Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-01-02

ngs on the 18th OF each month (which
bv the way is the 18th with them.) As
is usual in Maoridom, we were soon in
vited to partake OF reireshment | CHI
CURED as TO their customs, rites sc and
Europeans are seen in that town, al
though number OF fine European
residences are here ana there, among
the many Of Maori design, numbering
229 in all ust back OF the low ridge
winch surrounds the path, stands
majestically Mount lgmont pyramidical
in shape, its snow.capped peak towering
$500 feet above sea level. The full
view can only be obtained when the
weather is very clear aud cloudless.
lie White is the most prominent OF
the two so.called prophets, his fame
having spread far and near. II reports
be true, the various sectaran ministers
cannot hold their own against him, it be-
| ing his custom to talk in parallels which
they are unable to interpret. We were
welcomed by Te Whites son-in law
! Waitara. and we're soon comfortably
was informed that they never ask a
| blessing upon the food. We were
| granted permission TO please ourselves,
| and therefore asked the Lords blessing
| upon the bounties OF life set before us.
1t was not long before we were in.
formed that lie White was approaching
the house. Arriving at the door, we
| arose to meet him, greeting each other
and hongi. A short chat followed, then
all were called to supper, blessing was
asked, at the close OF the same. lie
White addressed the company and ex-
pressed his opinion concerning the
blessing asked; once again it is in favor
OF the Mormon Elder. When supper
was over all returned TO the room.
| The time arrived Tor us to state our
desire in visiting him. In doing SO we
asked permission to lay before them the
| principles OF the gospel. was informed
that they had no desire for worship or TO
listen TO the gospel, they having form
with which they were satisfied. TIE
White gave me parable which was as
follows: A peach stone, planted, grows
a tree. The top is cut off, leaving root,
and trunk; a new piece OF another tree
is brought and grated 10 the peach; it
grows and many branches shoot forth
| First question, can any OF those branches
say they belong to the peach?
answered no, as they have come from
that which was grated. He then told
me our church was one OF those
branches. answered, mo, verify no, !"
and explained to him that this Church is
not OF man, but that 1t has been estab.
llshed by God, therefore belongs 10 the
root. In this parable all other churches
have fallen before this learned man. II
the first branch come OF the branches
which grew out OF the church OF Rome,
the fruits of the reformation, they all
alike could not prove they were Of the
root, the church OF Christ which He
established. TIE White could not have
given better parable wherein he illus
trated our true standing before the
world. The great prophet realized the
fact that he could not contest his point,
/. SO said, that all the churches were OF
| God. His statement was proved to be
a mistake. His next was, that there
was no trusting travelling missionary,
Scnptural evidence was brought to
prove that we were called as were the
Seventies OF old. 1t was evident that
| Tie White could no, hold his own. His
followers, seeing his predcament, came
to his rescue, suggesting that the con.
versation close TO enable them TO pro.
coed with their own affairs.
Next morning long conversation was
held with Te Whites son in aw,
Waitara, in the presence OF a large
| company OF his followers who had
gathered together upon this day,it being
the great day for the Te Whltiites and
Tohultes. Waitara's statements were
as follows: First, It is impossible to tell
which is the true Church, as all claim to
have the right. | informed him as TO
the many sCripiural promises made
whereby we might know which was OF
God. Second. the Tie Whites had the
true Gospel. In questioning it was soon
evident that not one OF their principles
could be sustained from holy writ.
Third, that they lett il for their good
works to proclaim the gospel through
out the world. He was informed as to
the proper method as laid down in
scripture for the PRONUNCIATION OF the
Gospel.
Through the rich ou,pouring OF the
Spirit OF God was enabled TO over.
throw their man-made doctrines; prove
ours to be established upon that rock OF
revelation which we are told, not even
the gates OF hell shall prevail against us.
The divinity OF Joseph Smiths mission
and the restoration and first principles
OF the Gospel were dweit upon and ex-
planned to the assembly.
Time had sped SO rapidly it was near
noon when visit was made to Tohu
He being absent long talk was held
with number OF his followers, chief
among whom was Tahana their Maori
orator, who informed US their foreiatheTs
came direct here from Jerusalem upon
dry ground. He could not however
give the necessary proc. Next, that
The Maori people were oil the lineage of
Ephraim. This also he was unable to
subslantiate. These, with the remainder
OF his remarks which occupied some |
two hours, he was unable to verify. He |
and his friends lacked the intelligence |
which TIE White and WaitaIa had dis
played
At this junciure Elders John II. Ellis, |
president OF the Manawatu conference,
and Reui Maaka MAORI his travelling |
companion arrived. 1t is needless to say |
that our meeting was apleasant one, as
all who have labored in the world for |
the spread OF truth know the joy which |
attends such meetings far from Zion and |
the habilalion OF the SAINTS.
The late arrival oi the two before |
mentioned brethren occurred through |
the departure from this life OF one OF our |
dear sisters, who has been in very deed |
a mother TO the MAI. Elders who have |
labored from time to time in the Mana |
watu district. This was the beloved |
vile OF our fellow lsborer Reui Maaka.
Sister Meri Nike Maaka passed from this |
sphere on September a7th at Porirua.
She died as she had lived since the time |
OF her embracing the tue Gospel, a
true Latter.day Saints, in full hope of |