Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers
Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers
128 follow close to him, the others coming after; and so we marched into the village and up on to his platform. Then began speechifying, presenting cooked food, betel-nuts, pig, and feathers. When all was finished I gave my present, and said a few words in the Motu dialect. The uncle of the man shot by Dr. James came on to the platform, caught me by the arm and shouted, _Maino_! (peace), saying that they, the chiefs, knew nothing of the attack. The murderers lived at the other end of the village; and thither, accompanied by a large party, I went. They gave me a pig, and I gave them a return present. The real murderer of Mr. Thorngren sat near me, dressed for the occasion, and four others who were in the canoe stood near the platform. The mother and two widows were in the house opposite, but with good sense refrained from wailing. I spoke to them of the meanness and treachery of attacking as they attacked Dr. James and Mr. Thorngren. They say there were ten in the canoe--one was shot, three have since died, and six remain. They also say they feel they have done wrong, as they not only made the foreigners their enemies, but also all the tribes around were angry with them. "What now, then?" "Oh, _maino_ (peace) it must be; we are friends, and so are all foreigners now." "I am not a trader, but have come to teach about the only one true God and His love to us all in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, to proclaim peace between man and man, and tribe and tribe." What seemed to astonish them most was my being alone and unarmed. After some time, our old friend came from the other end of the village and hurried us away. It was time to leave them, so, giving a few parting presents, we picked up our goods and away to the boat.
129 CHAPTER V. EAST CAPE IN 1878 AND IN 1882 Original state of the natives--War and cannibalism--How the mission work has been carried on--A Sunday at East Cape in 1882--Twenty-one converts baptized--A blight prospect. In 1878, missionary work was begun at East Capes, and four years after the establishment of that mission, on a review of the past, what evidences of progress were to be seen! There were signs of light breaking in upon the long dark night of heathenism. Looking at the condition of this people when the missionaries and teachers first landed, what did they find? A people sunk in crime that to them has become a custom and religion--a people in whom murder is the finest art, and who from their earliest years study it. Disease, sickness, and death have all to be accounted for. They know nothing of malaria, filth, or contagion. Hence they hold that an enemy causes these things, and friends have to see that due punishment is made. The large night firefly helps to point in the direction of that enemy, or the spirits of departed ones are called in through spiritists' influence to come and assist, and the medium pronouncing a neighbouring tribe guilty, the time is near when that tribe will be visited and cruel deeds done. They know nothing of a God of Love--only gods and spirits who are ever revengeful, and must be appeased; who fly about in the night and disturb the peace of homes. It is gross darkness and cruelty, brother's hand raised against brother's. Great is the chief who claims many skulls; and the youth, who may wear a jawbone as an armlet is to be admired. When we first landed here, the natives lived only to fight, and the victory was celebrated by a cannibal feast. It is painfully significant to find that the only field in which New Guinea natives have shown much
- Page 77 and 78: 77 understand them. It is very conv
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- Page 111 and 112: 111 I landed with them, and went up
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129<br />
CHAPTER V. EAST CAPE IN 1878 AND IN 1882<br />
Orig<strong>in</strong>al state of the natives--War and cannibalism--How the mission work<br />
has been carried on--A Sunday at East Cape <strong>in</strong> 1882--Twenty-one converts<br />
baptized--A blight prospect.<br />
In 1878, missionary work was begun at East Capes, and four years after<br />
the establishment of that mission, on a review of the past, what<br />
evidences of progress were to be seen! There were signs of light<br />
break<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> upon the long dark night of heathenism. Look<strong>in</strong>g at the<br />
condition of this people when the missionaries and teachers first landed,<br />
what did they f<strong>in</strong>d? A people sunk <strong>in</strong> crime that to them has become a<br />
custom and religion--a people <strong>in</strong> whom murder is the f<strong>in</strong>est art, and who<br />
from their earliest years study it. Disease, sickness, and death have<br />
all to be accounted for. They know noth<strong>in</strong>g of malaria, filth, or<br />
contagion. Hence they hold that an enemy causes these th<strong>in</strong>gs, and<br />
friends have to see that due punishment is made. The large night firefly<br />
helps to po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> the direction of that enemy, or the spirits of departed<br />
ones are called <strong>in</strong> through spiritists' <strong>in</strong>fluence to come and assist, and<br />
the medium pronounc<strong>in</strong>g a neighbour<strong>in</strong>g tribe guilty, the time is near when<br />
that tribe will be visited and cruel deeds done. They know noth<strong>in</strong>g of a<br />
God of Love--only gods and spirits who are ever revengeful, and must be<br />
appeased; who fly about <strong>in</strong> the night and disturb the peace of homes. It<br />
is gross darkness and cruelty, brother's hand raised aga<strong>in</strong>st brother's.<br />
Great is the chief who claims many skulls; and the youth, who may wear a<br />
jawbone as an armlet is to be admired.<br />
When we first landed here, the natives lived only to fight, and the<br />
victory was celebrated by a cannibal feast. It is pa<strong>in</strong>fully significant<br />
to f<strong>in</strong>d that the only field <strong>in</strong> which <strong>New</strong> Gu<strong>in</strong>ea natives have shown much
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