AFTER several years away in Australia, Reverend David Cargill arrives in Tonga with his new family.
This is the account of the late Reverend David Cargill from the book “The Diaries and Correspondence of David Cargill, 1832-1843,” edited by Albert J. Schütz and published by the Australian National University.
The nearer Cargill drew to Tonga, the more anxious he appeared to be to recapture the feeling of the islands in 1835 — the evangelistic fervour, the mass conversions, the Tongan people ‘dead with love’ for the missionaries and their god. What he found when he reached the islands was something quite different.
In the eight years of his absence, a variety of circumstances had contributed to internal wars and a deterioration of the social system.
For the latter, perhaps, there is no direct evidence that the missionaries were entirely responsible.
But it seems impossible that they could have hacked away at local customs without some effect.
Their role in the wars is more carefully documented, however, in reports of contemporary observers.
Wilkes, the most important of these, had arrived in Nukualofa in the midst of hostilities between the “Christian and Devils parties’.
He wrote: “Anxious to know the actual cause of the war, I made every enquiry that was in my power, and satisfied myself that it was in a great measure a religious contest, growing out of the zeal the missionaries have to propagate the gospel, and convert the heathen. With this is combined the desire of King George, or Taufa’ahau, who is already master of Hapai and Vavao, to possess himself of all the islands of the group.
“While I bear witness to the arduous labours and well-conducted operations of these missionaries, I cannot help remarking that- I was disappointed in finding religious intolerance existing among them.
“It was to be expected, that among a class so devoted, and undergoing so many privations, dangers, and sacrifices for the cause they are engaged in, charity would not have been wanting; and that they would have extended a friendly hand to all, of whatever persuasion, who came within their sphere of duty, especially those engaged in similar duties with themselves.”
Another disappointment awaited Cargill. After years of a difficult and unwanted association with Cross, he might have viewed his return to Tonga as a means of renewing the only close friendship he had made within the community of missionaries.
Just after arriving in Fiji in 1835, he had written to the Committee: “During the time of my labour in Vavau, I lived with Brother Turner in the greatest harmony and closest intimacy. He is a holy man and a valuable Missionary.
Our removal to separate spheres of labour, was one of those trials which Methodist preachers have frequently to bear. Assigned to his former station at Vavau, Cargill, with his family sailed for that island on the Triton.
About noon on Saturday, January 21, 1843, the Tongans at Vava’u informed Peter Turner that the Triton had come to anchor in the harbour. Cargill’s arrival caught Turner by surprise, for he had expected to remain on Vava’u himself and continue his superintendence there.
Although he welcomed Cargill and his family into his house, he was not enthusiastic about the return of his old friend.
Foremost in his mind was the necessity of moving again.
Saturday January 21, 1843
Arrived at Vavau, and were kindly welcomed by Mrs. Turner, Wilson and Kevern.
Sunday January 22, 1843
Preached in the afternoon in the native language with greater freedom than I expected. Preached in English in the evening.
Sunday January 29, 1843
Preached on the balm of Gilead to the Tonguese in the morning, and on Jacob’s Ladder to the English in the evening. The Lord was with us in each occasion.
Sunday February 5, 1843
Preached at Hologa morning & afternoon, & travelled sixteen miles through heavy rain and bad roads.
Sunday February 12, 1843
Preached at Utui and Makave.
Thursday February 16, 1843
The Brethren arrived to hold the D.M. Evidently at the District Meeting, Peter Turner’s resentment at being moved again was directed into a personal attack on Cargill. At least Cargill interpreted it as such, for his journal entry reads
Friday February 17, 1843
Commenced the sittings of the D.M. Brother Turner astonished us all about his appointment. My spirit was deeply wounded by
his unkind, uncalled for remarks.
Sunday February 19, 1843
Mr Thomas preached to the Tonguese in the morning and Mr Rabone in the afternoon. The sermons were excellent and the
devotional feeling deep on both occasions. Mr. Rabone preached in English in the morning and myself in the evening
Sunday February 26, 1843
Preached twice at Neiafu in Tonguese, and once in English. Met the Society in the forenoon. A divine unction rested upon.
Friday March 3, 1843
A comet was seen in the evening in the S.W. Its tail seemed to extend over a space of about 45° or 50 degrees. One was seen
in Vavau after the introduction of Xianity to Tongatabu & Haabai. The natives designated it fetuu fuka [fetuu fuka], that is — the
flag star — an appelation by no means inappropriate. They compared it to the masi [tapa] of Feejeeans which they spread to the
breeze on the summit of a hill when the new canoe of a chief is for the first time landing on the shores of his native island.
- NEXT WEEK Despite much resistance Reverend Cargill continues his missionary work in Tonga before being attacked by a measles outbreak
