Overseas missions of the Australian Methodist Church: volume 1. Tonga, Samoa

Wood, A. Harold (Alfred Harold)

book chapter

Overseas missions of the Australian Methodist Church: volume 1. Tonga, Samoa

Aldersgate Press • Melbourne • Published In 1975 • Pages:

By: Wood, A. Harold (Alfred Harold).

Abstract
This source is a history of Methodist missionary work in Tonga from 1822, and the first Methodist missionary, to 1972. It is a very detailed history providing names and dates of missionaries and places visited, and the results of their work. It is also useful as a history of Tonga from the missionary point of view. Since missionaries have been centrally involved in Tongan life since their arrival, the important events of Tonga's history are well covered. Of particular importance are the accounts of King George Tupou's rise to power and the unification and Christianization of Tonga, and the disastrous career of Shirley Baker, missionary and later premier and virtual ruler of Tonga for ten years. Wood has attempted an objective history, and writes critically of successes and failures and gives careful attention to what he sees as errors in policy. He says he has 'endeavoured to be accurate and impartial' (p. iii).

History

Acculturation and culture contact

Behavior toward non-relatives

Districts

Chief executive

Advisers to the chief executive

External relations

Revolution

Congregations

Religious denominations

Organized ceremonial

Missions