By Rev. JOHN TALLACH and Rev. R. MACDONALD, M.B., Ch.B.
OUR report this year must open on a sad note. We feel that our Church as a whole, as well as our Mission, has sustained a great loss in the death of the late Rev. N. Cameron, and that it is most fitting that we open our report with some reference to him. Mr. Cameron’s praise is in all our congregations in Scotland, not less so in Matabeleland. To the Europeans here he was personally known and esteemed. He was associated with the work of the Mission since its inception in 1905, when the late Mr. Radasi came to labour in the field; a field where not a few have reaped a blessing. In 1921 he came to be known personally to many of our people, when, in company with the late Mr. A. Fraser, he visited the Mission. Although that visit was short the impression of it still remains. Our people felt that they had in Mr. Cameron a true friend, one who
carried them in his heart before his Lord. He became a standing interest in their lives and conversation. They seldom failed to make some reference to him. Especially was this the case since they heard of his illness last year, and they followed its course with warm sympathy and deep anxiety. Their grief at its sad termination is genuine. “A man of God, that!” was their frequent mode of expressing their estimation of him and expressed with earnestness and sincerity. Now that he has entered on his rest they look beyond their own interest in him and count his death a great loss to the Church at large, and to the cause of Christ in the world. At our last Kirk-Session several of the elders spoke feelingly of their loss in him, and desired that an appreciation of his worth be inserted in the minutes. They also wished to have conveyed to the Synod, through the Convener, their sincere sympathy with the Church, and the assurance of their prayers with it that the Lord will repair the breach. In these sentiments we, the Europeans of the Mission, sincerely unite.
The work of the Mission has followed closely the schemes obtaining in other years. The world-wide depression has made itself felt even here, resulting in unemployment to many of the natives. An outbreak of foot and mouth disease among the cattle caused severe restrictions to be put upon all movements of cattle in the Reserve, and also on the sale of such produce as the natives have to sell. Money has been scarce in consequence, and this has been reflected in the collections which have been the lowest for six years. A prolonged drought early this year caused great anxiety; for a time it looked as if dearth was to follow upon other hardships, but now we see the goodness of the Most High in what promises to be a good harvest.
Ingwenya.—The Congregation here is definitely increasing as regards numbers, and some have been received into full communion as well as some school girls baptised. The Communion Services continue to be well attended, last September being an exception, but no particular reason can be given for this. One
of our elders, Isaiah Mnyati, left this part to live at a considerable distance. He was a very active office-bearer, and was most faithful in supplying Morven each Sabbath, and we miss him very much. We are to ordain an elder in his room. Last January four deacons were ordained. All these attended a course of instruction in the “Confession of Faith.” Each day after class a discussion followed, in which all showed themselves to be diligent students of the Word of God. At present we are trying to open a new preaching station in the Fingo Location, and we are looking to the Lord to open the way and bless the effort.
All our out-stations were visited as usual with the exception of Mennel’s Farm Station. This was visited by each of us the previous year, but the track was so bad as to be almost impossible to go over by car. The people promised to open up a way, but this was not done. Being very sandy in places, to cycle was not practicable. We hope to visit this place more regularly in future when a road is made.
In spite of the prevailing hardships it has been possible to build a school at Lebeni. There is a considerable increase in the attendance at this place, and we were encouraged to build a more commodious place of meeting than the old one, and of a more permanent nature. The old school was built of poles and daub; the new one of sun-dried brick and stone and the life of it may be estimated at ten years or longer. The expenses were met partly by the Congregation there and partly by the Deacon’s Court.
Induba shows a good increase in the attendance at public worship. The white ants have completely destroyed the school and both school and divine service is held in the open. It was found impossible to replace the building before the rainy season. As at Lebeni, the structure was pole and daub, but we hope to be able to erect a similar building to that at Lebeni. Bembesi shows a slight increase in attendance.
Shangani was visited as usual, but the attendance there is much as in the past. At this part our mission may be said to be in
contact with heathenism as nowhere else. Stephen’s Farm shows an increase, and Murray’s Farm some slight increase.
At Morven the people continue to leave owing to the farmer on whose lands they live clearing natives off his farm. Our elder, who used to supply there, is no longer with us, and services there have been irregular. We have now sent one of our deacons to take charge there.
There are regular services held at Meikie’s Kraal. Stephen Hlazo on his farm keeps regular public worship, and it is a most pleasing feature that from time to time some of our people come to Communion at Ingwenya from his place and other places to which they have removed.
During the last year 23 have been added to the Church, a very considerable number of infants of Christian parents baptised into it, while no breaches have been made by death among our members.
