THE MAORIES

The Maories are the original natives of New Zealand. They are an intelligent race, in many respects superior to the aborigines of other islands in the Pacific. Those of the Samoan Islands are said to nearly resemble them. There are at present about fifty thousand of the Maories in New Zealand. As a class, they have a high sense of honor, justice, and morality. According to their laws, the violation of the seventh commandment would exclude the guilty person from recognition in any of the tribes. His property would be taken from him, and he would ever after be considered an outlaw. The doctrine of restitution for theft is rigidly enforced, with many other ideas of a similar character.HSFM 107.1

The first missionaries who went to New Zealand were Methodists and Lutherans sent from England. These have, to a large extent, lost their influence with the natives because of their overreaching and dishonesty in taking land from the natives without giving them a fair equivalent. Blankets, fishhooks, agricultural implements, and similar articles which had been furnished by the London missionary society to aid them in the work of civilization, were dishonestly used by them in purchasing large tracts of land of which the natives did not know the value. In some instances thousands of acres of land were obtained for simple articles of not more than a pound’s value. A contract once made by the Maories is ever afterward held sacred by them, no matter how badly they have been wronged; but after a time they realized the extent of the injustice done them by the missionaries, and it was one of the causes of a bitter war with the Europeans.HSFM 107.2

The Maories are religiously inclined. Nearly all of them profess the Christian religion, and most of them can read their own language. Those who have lived among them and have gained their confidence, have great influence over them. The Hare family, being old residents, have always been on good terms with them, and are known among all the tribes. The present wife of Bro. Joseph Hare senior, is a physician to the Maories. Her former husband was a missionary among them, and was one of those who always retained their confidence. Owing to the friendly relations which the Hare family sustain to these natives, and their knowledge of the great injustice which has been done them, their sympathy has been greatly aroused in their behalf.HSFM 107.3

Bro. Edward Hare has been very anxious that a paper should be published in their language, and before I left for America plans were considered for the publication of a monthly Maorie paper, to be gratuitously distributed among them. Each paper was to contain articles on temperance, a Bible story with a picture, and a Bible reading. This enterprise was to be supported by friends of the Maories outside of our people. Already money has been pledged so that by the time one number had been issued there would have been sufficient funds to publish it for a year. It is hoped that arrangements will yet be perfected for the carrying forward of this enterprise.HSFM 107.4

In company with Bro. Hare, I visited some of the Maories, and spoke to them about the coming of the Lord, Bro. Hare acting as interpreter. They seemed perfectly joyous at the thought that Christ would come to take them to himself. They expressed the greatest thankfulness, and would say, “Oh that I could live to see him!” They manifest great regard for the Bible, and although a missionary would have no influence over them after attempting to purchase land of them, they give their unbounded confidence to those who seem to be single-hearted in the work of saving souls.HSFM 107.5