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In the South Seas

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 10, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 41.

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In the South Seas

By LILY M. THORPE

LILY M. THORPE
An interesting incident was brought to our notice a few weeks ago. A certain Tongan choirmaster, of about thirty years, became exercised concerning the keeping of the law of God. It seems that he came in contact with the truth a few years ago, but made no outward sign as to his relation to it. After some time he went to the leading Free Church ministers (native), and questioned them with regard to the obligation of the law; and the old-time arguments against keeping it were placed before him. But he was convinced that all are under obligation through Christ to keep his Father's law, and concluded that the Free Church ministers did not believe in the Bible, and being conscientious in his belief, he discontinued attending church, although still holding the position of choirmaster.
A year or so after this, the choirmaster died. A minister who visited him just before his death, said to him, “You are going to hell.” The dying man looked calmly at him and answered, “I am not ashamed to meet my God; see to it that you die as happily as I.” His friends and relatives marveled to see him close his eyes in death as peacefully as a child closes its eyes in sleep. Some one's seed sowing had borne fruit, although this man's name was not entered in the books of God's people upon earth.
JEREMIAH, THE ZULU PREACHER
JEREMIAH, THE ZULU PREACHER
An old Tongan translator named Uga (Unga), who some years ago worked for Elder E. S. Butz, is living here in Vavau for a few months, engaged in hospital work. He visits us frequently. He said, “I shall never forget the things Mr. Butz taught me, never!” We have hopes of this man yet, although the white man's fire-water gets control of him at times.
A number of people come to the house for our Tongan paper, and some of them sit down and read it before they leave. This is a great factor in our work in these islands. The other churches have no literature for the people, and this makes them more anxious than ever to read ours.
We are planning to have the excellent current Sabbath-school lessons translated, and distributed among the people. The Tongans have reached an important place in their history as a people. Many of the one-time earnest Christians are becoming infidels, and the country is in a political unrest. Give liberally of your prayers, brothers and sisters, on behalf of this important field.
At the present time we are experiencing a water famine. No rain has fallen for two months. This is a serious matter when one considers that there is not even one stream or river in the group. Every one depends upon tanks, and most of these are empty. We have sufficient for cooking and drinking purposes for a very short time. Full baths have been out of the question for four months. The grass is all dried up, and vegetation is languishing. It has just begun to rain at this very moment. It does not bid fair to be more than a sprinkle, but it is a token for good, as a five years' drought has been predicted for Tonga. We are having an average of nearly two earthquake shocks a day. But we are of good courage in the work, and hope in God's mercy.
It is early yet to speak of our school, but it has started well, and we believe it will grow. We have a nice class of young men and women, and we hope to sow some good seed in their hearts.
Niafu, Friendly Islands.