Girard0286

24 November 1843 - Father Joseph Chevron to his parents, Tonga, with a note added by Bishop Douarre, 22 January 1844

Summary

The mission is making some progress, but slowly.

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Document 286 — 24 November 1843 and 22 January 1844

Joseph Chevron to his parents, with a note by Guillaume Douarre

Source: APM dossier Chevron.

Editorial Description

Sheet folded to form four pages, of which three are written; the fourth contains only the address. It is in the same cover as Document 261. The first seven paragraphs are in Chevron’s hand; the last is in Douarre’s hand. Douarre added his note on 22 January 1844, the day of the departure of the Bucéphale from New Caledonia.

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Address

Monsieur Chevron — Nantua (Ain)

Postmarks

LYON, 14 September 1844 — NANTUA, 15 September 1844

Text

J(esu)s M(ary) J(oseph)

Tonga, 24 November 1843

My very dear parents,

[1]

Monsignor d’Amata, who arrived the day before yesterday on a government vessel, the Bucéphale, is on the point of departing; in an hour or two the anchor will be raised, and there is still much work to be done. I have not had time to open a single one of your letters. I can therefore only embrace you all and thank you for always being so good to me.

Two cases coming from Nantua and Bellegarde have been brought—thank you. My greetings and respects distributed where they are due; I cannot name anyone, but I have many people in my memory and in my heart, and in particular the good souls who pray for me.

If you could convey to Monseigneur of Belley my profound respect and my regret at not being able to write to him, I would be grateful. Pray, and pray much. Childbirth is laborious and painful; I think that we shall here have only the time to destroy Protestantism—others will come to sow.

But in the midst of tribulations and sufferings we have consolations; privations, humiliations, ingratitude, etc.—that is our share here. But it must also be added that the good God gives us a body of iron and a heart of bronze.

Our neophytes are few in number; we have one hundred baptized, all very fervent, and two hundred catechumens, of whom a good number are also very solid; some are still very young.

[2]

I am beginning to speak tolerably well so as to make myself easily understood; but it will be a long time yet before I can understand and speak perfectly. We have not yet had any discussion with the [Protestant] missionaries. We have gone to see them; they have not returned the visit. We go fairly often into their villages; on those days they remain indoors.

We can say—and this is the general testimony—that we are friends especially of the unbelievers and of the Protestants; and to tell the truth, I believe, without flattering ourselves, that it could hardly be otherwise. We make ourselves natural with them, we care for and heal their sick, often without knowing how; we give or lend them tools; we try to bear their ingratitude and sometimes their contempt, all the while instructing them.

Now I ask you, how could one not be loved by people who receive nothing but contempt and rejection from the Protestant missionaries?

[3]

We hope that He who has begun will complete, and we do not forget that this is the mission of the Blessed Virgin. I no longer know where I am—I no longer know where I am.

They wanted to make me hope that within five years we might see one another again; I hope that it will then be in heaven. Farewell. Yours entirely. I forget no one.

[4]

A book by Monsieur Servant of Ségni has been given to me. Please, while thanking him, tell him how sorry I am not to be able to write to him.

[5]

It has been announced that a shipment of letters arrived last January at the Bay of Islands. I think I shall receive them later. Oh, how it pains me to finish so quickly. It is truly a pleasure for us to see compatriots again in so distant a country. Monsieur Commander Ferrière and the officers are full of kindness toward us. Distance from the homeland seems to bring us together here as a family.

[6]

Once again, farewell to everyone. Distribute widely my greetings and respects.

[7]

Do not forget that I have not yet been able to open my packet of letters.

[8](in the hand of Douarre)

I can only add a word to the letter of your son and brother: that he must be very advanced in the heart of God, who works great wonders through his hands. I wish I could say as much of my mission in New Caledonia.

What I can assure you is that I shall never forget you in my prayers and that your kindnesses will never be effaced from my heart.

† Guillaume, Bishop of Amata

Port Balade, 22 January 1844