A Message From the Sea by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 28, 1910

A Message From the Sea

By W. A. S.

It may be a small matter in these days of universal postal facilities to lose a mail. In the early days of missions, means of communication were so infrequent at best that the missionary in a strange land was widely isolated from those holding the ropes at home.

John Thomas was a pioneer in the Friendly Islands. He had worked long in one of the Tonga islands, against all manner of opposition from the chief. Word came that the chief of an island in another part of the group was calling for a mission. Thomas sent word of this opening to the board in London, in order to receive assurance of further support in opening a new station in a new island. How he received the answer is told in an old volume, “The Missionary World:” —

Whilst waiting at Nukualofa, in a state of considerable anxiety and suspense in the month of January, 1830, an incident occurred which clearly shows the superintending providence of God in the affairs of the missionary enterprise. A small box was washed on shore, and brought to Mr. Turner by one of the natives. On being opened it was found to contain a letter from the missionary secretaries, giving the sanction of the committee for the extension of the mission in the Friendly Islands, and the appointment of a missionary to Haabai without further delay. The vessel by which this communication had been sent, a schooner from Sydney, had foundered at sea, and all on board were lost. It is said that neither vessel, nor crew, nor any of the goods with which she had been freighted were ever seen or heard of again. The package containing that letter alone, a messenger of mercy for a people waiting for the law of the Lord, guided by him whom wind and sea obey, escaped the general wreck, and was cast on shore at the right place and at the right time to relieve the minds of the anxious missionaries, and to enable them to go forward and enter the openings which appeared before them for the proclamation of the glorious gospel of the blessed God.

Many years have passed, and now we ourselves have a mission and school at Nukualofa. W. A. S.