On the Missionary Trail: A Journey through Polynesia, Asia, and Africa with the London Missionary Society [Paperback]

Tom Hiney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2001

Following the industrial revolution of the late eighteenth century, Christians in the West began concerted efforts to spread their faith across the globe. On the Missionary Trail is the story of two men sent to places as far-flung as the Kalahari, Tahiti, and Canton to track the spread of Christianity. For eight years, George Tyerman and Daniel Bennet braved storms, pirates, tigers, and powerful but intractable local leaders to chart the success of the London Missionary Society's thirty-year endeavor. A remarkable account of faith and bravery, On the Missionary Trail is a unique addition to the literature of the missionary encounter.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers 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.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From 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.DRobert C. Jones, formerly with Central Missouri State Univ., Warrensburg
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press (November 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802138381
• ISBN-13: 978-0802138385
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,427,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, January 22, 2002

By 

Philip B. Clement (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the Missionary Trail: A Journey Through Polynesia, Asia, and Africa With the London Missionary Society (Hardcover)

Picked up this book fairly randomly and found myself glued to it! A story in magnitude to Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage" - where Lewis & Clark explored the newly discovered US, these two explorers mapped the new evangelical movement of Christianity. Their journey spanned the entire globe, making the travel log incredible and interesting, even for those not keen on religious history. The book includes fascinating descriptions of foreign lands; intriguing accounts of cannibalism, infanticide, drug addiction; and a portrayal of amazing spiritual courage in the attempt to complete this journey. I was also surprised by the honest portrayal of the inescapably political setting. I detected no agenda on the part of the author (either for against missionaries). In the end, some of the missionaries embodied the values of charity and giving, while others committed horrible acts. Both are portrayed in very human terms, so you can almost imagine being there. A great read and an incredible, if not important part of our history.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read, March 13, 2001

By 

N. B. Kennedy (Hopewell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the Missionary Trail: A Journey Through Polynesia, Asia, and Africa With the London Missionary Society (Hardcover)

Slave trading, Captain Cook, pirate ships, David Livingstone, cannibalism and human sacrifice, Captain Bligh and mutiny on the high seas -- it's all in here.

Tom Hiney's book puts the pioneering missionary experience in historical perspective with this account of a two-man deputation sent out by the London Missionary Society in the early 1800s.

Here is a factual record that refutes the popular perception of missionaries as namby-pamby, white-bread spoilsports. Instead, the reader meets hardy and fearless Christians who leap into unknown worlds propelled by a rock-solid faith that we comfy Christians today can only envy.

I wouldn't call it an easy read -- the writing style is a little formal -- but the settings, the action and the writer's views on the broad social changes brought about by early missionary efforts make this a compelling book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing surprise, February 6, 2001

By 

Kathy Harsany (Greenwich CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Missionary Trail: A Journey Through Polynesia, Asia, and Africa With the London Missionary Society (Hardcover)

When I noticed this book at my local library in the new history book section, I had no interest in learning more about the spread of Christianity. But on a whim I took it home, and after the first page, I couldn't wait to read more. You don't have to be fired by missionary zeal to marvel at the worlds conquered by the men and women of the London Missionary Society. The author follows two men who attempted to visit mission stations around the world, in the days before steamships, and it is a trip beyond belief. The narrative is fast-paced, and you'll encounter worlds you never imagined - read this book!