Description Rev John William McKenzie

Aneityum June 11th 1878

My Dear Father and Mother

We are now holding our Annual Meeting here and I wish to write you a few lines from the spot which is fragrant with the memory of Dr Geddie. To-morrow we leave so if I am to write at all from this island I do so to-night. It is a week yesterday since we cast anchor in this harbour. I have been living on shore with Mr & Mrs Armand both of whom are my very dear friends. Mr Armand and I have been like brothers ever since he came to the field. Amanda had an invitation to come here and remain with Mrs Armand during 

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the meeting and it would have been bery pleasant for us could she have come, but Mrs Roberston had given her an invitation to go to Eromanya previous to that of Mrs Armand so she, Jessie and Arthur are now at Dillon's Bay, Eromanga. It is a fortnight today since I left them so you may be sure I am longing to see them, especially dear little Arthur who has been very ill ever since the middle of January. But I do not enter into an account of his illness at present, that I will reserve for some other time. All the members of our mission are present except Mr Copeland who is in New Zealand at present on account of the state of his health. I am glad to hear that he is getting stronger and that there is a probability of his coming back to his station by next trip of the "Dayspring". He has now been away from his station about two years. The island of Futuna as you know is his station. It is a small island very high just an immense rock rising out of the sea. Has a population of about nine hundred some fifty or sixty of whom have cut off their long hair. This is vitually renouncing heathenism. No one however has yet been baptized there. We called there on our way south and found the mission premises in very good condition and everything going on well under the supervision of two Aneityum teachers whom Mr Copeland left to look after the station in his absence. An unspeakably sad feeling came over me on entering the house. No Mrs Copeland with her sweet smile to welcome us, as our former visits. Before leaving I went to see her grave. Her remains and those of their infant son George rest in the same

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spot. But here comes Mr Armand to say that it is time for worship so I must say good night.

Wednesday July 12th Our Mission Synod has just closed but we are all invited to dine with Mr & Mrs Armand so I have a few minutes at my disposal before dinner. We have had the pleasure of welcoming another missionary to the field this year - Mr Nichelsen a native of Norway, but who has been living and labouring in New Zealand for a number of years. He is a very fine young man. He and I roomed together during the meeting. He is a single man at present but intends I am informed to be married in the come of a year or two. He is to be settled in some island near Nguna to labour in company with Mr Milne. These two brethren are supported by the same church viz. that of Otago, New Zealand. Two missionaires Messrs Neilson (Dr Geddie's son in law) and Watt have received permission to go home on a visit to their native land.