Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-05-17

Kahiwai, our first branch OF MAORI
Saints, having made many friends on
our Journey. got my first Introduce
ton TO Maoridom there, and was soon
at home among them, though 1
| didn't understand wUrI OF
their language. The presideD
| OF this branch, Miki TepirIbi, Ia n
| gray.headed, intelligent native, and n
good man. We held Sunday school
on the morning OF the 10Th, and Sacra-
ment meeting Ia the afternoon.
Brother Hales acted an interpreter. i
spoke short time 10 the meeting on
the object Of our missionary labofefs.
We visited two families ut Msngapai, on
the 18th aud 18th, and held meeting
with them. The Saints at Opua.
whabga were pleased to see u, anu we
remained Ave days. We held meeting at
Hukufangi, with about forty present,
when l had the first opportunity Of
laying the Gospel before the people In
my own tongue. Elder Hales followed
In few timely words AMI at 9:i5 the
meeting closed. We then had ia
pitch" with n Mr.. Carter, a Primitive
Methodist, who 50 kindly offered us
this use Of the school house. IL was
after midnight whom we reached
Brother Thos. Finlayson's home,
where We were then staying.
The Opuawhanga branch IL composed
OF three families, with Hans X. Peter.
sen Us president. Brother Finiayson
has charge Of the Sunday school, AMI
though few In numDer, the scholars
are abreast OF the times IN knowledge
Of the inst principles of this Gospel Of
Christ.
On the ?0;h we reached Hora Hora,
hut the Maoris having gathered NJ
kauakaurangi, to q "hui," we joined
them there and held service several
times. Hoani Met Kaio, . fine man,
and esteemed among his race, IN the
president Of Hora branch. Many
Elders who have labored there no
doubt remember him well. II was
there we met u Mr.. John Ginnsy, the
schoolmaster OF this place, anu made u
nrm friend Of him. lie Is investlgs,-
Ing the Gospel. lott him the "Voice
,f Warming" which he Promised 10
carefully consider.
At Whananaaki we met many Of the
Maorls from the Great barrier,
and held Sacrament and testimony
meetings. On February 18th we mot
with some natives at Mokau aud held
"karakia" with them. At Waikare,
on the 10Th, va met Hcnero Kemp md
other Saints, and had thu filst oppor.
iunity - practice myself al u genuine
Maori "hungn," or rubbing noses,
Elder Hales taking lead. l pressed my
nose carefully on that OF each native
rs they passed from him TO me, aud
must confess that l found nothing dis.
agreeable about II; In fact rather liked
II, though II was n novelty to me. !
understand some OF our brethren don't
care TO "nunga," but for my my part
would rather do 90 than not,partioular-
ly 30 when II seems there IL more
for God and tho Gospel In those who
observe this custom.
During our stay there we held Sun
day school ones and 0ns Sacrament
meeting. Elder Hnlcs spoke to the
Maoris In their own tongue, aud had
the privilege OF iistening to their musl.
cal language during tho afternoon. 1
had the pleasure OF baptxiing three
MAORI boys there. They were named
Hori WiniatA, Henere kaupeka and
Hoani Reneta. We went out over
very rough hills 10 Te Karetu, eight
miles, and held short service with
the Maoris there, who nre mostly
Wesleysns. Returning 10 Opuawbangn
on the 23rd, we had 10 lay over there
because o. very heavy rain, which
resulted In n Hood that did much
damage to property aud stock.
Since then We have held three meet.
ings In outside schoolhouses aud halls.
Parua Bay, Mata and Foote'S Mil mt
In -. ks a. q.
attention. Wa met with the mill
hands and buehmen at tho latter
place on March 2Srj, and were most
kindly treated. Elder Hales preached
with great power on the Gospel for
three-quarters OF AN hour, when |
filled up the time In bearing my
testimony and corroborating his re-
marks. The utmost attention was
paid and you might have heard q pin
drop for over an hour Mr.. WIN.
Foote, the owner, was kindness itself
and we greatly enjoyed our stay.
This "bush," as they cal their
timber forests here, has M beautiful a
lot Of timber In 1t as have ever seen,
Gigantic "kauris," whose fall under
the bushman's Az sounds like dis
charge OF artillery, arc ne thick as they
can well stand. II 10 estimated that Il
will take Ave years TO clear II OF good
saw timber, whom our host intends, n
possible, 10 visit the United States
with his family. Many Of these
"kauri" will cut 10000 feet OF clear
lumber, but occasionally these "forest
giants" will contain $4,000 feet. One
now stands at puawhanga that is
over 40 feet In circumference. Since
our visit TO Foote'S mill we have been
to kerihunga, Ruaiangata, Tetoitoi
and Whangsteau, besides our regular
calling places.
We have travelled $50 miles In ali
since We left for the north, anu expect
TO DO at our starting point IN two days
more. We have labored extensively
among the Europeans, and many new
friends appear OH all sides. We have
made arrangements for tho use OF
school houses ana halls wherever
practicable, that We may lay the
Gospel before tho people on our next
trip. Our health has been good,
though the earlier part OF our journey
was marked by many wet days.
Winter In approaching and the
roads will soon be very difficult TO
travel, the bog holes deeper, ANA the
tidal rivers and swamps more danger.
Gus.
The Lord has blessed aud preserved
US in many ways, and our Testimony
and faith Increases day by day. Many
friends have been raised up for US In
Time Of need. l am doing 1T.
tie at the language, but my
pIORress In ilng nm nccotInt nj onr ,,o,,