THE WESLEYANS IN THE PACIFIC

Globe, Volume III, Issue 205, 4 February 1875, Page 3

THE WESLEYANS IN THE PACIFIC

The progress of Wesleyan Missions in the Pacific was the subject of an interesting lecture, delivered in Auckland a short time ago, by the Rev Mr Brown. He commenced by giving some accounts of the state of the mission in the Fijian, Samoan, and Tongan groups ; which were stated to be now in a oivilized state, and the great proportion of the population professing Christianity. The Auckland correspondent of the Daily Times gives the following outline of proposed future operations : " It is now proposed to extend the missionary work to other groups. The Wesleyans are happily situated. In Tonga and Samoa they have the straight-haired Malayan Polynesians : in Fiji they have the curly-haired Papuans. From the large number of educated, religious, and intelligent men of both races thus placed at their disposal, they propose to select the best and to set them at missionary work in the islands yet untouched. The idea is a noble and a practical one. Such missionaries can operate in islands where they may make themselves at once understood. The climate has for them no terrors, and they carry in their hands full and faithful translations of the Bible. Only those who have lived in these islands can appreciate the greed with which the Bible is read among these natives. To them it is history, story, poetry, morality, and religion—a veritable library in itself, where other books are unknowD. Hitherto the John Wesley, the Wesleyan Missionary barque, has confined her voyages from Sydney to Fiji, Samoa, Rotumah, and Tonga. It is now proposed to leave Sydney in March next with a deputation of white Missionaries, and with a good supply of mission stores and food. She will go first to Fiji, and there take in ten Native volunteer missionary teachers, well educated at the Missionary Station, and of high character and proved devolion to their work. These >will operate among such islands as they may find in the course of their voyage where the Papuan race predominate. Proceeding to Samoa and Tonga, she will take a similar number, or more, of the trained teachers of the Malayan race, who will be left to carry on the work among the Malayans of the islands they may visit, and reopen the mission at Wallis Island. At Rotumah she will take more teachers of the same race, and finally will proceed to the Duke of York Island in the Jchannel between the large islands of New Britain and New Ireland, visiting thence, and leaving suitable native teachers where practicable, all the north coast of New Guinea. The south coast of that great island is to be occupied by the Missionaries whom the London Missionary Society have determined to send out at an early date, and the whole island will thus be gradually brought under Christian influence and civilisation. I need not add a single word to point out the grandeur of the results that may be expected to flow from it. It is estimated that to make success more sure £1270 is required for a steam launch and for .other necessary expenses. One gentleman in Sydney has given * cheque Jor £470 towards it, and the remiimng £BOO vjl]

be raised by subscription in Sydney and in New Zealand. The heartiest good wishes will attend its promoters, and all who understand aud appreciate the character of the work proposed, the devotion of those engaged in it, and the grand results to civilisation and to commerce sure ultimately to spring from it, will gladly give their cordial sympathy and support. The Wesleyans may justly boast that it is owing to their exertions the British flag flies to-day over a Christian colony in Fiji. May the same happy results attend their new efforts in the thousand islands and on the great New Guinea, to which they are now directing 1 their attention with an energy, disinterestedness, forethought, and experience that ought to command the success they bo well deserve.