150Th Anniversary

LMS Celebrates Landing of Pioneer Missionaries in French Oceania

ON March 5, 1947, a festival of solemn remembrance and of joyous thanks giving was held at Mahina on Tahiti, to commemorate the landing at that place, of the first missionaries of the London Missionary Society, one hundred and fifty years ago.

A very large assemblage of people from the several districts of Tahiti and Mo’orea had gathered to take part in the ceremonies. The spacious church at Mahina was not large enough to accom modate the whole company. But as the day was fair and warm, those who sat on the lawn about the church were able to hear through the open doors and win dows. xne principal speakers were Monsieur Preiss, the presiding pcwwux oi uie French Protestant Mission at Tahiti, who spoke in the Tahitian language; Pastor Charpier, who spoke in French; Pastor Tapao Tane, who spoke for the people of Mo orea; and Pastor Bremond, of the Mahina Churcn.

Pastor Preiss recalled that the Tahiti Mission was the first-born offspring of the London Missionary Society; for the little company who landed from the ship “Duff”, March 5, 1797, were the first sent out by the Society after its institution the year before.

He spoke eloquently of the service of Jefferson, whose grave is near the Mahina Church, and whose untimely death de prived the Duff Mission of one of its most able members.

The chief tribute, however, was paid to the greatest of all—the Rev. Henry Nott, who as Pastor Preiss said, “laid the firm and enduring foundation on which the superstructure of the Protes tant Church in x oiynesia has been erected.”

The choirs of Papeete, Pirae, Arue, Vaiari and Mahina were there to sing the stately music of the Himene.

Within the church was displayed a re production of the flag the Duff mission aries brought ashore: The device, three white doves bearing twigs of olive on a crimson field.

At the conclusion of the services at the church, this flag was carried, on its staff, to the grave of Jefferson where, after a service of remembrance it was left.

Many distinguished residents of the Colony were present, including Madame Haumant and Monsieur le Procureur officially representing His Excellency, M.

Haumant, the Governor.

A.C.R.