Forty Years On The Pacific/Missionaries

FRANK BURNETT, in his book on the Pacific, refers lightly to the work of missionaries. He holds that the adult native only embraces Christianity for what he can get out of it. In short, Mr. Burnett does not confine his estimate to the adult, as he describes a native of Nanouk, one Petro, aged fourteen years. Sticks of tobacco are the chief articles to win the affections of the natives of most islands. Petro had noted the anxiety of different missionaries to secure converts. He had attached himself to a couple in rotation, but later decided to become a Catholic, and told Mr. McArthur, a local planter: "Protestant no good—he no give tobacco." Petro therefore proceeded to embrace Catholicism, and approached the confessional. On observing some tobacco in the priest's possession, he could not resist the temptation and coolly appropriated it. Upon meeting Mr. McArthur, he gloated over his feat and remarked: "Me now a Pagan." In securing converts nothing proves more attractive than a phonograph.

It is due to the missionaries to state that many travelers who have spent several years among the Pacific Islands give great praise to their work. Whatever may be said in depreciation of their work, it must not be forgotten that prior to their advent in these islands, many of the islanders were cannibals. As the result of mission labors, cannibalism is almost unknown in the Pacific islands.

The islanders find many causes for objection to the advent of the missionaries, as they try to alter the order of things and the status of the wife and mother. Prior to their arrival, about all the exertion the husband indulged in was fishing and bathing; the wife supporting the family, even doing the hunting.

In some of the larger islands feuds existed among the "bush" or hill natives and those resident on the coast. The native's wife, or wives, is his worldly wealth. At times the "bush" native will sweep down to the shore, attack the residents, capture their wives, and retire to his stronghold feeling quite content with his victory, as he then has slaves to enable him to continue his life of indolence.

In many instances, I have heard of the good results from missionary labors. The methods of certain sects are described in different degrees of efficiency. Some years ago the Mormons received special credit in marked contrast with other missionaries. They teach them trades and interest themselves in the dealings between the natives and the storekeeper, or shopkeeper, insisting that they get good value for their merchandise. In fact, Mormon missionaries incurred the illwill of country storekeepers in New Zealand, for insisting on the Maoris getting proper value for their work or produce, and not being overcharged on purchases.

In July, 1918, a band of war recruits from the Gilbert Islands landed in Sydney, en route for France, to supplement the British forces there. Some people question the wisdom of sending Pacific islanders to the cold climate of France. A couple of years ago, one hundred and fifty natives from the island of Nuie, near the equator, volunteered for service in the British Army, but they have since been returned, as the climate was found to be too severe, and they spent much of their time in hospital. The Rev. W. C. Willoughby, of the London Missionary Society, describes the wonderful extent to which many natives have been trained in matters of first aid, application of simple remedies, rough ideas of surgery, proper methods of dressings, setting of bones, and even administering chloroform. There is a scarcity of qualified medical men, but it is greatly to the credit of the latter that a number of small hospitals have been established in the different islands and the natives trained to give aid in the above directions. The Gilbertese natives possess only a very limited degree of education, but under training show a remarkable aptitude for their work in the above direction due to their hospital training. The Fijians and Tongans are, however, most remarkable for their work in the above direction, due to their excellent educational systems.

Mr. Willoughby urges that the Gilbert Islands administration should provide the children with some form of elementary education or technical training. The chief instruction given them now is by the London Missionary Society and Roman Catholic Missions, whose systems give great emphasis to the ethical and religious side.

Mr. Willoughby describes his visit among the Catholic missionaries as being most pleasant. He took particular interest in their schools and was shown some" very creditable specimens of printing produced by natives in the English and Gilbertese language. The efforts of the nuns, who taught the children, were hampered by want of school equipment. Some charitably disposed person can perform worthy acts by sending some maps, desks, illustrated works, etc.

Among the missionary societies in the Western Pacific there are in New Guinea two missionary societies, which are Limited Companies with a London register—the Paupauan Industries, Limited (capital $150,000 or $200,000), and the Kwato Association (capital $75,000). A dividend up to five per cent is permitted; any excess profits being devoted to educational and material advancement of the natives. The company will advance money to a native to buy or build a boat, taking payment as he. can afford it, or if he is desirous of planting a grove of cocoanuts, will advance him money on his labors till he harvests a crop, which is not for five to seven years after planting.

The London Missionary Society, which embraces all conservative Protestant denominations outside the Baptists, are now practically Congregationalists, all other British Protestant denominations having in later years established societies of their own.

Mormon Missionaries
The Mormons have displayed great energy in the Pacific in recent years. The result of their efforts is very marked in New Zealand, the Tongan, Samoan, Tahitian, and Hawaiian islands. To New Zealand they have sent five hundred missionaries in the past sixteen years, who secured nine thousand converts, of whom four thousand were Maoris (aboriginals).

At Hastings, in the North Islands of New Zealand, they have purchased three hundred acres of land and erected.a college which cost, including land, $125,000, this college having an attendance of eighty students.

They have secured nine thousand converts in the Hawaiian Islands, four thousand in Samoan Islands, and fifteen thousand in the Tahitian group. They labor quietly and identify themselves with the domestic life of the natives, teaching them handicraft, agriculture, etc.

During the past fifteen years, I have encountered Mormon missionaries on all the ships traveling on the Pacific. I once asked a Mormon elder, Mr. Gardiner, from what sect he found it most difficult to secure converts, and he replied: "The Roman Catholics."'

A band of young Mormon missionaries outward bound for the South Sea Islands, in 1917, were turned back at Honolulu, owing to United States laws against the departure of men of military age.