Week of Prayer in Rarotonga
By G. F. Jones
I AM glad to be able to send a good report of our week-of-prayer meetings, June 4-11, in Rarotonga. Our brethren here do not seem to have been acquainted with our annual meetings ‘before; however, they were well attended, and strangers came in every evening. We feel sure that the prayers of our brethren18elsewhere were a blessing to us here. Our Maori brethren are in need of your prayers. While often ‘almost defeated in their trials, victory has been given them in the end. They do not possess much silver and gold, and they do not understand the blessings of giving freely; but we introduced the little envelopes to them, and asked them to listen to what the Lord would tell them to do with them. When the Sabbath meeting came, some of the little children led with their gifts, and soon every one, young and old, was eager to put something in the envelopes. There was a fear among them of ‘being left out, so they brought them to the desk. Thus it was fulfilled again, “A little child shall lead them.” How happy they all were as they gave! I had a large pile of envelopes in my hand. They were not heavy with gifts, but they were with principle. God had set a high value on them. The ‘giving’ seed had been sown, and it brought joy among us. The more such meetings we have, the better. Three have recently been baptized here, and we trust the good work will go on. A church-school has recently been started at Titikaveka, where our new church building is, and where most of our brethren live. Not having a schoolhouse ready, we began in one end of the new church, which is not yet dedicated, expecting soon to put up a neat Maori house for the school, and another for the teacher. Accordingly, Sister Gooding moved there, and opened school without delay, in the meanwhile lodging in a hut near by. This quick move and willingness to put up with inconveniences in our work shows a true missionary spirit, and Sister Gooding is meeting with success in her school work. The teacher’s house has just been finished, and is much admired by the natives. It is a Maori hut, put up by themselves, but in accordance with health principles. This in itself is an education to them, as they see what a comfortable, neat home can be made from material growing about them, and that a white missionary is not above living in one. The natives’ ambition is to have a house like the white man’s, with an iron roof, windows, etc. But the heated roof, closed doors and windows, are not conducive to the poor Maori’s health. He is better off in his low hut with ‘raw’ roof and stick walls, and a good breeze blowing through night and day, could he be persuaded to throw aside his pride. Let us not take away their simplicity, but improve upon it. We hope soon to put up a schoolhouse after the same style; after that the church dedication will take place. The school at Arorangi continues. We are all of good courage. Praise the Lord. [Since writing the preceding report Brother and Sister Jones have gone to Singapore to labor.—ED.]