The Early Days of the Melanesian Mission.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 5, 1 November 1914, Page 54

The Early Days of the Melanesian Mission.

It is proposed to give the natives an account of* the founding of the Church m Melanesia. The first of the series of papers has just been printed at Norfolk Island. It was written some years ago by the Rev. George Sarawia, the first Melanesian priest. He was the constant companion of Bishop Patteson m the early days of the Mission, and until his death m 1961 he was a faithful steward of the mysteries of God. He opens his story by telling how the white man first landed at Vanualava, m his huge canoe that moved so squickly without paddles ; surely, he thought, it is animated by some spirit, and the sailors with oilskin legs filled poor George with alarm. He was persuaded to go on board ship, and sat with bones " shaking like , a,n earthquake," while the Bishop read prayers with the sailors. ; He thought they were planning to kill him, and when they replied "Amen," flesh and blood could stand it no longer, and George fled out of the saloon. Eight months later the ship came backj arid George was taken to school at Lifu. At Lifu he quite failed to be ; moved by what he heard. "His heart was dark, and his eyes were closed, and he himself asleep . ' ' But he learnt something of the great heart of Bishop Patteson. One day he asked him, " Who made the sun and the moon and the stars ? (&t ?. " he said. " Not Qat, : but

God," replied the Bishop. Theti he thought that Qat is called God by the whites. Aftef three monthfe he returned to his bid life and took patt m. a village fight, but he told his people that the Bishop was gentle 'and kind, arid loved the natives. Later he went to New Zealand for a short stay, and began to attend school regularly. But he was halfhearted, and could not understand what it all meant. He went a second time, and on the way he saw how brave the Bishop was when m danger, and that many schools were springing up m the New Hebrides. He began to realise that the Bishop was not only his teacher, but had a message for all the natives of Melanesia. Now he began to understand. The Book spoke to him as a friend. The words of his teachers became full of meaning. He gave himself " hot - hearted " to learning, and applying what he learnt. At last he was prepared for Holy Baptism, and with five others was baptised. " The first fruits of Melanesia," he says. New light broke m upon him. "I thank my Father m Heaven, for He has had mercy upon me, and has brought me out of darkness into light." He found real joy m worship and prayer, especially when he realised he could intercede for the heathen m the Islands. „ On his return he had a new message for his people, " the goodnees of God," rather than the kindness of the Bishop. He was ordained deacon at Norfolk Island, and priested at Auckland m 1873, on S. Barnabas Day. He worked on Mota, but all the school people of. the Banks Islands knew him and loved him. He has probably exerted greater influence than any native m Melanesia. His last words are still remembered, " All is finished, I start out on a journey and the wind is fair. There is no return for me. But righteousness and peace will still remain — follow after them." H.N.D.