The letter which is printed below has been sent by the Rev. John Tallach. We publish it for the information of our people in the home Church :—
Inguenya, Bembesi, Nov. 12th, 1924. My Dear Mr Cameron.—You will by this time have my letter containing the sad particulars of Mr Radasi’s death.* I ought to have mentioned that the whole proceedings in connection with the funeral were not only orderly, but such as one would have desired in respect of such an one as Mr Radasi. While under the circumstances of such deep, widespread grief one might expect a certain amount of uncontrollable emotion to be seen, yet the spirit of the people was rather that of calm solemnity. The whole service bespoke their love for him and his influence by the Gospel over them. I think it would be hard to find a more disciplined people under the circumstances. When the members of the church spoke of his decease it was evident that their sorrow was blended with an intelligent joy in the belief that all was well with their pastor. Some of the white people showed their sympathy in way of kindness towards Mrs Radasi, while even heathen walked a considerable distance to express their sorrow. Mr Radasi is spoken of by the people as not only their minister, but their father, and it was natural that to their sorrow there was added a very real discouragement. His personal relations to them all was the means to a great extent of keeping their interest in the mission alive, and when he was taken away they felt so much that there was nothing to work for. They were told that while the Lord takes away His servants when and how He pleases, yet He remains Himself with His Word, His Gospel, and His work, giving the assurance to those who undertake to labour for Him that He will bless them in their labour. They were also told that the sympathy of the whole Church in Scotland was going out to them, and its interest and purpose to go on remained. I am thankful that the Most High has given another spirit to them. One said to me, “We must be strong in the work of the Lord,” and some are voicing the desire that the Lord would raise up a young man among them who might go to Scotland to be educated for the ministry, and come back to be among them. May the Lord hear such desire, and answer it in His own time. He has His own purposes in view in all this sad occurrence, and we have ours. His will stand, ours often do not. If we saw something of His wisdom and felt something of His love we would praise Him that the purposes of His heart endure from age to age, even when to our disappointment ours do not carry us from hour to hour.
* Rev. J. B. Radasi was killed by the train at Bembesi, when he was on his way to meet Mr Tallach.
On Sabbath we had the usual three services, with the children’s meeting afterwards. One of the addresses was from Rev. xiv. verse 13. Stephen Laso interprets for me, and the people say they understand quite well. Mr Radasi a week last Sabbath asked all the out-stations to come to Inguenya. This they did, and the church was filled with an attentive congregation. Some of the grown-up people waited for the children’s service. In concluding, I would anew throw myself on the praying people at home. Brethren, pray for us.—I remain, yours truly, JOHN TALLACH.
P.S.—I desire to sincerely thank the sender of the letter forwarded for the gift. J. T.