p. 9 | OUR SHIP PITCAIRN by E. H. GATES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · May 31, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 22.

OUR SHIP PITCAIRN.

By E. H. GATES

[Written for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.]

AFTER leaving San Francisco, Jan. 23, we had a very pleasant trip to our first stopping place, Pitcairn Island, which we reached in thirty-two days. There we were warmly received by the people, who had been waiting for the ship for a long time. The island has been having plenty of rain, and the people have plenty of food now. We remained at the island three weeks—much longer than we had at first expected. But the time was all well spent. Nearly every morning at five o'clock I had meetings with the people, as that is the best time of day for comfort. The island is one of the beautiful spots of Polynesia, and as we were surrounded by lovely tropical trees and plants, the ocean in plain sight, and fanned by soft breezes, it seemed that God was specially near to us. The Spirit of God was very near to His children as we sought Him in those early meetings, and many hearts responded to His gentle wooings. Several of the youth found Christ for the first time, and some who had sinned sought Him for pardon and acceptance. At the close of one Sabbath we went down to one of the pools at the foot of the high cliffs, and there buried eight souls in the likeness of Christ's burial. A few days before leaving we repaired again to the same spot at sunrise and baptized five more of the young people.

Brother J. R. McCoy accompanied the ship to Mangareva, one of the Gambier Islands, and remained two weeks during the time I was doing the above-mentioned work. He reports finding a good interest among the natives. He sold several Bibles to them, and said that he could have sold two hundred if he had had them; but, unfortunately, there were but a few on board. Tho the natives are all professed Christians, the priests have kept the Bible from them entirely, resulting in a very low state of morals.

March 16 the ship returned, and the next day we went on board and started for this island—Tahiti. A large number of the brethren and sisters accompanied us to the ship, carrying some very substantial tokens of their love in the shape of oranges, coco-nuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, bananas, and some very fine watermelons.

Nine days later we reached this place, after a very pleasant passage. Here we found mail from home, with lots of papers—Reviews, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, General Conference Bulletins, etc., etc.

Tho we have been obliged to suffer some from seasickness, we have been more free from it than on any previous trip. For this we thank God, and take fresh courage. God's presence

has been with us in a marked manner, and our whole desire is to glorify His name with all our powers. Later reports will tell of our visit to this place.

E. H. GATES.

Papeete, Tahiti, April 5, 1899.