The Cook Islands by GEO. L. STERLING

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 8, 1915

The Cook Islands

By GEO. L. STERLING

GEO. L. STERLING

As missionaries in the island fields we are denied many of the everyday conveniences which you enjoy in the homeland. Did you ever stop to consider what blessings the railroad and street car are to you every day that you live? We do not have these conveniences here in the islands. Most of the Cook Islands are small, and do not admit of such things. But we often wish we had such helps at hand when we pass from island to island. We have been waiting here on Rarotonga for nearly three months to get a passage to the island of Aitutaki, only one hundred and twenty miles away; but during all that time, and for six weeks preceding; no way has opened, either by the steamer or by sailing vessel.

SOME OF THE BELIEVERS IN COOK ISLANDS, AT ENTRANCE TO
THEIR NEW CONCRETE CHURCH BUILDING — SOME OF THE BELIEVERS IN COOK ISLANDS, AT ENTRANCE TO THEIR NEW CONCRETE CHURCH BUILDING

We call to mind the experience of the pioneer, John Williams, here at Rarotonga in the early days of missionary endeavor in the Cook Islands. Briefly the story is as follows:

Being at Rarotonga, with no vessel at his command, and desiring to visit islands to the westward for the purpose of planting the gospel seed among the heathen inhabitants, with practically no tools or conveniences whatever, he cut green timber out of the forests of Rarotonga, hewed it by native labor, and in the remarkably short space of fifteen weeks had a good sailing vessel built and equipped—not a toy, but a vessel sixty feet in length and of eighteen feet beam.

Had we set to work three months ago with as much confidence in our ability as had this pioneer missionary, we might have had a ship of our own nearly ready to launch by this time.

Owing to adverse winds and cyclonic conditions that yearly prevail in these islands during February and March, no sailing vessels have been running since last December. And owing partly to there being no cargoes at this time of year, and partly to war conditions (we are affected by the war away out here in the southeastern Pacific), no steamers have been running to Aitutaki. We have a little company of believers there, from whom we have had no opportunity of receiving reports since I left last December. We can only trust them in God's hands. We hope, however, that before this appears in print the Lord will have provided a way by which we shall have reached Aitutaki.

The inability to travel at will from island to island is a hindrance to the giving of the message in this group. Again, we are sometimes at liberty to go to an island for a short time, but do not dare to go, not being sure of a way by which to return in time for other appointments. For the same reasons we find it difficult to get our workers and people together for yearly meetings, such as you enjoy in the homeland in institutes and camp meetings.

Though we have mentioned these hindrances to our work, yet we have many blessings of which we are not unmindful. Where the trials are greatest, “He giveth more grace.” Never have we felt like complaining over our lot; instead, we have great cause to rejoice in the sheaves the dear Lord has enabled us to gather in the few years of our labors in the Cook Islands.

And now, as we shall soon go forth to the labors of another year in the outlying islands, will you not remember our field in your prayers, that God will bless our efforts for him?