MISSIONARY'S TRAGIC DEATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 147, 14 August 1911, Page 7

MISSIONARY'S TRAGIC DEATH.

SHOT WHILE CONDUCTING SERVICE. The following further particulars of the tragic death of Mr Daniels, a muni her of the South Seas Evangelical Mission, are taken from a Sydney exchange : The steamer Minindi, which arrived from the Islands early yesterday morning, brought news of the tragic death of Mr Daniels, a member of the South Sea Evangelical Mission Mr Daniels, who lost his life at Uni, was stationed at Nongasda, about six miles distant, and divided Ids time between that place and Sinorango, also visiting several schools on rlic mainland.

On Wednesday, July 14th, ho proceeded to Airama-rama, and sent ins boat and crew back to Isongasila, intending' to remain where he was until the Evangel called for him. After the boat had left the teacher said ho was sorry lie had come, because there was much talk among the heathen of a big reward that had been offered for the murder of the white man; and they had wanted to kill Mr Hopkins when ho was at Urn, but ho had returned to Ngorefou, and so thwarted their plans. Simon, a teacher, feared it might be unsafe for Mr Daniels. However, apparently those most concerned did not take much heed of the report, such threats being common in Malaita. Mr Daniels and his little cook, Mesne, a schoolboy from Onc-Pusu, therefore stayed on. Each day they had classes, and on Sunday, June ISth, four meetings were held. The last of these was a praise meeting in the open air, between 1 two houses. Mr Daniels had an acetylene lamp, and was seated on a rock. After singing many hymns, the missionary said, “Let ns sing just one more hymn.” ' Then, as the familiar words of the particular choice rose and fell on the evening breeze a native who had concealed himself fired a shot at Mr Daniels, and struck him on, the breast. > > r “Lord, save me!” exclaimed the victim, as he fell, but nothing more. Kindly worshippers rushed forward, and found a had wound in the. chest, the hymn-book the leader of the service had been using having fallen where the bullet had torn its way into the victim’s heart. It - was stained with the life-blood of one of the most respected workers in the South Seas.

“One moment,” wrote a, fellow-mis-sionary to the secretary of the movement in Sydney, “praising God on earth, with all life’s limitations, the next with Christ , most blessed for ever.” The hoys of the mission did all they could for the murdered teacher. Me sue gathered his belongings and locked them' up, and the body was taken to Nongasila in. a canoe, and there, a coffin was made from boxes. A crew was subsequently, found for die Hope, a whale-boat, and the long journey of 50 miles to Marloo set out ipoa. Mr Daniels some time pieviousspent a happy,six weeks’ holiday at the place to which his remains were icing , slowly conveyed. The . Marloo people were much attached to him, ; ;>d heard of the shocking news with ".or row. Oh arrival at Marloo. the hody rested in the church dining the night, and in the early morning the elders carried it to the grave, round which had gathered the whole of the populace within a reasonable distance. Mr a"cl Mrs Foucar and Miss McLaughlin, missionaries, were present to see the last of their comrade. Mr Daniels worked single-handed •Jong 100 miles of coastline, and no T.iscionary is available to take his ijace, for many other centres arc crying for workers. “As missionaries,” wrote a gentleman to the secretary of the South Sea Mission in Sydney, “wo are not depending on our Government for protection, for whether in life or death we are safe in God’s care.’