E. G. Neil - Journal of Ernest George Neil, 1902-1918

PMB 1198

fonds

441541

Microfilm : PMB 1198

microfilm reel 35 mm

After Reverend Ernest George Neil's ordination to the Ministry of the Primitive Methodist Church in 1895, he ministered in South Australia till 1902 before being appointed to Samoa by the Board of Overseas Missions of the Australian Methodist Church. Rev. Neil remained in Samoa till ca.1919. He sought financial independence for the Mission, and promoted equality between Europeans and Samoans in the Synod. He designed and built the Gaga'emalae mission house, the Wesleyan school at Satupa'itea and Piulia College at Lufilufi. Rev. Neil served on a number of South Australian circuits after his return from Samoa, retiring from the active ministry in 1939. See Leanne Weber 'A Light in the World's Dark Places: the missionary work of E. G. Neil' 2002

The journal is 330 pages in a strong consistently legible manuscript. It includes detailed daily entries from 16 April 1902 till February 1904, tracing the journey of Rev. Neil and his wife from Port Broughton in South Australia to Samoa, documenting Rev. Neils work in Samoa, the Methodist Missions operations and policies and the lives and activities of Samoans. There are also comments on the German administration. There are intermittant entries in the journal from August 1904 till June 1918, mainly on mission policy, business and accounting matters, but also including verse in English and Samoan. The last entry in the journal is the text for an inscription on a marble table to commemorate the erection of Piula College by Rev. Neil and others 1912-1919

PMB (Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau) ; 1198
With: A light in the world's dark places : the missionary work of E. G. Neil (16 p.)
Restricted access until December 2004
Microfilm. Canberra, A.C.T. : Produced for the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, Australian National University. 1 microfilm reel
Original held by Mr Neil Weber, Aberfoyle Park, S. Aust
Printed reel list available (1 p.) and on the internet through http://rspas.anu.edu.au/pambu