Foreign Mission Report

By Rev. NEIL MACINTYRE.

IN submitting the Foreign Mission Committee’s Report, my first intention was to give a summary of the history of our African Mission from its origin but being informed by Mr. Beaton that he had already a history of the mission written which is to appear shortly in our Magazine I dropped the idea. As there are three or four reports from our missionaries to be read I thought it better to submit a short report by simply referring to some items of business which came before the Committee since last Synod.

As the Synod is aware the Rev. John Tallach and his family accompanied by Miss Nicolson and her mother sailed for South Africa last June and had a hearty reception on their arrival. The Communion which was due to be held the Sabbath before their arrival was postponed for a week so that Mr. Tallach might be present on that solemn occasion. Both Mr. Tallach and Dr. Macdonald reported that it was a profitable and pleasant season and the gatherings were the largest they ever had.

As was reported at last Synod we took immediate steps to provide a house for Miss Nicolson which was estimated to cost from £40 to £50. Owing, however, to the lack of rain, water had to be carried some distance to make bricks and this added about £4 more to the expense. Miss Nicolson and her mother are occupying the house since last December.

As members of Synod are aware Mr. Tallach when at home asked permission to collect money with the object of purchasing a motor-car for the use of the Mission, the old car being useless. He collected the large sum of £238 9s. 8d. A second-hand car in good condition was bought for which he paid £165 with £10 of Insurance. The balance is left in the hands of the General Treasurer to be used for the upkeep of the car. The Committee would desire to thank very sincerely all our people for their great generosity.

Dr. Macdonald reported last year that there was every prospect of a famine taking place owing to the want of rain, and I am sorry to say that this has actually taken place and our poor people have suffered much and are still suffering for lack of food. Dr. Macdonald reports that many of the cattle died for want of pasture. Mr. Tallach wrote me and asked that £15 be sent from the Famine Fund. I sent £20 and probably we shall have to send more as the crops will not be ready for using for some time yet. The Government so far did not come to the help of the people. The Committee in name of the Synod would desire to express their sincere sympathy with our people in their distress.

Mr. Tallach informed us that as there was a number of girl boarders at the Mission who could understand English, it was his intention to hold an English service on Sabbath evenings and he wished to have four dozen English Psalm Books sent out. I got this number at the National Bible Society. The whole came to £1 7s. 0d., including postage. The Committee quite approved of these services being held.

I asked Mr. Tallach to send me a brief sketch of the progress of the Mission during the past few years. It may be interesting to the Synod and our people in general to have this progress presented in small compass which may be seen at a glance. Mr. Tallach sent the following account which takes in the history of the Mission for the past twelve years. It is as follows.

(1). Office-bearers. In 1922 there were 4 Elders and 4 Deacons. In 1934 there are 11 Elders and 6 Deacons.

(2). Members. In 1922 there were 78 members on the Roll. In 1934 there are 220.

(3). Preaching Stations. In 1922 there were 6. In 1934 there are 13.

(4). Teachers. In 1922 there were 6. In 1934 there are 12.

(5). Schools. There were 5 schools in 1922. In 1934 there are 8.

(6). Grants. The Government Grants earned in 1924 amounted to £55. This year they amount to £325.

These figures will give us some idea of how our Mission is developing and how the Lord is countenancing our weak efforts among the people of Africa. As we shall see from the Reports there were three school girls received as members at the last Communion. That the Lord is turning from darkness to light so many of these poor people should fill our hearts with joy and gladness and stir us up to wrestle at a throne of grace that He would make that vast wilderness to blossom as the rose. It should also open our hearts to give as liberally as possible of our means to help on this good work.

Mr. Tallach informs me that there are Macedonian cries from many places to send one to preach the gospel. It is quite plain that had we the necessary means at our disposal, our Mission in Africa could be extended wider than it is.

Mr. Tallach and Dr. Macdonald are busy erecting and improving buildings about the Mission at their own expense. We have little or no idea of the amount of labour and time they give outwith their ordinary work but I believe it is a labour of love on their part. I would desire to thank these gentlemen for their labours in this connection.

In a letter from Mr. Tallach last month he informed me that they were greatly troubled this summer with a very bad kind of snake. He had killed 8 round about the house and 2 inside. The day before he wrote he killed one 6 feet long. The presence of these dangerous creatures leaves them anxious, especially for the children.

