p. 12 | AN APPEAL FROM TAHITI by Elliot C. Chapman

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 31, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 38.

AN APPEAL FROM TAHITI.

By Elliot C. Chapman

PAPEETE, Tahiti, June 5, 1893.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While the Lord is blessing all over his wide harvest field and is calling the millions of the great nations of this world to look and live, he has not forgotten the dark-skinned natives of the islands of the sea. Additional evidences are continually occurring to show us that a Master hand is ruling and shaping the destiny of this people, and leading out a company to stand at last complete before God's throne.

The Tahitians are a bright, intelligent looking people, and are not held in superstitious bondage to the Papacy nor in the fear of the wrath of some idol, as they once were. The Bible is quite generally circulated and is looked upon with reverence by many of the natives. As one observes the faces of the restless natives in the market place, who are journeying through life without any special object, the same traces of sin are manifest as exist all the world over. Many have sown tares in their youth, which have borne a harvest of pain and suffering, while others, whose days are well-nigh spent, continue to serve the enemy of all righteousness. Satan is busy at work, and is doing a large business in the liquor traffic, and sending many a poor native down to a drunkard's grave. He also has many agents to ensnare the young, and lead the boys and girls to destruction. We feel thankful for the glorious promise in the Scriptures connected with that statement that "darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people," and it really seems as though we can see some of the droppings of those showers of blessing that betoken the latter rain.

The company at Arue, where Brother Paul Dean preaches, are busy at work building a church. They have continued to increase in numbers until his congregation often numbers seventy or eighty. Since they have been turned out of their old church, they have been meeting in Brother Dean's house, which, fortunately, is quite roomy. Chairs are not a necessity with the native people, for they will often sit for two hours on the hard floor in Turkish style without any apparent discomfort. It is a real encouragement to see how they drink in the truths which Brother Dean gives them from the word of God. We always attend their Sabbath service and also the district meeting which they have every Wednesday evening. This evening meeting consists of prayer, singing, reciting verses of Scripture, and a Bible reading by Brother Dean. This approaches the nearest to a social meeting of anything that they ever have. Hand shaking is general before and after meeting, accompanied by Iorana, the native word of greeting. Even the little children do not forget to be courteous, and are always ready with a smiling face and outstretched hand to greet us with Iorana. Sometimes I think our good people at home, young and old, could learn a lesson from these people in this line.

A real good feeling prevailed among the natives as Brother and Sister Dean went forward in baptism a few weeks ago, and others are anxious to follow. There is on our premises a fine pool in a beautiful stream, where the baptism took place. I have recently printed with a stencil some large law charts in the native language for use in public meetings.

Nearly one month ago the Pitcairn sailed from here, with Elder Read and wife on board, to visit Raiatea and Huahine, islands that are out a day's sail from here. Since their safe arrival there we have been cheered by letters that have come from different individuals on Raiatea. It seems that the Pitcairn has met with such a reception as should make every lover of truth rejoice and take courage. The people there have been believers in what they supposed to be truth, and have not allowed the Catholics to establish themselves there, as they saw their doctrines to be unsound. But now, as they have seen that the day which they supposed to be the true Sabbath rests upon a wrong foundation, they have become all astir, and when we last heard from there, there was much talk of a general move to let go of the Sunday and come over in a body to the observance of the true Sabbath. One of the leading French missionaries is on the field, and is trying to quiet the natives by telling them that the law of God is abolished. But this they cannot accept as truth, for only a few months ago he taught that the law was good, and had it read every Sunday in church. He is there for the purpose of gathering up donations for mission work, which the people are accustomed to give yearly. Some of the people have told him that they were going to give their donations to the Pitcairn this year.

To what extent these reports are true I do not know, and as the mail to San Francisco goes earlier this month than usual, it is not likely that you will hear much direct from there this month. They are calling loudly for a missionary at Raiatea, and can the Pitcairn turn a deaf ear to their cry and not leave one? Truly the harvest is great and the laborers are few. The island of Raiatea has had an interesting history, it being the center of John Williams' labors for many years, and it having sent out some of the most successful native workers that the cause of missions has ever seen. There are about 6,000 people on Raiatea and adjoining islands, and how greatly they need the help which they are so anxious to receive! The package of tracts which Brother Read took along were eagerly received. A man from there told Brother Bambridge that there were lots of natives on board the Pitcairn, and that each one went away with one of the leaflets in his hand.

We are very anxious for a printing press, as things are widening out so all around us, and the demand for literature is so increasing, that we realize more and more the need of a printing plant. A new missionary has just been appointed to Raiatea, and is already at the island. He has a small printing outfit. Shall we have to be silent while he scatters literature telling that the law of God is abolished? No, brethren, the cause of God is onward, and its messengers must be at the front. We want to let this people know what truth is, and now, while there is an interest, is the best time to do it. A letter from Sister Read, written May 24, says: "The work here is progressing; we have meetings two or three times each week on the ship. This morning Mr. Read and I go in the open boat to Huahine. Oh, how I dread it, I shall be so sick! We hope to be home in about two weeks."

Sister Read

One thing is certain, that the Lord is working for this people, and we trust that the brethren at home will remember the work here in their prayers, that the truth may triumph, and many of those who now sit in darkness may walk in the light of life.

ELLIOT C. CHAPMAN.