The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 102

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102

The graduates from the institution numbered
seven, five high-school and two normal students.
Miss Carrie Hill represented the normal class with
an oration, “Is Ours an Age of Faith?” Mr. Lester
Charles of the high school delivered the salutatory,
using as subject “The Successful Man’s Religion.”
The valedictory was given by Miss Bernice Smith.
“The Successful Man’s Education” was the subject
selected. Several entertaining musical numbers
were interspersed in the program. The presentation
of diplomas was made by Prof. R. O. L. Lynn, presi-
dent of the school.

Alabama Luther College will open again, God
willing, September 10. We ask our Lutheran readers
fervently to pray for the continued success and
growth of the institution. J. Wisur Twirty.

The Hau-Hau Apostasy
Among the Maoris of New Zealand.

In the early sixties of last century there showed
itself among the Maoris of New Zealand one of the
strangest superstitions in the history of Christian
missions. As in the Sudan the Mahdi led his fanatic
hordes against the English, so in New Zealand there
arose about sixty-five years ago a man of like char-
acter, who proclaimed throughout the land a relent-
less war against the English and the Christian
religion. The man in question was a chief by the
name of Horopapera Te Ua, who first attracted
attention by his insane conduct and as a result was
laid in chains as a dangerous lunatic. However, he
broke his fetters, and no one was able to hold him.
This dangerous man appeared among his fellow-
Maoris just at a time when their minds were greatly
excited because of a real or fancied injustice against
them on the part of the British and declared him-
self to be a prophet from heaven. He claimed that
he had been freed from his chains by the direct help
of the archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary and
further added that his liberators had promised him
and his followers great victories over the English if
they would utter a bark like a dog, Hau-Hau. The
new creed was called Pat Marire, which, some say,
meant “Await your time,” while others translate it
“The all-holy.” It renounced the Christian religion
in all its parts, but took up the Old Testament as its
guide in a way. Upon the superficial acceptance of
the Old Testament was grafted the strangest mix-
_ ture of heathen rites and incantations. The Maoris
' were taught that they had been called to take
_ the place of the Jews of old and that it was their

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

duty to show the Jews great respect wherever they
might meet them. Old Testament names were freely
used among them, and the English were supposed to
represent Pharaoh, while the prophet called himself
Moses, who would in due time cast the enemy into
depths of the sea. The worst passions of the people
were aroused, and the practises of the new religion
were unspeakably revolting. The natives fell back
into barbarism, and their old cannibalism, which
Christianity had destroyed, once more appeared with
dreadful frequency.

Without check the superstition swept on like

An Old Maori, New Zealand.

a huge tidal wave and ruthlessly destroyed mission-
stations and scattered the converts. Everywhere the
natives were sitting with their chiefs in earnest
counsel, preparing for some fresh and concerted
attack upon the English and the Christian natives.
At a place called Ranana a message was sent into
the town stating that the Hau-Haus would shortly
be there to sweep the English into the sea, and while
they were planning how best to defend the place, the
wild horde of half-mad natives was upon them.

Native Christians Rally.

The Christian Maoris rallied to give battle to the
fanatic and murderous Hau-Haus at an island called
Montua, and under their brave leader Hemi Nape
they were able to beat back their assailants for