Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-03-01

To the Editor:
Thinking few OF our experiences oil
the last three months would be OF in
terest to some of the many readers OF
your valuable paper, we pen you
sketch OF trip we made to few oil the
South Sea islands which none OF our
Elders had before visited. We boarded
the schooner Fleetwing October 18th,
1896. and bel gan TO sail from Nukualoia
to Vavau. a distance OF us miles north
After sailing two days and nights over
rough sea, we arrived at Neialu, Vavai
where we met Elders Alfred A. Koioed
and Amos A. Atkinson, who had just
arrived from Haapai the day before, and
also Elders Charles L. Jensen and
Albert S. Jones, who were laboring on
the Vavau group. We stopped there
four days and hall with the brethren,
holding two meetings in the Tongan
language with very fair hearing OF
Tongans, and one counsel meeting. We
had very pleasant time together, and
a good portion OF the spirit OF the Lord,
which had tendency to strengthen and
buoy us up in our labors, and fill our
hearts with thanksgivings to the Lord
Wednesday, October 2rst, the brethren
took Elder Smith and TO little village,
Tuunuku, five miles from Neiafu, where
the schooner was anchored. We there
took leave OF them, and again boarded
ha ph,t, ,.htrh h.U1u In GAIL early The
next morning for Nuatobutabu. The
weather was good, and the wind lair,
therefore everything went along very
smoothly. Friday the 25rd, at 10 a. M,
we had sailed 40 miles northward FROM
Vavau, and We could then see Niuaio-
butabu, a beautiful little island that
appeared in the distance to be a tiny
green mound in the mighty deep AT
p M, the captain cast anchor IN
narrow passage leading into the harbor,
darkness preventing him from taking
the ship in until the next morning.
Saturday the 2ath, Brother K. "A.
Smith and went ashore and called on
the governor. George Finau, and made
known to him the object OF our visit.
He received us very kindly, and listened
to what we had TO say. and also asked
some questions about the Gospel. We
hs d very pleasant conversation on the
Gospel for about one hour and half
He said for us to go ahead and preach
the Gospel to the people as we believed
il. as they were free 10 join any church
that they may desire. We then called
on Mr.. Robinson and Mr.. Kiesewette,
European traders, who were very hos
pitable, the latter telling us his house
was open Tor us as long as the schooner
stayed there. We were very grateful to
our heavenly Father Tor raising up such
kind friend to provide for Our wants
in that strange land. We then took our
grips and started out among the people
to try and disseminate some OF the seeds
of truth among them, but were privileg-
ed TO meet very few that day, as the
most OF them were out in the bush at
work; but, however, we we're successful
in getting few Gospel conversations
with the people, and also in making
arrangements for holding meeting Sun
day at IA o'clock. We then returned to
Mr.. Kiesewettie's place, and partook OF
his kind hospitality.
Sunday the 25th, at $ a. M, we went
to the Free church meeting, after
which we gave out notice that we would
hold forth at noon, and would like to
have all come that wished to hear the
Gospel OF Christ as 1t was taught in the
days OF the Savior and His apostles
AT the appointed time we went TO the
place Of our native friend who had
profiered the use OF his house tor meet
ing, and found the house full oil people.
| would Judge hundred or upwards
were present. The spirit of God was
poured out upon the congregation in
great abundance, thereby enabling us
to explain the FIRST principles OF the Cos
pei in plainness and simplicity. At the
close OF our meeting we were asked to
hold another meeting in the evening at
7 O'Clock which we gladly consented to
do.
We gave out number of tracts to
those who wished them, and made some
explanations 10 questions that they ask
ed. We met according TO appointment
in the evening with another large crowd
that paid good attention 10 what we had
to say. At the close OF the meeting we
told the people we would be pleased to
answer any questions they might desire
10 ask regarding the Gospel. There
were a number OF inquiries respecting
baptism, which we answered satisiac.
torily seemingly, to those who asked
them.
we dppJiit-I iuOtHtI meeting 10 be
held Tuesday light in the same place.
Monday and Tuesday, 18th and 27th, we
went out canvassing among the people,
giving out tracts and talking with the
people wherever an opportunity afforded
ITSELF There being only four villages on
the island, we visited them ALL holding
one meeting and several Gospel con.
versations. But we met with great
deal OF opposition, as the evil one be.
gan to see that his craft was in danger:
therefore he did all in his power TO
embitter the minds OF the people against
us and the message he bore. Again we
went to hold meeting as appointed, but
on arriving at the house, 10 our surprise
we found the doors closed and 40 one
around. 1t was some time before we
could find the owner OF the house to
learn its meaning. However, we
succeeded in finding him and learned
that the governor had told MIN it was
contrary to law to let us hold meetings
in a private dwelling house; and he also
told the people to let us hold no more
meetings. The man who had let us
have the use OF his house said he would
like to have us hold another meeti i,
we could get permission OF the COVER
nor. We told him we would see the
governor on the following day.
Wednesday the IS b, we called on the
governor and asked him why he hau
stopped us from no ding meetings. He
began tu try 10 justify himself by read
ink a few points OF law from the Iavy