I am pleased to report that Miss Nicolson has proved to be an excellent teacher. She immediately adapted herself to the ways of the children and they took to her at once. She is much taken up with her work and no doubt it was very much on account of her appointment that the status of the school has now been raised to that of a Boarding School. The Government Inspector reported most favourably on her work.

The Synod will be anxious to hear what progress Mr. Edwin Radasi is making since he came to Scotland. Mr. Mackenzie, Headmaster, Ardgay, who with Mrs. Mackenzie took such an interest in him, reports that he is making satisfactory progress, and will probably be able to pass the Qualifying Examination in May and go to Bonarbridge Higher Grade School first August. Mr. MacRae, Headmaster, Bonarbridge, has kindly promised to take an interest in him while there. Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie are willing to lodge him while at Bonar School. The Committee, no doubt, will have to provide him with a bicycle to travel between Bonar and Ardgay. The Committee in name of the Church would express their indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie for the fatherly and motherly interest they have taken in Mr. Radasi since he came to this country.

The usual sums for the upkeep of the Mission and Kaffir Bibles were paid.

We have once more in name of the Synod to express our sincere thanks to Mrs. Miller, Wick, for the great interest she takes in the Clothing and Medical Fund. She reports that the income for the year amounted to £17 13s. 0d., and the expenditure to £14 1s. 4d., leaving a balance on hand of £3 11s. 8d. In addition there is on Deposit Receipt £5 5s. 2d. Included in the expenditure are £6 sent to Mr. Tallach to pay Customs Dues on parcels sent to Africa. Mrs. Miller is to be congratulated on having collected so much money when there is so much poverty prevailing. I would again appeal to our people and especially to the ladies of Congregations to support this Clothing Fund for

sewing material is most useful to the Missionaries in clothing the natives and also in teaching the girls needlework.

I have nothing to report regarding Rev. Donald Urquhart’s mission to Palestine. His case is to come up for consideration at the Synod. The Committee on 12th September last decided that Mr. Urquhart should make Jerusalem his headquarters and advised him, if possible, to engage a place where he could hold public services. He sailed for Jerusalem on 27th October. He informed me in his last letter that he had to engage the place of worship which he presently occupies until July, otherwise he would have to leave it in April.

Other matters bearing on the work of the Mission will come under consideration when the Reports are read. In concluding this report I would draw the attention of the Synod and our people to the proof the reports give that the Holy Spirit is working among our people in Africa. The fact that the membership has increased in twelve years from 78 to 220 is surely a cause for thankfulness and encouragement. To think that the Lord has used the weak Free Presbyterian Church as an instrument to bring the gospel to so many of the natives of Africa should stir us up to put forth every effort to strengthen the work both with our prayers and means. I desire in name of the Committee to thank our people for their liberal support in the past and “let us not be weary in well-doing.”

Report by the Rev. John Tallach.

TOWARDS the end of last year I sent you a letter which was more or less in the nature of a report, and now I enclose some figures which may be of use to you. In the letter referred to above I made mention of our school here at Ingwenya having been raised to the status of Boarding School, and I think that I can do no better than give the Committee some information on

what this means. How does it come about that we now have a boarding school? How does this matter affect the Mission? What are the benefits, temporal, moral and spiritual which we may hope to derive? Questions such as these must rise in your mind and I will try to answer them and in doing so I think it best to give a brief history of Ingwenya School. This history naturally falls under three dates, up to 1922, to 1926 and to 1934.

1. In 1922 when Mr. Cameron visited this school it was a simple Third Class school giving two hours’ scholastic instruction per day, attended by about 120 pupils, who were taught by an unqualified teacher. The school was earning 5/- per pupil per year and the type of training did not include anything of an industrial nature. This class of school is now called “Kraal School.” Mr. Cameron also found that a number of boys and girls attending the school stayed with Mr. Radasi on the Mission (I think that there were about 8 children) and on his return to Scotland he made provision for these by a yearly grant which was called “Upkeep of Mission Grant.” In 1924 I arrived here and found these same children here and I had word from Mr. Cameron to say that they were to be kept on and the promise that the grant formerly given to Mr. Radasi would be continued.

