Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands

ready said, his work was marked out. There was a hamlet of the parish of Ottery S

9, there built the small church of St. James, with parsonage, school, and house, on a rising ground overlooking the valley of Honiton, almost immediately opposite to Fe

ly to other hands, in especial to the Rev. Henry Gardiner, who was much beloved there. In the spring of 1853, he had a long and dangerous illness, when Coley came to nurse him, and became so much attached to him, that his influence and unconscious training became of great importance.

always cost him most, namely, administering rebukes; so that it was no wonder that he wrote

: July 1

day without one exception, and have learnt a very great deal from him. He has studied very closely school work, condition of the labourer, boys' homes, best method of dispensing charity, &c., and on all these points his advice has been really invaluable. I feel now that I am quite to all intents working the district. People ask me about their children coming to school. I

r, she wished to have him, and I knew it was so far well to get the boy away from home. But such a scene ensued! The boy was really like a little savage; kicked, dashed his head against the wall, and at length, with his nose bleeding viole

dgers) in a room adjoining, with the door open. 'I am come to talk to you about William,' I began, whereupon I saw the woman turn quite red. However, I spoke for about ten minutes slowly and very quietly, without any appearance (as I believe) of anger or passion at all, but yet speaking my mind quite plainly. "I had no idea any child could be so neglected. Did they suppose the school was a place where any parent might send a child merely to get it out of the way (of course they do, you know, most of them)? Was it possible that a child could be made good as if by magic there, when it learns nothing but wicked words at home? Do you think you can or ought to get rid of the duties you owe your child? Do you

did not say what I might have said with truth, because it is only from Gardiner's report, not from my own knowledge-viz., that

n awful thing it would be, if it pleased God to take him away from you now, and a fit of measles, scarlatina, or any such illness, may do it any day! Remember that you are responsible to a very great extent for your child; that unless it sees you watchful over your thoughts, words, and actions; unless it sees you regular and devout in prayer at home (I don't believe they ever think of such a thing-God forgive me, if I am wrong); unless it sees you habitually in your pla

no slight excitement, and that I should be much comforted by

ent places, all say it must work well, with God's blessing. I do not really wish to be scheming away, working a favourite hobby, &c., but I do believe this to be absolutely essential. The profligacy and impurity of the poor is beyond all belief. Every mother of a family answers (I mean every honest respectable mother of a family): "Oh sir, God will bless such a work, and it is for want of this that so much misery and wretchedness abound." I believe that for a year or so it will exhaust most of my money, but then it is one of the best uses to which I can apply it; for my theory is, that help and assistance is wanted in this way, and I would wish to make most of these things self-supporting. Half

r lo

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time both to his family and himself, for, as before said, his standard was very high, and his own strong habit of self-contemplation made his di

aturday evening,' but evidently written about this time, in reply to the cautions

m going to be a very hard-working clergyman, with a remedy for all the evils of the age, &c. If I was to hunt about for an excuse, I might perhaps find one, by saying that I am in that state of mind which attends always, I suppose, the anticipation of any great crisis in a person's life; sometimes hard work and hard thought, sometimes (though alas! very seldom) a real sense of the very awful responsibility of ministering in the Church, sometimes a less natural urging of the mind to contemplate and realise this responsibility. I was for some time reading Wilberforce's new book, and this i

y, management of school farms, allotments, the modern dairy, spade husbandry, agricultural chemistry.

itory. A calm undisturbed spirit of prayer and peace and contentment is a great gift of God, and to be waited for with patie

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t snare of Coley's early life, against which he so endeavo

w on, and during it he

Lodgings, Exeter

than I expected. Woolecombe and Chancellor Harrington spoke to me this morning,

, I am thankful to say, I am very well, and feel thoroughly happy. I shall be nervous, no doubt, on Sunday, and especially at reading the Gospel, but not I think

ar Mamma and how she had wished for this, the overwhelming kindness of everybo

t times come upon me with such force that I seem scarcely master of myself; but it is only excitement of feeling, and ought, I know, to be repressed, not for a moment to be entertained as a test of one's religiou

phy, your affe

. PAT

evening h

day, 5

h part of the thoughts that have been passing through my mind this week. There has been no return

so sadly need: and for a spirit of earnest prayer, that I may be preserved from putting trust in myself, and may know and forget myself in my office and work. I never could be fit for such work, I know that, and yet I am very thankful that the time for it has come. I do not feel excited, yet I am somewhat nervous because it requires an effort to meditate steadily. I

y deares

tionate and

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illpotts, in Exeter Cathedral. His being selected to read the Gospel was the proof of his superiority in the examination-no wonder, co

