Glimpses of old Glasgow

Foreign Missionaries

Rev. John Williams

ONE of the most fascinating and interesting books for old and young at the end of last and the early years of this century was Captain Cook's "Voyages Round the World." The vivid descriptions which he gave of the savages or cannibals of the southern hemisphere were almost enough to deter any ordinary mortal from ever "sailing the silver sea" to that part of the world with intent to live among its inhabitants. Still the discovery of these far-away lands enabled Great Britain to deposit in Van Diemen's Land or elsewhere those deserving of transportation.

While employed in an ironmonger's wholesale shop, John Williams was brought under the influence of divine truth by hearing a sermon preached by the late Rev. Timothy East of Sheffield, on the words, "It is a faithful saying," and by it came to enjoy very preciously the saving truths of the gospel. Then there arose in his mind a burning desire to be a foreign missionary. Having expressed this wish to some of his Christian friends, they lost no time in introducing him to two of the directors of the London missionary society. They were satisfied of his earnest wish to serve his Lord and Master in a foreign country, and that, as far as they could judge, he possessed those endowments of mind and character, after a few years' training, which would well qualify him for being an eminent ambassador of the Cross. Having been accepted by this society, Williams was enrolled as a student in one of the colleges whore former young men had been trained for going abroad as missionaries of the London missionary society. When he had finished his academical and theological studies he was duly ordained, and in 1816 set sail for the South Sea islands. High hopes were entertained of his proving a daring servant of the Lord in these islands whose inhabitants were known to be cannibals.

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After a voyage of several months Mr. Williams safely reached the islands, and as the scene of his future labours fixed on the island of Otaheiti or Tahiti - the one on which Captain Cook placed his observatory. Shrewd and tactful, Williams soon gained the confidence of several of the chiefs, and, through them, of the people. Finding that they lived in deep holes, he put the tools he brought with him into practical operation in erecting a wooden house for himself. While he was busy at it the more inquisitive of the savages were running about to see him at his undertaking, and tried to be of some service to him. The house, when ready, was a wonderful sight to those among whom he came to live, and they became so dissatisfied with their holes as places of abode, that they began to erect houses for themselves. For some time Mr. Williams was more of the house-builder than the missionary.

There was among the Otaheitans no written language, but when Mr. Williams came to understand what they meant by their symbolism, he soon made a language which gradually came into use. His next step was to have striking verses of the New Testament translated. The first was John iii. 16. As he tried to explain what the words of this verse meant, he found that no impressions were made upon either minds or hearts. However, this did not discourage him, but inspired him to greater perseverance and zeal. Among these savages there was no industry of any kind, they being too much addicted to fighting among themselves to learn any peaceful art. Women were beasts of burden. Infanticide was very prevalent, and clothing was unknown to both sexes.

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Williams having strong faith in God and in the transforming power of the gospel even among savage men, was ever in season and out of season in his Master's work. Years passed before he beheld any result of his incessant labours, but these did come beyond his most sanguine expectations. Then religious instruction was craved for, and a church was erected. Very glad were the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Williams on the day it was opened, for in the audience worshipping God they saw some who were formerly cannibals: mothers who had destroyed their infants, and others who had delighted themselves in all that was vile or fiendish clothed and in their right mind.

After four years of anxious labour Mr. Williams visited some of the other islands of the Polynesian group. He found their inhabitants in very much the same terrible condition as were the natives of the island on which he had settled. In his journal to the directors of the London missionary society he gave very vivid and graphic accounts of what he had seen and done. These appeared in the monthly organ of the society, and awakened great interest in the churches and Sabbath schools of our land. All this went not only to increase Mr. Williams' devotion, but stimulated the true friends of foreign missions to greater zeal and liberality. When he came home on furlough in 1834 he was lionised, and the book he wrote on "Missionary Enterprises in the South Seas" had a large sale, and greatly astonished and delighted the Christian public. As one of the bishops of the Church of England said of it, it was a "Second Acts of the Apostles."

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On Sabbath, 4th November, 1834, I saw and heard him in Dr. Wardlaw's church. His text was, "The idols he shall utterly abolish." The narrative he gave of his work in the South Seas still continues impressed upon my mind. His fine physique, the genial and impressive style in which he spoke of his experiences, and his fervid and glowing eloquence were alike pleasing to his audience. The meetings he held in Glasgow were most enthusiastically attended, and gave a great impulse to missions in our churches and Sabbath schools here. From the scholars money to build a missionary ship flowed freely, so that when he returned to the South Seas he was able to visit the islands and their missionaries in a ship called the John Williams, manned by a Christian captain and crew. This vessel supplied with messengers of Christ and native teachers the various islands which had been without them. When it reached its destination it was a cause of wonderment to the natives. It was on one of these voyages he was murdered in Erromanga Bay, at the end of 1839, by several of the savages. As he met them on landing they appeared friendly enough, but he soon saw their countenances changing, and becoming alarmed he and his companions entered their small boat. As they were rowing for the John Williams they were overtaken by the canoes of the natives, and Williams and his friend Mr. John Harris were clubbed to death. The body of Williams was brought to the shore, stripped of its clothing, and parts of it soon eaten by his murderers. His other companions reached the John Williams safely.

The dreadful tidings of this martyrdom reached this country early in 1840, and raised a feeling of horror such as fortunately is rarely experienced among civilized nations. Erromanga is totally changed. Its inhabitants are now industrious. Its young people are educated in mission schools, and churches have been erected and are well attended. One of them is to the memory of John Williams.