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The Missionary

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 20, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 3.

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The Missionary.

By Editor

NEWS FROM THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA.

In a recent letter, Brother J. I. Tay, who has for some months been doing missionary work in some of the islands of the South Pacific, gives an interesting account of his voyage on a British man-of-war from Tahiti to Pitcairn Island. He states that he was kindly received on the ship and hospitably entertained free of all charge, being considered a guest of the captain, during the voyage, which, owing to the fact that the vessel, though a steamer, used only her sails for the greater part of the passage, occupied over a month.
On the vessel Brother Tay was allowed perfect liberty to talk with whom he chose, and to sell books to any who desired to purchase them. In a letter written October 7, just off Oparo, he says: "I have tried to extend the knowledge of the truth on this ship. Some listen with interest, and some from curiosity. I have strong hopes that my coming on board will not be in vain. The captain is interested, either from curiosity or otherwise. He is reading 'Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,' a copy of which I have presented to the ship; as I have also 'Great Controversy,' 'Sketches from the Life of Paul,' and 'Matthew 24.' I can only hope and pray that the Lord will guide in all things, that they may be for his glory."
Again, October 17, Brother Tay writes that they were within one hundred miles of Pitcairn, and that, owing to a head-wind, the captain had given orders to fire up one of the boilers and use steam. He says: "We will arrive there about 8 A. M. on the 18th. Almost all on the ship would like to land, but only a few will be allowed to do so. Since leaving Tahiti I have sold on the ship five 'Great Controversy,' four 'Sunshine,' two 'Man's Nature and Destiny,' two 'Atonement,' two 'Marvel of Nations,' and two 'Daniel and Revelation,' besides the books which I gave to the ship.
"The whole trip has been exceedingly pleasant, and I trust not unprofitable. This morning the first lieutenant told me that my influence on the ship had been good. I hope that it has. Sunday evening the carpenter said: 'There is nothing in Sunday. If I were on shore I would gather rubber or plants and rest on the Sabbath.'"
October 19 he writes from the house of Simon Young, on Pitcairn Island: "Again I am brought to realize the guiding hand of God, and to feel that he hears the prayers of his people. One man, the magistrate, holds almost absolute power in this island. It was said on the ship that it would all depend on him whether I got permission to remain, or even to land, or not. But when I asked permission to land it was readily granted, and I went ashore in a boat with the captain and the doctor, the magistrate himself acting as pilot.
"After landing," continues Brother Tay, "we were met by a company of young women and children. They asked for the captain, and I said that he was behind. Then some one said, 'What is his name?' I answered, 'Captain Hope; if you remember the blessed hope, you will not forget his name.' In a moment a young woman was by my side and eagerly inquired if I was a Christian. I replied, 'I hope so;' but that did not satisfy her, and seeing her earnestness, I gave her the positive answer which she desired. She then said, 'I thought so from your words, the blessed hope.' She was the pastor's daughter, and without waiting to see the captain, she at once led the way to her father's house, where I was welcomed and introduced to the magistrate's sister, at whose house I was afterwards cordially received, as I am by all the people.
"When my request to remain was presented to the magistrate, he called the chief men of the island together and laid the matter before them. The magistrate afterwards told me that Captain Hope said that he would like to have me go with him to Coquimbo, on the west coast of South America, but that he (the magistrate), said that they wished to have me stay, and that if I would remain for years, they would build me a house and never charge me for anything. So it was decided that I should stay. It was providential that I came here on an English man-of-war.
"A vessel is expected here in December or January, and I hope to be ready to leave at that time."
Since the above letter was received, another has arrived, from which extracts will be made next week.