Bygone Years –excerpt from John Williams Journal

Written by CW
Sunday, 24 August 2008
The following extract is lifted from the Samoan Journals of John Williams John Williams was the first missionary to arrive in Samoa bearing Christianity and was received by Malietoa Vainuupo. Williams was accompanied by Fauea a Samoan chief he picked up from Tonga. John Williams arrived in Samoa in the1830’s. Fri 23rd Early in the morning had family Prayer with our people at which the young chief Tamalelangi and his wife attended. After prayer divided the property we had brought on shore among the native teachers which consisted of axes hammers chisels hatchets cloth beads &c with a large quantity of the Society Publications. After breakfast we prepared to visit the Principal Chief Malietoa with the present we had brought for him. At the suggestion of our native teachers and Fauea, we divided the present in two adding a little more to give the most to Malietoa, he being the Principal Chief and the lesser division to Tamalelagni a younger Brother. The two Chiefs had agreed to divide the teachers among them four to reside with each chief. The large house where the dance was held the night before was the place of meeting. A great number of people were collected when we arrived but the Chief had not come. On hearing however of our arrival, he sent two of his Daughters two stout good looking women, to spread the mats to sit upon and soon after the Chief appeared bringing a present of mats and native cloth. The Chief held one end of the cloth and mats in his hands leaving the other to drag after him in the form of a train which an elderly female bore slightly off the ground. The Chief came in twice in the above mentioned manner and presented the mats and cloth to us rather in a stately and graceful manner. After the Chief was seated we began to tell him the object of our coming. That it was not to get any of his property tho we thanked him for what he had given us and the kind manner in which he had received us. That we had brought him some native teachers to reside on his Island with his permission to teach himself and his people the knowledge of the true God. That we wished him to take them under his Protection that their persons should not be injured nor their little property plundered. That he would allow them a house to worship in and as many of his people as thought proper to attend worship with them. That he would allow them to teach his people to read and write and that if he and his people listened to the native teachers it was very probable that Missionaries from England would be sent to his land to carry on more effectually what the natives might commence. That we would strongly advise him to put an end to the war with Upolu Immediately. John Wright kindly interpreted for us. The Chief answered, and said that he was exceedingly glad to see us. That he thought much more of us than of any property we could give him. That he would take care of the natives we had brought and also give them the large house in which we were assembled to worship in and allow any of his people who might wish to be taught the lotu or Praying system. That with the regard to the war, he could not do away with the present but after this fight he would endeavor to prevent a like occurrence. W requested him to use his influence to prevent the death of Teoneula [Tuinaula] the Chief of Upolu who went to Tahiti in the Snapper Cantn S. Henry to get native teachers to come to his land. Malietoa promised to save him for our sakes if it lay in his Power. An unexpected piece of respect was shown by Tamalelagni the younger chief to Malietoa the elder. After receiving his present from us he handed it over to Malietoa saying, I am it is true a great man there as well as ou but your are my eldest Brother. You take the whole of the present given to us and divide it as you think proper. Malietoa seemed much pleased with the humility handed Tamalelangni’s division back to him saying Keep what has been given to you, you are welcome to it from me. At the close of the meeting the old chief told his people what a large quantity of property had been given to him. Axes hatchets chisels knives beads & c and gun which to him was worth all the rest. The Chief took each article of importance and put it upon his head according to their custom saying Faafetai le toohi [Faafetai’I le to’i] &c thank you for the axe &c a greater mark of politeness than we had witnessed on any other heathen land except Tongataboo. The Chief commanded his people to go immediately and collect a present for us in return of pigs sinnet and vegetables which they instantly obeyed. Comments (2) Subscribe to this comment's feed Great Piece written by Joe, August 25, 2008 Thanks to whom you publish this....Can we have more of these?... faamolemole John Williams....the man written by V Patu, August 26, 2008 thanks for posting this up....wish to know more about this journal...if possible. Thanks in advance Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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