Smyrna times., 1872-03-06
A Commonplace Man.

young IrlenuS at 1dle OF Cnelr recent attempts
at journalism are full of philosophy and Jokes
of the inevitable college quality Boys will
be boys, from generation to generation and :
we have no right to laugh at these young
fellows, when their raw youth manifests itself
Extensively. We were every whit as positive ;
and conceited in our day quite as apt to cacklc
over our new-found ideas, and to thrust them
at everybody we met with loud logic; quite as
certain that the world was out of Joint and that
we we're to be made A. B.. to set it right.
The boys too, nowadays, rely on genius as the
salvation of the age, just as we did. 1t is the
brilliant fellow who learns without study, and
leaves his Alma Mater in a crackle of eloquent
fireworks, that is the demi-god among them.
They are apt, too, to cherish tender belief in
him always. When he is missed on the roll of
''few and immortal names,' they blame the
world so slow to recognize genius, and rank
him with Chatterton, one of the wondrous
boys who have gone down not into the
grave, but country offices, dry ygoods, shops,
and groceries.
We wish all these hero worshipping boys
| (who are earnest, sincere fellows, if little |
feverish) could read with older eyes the life |
of a man who died few weeks ago, and un-
derstand its meaning now as middle-age will
teach it to them. We mean that of the mis-
sionary Bishop Patteson, murdered by the
cannibals in the South Pacific. A friend Of
the prelate, who has published a sketch of him
in THE London Spectator, dates his acquaint-
ance with him back to Eton, where Patteson
was famous cricketer and oarsman. At Ok
ford he was but dull scholar with no
especial gift, took little interest in the theologi
cal and political problems of the day-was, In
short, colorless and commonplace" The only
noticeable point about him was, that whatever
he tried to do he did with all his might and to
the extent of his ability, however limited that
ability might be. Outside of this, he was an
honest, straightforward lovable man. After
college came years of travel and ordination,
marked by the same dogged persistence in
work that had made him first in play, and
utter Inconsistencies of self. His brain
developed it's powers slowly but surely, and
= always healthfully. The dull college boy be-
came one of the most profound and exact of
lingusts, the steady, powerful leader in Univer
sity Reform. GA man. says his friend,
q distinguished always by his singleness and
: simplicity of aim, singularly free from pertur-
g bations of SELF or temper or nerves" He
/ went into the missionary work with no spasmO-
: die resolve to become martyr; no imitation OF
q enthusiasm; but with the same practical,
i sweet tempered, hearty steadiness in the duty
70 Opcu LUlUI0 LiuI His life was passed IN going
le from one savage island to another, in an oper
)e boat wading and swimming through the reefs
d carrying his lite in his hand literally from day
III to day. No man was ever more successful
a. in reaching the hearts of his savage hearer
he with his Masters message, and no man ha
at ever left behind him more enduring work t
> aid the labors of others; he having mastere
of twenty-five of the Meanesian dialects an
ne finished thirteen grammars: The man ha
on within him the elements of highest success
es whatever profession or business he had chose
he in life but what was his reward? We find
'se hint of it in pathetic story which he told in
mt letter to his friend of an attack made upon h
zee boat by the cannibals Of one of the wllde
10 islands whittier he had gone to preach,
;h, which one of his converts, boy OF eightee
es, was wounded and died of lock jaw The chill
re- less Bishop writes of him as if he had been
tty son. There was not one word of complain
as I am glad said the dear boy in bis agon
ne that | was doing right. Tell my father
be- was doing right The last night, his boz
one being then rigid as bar of iron, he sa
and family, Kiss me, Bishop and after she
od- time he fell asleep. At the age when t
so flesh and the devil are beginning their wo
ays with boys, this lad was innocent as a chi
has God has been merciful to me, to give me II
De- comfort"
'n's The daring life and the tragic death of Il
as man set against the tropical background of t
Pacific coasts, might serve to point many
ole, fervid moral, but ''the Bishop was pl;
and man. He did not like fine things said abC
A him or his work" Yet in these days OF a
ude bilious struggles and incessant friction betw(
ory' men of unequal mental power, there can be
as more wholesome lesson for our boys than
e 10 see here the lofty purpose which comm
ent place man with ordinary abilities may serve
une lifc.-N y Tribune.