Among the Islands — From Tahiti to Mangareva
By Mrs. G. F. Jones
It is not so much my intention to dwell on the passage between these places as to speak of a few people I have met. Besides myself on board the schooner, there was only one other passenger, a native young woman from Tahiti. The crew were all natives, and the captain was a Frenchman. As none of them could speak English, I did the best I could in talking with them in their own tongue, opening up the Scriptures to them. One man had never even heard of the flood, or of the tower of Babel, or the story of the creation. So I read to him out of the Tahitian Bible the account of the flood, which greatly interested him. I told him why the flood was sent, and how for the same cause God is about to destroy the earth again by fire; another day I loaned him my Bible to read. I found passages which I thought would interest him, and was rejoiced to see that he did not seem willing to stop until he had read for more than two hours. He also promised to buy a Bible, and read every day. The captain, although an intelligent, cultured man, had evidently never before thought of any obligation due to his Maker, or that there could be anything wrong in pleasing one’s self. At the table I had some excellent opportunities of making known to him the gospel of life in answering his questions as to the reason I refused to eat flesh and drink wine, and I was glad to see that he understood and remembered. He also of his own accord promised to buy a Bible. Another man of the crew told me that he had met some of our missionaries in Rarotonga, but said that he thought the Sabbath was done away. Of course, I showed him that he was mistaken, and I hope he really saw it. The native young woman, who was sick most of the time, became so interested in “Steps to Christ” in the native language that I finally gave it to her to read on the way back to Tahiti. Her trip will occupy at least two months, as she will call at several islands; and meantime I hope that this good book will lead her to Christ. Soon after arriving at Mangareva, my husband, now captain of the “Pitcairn,” having just arrived from Pitcairn, we were invited to luncheon with the governor and his wife. Here again we had a good opportunity of holding up the word of life, and we were kept busy answering their numerous questions. They quite willingly assented to all we said, but thought it would be too great a sacrifice to change their old manner of living for the present. The diet of the French nation is exactly the opposite to that of health reform, but the Spirit of the Lord can make even them willing to give up their highly seasoned dishes and their wine for his sake who gave his life for them. We have had two long, interesting visits from one of the priests, and hope to have many more. He would not let the Sabbath question alone, and asked us to lend him our best history of the Sabbath, as he wished to study it. During the conversation, he said that the Catholics accept all the Bible, the same as we do, only they have tradition besides. I asked him what they did if the two did not agree. He replied that such a thing never happened. I then said, “Is not that the case as regards the Sabbath?” to which he was obliged to answer, “Yes, in that case it is;” and soon afterward he admitted that he held a weak position there, and said that he would look further into it. He intends visiting Pitcairn Island with a view to bringing the islanders into the Catholic Church, but we shall hope, and pray, and work to bring him and others into the full light of present truth.