in Australia went in favour of the ‘Noes’ because the Roman Catholics in New South Wales and Queensland opposed it having been directed by their priests to vote ‘No’.
Australia is now suffering appalling shame because of the rejection of that Bill, and the people who have gone to war with noble motives are left alone and relying on help for the future only from the voluntary system.
Perhaps New Zealand will be like Australia and be scarred if the Government does not make every effort to promote that Bill to compel men to go to make up the losses in the ranks.
●●●●●●●●●
The Chinese have now raised their hand against Germany. Information we have received says that there are six German ships in Shanghai which have been impounded by China, the people on board have been seized, and the ships are being guarded. China has asked Germany to allow its Ambassador to return home and the German Ambassador is also returning from China.
News received on 23rd says that one English aeroplane was destroyed by two German planes on the north coast of Zeebrugge.
Five German fighter planes engaged with three English fighter planes in the region of Blankenberg and Zeebrugge. Four of them were observed fleeing over Zeebrugge and one had disappeared.
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The number of men from the countries involved in the fighting from the beginning until 31st December, apart from those who have been wounded and then returned to fight, who have been killed or can no longer take part in the fighting is:
Country Killed Wounded
Austria-Hungary 837,750 621,500
Belgium 58,000 38,000
England 239,160 180,000
Bulgaria 29,500 21,000
France 932,500 740,000
Germany 1,430,000 1,039,000
Italy 122,500 86,250
Russia 1,747,650 1,222,500
Serbia &
Montenegro 118,000 14,000
Only the English figures are completely accurate because from the beginning of the war to the present the figures have been regularly published. For some of the countries the figures are not clear because unlike the English they have not been published, but the figures above are those arrived at by experts.
The war continues unabated on land and by the aeroplanes. On 23rd the number of German planes destroyed or captured was 40while six English planes were lost.
At the beginning of this month there was a major offensive by the English on the Western Front. Thirty square miles were taken along with 33,000 prisoners and 300 guns of various kinds. It is thought that this is the beginning of the great advance of the Allies dreamt of in the autumn and to be executed in the summer. Paris has issued a statement saying that the number of Germans killed over eight days reached 100,000.
In the last days of April we received information about the brave people who have received Military Medals. Amongst the names was that of Ramoa Hough, a half-caste from the Chatham Islands [Wharekauri].
The Roll of Honour
Killed in Battle: Private G Rewi.
Wounded: Privates K Harris, W Waiomio.
Seriously ill in hospital: Privates R W Katene, R Haki; Lance-corporal B Mahuika, R Hura.
Died of Wounds: Lance-corporal P Horomona, Pita Te Whata.
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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
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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/-.
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Printed and published by H W Williams at Te Rau Printing Works, Berry Street, Gisborne, New Zealand.
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