Melanesian Mission.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume III, Issue 4, 1 October 1912, Page 47

Melanes ian Mission.

The Bishop's Arrival m Norfolk Island— From Two Points of View. One of the Missionaries writes on Aug. 9, 1912 :— We were all ready. The weather was very showery for the vious week, and the final touches were done m the rain. , The island looks beautiful, so green and fresh, and the mission land especially so. We had arches of greenery on either side of the road, surmounted by " Greeting to our father !" on the one side, and " Nalolomaru suriko !" (i.e., "our hearts are to thee ") on the other side, and two rows of flags stretched across the road from the pine trees. The Archdeacon and two of the clergy went out to the steamer and brought the Bishop ashore, where he was met by the Vestry of the Norfolker Church. They arrived up here soon after 9 o'clock. It was a beautiful morning. The boys and girls were drawn; up m a semi-circle inside the gate, and the staff and workmen just outside. As soon as the Bishop got out of the carriage three cheers were given for Bis Ivordship. While the staff and workmen and head boys were being introduced the remainder extended on either side of the pathway leading to the dining hall. The

hall had been prettily decorated with greenery. We all assembled there, and an EJnglish address was read to the Bishop. Then one of the boys read. their Mota address, which was translated to the Bishop. The Bishop thtn spoke a few words and shook hands with all the boys and girls, It was a great day, and we were thankful to have our Bi&hop with us. ,

A native boy, of about lifteen, wrote the following letter, which has been translated from Mota by Sister Kate : — To Sister Kate, my Mother, — I sit down to write a short letter to you because . I have no paper, and have torn a leaf out of a book on which to write .to you. I ask how you are. lam quite well, and so are all at Norfolk Island. There is no news here except about the Bishop, and the news is that he has arrived. . We cheered him m front of the chapel. The chief people tame first, then followed the school, and the women m the middle. He went into the dining hall, and we followed and gave him our greeting there. When that was finished we all came out. The next day we blessed him and put him into his seat iv the chapel, and the next day he held a confirmation and preached to the people. I am greatly astonished at the Bishop. He is very tall ; his face is exceedingly beautiful, and his clothes are beyond description. He is also very learned indeed, and I am astonished because m three days he already knows something of the Mota language, and I think that m this he must be more learned than Bishop Wilson. We decorated the mission, painted afresh the chapel and the house of the clock, and words waited for the Bishop on the road. The words were, " Qur hearts are with you." The Bishop visits each class m the school, and I am afraid, because we do not know anything. We do not answer him because he speaks m English only, and we are thick-heads and ■do not understand this language you call English. Good-bye, mother. This is the third letter I have written to you. Write back to me that I may know how you are. I, Johnny Selwyn Warumu, have written. . ,