Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-13
pEsERET EVENING NEWS. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1901.

and Brother Pratt, after taking the
subject into prnycrful consideration
soon became convinced that should ne
leave the island of Tubuai then ne
would be running away from duty, 80
he concluded to stay.
May Ord. As the captain was going
mack to take his ship around TO the
Mataura side OF the island, Elder Pratt
returned with him for The purpose Of
getting his luggage ready for landing
Mr.. Lincoln, fellow passenger, also
returned 20 the ship after his wife, as
the lady passengers had not yet been
on shore; but Elders Gr0uard and Rog-
ers were left at Mataura, as also DR..
Wlnslow After returning to the ship,
the lady passengers were greatly sur
prised to learn Of Elder Pratts inten-
ton to stay on Tuhuai and expressed
much regret at being deprived OF his
company. They also showed him sun
dry acts Of kindness before he finally
parted with them. the LONG voyage hay
ing endeared the passengers TO each
other.
May 4th, Elder Pratt spent the day
on board the Timoleon buslly engaged
In writing letters 90 his family and 9th
ers In America.
May 9TH (Sunday) A favorable
breeze sprang up and toward evening
the crew succeeded an getting the ship
around TO the other side Of the Island
boat came out from Matlura having
Elder Grouard on board and the two
Elders were soon IN council together
about their prospects OF separating,
the captain and most Of the passengers
landed
May 9Th, Elder Pratt packed his bag.
gage ana landed together with Elder
Grouard, who had also spent the nIght
on board. on reaching the shore they
found Elder Rogers, Or. Wuslow, Mr.
Lincoln and Wife, the captain and part
of the crew. Elder Pratt was instruct
ed to put up with the American ship
builders previously mentioned, who oc-
cupied one Of the best dwelling houses
on this island. They treated the Elders
with great Kindness from the beginning,
and their house had been the home of
all the brethren 50 far during their stay
on Tubuai.
May 7th Elder Pratt attended the
morning school al Mataura. The ma
tlyes both young and old, met at sun
rise. They opened their school by sing.
ing and prayer after which the adults
read from the Bible, followed by the
children. Before leaving America the
Elders had bought some bottles of
sweet oil in New Bedford. With one Of
these Elders Pratt, Rogers and Grouard
now retired to a secluded spot for
prayer and consultation, and then con-
secrated the oil
May Sth, Elder Pratt, who felt much
downcast at the approaching separa-
ton from his brethren, spent the day in
their company engaged in prayer and
council.
May 9th, Captain Plaskett finished
his affairs at Tubual, and ordered "all
on board" Elder Pratt took leave Of
his missionary companions, his other
fellow passengers and the captain. Soon
afterwards he saw the good Timoleon
pass out of sight, and he then realized
that he was indeed alone with untried
friends on q lonely island Of the sea.
May 10th Mrs. Bourne the native
wife Of Mr., Bourne Zone Of the Ameri.
can shipbuilders on TubuaD offered to
wash Elder Pratts clothes. which Of
fer was thankfully received
May 18th, Two native missionaries
came and moved Elder Pratt with his
effects into a house which had been
prepared as a future home for him. The
dwelling. which was near the kings
residence was fitted up in good style.
according to the place and native taste.
and was quite comfortable The king
sent Elder Pratt bedstead with high
posts TO support mosquito bars, as these
insects We're plentiful on Tubuai at that
part Of the season the natives also pre-
pared table and settee for their dis
tlnguished guest, and even provided
knife. fork and plate, though they
themselves ate with their fingers while
sitting on the ground To this dwelling
the people sent him daily allowances Of
food. which was generally well cooked
Thus provided with bodily comforts
Elder Pratt began his ministeriqI labors
among the natives Of Tubuai. The BIZ
BILE had been translated into the Tahl-
tlan language by the London Mission
airy society and circulated among the
natives, or whom many had been
taught to read. Hence the way had
been somewhat prepared for the
preaching Of the Gospel on the islands.
and in a short time Elder Pratt
thoroughly enjoyed his labors on Tu-
buai Being a kind and affectionate
man, he soon gained the hearts of the
people. and the natives began TO call
him father with much reverence. He
also became quite intimate with the
king and the chiefs Of the island who
treated him with much kindness from
the beginning,
Sunday May 18th the natives assem-
bled at sunrise for prayer. After break
fast they re-assembled for worship,
when they offered Elder Pratt the use
Of the meeting house In the afternoon,
so that he might preach 10 the Amer-
cans. He accepted their kind offer and
delivered his FIRST public discourse in
Tubuai
After this Elder Pratt put forth every
possible effort to learn the language of
the natives. For this purpose he fire.
quently visited the village school, while
his offer TO teach the people 10 read and
write English was very kindly accepted.
He also became very intimate with the
American shiphullders, some Of whom
soon began TO feel highly interested In
the pure Gospel, as he taught II. Occa-
sionally for change, he would also go
hunting In the mountains, Wild ducks
and other game being plentiful on the
island, and Elder Pratt being good
marksman with a gun.
on the 2Oth of May most Of the ma
tiyes In Mataura prepared for digging
arrOwroot for which purpose they were
going out 10 a sandy plain about four
miles from the village, where some tenn
porary shanues were erected for the
occasion Elder Pratt was Invited 20
accompany them. and in order to make
him comfortable they built llttle house
or shanty Tor his own special use. II
stood near other shantes occupied by
natives under the shade Of some tall
trees about two rods from the beach,
Elder Pratt calls il a very lovely place,
and writes that the natives treated him
with more kindness and attention than
they did their own princes. Nearly The
entire population OF Mataura moved TO
the temporary village on the gath OF
May, and the next day commenced their
work Of digging and gathering arrow
root. This grew on the sandy plain
partially covered with trees OF second
growth The root is found by the stalk,
which runs up about Is inches high. and
has broad leaves. the roots resemble
potatoes and on Tubuai they grow in
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