--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Adams, John Q. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 26 number: 7 published: 1923-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'John Q. Adams, "Samoa’s Love and Affection", *Improvement Era* 26, no. 7 (May 1923): 644–650.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2607unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2607unse start_page: 644 end_page: 650 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2607unse publication_year: 1923 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1923, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Samoa’s Love and Affection Samoa's Love and Affection In Appreciation of the Memorable Apostolic Visit of May, 1921. By John Q. Adams, President of the Samoan Mission In mid-afternoon of May 31, 1921, a singular and most af- fecting scene was enacted on the borders of the little Samoan Zion-Sauniatu. The Saints of that village, warm-hearted, impul- sive, generous and responsive, as is the wont of these modern Lamanites, had thrice bidden farewell to their beloved visitors, Elders David 0. McKay and Hugh J. Cannon — once at the Mis- sion House, to be repeated a few moments later at the farther bank of the river a scant hundred yards beyond the village. Thither had followed the weeping throng of Saints, reluctant to sever the intimate and affectionate association of the imme- diate past. Still on and on they traversed the beautiful tropical trail that bisects the adjacent rubber plantation for a mile, a reverent group of a couple of hundred, headed by the band, to whose strains! of the pathetic native farewell melody, "Goodby my Feleni," they slowly and solemnly marched. Countless sobs in unison punctuated each step, and Elder McKay, far in ad- vance, with his party of four horsemen (one of them a horse- woman, Sister Adams) looking back with tears in his eyes, could bear it no longer — the scene and the spirit and influence of it all were altogether too affecting and remarkable. In shaking voice he bade us return with him for the third ordeal of the final fare- well, a moment and an occasion of a lifetime or of centuries! There, the now silent and expectant group standing discon- solate as Israel of old bereft of their Moses, he dismounted in the trail and raising aloft his hands as a patriarch of the past, he pronounced this remarkable and soul-stirring benediction, all clear and now partly fulfilled: 0 God, our heavenly and eternal Father, there have been many im- pressive partings between thy people and thy chosen servants in the days of the Savior and in this day. Peter and Paul and their associates, Timothy and Marcus and Luke and others, undoubtedly wept many a tear in bidding solemn farewells; but on no occasion, we feel sure, was expressed more attachment than that which is manifest here today. Thou seest, heavenly Father, with what sorrowful feelings we bid one another farewell here in this beautiful grove, one of thy "first temples." Holy Father, look down in love and tender mercy upon these good people. Protect them in their village from all evil influences. Bless the leading men therein, that they may be indeed kind and wise shepherds to SAMOA'S LOVE AND AFFECTION 645 this little fold, and may no fierce wolves, in the shape of enmity, ill-will, and indifference "enter in among them not sparing the flock." Bless the mothers the young men and the young women, and especially the little chil- dren. Be merciful to the little ones whose eyesight is afflicted, and others unto whom thy servants have administered. Heal the sick, we heseech thee, and restore to health and strength, through their faith and faithful- ness, those who are afflicted. May thy peace abide here in the village of Sauniatu. Father, in thy love, prosper the labor of the hands of all who work for the necessaries and comforts of life, and may they possess in abundance, food and clothing. May their plantations be fruitful in the products adapted to local conditions. But above all, may harmony abide in their hearts and home. Our Father, may they have clear understanding of the truth, and make rapid progress in gaining a knowledge of thee and thy divine work. By virtue of the holy apostleship, and in the authority of the Priesthood with which thou hast endowed me, I seal these blessings upon these, thy Saints. May this parting and blessing prove, through thy power and mercy, a sacred blessing to them and to us, we humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. It is the testimony of some who cast their eyes upward momentarily as these inspired words flowed in great