93 The catalog for the exhibition consists of three sections. Part 1 shows the LMS objects featured in the exhibition itself. Part 2 documents the known LMS objects that were in the William Oldman Collection, one of the four major private Polynesian collections that were assembled in London between approximately 1900 and 1950. This collection is now split up among the four major New Zealand museums. The original Oldman catalog was published in 1953, but the images were poor. They have been specially photographed anew for this project. Part 3 is a translation of a remarkable 1827 account written by Papeiha, who was sent by the LMS missionaries in Tahiti to Christianize the inhabitants of the island of Rarotonga. It describes the legendary idol bonfi res in detail. The original manuscript is in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington and is published here for the fi rst time. Missionaries and Idols in Polynesia through 26 September 2015 Brunei Gallery, Russell Square, London www.soas.ac.uk/gallery NOTES 1. A phrase in common use at the time. 2. Lovett, Richard, 1899. The History of the London Missionary Society, 1795–1845. 1, 127. Oxford University Press, London. 3. Mortimer, Mrs. Thomas, 1838. The Night of Toil; or a Familiar Account of the Labours of the fi rst Missionaries in the South Sea Islands. J. Hatchard, London. 4. “Reception of the Gospel,” J. M. Orsmond papers, 1816–1892. Mitchell Library, A2605. 5. Rev. John Williams’ translation of a letter from Papeiha, in a letter from Williams to Burder, 1825. SOAS LMS SS incom corresp, box 7, folder 5, jacket C. 6. Missionary Sketches, no. 3, October 1818, second edition, printed August 1820. 7. Letter from Williams to Papeiha and Vahapata, 1823. SOAS LMS SS incom corresp, box 4, folder 1, folio A. 8. A phrase in common use at the time. 9. Campbell, J. (ed.), 1843. The Farewell Services of Robert Moffat, in Edinburgh, Manchester, and London. John Snow, London. FIG. 13 (left): Engraving depicting Mitiaro staff god with feather tail. Detail, frontispiece of William Ellis’ Polynesian Researches, 1829, vol. 2, no. 4. Tails were important elements of at least two types of idols in the Cook Islands. Entry no. 12 on Papeiha’s list reads, “Family god called Vei with a tail which the priests take off & decorate themselves with when they wish to be inspired.” FIG. 14 (right): God staff, bottom blade missing, feathers missing. Mitiaro, central Cook Islands. Ex Baptist Missionary Society, London; L Finer. Brought to Ra‘iatea by Papeiha and missionaries John Williams and Robert Bourne on Captain Dibbs’ Endeavour voyage in August 1823; presented to William Carey’s museum at the Baptist Mission in Serampore (north of Calcutta) by Tyerman and Bennet 3 May 1826. Private collection. These intricate, radially carved staff gods are singular among Pacifi c cultures and are evidently unique to the small island of Mitiaro. Originally they were festooned with small clusters of red feathers fastened to the cleats with sennit. In addition, long bushy sennit or feather tails were attached to the lower ends, as can be seen in the engraving at left. Missionaries and Idols And the idols he shall utterly abolish.—Isaiah 2:18.
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