John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, volume 1 (of 3) : $b An autobiography edited by his brotherPaton, John Gibson
Religion
John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, volume 1 (of 3) : $b An autobiography edited by his brother
Paton, John Gibson
Missionaries -- Vanuatu -- Biography; Paton, John Gibson, 1824-1907
The prejudices and persecutions of Heathens were a sore enough trial,
but sorer and more hopeless was the wicked and contaminating influence
of, alas, my fellow-countrymen. One, for instance, a Captain Winchester,
living with a native woman at the head of the bay as a trader, a
dissipated wretch, though a well-educated man, was angry forsooth at
this state of peace! Apparently there was not the usual demand for
barter for the fowls, pigs, etc., in which he traded. He developed at
once a wonderful interest in their affairs, presented all the Chiefs
around with powder, caps, and balls, and lent among them a number of
flash-muskets. He urged them not to be afraid of war, as he would supply
any amount of ammunition. I remonstrated, but he flatly told me that
peace did not suit his purposes! Incited and encouraged thus, these poor
Heathen people were goaded into a most unjust war on neighbouring
tribes. The Trader immediately demanded a high price for the weapons he
had lent; the price of powder, caps, and balls rose exorbitantly with
every fresh demand; his yards were crowded with poultry and pigs, which
he readily disposed of to passing vessels; and he might have amassed
great sums of money but for his vile dissipations. Captain Winchester,
now glorying in the war, charged a large hog for a wine-glass full of
powder, or three or four balls, or ten gun-caps; he was boastful of his
“good luck” in getting rid of all his old muskets and filling his yards
with pigs and fowls. Such is the infernal depth, when the misery and
ruin of many are thought to be more than atoned for by the wealth and
prosperity of a few who trade in their doom!
Miaki the war Chief had a young brother, Rarip by name, about eighteen
years of age. When this war began, he came to live with me at the
Mission House. After it had raged some time, Miaki forced him to join
the fighting men; but he escaped through the bush, and returned to me,
saying,—
“Missi, I hate this fighting; it is not good to kill men; I will live
with you!”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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