Eastern Polynesian Mission Field
By O. A. OLSEN.
LEAVING San Francisco on the steamship “Mariposa,” May 20, 1908, we had a very favorable passage, arriving at Tahiti on Monday morning, June 1. We came this way to pay a visit to our Eastern Polynesian mission, and to attend their general meeting for the district. This mission field is composed of the following groups of islands: Society, Cook, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Gambier, the Austral Island groups, Eastern, and Pitcairn Island. There are altogether about one hundred ten inhabited islands in this district, and the truth has representatives on seven of them. We have six organized churches, with a membership of one hundred sixty-two, five church buildings, and thirteen Sabbath-schools, with a membership of two hundred ninety-eight. With the exception of Pitcairn Island, the truth was first brought to these islands by the missionary schooner “Pitcairn,” and the first one to accept it was Paul Deane, of Tahiti, in August, 1892. Brother Deane was then a preacher in the native church, and since accepting the truth, has rendered acceptable service in the message. On Tahiti we have three congregations and three church buildings. I had the pleasure of visiting them all, and it was a real privilege to make the acquaintance of these native brethren. The first laborers on Tahiti were Brother and Sister A. J. Read, who were left here by the schooner “Pitcairn.” Since then quite a number have had part in the work here, but have left again after a longer or shorter stay. Fifteen years ago Brother and Sister B. J. Cady came here, and still remain. God has greatly blessed these faithful workers, and given them many souls for their encouragement. I was glad to find Brother and Sister Cady in good health, and of good courage in the work. They are carrying a heavy load, but are keeping up well. Sister Anna Nelson was a faithful helper and coworker for a long time; but on account of her health she left a short time ago to take treatment at the St. Helena Sanitarium. Her intention is to return as soon as her health will permit. This was my first visit to any part of our island field, and I was deeply interested in all that I saw and learned. It was quite a drawback that I could not speak directly to the people. All my speaking and conversing with the natives had to be done through an interpreter.17I was favorably impressed with the appearance of the people, and the clean and neat appearance of their homes. It was also quite apparent that the truth was gathering the best of the people, and the truth itself has a wonderfully uplifting power. Our meetings were interesting and well attended, and the truth presented was much appreciated. The plan was to hold the general meeting on the island of Raiatea, one hundred twenty miles distant from Tahiti. Recently Brother Cady, with the approval of the brethren, has purchased a twenty-five-ton schooner for sixteen hundred dollars, believing that it would be a help to the work in the district in various ways. The first trip after purchase was to Pitcairn Island. There seemed to be a good opportunity to obtain cargo from the various islands, and thus pay the expense of the ship, but the main object of the trip to Pitcairn was to give some of our brethren and sisters there an opportunity to attend our general meeting, and twelve of them availed themselves of the privilege. In due time the schooner returned, having made a very successful trip, and all seemed to be well pleased with her sailing qualities. As soon as arrangements could be made, we all, thirty-seven in number, including the captain and mate, started for Raiatea. On the way we called at the island of Huahine, where we have a company of Sabbath-keepers. Here we took on five more passengers. This was my first experience in taking a sea trip on a twenty-five-ton vessel. While on the whole we had a fair passage, still on the one hundred twenty miles we experienced quite a variety of weather; we had fair weather, and we had rain, also considerable sea, which played with our boat like a toy, and we almost had a calm also. As a consequence of all this, almost all had quite an experience in sea-sickness. These little boats do not afford much shelter, consequently when a storm comes up, the passengers are quite liable to be wet through and through. I was glad to have this added experience, as now I can better appreciate the situation of our workers among the islands, who have to take many journeys under just such conditions. Our brethren and sisters living in their cosy homes, with so many comforts, little realize what our faithful workers out on the frontiers have to undergo. But they do their work cheerfully, and with hearts full of love for the Master and for souls. I have not heard one word of complaint, or discouragement. On the contrary they regard all these difficulties, privations, and exposures as mere trifles when compared with the great salvation for which they are working. God is blessing and keeping them. We trust many more will join their number, and send out a hearty invitation for others to come and help gather in the sheaves for the soon-coming harvest. Monday afternoon, June 15, we arrived at Avera, Raiatea, where the mission home is located. Here we met Sister Cady and the rest of the family. The location is a pleasant one, an almost ideal place for a home, a quiet and retired country place, surrounded by beautiful nature, quite lofty mountains in front and behind, with a fine stream of fresh running water close to the house, and a large variety of tropical fruits in abundance close at hand. The place was very interesting to me as this was my first visit. Our conference began the next day, and lasted, with almost continual meetings, for the rest of the week. Those who came with the boat, together with the brethren and sisters residing on Raiatea, made a congregation of about seventy. Our meetings were interesting, and met with a hearty response. The special burden of thought and study was how to help forward the work of the message in this district, and to obtain a fuller experience in the saving truths of the gospel. The prayers and testimonies were good and free. There was no hesitancy or delay. The native language as well as the English was freely used. All the preaching and instruction given was translated, though fully half of the congregation understood the English. We were pleased to find quite a number of young people and some of more mature years who were desirous to fit themselves for some part in the work. This matter was given special attention, and resulted in a decision to begin a training mission or school immediately. While something in this line has been done, still for lack of help it could not be carried out as fully as desired. But more help is at hand in the coming of Brother and Sister Sterling, who are expected on the next boat from San Francisco. It is a great advantage when we can develop workers in the field itself. These people know the language; they are used to the customs and habits of the natives, and know how to meet them; and they are also acclimatized. Sixteen persons gave in their names as ready to enter school at once, and Brother Cady spoke of others not present who also would enter. Some of these can be utilized in the work very soon, while others will need a longer time to prepare them fully for their work. We are very glad that the work here has so far developed that such a move is practicable, and we may hope that this move will give a new impetus to the work in this part of our field, and that soon new territory, islands that as yet have not been visited, may have the opportunity of hearing the message. Brother W. H. Pascoe, from Rarotonga, was present, and took part in our deliberations. He is now the only worker there. Sabbath morning, June 20, saw our departure. I wanted so much to remain over Sabbath and First day, but this I could not do, as there would not be another boat for a month. I remained on Tahiti and Raiatea nineteen days, though most of the time was spent on Tahiti. We left all in good spirits and full of courage. While Brother Pascoe and I had to leave, the meetings would continue for several more days, and I expect to hear good reports about the closing of the conference. On the way our steamer made stops to take on a cargo at the islands of Aitutaki, Mangaia, and Rarotonga. At the two first mentioned, Brother Pascoe and I improved the time on shore by distributing literature. Brother Pascoe had a supply of the Tuatua-Moa, the Rarotongan paper, and the natives were very eager to get it. Brother Pascoe also had “Christ Our Saviour,” and “Daniel,” in the Rarotongan language. Of these we sold all we had, and took orders for more. All this was a very interesting experience to me, and more than ever I see the importance of getting more of the truth into the language of these islands. We also heard a number speak feelingly of the truth contained in these papers. At Rarotonga we have a church. This is where Brother Pascoe is located. Here I had a meeting with the brethren. The work was begun here many years ago by Dr. J. E. Caldwell and Brother J. D. Rice. I visited both the places built by these brethren. I have been very glad for the experience of this visit to these islands. I can now much better understand their condition and their needs. How much we need efficient, faithful, consecrated workers. May the Lord roll a greater burden for souls on all our people. I am now on my way to New Zealand to attend our missionary convention at Palmerston North. O. A. OLSEN. *Steamship “Hauroto,” at sea, June 30, 1908.