“Missi, is this a part of God’s Word, the sacred Book of Jehovah? or is it the work, the words, the book of man?”
I examined them and replied, “These are the work, the words, and the book of man, not of Jehovah.”
He questioned me again: “Missi, are you certain that it is not the Word of Jehovah?”
I replied, “It is only man’s work and man’s book.”
He continued then, “Missi, some years ago, Kaipai, a sacred Chief, and certain Tannese, went on a visit to Aneityum, and Missi Geddie gave him these books. On his return, when he showed them to the Tannese, the people were all so afraid of them, for they thought they were the sacred Books of Jehovah, that they met for consultation and agreed solemnly to bury them. Yesterday, some person in digging had disinterred them, and at once our Inland people said that our dead Chief had buried a part of Jehovah’s Word, which made Him angry, and that He had therefore caused the Chiefs death and the plague of measles, etc. Therefore they were now assembled to kill the dead Chief’s son and daughter in revenge! But, before that should be done, I persuaded them to send these books, to inquire of you if this be part of Jehovah’s Book, and if the burying of it caused all these diseases and deaths.”
I assured him that these books never caused either sickness or death to any human being; and that none of us can cause sickness or death by sorcery; that burying these Tracts did not make Jehovah angry, nor cause evil to any creature. “You yourselves know,” I said, “the very ships that brought the measles and caused the deaths; and you killed some of the young men who were landed sick with the disease.”
The Inland Chief declared, “Missi, I am quite satisfied; no person shall be put to death over these books now.”
They went off, but immediately returned, saying, “Missi, have you any books like these to show to us? And will you show us the sacred Book of Jehovah beside them?”
I showed them a Bible, and then a handful of Tracts with pictures like those they had brought; and I offered them the Bible and specimens of these Tracts, that they might show both to the people assembled. The Tracts they received, but the Bible they refused to touch. They satisfied the Inland people and prevented bloodshed; but oh, what a depth of superstition to be raised out of! and how easily life might be sacrificed at every turn!
On another occasion I had the joy of saving the lives of Sandal-wood Traders, to whom neither I nor the Mission owed anything, except for Christ’s sake. The _Blue Bell_ cast anchor in the Harbour on a beautiful morning, and the Captain and Mate immediately came on shore. They had letters for me; but, on landing, they were instantly surrounded by the Chiefs and people, who formed a ring about them on the beach and called for me to come. The two white men stood in the midst, with many weapons pointed at them, and death if they dared to move. They shouted to me,—
“This is one of the Vessels which brought the measles. You and they made the sickness, and destroyed our people. Now, if you do not leave with this vessel, we will kill you all.”
Of course, their intention was to frighten me on board just as I was, and leave my premises for plunder! I protested,—
“I will not leave you; I cannot leave you in this way; and if you murder these men or me, Jehovah will punish you. I am here for your good; and you know how kind I have been to you all, in giving you medicine, knives, axes, blankets, and clothing. You also know well that I have never done ill to one human being, but have constantly sought your good. I will not and cannot leave you thus.”