A Week in Huaheine, Society Islands
By W. R. Howse
IN company with Pastor Lyndon, and Urarii, our native worker, we boarded a schooner for a thirty-five-mile trip to the twin islands of Huaheine. Arriving there in the evening, we made our way to our little church building, where we lived during our stay there. We were very much surprised on reaching the church to find that some natives had taken possession of it, and had turned it into a dwelling house, and also had their pigs tied to the banana trees at the back. Of course we could not sanction this, so explained to them the reverence we should have for the house of God. By the evening of the following day, all their belongings were out, and the place was fairly clean, and ready for Sabbath. We visited our Sabbath keepers, and arranged for three meetings on Sabbath and one Sunday morning, and so were able to study with them along many lines pertaining to the third angel’s message. We believe that the Spirit of the Lord worked upon their hearts, and it was very encouraging to hear their testimonies as to their desires for the future. On the following Monday, we started on our tour around the smaller island. This had to be made on foot. Part of the way we had a narrow track, and for the remainder of the journey we followed the beach. It was a new experience, but nevertheless very interesting. Finding that we should not complete our11journey that day, as night was drawing on, we were obliged to hire a canoe to reach the next settlement. Arriving there about 8 P. M., we were met by a number of natives, among whom was the governor of the settlement, who at once invited Pastor Lyndon and myself to stay in his house overnight. Urarii stayed with his relatives. It was somewhat amusing to see their hospitality toward us. At a very early hour the old governor was up preparing some food for our breakfast; as for table knives, forks, etc., they had to be borrowed, one here and one there, and to cover the table a sheet was used. These difficulties arise as the natives do not use such things, their food being always placed upon clean leaves and eaten off the floor, their fingers taking the place of spoons and forks. Of course, they did their best, and we appreciated their kindness and offered to pay them for their trouble, but they would not hear to it; so we made them a present of the new book on Daniel, for which they seemed very pleased. They told us that their home was open to us at any time. After bidding them all farewell, we continued our journey on foot, calling at every house. About twelve o’clock we came to another large settlement, where we found Urarii’s brother, who is the governor of that place. At his house we stayed for some time, and while talking together he roasted some fine breadfruit for us, which was very acceptable after about six hours of tramping. And, by the way, a traveler need never be thirsty in Huaheine during the orange season, as the trees grow in abundance and are laden with beautiful fruit. Early in the afternoon we found ourselves back again at our little church building, and during the few remaining hours of that day we visited several persons in the main settlement. We also sold Chinese papers, as there are a number of Chinese who keep shops in Huaheine and other islands of this group. While there we found two young men who seemed very anxious to know and understand the message. Pastor Lyndon had some very interesting talks with them, which we hope and pray will bring about a desire to walk in the light of the third angel’s message. Throughout our trip we were able to sell a number of the book “Daniela,” and the little paper Tiarama was scattered freely among the people, who were very eager to receive it. The next day ended our pleasant stay on that island, as the schooner came to take us home again to Raiatea, where we arrived that evening. We hope that you will not forget these people in your prayers, and we trust our feeble efforts are only the beginnings of better things for Huaheine.