2. Shortly after my arrival here I found that a number of girls belonging to our congregation were sent each year to schools of other missions in order to receive Industrial and Domestic training and thus went from under the influence of our Mission at the most receptive age in their lives. Naturally we were sorry that this was necessary but as this special kind of instruction was not given their parents had no alternative. I wrote to Mr. Cameron on the matter and in his reply he expressed his willingness to introduce the Industrial work into the school and he promised a school room and some equipment to help. By 1926 we had two qualified teachers at Ingwenya — Mr. P. Hlazo and Miss B. Mnyati — the latter being qualified to teach Industrial work. As these were qualified they were due higher salaries than the school could earn, and if we were to begin

Industrial work we would still require another Native teacher. The only thing that we could do was to seek to have the school raised to the standing of “Second Class” which would give us double the return for scholastic work and very good grants for Industrial work. However, one thing stood in the way. It was necessary to have either a qualified or an approved European teacher in charge of the work. My wife was entered and approved without salary and the school was now receiving the grants of a Second Class school. The parents promised to send their girls to school. In connection with girls living at a distance (at Morven, etc.), we came to an arrangement that the parents would provide food in the shape of a bag of mealies and a goat per year and that their girls should live on the Mission. The number of girls was 24 in the first year which rose to 40 in 1933. About another 40 or 50 girls attended for industrial work but did not live on the mission. Thus then, in 1927, we had a Second Class school (called to-day “Central”) with three Native teachers and one European — we were teaching Industrial work and earning about three times the grant of 1922. Later Mrs. McDonald came in as a great help. Since 1922 we have kept boarders in school but we have been without the status of Boarding School which requires that a qualified teacher should be in full charge.

1. In 1929 Native education came under a separate Department which required that, in order to maintain the place of Central school, we must have a qualified teacher in charge. The Committee on being informed of this promised that such a teacher would be forward as soon as possible. The Department in the meantime was willing to uphold the status of the school until the arrival of such a teacher. In 1933 Miss Nicolson arrived and her arrival not only saved the school from having to revert to “Kraal School” but put us in a position to seek the place of Boarding School, and as we had boarders already it was desirable to seek this place. We are now put on the list of Boarding Schools. The Central school remains as it was—that

is, the day scholars attending school—but we receive special grants for each girl boarding who is over Standard 3. We receive £4 per year for each of these whereas the highest such a girl could earn under Central School grants was £2. On our part a higher standard and better equipment are expected. Two or three things will thus come before you. First will be the question of supplying food for these girls. This year there are 51 girls staying with us and, along with other food, these require from 50 to 60 sacks of mealie meal for the year. As yet I have not changed the original plan but have let it stand for this year, as I desire to see how much we will earn in grants. I can then fix fees for food and I need not add that they will be as low as possible. The second question is that of sleeping accommodation and the solving of it is not easy. At present we are “crowded out.” A number of girls sleep in one of the school rooms and store their blankets through the day. Four large classes have to be taught in the Church. I have promised the inspector to build some three roomed huts and we are beginning the making of bricks immediately. As all the labour will be done by ourselves I cannot say what it will cost but I think that £15 will about cover it. The third question which will arise is as to whether the whole idea of a Boarding School is worth the time, labour and slight added expense. So far as my observation goes I can honestly say that it is well worth it. We have the rule in the school:—“Do not seek as your chief aim the making of good scholars of these girls but the making of better mothers,” and when you remember that there are no “old-maids” among Africans you will fully appreciate the force of our maxim and also the power such a school can be for good. Of the numbers who have passed through our school during the last eight years I can discover only one who has gone to live as a heathen. After marriage their training immediately shows itself so clearly that passing through the veldt one can readily tell the home and the children of a girl who married out of the school. There is a very abrupt disparity shown in a contrast between the houses

and families of heathen and those of school girls. In Boarding School everything goes by clock and bell, an orderliness is introduced into the smallest of things, they are being constantly corrected on matters of personal hygiene while they are also taught hygiene in class by Dr. McDonald, superstitious beliefs are soon displaced by at least a nominal belief in the Providence of God, while habits of industry help to give that independence and stability of character so much lacking in their heathen sisters. Among the prizes given out this year were nail brushes, tooth brushes, towels, soap and things of that kind and it is an index of a very changed outlook on dirt and personal health that these were the prizes most valued. But very much more important for us is the opportunity given by the Boarding School for spiritual teaching and influence. Indeed if this were missing we as a mission would do well to leave the matter alone. But this side of the question is so thoroughly knit up with the lives of the girls and seeing that Providence has put the opportunity before us we dare not do anything other than undertake the responsibility. I should enlarge far beyond the scope of a report were I to contrast a day in the life of one of these girls and that in the life of a heathen: but let me just briefly show a Sabbath day in the Boarding School. Prayer-meeting goes in at 7 a.m.; Sabbath School at 8 a.m. Breakfast and worship and then service at 11.30 a.m., and again at 1.30 p.m. with Bible Class at 3. At 4.30 p.m. an informal talk on the Pilgrim’s Progress is given with an English service at 5.30. Supper and then worship at 8 p.m. concludes the day. There is a Bible period on the school time table; the girls attend all prayer meetings and services in connection with the Communion. Tracts and good books are in constant circulation among those who can read English. Nor are we without seals from the Lord that this work has His favour as never a year passes without some of the girls becoming serious and becoming members. Remembering that these are future mothers can it be doubted but that this is a work of the Lord

