A DISTINGUISHED METHODIST.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 9

A DISTINGUISHED METHODIST.

DR.. J. B. MOULTON

Probably one of tlio greatest—and in liis time moat distinguished—figures ;in the sion field of the Western Pacific, has, been called to his last Dr; James Egan Moulton, of Tonga, who passed quietly away at his hoirie at Lindfiolu, recontjy, in 'his' 69th year, <16 of; which' had' been served iii the Christian ministry. ' The late _ Dr. Moulton had' been a chronic sufferer, from asthma for a period of over 30 yeare. ict ho fought: th©. good fight against Jus ; mire-, lentiug foe, as well as for- tlHi xau&G of Christianity, "with the' courage of a Spartan, and . with 'results—so; far ■as .regarded his work —which will remain.an everlasting tn* bate to Ifis, energy, 'his.'. : Ereat ' ability, 'and his personal 'sacrifice.* . - Tho lato Dr. Moulton was one of four dis* tinguished.brothers... On© is Sir John rict* chor Moulton, P. 0., Lord: Justico of Ap'peal: another is, Dr. It. G. 1 Moulton. professor of English literature in the Chicago University ; and tlio other was tho lato.Rov*. W. F. Moulton, D.D.,.ohe of the revisers of the Bible.'. Born at'.'North Shields, -near Newcastle, England, ou January 14, 1841 -(his father being tho Rov. Jariies Egan Moulton/ Wesloyan' minister), yourig Moulton began his educational 1 studies at Kings-, wood. Ho entered tho ministfy in 1863, and responding to a call for missionaries, ho catnor out to Australia, on route for Fiji. On ins arrival here;' Newington Collego' required a headmaster) and ho was appointed to the position. ' In 1864 ho married Miss-Emma Knight, daughter of Mr. James Knight, of Newark, Nbtts,' England, whom ho had. liino children, six of whom are-still living. ■ " .In'- the year following, • Dr. Moulton, d&' liberately turning away, from tho congenial fields of scholarship, consecrated his life..to mission' work, and, for .40. years -worked- for Tonga with an: enthusiasm and devotion rarely, seen,', even in,the mission field. His educational- work there was marvellous; for the Tongans, inspired by him, responded eagerlyto. his efforts, and appreciated .to the full tho extraordinary quantity of literature he gave them. . Ho invented a'remarkable musical notation for them, so that they, were able to render choruses, etc.','from the-ora-torios. His greatest work, however, was. the translation, of "the Bible from' > the original into tho idiomatic language, of tho people. His connection with the. troublous condition of affairs which existed in Tonga from 1880 -to .1889, when the Tongan Government and Wesloyan Church: authorities were at loggerheads, .is-a'matter of liistory. Dr. Moulton carried on his educational work at Toubou College throughout tho season of trouble,, and remained steadfastly at his post until tllo institution was disbanded .by.'Royal'decree in 1836. Ho was withdrawn by conference in' 1889, but maintained;his'connection with'Tonga'by continuing his translation of the Biblo and other educational works. For seven years ho, was president of Newington College, Stanmore; and won to himself ■ tho hearts and affections; as well: as tho respect, of ; -tfie' students and boys'. .-, He : was elected President of tho Methodist Conference in 1893. In 1900 tho University ' of Victoria, Canada, conferred on him the degreo of D.D, in recognition; of his scholarship ajid his remarkabTo educational work fpr Tonga.. ... Dr. Moulton completed his great work of translating tho Biblo into the, Tongan language, which had. occupied him for a quarter of a century, on Christmas Eve, 1901, and forwarded it to tho publishers; Tho Wesloyan Conferenra in 1903 congratulated him upon this in a . special mimito passed at the 1903 session, and at tho 1906 session, on his retirement from . activo . ministry of the Church,' tho conference unanimously plaecd upon record its high souse of tho valuo of his services, both in tho'mission field and educationally, through his translation of tho Scriptures and standard literature into tho Tongan tongue, and contributions to the native hymnology. His publishod translations will remain as monuments to hie intellect and industry ; his work in other directions has long established him as. a devoted servant to hiß Church and to tho cause of tho . Great Master. ■ ' . • ', ' •' .