The Apostle of New Guinea. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1936, 2 April 1891, Page 13

The Apostle of New Guinea. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — -The Rev. James Chalmers is a man of portly and imposing presence. Nature has cast him in a colossal mould. When he appeared on the stage of the Garrison Hall I thought that Daniel Webster, or Daniel O'Connell.pr Principal Cunningham had come to life again. He is blessed with a powerful constitution — physically and mentally. He has a clear, strong, and stentorian voice. His attitude is fearless and graceful. ' He has the rarest quality of all, to wit, solid common sense. He is reallj- a forcible speaker, without any offensively erratic gesticulations. As Lord Chesterfield says, he " throws obvious thoughts in a new light, and makes up the whole with a large quantity of purity, correctness, and elegancy of style." Bat you will 'say, why send such a man to preach to savages? Well, human nature is the same all over the world. The savage decks himself with feathers and tattoos his body by way of ornamentation to secure applause. The civilised man, also, dresses gaudily, decorates himself with plumes, chains, ribbons, and medals ; and, as Mr Chalmers said, " Can you tell me where savagery ends, and civilisation begine."i Savages— as well as Christians — are ready to welcome a dashing, daring, and brave philanthropist, such as this sturdy Highlander. He is a born leader of men. So, also, is the governor of New Guinea, Sir William Macgregor — a lineal descendant of the redoubtable Rob Roy Macgregor. With such a Moses and Aaron, great things may be predicted of New Guinea. The French sage sarcastically thanked Providence that there were only four million Scots on the earth ; for, says he, if there were SO millions, they would literally conquer the world. Tbe ancient Romans subjugated the world, but they met more dogged persistence in Scotland than anywhere else, except at Jerusalem. They could not bend the inborn stubbornness of the Jew and the Celt. New Guinea has the privilege of enjoying the ministrations and counsels of two remarkable Highlanders, who will put down their feet firmly, and will stand no nonsense. Such religious and civil heroes will be, verily, a terror to evil doers and a praiße to them who do well. Scotland could not have made a better choice than she has done, in selecting James Chalmers to carry the touch of religion to that cimmeriaD region. Let him fortify his heart with the remembrance of the deeds of Thomas Chalmers. Above all, let him often recall to his thoughts Christ's first seimon in the Synagogue of Nazareth, and go forth full of the fire of enthusiasm, preaching the Gospel of leve and peace, of benevolence and beneficence amid the people that sit in darkness, and in the regions of horrid cruelty. Let him acb in this spirit, and he is bound to go down upon the stream of posterity, with the proud designation of the Apostle of New Guinea. — I am, &c, Dunedin, March 18. J. G. S. Grant.