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OUR FATHER

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 13, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 24.

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"OUR FATHER."

By G. C. Tenney

ON a recent visit to Buderim Mountain, Queensland, where quite a number of South Sea islanders have congregated, a lady, who has bestowed much kindness upon them, related the following incident in her experience:—
"Jim" was a victim of consumption, and for some time came to Mrs. Burnett's veranda for his meals. But he became too weak to do this, and then the lady carried his food to him. He continued to grow weaker, until one day,when she entered his "humpy" (hut), he with great effort raised himself upon his elbow, and said slowly: "Lady, you very kind. You bring rice and milk and many things. You now bring no more any rice, I eat no more." Poor fellow, he realized that his end was near.
He continued slowly: "Lady, you know our Father, what missionary in island tell about?"
"Yes, Jim, I know Him."
"You tell me?"
"Yes, I will tell you." And Mrs. Burnett began. "Our Father which art in heaven"—the black man interrupted her:—
"What's that word 'our'?"
"That means your Father and my Father."
"You fine white lady: me pore, good-f'nothin', black fellow: all along same Father?"
"Yes, Jim, the same Father."
"O, O! All along in heaven?"
"Yes."
"All along in island?"
"Yes, everywhere the same."
"This Father love poor Jim?"
"Yes, He loves you, Jim."
"He takes me home to heaven along with Heself?"
"Yes, He will."
"Lady, you very good, you very kind to black South Seas. You bring us many things. You no tell me about 'our Father.' Why?"
Then he added: "When South Sea come to your house, you no give him bread, you no give him rice, you no give him milk any more, you tell him about 'our Father.' Lady, you tell South Seas 'our Father'?"
"Yes, Jim, I will."
At this moment a message came that Mrs. Burnett was needed at home, and she answered the call. Five minutes later the children followed, with the word that Jim was dead, and the last words he spoke were, "Our Father."