| 837 Island; a circumstance which, when we arrived, the most sanguine could not have anticipated. They have done, and are still doing all they can, to destroy our influence with the natives; but I do not think they have succeeded much, for the natives that we have an opportunity of talking to, tell us that the missionaries tell them great lies about us-things which they know are false, because they have seen and heard for themselves.
We received a letter from Brother Pratt, a few days since, who, I told you in another letter, was on a small Island, a short distance from this. He writes us glorious news, I assure you-news which gladdens their hearts, and gives us fresh courage. I forget whether I told you or not, in my former letter; but at any rate, there were, when we arrived there, on our way here, eight or nine American mechanics residing there, who were building a schooner. They had gone from Tahiti about six months before our arrival, for this purpose. He has baptised [baptized] all of them but one, and ordained the three owners of the schooner, one an Elder, one a Priest, and one a Deacon. Thus, you see, Br. Lewis, the Lord is with us, and working for us, not only in a spiritual, but in a temporal point of view also; he is preparing the way, no doubt, for the gathering of the saints from this side of the globe. Br. Pratt writes, that the vessel bids fair to be a first rate craft of about one hundred tons burthen [burden]. If all things are prospered she will be ready for sea in about twelve months . He also writes that he has baptised [baptized] five natives, and several more have given their names for baptism; among which is the king and one of the head chiefs, and there appears to be a general interest excited among them; every one is enquiring [inquiring].
We, upon this Island, have not, as yet, been blessed with the privilege of baptising [baptizing] any natives, and only four white persons. Yet we hope and trust the time is not far distant when we shall. Those that we get an opportunity of talking to are very believing, and much interested. One grand cause, and I may say almost the only one, of our slow progress, is the difficulties which have and do exist here; but we pray that they may have a speedy and favorable termination, which we think will be the permanent establishment of the French government, at least every thing has that appearance at present. There are quite a number of white persons here, who are very believing, and probably ere long will be baptised [baptized]; some of which speak the native language. According to every appearance, when peace is restored, we shall not be able to answer one of twenty calls on this Island, let alone the surrounding ones, and this group is but a speck as it were, in comparison to the almost numberless Islands in this Ocean. So you may judge of the vast extent of the field of labor, on this side of the globe, and the great number of laborers required in it.
As my sheet is about used up, and all the news I can think of told, I must draw my letter to a close. Give our love to your wife, and all the saints. We request an interest in your prayers. If you will be so kind, Br. Lewis, I wish you would tell my wife I have written her a letter, the same date as this, and enclose it in a letter to her mother with directions to forward it on to her at Nauvoo.
We want you to write to us, and also to interceed [intercede] to have some papers, that is Times and Seasons, sent on to us.
Br. Rogers sends his love to all the saints, and requests an interest in all their prayers.
Yours, in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant,
BENJ. F. GROUARD.
Huahine, Oct. 27, 1844.
DEAR WIFE AND CHILDREN:
Again I have an opportunity of sending you a few lines by a Whale Ship, bound to Long Island, which opportunity I gladly embrace, and I would gladly come with it if I thought that I had done what the Lord required of me. But this work is not done as yet, and when it will be done I know not. When it is done here I shall, with all speed, come to you, for I long to see you, and the children, very much, and all my friends and neighbors, as I have not heard a word from you nor the church since I left New Bedford. I am very anxious about you and my prayers are continually offered up to God for you and all the saints, that you all may be preserved from the enemy; that you may have food and raiment, and every needy blessing. I would exhort you to be patient and prayerful, until I come, which will be before a great while I hope.
You will perceive, by the date of this letter, that I have left Tahiti, and am on the Island of Huahine, which is about ninety of one hundred miles distance. The work on Tahiti has got a good start. We baptised [baptized] several whites, and several more said that they believed and would be baptised [baptized] soon, and several natives told me when I left Tahiti, that they meant to be baptised [baptized] soon.
I left Br. Grouard there, who has got the language very well, and I have no doubt of his faithfulness, because he is a firm and faithful brother, and seeks the good of the kingdom of
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