The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-11-06
THE LOWER CRITICISM.
How South Sea Chief Got Mixed About
Adam.

The mission to the Mooga Islands
had been assigned to the Rev. Wi1fred
Draggs, and he was taking leave
"You will find the natives Hospitality
inclined. and rather superior race. y
said the secretary, as he babe farewell
to the Rev. Wilfred Draggs "They
are intellectually acute, and capable OF
much development under the right in
fuences."
Mr.. Draggs, upon arriving in the is
lands, found that the secretary's esti-
mate. was correct. The Mooganians had
none of the subservience or puerile rev.
erence many natives feel toward the
white races. They welcomed the mis-
sionary cordially, assigned him neat
hut with a kitchen garden, and seemed
especially regardful of the comfort of
Mrs. Draggs. The young missionary
couple decided that their lot had fallen
IN pleasant places, and this impression
was strengthened as time went on
Learning the language brought closer
acquaintance with their new charges, in
creased the cord;a1ity of intercourse, and
also put into the power of Mr. Draggs
the means of their religious and moral
training.
Before actually establishing church
and holding services, the missionary felt
the need of impart;ng certain elementary
instruction, and decided that something
IN the nature of Bible class would be
a good beginning. He did not think it
prudent to break ground with the chief,
and believed the wiser course was to
plant the first rudiments of instruction
IN the chiefs family Fortunately, this
was a simple matter, since the chiefs
favorite wife and her eldest son, child
of twelve, were almost daily visitors
TO the missionaries home.
Albola, the wife, was very intelligent
woman, with keen sense of humor,
and much kindness of disposition Mrs
duslly little gossip, and the two chattei
over their sewing as freely as if of one
race and one faith.
Mr. Draggs consulted his wife. 81
have made up my mind" he said, that
we now speak the vernacular with fsuf-
hcient readiness to enter upon some
Scripture and moral instruction. |. came.
my love, to ask your advice. 1t seems
tome that I can hardly do better than
to begin my work IN this field by some
suitable elementary lessons in Biblical
knowledge I should, of course, prefer
TO secure hearing from the chief him
self; yet | fear to excite opposition or
suspicion. But his consort, Mrs Albola,
has already a certain feeling of friend
illness for us, and perhaps it would be
wise to begin with her."
Il agree with you entirely, Wiifred,"
Mrs. Draggs said. She is coming, too,
to-day, to spend the morning Perhaps
you might make beginning, and mean
while I will amuse the little boy. I can
take him out upon the veranda, and
you may make a school-room of the
sitting-room here"
The plan was carried out at once.
When Albo1a arrived and was settled
cross-1egged upon the mating, engaged
IN weaving a belt for her lord and
master, Mrs Draggs coaxed the dark
son of barbarism out upon the veranda,
and the Rev. Wilfred Draggs began his
lesson
"Albola," said he, "did you know that
we white people have good book that
tells us about the long past time when
men were first on the earth? p
His language was simple perforce, as
his Moogan vocabulary was limited.
She showed her white teeth in a
pleasant smile.
Yes said she, ''your wife has told
Some day" he went on, 'I shall
teach you all to read this good book