We now understood more of the dangers to which the families of
missionaries have often been exposed in all parts of the world. I must
own that in my fears for Mary Bent's safety, my own faith and fortitude
were well nigh giving way. Mr Bent retained his calmness in a
wonderful manner. "All things are in God's hands," he observed. "He
will guide them as He knows to be best. We have to go on labouring to
the utmost of our power, leaving the rest to Him." I felt that I must
be in action, and hauling the canoe on board with the aid of her crew,
we got out the paddles and urged our craft ahead somewhat faster than
the wind was doing. Every moment might be of consequence. As the
cannibal chief, exasperated at having been deprived of Alea, might
attempt to carry off Mary, the very thought drove me almost distracted.
I had had few or no trials in life, and was not prepared for this one.
Mr Bent wished to ascertain whether, if required, we could depend on
the assistance of our new friends. They had heard what had occurred,
and at once volunteered to use every means in their power to prevent
their chief from doing harm, even to turning against him.
"He will live perhaps to thank us," one of them, a young and intelligent
chief, observed. "At all events you have bound us to serve you."
All now seemed to depend on our arriving before the attack had begun.
We trusted that if not begun we should be able to prevent it. Meantime
all we could do was to offer up constant, earnest prayer for the
protection of one so dear to us, and for all those at the settlement.
The wind, hitherto blowing a strong breeze, now fell light, and our
progress was slower than before.
"All is for the best, depend on that, my son," repeated the missionary
several times, when he observed my look of anxiety. "God's loving mercy
endureth for ever. Pray against doubt--pray against doubt. Put on the
armour of faith. In that you will find strength to quench all the fiery
darts of the evil one."
My venerable friend spoke the truth, and already my fears began to
subside, although I could in no way see the mode of deliverance. I
expressed the same to Mr Bent.
"Nor did we the other day, but God clearly fought for us as He did in
days of old for the children of Israel, by putting fear into the hearts
of their enemies, and so can He now find some means for the protection
of those who serve Him."
On we glided over the calm blue water. Now the breeze freshened, and as
the surface became rippled over, it sparkled brightly in the sunbeams.
As the island came in sight my heart beat quicker and quicker, and with
difficulty I could restrain my impatience. I stood at the bows with my
glass at my eye directed constantly at the spot where the station was to
be found. As the sun then was, objects close in under the land were not
distinctly discernible, but as my glass every now and then swept the
horizon on either side, the sails of a fleet of canoes came into view.
The instrument almost dropped from my hand. We were too late. The
attack had been made and the victors were sailing away with their
captives. My first impulse was to give chase, and to attempt their
recovery. I did not consider how powerless we were even should our new
allies remain faithful. For some time I could not bring myself to tell
my fears to Mr Bent; but it was necessary to alter our course if we
were to pursue the enemy. At length, therefore, it became necessary for
me to tell him what I had seen. He took the telescope, and after a
severe scrutiny of the horizon in every direction, and especially of the
island, he asked, in a more cheerful voice than might have been
expected:
"Can you not assign some other cause for the flight of the foe? Look
again."
I did so; and now, the sun having come round a little, I saw close in
with the missionary station a large ship at anchor. She might be the
_Golden Crown_, come to take me away. I hoped not. My heart again
sunk. As we drew nearer I saw that she was much larger--a man-of-war.
The station was safe. Otherwise she would have been sailing in pursuit
of the canoes. With one voice we burst forth in the native tongue with
songs of praise and thanksgiving; and now the canoe seemed to glide more
swiftly over the glad blue sea. We entered the harbour, where lay a
fine English frigate. As we passed her I hailed and inquired if the
station was safe.
"Yes, yes, all right," was the answer. "We came in just in time to
prevent mischief."
Our eagerness to reach home prevented us from stopping to make further
inquiries. No sooner did our boat's keel touch the strand than we
leaped on shore. Even then before leaving the beach the missionary
knelt down and offered up a few words of thanksgiving for the mercies
vouchsafed us. We reached the house. Mary and her companion did not
come out to welcome us. Voices reached our ears from within. One I
thought I recognised. We looked in. Mary was doing the honours of the
tea-table with some other ladies. There were three naval officers and
two gentlemen in black coats. One of the latter turned his face. It
was that of my brother John. I had time to greet him while Mary was
receiving her father and introducing her guests. Then came my turn to
be received by her. I need not describe that. I was very happy. The
whole scene was so different from what I had but a short time before
expected, that I was perfectly bewildered. I felt deeply grateful that
Mary had escaped all the dangers I apprehended, and which had really
threatened her.
