Week 3: James Chalmers
Character Traits: Evangelism, Love for God’s Word, Truthfulness, Wisdom
Known as “the Livingstone of New Guinea,” James Chalmers possessed a hunger for adventure and a zeal for evangelism which drove him to share the light of the gospel with those who had never heard the name of Jesus. Shortly after his conversion in 1859, Chalmers’ heart was burdened with the plight of the lost, and he began preparing to serve as a foreign missionary. Less than three months after marrying Jane Hercus, the young couple set sail for Australia, where they stayed briefly before reaching their final destination of New Guinea. The natives, having had little prior contact with the Europeans, practiced cannibalism. Despite the danger, Chalmers engaged his mission field with enthusiasm, sharing the gospel, planting churches, and leading expeditions to explore the uncharted island. While traveling down the Fly River, Chalmers was killed by an aggressive tribe of cannibals. For Chalmers, to die in the service of his Saviour was the greatest honour. His sacrifice was not in vain; Chalmers’ legacy is seen in the testimony of a young native girl who had become a Christian as a result of his witness. As she neared death, the girl was asked, “Do you hold firmly to Christ?” Her response: “He holds me, and I cling to Him.”
You can read more about James Chalmers’ life in Fastened Like Nails Vol. III
“Is it not possible to find missionaries who will gladly give everything for Christ? Not the life in hand business, or the sacrifice I have made, but men and women who think that preaching and living the Gospel to the unconverted, to be the greatest work on earth, and the grandest of heaven’s communications.”
― James Chalmers
Memory Verse: +25 bonus points
“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Easy Recipe from the country of New Guinea: Talautu
This recipe is from Food.com. Link: https://www.food.com/recipe/talautu-53798
Ingredients:
5 coconuts
1 pineapple
1 lemon
Sugar
Directions:
Crack coconuts and save juice in a bowl.
Scrape 2 or 3 coconuts' flesh into the juice in the bowl.
Wash, peel and cut pineapple in half lengthwise.
Remove core and scrape into coconut flesh and juice into the bowl.
Add lemon juice and sugar.
Stir thoroughly.
Serve in coconut shells.
