The Central Polynesian Mission by C. H. PARKER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1909

The Central Polynesian Mission

By C. H. PARKER

C. H. PARKER

The progress that the third angel’s message is making in every field is indeed encouraging, and emphasizes the fact that this is the “loud cry” of the message, and that the night is close at hand when no man can work. How intensely in earnest we should be now! Before this message and its proclamation everything else should fade into insignificance. It seems to me that this is the only business that Seventh-day Adventists should have in this world at this time. If this conviction would be allowed to take fast hold of every one of us, it would not be very long before this message would sweep over all the earth.

I am just returning from a trip to the Friendly group, which is a part of our Central Polynesian Mission. Here we have been studying our educational work. Heretofore a school has been carried on in Nukualofa for both white and black, but this has not brought forth the lasting results that we would like to see. Last May an urgent request was made to us for a school on the island of Haabai, which is in the center of this group. After much prayer, Sister Ella Boyd offered to take up the school work there. She, with the help of God, has made a success of this effort. The work has been self-supporting, and the hearts of the people have been won. They ask now for our central training-school to be located among them. They have a great interest to hear the truth, and a number of their leading men are favorable to it. Brother W. W. Palmer, who is the superintendent of the Tongan Mission, is now at the place, and will soon begin a series of Bible studies with them.

After looking over the different islands, it seemed that God was leading us to make Haabai the center of our school work for Tonga, so we are laying plans accordingly. A piece of land is now under consideration, and with no hindering circumstances the school building will be under way by the time this reaches you. The building, at first, will be about eighteen by twenty-eight feet.

Brother and Sister Harold Piper will be in charge of this school, and they give evidence that they are called of God for this place. The school at Nukualofa is under the charge of Nellie Sisley. We look for a good degree of success under her management during the coming year.

Ella Boyd has been recalled to connect again with the Avondale School. We are sorry to lose her help from this needy field, as through the educational work, we can see rays of the coming morn for our work in Tonga. It seems that this will be the leading feature in the presentation of the message to this people. Our school work has gained the confidence of the Tongan people, and they are looking to us for a correct system of education. May the Lord grant an abundant outpouring of his Spirit on the workers of his field, that they may faithfully bear their responsibility.

Sister Boyd, in returning to Australia, is taking a native girl, Vai (Vie) by name, to educate for the work. A Tongan boy, Willie Finau, was taken to our Wahroonga Sanitarium last July, to be trained for the medical work. We ask for your prayers on our Tongan work and workers.