The frigate had appeared off the station just at the very moment that
the cannibal chief and his followers were about to land. She brought up
with her guns commanding the approach to the town. The captain,
suspecting mischief, instantly despatched an armed boat to warn the
chief that he would allow no warlike demonstration to be made in his
presence, and that if he attempted to land he would blow his canoes to
pieces. The warning had had at first very little effect, and the chief,
in defiance, leaping on shore with his followers from the largest canoe,
left her deserted. The officer in charge of the boat immediately fired
the gun in the bows right into her, and almost knocked her to pieces.
The interpreter then shouted out, "If the small gun of this little boat
will do all this mischief, what would all the great guns of the big ship
do?"
The argument was irresistible. The chief, leaping on board another
canoe, begged that no more damage might be done, and offered to sail
away immediately, promising never again to come near the settlement.
This he was allowed to do on condition of his returning directly home
without committing further damage on the way, and he was compelled to
leave two hostages as a guarantee that he would perform his promise.
All this was told in a few words, and John now introduced me to his
devoted wife; and as I heard of some of the many trials and dangers they
had gone through, and how calmly she had endured them, I felt how
admirably she was fitted to be the helpmate of a missionary. The
captain of the frigate was, I discovered, an old family friend--one who,
convinced of the importance of missionary labour, was zealous in aiding
and supporting missionaries of the gospel wherever he met them engaged
in their Master's work. He had found John suffering from hard work and
anxiety, and had persuaded him and his wife to take a trip among several
of the Polynesian groups, to visit as many of the missionary stations as
could be reached, in the hopes that he might return home with renewed
strength for his work. One of the ladies was his wife's sister, who had
come out to assist her in her labours--not the only example of
self-devotion to a glorious and thrice blessed cause. The other
gentleman in plain clothes was the chaplain of the ship. While
conversing with him an idea occurred to me which I took an early
opportunity of communicating to John, who highly approved of it, and
undertook to broach the subject to Mr Bent while I mentioned it to
Mary. It was one which concerned us both very nearly, for it was a
proposal to take the opportunity of marrying while a legally authorised
person was present to perform the ceremony, with my own brother and our
naval friend as witnesses. Mary had no objections to offer, and we soon
overcame those Mr Bent suggested.
The benefit of the visit of the ship-of-war to the different missionary
stations was very great, besides having preserved ours from almost
certain destruction. The admirable discipline of the crew had a great
influence on the minds of the heathen natives, so different from what
they had been accustomed to witness on board many whalers; the perfect
order of everything on board the ship, and the mighty power of her guns,
awed them still more, and showed them the folly of offending people who
had in their possession such instruments of punishment. I will not say
that the appearance of any ship of war would do good. Unless discipline
is strict and no licence is allowed, they might do, as some have done, a
great deal of harm.
One of the worst of this kind, was that of Captain Kotzebue, commanding
a Russian exploring expedition. Wherever he went he outraged decency by
the licence he allowed his crew, and on his return home malignantly
abused the English missionaries whom he found nobly struggling, against
innumerable difficulties, to reclaim the hapless natives from the sin
and corruption which he had done his utmost to encourage. Others, from
ignorance or from vicious dispositions, followed his line of abuse,
though happily the greater number of their publications have sunk into
deserved oblivion, while the glorious result of missionary labour,
evident to all who will inquire, proclaims the falsehood of their
accusations. To the honour of the British navy be it said that by far
the greater number of captains who have visited the isles of the Pacific
have rendered essential service to the missionary cause while on the
spot, and have spoken and written heartily in its praise on their return
home.
We had very little time to prepare for the wedding as the frigate could
not remain long. I employed the interval in getting assistance from the
ship's carpenters in building a vessel, and instruction, with the
necessary plans for continuing the work after the frigate had gone. I
had some knowledge of the art to begin with, so that I knew exactly what
information I required. My ambition was to have a fine, serviceable
little vessel, and I had every hope of succeeding. I was thoroughly up
to rigging and fitting her.
