Memoirs of the Life of the Rev. John Williams, Missionary to Polynesia

A biography of the celebrated missionary John Williams, published in 1843 after his murder by cannibals in the New Hebrides.

Ebenezer Prout (Author)

9781108015394, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 June 2010

640 pages, 3 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.6 cm, 0.8 kg

This account of the life of the missionary John Williams (1796–1839), first published in 1843, celebrates his character and his achievements in evangelizing the South Sea islands. Williams believed that the spread of Christianity, 'civilization', and commerce went hand-in-hand, and his work in and around Tahiti and Rarotonga from the time of his first posting there by the London Missionary Society in 1817 was largely well received. In 1830 he became the first person to introduce Christianity to Samoa and, after returning to England in 1834 to raise money and support for the cause, he returned to the Pacific as a celebrity. His final voyage was to Eromango in the New Hebrides, where he was killed and eaten. This violent death combined with the success of his earlier missions caused him to be regarded as a heroic figure and inspired much popular literature.

1. From Mr. Williams's birth until his departure for the South Seas
2. From his departure until the termination of his first year's residence at Raiatea
3. From the commencement of his second year's labours at Raiatea until the close of 1822
4. From his first, until his second missionary voyage to the Hervey Islands
5. From his second voyage to the Hervey Islands until his first missionary enterprise to Samoa
6. From his first, until his second voyage to Samoa
7. From his second voyage to Samoa until his departure for England
8. From his arrival in England until his return to the South Seas
9. From his departure in the Camden until his death.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2]