Seventeen years among the Sea Dyaks of Borneo; a ... - Sabrizain.org

328 THE FUTURE OF THE
tion of atoms that will shortly be dispersed throughout
space." They believe that there is something Divine in
him holding those fleeting atoms together, and making
them one, and that he is journeying through a world of
tragic meaning to the significance of which he seems to
be for ever blind. They long to see him brought under
the elevating and purifying influence of Christianity.
It may be asked : What are the Missions, Church of
England and Roman Catholic, doing to elevate the Sea
Dyak ? I believe they are doing the best they can, but
there are many things to contend against. First, there
is the natural inability of the Dyak to keep his attention
fixed upon one subject for any length of time, and so it
is difficult to prevent the conversation from drifting into
some commonplace topic when one is talking about serious
matters. Then, again, when are they to be taught ?
They usually come home from their work late in the
evening, and then they are tired, and take no interest in
anything, being greatly in need of rest. It is at all times
difficult to have a quiet conversation in a Dyak house.
The common veranda is suitable for many things, but it
is far too noisy to be convenient for teaching. They are
often away from their homes for months, and the Mis-
sionary, who generally has a large field to cover, finds he
cannot visit many villages in his parish more than once
n three months. How much of such teaching is likely
to be remembered ? Of course, things
are better where
the Church and Mission House are. There regular
services are held, and these the Sea Dyak has the opportunity
of attending. He can also come up to the Mission
House and talk over matters with the Miss :
onary in
charge, or the Schoolmaster, or the Catechist. But the
number of Mission Houses with resident Missionaries