The time passed very rapidly, and my wedding-day arrived, and Mary
became my most loving and devoted wife,--a bright example to those among
whom our lot was cast. I have not dwelt on the visit of my brother
John, or the enjoyment and benefit I derived from his society. Our
station was healthy, but the surgeon of the ship recommended his
continuing the voyage, and with reluctance I parted from him, hoping,
however, to visit him when my schooner should be completed. Once more
the missionary station was left in its usual quiet state; but, though
quiet, no one was idle. There were schools both for adults as well as
children,--the males, under the superintendence of Mr Bent, with native
teachers; the women and girls under Mary and her friend. Classes also
assembled during most days in the week for religious instruction. Mr
Bent was also frequently engaged in teaching the young men and boys
various mechanical arts: house-building in its various departments,
agriculture and gardening, and last, though not least, printing and
book-binding. It is wonderful with what rapidity many acquired the art
of printing, and many learned to bind books with great neatness and
strongly. I meantime, aided by my wife, was making fail progress in the
language, so that I was able to talk without difficulty to the men who
assisted me in building the vessel. She was at length ready for
launching. I proposed calling her the _Mary_, but to this my wife would
not consent. We had a discussion on the subject round our tea-table
during that pleasantest of all meals in most missionary, indeed in most
quiet families. The _Ark_ was proposed, and then the _Olive Branch_.
The latter was the name decided on.
It was made a day of rejoicing and prayer and praise on the occasion of
launching the little _Olive Branch_. Formerly one, or perhaps several,
human victims would have been offered up to their idols by the then
benighted inhabitants. The vessel herself was decked with flags and
garlands, and surrounded by high poles, from which gay-coloured banners
were flying.
A feast was prepared also, at which the chief, who came in state,
presided. We had limited the quantity of provisions, or else, according
to custom, far more than could have been consumed would have been
collected. A large bower or tent of boughs and flowers had been erected
for the chief and his principal attendants,--a very elegant, though a
rapidly created structure. Mary named the vessel as she glided down the
ways, and a hymn of thankfulness, combined with a prayer for the safety
of all who might ever sail in her, was sung by the children of the
school at the same time, the effect being admirable. I was somewhat
anxious till I saw the little craft floating safely in the water.
We had purposely avoided anything savouring of heathenism, such as
breaking a bottle of wine on her bows, taken evidently from the Greek
custom of pouring out a libation to Neptune; nor would we make a mockery
of the rite of baptism, by pretending to christen her. Living among
heathens, it was our duty to be especially circumspect in all our
proceedings. The natives are very acute, and are accustomed to make
enquiries as to the meaning and origin of everything they see. How
unsatisfactory would have been the answer we should have had to give,
had we, without consideration or thought, adopted the practice generally
followed in England.
The missionaries have endeavoured as much as possible to abolish all
heathen customs, so that the evil-disposed may have no temptation to
return to them. In this they show wisdom. Even the sports and pastimes
of heathenism, though they may by some be considered harmless in
themselves, are generally adverse to the spiritual life of a Christian,
and therefore they have been discouraged. The missionaries have in
consequence been accused of being morose and narrow-minded. Far, far
different is their real character. As a class, they are zealous,
earnest, devoted men, full of life, activity, and energy,--courageous
and persevering,--gifted with high and varied attainments, which would
enable them to shine among civilised communities, but they have joyfully
abandoned home and country, and, in obedience to their Lord and Master,
have gone forth to teach the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Let those who may fancy that I overpraise these men, read their memoirs,
and they will be convinced of the truth of my statements.
The native carpenters worked admirably. I had spars, rigging, and a
suit of sails ready, supplied me by the frigate, with a compass and such
nautical instruments as I required, so the _Olive Branch_ was soon ready
for sea. I proposed in my first experimental trip to pay a visit to
Vihala, to leave two more native teachers on the island, and then, on my
return, to see Alea, and to ascertain the progress made by her father
and fellow-islanders in religion. Mary begged that she might accompany
me, and, as her father made no objections, I was too glad of her company
to refuse. For several days, however, I first made frequent trips out
of the harbour, to exercise my native crew, who, although they had never
before been on board a vessel, became efficient hands in a wonderfully
short space of time. The reason of this was that they gave their minds
thoroughly to their work, and were anxious to learn everything I could
teach them.
