p. 16 | Tahiti | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1911

Tahiti

Brother and Sister F. L. Sharp are called at Tahiti a few days on their way from Australia to Raiatea, Society Islands, their future field. Of this visit Brother Sharp writes:—

“On two Sunday mornings we have visited the native Protestant church in Papeete, and have been intensely interested in the proceedings. The church is quite a large one, capable of seating from eight hundred to one thousand persons. We should have mentioned that while the natives hold a market every morning from five to six o’clock, on Sunday morning is the great market of the week. After they have done all their bargaining and disposing of the wares, they clean up and repair to church.

“Their mode of singing is rather a novel one. They do not all sing together, but in sections, and without an instrument to lead them. The natives come from various districts, and every Sunday each district is given one or two hymns to practise during the week to sing the following Sunday. They practise these very religiously either at the home of one of their number, or at a hall provided especially for the purpose in their district. Throughout the island these halls are to be found, and they are known as fare himene, or house for hymns. When on Sunday the natives go to church, each separate company, numbering from ten to thirty singers, will sing its hymn. Usually one singer will lead out, singing the first line, then the rest will join in; and when all four parts are going, it is most interesting. Of course the voices are rough, but their time and harmony are remarkable. When one district has finished, immediately another set of singers will sing their hymn, and so they will have as many as eight divisions in one church meeting.

“When praying, no one kneels, and when singing, none stand; all sit from the beginning to the end of the service. It is amusing to watch the native women come out of church. Of course they are all dressed up in their best, and Sunday is about the only day in the week that they put on shoes; but while they go into church with their shoes on, one sees some of them coming out with a shoe under each arm.

“As a rule the natives are bright and cheery; but under the French rule their morals have fallen very low. We are now beginning to realize that we are really in the island field, among a needy people,—a people who, having perhaps heard the sound of the gospel, know not the truth for this time. Pray for us, brethren, that the Lord will fit us up for the work to which we have been called, and that many precious souls may be gathered as the result of our efforts in these islands of the sea.”