Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-23
LETTER FROM NEW ZEALAND.
Labor and Experiences Of an Elder
Among the Maories.

lOuOWlnB from n lclter ualeu lOkO-
maru, New Zealand, March /, 1890,
written by Elder Ezra t. Steven
son to his father, Brother Edward
Stevenson, of this city:
At the conference held in Wal
kato Jan. 10, Elder Orson ID. Rom
ney was appointed to labor with
me in this district. / am now
showing him about as a final leave
taking, as he will probably take
charge, succeeding me. He has
been here now about fourteen
months. Elder II. ID. Haight, Jr.,
is also with us. He is a grandson Of
old Judge Haight, with whom you
were well acquainted. We have an
appointment for priesthood meeting
here tonight, expecting those
from the next branch to at
tend. / did not send YOU
a copy Of our last report, as we were
short Of blanks. We were blessed
in the privilege Of quite a number Of
baptisms and blessing of children.
We had a fine district conference
on the Sth and 9Th ult., and another
fine time at Poverty Bay on the
18th and 18th, During that time we
had the pleasure OF the Lori's bles-
sings made manifest through our
administrations. One young man
in particular was SO sick as 10 he I'm
constant pain. He was enabled TO
ride sixteen miles and, be
married rs per previous arrange
ment. The next morning we adj
ministered to him again and he
followed us 10 kaiti, IS miles, with
in a few days, attending the confer
ence there. While there the assem-
blage Of MaOries with five Of US e.
ders and n few other whites were
photographed. / have not as yet
seen finished picture, but l am sure
| shall prize 1t.
From there President Wright
went on and l returned. he said
he would like me 10 arrange so rs 10
met him at the Manawatu district
conference which Is to be held at
POrirura, fifteen miles yelling
ton, on the -. and 80. insts. We will
then come On over TO the general
conference beginning April 1. afler
which he expects to accompany us
returning Elders 10 AIkland. This
arrangement requires my leaving
ahead II the company going to gene
raj conference, but viii give me a
fine visit through my old stamping
ground" where / had my first initi-
alton into Alaoridom. That evening
July LIST, 1857, think / never shall
forget, when /, not knowing even a
word Of greeting, was set down
alone to find my way into n Maori
village. Yet | WIS not alone, for
my footsteps were guided, and a
kind and motherly heart had been
prepared TO welcome and give me
shelter under her humble roof.
How when those simple natives
gathered round me ehattering in
their own strange tongue, and try
ing 10 make me understand their
questions put In br0ken English, 1
sat there and thought Of what was
before mel Yet 1 was not unhappy
or lonesome, but knew that
had come TO do Gods
work, and in my faithfulDess
He would continue as He had
begun TO raise up friends for me.
How true this has beeni / have
been enabled through His blessing
to acquire portion Of their strange
language and 10 expOund His pre-
cious truths TO this people. The
time has flown by as on the wings
of the wind. Weeks and months
have sped by as simple short spans
Of time, marking dates for laLors to
be accomplished. The. years have
now passed and / am, as It were, on
my way home. saying good bye to
scenes and people among whom i
have labOred. And so shortly l |
shall be with you all once more.
But what shall find? I ask myself.
/ am reminded that March LIST is
city ofhcers' Inauguration day. A
cable message says that ethe Gem
tiles have carried an important cleo
in Utah." All this means discom-
Tort and inconvenienee for those |
who have built up the country, and |
disaster TO many. But It is all |
right.
Much must and will he accom-
plished in brief space Of time, and |
n few years, If we are faithful, will |
see US safely past the breakers.
and tue good skip Zion will gain
a safe harber, even though |
she be somewhat disman-
lied by the rude blasts and |
angry sea. The time when men
''must needs flee TO Zion for safetyv
Is nearer than our people realize,
and it is necessary that we see a lit
lie rough handling in order that we
be awakened and prepared.
Oh what have we to be thankful
or, Everything is for us five will
put flrmlyhold on 10 the rod ofiron. ~
Stay at our post and her Captain
will manage the ship.
In another letter dated waipawa,
Hawkes. Bay, March 10, Elder
says:
At this pah, or villsge, is now
staying a false prophet who claims
power over uBciean spirits, etc. He
has company Of unclean followers,
ind II is only unclean things they
though some claim TO
,e healed by his power. They are a
OF Of adulturous and drinking men
md women going about in body.
at place as long as food
asis. They shun us, that is talking
Fith US, reminding us Of Christ's
words, John 3: 10, 90. The WORT
o me is their protesting a respect
or Deity and prophecy while up
holding such works Of wickedness.
But it is for such that righteous in
IignatiOn will be made manifest
ipon the earth.