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Show v. - FROM THE TROPICS i Probably a f.-ivli'ie from Samoa would - be of interest to the Progress readers. 1 he Sanioan Mission consists of SanioH (or Friendly Islands) and Toga. We have branches of the Church established establish-ed in all the large islands (Savaii, I'polu and Tutuita). There was also a branch started on Marina some years ago but on account of persecution it was abandoned. aband-oned. Samoa has a native population of about 39,000, ha I feasts about HOOand whites about 500. Most of the whites are in the German possession (l?polu and Savii) occupied in Government positions pos-itions and business of different kinds. There are also quite a number in the U S. Naval Station in Tutuila. The L atives as a whole are very religious -Jt;:d have all espoused a religion. I don't think a Samoan Atheist could be found on the islands. There are four churches on Samoa at the present time, London Missionary Society, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan Methodist Mission, ni the Latter Day Saints. The work throughout the Mission seems to be in a prosperous condition at present and a I bright outlook for the future. One of our greatest strongholds is the schools we have in the different branches, the largestone being at Mapusaga, Tutuila, where there are four teachers and about 125 pupils. The most extensive Gospel spreading in this mission is being done in our school where the young people come and are taught other things along 7 with the religion. Our schools have a , i very good report throughout the Islands "heV.-'i'V Eldeiiaiv stationed in the different jhrtcs teaching school. Th. y usually ,er jciun.two bv two. where there aren't "o inty. , o uawH'te hlc.ers enough a native is sent ;;'eI i"ng. who, many times is able to do i' more than a white Elder as the natives h have many customs which are hard for S-ihe Eldeis to get used to. They very svidom hold meeting in their travels, nt-any ali the preaching is done in con-'4 con-'4 versa tion. A proseiyri:ig Elder on A S.ifnoa ha a great many things to con-! con-! I "'iththat aren't the most pleasant J m" lite. In the first place he bajs.Vi a cushioned seat to sit on while ,-oif""'g i'rom village to tillage (like we lare blc-,seu with in Emery county); nor tne hasn't even what we call a .;oo.i J'-'ag hi roai to walk on but generally i narrow traii which .is of times muddy n rui overgrown with tail weeds which mult, ait u ft !) wading when it is raining It does a great deal of the time. c!!H'e tralis t'l'ealso very rocky and steep Utahi Samo;: is old volcano craters and disiaJ abeds. When an Elder comes into a ln.Tmaye afct'r a walk "f about 12 or 15 i.lace-es over these trails, he don't feel veyed v ( . ;'d tji-.nk biit now he must brighten for'sr'nt' ' "'' someone to preach the Gos- 3W ' i! C l 'S s .metimes dilHcultif he All J :S t i Lheorenoon as the people made 8 l" ou'- preparing tneir "umu or lice wit ii .on'S c. ir.i nuf.it hi his of the n " yn as the people are usually at Date o an,l are always very h isp.caole. ; eofiiDletl ;rito a house he sits do,vn on a j ?ind crosses his legs, 'vhich is I N, -r'- ! I sometimes hard for a foreigner and not a very comfortable resting position for those who aren't used to it, but to sit any other way is ill mannerly in a Samoan house. The first thing after a few speeches of welcome will be "hava" the native drink, and then something to eat which might consist of "taro" or breadfruit and perhaps a native dish made from the cocoanut. After supper they have family prayer then all is ready for a good conversation. W hen bedtime comes some mats are spread out on the pebble floor and a bamboo pillow put across one end; then all is ready for bed. The Elder, however, how-ever, generally cast the nomhoo pillow to one side and rolls up his coat. In the morning he is supposed to get up an i go without breakfast as the Samoan only cooks once a day and that isn't until about, noon and it is very seldom there is anything left over for the next morning. A new Elder coming to S::moa has a great many things to get accustomed to but after being here awhile everything is very agreeable. One thing we have in Samoa that beats Emery county is the beautiful climate. It seldom gets right hot arid only varies about 20 degrees during the whol year. When the Castle Valley breeze gets to blowing and you have warm rains one day and cold snows the next which makes you all have the blues, come down to Samoa where everything is green, pleasant and beautiful. Wii.ford Petersen, Pasio Pago, Tutuila, Samoa. |