THE ARRIVAL OF THE "PITCAIRN."
By Editor
Our missionary brigantine, the Pitcairn, reached San Francisco March 29. Her trip was very pleasant indeed, but rather slow, on account of calms and head winds. Her trip from Wellington, New Zealand, to Pitcairn Island was made in tolerably good time, about three weeks, but the time of passage from Pitcairn Island to San Francisco was forty-six days. The voyage, however, was very pleasant, and the ship reached here with all on board well. Since the terrible scourge they had there of typhus fever, during which twelve died, the health of Elder Gates has been improving, and we were surprised to find him looking so well. At one time it seemed as though everyone on the island would be prostrated by the disease, but again and again, just as the last extremity was reached, the providence of God interposed, and the disease was checked. The Lord remarkably sustained our laborers there. It was expected that Sister Rosa Young would come with them, but she had scarcely recovered from the fever, and it was thought not safe. The ship brought from Pitcairn twenty-five, crew and passengers. One of the sailors came from the ill-fated ship Bowdon, which was wrecked on Oeno Island, near Pitcairn, and brought the typhus fever to our brethren there. He has now accepted the truth and wishes to connect with the work. Among the passengers were the family of Brother McIvor from New Zealand, Brother J. R. McCoy and daughter, Brother Henry Christian, and Sister Maud Young. The young people have come for the purpose of obtaining an education. Some changes have taken place in the government of the island. It has now a president and council of seven. The number of inhabitants is now one hundred and twenty-eight. Sister Hattie Andre remains to carry on the work of teaching. More will be said upon the cruise of the Pitcairn, and her work, in future numbers. For God's prospering hand over the ship, and his blessing upon the laborers, we are grateful, and we believe that it is only a pledge of the better blessings that are to come.