Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1909. HEROISM IN COMMON LIFE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4458, 4 September 1909, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,1909. HEROISM IN COMMON LIFE.

This above all—to thine own stifle true, And it must follow as the night the dag Thou canst not then be false to any man Shakespeare ,

No doubt every humane heart from Te Aroha to the farthest bounds of our Island shores, thrilled with emotions of pity and admiration as people read the following lines in last Monday’s cablegrams : New York, August 29.

“ The American steamer Ohio has been wrecked at Steep Point, Alaska.

Eccles, the wireless operator, was drowned with four others. He stuck to his post until the operating room was flooded, sending messages which were received by two steamers fitted with wireless installations.

They came up at full speed, and, guided by the heroic operator, reached the scene of the wreck in time to 6ave the lives of 234 of those aboard the wrecked steamer.”

Brave fellow ! He gave his life a ransom for many. Could a man die better ? Faithful unto death! Of the heroic and self - sacrificing Eccles it may be truthfully said : . “ Life’s race well run, Life's work well done, Life’s crown well won!”

The name of the brave telegrahpic operator will live in history, and the remembrance of him excite others jto deeds of daring rectitude. We all admire the three hundred heroic Spartans who kept the Pass at Thermopylae against overwhelming hosts of Persians. The death of their leader Leonidas, noble 89 it most undoubtedly was, was not a bit more noble and heroic than was that of the gallant Eccles. By the operator’s unflinching devotion to duty 234 precious lives were saved and, perhaps, his life tea might have been saved if he had thought more of himself than he did of others. Verily he has his reward. His name will be impressed on the grateful hearts of those he was instrumental in saving, and his countrymen will delight to tell their children the story of his heroic death.

Such unselfish deeds as that one just recorded, are redeeming features in the human race. They make one’s blood course quicker through his veins, and stimulate men to emulation of them. Who can read without admiration, for instance, of the self denying labours of Father Damien, the spiritual guide and practical helper of the poor lepers on the island of Molokai ? Sent by his bishop on a Mission to Honolulu, and hearing of about seven hundred lepers needing physical help and the means of grace, he volunteered to go and minister to them. He became their doctor, magistrate, pastor, and friend, nursing the sick and burying the dead. For twelve long years, until stricken with leprosy and finally by the hand of death, the heroic and devoted priest carried on his wonderful work. Such are the noble acts of fadeless glory inscribed on the page of history ; and thpy are examples to all men to do their duty. It is well for ourselves and for our children that such deeds should not be forgotten. They become a savour of life unto life. They make us see the dignity of human nature when infused with the spirit of self-sacrifice and love of others. What school boy has not found his heart beating faster as he read, the thrilling story of our New Zealand Grace Darling? The flowers have scarcely faded on her recent grave. It was September 4th, 1863, the brigantine Delaware, 241 tons, was wrecked in a gale on a rocky coast near Pepin's Island. The crew seemed doomed. No help appeared possible. The mate, Henry Squirrel, tied a line to his waist and plunged into the surf iu

hopes of reaching the shore, but he w's dashed against the vessel and had to be dragged on board. All hope seemed lost ; but five Maoris —four men and one womanappeared on the beach, and, led by the woman, they bravely dashed into the surf and swam to a rock near enough to reach a line thrown from the ship. With that they swam ashore, and thus saved all the crew and a passenger except the mate. The Maori Julia has had her name suitably linked with that of the English Grace Darling, and in the address presented to Julia at Nelson by grateful Colonists, it said : “ Your brave act is one of which a Queen might be proud ” ; and we say of Mr Eccles, whose deed of heroism has already circled the earth : “ Your brave act is one of which a King might be proud ? ” Thus we pay tribute to the heroic dead.