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
Before I left the Harbour I wrote and left with Nowar letters to be
given to the Captains of any vessels which called, for the first, and
the next, and the next, telling them of our great danger, that Mr.
Mathieson was almost without food, and that I would reward them
handsomely if they would call at the Station and remove any of us who
might be spared thence to Aneityum. Two or three vessels called, and, as
I afterwards learned, got my letters; but, while buying my stolen
property from the Natives for tobacco, powder, and balls, they took no
further notice of my appeals, and sailed past Mr. Mathieson’s straight
on to Aneityum. “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel!”
Let me now cull the leading events from my Journal, that intervened
betwixt this date and the final break-up of the Mission on Tanna—at
least for a season—though, blessed be God! I have lived to see the light
rekindled by my dear friends Mr. and Mrs. Watt, and shining more
brightly and hopefully than ever. The candle was quenched, but the
candle-stick was not removed!
On Wednesday, 22nd January, 1862, we heard that other three of Manuman’s
people had been killed and a district burned with fire. Though this poor
man was one of Nowar’s chief friends, yet I heard him say before my
flight, “When so many children are being killed, why do they not send
one for food to me and my family? They are as tender and good as the
young fowls!” A remark like this lets you see deep into the heart of a
Cannibal, and he a sort of half-converted one, if I may use such an
expression; certainly not one of the worst type by any means.
On the 23rd January, Mr. Mathieson sent for Taura, Kati, and Kapuku, his
three principal Chiefs, to induce them to promise protection till a
vessel called to take us away. They appeared friendly, and promised to
do their best. Alas! the promises of the Tannese Chiefs had too often
proved to be vain.
On Friday, 24th January, report reached our Station that Miaki and his
party, hearing that a friendly Chief had concealed two of Manuman’s
young men, compelled him to produce them and club them to death before
their eyes. Also, that they surrounded Manuman’s party on a mountain,
and hemmed them in there, dying of starvation and trying to survive on
the carcases of the dead and on bark and roots. Also, that Miaki had
united all the Chiefs, friends and foes alike, in a bond of blood, to
kill every one pertaining to the whole Mission on Tanna. Jesus rules.
[Illustration: SPRINGING FORWARD HE CAUGHT THE CLUB.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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