p. 17 | Our School in Raiatea by Anna M. Nelson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 17, 1903

Our School in Raiatea

By Anna M. Nelson

Since coming to this place, I have often thought of a remark made to me before I left home. It was this: “I should want to be sure that those people have a soul to save, before I went there to labor for them.” As these words dropped from the mouth of the speaker, I could not keep back the tears; for has not God told us that the gospel is to go to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people”? This excludes no one. Christ died for all the world.

Already I have seen something of some of these people—what they are, and what they are capable of becoming when taught to believe in the Saviour. To the human eye, it is true, some of the natives do not look very promising as one sees them lying around their huts, half naked, idling away their time, caring for nothing but to gather enough food (which nature provides without their aid) to satisfy their own hunger. But it is our privilege, as workers together with God, to look further than the outward appearance, and discern what these people may become through the power of God, who saves to the uttermost.

It is chiefly through ignorance that the natives of these islands are in their present condition. They are not capable of thinking deeply, because they have never been trained to think at all. They can read the Bible, but do it mostly as a matter of form. Nearly all of them belong to the church, not because they have been converted; for their lives are not materially changed. They are quite satisfied with this easy way, and do not realize the need of a truth which requires self-sacrifice. Still the arm of God is not shortened that it cannot save even some of these.

There are here intelligent young people, who, if educated to apply their minds to love God and to serve him, may not only be saved, but may become efficient workers to labor for their own people. It was for the purpose of helping this class of young people that Brother and Sister Cady gave this plantation, and that this building has been put up. It is also for this work that I came here. While the building was being erected, I spent my time in teaching

in two other places, in that way doing what I could for the people till I could begin here.

We began our school on the plantation with only a small number, but the future prospects are good. We are much pleased with the students we have. They are very promising. It is their desire to prepare for the work of God. We have in our number two boys who are learning the English language. They are making remarkable progress. One of them understands the French language well. He is an earnest boy, as apt to learn as any American boy. The girls that we have are no less intelligent. We hope through the strength God gives us to do much for these young people, and for the cause of God. And we beseech you who are at home that you will not forget this new work, and that your prayers may frequently go up in our behalf. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

ANNA M. NELSON.