Experiences in the Island of New Guinea by C. H. Prettyman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1914

Experiences in the Island of New Guinea

By C. H. Prettyman

C. H. PRETTYMAN

THE evening after Sabbath prior to my leaving Bisiatabu to return to Sydney, Australia, I had the opportunity of witnessing a "pay off" at our mission. This has to be seen to be fully appreciated, but I shall try to present a word picture of the experience.

The back veranda of the mission is lighted by several hurricane lanterns, which reveal the forms of seven boys who have just completed their terms and are about to receive their pay for the time they have labored. Their faces beam with suppressed excitement as they squat in native fashion on the floor in a half circle. Behind them are a number of friends—mothers, sisters, cousins maybe—who have traveled four days' journey for the occasion, from the mountains inland.

In front of them on the floor are spread piles of axes, knives, belts, ramies, matches, beads, etc., and behind these stand Brother Carr and myself. I am to have the privilege of taking the cash and giving change. Each boy receives in cash the amount due him; and then the excitement begins. Each first purchases a "trade box," or wooden trunk, in which to place the goods he is about to purchase. One asks for an ax, and puts down the money. His example is immediately followed by the others. "Ax, please," again and still again, until each boy has perhaps half a dozen axes. They do not seem to understand that it would save much time if they took the six axes at one purchase, instead of six separate purchases. Then one asks for a knife, and all are anxious to secure knives, varying in size from eighteen-inch blades to sheaf knives, on the one-at-a-time principle. Next there is a run on the ramies, then perhaps "billy cans." And so the sale proceeds. Now and then a boy does not produce the correct sum in cash, and we have to explain, while the rest wait impatiently.

Each boy has a friend behind him who receives the purchases and pops them into his box for him. At last the supply of cash is exhausted, and the excitement is over. The boxes are packed up and left in the storeroom until morning, when the boys expect to start for home. The native is deeply attached to his village, and, like most of us, gets a longing akin to homesickness at times. The morning sees a busy crowd packing their loads. The women carry the heavier portion of the burdens, and the boys, who are the heroes of the day, are practically free-handed as they set out in triumph for the hills.

As I witnessed it all, I could not help thinking of the great "pay off" not far ahead of us, when our Elder Brother will come with all the holy angels to conduct us home. Each will be awarded according to his works; and then we shall forget the trials and sorrows, toil and pain, perplexity and fears, that have been our portion here. Let us take courage and labor on, remembering the reward that is before us.

The brief history of our work in New Guinea shows many wonderful instances of God's providence, and I was privileged to witness one of these during my stay. The number of boys at the mission was reduced to about ten by the "pay off" just before my arrival, and nearly all those left would finish in a few weeks, Brother Carr told me; but he added, "We are praying that the Lord will send us some more boys." Time ran on, and no boys appeared. As I visited various plantations, I learned that as much as £3 to £5 per head is paid to recruiters for securing the services of the boys for the plantations. At last it was only one week of the time our boys were to finish. One afternoon a procession of about a dozen natives, mostly women and girls, was seen approaching the mission—but no working boys. The friends had come to help carry the "trade" home. They knew nothing of any boys coming. Two days later, however, while we were sitting at our afternoon meal, we saw another company of natives coming toward the mission house. Soon they were at the back door; and

a fine, clean, bright lot of fellows they looked, too. Nine had come to "sign on," or engage themselves for twelve months. Some of our neighbors would gladly have paid £30 to £40 for them, but they had simply come along—we believe under the leading of the Holy Spirit, in answer to prayer.

We found that among them were several who had served a time previously, which was a token of encouragement. They came from the same district as had the boys about to be paid off.

If prayer has brought them to the mission, what more can it not do for them, if we believe? Brethren, let us pray more for our missionaries and their work. They need this help, and "prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence."