" In 1871, the first teachers were landed here.
The Sunday morning was fine, and we resolved to spend a quiet forenoon on
shore. We landed after breakfast, and walked through what must be in wet
weather a deep swamp, to the mission house on the hill. Gucheng, the
Loyalty islander, who is teacher here, looks a good determined fellow.
The people seem to live not far from the mission house, so did not take
long to assemble. There were about eighty at the service, including a
few Australians employed by one of the white men on the island to fish
for trepang. The Darnley islanders appear a much more interesting people
than the Australians. Many of those present at the service were clothed.
They sang very well indeed such hymns as "Come to Jesus," "Canaan, bright
Canaan," which, with some others, have been translated into their
language. Mr. McFarlane addressed them, through the teacher, and the
people seemed to attend to what was said.
Because of a strong head wind, we could not leave the next day, so Mr.
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