Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian IslandsYonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
Religion
Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands
Yonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
Missions -- Melanesia; Patteson, John Coleridge, 1827-1871
'That beautiful image of light and darkness seems common to all nations.
The regular word used by the Nengone people, who are far more advanced
in Christian knowledge and practice, for all heathen places is "the dark
lands."
'On Sunday week, February 22, we had a deeply interesting service in the
College chapel at 7.15 P.M., just as the English world was beginning its
Sunday. Simeona and his infant boy of four weeks and three days old were
baptized. The College chapel was nicely lighted, font decorated simply.
I read the service in Nengone, having had all hands at work setting the
types and printing on Friday and Saturday. The Bishop took the part of
the service which immediately precedes the actual baptism, and baptized
them both--first the father, by the name of George Selwyn, then the
baby, by the name of John Patteson. This was the special request of the
parents, and as it is my dear Father's name, how could I object? He is,
of course, my godson, and a dear little fellow he is. At the end of my
sermon, I added a few words to "George," and besought the prayers of
the Nengone people for him and his child. We have now four regular
communicants among them--Wadrokala, Mark (Kainwhat), Carry and Sarah.
George is baptized, and baby; and Sarah's child, Lizzy, I baptized long
ago. In about two months (D. V.), we are off for a good spell of four
or five months among the islands, taking back this party, though some of
them will, by and by, rejoin us again, I hope.'
The plan of starting in April for a four or five months' cruise was
disconcerted, as regarded Bishop Selwyn, by the delay of Bishop Harper
and the Archdeacons in arriving for the intended Synod, which was thus
put off till May, too wintry a month for the Melanesians to spend in New
Zealand. After some doubt, it was decided that Mr. Patteson should make
a short voyage, for the mere purpose of returning his scholars to their
homes, come back to Auckland, and make a fresh start when the Bishop was
ready.
In prospect of the parting, Patteson writes to his beloved old governess
(March 19, 1857):--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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