The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-08-12


foot has toughened the feet of these
natives. | have seen them walk easily
over coral reefs that in a few minutes
would cut the feet of the average
white man to ribbons
Ny chaplain companion and |, of
course, were interested to learn Of the
religious life Of these people. We were
pleased to discover that over one hun
bred years ago the first missionary
came to this island. He and those
who followed him did not labor in
vain. Practically the whole population
is Christian today. Their literacy is
about 95 per cent. The dominant re-
ligious influence is that Of the Meth
odist Church, which is said to in
clude about rs per cent Of the popula-
ton. Among these are the queen and
the royal family. Anyone who might
doubt the value of the missionary pro-
gram of the church has but to visit
this island to be convinced Of the great
blessings that have come to these So
called "heathen" to whom the Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ has been
preached for over a hundred years.
Last year the Methodist mission alone
gave more than $1,000 to foreign
missions" Recently the inhabitants
contributed more than $4,000 to the
Red Cross. And this in a place where
the average cash income of a man is
about 500 year!
These natives are most happy and
friondly people. On their faces | saw
no look of suspicion, fear or inferiori-
ty. Physically they impressed me as
being superior to the average white
man. Their bodies are sturdy and we'll
proportioned especially those of the
men, and they carry themselves well.
In feature and coloring they some
what resemble our North American
Indian, though they do not have the
high cheekbone. They have luxurious
growth of coal black hair which is
curly, but not kinky The most strik-
ing thing to me in their appearance
is their perfect teeth. Here, again,
the dentist, like the shoe repair man,
would be hard put to earn a living |
do not recall, among all the natives
with the exception of the aged) see
ing one mouth where teeth were de-
cayed or out of line. The eXplana-
ton of this lies, | was told, in their
food and eating habits. One of the
best things they do for their teeth
is to chew the sugar cane, which they
grow here and which is their chief
source of sweets.
The coconut is the foundation of
the physical existence of these people.
From its outer husk is made Irvine
and rope. | have seen the roof of a
native church seating nearly 1000 per-
sons, dashed together entirely with
this material with not a nail any
ic in
erous ways, including cups from which
they drink their ceremonial drink
"kaya" its Oil is used extensively in
Their cooking and to anoint their hair
and bodies; its meat, Of course, is
used for food. And what they do not
eat or use otherwise is dried into
port. The cOconut tree, its trunk and
palms is used for the construction
/ OF their native houses and other build
lngs'
| must tell you now of the most re-
markable and thrilling part Of our
experiences among these people: 1t
began when we looked up the mission
airy OF the Methodist church, who, we
discovered, had been on this field for
thlrty-tlve years. He is now siXty-five
years old but very active and most
gracious person. He is an Australian.
his brother, we learned, was famous
surgeon IN World War l. was later
premier OF Australia; was recently
kmghted by the British government,
and at present is member of the AL
lied War Council. We found him most
hospltable. Twice we had tea with him
and he was most generous in giving
to us the major part Of two mornings.
On the second morning he took us to
visit the colleges of the mission.
One was for boys and young men and
! the other for girls and young women.
Their education is carried on fully as
Tar as that of our junior high schools.
We first visited the school for the
young men, ranging IN age from ten
to eighteen. There, dressed in their
white clothes, we found them study
ing under native instructors At sig
nal from our missionary friend they
were assembled-some3 $50 of them
to sing for us. Their native choir
leader took his place before them,
spoke few words to them, pulled
out his tuning fork, got the pitch and
then with single movement of his
hand turned on those $50 voices in
chorus of song that literally amazed
me and overlooked my heart with
thanksgiving to God for His wonder
full works among men. Here was sing
ing such as | have never heard in the
States. 1t was done with the skill of
professional singers and vet had that