THE LATE REV P. ANDERSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 846, 15 February 1868, Page 14

THE LATE REV P. ANDERSON.

- ; {From the DArur^TnOßjFeluie.K.r: r. Three - wiaeks 4goy-,tHßr# passed from the midst of us one of tife^nost iraeful and devote^ minißtera' of the*GospeL During 'hiir'liob short residence in Dunedin, he kept himself much secluded from public observation ; yefc, by Mb labors in the Nor£h-Easi Valley, he endeared , himself to the hearts of many, and some record, however slight, of hia Jong and devoted career of usefulness", will, we are sure, gratify many of our readers. .■ ' . He was a native of Scotland, having, befya born in the ' City of Perth, intiie year 1802: He passed through the usual Academical curriculum of four years, in the Universities of St. Andrew's and Glasgow, and during the lengthened attendance on the Theological Hall after this, he devoted part ot his time to the work of a City Missionary in Glasgow.

1 In the year 1835, he was ordained in Glasgow as a Missionary for Jamaica, and immediately thereafter he set out for that island, and lauded in MontegoBay in January, 1836. At that time, the island was in a somewhat unsettled state. Slavery had shortly before this been abolished by the Act of the British Legislature ; and the apprenticeship system, which proved so unsatisfactory to all parties, was in force. He began his labors in Navarre, about eighteen miles j from Montego Bay. He obtained there a dwelling house, and by removing the partitions, converted it into a .Church. Beginning with two Negro children, he speedily drew around him crowds of blacks from the neighboring plantations, who W9re most eager to obtain instruction. They entertained the notion that they would not obtain their freedom, unless they "were able to read and write, and this brought persons of all ages, even as ' far advanced as 80 years, to make the attempt to learn. A. regular day-school was established for the children through the week, and a night-class for the more advanced ; but the larger number of the adults came only on the Sabbath Day. That day, accordingly, was a time of lengthened and continuous labor for both the missionary and his wife. Glasses for instruction in the elements of religion began at seven o'clock, and continued till the time for the regular public preaching. In the afternoon, a class for the instruction of the elder women was conducted by Mrs Anderson, while the rest of the congregation were formed into a class, and the Bubject of the forenoon's discourse was now illustrated and expounded in a familiar manner, and questions were put regarding it. Thus did they strive with loving devotedness, during a period of three years, to break among them the bread of life, in a manner suited to their understanding.

The overseers of the neighbouring plantations manifested considerable aversion to this new agency in the midst of them, and under the plea that the building was needed for another purpose, Mr Anderson was required to leave. He removed therefore to BeHevue, the station which he occupied as long as he remained in Jamaica. This place was seven miles distant from Navarre ; yet numbers of the blacks who had attended there, followed him to Bellevue, while he gathered around him in addition, numbers of those called brown people, who, though slaves, were deemed of a higher class than the blacks. His ministrations here were also attended by more of the Europeans, who were engaged as book-keepers on the estates, and in other capaci* ties, and though some of these at first had come to scorn, there is good reason to believe that they remained to pray, and were led to experience the blessings of salvation. His labors here during the week, and on the Sabbath Day, were continued as at Navarre; and he had reason to rejoice over the gradual consolidation and prosperity of the congregation. His labors were afterwards, in addition, extended to Hampden, a station about eight miles distant, which had been left vacant by the Rev Mr Blyth, who returned Home on account of failing health. At bath places Mr Anderson labored devotedly, bearing up against the discouragements which every missionary must expect, and undaunted by repeated attacks of fever and a severe sun-stroke which he suffered.

In the year 1850 his family went to Scotland for the sake of education, and Mr Anderson, left alone, passed through some of the severest trials. Through an accident while riding, his leg was fractured, and beyond the suffering which it occasioned, and the danger attending it, Mb anxiety was deepened by his concern for his family — far removed from him, and by the interruption which was caused to the great work on "which his heart was set. .During this period, also, a terrible epidemic of cholera and small pox, broke out in the Island; and spread everywhere

.clo.solafa.oii md'ftiftrr", tho.midjßt.of i ifc r dyiflg' and the dfed. Terror 'had paralysed admost „ dux tne /Missionary watfceawiess to the wante, bodily and spiritual, of tne I sick cahd <rthe"»&ying ; -to the burM of the dead, and devising _ and exlecuting njeaaures for the sanatory wellbeing of the cbmmunity. .^ _ ' ' After about ,18 years pf trying' 1 labor, his health had so far failed that he was compelled to return tq.his native country., Here he gradually regained strength, and though still to. some extent infirm >■ he "was able tp engage publicly in the work, of his Master. .Following the bent of his-whole life, which iwas pre-eminently missionary, he accepted the office of missionary to the cabmen of Glasgow. He preached to thdra evety Sabbath evening, in the lower part of the Trades' Hall; and visited them during the week at their stands a!nd in their houses. For nearly ten years he was engaged, in $his work, removed almost entirely from the public gaze, for which he cared but little, but deeply loved and honored by those whose highest interests engrossed his constant attention. When he resolved to come to New Zealand, whither some of his family had preceded him, he was presented in the City Hall with a testimonial, accompanied with some valuable gifts, expressive of the high esteem and admiration with which he was regarded, and of the gratitude which was felt for his devoted labours.

Since his arrival in Dunedin, in the latter part of 1864, his infirm health prevented him from seeking to occupy a regular ministerial charge. Still he could not remain idle, and he found a congenial sphere of labor in the North East Valley. During the last two years he has preached there on the Sabbath day, besides visiting, as his strength allowed him', and sometimes beyond his strength, during the week. The esteem, and even love, with which he was regarded by all who became acquainted with him, it would be difficult adequately to express. For several months before he died, he was hud aside from active duty, and after much suffering, which he bore with patient resignation and triumphant faith in the Saviour whom he served so long, he passed away to his reward on the sth January, already seeming, amid the throes of dissolution, to realise the glories of his eternal inheritance. Though not unlooked for, the stroke of death when it descends, commonly wakes up griefs that were hidden before ; and to him many sorrowing hearts will apply the words of the poet — Hia memory long will live alone In all our hearts, a3 mournful light That broods a%ove the fallen sun,

And dwells in heaven half the night.