“GRAHAM OF KALIMPONG”

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 255, 24 July 1937, Page 8

“GRAHAM OF KALIMPONG”

Missionary From India to Preach To-morrow To-morrow evening next In Kent Terrace Presbyterian Clmi'ch the people of Wellington will lie given another opportunity of bearing the Rev. J. A. Graham. C.1.E., D.D., who for JO years laboured as a missionary in Kaliniftoug. India. Dr. Graham is the best-known and best-loved of living Scottish missionaries. Eor his long ami faithful service in the foreign field lhe Church of Scotland in 1931 called him to the moderntorship—the highest gift in its power to bestow. Many public tribute's have been paitl Io Dr. Graham, among them the D.D. for scholarship from Edinburgh : the Kaiser-i-lliml gold medal for his unselfish philanthropy; and the Companionship of the Indian Empire for outstanding public service. Dr. Graham, when responding recently to a toast in his honour at London, proposed by Lord Ronaldshay, Governor of Bengal, threw some light on hintself b.v saying that by birth lie was a Cockney, by descent hali'-Scot and hnlf-Irish, and by lifelong adoption an Indian. Everyone has come to look upon him as a notable Scot, as all the scenes of his boyhood and education are Scotti:-'.!. fit 1889 in St. George’s Parish Church. Edinburgh, he was ordained as the lirsl missionary of lhe Young Men's Guild of Galashiels. The Kalimpong of 18S9 is very different from the Kalimpong of today. Kalimpong has been rightly called “11 city set on a hill,” the mime implying “the meeting-place of the councillors.” It; hits bt'tfn described as “the gem upon the golden ring of Seed fish mission stations in India.” Dr. Graham and Kalimpong are inevitably joined, for to Christian and philanthropic work there hi' has devoted his life. Dr. Graham is making a tour of New Zealand and will be in Wellington for the’ week-end.