A Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands
A Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands
£46.00
GBPBased on John Williams' meticulous documentation of his travels, this 1837 volume offers an insight into the perilous life of a missionary in the early nineteenth century. The author, an ironmonger by trade, set sail for the South Sea Islands in 1817 with the intention of spreading the gospel and introducing modern technology to the region. As well as recounting the frequent threats to his safety from angry natives, war, natural disaster and disease, Williams provides detailed surveys of the peoples, languages and natural environment he encountered and describes with great exuberance and humour 'the impression made upon barbarous people by their first intercourse with civilised man'. Made more poignant by the author's death at the hands of cannibals just two years after the book's publication, this is an extraordinary account of the perseverance and ingenuity of a man who became a hero and martyr for the Protestant missionary movement.
Product details
February 2010Paperback
9781108008327
632 pages
215 × 139 × 138 mm
0.68kg
1 colour illus. 1 map
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. A mission to the isles of the Pacific resolved upon
- 2. Geographical description of the Hervey Island
- 3. Voyage to New South Wales
- 4. Mission to Aitutaki
- 5. Papeiha's narrative continued
- 6. Voyage to Atiu
- 7. Rorotonga discovered
- 8. Mr Bourne's voyage
- 9. The adoption of a code of laws
- 10. Mrs Williams's illness
- 11. Mr Buzacott's arrival
- 12. Papeiha's narrative
- 13. Tradition
- 14. Mr Platt's voyage
- 15. Sail for the Navigators Islands
- 16. Atiu
- 17. Leave Aitutaki
- 18. Hapai Islands
- 19. Sail for the Navigators
- 20. An interesting meeting
- 21. Compelled by a contrary wind to leave Savage Island
- 22. Distresses at Raiatea
- 23. The Messenger of Peace driven on shore
- 24. Second visit to the Navigators
- 25. Arrival at Manono
- 26. Visit to Amos
- 27. Runaway convicts, etc.
- 28. Discovery of the Samoa Group
- 29. Distinct races of Polynesians
- 30. The two languages of the South Sea Islanders
- 31. Religion of the Polynesians
- 32. Providential interposition of the Samoans.
