OUR missionary brigantine Pitcairn started on its sixth cruise Sunday, Jan. 22, 1899.
On Sabbath afternoon, January 21, farewell services were held in the Oakland S. D. A. Church, consisting of the following:—
SINGING, Hymn No. 769, Congregation
SCRIPTURE READING, . . A. O. Tait
INVOCATION . . . . . . W. N. Glenn
REMARKS . . . . . . . . C. H. Jones
SINGING, "Speed Away" . . . Quartet
SINGING, Hymn No. 1194, Congregation
ADDRESS. . . . . . . . . A. J. Breed
SINGING, Hymn No. 1392, Congregation
REMARKS, E. H. Gates, Supt. Polynesian Mission Field, Capt. J. E. Werge, and others.
PRAYER. . . . . . . . . M. C. Wilcox
SONG, "God Be with You," Congregation
BENEDICTION . . . . . . J. W. Bagby
The following named persons constitute the passengers and crew on this trip: Superintendent, E. H. Gates; captain, J. E. Werge; mate, A. Andreasen; steward, E. Bersinger; sailors, F. C. Butz, C. L. Harvey, Edwin Wigley, J. O. Harrison, Thos. Bennett; cabin boy, Willie Hiserman; passengers, W. M. Crothers, B. S. Young.
The Pitcairn was built in 1890, with money raised by our Sabbath-schools, and was dedicated September 25 of that year. Since that time she has made five voyages to the South Sea Islands. The first one was made in 1890-92, she being gone nearly two years; the second, in 1893; the third, in 1894; the fourth, in 1895, and the fifth, in 1896, returning to this port November 26 of that year. Since that time she has been lying in Oakland harbor.
A large number of brethren and sisters gathered at the wharf on Sunday morning, and just before the vessel sailed, brief services were held on deck. At 10:30 the lines were cast off, and the Pitcairn floated out into the stream, and off toward the broad Pacific.
Brother E. H. Gates accompanied the vessel on this voyage as superintendent of the Polynesian Missions.
Leaving San Francisco, the Pitcairn will sail direct to Pitcairn Island, the first stopping-place. By looking at the map it will be seen that this island lies about 4,000 miles directly south of San Francisco. This was the second mission established among the islands. Since that time missions have been opened in nine other islands, making eleven which we have already occupied.
THE TUG TAKING THE PITCAIRN FROM THE WHARF.
CREW AND PASSENGERS OF THE PITCAIRN READY TO SAIL.
From Pitcairn Island the boat will sail westward to Papeete, Tahiti, one of the Society group. Missionary B. J. Cady has charge of the work in this field, and with him are associated Brother and Sister Green and Brother and Sister Stringer. They have recently purchased a farm at Raiatea, an island a few hundred miles northwest of Tahiti, where they expect to conduct an industrial school.
From Tahiti the vessel will continue on its course, calling at Rurutu, where Brother and Sister Stringer have been laboring; then on to Rarotonga, where Dr. Caldwell and Brother Rice are located.
From Rarotonga the boat will sail northwest to Samoa, where Dr. Braucht and his collaborers are stationed. A commodious building has recently been erected at Apia, Samoa, and is to be used as a hospital. Brother D. D. Lake was ordained, and sailed from San Francisco a few weeks ago, to take charge of the evangelistic work in this island. From Samoa the Pitcairn will go to Tongatabu, where Brethren Hilliard and Butz are located.
From Tongatabu they will probably sail north to Tonga, where Dr. M. G. Kellogg has recently begun work. From here they will sail to the Fiji Islands, where Brethren Fulton and Parker have established a mission.
From Fiji the boat will sail to the westward, visiting the New Hebrides and other islands, as the way may open. It is expected that the boat will return to San Francisco about the 1st of October.
Up to the 15th of February, mail for those on board the Pitcairn should be directed to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, South Pacific Ocean, via New Zealand.10To March 25, direct to Apia, Samoa, South Pacific Ocean. To April 26, direct to Suva, Fiji, South Pacific Ocean. The mail for Tahiti leaves San Francisco the first of every month by sailing vessel. Mail for the other islands leaves San Francisco or Vancouver about every two weeks, to reach the Samoan, Fijian, and Tongan Islands.
Every person accompanying the Pitcairn on this voyage, from the superintendent to the cabin boy, is a Christian.
Brother Crothers is on his way back to New Zealand, and will probably leave the boat at Rarotonga, taking steamer from there to Auckland.
Brother Young is on his way home to Pitcairn Island. About two years ago he left San Francisco on a merchant vessel, expecting to stop at the island, but when they reached there it was such rough weather that they did not attempt to land, so he was carried on to London, and got back to San Francisco just in time to take the Pitcairn for home.
The Lord has had a special care for the Pitcairn all these years, and she has not met with a single accident. We hope and pray that the God of missions will watch over her on this voyage, and that she may be returned to this port in safety, having scattered the precious, incorruptible seed of the Gospel wherever she has been. C. H. JONES,
Chairman Polynesian Committee.
