p. 352 | S. N. H by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 22.

S. N. H

By Stephen N. Haskell

THE following, clipped from the London Telegraph of May 14, will be of interest to the readers of the SIGNS:—

“Captain Smith, of the bark Firth of Clyde, from San Francisco, which arrived at Falmouth, has supplied the following report: ‘On February 9, twenty-eight days out from the Golden Gate, I lay to off Adamstown, Pitcairn Island, and Mr. McCoy, the chief magistrate, and five men came off in their whale-boat. They brought pumpkins, cocoanuts, pine-apples, bananas, eggs, and a beautiful bunch of flowers. Mrs. McCoy also sent half of a cooked fowl, and a piece of pudding made from sweet-potatoes and Indian corn, for the captain’s dinner—whoever he might be. I had the greatest difficulty to get them to accept of anything, it being their Sabbath-day. They hold the seventh day of the week instead of the first; their reason for so doing is the fourth commandment. The only thing that Mr. McCoy would accept was some wine for communion services and some medicine.’ Captain Smith supplied them with all the latest newspapers, American and English, which were thankfully received. Religious books were eagerly sought after. Mr. McCoy held divine service on board, and a number of Moody’s and Sankey’s hymns were sung. There are 117 souls on the island, 45 males and 72 females; 38 of this number are children. They were all in good health.”

The above reveals the fact that the people on the island are still holding onto the Sabbath; and, further, it would seem that Elder Cudney had not arrived there at the time this vessel was at the island. Their anxiety for religious reading is one that hundreds of our people would gladly supply. But the question is, How shall we get it to them? There seems to be something providential in the circumstance of their embracing the truth, and their faithful adherence to it. No opportunity should pass on either side of the water to send to them reading matter, and visit them whenever it is possible. Truly in this the Lord has gone before us, and has done a work that is a marvel indeed. May God give wisdom in the matter.