Overview

A fascinating and detailed history of the Melanesia Mission, established by the Anglican Church during the 1840s. The record of the Mission's progress during the following hundred years, offers a vivid impression of the vitality, dedication, sensitivity and sheer humanity of those who contributed to its story. For a long while many of the far-scattered inhabitants of the far-scattered inhabitants of the south west Pacific had a fearsome reputation for headhunting, cannibalism and other pagan practices. Their early contact with the white man led first to brutal conflict and then to unspeakable acts of savagery on both sides. Deceived and taken, by fair means of foul, to work as virtual slaves on the colonial estates of Australia and Fiji, the islanders suffered disease, disorientation and death in their thousands. Those that survived returned to their homes, bitter and resentful, to create ever greater problems in their native society. Faced by such calamitous events, the mission's founder, George Augustus Selwyn, and those that followed him as bishops and workers in the young diocese of Melanesia strove to educate the islanders and to offer them both medical and spiritual sustenance. They, too, suffered greatly and paid a high price for their endeavours. When the Second World War flared about them they did not leave their posts; deprivation and death continued to be their lot. A truly inspirational story.

Full Product Details

9781857566000

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available