James Chalmers of New Guinea, missionary, pioneer, martyr

Preface

OT once, but a dozen times, the writer has been

^ asked — Who was Chalmers of New Guinea ? It would seem that, notwithstanding the numerous occasions on which this great man was enthusiastically received at public gatherings during his visits to Great Britain, in 1884-85 and again in 1896—97, there is a very considerable proportion of the British public to whom he is yet unknown.

Moffat and Livingstone, Mackay of Uganda, and Baton of the New Hebrides are universally recognised as pioneer missionaries of the nineteenth century ; and, without attempt at the invidious task of deciding their comparative merits and their individual rights of precedence, we claim a place for James Chalmers in this group of missionary heroes.

When we try to account for the prevailing ignorance in regard to one of the most interesting personalities conceivable, one of the biggest men of last century, we

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PREFACE believe we find some excuse for it in the extreme modesty of the man himself. Chalmers cared nothing for fame, and only visited this country in 1884, after an absence of twenty years, from a compelling sense of the need for more men to exploit and occupy the field which he had surveyed alone.

The present sketch is designed to furnish 'the reading public with some idea of the splendid achievements and attractive personality of this remarkable man. There is every reason for supposing that the name and work and personality of “ Tamate ” are better known to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ; but even from them, as well as from his many friends and admirers in the home-land, a particular and consecutive narrative of his life-story may receive a welcome, if it serves to fill up lacunae in the information they already possess.

It is true that Work and Adventure in New Guinea, a compilation from the journals of James Chalmers (with the addition of several chapters from the pen of Dr. ‘W. "Wyatt Gill), was published in 1885 ; that Pioneering in New Guinea, a second compilation from the same source, followed in 1887 ; and that a slender biographical sketch of Chalmers, written by the late William Eobson, has been before the public for a good many years. But these works have failed to reach thousands who only needed an introduction to James Chalmers to admire and love him, and, perhaps, to emulate his noble

PREFACE

VII example. Although the editing of the volumes of 1885 and 1887 left much to be desired — for they have been thrown together hurriedly, and with little regard for chronological sequence, or for the information of the general reader as to the remote fields in which James Chalmers found his life-work — the writer would be sincerely gratified did the following pages serve to send many to these first-hand records of the work of one who is entitled to a place among Scotland’s greatest sons.

In the preparation of his narrative, the writer has sought to unravel “ the bewildering record ” — as Dr. George Eobson has called it — of Tamate’s published journals ; and, for the rest, he has gathered authoritative information from many sources. Necessarily, he has had to place considerable reliance upon estimates of the life-work and personality of James Chalmers, given to the public by men who have had the good fortune to see Tamate at work in New Guinea itself. Especial acknowledgment may be made of help received from an article contributed by Mr. G. Seymour Fort to the Empire Beview, and from an appreciation from the pen of Dr. H. Bellyse Baildon, recently published in the Dundee Advertiser.

To furnish an intelligible background for the portrait which it is sought to outline, and to indicate the local conditions — missionary and otherwise — when Chalmers

PREFACE viii

entered upon his labours on Earotonga and, later, in New Guinea, it has been deemed desirable to include in the following pages two short chapters of general description and missionary history. For the same end, two maps — specially executed for the present volume by Messrs. W. & A. K. Johnston — have been added to the illustrations.

In his verses “ In memoriam ” of Chalmers, Mr. John Oxenham expresses the confidence that

‘ ‘ His name,

Shall kindle many a heart to equal flame ;

The fire he kindled shall burn on and on,

Till all the darkness of the lands be gone.

And all the kingdoms of the earth he won.

And one.”

The writer will rejoice if this little volume, like a torch, renders humble service in helping to pass on the kindling flame to “ many a heart.”

CUTHBERT LENNOX.

Edinburgh, 18<A March 1902.

CONTEi^TS

Peeface

CHAPTER 1. Beginnings

Birth — Parentage — Schooling — Boyish adventure — Earliest missionary impulse — The Revival of 1859— Changed life — Christian work — Glasgow City Missionary — Accepted by the London Missionary Society — Student days at Cheshunt — At Highgate Institution — The spell of Livingstone — Appointment to Rarotonga — Marriage .....

CHAPTER II. OtTTWAKD Bound

The John WilliaTns II. — Ordination of Chalmers — Farewells — Storm in the Channel — Final departure — The voyage to Australia — The voyage continued— On a reef — Back to Sydney — Final wreck of the John Williams II. — Samoa — With “Bully” Hayes — Arrival in Rarotonga — “Tamate” .