and on that account worth all that we can put into it. I cannot pass from these notes on Ingwenya without some reference to Miss Nicolson. Natives whether adults or children require some understanding and “Misi” seems to have understood them immediately. To us it was a wonder to see the trust they immediately began to place in her, there seemed to be no suspicion. This I take it is owing to her large sympathy. The school is now run on systematic lines and a new life has entered into all parts of it. At home, equipment in schools is so complete that a teacher coming from home might be expected to be dissatisfied at a time, but Miss Nicolson is always ready to make the very best of what there is before going to the expense of purchasing new things. The Committee will appreciate this. We cannot express all the pleasure we feel in having Mrs. and Miss Nicolson with us. Their many friends at home will be glad to learn they have fitted extraordinary well into their new environment and climate. We wish them many happy days at Ingwenya. Mrs. Nicolson hopes to begin a women’s class shortly.

In connection with School matters pertaining to other schools there is not much to say. This year we are opening a new school at Stephen’s Farm. The people are building now. I was very much encouraged to see as many as 50 people at the last service which I held there as there used to be not more than 20. I have told you already of the transfer of Murray Farm school to Outspan Reserve. This is now endorsed by the Department and the name is to remain Murray Farm school. Services are held there regularly and services are also held at Murray Farm as all the people did not leave. Three male members went to Outspan and three remained at Murray Farm. So the whole result of this transfer is that we have another preaching station added to our list. School grants for 1933 are not yet forward but we have received notice of the amount we may expect. For all schools the total is £325 which includes a half year’s grant to Miss Nicolson. This is by far the highest figure the grant has ever reached. In 1924 the total was £55.

Communions through the year were well attended. At Shangani, Murray Farm, and Outspan there are people waiting to be examined for membership. There were 13 persons received into membership during the year. There was one case of discipline, that of a girl member who went down under the temptation to live with a man after heathen fashion. Neither parent or elder could turn her but while she slept at this man’s kraal she saw in a dream as if one came to her and asked her what she did there? He then commanded her to rise up and to read the 5th Chapter of Galatians at the 19th verse to the end. She woke up, got a light and read. She was found in a very repentant frame at the elder’s door next morning. These things grieve us, yet we are happy that the Lord shows such kindness and love to His erring children and makes His interest so manifest and open. We are hoping to begin a series of week day services at heathen kraals through the winter. We intend to have a service in a different kraal every day but Saturday and we commend this new venture to the prayers of our friends at home. We have had a long season of drought this year but not so bad as last year. There were two prayer meetings for rain and the Lord was pleased to hear the prayers of His people as we have had rains over the week-end. So far as we can see the people will have a hard year but not so trying as last year. The money sent for relief has been most useful and we are all grateful to you for sending it. Very close to our concern in connection with this is that of our own water supply. The well began to show signs of failing us in September. We were careful with the water and the Lord carried us through. If it fails badly we may require to deepen it another 10 feet or so.

In conclusion we have to thank more friends than it is possible to mention. To name a few. Mrs. Miller, Mrs. McIntyre, Miss Sansum and the Sabbath School children of Portree, Oban, Fort William and Dumbarton. Also the school children of Raasay. Letters will be sent to these children later.

I ought to have said before that our place of worship at Queen’s Kraal is closed as the office-bearer there has left that part. On the other hand there is a desire from people near Queen’s Mine to begin preaching among them and an elder has gone to see about it. He has gone to see a sick brother and I have not seen him since his return but I will report on what he has to say later.

And now we once more commend our work here to the love, and the prayers of all that love to see Christ our Lord glorified in the salvation of the lost. “They shall come and they shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.” That is our one reason for being in this part of the world and the one reason the Church ought to have in keeping us here, and is it not a glorious one?

Report by Rev. R. Macdonald, M.B., Ch.B.

