Show Me the Sky - Nicholas Hogg [74]
I thank the Lord He has allowed us to bring the message of love and salvation to these slighted people.
14 July 1835
We return to Rewa and the glad tidings that Naraqino has crossed the river back to his residence in Bau.
15 July 1835
Fair weather enabled the rev. to preach outside this morning, as a canopy of cloud meant it was cool enough to praise the Lord directly beneath Heaven. His lungs filled with breeze fresh from the Pacific, the rev. was in mid-sermon when several rocks, flung from the cover of bushes higher up the hillside, rained about his person. The congregation gave chase, but the stone- throwers fled deep into the trees. Though the identities of the culprits are unknown, many suspect followers of Naraqino.
Praise be that no rocks struck the rev. or those gathered to hear the words of God.
18 July 1835
While no more missiles have disturbed the daily service, the numbers attending have dramatically dropped – more fearful of the immediate menaces of Naraqino than an eternity of damnation.
19 July 1835
In a stroll along the beach this morning I was surprised to discover a crudely drawn diagram of a woman carved in the sand, with her reproductive parts clearly labelled – though spelled incorrectly. While I have focused on building the basics of grammar, it appears the rev. has begun with the vocabulary of our bodies. I have sought his advice before on my curriculum, and also asked if it would not be a valuable lesson if I were to observe his methods. His forthright reply was that any male observer on his female class would be a distraction, and that I was now a schoolmaster capable enough of supervising my own instruction.
21 July 1835
Last night the rev. drank so much port that I had to undress him and put him to bed myself. Whether he will recall this episode in the morning is doubtful.
The Society permits all reverends a provision of fortified wine to temper both the physical and mental trials of missionary life, but I have long feared that this prescription does more harm than good – particularly with the Rev. Thomas.
Once he was fast asleep, snoring quite like a fat sow, I inspected his cask in the hope of calculating how much he had consumed. But I could not measure the amount imbibed, as there was not a drop left!
After I blew out the candle to retire to my own quarters, I heard the rustle of an intruder beyond the reed fence. I waited fast against the wall beside the window waiting to pounce. Once the rascal climbed into the room I sprang, clutching him about the neck and pulling us both to the floor. Only the him was a her! When I demanded, ‘Who are you?’ she shrieked and swore the rev. had told her to come. ‘Lies,’ I declared. But before I had chance for further interrogation she bit my finger clean to the bone and escaped, stealing back into the night from where she had come.
It is morning now, and when the rev. wakes, sore head or not, I shall tell him of this breach of his room and the fortune of my presence to keep him safe from harm.
22 July 1835
I decided not to enlighten the rev. on the intruder, as such an incident involving a female attacker could be misconstrued as an act of impropriety. The rev. is a shining example of duty to God, the holiness of celibacy. This image must not be shamed by misunderstanding or malicious gossip.
24 July 1835
This sabbath the rev. made his most concerted effort yet to convert King Tanoa. Services have been thinly attended since the stone-throwing ambush, and rumour has it that Naraqino and his thugs have been fording the river and crossing into Rewa to threaten the Christians. Unless King Tanoa converts, and takes action upon his