CHAPTER III. The South Seas Mission in 1867 and befoee

The London Missionary Society — Cook’s voyages — William Carey and the South Seas — Early missionary effort in Tahiti — Progress of the work— Arrival of John Williams — His pioneer work — Christianity in the South Seas— Discovery of Rarotonga — The island — Incidents in the life of John Williams — The first resident missionaries — Rarotonga in 1884 — Williams founds a Training College — 1839 to 1867 ....

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CHAPTER IV. At Raeotonga

PAO*

The island in 1867 — Religious condition of the people — Work for Chalmers— Settlement on Rarotonga — Isolation — Conduct of the Institution and its reform — The students — Routine of study — A High School — The printing press — The daily programme. 21

CHAPTER V. At Raeotonga — {continued)

Chalmers goes after the young men — Crusade against strong drink — Rechabite Society — Natives held down by debt — Chalmers prepares a Constitution for the Island — Christian progress —

Work at the out-stations — Visit to Mangaia — Chalmers encourages the churches in self-support and missionary interest — A contingent of students for New Guinea— Chalmers offers to go to the New Hebrides — First call to New Guinea — The second call accepted — Departure from Rarotonga — Experience gained on Rarotonga — Visit to New Zealand . . .29

CHAPTER VI. New Guinea in 1877 and befoee

The largest island in the world — Discovery and early exploration — The island in 1877 — Its inhabitants — Founding of the New Guinea Mission — Mr. Lawes at Port Moresby . . .39

CHAPTER VII. At South Cape

Arrival in New Guinea — A tramp inland — A coasting trip — A born explorer — Tamate’s journals — East Cape — Suau — Settlement among cannibals — Indiscretion of native teachers — Invitation to a cannibal feast ...... 45

CHAPTER VIII. Exploeing feom South Cape

Tamate explores the south-east coast — Pioneer methods — Visit to an Amazon settlement — Dangerous communings at Dedele — Among hostile savages — First real inland trip — Suau proves unhealthy — Illness and death of Mrs. Chalmers — Tamate abandons Suau .......

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CHAPTER IX. Pioneering: Ten Weeks in the Interior

FAQS

Port Moresby — Work of Mr. Lawes — Inland with Ruatoka — Scarcity of carriers — Native terror — Dissipated by the missionary —

The personal influence of Tamate — The native larder — The family pig — Native cooking — Salt-eating extraordinary — The ground covered — Rough travelling — The savage and the evangel — Back in Port Moresby . . . . .60

CHAPTER X. Exploring in the Ghle of Papha

Port Moresby to Bald Head — Geographical value of the cruise —

Native toilettes — Varied reception by the natives — Cannibals — Papuan deities and eschatology . . . .70

CHAPTER XL Pioneering in 1880.

Visiting the eastern stations — Six weeks inland — Rafting, and a spill on the Kemp-Welch River — Massacre at Aroma — -Visit to Manumanu and Kabadi — Famine-stricken Animarupu — Peacemaking— Results of the earlier expeditions . . .77

CHAPTER XII. The Dawn

Work for big results — First converts — Peace-making at Motumotu — Surprised by a fighting canoe — Expedition to Doura — A forward movement — At Delena — In the thick of the fight — Maiva— Death of Kone — Port Moresby men in far Elema — Adventurous navigation . . . . .84

CHAPTER XIII. Errands of Justice and Mercy

The Massacre at Kalo — Estimate of its cause — Its punishment — Tamate’s opinion of punitive expeditions — Visit to Kabadi — In search of the Dourans — Improved conditions at South Cape — Cannibal boatmen — Need for New Guineans as teachers—

The Institution at Port Moresby . . . .94 xii

CHAPTER XIV. WOEK AND AdVENTUKE IN THE GULF : 1883

PA8E

Motuan pottery — ^Trade with the Ear West — Lakatois — Voyage in a trading canoe — Crossing the bar at Vailala — Other sea risks — The dubu — Discovery of the Purari — Intercourse with natives — Picture, song, and smoke — Native salutations — The white man on exhibition — Evening prayers at Vailala — New Guineans preach at Orokolo and Namau — A memorable scene. 103