power from Elder McKay's lips, that a halo of brightness rested upon him like a shaft of white light, and certain it is that the borderland of heaven and earth rested in close proximity to the spot where was given this wonderful manifestation and blessing. Each lis- tener's soul throbbed with the conviction of the truth. Immediately after the final farewell, we left the meditating group of Saints still standing silent in the foreground, stunned at eventually losing sight of the receding figures, albeit in apparent enthralment, while all that Elder McKay could say to us as we rode away, was "And these [pointing back at the wistful group of Saints] are they whom the world call bad!" We afterward learned that they at once set about perpetuating the day's great event. A hole was dug at the exact spot where had stood Broth- er McKay when blessing them, and into this was consigned a hermetically-sealed bottle, containing a record of the occasion, including a copy of the prayer as well as Kippen Su'a could recollect it there and then. Hymns were sung, discourses de- livered, and explanations again made in detail of the signifi- cance of the great day. * • • A year later, May 31, 1922, one could have glimpsed a simi- lar scene re-enacted, only on a larger scale, and in a different manner, as well as for a similar, yet dissimilar, purpose. True, our two brethren were not with us this day, in actual physical presence, but their minds and hearts were — of this we are as- sured, and this is what occurred. As you saunter toward Sauniatu, from the spot in the trail 646 IMPROVEMENT ERA where the historic setting of a year since drew forth such abun- dant inspiration, your eyes discern a change in the high side of the river bank near the mission house. Taking your stand at the end of the rough, hand-hewn bridge that spans the stream just prior to setting foot upon its irregular but trustworthy "At the rough hand-hewn bridge, you note beyond a soft grayish blue shaft" planks, you note a soft grayish-blue shaft of monumental aspect which crowns in quiet dignity the brow of the half-globular mound of earth, the whole completing a perfect picture of sym- metrical guardianship that bids you step across the void and enter the realm of hospitality beyond. As to why this took place, we have already spoken. Now, as to how. SAMOA'S LOVE AND AFFECTION 647 Months ago the subject of erecting some commemorative mark to serve in keeping green golden memories of a year ago was broached by the writer and his wife. Missionaries and Saints at once fell in with the idea. It is enough to simply state that the financing was not a difficult piece of work, with branches and individuals and the Relief Societies contributing generously. Elder L. H. Scott was placed in charge of actual construction, and he and Elders Tingey, Putnam and the writer met at Saun- iitu May 6, selected without hesitancy or difference of choice the rounding knoll in question, which can and will shortly be made into a ball of green lawn studded with brilliant tropical flowers, and that day the foundation was measured and excavated J&j v.* * ffljfjfw m - i f '^ . "Draped in the Union Jack and Old Glory, the shaft stood veiled like a bride" by them. Although Sauniatu's incessant rainfall was in progress for the ensuing fortnight, the work was finished within the allot- ted time, and at the appointed hour of dedication on the an- niversary of May 31, 1922, draped in the Union Jack and Old Glory, the shaft stood veiled like a bride ready for the ceremony to be soon pronounced and gone through. We shall consistently touch lightly, at least, upon the in- spiring scenes and activities of the thirty-first, else would this 648 IMPROVEMENT ERA narrative fail most ingloriously. At nine o'clock that morning, the conference having terminated two days previously, in which Savaii and Upolu islands met conjointly, the hundreds of at- tendants lined up in the main streets of the village, and what an imposing and inspiring picture it was! All, practically with- out exception, were clothed in pure white, men as well as wom- en and children, for white is the most comfortable and restful and becoming garb of the islands. This double line extended from the church to the river, between a quarter and half a mile. At the head marched the new brass band of thirty pieces, and behind them came possibly forty-five missionaries, white and native. There were also the heads of families and their wives from Sauniatu, and a large delegation of dignified old chiefs from outside branches, veritable monarchs in their stately de- portment. Scores of happy school children were in