Rev. Michelsen

Retires 54 Years in New Hebrides

AFTER 54 years as a missionary among the natives of the New Hebrides, Rev. O. Michelsen, who was attached to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, has retired. During this long period in the Group, he ac

complished much valuable work and he has to his credit a splendid record of achievement.

Mr. Michelsen is a native of Nor way. He went as a young man to New Zealand, and for some time he was attached to the Bible Society there.

He offered as a missionary for China, but something came in the way and he went to the New Hebrides instead.

About 1877, he began work on the Is land of Tongoa, among natives who were entirely heathen. At the end of 12 years, they had been Christianised.

Then, Mr. Michelsen and his wife went on furlough to Australia and Eng land. While in London, Mr. Michelsen had a book published by Messrs. Mor gan and Scott, entitled “Cannibals Won for Christ.” This was about the year 1885.

He returned to the New Hebrides, after the death of his wife, and con tinued his work on Tongoa and the ad jacent islands, obtaining teachers, some of whom were sent to other islands to assist the missionaries there. He trans lated large portions of the New Testa ment and portion of the Old Testa ment into the native language.

When on furlough in New Zealand, he spoke in many places about his work in the group. He has the manuscript waiting for publication on his life and work up to three years ago. Mr. Mic helsen is a fine linguist.

Rev. O. Michelsen,

From an early photograph.