It was my privilege to visit Pitcairn Island from June 9-13 of this year. In company with Brother Carey, who has been teaching our school at Raratonga, we left Tahiti, June 2, on the "Torch," a British gun-boat. We had a good trip both ways.
Arrangements were made whereby the Pitcairn Islanders are to have a cutter of about fifteen tons, which will open up communication between Pitcairn and the Society Islands. It is expected that this boat will make a trip to Tahiti about once in four months. All the islanders seemed to be enjoying fairly good health. Brother Carey remained there to help them in their school and in the church.
On account of so few ships passing the island of late, the women especially were quite destitute of clothing.
While there, I held meetings every day, and all seemed to appreciate the help given. Brother Thursday October Christian is now eighty-eight years old, and seemed quite well for such an old man. He said to me, "Brother Cady, ask me for anything you want, and if I can I will give it to you." I told him I would like something that he could give me. He seemed pleased and said, "What is it, Brother Cady?"
I told him that I would like him to pray for me and for the work of God in these islands. When we knelt down and prayed I thought of the old patriarchs, Abraham and Jacob, as they prayed for the younger members of their families. Truly God is pleased with His old and tried servants. This brother, like God's servants of old, is looking for a better country. Moses Young and wife are a few years younger. But tho the outward man is growing old, the inner man is filled with joy at the good news of Christ's soon coming.
There are not less than sixty children and youth on Pitcairn Island that ought to be in school. Brother Carey will find plenty of work to do for them. We hope that his stay there may be a great blessing to all, both old and young.
It is expected that Brother McCoy and other Pitcairn Islanders will come to Tahiti on their cutter about the first of September.
All seemed glad of our visit, and I trust that this short meeting was the means of encouraging many. We thank our kind heavenly Father for sending us such a good ship to help us make this trip in eighteen days. On my previous visit to Pitcairn, I had to be away from home for three months and a half.
