SAVAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2498, 14 July 1888, Page 2

SAVAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Tub llovd. G. Brown delivered his very interesting ami instructive lectin".!, on the hljovo subject, in the Wesleyan Church, Hamilton, on Thursday evening. Revd. Mr Carr presided, and there was n very good attendance. The lecturer gave a preliminary definition of the racial divisions of the various groups in which the people of Papuan and Polynesian origin are distinguished. He also gave illustrations of the progress of civilisation in theTongau group, and the improved culture and tastes of the inhabitants. Mr Brown then sketched the early history of the mission established by him in 1875, on Duke of York Island, between New Britain and New Ireland, accompanied by his brave native teachers from Tonga. 'The trials, difficulties and dangers were enormous, in the midst of savage and cannibal tiibes. White men who had gone there with him in the John Wesley refused to risk their lives by landing, and only one man-o'-warsman stuck to him. He described the customs of cannibalism which, he stated were closely associated with the'religious beliefs of the natives, and in revenge for murdered relatives by hostile tribes. The philology of tin islands was next treated, and Mr Brown gave lucid examples of the innumerable dialects met with, and the immense difficulties that had to be o rereome before free intercourse and conversation could be possible. Gesture language and intelligible signs cautiously used were necessary at first; until by great application the language was mastered. Mr Brown described the incalculable blessings brought by Christianity to the savages races of the Pacific, and how trade had followed and expanded after the steps of the missionaries. In 1870 not an ounce of trade existed in the New Britain group; his little steam launch was the first to go amongst the islands, but when he last heard from there four large ships were loading at Duke of York island, aud thousands of tons of copra, beche-de-mer, &c., were now exported, Touching stories, full of pathos, were told of the massacre and death of some of his n.itive teachers, and the heroic fortitude of Mrs Brown, with her children, in those remote wilds. These savage cannibals had, however, been won to a great extent. They, themselves, had built 37 churches, and 2(i of these people were preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel, GOO attended the classes, and about four thousand attended the divine services, and men were testifying to the good the Lsrd had done them in bringing them out of darkness. The Gospel had been translated into their own languages, aud Mr Brown described how eagerly the books were read by youths who had been taught in his schools, and who whore listened to by tlie people. The work, however, was only just begun, there was an immense amount of labour yet before them, and for this work he appealed to the people for help. He showed that the contributions from New Zealand were the lowest in the list of the colonies, being only ljd per head. Mission work must not be allowed to languish. The true character of the Church was militant, and any church in which the missionary spirit did not exist was a dead church.

Mr Brown was warmly applauded in concluding, and a vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation.

The Rev. George Brown, noted as a missionary and explorer, delivered an interesting lecture in the Wealeyan Chapel, Te Aroha, on Tuesday evening, the Rev. S. Lawry occupying the chair. The lecturer gave a vivid and thrilling account of his work and experiences among the natives of Western Polynesia, and throughout sustained tiie rapt interest of the largo audience. At the close a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Brown was, on the motion of Mr H. Buttle, carried by acclamation.