evidence, also, and various other contingents that go to make up such an assemblage. To the strains of the band, the cavalcade moved in quiet and precise order out on the forest trail beneath the rubber trees to the spot already hallowed in memory and be- yond it, to permit all to congregate compactly about it. Good eld veteran Opapo was placed by strong, willing hands up high in the forks of a rubber tree that stands guard over the spot, and like Zacheus of old, he peered down upon the multitude from his perch; but Opapo had a speech to make in place of the silent attitude of the other spectator. In simple eloquence and fervor he depicted the scene in 1921. Then back to the church all marched in fine order still, filling the large edifice comfortably. A very impressive and appropriate program was rendered, songs suitable to the occa- sion being sung, speeches delivered, the prayer already men- tioned read, and several selections given by "Brother McKay's Band," as members and Saints aptly call it. Immediately after the conclusion of this service, all adjourned to the monument site in orderly marching formation, and after a series of desir- able photographs of the historical occasion were obtained, the dedicatory prayer was given by the writer. Baby Beth Adams stood ready on a large barrel with the corner of the flag which draped the monument in her grasp, and at the word "Amen," she unveiled the cement shaft, at the instant that the band broke out with the national anthem, and without pause or hitch up stepped scores of school children with armsful of wreaths and bouquets of tropical flowers, fairly burying the base of the struc- ture with the fragrance and the riot of color of the islands. It was a splendid moment without a breath of variance or distrac- tion, and although the spire of soft blue stood amidst it all mute and immovable, let us, who shed tears of happiness and emotion, SAMOA'S LOVE AND AFFECTION 649 not say that it is but a cold, heartless mass of inorganic material pitifully incapable of speaking its purpose. Into its e\ery inch had gone Samoa's love and affection. It was occasioned 365 days ago by love, it was subsequently conceived in love, and under "Baby Beth Adams stood ready on a barrel, the corner of the flag in her grasp, and at the word Amen, unveilevd the shaft'' the influence of that eternal principle was it constructed, and this being its genealogy, how can it continue but be warm and expressive and responsive and suggestive and eloquent in its very muteness? In it is crystallized all the affection and ap- 650 IMPROVEMENT ERA preciation and estimation of which this whole-souled island race is capable for theitMakei and Kanona. More fitting and prophetic was the scriptural analogy raised by Elder McKay in the last discourse delivered by him in Samoa prior to departure from these shores into the great expanse of ocean stretching to the westward, when he quoted and explained as a parting thought Genesis 51:49. Mizpah (watch tower) is but one word but it expresses a wealth of sig- nificance: The Lord watch between us in our separation! The monument measures six feet square at its base, and is thirteen feet high. Buried in its exact stony bosom is a her- metically-sealed bottle in which are enclosed for the future various papers appropriate to the event, such as the apostolic blessing of Elder McKay, the photographs of him and Elder Cannon, and other descriptions and interesting notations of im- portance. On the face of the four-foot square section of the shaft is a beautiful bronze plate twelve by thirty inches in di- mensions, on which is etched in conspicuous lettering this legend: (See Improvement Era^ August, 1922, p. 899.) Today, Tuesday, May 31, 1921 Apostle David O. McKay Stood Just Across the River And Pronounced a Memorable Apostolic Blessing Upon the Assembled Sauniatu Saints A Fitting Climax to a Perfect Visit Samoa's Love is Told Thus: Mizpah O he Faailoga Lenei 0 Le Alofa Atoatoa O Samao Mo Misi Makei Ma Misi Kanona. Mesepa A Cry in the Dark (Written after reading of the sufferings of little children in thel Near East.) A little cry in the dark, And fainter still at the dawn; And the shadows creep; then endless sleep, Before the day is gone. A peal of bells in the morn, Hailing the Christ Child's birth; A shout of praise in joyous lays Encircling wide the earth. Ah, that little cry in the dark, Conies from a dying host — A gnawing pain; then night again, As the flesh gives up the ghost. A little cry in the dark, So weak and yet so wild; That on Christmas Morn the heart is torn By the cry of a hungry child. Lethbridge, Canada. Fratotk C. Steele.