year John G. Paton, who died in 1907, began his memorable career of nearly half a century on Tanna and Aniwa, and in pleading the cause of the New Hebrides missions in England and America. No less interesting and instructive is the story of mission work in New Guinea, the largest of the Pacific Islands, and one that has a most promising future. Missionaries of the Gossner Society began work among the cannibal Papuan tribes in 1854. In the Dutch territory (the northwestern part) the Utrecht Missionary Union has established a number of stations. In Kaiser Wilhelm's Land (German possession) the Neuendettelsau Society (since 1885) and the Rhenish Society (since 1887) are carrying on missions that are beginning to bear rich harvests. In British New Guinea successful work is carried on by the London Society (since 1871), aided by the Australian Wesleyans. The missionaries are ably assisted by native evangelists from Tahiti, Rarotonga, Samoa, and the Loyalty Islands. On a missionary ex 'No friend of missions should fail to read Dr. Paton's Autobiography, published in 1889 in two parts by his brother. More recently this brother, Dr. James Paton, published in condensed form The Story of John G. Paton, Told for Young Folks. Thirty Years among South Sea Cannibals. Then read: Lomai of Lenakel, a Hero of the New Hebrides. A Fresh Chapter in the Triumph of the Gospel, by Frank H. L. Paton, a son of the veteran missionary, and since 1897 resident missionary on the western coast of Tanna. Those who are conversant with the German should read the following monographs by Johann Flierl, senior missionary of Neuendettelsau in New Guinea: "Wie ich Missionar wurde"; "Gedenkblatt der Neuendettelsauer Mission in Australien und Neuguinea"; and “Dreiszig Jahre Missionsarbeit in Wüsten und Wildnissen." Published by the Neuendettelsau press in 1910. tension tour James Chalmers1 and twelve native helpers were killed by the savages in 1901. Of his death one of his fellow workers wrote: "If I am right in thinking, this will put an end to such tragedies. I know that he or any of his fellow missionaries would unhesitatingly welcome the opportunity for the sake of its end." Australia, an island of the Pacific, and yet really a continent, has become in its habitable portion (particularly the southern, eastern, and western coasts) a possession of foreign colonization, the white population numbering more than four million. The evangelical churches of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria are prosecuting extensive missionary operations. In Tasmania the aborigines have completely disappeared, while in Australia there is but a remnant of sixty to seventy thousand of the native Papuans left. Mission work is carried on among them on their reservations by the Moravians, and the Lutheran, Anglican, and Presbyterian churches. In addition to the Neuendettelsau and the Moravian missions, there are seven Australian societies that carry on mission work in Australia. They report a total of 17 ordained missionaries, 10 laymen, 10 unmarried women workers, 634 communicants, and 1,480 adherents. In New Zealand the diminishing Maori population, together with mixed races, number only about 43,000. Since 1840, when the island became a British Colony, the white population has increased to 800,000. It was upon the solicitation of Samuel Marsden, a colonial chaplain at Sydney, New South Wales, that the Church Missionary Society began mission work in New Zealand in 'Read the refreshing narrative of this fearless worker, James Chalmers. His Autobiography and Letters. By Richard Lovett. 1814. Amid the turbulent period of English colonization and the anti-foreign, mongrel religious movement among the Maori, known as "Hau-hauism," the missions had to endure fiery trials. Bishop Selwyn founded the Episcopal Melanesian Mission and personally visited more than fifty islands. After a visit in New Zealand, on his voyage round the world, Charles Darwin wrote at length of the wonderful and admirable changes he beheld, saying, among other things: "The lesson of the missionary is the enchanter's wand. * * * * I took leave of the missionaries with thankfulness for their kind welcome. I think it would be difficult to find a body of men better adapted for the high office which they fulfil." Three New Zealand societies, together with the British and Foreign Bible Society, report a total of 16 ordained missionaries, 2 unmarried women workers, 3,225 communicants, and 26,000 adherents. 6. Concluding Thoughts. What is the lesson we learn from even such a rapid survey of the work of the Gospel in mission lands? The truths and principles, as they have been developed in recent times in scientific form, will be discussed in the Second Part of this work. The history of missions invites to a systematic consideration of the fundamental principles involved and of the methods of work that have proved their efficiency in practical experience on many fields. But let us not, as we look back over the trials and triumphs, the hopes and fears, the victories and the conquests of the Christian hosts under the leadership of Christ, the Captain of our salvation, miss the chief les son the practical truth that should be impressed on the heart of every reader: God omnipotent, and His grace mighty to save even unto the uttermost; Christian faith and love triumphant; Conquering and to conquer through the Lamb's redeeming blood. In the history of missions we find one continuous vindication and exemplification of the Lord's promise: "And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." In view of these overwhelming evidences of Christianity, believers should take courage, and unbelievers should stop and reflect, as we point to the results of the Gospel and say: See, what hath God wrought! |