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Show & - -- -J M In New Zealaud. Editor Banner: The long expected luy for our saints in "Waikato hasJit Inst arrived, and although tho morning is piercing cold with a heavy foe hanging over nature those are signs of a rainless day and a bright warm sun at about 10 , o'clock when the fog will have been i chased away. It is with light hearts that we embark upon our little river steamer which has a trip of about HG miles down the winding Waikato, now picturesquo by the farm houses and leafless willow trees on its banks; oc-i oc-i casionally a cluster of rush houses is aeon, tho occupants of which tell legends of the famous Waikat" f the long ago. "We call at Bftveral such villages and j our crowd is increased with more dark, , shining faces, At Tupekerungu, tho i terminus nf our ride, we are greoted by our saints and friends who are already j gathered there. The pork, beef, pota toes, kumuras, bread, cake, etc. in sight toll, if tho Moari proverb is true, that ' good listening depends upon well lilled stomachs, out conference will bo a j success. By 2 p. m. Pres. Ezra T. Stevenson, Elder Hirini Whaanga (tho Maori chief ' from ZionJ and Elder George T Jiuld, Sec. of the mission have arrivan, having come 08 miles from Auckland by rail j and about 2.j miles by canoe. We En give our distinguished visitors a genuine ii welcome. Tho same night Elder Whaanga told the story of his life in Zion. This "grand old man" of tho Maori nation has returned to his people. lie of all men can testify to them of this work, for has he not seen its fountain iliead, its prophet and itsppople of thoir 1 ' sincerity, of their unity or of their deceit? And now this venerable old man, filled I with the spirit of his calling, tells his ' people these men, these servants of God among us are not merely hero to spend their timet They have come as the last gleaners of tho vineyard ofGodbefoio tho last day. These men have left their people, their homes, and all that is near to them for tho gospel.' and I testify to you, my people, this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and by it only can we be I saved. Listen to mo for I know, 1 liavo seen. Three regular meetings were held on tho first day besides a priesthood meeting meet-ing hold at 4 p . m . On the second day, besides our three regular meetings, we held English services, by special request of the f Europeans, in tho school house. Our ' .gathering has been a spiritual feast to ' us and although our last conference was j one of tho best, yet during this wo t seemed to on joy even a greater portion of thu Spirit of God. Tho prayers of 1 the humble servants had been answered J , and rowarded. On Monday, Juno 13, wo parted with ? our vieitors, tho saints and friunds returning to their homos. On June 15, I attended a large gathering of about 250 Moaries at Whatawhata, and had tho priviledgo of not onlyv preaching but discussing with their chief tho principles of tho gospel. Since then I have preached to two other large gatherings, besides regular work, and have attended tho semiannual semi-annual conference of tho Ilauraki diatrict and at present writing am attending conference hero in thy Tauranga district. Our compr.ny includes Pres. Ezra T. Stevenson of the ;New Zealand mission and Elder llinni "Whaanga. At this conference Elder Iltufus K. Har.ly, of Salt Lake City, has boon appointed to labor with mo in Waikato while Elder II. Ilollingwortb, I my previous companion, will labor ' here. These lines written to you, my dear I frien'ls at home, will also toll you I am enjoying excellent health anJ spirits ! and am still struggling humbly to do I! inyduty. I truly appreciato tho kind feeling expiessed by you towards me through tho lottors received from my home, and I assuro you that your kindness kind-ness and lovo can novcr bo forgotten by me. |