Page:Twenty years before the mast - Charles Erskine, 1896.djvu/93

 sent out the first mission-ship, called the Duff. She sailed from Cadwell, England, August 10, 1796, with  thirty missionaries on board, a number of whom were  accompanied by their wives. Then the first missionary flag — three doves on a purple field, bearing olive branches in their beaks — floated to the breeze from her  mizzen peak. The directors of the society received the missionaries of different denominations. Simply as Christians they sent them to the isles of the sea, putting  into their hands the Bible, with this brief and simple  charge: "Go, beloved brothers. Live agreeably to this  blessed Word, and publish the Gospel to the heathen  according to your gifts and abilities." The mission-ship was hailed a few days out by a man-of-war.

"Ship ahoy!"

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"What ship is that?"

"The Duff." "Where bound?"

"Otaheite."

"What cargo?"

"Missionaries and provisions."

Eighteen of these men were left on this island. They must have done a great work, for now they have quite a  number of churches and schoolhouses in this group,  and many of the natives can read and write.

Saturday, September 14th, arriving on their Sunday, by our reckoning, all labor was stopped, and all hands except  the first part of the starboard watch went on shore to  meeting. There were two missionaries, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pratt. The former, a very old man, preached. He