JUBILEE DAY AT TONGA.

Waka Maori, Volume 12, Issue 21, 17 October 1876, Page 264

JUBILEE DAY AT TONGA.

The 28th day of June, 1876, was, according to Proclamation of the King, published in the Government Gazette, observed as a public holiday, the occasion being the 50th anniversary of the arrival in the Friendly Islands of the Eev. John Thomas, the first Wesleyan Missionary. The Proclamation, dated June 24, read as follows: —"In consequence of Wednesday, the 28th instant, being the anniversary of the arrival, 50 years ago, of the Eev. John Thomas, the founder of the "Wesleyan Mission in the Friendly Islands, and in consideration of the many advantages derived from the establishment of that mission, and the progress which has been made, His Majesty has been pleased to proclaim Wednesday, June 28th, as a public holiday. All the G-overnment offices will therefore be closed; and His Majesty requests that all foreign residents trading here and employing Tongan labour will observe the holiday as far as practicable. A gun will be fired at sunrise, and one at sunset, also a royal salute of 21 guns at noon.— By His Majesty's command.—J. P. Millek, Secretary to the Privy Council." The great Jubilee was held on the Mission Square, Nukualofa, on which the Industrial School boys had erected tents and platforms, some being covered with canvas and the minor ones with cocoanut leaves. In front of the principal platform, containing the King and high chiefs, the Eev. S. W. Baker, Mrs. Baker and family, were inscribed the words, " Jiubeli Toga, 18760n another tent was the King's motto, " God and Tongaand on another, " The Bible for Tonga." Finer weather it would have been impossible to have had, and the whole day's proceedings were creditable alike to the mission and the spectators. There were present about 3,000 persons, many of whom had tramped from 18 to 20 miles on the day previous to be present at what was undoubtedly tbe largest Tonga gathering that was ever held; and we are given to understand that it will be many years, if ever in our time, that such another gathering will be witnessed. For several days previous to the 28th of June, numbers of men were employed, some in making huge Native ovens wherein to cook pigs and yams, whilst others were hard at work bringing in firewood by land and by water. Every Native seemed to have a personal interest in the great day, and had some share of the work attached to the successful carrying out of such an undertaking. On the arrival of the King, the master of ceremonies announced His Majesty's presence by calling, "Kuo haale mai ae Kigi," whereupon every one rose until the King was seated. The Eev. S, W. Baker then gave out the hymn, " Blow ye the trumpet, blow," and after he had engaged in prayer, the King addressed the meeting. The following translation of the King's speech has been kindly supplied to us (Tongan paper) by Mr. C. H. Eawson, the Tonga G-overnment Printer. After commencing, " Friends, my love to you," he said:— "It becomes us to-day to give thanks to G-od for permitting us to meet together on the present occasion. We are met to commemorate the commencement of the Gospel in Tonga. We are not here to-day to speak of things which are not accomplished, or of things which we intend to do, so much as to rejoice over what has been done and what has been accomplished during the past fifty years, for to-day is the fiftieth year of the lotu in Tonga—to-daj is the Jubilee of Tonga. lam thankful that the Gospel was ever brought to Tonga, and for whac it has accomplished. I need not explain to you, foy

you all know it—we all know—how sunk in slavery Tonga was ; but to-day we are free. And to what do we owe it but to the Gospel? know how Tonga was covered over with heathen temples, and what has destroyed them but the Gospel? In their place to-day we see Tonga covered with churches in which are dispensed the bread of life ; and not only so, but to-day we see a band of native ministers, the fruits of the success of the Gospel in Tonga. Time will not permit me to refer to the various institutions which have been established—to the circuit institutions, to the industrial school, to the college. We have simply to acknowledge to-day that we owe all these to the Gospel. There are many things which ought to cause rejoicing to-day. A heathen nation has become Christian, barbarous men semi-civilized, churches and schools in all the islands, a people set free, laws established, Courts of justice in operation, various offices of Government built, and roads all through the land ; stores springing up in every place, and all the adjuncts of a civilized country. I hardly feel able to express my feelings to-day. I feel my heart burning in me with joy when "i think what Tonga has accomplished since Mr. Thomas came; and also because the Lord has permitted me to see this the first jubilee of I shall certainly not see the next; but, I think, if the leaves of the trees of Tonga and the soil of Tonga had mouths, they would shout forth their thanks to God for what He has done for Tonga." The assemblage was then addressed by the Rev. S. "W. Baker, William Tugi, Tevita Akata, Tevita Ahome, Hone Hafu, Kaliobase Malubo, and Prince Tevita TJga, all chiefs of high standing. The various choirs sang native chants composed for the occasion, in a very efficient manner. At the conclusion of this part of the day's programme the same 3,000 persons sat down to their meal; and after the immense stock of provisions had been doled out, in the shape of tremendous huncks of pork, yams, and bread, the happy natives distributed themselves into parties, and within a radius of a mile of the Mission Square the ground was covered with groups at their meals, giving to a stranger the idea of several hundred picnic parties. In the evening a great open air bolotu (prayer-meetiug) was held, when the place was lighted up by Chinese lanterns and native oil lamps. The effect was most picturesque, and the evening being calm, there was no difficulty in keeping these primitive candles alight. The service consisted of native songs and addresses, and was concluded at about 10 o'clock, winding up a happy and notable day in the calendar of Tongan events. On the following morning, at 10 o'clock, over 800 native ministers and class leaders sat down to breakfast on the Mission Square, at the invitation of the head of the mission, the Rev. S. W. Baker. The meal being an ample and substantial one, the natives, after grace had been asked, did ample justice to it. Mrs. Baker and family, and several white residents, were present on the occasion ; and the interesting and picturesque scene, was capitally photographed by Mr. J. Davis, of Sydney. This brought the proceedings of the jubilee to a very happy issue, the remembrance of which will long remain green in the memories of those who were present.