THEORY ASKS, AND FACTS ANSWER by J. H. Waggoner; Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1866

THEORY ASKS, AND FACTS ANSWER.

By J. H. Waggoner; Dudley Marvin Canright

All who have heard of Pitcairn's Island, (and who has not?) have been interested in the accounts of the piety and simplicity of manners of the inhabitants. I have just been reading some pages in a work published by the American Tract Society, entitled, “Home of the Mariners,” and I copy a few extracts which will be interesting to the readers of the Review.

“The personal strength and activity of the men, as described by Captain Beechey, as he observed them in 1825, do not seem to be diminished at the present day.

“Two of the strongest on the Island, George Young and Edward Quintal, have each carried at one time, without inconvenience, a kedge anchor, two sledge hammers, and an armorer's anvil, amounting to upwards of six hundred weight. Quintal, at another time, carried a boat twenty-eight feet in length.

Lieut. Wood, of the English ship Pandora, describes as follows, in 1849:—

“A young woman, eighteen years of age, had been accustomed to carry on her shoulders a hundred pounds weight of yams over hills and precipitous places, and for a considerable distance, where one unaccustomed to such exercise would scarcely be able to scramble. A man, sixty years old, with ease carried the surgeon of the Pandora up a steep ascent from the landing place, which he had himself in vain attempted to mount, the ground being very slippery from recent rains; and the officer being a large man, six feet high, rendered it the more surprising. Indeed, Lieut. Wood said he was himself borne aloft in the arms of a damsel, and carried up the hill with the utmost facility.”

Such strength of body with such docility of disposition and evenness of temper, as were displayed among them, is truly remarkable. They never quarreled, and the least degree of petulance or irritability was very rarely seen. To what shall we ascribe these most remarkable results? Why do not the same teachings and the same faith bear the same fruits in other places? A few extracts regarding their habits may solve much of this mystery. The record says:—

“They have only two regular meals a day.

“Except once or twice a week, no fish, meat, or poultry, will be found to grace the board, but yams and sweet potatoes, and such humble fare as has been prepared by the females of the family.

“For the most part, pure water, but, now and then, tea, constitutes their drink. . . . The water which they use does not come from springs, (there are none in the island,) but from reservoirs, or tanks, neatly excavated, which collect the rain.

“They but seldom kill a pig, living mostly on fruits and vegetables. With this simple diet, early rising, and taking a great deal of exercise, they are subject to few diseases; and are certainly a finer and more athletic race than is usually found among the families of mankind.”

Now we are often asked if people can do as much work without meat as with, and eating but two meals a day. Will they be satisfied with the above for an answer? Other extracts might be given, from the same book, in regard to their strength of body, pureness of mind, and simplicity of life; but they all agree with the above. Rain water for drink; vegetables and fruits for food; two regular meals a day; and plenty of out-door exercise. The results: strong bodies; good health; quiet, even tempers, pure minds; steadfast confidence in God; and happy lives. O, ye doubters! who among you is ready to go and do likewise?

J. H. WAGGONER. Grafton Co., Nov. 27, 1866.

MEETINGS AT CORNVILLE, ME.

We spent two Sabbaths at Cornville after the Monthly Meeting, trying to get the Sabbath-keepers in a condition to work. The result of these meetings was good and encouraging. Four began to keep the Sabbath. These were persons of sound minds and of good reputation in society, who had been investigating the subject for some time. We trust that they will be working members in the church. This church has been gradually increasing ever since Bro. Cornell first presented the truth here, till now there are above thirty Sabbath-keepers.

We tried to lay before these brethren and sisters faithfully what they must do in order to be prepared for translation. Some of them were in a sad condition, lukewarm, half-backslidden, and not bearing any burdens in the church. Some still practiced the uncleanly habit of using tobacco. None, however, that were in the church, did this. Some still used tea, and were making but little progress in the Health Reform. A number still belonged with other churches, and only a few took part in S. B. On all these points we labored to show them the wrong and pernicious effect of such a course. They saw and acknowledged this. Hearty confessions were made, and now we believe that things will be in a better condition than they have been. Four were received into the church. Several others we expect will be prepared to join soon. Their figures on S. B. were raised from about $60.00 to $126.00. We organized a Bible Class and Sabbath School of 41 members in all. A good interest is now manifested in this.

The last Sabbath that I was there, we enjoyed a very sweet season. My love and interest for this church has been much increased by my last visit among them. I feel sure that there are many precious souls here that God loves. I felt very much at home with Bro. and Sr. Stratton. They heartily adopt and live out all the truths that this people hold. May God bless and strengthen them for their work.

We all feel much encouraged about the work in this section. Here are several strong churches within a few miles of each other. In all, there has been added to these churches about 30 Sabbath-keepers within five weeks, and others are still coming in. Our Monthly Meetings have been a great blessing to us, and I hope that all will feel it a duty to sustain them. For all this we are thankful to God.

D. M. CANRIGHT. Athens, Me., Nov. 26, 1866.