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
'For myself I need only say that I find these dear people most
attractive and winning, that it is no effort to love them, that they
display all natural gifts in a remarkable way--good temper, affection,
gentleness, obedience, gratitude, &c., occasionally real self-restraint.
Dear Hirika's last words to me at San Cristoval were, "Oh, I do love you
so," and his conduct showed it. He is a bright handsome lad, clever
but inaccurate, of most sweet disposition. In matters of personal
cleanliness, healthy appearance, &c., the change in seven months
was that of a lad wholly savage becoming neat, tidy in dress, and of
gentlemanly appearance. In some ways he was my pet of the whole party,
though I have equally bright hopes of Grariri, a sturdy, honest fellow
with the best temper I almost ever found among lads of sixteen anywhere,
and Kerearua is the most painstaking fellow of the lot; and a boy whose
distinguishing features it would be hard to describe; but he may be
summed up as a very good boy, and certainly a most loveable one. Sumaro
and Kimarua older and less interesting.
'I printed short catechisms, a translation of the Lord's Prayer, Creed,
General Confession, two or three other of the Common Prayer prayers, and
one or two short missionary prayers in the dialect of both islands; but
I can only speak at all fluently the language of San Cristoval.
'Of the Nengone people I could say much more. The two young women
(married) and the two young unmarried men had been under Mr. Nihill's
instruction two or three years, baptized, and were regular communicants
while at the College. Simeona was baptized on the same day as his infant
son, after he had been with us five months. He and the other four were
confirmed at the College chapel, and he afterwards received the Holy
Communion with the rest.
'Kowine, a lad of seventeen, is not baptized, though well instructed. We
were not wholly satisfied about him. Of the knowledge of them all I can
speak with the utmost confidence. They know more a great deal than most
candidates for confirmation in a well-regulated English parish. It was
delightful to work with them. We wrote Bible history, which has reached
about fifty sheets in MS. in small handwriting, bringing the history
to the time of Joshua; very many questions and answers, and translated
ninety pages of the Prayer Book, including Services for Infant and Adult
Baptism, Catechism, Burial Service, &c.
'It is most interesting work, though not easy, and much of it will no
doubt be altered when we come to know the language thoroughly well. This
island of Nengone (called also Maro and Britannia Island) contains
about 6,500 inhabitants, of whom some profess Christianity, while the
remainder are still fighting and eating one another, though accessible
to white people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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