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rev. williams : huahine, 1843 |
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The arrival of
the missionaries at Huahine was soon known throughout the group; and visitors
from all the other islands, some prompted by curiosity, and others by more
worthy motives, came in haste to see them.
But of these
" arrivals," the most important and interesting was Tamatoa, the king of
Raiatea, who, accompanied by all his principal chiefs, had left his home
for the sole purpose of inducing one or more of the missionaries to reside
amongst his people.
The station and
evident sincerity of Tamatoa, and his compatriots who formed this embassy
induced the brethren to entertain their proposal.
But there were
other considerations from which it derived additional weight; especially
the position, history, and existing circumstances of the island; and these
had considerable influence in determining Mr. Williams's preference for
this sphere of labour ...
page 8x ???
Mr. Williams's
communications to the Directors and his family contain other information
of a similar kind.
From a letter,
dated Sept. 5, 1819, he thus reports the progress of the Mission :
" We have opened
a neat little place of worship at Tahaa, in a district called Tivaa, and
there is another erected, which we intend to open shortly, and visit regularly,
in the district of Patio, where we expect a congregation of five hundred
or six hundred persons.
We intend, likewise,
to place two of our most intelligent and consistent Raiateans over the
school, to which we shall ourselves pay particular attention on our visits.
We are all much
pleased with the prospect of usefulness which the new station presents
to our view ...
Page 81
These rapid changes
in the circumstances and habits of the people were not less surprising
than valuable, as all will admit, who consider their character, prior to
the residence of the missionaries among them.
Extremely indolent,
save when excited by pleasure or passion; the subjects of few artificial
wants, and dwelling in a relaxing and luxurious climate, which, in a great
degree, relieved them from labour, by supplying, either spontaneously,
or with but little cultivation, their necessary food, motives of more than
ordinary power were requisite to arouse them to vigorous and persevering
exertion. Walking in the steps, and adopting the customs of their ancestors
whose dwelling-places they inherited, it was not to be expected that to
gratify strangers, or from the hope of benefits which they were unable
to appreciate, they would readily change their manner of life.
And such a voluntary
transition was the less probable, from the congeniality of those habits
which they were required to relinquish with their strongest natural propensities.
To pluck and
eat the ripe fruits of their generous clime, or to slumber in the deep
shade of the luxuriant trees upon which they clustered; to fish or sport
within the placid waters of their lagoon; to ride in triumph upon the crested
wave; to race, wrestle, and recite their traditions, or at evening, to
mingle in the wild frolic, or the favourite dance were among the chief
occupations and enjoyments of their life, except, when inflamed by revenge
or stimulated by fear, they girded themselves for the battle.
What a task to
induce them to exchange such a state, for the patient and continuous labour
of acquiring knowledge, and forming habits, the importance of which they
could but dimly discern!
But this was accomplished;
and by the only means adequate to so great an effect.
While presenting
every secular motive which the natives could understand to excite them
to labour, the missionaries knew well that the force of all such considerations
as their personal and domestic comfort, would, if urged alone, ...
Page 82
... be insufficient
to overcome the habits and propensities by which they were opposed.
But their reliance
was not in these.
It was in the
Gospel.
This they deemed
" the mighty power of God" for promoting the civilization no less than
the salvation of the people; and proceeded upon the belief, which the result
of the experiment fully confirmed, that the transformation of the rude
and lawless community around them could only be effected by the manifestation
of evangelical truth.
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