PACIFIC ISLAND MISSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2378, 6 February 1915, Page 4

PACIFIC ISLAND MISSIONS.

Au interesting little booklet which has just made its appearance describes the mission fields of the Methodist Church of Australia and New Zealand, being a record of the good work done in tUe past and being done at present hi the islands of the Pacific. The booklet bears the rather apt title "Brown faces," and is "a missionary book for Methodist boys and girls." Apart from opening the eyes of its readers as to the Methodist mission work among the "brown faces," the publication is of educational value, both from historical and geographical points of view, and is Written in a style that immediately appeals to children. The object of the publication, according to the author (Rev. J. W. Burton), is "to create intelligent and definite i interest on the part of the children in' the foreign missionary work of our own society" (the Methodist Missionary Society of Australia). The opening chapter relates of the islands of the Pacific and their savage inhabitants, a hundred years ago, when "their country . was beautiful, their sky was blue, and the sea full of charm; but their hearts ful' of cruelty, hate, aiid'fear." Thon tho book goes on to tell of the coming of the missionaries, first dealing with Maoriland, then Tonga, and in ' turn relating about Samoa, Fiji, New Britain, Papua, and tho Solomon Islands. The concluding chapter shows how the child readers of little history may help in the conversion to Christianity of the pagan denizens of these islands of the Pacific, The booklet is copiously illustrated with photos descriptive of the islands and its inhabitants. The book is published by the Methodist Missionary. Society of Australia, and a copy has been forwarded by tho New Zealand Bible, Tract and Book Society.