[Clarke, Cuthbert Charles], 1818-1863 :Baptism of Te Ngahue, an aged New-Zealand chief, at Te Ariki, on the lake of Tarawera, by the Rev. T. Chapman. J[ames] Johnston sc. [29th. Dec. 1849] [London; Church Missionary Society, 1851]

An elderly Maori man reclining on a bier, while the Rev. Thomas Chapman stands at his head, prayer-book (or Bible) in his hand. Four other European men are present inside a large temple-like structure, while a large crowd of seated and standing Maori surround the central group.

Descriptive notes form part of the title: "Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, being at Te Ariki, witnessed the baptism of an old chief, and was so much impressed by the scene that he had a drawing of it made, and kindly forwarded it to the Church Missionary Society. Te Ngahue is supposed to have been nearly eighty years old, and in all probability was near his end. He had long been a candidate for baptism, and had, with much labour, learned to read a little, and appeared to be looking to Christ for the salvation of his soul. He had not been able to master the Catechism and other elementary books usually required to be learned by heart; but under all the circumstances, Mr Chapman thought it right to comply with the earnest desire of himself and his friends that he should be baptised at once. He was brought into the Chapel on an amo, or native litter and was baptized by the name of Hori (George). Having shaken hands with the Governor, Mr Chapman and other visitors, he was carefully wrapped up again in his handsome native mats, and borne back to his house. A full account is given in the 'Church Missionary Intelligencer' for March 1851 ... taken from the Journal of His Excellency's Assistant Private Secretary."

A black and white version (with no tinting) folded to fit the volume, was published in: Church Missionary Intelligencer, March 1851, facing p. 70. See also Church Missionary Gleaner, 1884 p. 18 for a reprint of the earlier plate.

A hand-coloured version is in the Rex Nan Kivell collection, National Library of Australia. In the same collection, there is also an oil by W. McCarty, dated 1875, of the same scene, clearly based on this engraving.

See B-030-003 for original pencil sketch attributed to Cuthbert Clarke

See p. 222 of: Journal of an exhibition overland from Auckland to Taranaki... [by G.S. Cooper] for a description of this scene

Other Titles - Thomas Chapman

Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s).

Physical Description: Monochrome tinted wood engraving 216 x 355 mm