p. 13 | New Guinea by S. W. Carr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1911

New Guinea

By S. W. Carr

S. W. CARR

WHAT is the meaning of “Bisiatabu,” the name of our mission station? The land was dedicated to Bisia, a spirit; and the natives would not even drink of the waters of Bisiarogo, the little streamlet running through the property. Should they do so, they said, they would be sick.

As we employed laborers from other districts, the local natives told them this superstition, with the result that they, too, would not drink or use the water, but got what they wanted about a quarter of a mile away. This we allowed for some time till the boys had become acquainted with us; then we told them that the time of darkness had passed, that the missionaries were bringing them light; that whereas in time past the land and water of Bisiatabu were Bisia’s, now they belonged to the true God, and the water was good to drink, and would not make them sick. The boys, with fear and trembling, began to use the water, but it was at least twelve months before the local natives could overcome their fear.

There is no salutation in the local languages, neither are there expressions for “please” and “thank you.” We have therefore to teach the boys to use the English words.

Government regulation provides for all employers to give weekly to their native laborers one stick of tobacco (there are twenty-six sticks to the pound, and a stick costs four cents). We told the boys that we were pledged not to use tobacco in any shape or form, but that they should receive instead six cents each week, with which they could buy what they liked. One month later they each had twenty-four cents, and being in Port Moresby, where there is a store, they went to spend it. We were glad to learn that not one bought tobacco, all purchasing something useful, or at least harmless. The boys like the plan, and later it was explained to a government officer, who heartily approved of it. At least seven tons of tobacco is used each year by the government alone in British New Guinea, and the amount sold by the stores must be considerably more. Surely the dark races of the earth suffer from many curses, some of which the white man will have to answer for in the judgment.

It is gratifying to see the progress of those boys who have been ten months with us. They now know quite a number of hymns in the Motuan, and are anxious to learn to read and write. This, however, is not the case with all, and recently when school opened, twelve of the boys were too superstitious and fearful to take part, nor could we prevail upon them to join with the others in making lines and circles and letters. We know it will not be easy to wean these children of the forest from their native villages, and induce them to stay long enough at the mission to learn sufficient to arouse in them a desire to teach their fellows the simple school studies and the way to life eternal.

The lads seem to recognize that the Lord is blessing us in things temporal; for when an extra large bunch of bananas or other fruit ripens, they say Dirava sibona (through God’s blessing only); and last week, when a knife was missed, and it was suggested that some one must have stolen it, a boy replied that it could not be stolen, for no one would steal at Bisiatabu. May the Holy Spirit rest upon all who come here is our earnest desire.