Cannibals Won For Christ – Oscar Michelsen

Oscar Michelsen’s account of his work among the islanders of the  New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) in the Pacific Ocean. My thanks to Redcliffe College for providing me with a copy to scan. This book is now in the Public Domain.

Oscar Michelsen [1844-1936], Cannibals Won For Christ. A Story of Missionary Perils and Triumphs in Tongoa, New Hebrides. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, [1893]. Hbk. pp.188. [Click to visit the download page for this title]

Contents

Introduction

1. Tongoa, Past and Present
2. The Missionary to Tongoa
3. The Field Surveyed
4. Making Friends
5. Progress Under Difficulties
6. Joys and Sorrows
7. A Flight for Life
8. New Mission Quarters
9. Cannibals Rescued From Cannibals
10. Another Change of Locale
11. Day by Day on Tongoa
12. An Unexpected Cloud
13. Cannibalism and Its Horrors
14. Three Tongoan Martyrs
15. Native Superstitions: A Religion of Dread
16. Two Wrecks: A Contrast
17. How Tongoan Christians Die
18. Some Tongoan “Institutions”
19. A Question of Custom
20. Present Condition of the Mission
21. The Queensland Kanaka Traffic
22. Notes and Incidents

Appendix –
The New Hebrides Mission
The Islands and the People

Introduction

An account of what is being done in a far-away corner of the earth, and the story of one who has nobly elected to go forth and preach the Gospel to islanders steeped in savage heathenism, must necessarily be of deep interest to faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time, it must commend itself to those who wonder why any one should take the trouble to leave home to teach savages. Consequently, such a narrative as that of my dear friend, Mr. MICHELSEN, needs but little introduction; it speaks for itself. in all its simplicity. It relates the wonderful dealings of a loving Father, who can keep a single servant of His unharmed, though surrounded by savages thirsting for his blood; who would stop at nothing in the accomplishment of their object, were it not that there is One who can restrain the fierceness of man, and make it turn to His praise. [Continue reading]