Norfolk Island by Harry Mitchell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1907

Norfolk Island

By Harry Mitchell

We send a few words from our far-away little island field, some six hundred miles from the nearest island, in the South Pacific Ocean. This is that interesting little island to which the Pitcairn islanders were moved by order of Queen Victoria, as recorded in Rosalind Young’s book, “Story of Pitcairn Island.”

We have had some reverses in our work here, owing to the death of our two leaders, Brother Alfred Nobbs, who acted as elder for many years, and Brother Stephen Belden, formerly of the United States, who had settled among these people, where he spent some thirteen years in self-supporting work. These two faithful men are sadly missed by the islanders, and we all feel the loss keenly, but we are trying to take up the work where these brethren laid it down.

We have a company of forty meeting with us on the Sabbath. The island is so small, only twenty-one miles in circumference, that we can not extend our work very far, yet we find plenty to engage our time and strength in visiting and reading with the people. We find open doors everywhere, but these people are slow to decide for the truth. It would be hard to find a place more favorable for Sabbath-keeping than here, as every man is his own master, there being no industries of any kind carried on. Everybody serves himself, and yet the people will not obey the truth. Generally speaking, they are very kind and hospitable and religiously inclined. We have many opportunities to present the truth. We must tell the story simply, as to a little child.

That awful scourge, consumption, is carrying off many of the young people here, and it is increasing fast. The vitality of the people is low, owing probably to the close intermarriages for over one hundred years. There are some precious souls here, and we are glad to be able to point them to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

This island will doubtless be among those fields that will always need help from home, as the people here have no opportunity to earn money. No trade can be carried on with the outside world, as there is only one ship a month, and the freight and customs are excessive. Some of the oldest residents say they do not earn five pounds in a year. So you may imagine the need of this people. All business is done in bartering; yet the people seem as happy and contented as people who have far more of this world’s goods.

The island itself is one of the gems of the Pacific—a beautiful green all the year round. It is very hilly throughout, with a rock-bound coast. There are forests of lemon-trees and gigantic pines. It is the home of the tree ferns, which grow fifty feet high, also of a large variety of palms, some growing to an immense size. It is semitropical, the temperature standing at from sixty to ninety degrees the year round.

We read with deepest interest the reports appearing in the REVIEW from our many mission fields and workers, and feel glad to know of the onward march of the message. We can see by faith even now the gathering time when we shall all come rejoicing, bringing precious sheaves with us.

This island is the center of operations for the Melanesian Mission carried on by the Church of England. Their mission property here must have cost them twenty-five thousand pounds. It is a very fine mission. The Methodists also have a following here of about one hundred souls.

We hope in our next report to be able to tell of an increase in our numbers, as several are on the point of deciding for the truth. We are all well and of good courage, and are looking forward to the time when we shall have finished the work, and the dear Lord shall come.

HARRY MITCHELL.