The Society Islands by Mrs. B. J. Cady

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 26, 1906

The Society Islands

By Mrs. B. J. Cady

MRS. B. J. CADY

Some time in January, while we were yet on the island of Huaheine, we wrote a report for the REVIEW, and mailed it. The mail sent from the adjoining islands to foreign countries is first brought to Tahiti, and is taken from here by steamers to the United States or to New Zealand. Last month, when most of our mail was here waiting, a hurricane came, and the post-office here in Papeete was entirely destroyed by the sea. We understand that the mail was not saved, so we suppose that our report never reached the REVIEW.

After we had labored for three months on Huaheine, our hearts were rejoiced to see a number of souls take their stand to keep all the commandments of God.

At that time they began attending our Sabbath meetings, and came nearly every evening to study the Bible with us. There are two families and two other adults who were keeping the Sabbath at that time. Others were interested, and were still investigating the truth.

Our Sabbath-school numbered twenty-one. During the last few weeks that we were there, as the leaders of the established church denounced it as sin for their people to study the Bible with us, some of our readers dropped off; so we appointed a meeting for the women and two for the children each week, and did what we could to strengthen and build up those who had taken their stand with us.

The white minister, who has charge over the established church in the Leeward Islands, has waged warfare against us from the first through a little Tahitian paper which he edits. As we had the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) on the side of the truth, he could not use that effectually, so he resorted to ridicule, and has manifested a spirit very unlike that of the meek and lowly Jesus. But we trust that the Lord will not permit one honest heart to be deceived by the sophistries of the enemy.

Brother Beckner and his wife remained at Huaheine, and we went to Raiatea the last of January, where we spent one month. While there, the hurricane which I mentioned took place. The wind was very strong the afternoon and night of February 7 and all the next day, but the most damage was done in the night, when the wind raged the hardest. Large trees were uprooted, branches broken off, and houses blown to pieces. Mr. Cady was in town that night. When he found that he could not get home on account of the storm, he planned to put his horses and buggy under a shed for shelter, but afterward concluded to leave them outside. The next morning he found that two large trees had fallen on the shed, and if the horses had been under it, they would probably have been killed.

Trees fell on either side of the buggy, but it was not injured. The minister who has been opposing us so bitterly, had the roof blown off his house, and his furniture was damaged by the rain. On account of many breadfruit, plantain, and banana trees being destroyed, food will be quite scarce for a while, and it will be hard times for the natives. Some lost many of their cocoanut trees, which is their principal source of income. Our loss was very little, only about twelve cocoanut trees and four breadfruit. The thatched-roofed buildings on our place were blown down, but twenty-five dollars will repair them. We felt very thankful for the protecting care of God at this time.

The last of February we came to Tahiti, and here we saw some of the ruin wrought by the sea during the storm. Many houses were entirely destroyed. Our property here was unmolested, for which we feel to praise the Lord.

We recently had a letter from our new Sabbath-keepers on Huaheine, in which they tell us not to fear that they will be led away by the tempter, for they are trying instead to lead their friends and neighbors to see and obey the truth. Papeete, Tahiti.