In the evening I was very sick and could eat no dinner, and went to bed with ague. Could not go to Church, and Charles took the service and preached.
Monday, October 4th.—Not very well. I had promised, if well enough, to go to Lobaha to-day, but I had to put off my journey. It was a fine day with a strong Trade wind blowing. In the evening A. P. Huqe was very ill, and I began to be quite alarmed about him. However, we applied hot flannels, which relieved the pain and the vomitting. When he was quieted a little, we removed him to the chief’s house, where he was quiet and comfortable. Some of the boys sat with him, but before I went to bed he was decidedly better, but painfully weak. The only thing I could give him was arrowroot and brandy, which fortunately he liked, and it did him good. I forgot my own ailments in my anxiety for him, and I went to bed aguish and shivering.
Tuesday, October 5th.—We had got through our morning duties, and I had already secured my boat’s crew, and were on the point of starting for Lobaha, when, “Sail oh!” was cried, and there was the veritable Southern Cross close at hand. It was not long before she was at anchor, and we were rowing off to her. I saw the Bishop and Mr. Palmer on board from some distance off, and when we got alongside, the first question I asked was of course about the Norfolk Island news, which was good. When I got over the side of the ship and had greeted the Bishop and all, I almost fell overboard again with astonishment, for there was Mrs. Selwyn in proporia persona, and I could hardly believe my eyes. I was, as they say, perfectly “flabergastered,” and could only shake her by the hand without saying a word, so surprised was I. Yet I was most glad to see her, and she makes quite a new light and life to our ship-board life. Having all my things in the boat, I did not go in again ashore, but the Bishop kindly rowed in to bring off my party who were going to Maewo. When I had settled down a little, and got over my surprise at seeing Mrs. Selwyn, I devoured my home letters, which were very numerous and most welcome. Thank God, all were well and prosperous at Norfolk Island.
One begins a new life now with good news, and a great slice of home on board in the beloved presence of our Bishop’s wife, and the past is forgotten in the present. When the Bishop came off, we got away under steam for Maewo. We had a quick passage over, and were at anchor about 8.30 p.m. It was a glorious evening with a nice bright moon overhead, and the Bishop and Mrs. Selwyn went for a row in the quiet of the night. In due course, we retired, but I found it very hot and stuffy after the cool night air ashore.
Wednesday, October 6th.—On board the Southern Cross. The tide did not serve till nearly noon, and then the watering began. I took no part, because I was not very well, and I had to get my things together preparatory to going ashore. In the afternoon the Bishop and Mrs. Selwyn went ashore for a scramble, and her enthusiasm when she came off was quite refreshing and most charming to see and hear. The watering, too, was finished, and I was to have gone ashore, but I stayed for another night on board, intending to start very early the next morning. However, I was not very well, and the Bishop kindly postponed the time of sailing, so that the vessel did not leave till after breakfast on
Thursday, October 7th.—Mrs. Selwyn kindly came in with the Bishop to see the last of me, and A. P. Huqe and myself sat some time after our farewells had been said, deliberating the stupendous undertaking of getting to Tanrig. We were both much refreshed by our stay on board, and quite ready for our stay on shore again. I shall certainly not want for medical comforts and dainties, or even medicines, for the Bishop was kindness itself in lading me with one good thing after another, until my paraphernalia of travel have increased to the no small consternation of my bearers. When the vessel was well away we made our start, and with the expenditure of most of our strength, and certainly of all our moisture, we got at length to the top of the first hill. Then it was all plain sailing, and we got to Ruosi, where we rested and bathed. In that refreshing water I seemed to have left all my ailments and distresses, and I was quite another being when I started again for Tanrig. Hither we arrived in due course, and Huqe, too, seemed quite like another being. It is so nice getting back here again, with the cool invigorating air and the cheery welcoming faces all so pleasant. I miss Arthur, though, very much, and now that Patrick has gone in the ship, the place is almost devoid of teachers, ourselves excepted. The first evening ashore was fine, and the moon shone out brightly as we were coming from Prayers.
Friday, October 8th.—It rained very heavily during the night, and this morning and all day it blew very hard, with heavy rain squalls at intervals. I did not go out all day, and indeed, I had enough to keep me at home. The people were away busy with their gardens, and the women at home preparing the food for the men. I had almost interminable visits from one and another, during the day, to see the pictures which I had taken of the place, and which Dr. Codrington has printed and sent down to me. They were quite charmed with them, and were much more clever in finding out faces and details, than ever I expected they would be. The day drew rapidly to a close, and the evening was fairly pleasant, but somewhat cold and damp. We had a fair attendance at evening school, and I gave them an address instead of school.
Saturday, October 9th.—A thoroughly wet and disagreeable day. The rain poured down, and the village looked as if it were going to be flooded. It kept on, too, without intermission almost the whole day, and I could not stir out of doors. However, I had plenty of occupation, and the time passed rapidly. It cleared slightly towards evening, and it was fine overhead for Evensong. Nothing seems to keep these hardy people indoors, and most of them have been paddling about all day in their taro gardens, utterly regardless of the state of the elements. In spite of all inconveniences we had quite a large evening congregation, and few seemed the worse in any way for the unpleasant day. It was a cold, raw evening, and I am not sorry that bed-time is so near.
Sunday, October 10th.—The day somewhat finer overhead, but still very squally and boisterous. As soon as I was up and dressed we had morning school, with a large and general attendance. The first two classes are supposed to say their Sunday Collect at this school, and answer questions on it. The school begins with a Hymn and Prayer, and finishes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Grace. The third class learn the Church Catechism, and the remainder of the school read from a small manual containing the first seven chapters of S. Matthew’s Gospel. The school lasts about an hour. After breakfast we had Morning Prayer, a very nice service, and I Baptized the infant son of Thomas and Lily by name and special request—Penny. A. P. Huqe, Harry, and Agnes stood sponsors. The Font was very tastefully and prettily decorated by Arthur, and the service was very solemn.
After Matins I assembled the Catechumens for instruction, and I told them that I wished everyone present fully to make up his or her mind to the dignity, the solemnity, and responsibility of what they were undertaking. They are the last unbaptized inhabitants of Tanrig, and of their own accord have pressed for Baptism. They number over twenty, and seem very much in earnest, especially the older men and women. It is most gratifying to me, and a matter for which I cannot sufficiently thank God, that just at the end of this era of my missionary life, I should see such zeal and earnestness exhibited by the people among whom I have worked so long, and apparently with so little result. I shall leave behind me here, please God, an entirely Christian village, in profession at least, and I trust in reality also. There are one or two I wanted to leave out, but they seem so anxious to be Baptized, that I leave their future with God and the blessing of His spirit, and accede to their request. We have here now, all the organizations of a Christian community, a good school, an excellent Church, and a zealous congregation. Surely one can labour on steadfast and unmoveable, seeing that one’s labour is not in vain in the Lord. At other stations also, people are crying out for Baptism, and before I leave, please God, I shall admit many into the Fold of Christ’s Flock.