CHAPTER XV. Placing Teachees

The Age Expedition — One hundred mUes in a week — Meeting with cannibals at the Annie River — New Guinea fever — Visit of Rev. W. W. Gill — Round the stations with Mr. Gill — New beginnings at Kalo — Placing teachers — Motumotu as a vantage ground — Native teachers the true pioneers — The devotion of the native teacher— Mr. Hume Nisbet’s testimony — Teachers as linguists— The choice of teachers — Peace at Kabadi — The staleness of travel — Tamate’s buoyant spirit . . . 115

CHAPTER XVI. A Peotectoeate Pkoclaimed

Early attempts to secure annexation for New Guinea — Tamate’s opinion — The Proclamation— Tamate’s share in its publication — Admiral Erskine’s tribute — Testimony of Admiral Bridge —

Hopes and fears — Pastoral supervision of teachers — Sleeps at Kalo — Koapena of Aroma ..... 125

CHAPTER XVII. With the Special New Guinea Commission

Tamate invited to join Sir Peter Scratohley — Expeditions with the Commissioner — Sir Peter andKoapena — Theinfluence of Tamate — Incidents of peril and adventure — Tamate’s prudence — Against the burning of villages — “Ask Tamate” — More discoveries — The influence of the missionary — The Lord’s Supper at Suau — Death of the Commissioner— Furlough xiii

CHAPTEE XVIII.

Tamate in England and Scotland.

FAGB

An enthusiastic welcome — WorTc and Adventures in New Chiinea : 1877-1885 — Tamate’s message to the Directors — The lion of the hour — At the Colonial Institute — Views on “Civilisation” and on native dress — Robert Lonis Stevenson corroborates —

John Williams and missionary bonnets — Tamate at the Royal Geographical Society — Piemeering in New Guinea — Its reception— Visit to Inveraray — Tamate calls for volunteers — The ninety-third anniversary of the London Missionary Society —

A policy of advance— “No retreat: no retrenchment” — Return to New Guinea ... ' . . 140

CHAPTER XIX. Motdmotd

Tamate visits all the stations and notes progress — Annexation proclaimed by Sir William MacGregor — His opinion of the missionaries — Tamate’s second marriage— Settlement at Motumotu — Its strategic position — The mission house at Motumotu — Serious illness of Tamate and his wife — Motumotu to Port Moresby in an open boat — Missionary diet — Death of Piri’s wife — Missionaries in conference .... 149

CHAPTER XX. Tokres Straits and Rarotonga

A cruise with the Governor — Disappointing condition of stations in Ply River district — A great change at Saibai — In search of the Tuger — Pioneering again — Tamate visits the Samoas and the Hervey Islands — At Rarotonga again — A splendid reception . 158

CHAPTER XXL

With Robert Louis Stevenson.

Tamate and Robert Louis Stevenson meet — A warm friendship results — Stevenson’s opinion of Tamate — Extracts from letters to Tamate — Stevenson commends Pioneering in New Guinea —

Dr. Baildon contrasts the friends — Their treatment of the native — Tamate’s estimate of Robert Louis Stevenson . . 164

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CHAPTER XXII, Towards the Ely River

PAGB

Hopeful signs at Motumotu — Visits Queensland — Wreck of the Harrier — Fiftieth birthday — Tamate in his shirt-sleeves —

The return voyage to New Guinea — Mrs. Chalmers left in charge — Among the cannibals of Namau — Culinary difficulties — Baptisms and teacher-training — Arrival of the Miro — A trial trip round the stations — Serious illness — Further testimony of Sir William MacGregor — Prospecting on the Fly River — Last visit to Great Britain — At the City Temple — Pioneer Life and Work in New Guinea — Return to New Guinea . . 168

CHAPTER XXIII. At Saguanb

Removal to Saguane, Fly River — Its advantages and disadvantages — Natives and tinned food — The humdrum life of a mission station — Success and progress — Sends teachers up the Fly River — Their fortunes — Saguane abandoned . . . 178

CHAPTER XXIV. The Angel oe Death

Removes to Daru — Illness and death of Mrs. Chalmers — Renewed activity — Loneliness and work — Tamate and Christian Endeavour— Rev. 0. F. Tomkins — Expedition to Aird River — Martyrdom — Supposed cause — World-wide grief and lamentatation ........ 187

CHAPTER XXV. Great-Heart of New Guinea

Results of Tamate’s life-work : scientific, imperial, and missionary — His personal appearance — His personality — His faith — His hope ........ 194