The _Olive Branch_ was completed to my satisfaction and to that of all
who saw her. I was indeed very proud of her, as chiefly the work of my
own hands; and yet when I compared the slight difficulties I had had to
overcome with the great ones conquered by Mr Williams at Raratonga,
when building the _Messenger of Peace_, I felt sensibly how little cause
I had to boast.
As Mr Bent had promised to relieve Vihala of his charge as soon as
possible, two teachers had been trained for the purpose, and these we
now took on board. We had with us a number of axes and knives, and
other articles most prized by the natives, both to pay for provisions or
whatever we might require, as also to bestow on Vihala, hoping that, if
he were thus richly endowed, the old king would not refuse longer to
give him his daughter.
Two of the men who had come as heathen enemies now remained as friends,
and earnest searchers after truth. The remainder, deeply imbued with
the spirit of Christianity, had returned to their own island, we hoped
to pave the way for a missionary among its still heathen and cannibal
inhabitants.
Thus during the few months since I had left my ship I had seen a way
made for the entrance of the gospel into these thickly-inhabited
islands. Thus it has pleased God to work through human agency among a
large proportion of the isles of the Pacific; nor has He ever failed to
afford, after a time, superabundant encouragement to His faithful
labourers. Oh that some of the many thousands and thousands of young
men and women who read this would consider the noble, the glorious
nature of missionary work, and esteem it as a high privilege to be
allowed to employ their energies in the cause!
How different was our voyage from that which Mary, Mr Bent, and I
before took in the same direction! But where were our companions? Were
we the only ones alive out of the whole party? At all events, we had
ample reason to be grateful. The wind was fair, and our passage
promised to be as calm and pleasant as we could desire.
On getting near enough to the island to distinguish objects on shore, we
saw a number of people hurrying down to the beach, from among the trees,
while some launched their canoes and paddled off through the opening in
the reef towards us. Their object was to welcome us, and to pilot the
schooner into their harbour. They knew that the schooner was a
missionary vessel from her flag, but they had not guessed who was on
board. Their delight, when they recognised Mr Bent and Mary, was
excessive; and so completely did they forget all about the vessel, that
had I not kept a good look-out she would have run right on to the reef.
On our enquiring for Vihala, the answer was, "He is well, and we all
Christian."
The glorious news we found on landing to be true. Vihala received us
with joy unfeigned, and it was some little time before we could proceed,
from the number of people who crowded round us to express their
satisfaction at our arrival. Great also was ours when, at length moving
on, we saw before us a handsome structure, a church erected entirely by
the natives, under Vihala's superintendence, capable of holding seven or
eight hundred persons, and near it a school-house and two neat
residences for teachers.
"Your church is indeed large," observed Mr Bent, after expressing his
admiration of it to Vihala.
"Yes," was the quiet answer; "but all desire to hear the word, and why
should any be excluded? The kingdom of heaven is wide enough for all."
Alas! that any should so mistake the gospel message as to think
differently, and to act as if all should be thrust out who do not
conform to certain rules and regulations of man's invention, although
they with deep repentance trust in the blood of Christ alone for
salvation. Many a once heathen savage will rise up in the day of
judgment to condemn those men. Would that, for their own sakes, they
could even now voyage amid the isles of the Pacific, and behold the
glorious work wrought by the instrumentality of true Christian men of
various branches of the one Church, and I believe that they would be
compelled to acknowledge that an unction from on high is of more avail
in saving souls alive than any mere official and external qualification,
such as the Romish priesthood with its pretended apostolic succession
claims. The means are best judged of by the result, and that can be
known of all men. "By their works ye shall know them." It was
remarkable that, except for the few days Mr Bent had preached on the
islands, none of the inhabitants had heard the truth from a white
missionary, and yet the majority of them had cast away their idols, and
become nominal Christians,--while many of them were really converted.
We had a most delightful time on the island. The two new teachers we
brought somewhat reconciled the people to the loss of Vihala, though
their grief was most unmistakable when they were told that he must leave
them for a time at all events.
Again we were on the ocean, and approaching the island where Vihala
expected to meet his promised bride. He had long been separated from
her. He acknowledged that it had been for his good, and he hoped that,
with the spiritual benefits he had received while engaged as a teacher,
they should the better be able to walk together on their heavenward way,
and lead others on to the same happy goal.