Journal of Residence in the New Hebrides, S.W. Pacific OceanBice, C. (Charles)
History
Journal of Residence in the New Hebrides, S.W. Pacific Ocean
Bice, C. (Charles)
Missions -- Vanuatu
_Saturday, October 2nd._--Dull threatening morning and squally. Mr.
Brittain and party decided to go although we tried to detain them. The
day, however, cleared, and as they did not return we concluded that they
had stood across for Maewo. I was feeling weak and miserable when the
kind little Frenchman, M. Moussu, appeared to take me away to have lunch
with him. I had agreed to partake of his hospitality on this day, but
had quite forgotten all about it. However, my seediness was excuse
enough for my forgetfulness, and here he was with his boat to take me
off. He is a first rate cook, and treated me to such a display of
luxuries as I have never before seen in these parts. The choicest soup,
&c., &c., and later on in the feast a most excellent dish of beche de
mer. This I liked very much, and should fancy it was very nourishing. He
complained of my want of appetite, and J. was sorry I had not more when
so many good things were there to be eaten. He brought me back again in
his boat, and I felt pretty well all the evening. We had Prayers, and
singing practice afterwards, preparatory to Sunday. The evening was
fine, and I trust Mr. Brittain and party are well on their homeward way.
I wished him to stay till Monday, but he was anxious to get back for
Sunday.
_Sunday, October 3rd._--Last night I fancied A. P. Huqe was at the point
of death. To-day I felt very ill myself, and have been fit for very
little all day. I managed to get through my Sunday duties here, however,
and Charles, Mera, and some others went to Tahimamavi, where they had
the usual school. I feel very comforted at the earnest manner with which
these good people are stretching out their hands at last unto God. I
pray that His Spirit may descend upon them in ample measure, that they
may continue as earnest to the end as they have now begun to be. I
trust, too, the zeal and perseverance of the boys may keep up, so that
the teaching may be regularly carried on, and the Word of God become a
savour of life unto life.
At present they are very earnest and even indefatigable, but I am
somewhat afraid lest white supervision may have something to do with
this, and when I am away the present enthusiasm may die down, and things
be allowed to go on as they were before.
Would to God I had a few more teachers like Charles Tariqatu, a man in
whom truly the Spirit of God is, the most earnest, humble, patient,
God-fearing, Gospel-loving youth Opa has ever known. I can only commit
the matter to God, and He will provide as seemeth Him best.
In the evening I was very sick and could eat no dinner, and went to bed
with ague. Could not go to Church, and Charles took the service and
preached.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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