The story of the missionary John Williams, his work and his legacy

 
In 1800 a young Englishman felt called to serve as a missionary in the South Pacific. At the age of 17 John Williams took his wife in the footsteps of the legendary Captain Cook, and sailed from London. They landed on the island of Tahiti in November 1817, where they stayed for a short time.

The King of Raratonga, a small island not far away, gave them some land and on this they built the home where they would live for many years. Their plan was to take the good news of the Christian faith to as many people as they could. On some islands, the people were hostile, the ‘white skinned’ man was still a mystery and someone to be feared, but on other islands, they walked freely, learning each other’s language, customs and traditions. They exchanged skills, shared knowledge and despite the language difficulties and culture differences they together came to an understanding of the Christian faith.

At times the missionary work was a great challenge. John found himself without a boat on several occasions and had to remain on Raratonga, unable to journey to other islands. On one occasion John and his friends discovered a partly built ship on a beach and using it as a base, they spent many weeks building it into a seaworthy vessel. When it was completed it was named The Messenger of Peace and the King of Rarotonga, Makea, took a great interest in all that they were doing and helped launch the boat from the beach.

John returned to England only once, to raise money for a new boat, The Camden. He travelled much, giving talks about his missionary work. He also wrote journals and letters, telling others about his life. The Pathfinder series of Adventure books for boys brought out a title, John Williams the ship Builder, and he became a hero for children all over the British Isles.

John’s life ended on November 20 th 1839 on the island of Erromonga, where he was murdered by cannibals on the beach. When news of his death reached Raratonga, Samoa, Tahiti and Raiatea people swarmed to the beaches and mourned his passing. The Camden’s last journey was to return to England.

The story continues back in the offices of the London Missionary Society at Livingstone House where it was decided to appeal to churches to see if they could raise enough money to buy a new ship to continue the work already begun. A letter was sent to churches who supported the work of the LMS and in one local church some children overheard the anxious talk of the members as they thought about raising the money. Together, the children decided to do what they could to help.

As the weeks went by, these children, along with friends and other children around the country saved their money for the appeal. Pocket money hadn’t been invented yet, so they saved what they could earn. They worked through their lunch breaks, they worked extra shifts, they sold possessions, they even sold their lunches to raise the money, always believing that they too, were called by God.

£6,000 was raised by children from all over the country.

The first ship was bought and named the John Williams, it set sail on 15 th July 1856. 

Children continued to save money and to collect it from church members, a total of seven ships were bought and named after John Williams with the money raised. John Williams Vll was de-commissioned in the mid 1970’s.
 
Pilots grew out of this history in 1936 and children continued to collect money associating the ship halfpenny, which was launched in 1937, with the imagery of the John Williams ships.
  
Companies of Pilots were formed, each with its own captain and officers appointed by the local Church Meeting. A weeknight programme of worship, education and fun was designed to complement and supplement what went on in church on Sundays. The organisation was non-uniformed and flexible, and catered for both boys and girls. Over the years Pilots has had its ups and downs, but it has been owned by the United Reformed Church since its inception, and also sponsored by the continuing Congregational Federation. Here, already in existence, was a ready-made organisation capable of interesting children during the week and involving them in the life and mission of the Church.

Children are integral to the ministry and mission of the United Reformed Church: not an optional extra, not the Church of the future, but an essential part of the Church of today.