|
Was born at Ardrishaig,
Argyleshire, Scotland, on 4 August 1841, the son of a stonemason. He went
to a good elementary school at Glenaray, and then to the grammar school
for about a year when he was 13. He then was employed in a lawyer's office
at Inverary, and before he was 20 decided to become a missionary. In 1861
he joined the Glasgow City Mission, and eight months later was sent by the
London Missionary Society to Cheshunt College near London to carry on his
studies. He was a good student, though not a brilliant one, always ready
for practical jokes, and already showing capacities for leadership. On 17
October 1865 he was married to Jane Hercus and two days later was ordained
to the Christian ministry. It had been decided that he should go to the
island of Rarotonga in the South Pacific. On 4 January 1866 he sailed to
Australia in the missionary ship John Williams, arrived in May, and
after a stay of three months left for the New Hebrides. It seemed as if
Chalmers was destined not to reach his post. The ship ran on an uncharted
rock and had to go back to Sydney to be repaired. It sailed again and was
wrecked in January, though fortunately all on board were saved. This was
not the last of Chalmer's adventures, but he eventually arrived at
Rarotonga on 20 May 1867.
Chalmers was at first
disappointed to find himself on an island which was partially
christianized, but soon found there was much to be done. There was a good
deal of drunkenness to be fought, and the directing of the natives
energies into wiser practices. He learned the language, did much teaching,
and became personally popular. He was heaping up experience to be used in
his later work, but he felt a strong urge to devote his life to more
untutored men. In 1877 he had his desire and was sent to New Guinea, then
almost an unknown land, and with his wife arrived at Port Moresby on 22
October 1877. During the following nine years he explored much of southern
New Guinea, often in danger of his life, everywhere the peace-maker. In
1885 Work and Adventure in New Guinea 1877 to 1885, written in
collaboration with W. Wyatt Gill, was published in London, and in 1886
under Chalmers's name appeared Adventures in New Guinea. A year
later Pioneering in New Guinea was published. He had a year's leave
in Great Britain in 1886-7 and much interest in his work was aroused.
After his return to New Guinea he did a great deal of exploring, and
gained an intimate knowledge of much of the country and of the natives.
When British New Guinea was made a colony in 1888 Chalmers and his fellow
missionary, the Rev. W. G. Lawes (q.v.), explained the meaning of the
functions held to the chiefs. It had been decided that the colony should
be governed in the best interests of the natives. It was no doubt largely
the influence of the missionaries that made the deportation of the natives
illegal, and caused the introduction of intoxicants, opium, fire-arms and
explosives, to be forbidden. In 1893 Chalmers explored part of the Fly
River in a steam launch, but found the natives extremely hostile. He had
another furlough in 1894-5 and did much speaking in Great Britain. He also
published Pioneer Life and Work in New Guinea, of which a
considerable amount had appeared in earlier books. Back at his work in
1896, he was anxious to further explore the Fly River and established
himself for some time at Saguane off the Fly River delta. In April 1900 he
was joined by a young missionary, the Rev. Oliver F. Tomkins. A year later
he was on a vessel with Tomkins near the island of Goariebari, and was
visited by natives who appeared to be in a dangerous mood. Chalmers
resolved to go ashore and Tomkins insisted on going with him. Both men
were killed on 7 April 1901. There is a stained glass window to their
memory in the college chapel at Vatorato. Chalmers's first wife died in
1879. In 1888 he married Elizabeth Harrison, a widow, who had been a
friend of his first wife. She died in 1900. There were no children by
either marriage.
Chalmers, always known by
the natives as Tamate, was an adventurous man of great tact and charm, who
if he knew what fear was never showed it. His complete sincerity and frank
generous nature brought him friends everywhere, both among the natives and
the whites. He was a great missionary, but his work had other important
effects. He opened up communications with the natives not only along the
coastline but often well into the interior, and inspired them with a
confidence in the white man which has been of the greatest value in the
government of New Guinea ever since. |
