THE following letter was received by the Rev. Neil Cameron, Convener of the Foreign Mission Committee, shortly after the meeting of Synod:—
C/O NATIVE COMMISSIONER, BEMBESI, MATABELELAND, SOUTH AFRICA, 30th May, 1911.
MY DEAR MR. CAMERON,—I received your kind letter, and was very glad to hear from you again. I have given a good number of Bibles to the scholars who have learned to read, and am in need of more Zulu and Kaffir Bibles. English Bibles are also given to those who have stayed long enough at school to be able to read English. Some leave school after they have only been able to read Kaffir. The huts in the Mission have been re-plastered and thatched; and the collection for the year came to £7—two pounds more than we usually get—and so we were able to pay for the re-plastering and thatching of the huts in the Mission, and also to purchase a couple of forms for our out-station at Lower Bembesi. The collection for the Quarter ending 31st March, 1911, amounted to £2, and that was given to David N’tuli in May, for his travelling expenses to the Victoria District, Mashonaland.
Services are still carried on regularly at our out-station in Lower Bembesi, Koco, and at Florida Mine. At Koco the hut built is now too small to hold all the people attending, as several heathen families have joined our church there, and some of them have been brought to the knowledge of the truth and have professed faith in Christ Jesus. Patrick Mzamo, one of our elders, a man powerful in prayer and a greatly-exercised Christian, who knows the plague of his own heart, keeps a service there every Sabbath. At Florida Mine, where David N’tuli used to preach every Sabbath, services are still carried on by one of our men. The hut used for our church there was shattered to pieces by dynamite, together with some other huts. No one knows how the accident happened. But the manager of the mine got it rebuilt at once at his own expense. I thought it very kind of him. It’s wonderful, the kindness of the Lord, that He should make even the mine manager take such an interest in our church. The services there are also well attended, and the people from a heathen kraal close by also go there. The headman of that heathen kraal close to the mine is Sibindwana. His daughter and son have been converted, and attend the services regularly. The father never goes to church at all, but does not forbid his son and daughter going. The mother only goes occasionally. Several also of the boys at the mine have professed faith in Christ, and are anxious to have an evening school.
Our congregation here has also increased, and this mud-plastered and thatched church is now too small to hold all the people. Especially during the Communion a large number have to sit outside. We are desirous to build a larger church, made of bricks. Our people have consented to pay for the bricks themselves—20,000 bricks, at a cost of £28, to be made and burnt—and to provide stone for the foundation. You will see then that the cost of the church will be £232 10s. if we supply all bricks, stone, dagga, and water. Our people here are quite willing to supply that. The bricks are being made, and subscription lists have also gone out amongst our people, to raise the £28 required for the bricks. Some have given money, goats, sheep, or fowls. A goat is worth about 10/; a fowl about 2/-. And by the time the bricks are made and burned we will have the £28 required for the 20,000 bricks. We would be very glad if our people at home would assist us with the £232 10s. As soon as that amount is subscribed the building would be commenced. However, no commencement of any kind can be made to build the building until we get the sanction of our Church at home. But our people here were anxious to have the bricks made, and since they were willing to pay for them, I consented. I am sending you the contractor’s prices. The plan of the building will follow, as you will see in his letter that it is not quite ready. It will very likely be a building about 40 feet long and 16 feet broad. The contractor is a Scotchman from Perth, and is considered to be the cheapest man in Bulawayo. He is the same man who built my corrugated iron house.
We thought it best for David N’tuli to go and begin work at Victoria, Mashonaland, where the natives have never heard of the Gospel. Victoria is about one hundred miles on the other side of Selukwe. The train only goes as far as Selukwe, and it takes three days to go to Victoria on foot. N’tuli took a day and a half on his bicycle. He arrived safely, but found the Native Commissioner away. He has since returned, and N’tuli was well received by him, and got permission to visit the native chiefs at Chilimanzi and Enkeldoorp. I do not know yet where his headquarters will be. He must select the largest kraal for his headquarters. I shall write again as soon as I get particulars from him. He preached at Selukwe to our people there on his way to Victoria.—I must now remain, with kindest regards to all, yours sincerely,
J. B. RADASI.
Letter from Contractor.
BULAWAYO, RHODESIA, 7th May, 1911.
MR. RADASI.
DEAR SIR,—I am very sorry I have been too busy to make out a plan for you. I was almost beat to give you a price. I have been fair rushed since you were in. Here are the particulars. This price is not a cut price, but will give you an idea what it will cost. I am very sorry I have not been able to send the plan to you; will send you out one later. Hope this will do you in the meantime. I take it that you supply all bricks, stones, dagga, and water.
| Brickwork, Building, and Plastering, | £85 | 0 | 0 |
|————————————–|—–|—-|—|
| Floor, | 34 | 10 | 0 |
| Ceiling, | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Roof, Doors, and Windows, | 72 | 10 | 0 |
| Painter, about | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Plumber, | 9 | 10 | 0 |
£232 10 0
This does not include carriage to Bembesi.
JOHN M’KEURTAN.