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Fate (or Efatese) Version of the Scriptures

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Fate (or Efatese) Version Of The Scriptures

This language is spoken on the island of Fate, or Sandwich island, the centre of the New Hebrides. In 1865 the gospel of Mark was translated by the Reverend D. Morrison of Errakor, and printed at Sydney in 1866. From the annual report of the British and Foreign Bible Society for 1866 we subjoin the following:

"The history of the gospel in Fate has been peculiar and interesting. For about a quarter of a century our brethren of the London Missionary Society have had native teachers from Samoa and Raratonga laboring on this island. Several of those devoted men were barlarously murdered by the natives; several more of them fell victims to the sickly climate, and some of them left the island to recruit their enfeebled health elsewhere. At times as many as six or eight stations were occupied by teachers, but, owing to the above causes, for the last ten or twelve years only one, or, at times, two stations could be kept open; the others relapsed to heathenism. But in one of these stations, Errakor, the chief and the whole people embraced Christianity; and although at one time for two years they had no teacher living among them, they; held fast to their profession, while the rest of the island was heathen. Errakor was like an oasis in the desert. Six years ago we settled two Aneityum teachers on Fate. One of them died about three years ago; the other died in August last. This year we reopened one of the old stations, and settled three teachers from Mare. Eighteen months ago, when we settled Mr. Morrison at Errakor, he found a population of one hundred and sixty, all Christian. Of these sixty were Church members. There is another station at Panlgo, about three miles distant, occupied by teachers, where the chief and a part of the people are Christians. Mr. Morrison has had no access sions as yet from the heathen; but there is evidently a softening process going on around, and from the growing intelligence and inmcreased vigor of Christian character observable at Errakor, there can be little doubt that from this centre the Word of God will soon sound forth to the regions beyond, till all Fate shall receive the gospel of salvation."

In 1870 the gospel of John was printed at Auckland, New Zealand, the translation having been made by the Reverend James Cosh. This gospel was followed by the translation of that of Luke and the book of Genesis. In 1880 the Acts of the Apostles were also printed, the translation having been made by the Reverend J.W. Mackenzie. (B.P.)