Schools.—The number of children at school last year was 503, an addition on last year’s figures. The following schools were inspected last year: Ingwenya, Lebeni, Cameron, Shangani, Induba. In general, the reports were as follows: Ingwenya, very good; Induba, fair; Lebeni, fair; Cameron, good; Shangani, very good. The reason why Lebeni was only fair was that there were too many children for one teacher, but we are trying to overcome that difficulty this year. Ingwenya was also visited by the Organising Instructor in Girls’ Work, and she was shown some of the work from Induba and Lebeni Kraal schools. Her report was very favourable. She commented on the work done by the girls here as “excellent,” and that from the kraal schools as “wonderful.” The teachers’ houses here at Ingwenya, she reports, as being among the cleanest and best she had seen. She also spoke very highly of the work done in the woman’s class. This class is under Mrs. M’Donald, and thanks are due to her from the Mission for what she has done in this way. The school grants for last year have not yet come to hand, and so we cannot say what amount has been awarded to us. In this connection it is well to note that for the present year grants
are to be lowered by 15 per cent. owing to financial stringency. This will mean a loss to us of about £30 in the year. We are glad to know that Mr. M’Askill is to come out here. To anyone who wishes that the welfare of souls, school work offers a field of itself. There were six girls baptised last year. We wish Mr. M’Askill much joy in his choice and in his work.
Medical Work.—As in former years the larger part of the medical work has been carried on at Ingwenya in daily consultations. The number of sick seen in this way during the last year was about 2,000, while a number of visits were made to the sick in the Native Reserve and the Fingo Location. There has been during that time comparatively little serious illness among the people and the cases of sickness were usually of minor ailments and followed generally the nature of complaints described in former reports.
There were 29 cases treated as in-patients; there were three deaths. One, an adult, who had been receiving treatment for a very long time, and two children. During our visits to Shangani and Murray Farm, clinics were held and large numbers availed themselves of the opportunity to receive treatment, but our visits have been too short to allow of the extended treatment of more serious cases.
To the unenlightened heathen disease and death are never natural, but always attributed to evil machinations or occult powers of someone or other intimate with the mysteries of witchcraft. To counteract this the heathen relied on the services of the “witch doctor,” who could be relied on to smell out the offenders, and if diseases often went uncured there was, in many cases at least, the satisfaction which a horrible revenge might bring. The gradual spread of Christianity and civilization, together with the vigilance of the police, have put an end to the more horrible side of what may be generally classed under the word “witchcraft,” but much remains. The bondage of fear of it has kept the natives in terror for centuries, and even now there is a secret belief among many fairly advanced natives that there
is a sphere where native troubles, as distinct from European, belong, and that no white doctor can possibly know the true nature of them. This explains the reluctance of many to avail themselves of treatment, and also the helplessness which seems to overtake a heathen when he is suffering from what may be only a very minor complaint—the horrible thought that he is bewitched is too much for him. It is not uncommon for our treatment to be supplemented in various ways in the kraals. Nevertheless, there is evidence to show that the natives are coming to appreciate what is done for them in this connection more and more. In our work an effort is made to direct the attention of these people to the Great Physician, for unless they come to know from experience the blessedness of affliction, as the Psalmist experienced it, our work must be in vain.
Mabel Radasi, owing to ill health, has not been able to undertake the work in the hospital continuously, and she is at present on an extended holiday to the South. I cannot say whether she intends to continue as nurse.
We wish to acknowledge the gift of drugs, etc., sent out by friends at home, and our thanks are due to Mrs. Miller, Wick, who kindly undertakes the dispatch of these things.
I enclose a communication from the Public Health Department by which you will see that by an alteration in the terms of G, Notice 543 (1928), considerable reductions in grants in aid will be made. The grants for last year have not yet been made.
In concluding this Report we desire sincerely and humbly to thank the Lord for good health during the year, and that He has again given us to see something of His power in drawing souls to Himself. Friends who have remembered us by sending gifts of cloth and money, whether directly or through Mrs. Miller or the Gen. Treasurer, are always remembered by us. Neither do we forget the rank and file, who give so liberally of gifts and interest year by year. Anew we would place ourselves before you all as you come into the presence of our King. The natives have
an apt proverb, which they pass on to the giver of any gift: “Do not be weary to-morrow.” We substitute “this year” for “to-morrow,” and pass it on to our many valued friends. Christ is worthy of our best and our all.
“His name for ever shall endure
Last like the sun it shall,
Men shall be blessed in Him and blessed
All nations shall Him call.”