On the Missionary Trail

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In 1821, at the dawning of the Industrial Revolution, the London Missionary Society chose two hardy evangelical Christians to spread the gospel to the unfortunate, unsaved souls of the world. Of course, there were substantial obstacles to overcome. The men, Daniel Tyerman (who found God after a vision saved his life) and George Bennet (a "quiet and intellectual believer"), faced distrust and hostility, not only from the people they were trying to convert but also from their countrymen, colonialists who feared the Christians would get in the way of their capitalist interests. Setting sail from Tahiti to Hawaii, the missionaries faced a huge task . As one missionary said, in 1794, "the world's population was around 730 million... only 174 of them were Christian." Hiney's detailed history follows Tyerman and Bennet through their seven-year journey from Polynesia to Africa. It is filled with anecdotes about the flora, fauna and people of great civilizations: India, China, Africa and Madagascar. Hiney (Raymond Chandler) nicely balances his own words with those of the two missionaries, who speak through their letters and journals. Refuting the popular idea that European missionaries spoiled the lands they sought to "save," Hiney writes, "For the effects of any impression... to last longer than a single generation, the message has to strike a chord with the audience." As he notes, except for India, all the countries the missionaries visited in those early years now boast large, self-supporting Christian communities. (Oct.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

In 1821, the 25-year-old London Missionary Society was experiencing difficulties monitoring its missionaries posted across the world. The directors, therefore, sent philanthropist George Bennet and Congregationalist minister Daniel Tyerman to visit the missions "for the purpose of cheering the hearts and strengthening the hands of the Missionaries to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the Missions; and to suggest and, if possible, carry into effect such plans as shall appear to be requisite for the furtherance of the gospel." Journalist Hiney (Raymond Chandler) recounts in vivid detail Bennet and Tyerman's mission to the missionaries, which included a genteel tea and a prayer meeting with converted Polynesians, a narrow escape from being killed and eaten by hostile Maoris, and the threat of cholera in India. In 1829, after traveling 80,000 miles by sea and 10,000 miles on land, Bennet returned to England. Tyerman died in Madagascar. Hiney's fascinating chronicle offers both insight into early 19th-century missionary activity and a thoughtful overview of a world on the brink of enormous change. Highly recommended for all public libraries.--Robert C. Jones, formerly with Central Missouri State Univ., Warrensburg Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Kirkus Reviews

A serviceable account of two 19thcentury missionaries' travels through the South Seas, Asia, and Africa.