WE have just enjoyed the privilege at Papeete, Tahiti, of having most of our workers in this and adjacent groups associated for a time in meeting and counsel. Brother Gates, the superintendent of the Polynesian work, was with us for two weeks and a half, as he passed through this place on his way home to Australia from the General Conference. Taken as a whole, we were not a large company, for we were able to house all who came from abroad, with the exception of the Pitcairn brethren, who thought best to stay on their cutter, which was lying in the harbor, and then our family numbered only fifteen. But though we were but few in number, the Lord was with us, and we received much of his blessing, and we trust that the results of this meeting will be seen in more efficient and faithful work during the year to come.
As is probably known, communication between the islands is not very rapid, and it often takes months to get an answer from a neighboring island. In this case, we can see the providence of God, and that his Spirit directed the workers coming from different parts, so that all came together about the same time.
From Papeete, we had sent out word to Brother Gates in the United States, to Brother Piper in Rarotonga, and to Brother McCoy and Brother and Sister Jones on Mangareva, that we hoped to have the meeting in May; but we were not certain that any of them would come. So it was surely the will of God that we should meet together to counsel and lay plans for more aggressive work; for he brought us all together at just the right time.
STREET SCENE IN PAPEETE, TAHITI
Brother Piper and a native family from Rarotonga came a little early, and as it was necessary for Mr. Cady to go to Raiatea to help put up a new copra drier in place of the one that was burned, and also to erect buildings for a sugar mill, Brother Piper was invited to go to Raiatea and spend a few days on our industrial farm, which he did.
The day after Brother Gates’s arrival from California, Mr. Cady, Brother Piper and his company, Sister Nelson, and three of our young people came from Raiatea; and five days after that we were happy to welcome the little cutter “Pitcairn,” with Brother and Sister Jones, Brother McCoy, and six other Pitcairn islanders on board. We felt that the Lord not only taught them when to come, but he also gave them favorable winds, so that they could get here in time for the meeting.
THE BAKERY, PAPEETE
This was quite a busy time for all of us. Before Mr. Cady went to Raiatea, he had been helping our native brethren in the district of Paea to build a little church, and they wished to have it dedicated at this time. But it was not ready, as nothing had been done on it since Mr. Cady went away, so our brethren went over and helped them finish it; then the next week we all went, and it was dedicated to the Lord, free of debt, except a small sum for the lamps, which will soon be paid. We all felt to rejoice with our Paea brethren in that they have such a neat little house in which to worship the Lord. It has been several years since they began to collect money for this church. Perhaps some of our friends who came out on the “Pitcairn” in 1896 will remember making a donation toward this same church. But if you knew how long it generally takes the natives to build a church, you would know that our brethren have done exceptionally well. They have a membership of only ten, so there were not many of them to help.
In several places the natives of the Presbyterian Church have no regular church building, but have met in roughly built sheds for years, while they are collecting money to put up a very nice building. In a certain district on the island of Tahiti, where the membership must number in the hundreds, the foundation for their church was laid, and a large tree grew up inside of it before they were ready to go on with their building, which is still unfinished.
While our workers were together here in Papeete, we had meetings nearly every evening from six to nine o’clock, and as much time as possible during the day was spent in counseling and laying plans.
A union was formed, which is called the Eastern Polynesian Union Mission. It includes the Society and Cook Islands, Pitcairn Island, the Austral, Paumotu, Marquesas, and Gambier Groups, and other isolated islands which may be found in this part of Polynesia. The representatives present from the various fields were heartily in favor of uniting our forces, and we believe that we have come to the time when such an organization is needed. It is not only a union in name, but because of a better understanding of one another and of the needs of the different parts of the field, it is a heart union also, and we take up our appointed work with new courage and determination.15
Brother and Sister Jones have been working at Mangareva; and as a result, one intelligent white man has fully accepted the truth, and is awaiting baptism, and others were deeply interested when they left there. Brother Jones was ordained at this meeting, so he will feel free to administer the ordinance of baptism upon his return to that island. Mangareva is about twelve hundred miles from Tahiti, which is a long distance to go in a small boat. The new “Pitcairn” left a few days ago with fifteen persons on board, including Brother and Sister Jones, who felt anxious to return to their work on Mangareva. After finishing their work there, they are to return to Tahiti, and then go to Rarotonga to relieve Brother and Sister Piper. As Brother Piper’s health is seriously impaired, it is thought best for him to return to New Zealand, where he will probably labor with the Maoris. We sincerely hope that in that climate he may regain his former good health.
Brother L. A. Roth was advised to give up work in the bakery, and to devote his time to evangelical work for the French people, so two of our island boys are looking after the work in the bakery, and Sister Laura Young is clerking in the store. Lydia Parker is to take up Bible and general missionary work. Our aim is to educate our young people for service, and then bring them into the work as far as possible.
Brother Paul Deane was recommended to go to the island of Huaheine as soon as convenient, and present the truth there. The church of which he has been elder ever since its organization will miss him, but we trust that this move will be for their good, and that as they have to stand alone, they will learn to look more to the Lord for help, and be more vigilant and watchful.
We decided to ask the Australasian Union Conference to print a small book on the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation in the Rarotongan language for the Cook Islands, and also the book “Christ Our Saviour” in the Tahitian language, which is extensively used in most of the islands included in this organization.
At this writing, our laborers have all gone out to their respective fields, feeling that time is short, and there is much to be done. Now is the time for labor; and if we do faithful service, we shall soon have the precious privilege of entering the kingdom of God, bringing our sheaves with us.
