Communions.
Portree (Skye) and Tarbert (Harris), second Sabbath of March; Lochinver (Sutherland), third; Kinlochbervie (Sutherland) and John Knox’s, Glasgow (Hall, 2 Carlton Place, S.S.), fourth.
Letter from Rev. J. B. Radasi, Matabeleland.
The Editor received the following letter towards the end of January:—
C/O NATIVE COMMISSIONER, BEMBESI,
MATABELELAND, SOUTH AFRICA, 24th December, 1918.
MY DEAR MR. SINCLAIR,—I received your letter, dated 28th August, together with the enclosed postal orders for £2. Many thanks for the same. Please thank the friends in the Magazine who sent the money. Your letter arrived when my wife and family were all laid up with Spanish influenza. Nearly every family at Bembesi and Bulawayo were laid up. There have been very many deaths from it here. At Kimberley 4,400 natives died from it, and 597 white people; and in King William’s Town and district, 7,000 natives. In Rhodesia no accurate account has been kept of the death of natives. But reports from all parts of the country speak of a very heavy death roll. The hand of the Lord has been very heavy upon us because of our sins; but there seems to be no sign of a true repentance and seeking the Lord, of confession of our sins and forsaking of them. That is the sad part of it. We also lost a little girl—an orphan girl—who was staying in the Mission. We were all glad to hear that the War was over. It is a matter to be very thankful for to the Lord. I must now close with kindest regards to you all.—Yours sincerely,
J. B. RADASI.
We desire to express our most sincere sympathy with Mr. Radasi, his wife, and children in their affliction, as well as with the other families similarly affected in connection with the Mission. Mr. Radasi himself seems to have escaped the influenza. It is pathetic to read of such widespread trouble and death in Matabeleland, and South Africa in general. May the Lord help and deliver the distressed, and sanctify the sore dispensation!
Southern Presbytery—Collections for Iolaire Disaster Fund.
As far as we know at present, the following collections have been made:—St. Jude’s, Glasgow, £43; John Knox’s, Glasgow, £10; Oban, £8; Edinburgh, £5; Greenock, £5; and Lochgilphead, £4. Information as to other collections has not yet come to hand.