DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN MISSIONARY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1037, 28 January 1911, Page 13

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN MISSIONARY.

The Rev. Albert Pearse, who for.a. period of .nearly 40 years rendered distinguished service to the causa of tho London Missionary Socioty in the South Seas and New Guinea, passed away at his-rcsldcnee at Chatswood, New South Wales, on January 20, after a somewhat lengthened illness, in his 70th year. Mr. Pearse. commenced his missionary career in. 1869, when he was appointed to the island of Borabora,'in the Socioty Group.. Shortly afterwards, however, ho removed to Kaiaka, i'.i tho sanio group; where he .had-charge of" the institution' for' traihihg"hatjye pasters. Whilst engaged'in : this ; -work Mr: Pearse carried through . tho press the translation of a Bible dictionary inTahitian, a work which lias long been a valued Scripture aid throughout tho Society Inlands and the Cook Group. Mr. Pearse, however, had long desired to labour in New Guiena, and his offer of service in that country being/accepted he was. appointed to the station of Kerepunu, about 100 miles cast of Port Moresby. Hero Mi*. Pearse . laboured most successfully ■ for nearly 20 years, and only retired from active sorvice some four years ago, owing to ill-health. In addition to tho ordinary work of a missionary at Kerepunu Mr. Pearse translated 14. Gospels' and portions of tho. Old Testament" into the Keapara language of "New Guinea. Ho also published a number of educational books, ibf use in the schools, also many smaller books, w'hich he 'printed at his own mission press, ho himself being a ■ thoroughly . capablo printer. Mr. Pearse was a' most painstaking missionary, and succeeded in a marked degree in creating a spirit of selfhelp amongst'the-*people of his district in contributing towards tho support of the work. By constant visitation of his district Mr. Pearse maintained a high state of efficiency amongst; tho pastors who aided him in his work. With the help of Mrs. Pearso he succeeded 1 in training a large number of men and women, ninny of whom afterwards becamo teachers among their own people. Tho late Mr. Pearse was of a very retiring nature, but tho value of his work will remain for many years to come. In additi6n .to his widow, who survives him, Mr. Pearse leaves behind four sous and two daughters, most of whom are resident in Sydney.