Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE INTERESTING ITEMS FROM THE COLLECTION On Saturday the 6th, the Seventh Day Adventist Church held a Bounty Day worship service with a focus on family bibles and the rich faith heritage of the Island. Congregation members were able to bring their own family bibles for display and discussion. Some bibles on display included the Nobbs Family Bible, the Boniface Family Bible and a smaller bible belonging to Ben Christian in 1840. Three bibles from the Norfolk Island Museum Trust Collection (NIMT) were also on show and a short presentation given. In preparation for the presentation, exciting discoveries were made when the 1823 Pitcairn Bible (NIM23009) was closely inspected. Every page was carefully turned to determine if pages had been annotated and to complete a thorough condition report before the artefact travelled. The first eight pages have always been well documented as they contain the names, birth and death dates of the Adams family. Legible names include John Adams, George Adams, John Adams II, Jonathan Adams, Josiah Adams, Polly Adams, Sarah McCoy, Margaret Adams, Richard? Adams. It is believed to have been owned by John Adams II, who also recorded his grandfather’s and father’s details. A number of interesting finds can now be added to this fascinating object’s history. Many of the other family bibles on display at the SDA church service had spent the majority of their lives at home due to their value and often their large size. The same had been assumed about the Pitcairn Bible. However, a service program sheet was found neatly tucked into the bible on page 319. Titled, ‘LENT SERVICES, 1884’ the program outlines the pastors speaking at the Church of England and include Rev. A Penny, Rev Charles Bice, Rev, R. B. Comins, Rev A. Brittain, and an unidentified Bishop. Also included is a small devotional by J. R. Selwyn most likely the unidentified Bishop also overseeing services. Interestingly Rev. Bice, a staff member at the Melanesian Mission (1867-1892), is listed as one of the key speakers during Lent period. He also is responsible for the beautiful photographic panorama of Kingston shot in 1867. We therefore have a fairly good image of what the reader of the Adams bible would have been able to see from All Saints’ window during the 1884 Lent services. Other interesting finds contained within this bible include two fragments of hair, a dried leaf used as a bookmark, and even a preserved and pressed moth (which was removed). Unlike the other NIMT bibles brought to the SDA service, the Pitcairn bible does not show signs of being used in public bible readings. However, it does contain interesting annotations. In the book of Isaiah from chapters 24 to 37, someone has coloured in and decorated the enlarged letter beginning each paragraph. It is uncertain whether the marks were made during its use on Pitcairn or Norfolk Island. One passage is also marked with an ‘X’ in Ephesians Chap 4 verse 14. The Church of England program sheet and the annotated pages are an important find, showing that the bible was brought to services on Norfolk Island and not just in use while on Pitcairn Island. It T: (+6723) 22444 | W: www.norfolkisland.gov.nf also indicates the Isaiah passage was studied at some point and confirms that the bible was actively read and not just a family heirloom. This bible is on permanent display at the ground floor at the Pier Store. If you would like to see it in person, feel free to ring 23788 or email us at [email protected] if you’d like to organize a viewing time or have any questions. Figure 2: SDA display of Family Bibles Figure 1: NIM23009 Adams Family Bible Figure 3: Inspection of page 2 of bible Rose Evans TEAM LEADER TOURISM & HERITAGE 12 June 2020 T: (+6723) 22444 | W: www.norfolkisland.gov.nf .

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