n of the Curate. And of his first sermon there, his uncle, Sir John

naffected, but sweet and devout. His sermon was a very sound and good one, beautifully delivered; perhaps in the early parts, from the very sweetness of his voice, and the very rapid delivery of his words, a little more variety of intonation would have helped in conveying his meaning more distinctly to those who formed the bulk of his congregation. But when he came to p

rs, and they with him-tears of warm emotion too deep for words. He was evidently surprised at the effect produced. In fact, on looking at the sermon, it does not seem to have been in itself remarkable, but as his cousin Arthur says: 'I suppose

s and Fridays. These last had that great popularity which attends late services. Dr. Cornish used to come on one Sunday in the month to celebrate the Holy Communion (which is given weekly in the mother Church); and whe

oes with tender and refined natures, however strong; so that if his housekeeper needed a reproof, he would make his sister administer it, and creep out of reach himself; but this wa

on were needed, nothing could be more spontaneous, sweet, or winning

iration and gratitude, which went on and on until it deepened into that love which I do not think could have been surpassed by the Galatians for their beloved St. Paul, which he records in his Epistle to them (c

or the sake of his father he was glad to accept it for the present, to train himself in the work, and to have full time for study; but he at that time looked to remaining in Eng

no lack of friends around Alfington. Indeed it was in the midst of an absolute clan of Coleridges, and in Buckerell parish, at Deerpark, that great

m and his daughters, when there were many conversations of much interest, as there could not fail to be with a man who had never held a government without doing his utmost to promote God's work in the Church and for educat

alk to the afternoon service at Ottery, and that on the way he began to show something of his inner self, and talked of his mother and her pleasure in Feniton; but it began to rain, and I stayed for the night at Heaths Court, so that our acquaintance ceased for that time. It was not a formal party at Deerpark, and the evening was chiefly spent in playing at games, thread paper

onal appearance, as the portrait at the beginning

s a countenance peculiarly difficult to photograph successfully. The most striking feature was his eyes, which were of a very dark clear blue, full of an unusually deep earnest, and so to speak, inward, yet far away expression. His smile was remarkably bright, sweet and affectionate, like a gleam of sunshine, and was one element of his great attractiveness. So was his voice, which had the rich full sweetness inherited from his mother's family, and which always excited a winning influence over the hearers

d at work and thoughts collected. Anything which is so unnatural and unusual as to make me consc

all speak to him quite plainly whenever and wherever I think it necessary to do so. I do not suppose it very likely that he can go on long without my being forced to take some step; but I really feel so very unequal to expressing a de

private opinion, though you lay claim to authority for it." I cannot successfully appeal to the distinctive teaching of our Church, clear and manifest as it is, for the very words I think conclusive contain no such evidence for him, and so on ad infinitum. Besides, to speak quite what I feel at present, though only so perhaps because my view is necessarily unformed, the natural order of things in such a district as this seems to be: gain the affections of the people by gentleness and showing real interest in their welfare, spiritual and temporal; show them in the Bible such teaching as the Church considers necessary (but not as yet upon the authority of the Church, or at least not so expressed to them); lead them g

al and visible Church will be felt as n

) their own minds to guide them, does seem to me in a place like this (humanly speaking) suicidal. I cannot, of course, tell how much preparatory teaching they have received, but I must judge fro

ching is represented in an unfavourable, often offensive, light to many of our poor, because they hear words and see things which find no response in their hearts; because they are told, ordered almost, to believe things the propri

at I mean, without more dusky

's sense of the terms: not a religion of the feelings, but a religion brought home to

ong washy concerns, and find it difficult to do otherwise, for it is a good pull upon me week after week, and latterly I have not been able to read ve

ome something of a scholar, at all events, to make any progress in the work. I sometimes hope that, in spite of my many backslidings and broken resolutions, some move

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had almost palpably strengthened the boy's struggles with his inherent faults, so the grace conferred with th

y addresses, in which he would probably have been much more successful, would have seemed to him at his age and at that period-twenty years back-too presumptuous to be attempted, at any rate till he had better learnt his ground. How his system would have succeeded, we cannot tell. The nature of the peasantry of the county he had to deal with is, to be quick-witted, argumentative, and ready of retort; open to religious impressions, but with much of self-opinion and conceit, and not much reverence, and often less conscientious in matters of honesty and morality than denser rustics of less apparent piety. The Church had for a long-period been at a peculiarly low ebb in the county, and there is not a

uth Brethrenism supplied the void, gave opportunities of prayer, and gratified the quickened longing for devotion; and therewith arose that association of the Church with deadness and of Dissent with life, which infected even the most carefully tended villages, and with which Patteson was doing his be

of Decembe

the great awfulness of it as well as the danger of neglecting it, and I warn them against coming without feeling really satisfied from what I read to them, and they read in the Bible concerning it. Six came yesterday for the first time.... Old William (seventy-five years of age), who has never been a communicant, volunteered on Thursday to come, if I thought it right. He is, and always has been (I am told), a thoroughly respectable, sober, industrious man, regular at Church once a day; and I went to his cottage with a

