The Story of the Bounty Bible

By Myrtle L. Ward, of Pitcairn

rpo Pitcairn Island with the Bounty in J. 1790 came a copy of the Bible. Pro bably it was little thought of at the time, but ten years later it was taken from the old sea chest and eagerly read. It gave solace and courage to the only sur vivor of the fifteen strong young men who came ashore when the Bounty was run aground and burned.

Only one of those young men had died from natural causes, and that was Edward loung, who had for some months been helping Alexander Smith in his effort to educate the rising generation. They had for a textbook only the Bounty Bible with the Prayer Book in the front.

As Smith read the Bible he was led to become a Christian, Having experienced a change of heart, even his old name no longer seemed to fit. He must be a new man entirely. So he changed his name to Jchn Adams. Wholeheartedly he gave himself to training the young folk and ordering the little group according to the instructions in the Good Book, and great were the results. Early visitors, after the rediscovery of the remnants of the mutineers, tell of the model community they found on this isolated spot.

John Adams died in 1829, honoured as the patriarch of the island family. Ten years later the American whaler, Cyrus, called at the island and the Bible was given to Levi Hayden, the carpenter, as a part ing gift. After some years it passed into the care of the Connecticut Historical Society.

A few years ago, recalling that mention had been made of the Bounty Bible in a New England library, Margaret Eaton Saunders “searched in files, catalogues, attics, records and boxes” until she found the old Bible and Prayer Book. She copied the letters and notes that were in the Book, passing them to her daughter, Margaret M. Frowe of Honolulu.

The following year, 1947, Mrs. Chester Frowe wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Roy P.

Clark, on Pitcairn Island, giving them the information obtained by her mother.

Having read this correspondence, Mr. A.

W. Moverley, the then recently-appointed New Zealand teacher on Pitcairn Island, approached the Connecticut Historical Society, who generously agreed to part with its treasure, handing it to the British Ambassador, who sent it to England.

There the Bible-Prayer Book was re paired and rebound. The pages of the Prayer Book were very much worn—as also were the Psalms. Most skilfully the old worn pages were split. Parchment was placed between the two parts and all placed together so that we are able to read both sides as when new. The new binding holds the Book together so it is again strong. In England, the King and Queen took a great interest in the Bible, examining it reverently.

Mr. Cottle, of the British Colonial Ser vice, took the Bible to Fiji and while the Book was in Fiji, a handsome glass-topped box of Fijian woods was made in which to keep it. Fitted into the box is a drawer in which are placed the old original cover and pictures of the Bible as it was and as it now appears, as well as clippings and letters dealing with it.

From Fiji the Bible was taken to Pit cairn Island by Mr. H. A. C. Dobbs, of the Western Pacific High Commission.

Reaching the island on February 19, he was present at a public meeting on the 22nd, where he officially presented the Bible to the Chief Magistrate (Mr. Warren C. Christian) for the people of the Island.

As this was a very special and haopy event —the return of the old “John Adams” Bible —a welcome home service was held for it in the church the fol lowing Sabbath. There was special sing ing and Mr. Dobbs gave a talk on special features of interest in connection with the return of the Bible. Others who had part in the service were Mr. Roy P. Clarke, Mr. Fred M, Christian and Mr. F. P.

Ward, the pastor of the church.

Resting now after its long journey, this unique volume has an honoured place on the pulpit. More of a relic than a book in daily use, as it was in the early days, it will always be revered and loved.

The Rev. Brother Alphonsus, one of the most prominent figures in Roman Catholic education in Fiji, celebrated his 85th birthday at Suva on February 20.

He was born near Maitland, NSW, and joined the Marist Order in 1883. He went to Fiji in 1888 with Brothers Harvey and Vincent and started a small school at a rented house in Waimanu Road. This was the beginning of an enterprise that at present includes the big Marist Brothers’ High School, as well as the Sacred Heart School, St. Felix College and St. Columba’s School at Suva, and other schools in other parts of Fiji.

Mr. J. D. A. Germond, QBE, and Mrs.

Germond will arrive in Sydney in May en route to the UK on leave. Mr. Ger mond was Acting Resident Commissioner, British Solomon Islands, from the depar ture on pre-retirement leave of Colonel O. C. Noel, in October, 1948, until the arrival last February of the new Resident Commissioner, Mr. H. G. Gregory-Smith.