Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26
Christian Endeavor Hour


we have let some non-conductor coma
between US.
Applied Truth.
There is a story of a heather woman
who went to a missionary in India at
the time of the childrens anniversary
in the mission, and said: why cid you
not come sooner. that my little boy might
have been here?" When she was ques-
toned she told how she had taken her
little boy out into the jungle and killed
him before the missionaries came. There
are SO many. many of the heather in all
lands constantly asking that question OF
the missionaries. why did you not come
sooner?" 1t behooves US TO hasten with
the glad tidings
At Taiatea, one of the Society Islands
GOO children were assembled at feast
1t is said that they marched through
the settlement In a procession dressed
In European costume, the hats and gar
ments made by the parents who would
have destroyed them according to custom
If it had not been for the gospel
The parents were in the chapel their
faces full of delight over the sight OF
their children. One father said to the
mother: What mercy il Is that we
spared our dear girl" Tears were roll
ing down the faces of those who were
there watching. but had no children en-
joying the festival. At last an old
chief with gray hair could stand il no
deep emotion: Il must speak. Let me
speak. Oh that I had known that the
gospel was coming, My children would
nave been among this happy group. but.
alas, l destroyed them all. / have not
one left. And sitting down, he wept
bitterly.
God grant that you and I shall never
meet and talk with any one over on the
other side who shall reproach us for
not having sent the gospel sooner
A missionary once overheard some con-
verted Polynesian chiefs talking together
But for our teachers our grass on the
hill. our fences and houses. would have
been ashes long ago. said one. But
for the gospel we should now have been
on the mountains, squeezing moss for
drop of water. and smothering the cries
of our children by filing their mouths
with grass. dirt or CLOTH" said another
And then third took up the tale: "Un-
der the reign OF Messiah we stretch our
feet at ease. eat our food. keep our pig
by the house. We did not know more
than our ancestors. our kings and our
parents, and were all blind, till the birds
flew across the great expanse with good
seeds I'm their mouths and planted them
among us. We now gather fruit and
have continual harvests. 1t was God who
put 1t into the hearts Of these strangers
to come to us. We have nothing to give
them They are a people who seek
our good. but we are people of thorny
hands, of pointed tongues, and we have
no thoughts" And still another spoke:
IF God were to take our teachers from
us. we should soon be savages again. Our
hearts delight in war, but our teachers
love peace. and we now have peace"
When Joseph Neesima heard that Mr.
Hardy would befriend him and educate
him he wrote this letter: II am very
thankful to you. You relief me- but L
can't show to you my thankfulness with
my words. But at all times bless to
God for you with this prayer: o God, if
Thou hast eyes. look upon me. o Ssoo.
IL Thou hast ears. hear my prayer. Let
me be civilized with Bible. o Lord! Thou
send Thy Spirit upon my Hardy, and let
him relief me from sad condition O
Lordi pleased set Thy eyes upon my Har-;
az. and keep him out from illness tempta-
lion. Your obedient servant, Joseph Nee
sima." 80