irs of his lodging house for farm boys, and the obtaining o

d home, and his sister Fanny t

week he sat in the hall. No doubt his house is still both cold and damp, and the Church the same, and therefore the labour of reading and preaching is very great. We are by degrees interesting him in our winter life, having heard all his performances and plans; and he is very glad to have us back, though

with London, in fact, all England could offer; and he would easily have it in his power to take fresh holidays on the Continent and enjoy those delights of scenery, architecture, art and music, which he loved

ep in his heart; although for the present, he was, as it were, waiting to see what God would have him do, whether his duty to

her's promise of her blessing, and seriously considered of offering himself to assist in the work in the Southern Hemisphere. He discussed the matter seriously with his friend, Mr. Gardiner, who was strongly of opinion that the scheme ought not to be entertained during his father's l

nd gave way to a great burst of tears, due, perhaps, not so mueh to disappointed ardour, as to the fervent emotion excited by the actual presence of a hero of the Church Militant, who had so long been the object of deep silent enthusiasm.

he hoped to do more, go perhaps to some great manufacturing town, or, as he could not help going on to

f that sort, it should not be put off till you are getting on

The test might be whether he were willing to go wherever he might be sent, or only where he was most interested. Coley replied, that he was willing to w

t to Fanny, told her what had passed: 'I could not

answered; 'he is so great a man that he ought not to be depri

to the Bishop. Sir John was manifestly startled; but at once said: 'You have done quite right to

e hoped, impatient. If his staying at home were decided upon, he would cheerfully work on there without disappointme

r John, making room for his younger daughter besid

nto another room, and she followed him. The great grief broke out in the exclamation: 'I can't let him go;'

ighbours, and the rest of the day was bestowed upon them. He preached on the Sunday at Alfing

arguments, like a true Christian Judge. Sir John spoke of the great comfort he had in this son, cut off as he was by his infirmity from so much of society, and enjoying the young man's com

m wholly, not with any thought of seeing him again. I will

detained the young man, and told him the result of the conversation, then added: 'Now, my dear Coley, having ascertained your own state of mind and having spoken

was full a

ess you, my dear Coley! It is a great comfort

dent call from Him by whom the whole Church is governed and sanctified? And surely the noble old man, who forced himsel

ote to hi

gus

ed sufficiently the whole matter. But then I think God does not call now by an open vision; this thought has been for years working in my mind: it was His providence that brought me into contact with the Bishop in times past, and has led me to speak now. I cannot doubt this. I feel sure that if I was alone in the world I should go; the only question that remains is, "am I bound to stay for my dear Father's sake, or for the sake of you all?" and this has been answered for me by Father and the Bishop. And now, my dear Jem, think well over my character, sift it thoroughly, and try to see what there is which may have induced me to act wrongly in a matter of so much consequence. This is the kindest thing you can do; for we ought to take every precaution not to make a mistake before it is too late. Speak out quite plainly; do tell me distinctly as far as you can see them my prevailing faults, what they were in boyhood at Eton, and at College. It may help me to contemplate more clearly and truly the prosp

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xed; and only three days later, the intention

ley, and whom he loved with a triple portion of the affection children always gained from him. She wa

: August

that you ought to be bright and happy, and to thank God for making you so. It is never right for us to try to make ourselves sad and grieve. Good people and good children are cheerful and happy, although they may have plenty of trials and troubles. You see how quietly and patiently Mamma and Grandpapa and Grandmamma take all their trouble about dear Aunty; that is a good lesson for us all. And now, my darling, I will tell you my secret. I am going to sail at Christmas, if I live so long, a great way from England, right to the other end of the world, with the good Bishop of New Zealand. I dare say you know where to find it on the globe. Clergymen are wanted out there to mak

r most af

. PAT

's mother th

pulse too much, from love of display, or from desire to raise some interest about

ast, this wish has worked itself out. I trust the wish is from God, and now I must forget myself, and think only of the work whereunto I am called. But it is hard to flesh and blood to think of the pain I am causing my dear dear Father,

and invigoration, but the fatigue and excitement were more than he could bear; he returned home, and took to his bed. He suffered no pain, and was in a heavenly state of mind indeed, a most blessed death-bed, most sug

should not obtrude upon you, but that the visit of the

missionary work, which for years has been striving within me, ought no longer to be resisted, and trus

r Father, perhaps not any of those I love best, again in this world. But if you all know that I am doing, or trying to do, what is right, you will all be happy about me; and what has just been taking place at the Manor House teaches us to look, on a little to a blessed meeting in a better place soon. It is from no dissatisfaction at my present position, that I am i

riest in the ensuing Ember Week, again at the hands of Bishop Phillpotts, in

eir Father, he was pleased and comforted; for truly he was upheld by the strength of willing sacrifice. Those were likewise sustained who felt the spirit of missionary enterprise and sympathy, which was at tha

