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
The five boys behaved well, Siapo being a leader in all that was good,
and made advances in Christian knowledge; but it was one of the Bishop's
principles that none of them should be baptized till he had proved
whether his faith were strong enough to resist the trial of a return to
his native home and heathen friends. The climate of New Zealand is
far too chilly for these inhabitants of tropical regions, and it was
absolutely necessary to return them to their homes during the winter
quarter from June to August. The scheme therefore was to touch at their
islands, drop them there, proceed then further on the voyage, and then,
returning the same way, resume them, if they were willing to come under
instruction for baptism and return to the college. In the lack of a
common language, Bishop Selwyn hoped to make them all learn English, and
only communicate with one another in that.
The 'Undine,' not being large enough for the purpose, was exchanged for
the 'Border Maid;' and in the course of the next three years an annual
voyage was made, and boys to the number of from twelve to fourteen
brought home. Siapo of Nengone was by far the most promising scholar. He
was a strong influence, when at home, on behalf of the Samoan teachers,
and assisted in the building of a round chapel, smoothly floored, and
plastered with coral lime. In 1852 he was baptized, together with three
of his friends, in this chapel, in his own island, by the Bishop, in the
presence of a thousand persons, and received the name of George. When
the 'Border Maid' returned, though he was convalescent from a severe
illness, he not only begged that he might come back, but that the
young girl to whom he was betrothed might be taken to New Zealand to
be trained in Christian ways. Ready consent was given, and the little
Wabisane, and her companion Wasitutru (Little Chattering Bird), were
brought on board, and arrayed in petticoats fashioned by the Bishop's
own hands, from his own counterpane, with white skirts above,
embellished with a bow of scarlet ribbon, the only piece of finery to be
found in the 'Border Maid.' The Rev. William Nihill had spent the period
of this trip at Nengone, and had become deeply interested in the people.
The island was then thought likely to become a centre whence to work
on adjacent places; but to the grief and disappointment of all, George
Siapo did not live through the summer at St. John's. He had never
recovered his illness at home, and rapidly declined; but his faith
burnt brighter as his frame became weaker, and his heart was set on the
conversion of his native country. He warmly begged Mr. Nihill to return
thither, and recommended him to the protection of his friends, and
he wished his own brother to become scholar at St. John's. His whole
demeanour was that of a devoted Christian, and when he died, in the
January of the year 1853, he might be regarded as the firstfruits of the
Melanesian Church. Since Mr. Nihill was about to return to Nengone, and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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