A Maori Anglo-Saxon Sermon
The Bishop of Aotearoa on the British Empire
In 1929 a special Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Waiapu was held to elect a new Bishop, in which the Maori ‘Bishop of Aotearoa’, The Right Rev. Frederick Bennett, was present to give a sermon. A noted orator in both English and Maori, his service as a Bishop specifically tasked with the spiritual matters of the Maori people was to ensure that Maori were not too drawn to the growing heretical Ratana movement.
The sermon broadly touched upon the racial aspects of Christianity in New Zealand, affirming the British Empire and the Anglo-Saxon race as a Godly tool for the spread of Christianity worldwide, while simultaneously appealing to congregants to continue their support of the Anglican Church in the face of the Ratana movement by drawing attention to the strong Maori interest in the Church despite supposed failings.
The Zealandia Heritage Foundation wishes to share this short sermon with you as a part of a growing collection of newly transcribed New Zealand nationalist writings. The source is the Waiapu Church Gazette, 1 November 1929.
The Bishop took as his text Isaiah 32.20: “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.”
One could imagine that the text was specially written for the Anglo-Saxon race. What other race can we point to which has done so much in colonising and civilising as that race? There is something in the blood of the children of that race that is not in other races - something that enables them to deal with the native races. Never before was there an Empire like the great British Empire today. While that is in the making so is being extended the work of God. Is such a coincidence a mere accident? Just think for a moment of the fact that of the 460 million in the Empire, only 65 million are white in colour.
Last year there was a wonderful conference held in Jerusalem at which representatives of 51 different nationalities attended. The problem was what language should be used. When it was found that 50 out of the 51 understood English the whole conference was conducted in that medium. Is that a mere accident? Doesn’t it show that God is using to a wonderful degree the characteristics of the great Anglo-Saxon race? Yet only one out of seven in this great Empire is white. ‘Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.’ The old flag which is tattered and torn is still flying proudly over the seven seas. One can see that it bears the blood-stained cross of Jesus Christ. Is that a mere accident?
We should all take that emblem into active service in our lives. We should realise that God has called us as a people to do His work - to bring light where darkness prevails. It is our duty to see that we are fulfilling the purpose that God has in store for us. Some people are doing all they can to extend the Kingdom of Christ. In New Zealand last year the sum of £21,205 was raised for the purpose of extending the Kingdom of Christ. If we all did our share, however, and took the right view of the work of the Church that amount would be doubled and even trebled.
No less than 67 Pakeha missionaries from New Zealand are doing great work in the mission fields. So far, none of my Maori brothers have yet been called, but I hope that soon some of them will have that privilege. Among the Polynesians and Melanesians, they may be able to do something in spreading the Kingdom of God. The large amount raised last year for missions and the large number of missionaries that the Church had should be an encouragement for all.
This diocese, in proportion to the others, raised more than any other in the Dominion. God is blessing you as a people because you have been sowing beside all waters. By making the extension of the Kingdom of Christ one of the greatest objects we shall receive the blessing of God. Melanesia is in great need and they have asked for an additional £2000 this year to assist in repairing the damage that was done, and in view of that fact I do not wish to divert their claims when I speak of the Maori missions.
I wish to take this opportunity of thanking on behalf of the Maori race our beloved Bishop of Waiapu. We have been exceedingly grateful for the wonderful interest, love and affection that he has shown to us. I stand here tonight as the result of one of his labours. Had it not been for him it would have been a difficult matter to have founded the Maori Bishopric scheme. It was our Bishop who introduced the scheme and stood by it until it was carried through. If any monument is required to his great service, what he has done for the development of the Maoris will stand high.
The Pakeha clergy have all been wonderfully sympathetic, having in many cases willingly assisted the native clergy with services, and I can only express the hope that the kindly feeling which exists between the two races will continue for all time. I have recently been on a tour to the far north and the interest being taken by the Maoris in the Church is remarkable. At one centre we held a service at 7 o’clock in the morning at which over 1000 attended, many of whom had travelled 50 miles that morning to be present. At another service the church was crowded with communicants only. This gives you some indication of the real feeling that is making itself manifest.
While up there I attended a conference which lasted all night to determine the question of a burial ground between members of the Church and the Ratanaites. Previously the differences had almost resulted in bloodshed, but I am happy to say that they have now been settled peacefully. The result was not only peace, but several families who had left the Church all came back.
I wish to make it clear that it was no work of mine but the work of God. I feel that God has called me to work for Him and I have given myself up to be used in any way He pleases. I appeal to you all to continue your prayers and your interest in the Maori work and in their development. We are not only on the verge of a better time, but are experiencing a spiritual revival, the interest in which is very remarkable.
It is amazing the number of young men who are coming back to the old Church from other movements. The way in which the Church’s work is expanding is encouraging, there being no difficulty in getting to the hearts of the people who are longing for spiritual food. They are coming back saying that they are satisfied that the old Church is better than the new movements. In the work of God we each may have little to offer, but in the aggregate will be built up the great Church of God. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.