-no doubt he is-a very good man. I only wish he had kept his hands off Alfington.' 'It would not be easy,' says the parishioner from whom I have already quoted, 'to describe the intense sorrow in view of separation. Mr. Patteson did all he could to assure us that it was his own will and act, consequent upon the conviction that it was God'

thus festally received a sort of traitor with designs upon their pastor. She goes on to tel

us all that last night of her life upon earth. He was with her from about the middle of the day on Monday until about four o'clock on Tuesday morning; when, after commending her soul to God, he closed her eyes with his own hands, and taking out his watch, told us the hour and moment of her departure. He then went home and apprised Miss Wilkins of her death in these words: 'My soul fleeth unto the LORD before the morning watch, I say before the morning watch,' and at the earliest dawn of day, the villagers were made aware that she had passed away by the tolling bell, and tolled by him. Thi

lapse of sixteen years from a ministry extending over no more than se

Nor were his gifts, so far as can be judged, exactly those most requisite for work in large towns. He could deal with individuals better than with masses, and his metaphysical mind, coupled with the curious difficulty he had in writing to an unrealised public, either in sermons or reports, might have rendered him less effective than men of less ability. He avoided, moreover, the temptations, pain, and sting of the intellectual warfare within the bosom of the Church, and served her cause more effectually on her borders than h

an expression of his feelings regarding the step he had

November

fess, in that state of mind occasionally when the assurance of my be

ally prevent my exercising a clear sound judgment on a matter affecting myself, I sometimes (when I have had a conversation, i

did before: and even when alone with Father, talk just as I used to talk, have nothin

have anything specially requiring our consideration: we talk about family matters, th

all the righteous," not indeed that I dare apply it to myself (as you know), but it helps one on, teaches what we may be, what

you, my d

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ayon likeness was taken by Mr. Richmond, an engraving from which is here given. He then took his last leave of his uncle, and of the cousins who had been so dear to him ever since the old days of daily meeting in childhood; and Miss Neill, then a permanent invalid, notes down:

December

ch and out of it, parochializing, writing sermons, &c. It makes some little difference in point of time whether I am living here or a

h you, and most of all to have received the Communion with you. It is a blessed thought that no interval of space or time can

particularly desired them to send you a copy with my love. Your cross I have now round my neck, and I shall always

he is depressed or unhappy. In fact, the terrible events of the war prove a lesson to all, and they feel,

measure of His cup of bitterness. So I don't learn that I ought exactly to wish it to be otherwise, so much is said in the Bible about being made partaker of His, sufferings, only I pray that it may please God to bear me up in the midst of it. I must repeat that your example is constantly b

s a child, for your daily thought of me and prayers for me, and may He

ur very af

. PAT

his morning I had a line about the ship, and the

bscribed for by the whole Alfington population. He

deny themselves their very crumb of bread to show their affection, what should be our conduct to Him f

are, perhaps to prove good spirits, full of the delights of skating, which were afforded by the exceptionally severe frost of February 1855, which came opportunely to regale with this favourite pastime one who would never tread on solid ice again. He wrote with zest of the large merry party of cousins skating together, of the dismay of the old housekeeper when he skimmed

other came home on the twenty-sixth, p

we have acquired in the way of accomplishments, languages, love of art and music, everything brings us int

wont to assist in Church by reading the Lessons, it fell to him to pronounce

d for so long a voyage, the Bishop was at length persuaded to relinquish his intention of sailing in her, and passages were taken for himself, Mrs. Selw

idnight,' he wrote to Miss Neill. 'I bear with me to the world's end your cross, and the memory

en saw that their father was not standing with them. They consulted for a moment, and then one of them silently looked into his sitting room, and saw him with his little Bib

rs in London, whence a note was se

ven cheerful. I stayed a few minutes in the churchyard after I left you

but I soon became calm; I read most of the way up, and fe

you all showed this morning! I know it must have co

e description of the ship and the arrangements ends with: 'I have every blessing and comfort. Not one is wanting. I am not in any excitement, I think, certainly I do not believe myself to be in such a state as to involve a rea

e number of friends who went down with the M

Paulina, of bright hopes, to Miss Neill of her cross; to Arthur the German

h 28,

or all your love and to pray for the blessin

gnation to his will. Wonderfully has God supported us through this trial. My

LERIDGE

nd can best be gathered from the following extract

e based on the firm foundation of trust in God, and a due appreciation of his mortal, as well as professional condition. I never saw a hand set on the plough stead with more firmness, yet entire modesty, or with an eye and heart less turned backwards on the world behind. I know

and James Patteson said their last farewells, and while the younger brother went home by the night-train