Book contents
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- LIST OF ENGRAVINGS
- FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII
- CHAPTER XIX
- CHAPTER XX
- CHAPTER XXI
- CHAPTER XXII
- CHAPTER XXIII
- CHAPTER XXIV
- CHAPTER XXV
- CHAPTER XXVI
- CHAPTER XXVII
- CHAPTER XXVIII
- CHAPTER XXIX
- CHAPTER XXX
- CHAPTER XXXI
- CHAPTER XXXII
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- LIST OF ENGRAVINGS
- FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII
- CHAPTER XIX
- CHAPTER XX
- CHAPTER XXI
- CHAPTER XXII
- CHAPTER XXIII
- CHAPTER XXIV
- CHAPTER XXV
- CHAPTER XXVI
- CHAPTER XXVII
- CHAPTER XXVIII
- CHAPTER XXIX
- CHAPTER XXX
- CHAPTER XXXI
- CHAPTER XXXII
Summary
Before bringing my Narrative to a conclusion, I cannot forbear offering a few observations upon the occurrences I have narrated. And in the first place, I would refer to the gracious interpositions of Divine Providence, which so remarkably prepared, and prospered our way at the Navigators Islands. Is it possible to reflect upon the manner in which Mrs. Williams gave her consent to the enterprise— to our meeting with the chief at Tongatabu—to the death of Tamafainga—and to other striking particulars already narrated, without exclaiming, “Here is evidence of something more than accident; this is the finger of God!” When a Missionary is called to select a suitable place at which to commence his work of mercy, it is essential that he should possess correct and extensive information upon a variety of topics: such as, the character and habits of the people; the influence of the chiefs; the feelings of different parties; the relative importance of places, &c. Upon all these, in reference to the Navigators Islands, we were totally ignorant, until we met with Fauea at Tongatabu; who gave us correct and ample information upon every point. In addition to this, he conducted us to his relative, Malietoa, whom otherwise we should not have known; and with the knowledge I have subsequently obtained, his station appears to me to have been the best adapted in the whole group for the commencement of our labours. The rapidity of the work is another circumstance of too great importance to be overlooked.
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- A Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea IslandsWith Remarks Upon the Natural History of the Islands, Origin, Languages, Traditions, and Usages of the Inhabitants, pp. 568 - 589Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010First published in: 1837