BISHOP SELWYN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 98, 25 April 1878, Page 4

BISHOP SELWYN.

(Continued.) The following anecdotes of his life "will, perhaps, better illustrate the character of this remarkable Christian missionary. He was a famous seaman. Those who accompanied him on hie early voyages will remember how often they saw him Bt the helm in the roughest weather, virtually commanding the ship, and by his cheerful voice and ready aid infusing energy and courage into the crew. It has been said of him that he would have been equally at home as a post-captain, as colonel of a regiment, or in any capacity in which great courage, skill, and habitß of command are essential qualities, He was often seen in a gale working with the crew in shirt and trousers. On one occasion, about the year 1859 or 1860, he sailed out of harbor with only one of tbe crew of the vessel who was not in a helpless state of intoxication. He stood at the helm nearly the whole of that night, etseriug the vessel with unerring accuracy. CITING EXtftAORDINAKY About tbe year 1658 Bishop Selwyn visited Port de France, New Caledonia, an connection with missionary work in the Loyalty Islands, of which the French had just taken possession. When between tbe reef and the shore, and going into Port de France, at a speed of five knots, the vessel ran aground. Captain Williams, now of Auckland, passed in another vessel which he commanded, and Beeing the Bishop's vessel nground, recommended him to iake to the boats. Bishop Selwyn, however, replied that he was molved to stick to tbe vessel as long as there was a chance of saving her, He got anchors out, and worked hard 'with the crew until 2 o'clock in the morning, when it was found that she had run on the edge of a reef. The I exertions were redoubled with the rising tide, and the Bishop had the satisfaction of floating her off. Next morning as the Bishop was sailing his Vessel into the port he was met by a French man-of-war which Captain Williams had sent out to meet her. It next became neaeesary to examine the vessel's bottom in order to ascertain the extent of the injuries sustained. There was no diviug apptiratus, and no professional diver. But the Bishop was equhl to ibe emergency. Promptly he stripped off bis clothes, and by a series of successful dives, examined every pait of the vessel's bottom. This took place io the pnsfince of tbe French officers, who were enthusiastic in their admiration of t!ib Englishman. The Bishop came up at length, with his bands severely cut; hut he bad accomplished bis self-imposed task. This is the stuff of which Jieroes are made! No ■wonder thut when he accepted an invitation to lunch on the man-of-war next day they fired a salute on bis leaving. THE BISHOP'S PBESENCE OF 31IND. In one of his earlier voyages she Bishop visited Malliolo, in the New Hebrides, and a boat was taken ashore to procure fresh water. Tbe quick eye of tha Bishop observed that the natives were not accompanied to the beach by their women and children — an invariable sign of hostility. He commanded tbe crew to iow as fast as possible into the fresh water creek, and fill their breakers. When this had been done he issued orders to take no notice of the natives, but to form in line, to walk along shouldering' tbe breakers, and when they got into the water to swim to the boat, holding the breakers in such a manner as to protect theinheads. As the Bishop had anticipated, the quiet determined manner of the perty had the desired effect. He walked at their head, calm and self-poßsessed, eyeing the nearest natives with an unflinching look. The savages hesitated until the crew had reached the water, and then poured in a shower of spears and stones, but, as tbe heads of tbe Switnmerß weie protected by the breakers, the weapons did no harm. THE BISHOP y S SABBATH WOBK. Many former inmates of the hospital and gaol can relate anecdotes of the kind solicitude, and almost womanly tenderness of the Bishop. It was bis custom to avoid tbe regular parish preaching on Sun ays, and to betake himself at an early hour to the hospital and gaol. Here he was to be seen at the bedside of the sick, speaking words of coDeolation, lending their wounds with his own hands, administering food to tbe more weakly, and nursing them with tbe tenderness of a woman. The old nurses could tell some remarkable stories of those days. He would go the round of the gaol amongst the worßfc criminals, admonishing, remonstrating, and gently urging them to a better life' and he was often seen in the condemned cell preaching Christ crucified, end narrating in his own graphicstyle the story of tbe two malefactors who died with the Saviour. HIS HUMILITY. Those who knew his indomitable will and remarkable energy of character were also struck with his singular humility. To him the Christian religion was ever a living reality. Those who have travelled with him on foot or by canoe through New Zealand tell of the deep, earnest conversations which be held at night by tbe camp-fire, and the many proofs of bow continually he sought to live in tbe presence of God. During his visit to England he preached a course of sermons at the University of Cambridge which had a wide circulation at the time, and made a deep impression. Amongst those who were

awakened by them was Bishop Mo Kenzie who went afterwards with Livingstone on missionary work in South Africa. The title of these sermons waß " The work of Christ in the world." If these Were reprinted they would have a large circulation. HO\V HB SPENT HIS PBIVATB MEANS. Such was the interest which the Bishop took in the Church that he considerably reduced bis private means in ita maintenance and. development. The Bishop's Court at Para ell was erected out of his private income at the cost of £4,000, and many of the most beneficial and floutiahing Church institutions owed their origin to his opanhanded liberality. He propoied a scheme of Church fire insurence, which was rejected by the timidity of the Church members, but has since been adopted, and brought into operation by that shrewd body, the Wesleyans. His charities were numerous and unostentatious, i - —