Our Māori Pioneer

"Incidents in the life of Adjutant A.E.A. Holdaway, of the Maori Work."

This was the title of an autobiographical account written by Ernest Holdaway, which was included on page 3 of The War Cry 9 November edition. Three columns described Holdaway's youth in Nelson, his experiences within The Salvation Army and first impressions of life on the Whanganui River with his wife, Lizzie.

Holdaway begins, "T'was in September, 1888, the scene, the Maori Pah of Whangehau, a few miles up the Wanganui River. Here, for the space of three months, a young man and his wife had been living under canvas, cut off from all European associations, shut out from their world, their fixed determination being to conquer the difficulties of the Maori tongue, so that they might be enabled to carry the glad tidings of salvation to the dying Maori race."

Despite determination and dedication, within six months Holdaway suffered the passing of his father and shortly after the tragic death of his wife, Lizzie from typhoid fever, leaving him with baby Eva Aroha, a few weeks old. His mother died just a few months later.

He wrote, "Thus bereft of father, wife and mother, he goes forth to lay down his life for the salvation of the Maori race... The father kneels by the side of his infant daughter's cot. She is the only earthly tie remaining." Despite such tragedy Holdaway continued on with his ministry with his young daughter cared for by the Baker family of Whangaehu until Holdaway remarried Captain Agnes Alston in 1890.

At this point in The War Cry article the text moves to the third person and the account becomes biographical. The reader learns that Holdaway's parents were staunch Methodists with a home free of alcohol. He remembered the prayers of his mother at bedtime and recalled he was a sensitive child reacting with tears to evocative Bible stories and music. His interest in reading and music continued as he grew older. "He played the harmonium in church for a while, and was pretty regular in his attendance at some place of worship, unless the charms of some unusually interesting novel proved too strong for him." It is reported that Holdaway attended evangelical meetings led by a Dr Somerville and a Mrs Hampson, however, "it was the same tale, good resolve for a season, soon to relapse into his former state of indifference."

While on a beach with a friend, he heard that The Salvation Army was coming to Nelson and The War Cry made its way into the family home, with Holdaway "ridiculing the funny phrases and generally pulling it to pieces."

The Army made its presence felt in the local community with reports from Nelson and Motueka of conversions, singing and uniform wearing. Finally with his curiosity aroused Holdaway attended a service, but "what most of all strengthened his determination... was the news that his lass, whom he already loved, had got saved at the penitent-form and was going to be enrolled as a soldier." The following Saturday night he attended his first meeting. "Angry as he felt, and dissatisfied at the turn affairs were taking, yet he determined to sit still and listen to what was said." He sat with his eyes on Lizzie Edwards, who was sitting on the platform and he became "convinced in his own mind that the Army was right and he was wrong."

A few weeks later and after several discussions with Lizzie about his soul, while riding home from a Sunday night meeting, "... the spirit of God took hold of the fellow mightily. Reaching home he hurriedly put the horse in the stable, rushed into his room...and cried unto the Lord for mercy. After being on his knees for about an hour, a sudden rush of wonderful joy filled his soul, and Ernest Holdaway knew he was saved."

From then on he regularly attended meetings and wished he was as bold as Lizzie when she spoke in public, as even times of open testimony caused him to tremble. After a while he plucked up courage and spoke in public, "Only a few words, and then he sat down and cried. It was not a very brilliant start, but the ice was broken."

Holdaway became a soldier in 1884 and led small house meetings in Richmond, becoming even more involved when it became an outpost of Nelson Corps. However the thought of becoming an officer never entered his head and there were even doubts that "the whole affair was only a fad with him." He stated that, "I sometimes seemed frightened to look into the future...but I kept on one step at a time. I read my Bible, gave up everything that I knew to be wrong, and prayed for strength. I sought sanctification and obtained it, and then I felt that it no longer depended on myself, but I belonged to God entirely and He could keep me from falling."

Holdaway's decision to become an officer coincided with a visit to Nelson, from one of the founders of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Major George Pollard. After meeting Holdaway he wanted him to begin officer training as soon as possible and Holdaway began training in Christchurch in 1885.

The War Cry article of 9 November, concludes with a few lines written by Holdaway, reflecting on his current ministry and his commitment to the cause, "God led, and always does, and will lead me. I am never tired of doing his will... I am changed and I am determined to do God's will. I am in a very difficult work at present, but complete trust in God can never be defeated."