p. 19 | Missionary Volunteer Work on Norfolk Island

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jun 18, 1914

Missionary Volunteer Work on Norfolk Island

By A. H. Ferris

NORFOLK ISLAND is situated about one thousand miles east of Australia. It has recently been annexed to the Australian commonwealth. The island is very beautiful. Vegetation is green throughout the year. It has a mild tropical climate, no extremes of heat or cold. Hot winds and frosts are unknown. Tropical fruits and vegetables grow in abundance.

The people number about one thousand. They are descendants of people from Pitcairn Island. At one time the entire Pitcairn community was transported to this island. Some returned, however, to Pitcairn, and have since received the truth. Now the entire population of Pitcairn Island observe the Sabbath. The people of Norfolk are half-caste English and Tahitian. They speak English. They have a very peculiar grammar, and until one becomes accustomed to them, he can scarcely understand them.

The majority of the people belong to the Church of England. We have a church here of about fifty members, including an active Missionary Volunteer Society, and every Sabbath after Sabbath school and church service the young people withdraw to the mission home, where they hold their meeting Sabbath afternoon. Great interest is taken in the doctrinal study, and in carrying on active missionary work. Old and young take the Standard of Attainment examination. All gather on the long veranda of the mission house, where tables are arranged at intervals. All who can write, answer the questions here under the strict supervision of the deacon, Brother Sydney Nobb, a grandson of the old Pastor Nobb of Pitcairn. The children who cannot write, pass into the schoolroom, where the writer examines them. Prior to the examination, you will see little children asking their fathers and mothers the questions, to make sure that their parents know the verses and will not make a single mistake. They always take dinner with us that day; and while the tables are being set, groups are to be seen in the kitchen, dining room, bedroom, on the veranda, and out in the garden, reviewing the texts. They take a keen interest in the doctrinal subjects, and are not satisfied unless they gain one hundred per cent.

One who successfully passed the examination, is Lambie, a little girl. Three years ago when we came to the island and visited her mother, this child could scarcely speak, and her mother told us that the child could not go to school because it was impossible for her to learn. However, as we talked with the mother, Lambie would listen attentively. The mother has not yet accepted the truth on baptism, but when we had a baptismal service, to our surprise Lambie came forward to the candidates' seat. When questioned by the elder, she greatly surprised him by her intelligent

answers, proving that she had studied the subject, and her mind had grasped the meaning of the Christian life and the mission of baptism. She was baptized, and from that day it has seemed her mind has improved miraculously.

She has passed five doctrinal examinations without one mistake, getting one hundred per cent in each examination. She takes twelve papers a month to her section of the island, and has interested a number who were very prejudiced. In her weekly reports she always includes twelve talks together with twelve papers given away, also Christian Help work. She tells us she is praying for her mother and two sisters that they may walk in all the light. When asked how she learned her verses so well, she replied, “Mother kneels down with me and asks God to help me to get his Word in my mind, and God hears our prayer.” The mother, who is very poor and works all day, will sit up until twelve o’clock at night teaching Lambie the texts until she gets them clearly in mind.

Last quarter twenty-two passed the Standard of Attainment examination, securing one hundred per cent each. The certificates were presented in connection with an outdoor program.

Our young people are compelled to endure a great deal of coldness and many taunts from their countrymen. However, they stand very stanchly for the truth. Our aim is to get every one thoroughly grounded in Bible truths.

A. H. FERRIS.