Pressing the Message in the Cook Islands
By George L. Sterling
WITH a small tent, a case of foods, a case of books, a stereopticon, and a native boy of fifteen years as helper, I started out to Mangaia a month ago. We did not suppose that our one case of foods would be adequate for our needs for a whole month. We expected to supplement them with native foods which we could secure on the island. In fact, we expected to make native foods the principal part of our diet. Though Mangaia is an island with little money, the natives had just received pay for their copra, so nearly every one had money for a few days. Many, learning that we had books to sell, came to our tent to buy. The first night that we showed pictures on the prophecies, I put in a slide that advertised on the screen all our books, giving prices. This sold our books. We went out part of two days to other villages with a few books, and behold, our books were all sold! But people continued to ask for books, and to come to the tent with their money, after the supply was exhausted. We took their money, and promised to send them the books by post from Rarotonga. We pray that the Lord will enlighten their hearts as they read the books, that they may be led to desire the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can cleanse the sinner. We are often pained at heart as we see the darkness and superstition that exist in these islands, among a people who profess so much.141We feel sorry for them, and long for that power of the Holy Spirit which will enable us to speak effectively the words of truth — words that will awaken these people to see their true condition. How well pleased Satan must be to see them sleeping on! The people of Mangaia are a difficult people to labor for, because they feel so contented with what they have. They admit that their Sabbath was changed a few years ago, and that they have left the true Sabbath of God; but they, with no concern at all, roll the whole burden of guilt upon the white missionaries who were in charge at that time, and are quite content to follow on in the way in which they have been led. The people of Mangaia have expressed a desire for a school for their children, and have urged it very strongly, offering to build a schoolhouse of native materials, and pay a small tuition. This seems to me like a good opening. We go back to Aitutaki, hoping to be able to build our mission house and church, but as yet we have no suitable place. We ask you to join with us in praying that the Lord will open the way, putting it into the hearts of individuals who have land to lease it to us.