THE first part of my report deals with the period April-July, 1933, during which time I superintended all the branches of the work of the Mission. The fears expressed in my last report with regard to the probability of a severe drought were realised, the last rain falling on the 25th January, and the Natives have had a very trying year as a result. Four bore-holes were sunk at different places in the Reserve and windmill pumps fitted, in this way the acute problem of water was solved but nevertheless a great number of cattle died through lack of pasture. We regret that as far as can be seen these visitations have not had the effect of turning the people from the vanities of their ways. On the other hand it is a matter of great rejoicing that our own people remain constant when others resort to heathen practices in the vain hope of getting rain, and that while the Gospel is to the many foolishness it is still the power of God unto Salvation to all who believe.

The Communion was held on the last Sabbath of March and some people were received into full membership as well as baptised. Two of the school girls came forward but the elders considering them too young they were asked to wait until next Communion. Both these girls, together with another scholar have since been received into full membership. Pending the arrival of a European teacher the Ingwenya Central day school was conducted on the old lines, the Government Inspector had been informed of the probable time of the teacher’s arrival and permission was given to carry on as before until then, the school being eligible for full grants as a Central day school.

All the out stations and kraal schools were visited in turn. Shangani and Murray farm had not been visited for nearly two years as the old Fiat car was not in a fit condition to do the long and severe journey to these places. The generosity of our people in Scotland has made it possible to procure another car for Mission use; a car was bought in April, second-hand but in very good condition, for £165, and soon afterwards Shangani was visited. The attendance there upon the means of grace still continues to be very poor. Communion services were held there but no new members were received. The school was very poorly attended the reason being that in that district swarms of locusts had settled and the school children along with others were called out every day to combat them.

Murray farm was next visited and Communion services held. Many of the people were under notice to leave the Ranch on which they lived, some indeed had already left and were living on a small Reserve some distance away to which place others contemplated following them. They were very anxious that the teacher should go with them, and they were very willing to build another church-school building. We set out to visit this Reserve but had to turn back, a wide sandy river bed proving impassable. Since then the teacher has also gone and a school has been built on the above mentioned Reserve.

The Rev. John Tallach, Mrs. Tallach and their family, arrived on the 2nd of July, all of them looking well after their furlough in Scotland. The Communion had been postponed for a week and Mr. Tallach began another term of work in the foreign field by taking some of the services, incidentally, it gave an opportunity to a large number of our people of welcoming back their Mfundisi (teacher). Mrs. and Miss Nicolson arrived three weeks after Mr. Tallach and his family. Miss Nicolson immediately took up the scholastic work into which she has thrown herself most enthusiastically.

In accordance with the instructions of the Committee preparations were made for building a house for Miss Nicolson. Considerable delay was caused in the making of bricks and in building through shortage of water and it was the third week in December before the house was ready for occupation.

The Medical work was carried on as in previous years. Attendances at the Dispensary was over 2,000, most of these being minor ailments. During the Winter and Spring months Scurvy was prevalent among the people, but with the coming of Summer and fresh green food this has disappeared. There were treated as in-patients over 100 Natives. Many of these were sent by the Native Commissioner for the district, others came from places at a considerable distance, one man and his family coming four days’ journey on donkeys. A few had been for a long time in the hands of Native “doctors” and only came to the Mission as a last resort. They went home cured and no doubt will play their part in breaking down prejudices against us.

The Scriptures are read to these in-patients and short services are held with them but as they often belong to different tribes and speak different dialects it is a question how much, if any they understand. Sometimes we find some who have been to Mission schools and who are able to read the Bible in their own language or even in English.

Report of Miss Jean Nicolson, M.A.

AS you are already aware I arrived here in time for the re-opening of school for the mid-winter term, July, 1933. During the next five months there were few changes made in the curriculum. I took charge of Standards 3, 4, and 5, as they understand English fairly well. Mr. Tallach took the older girls for Scripture and Hygiene in the Vernacular, and the Xosa class was taken by Paul Hlazo. In September the Government Inspectors examined the Industrial and Scholastic Departments respectively, and the work was thoroughly discussed. The Scholastic report sent in, was a favourable one, but the Industrial report has not yet arrived. School closed on 2nd December for two months. On the re-opening of school on 29th January, 1934, the suggestions brought forward in September were carried out in the respective departments. This term there are a hundred and fifty-one children (151) on the roll, forty of whom are boys. With the exception of six in Standard 1, the boys are all in the primary department. They rarely continue after Standard 1 as at this age, 12 or 13, they are required to herd the cattle. In addition, their attendance, from the time that the Spring work begins in October until Harvest time in May or June, is perfunctory. Parents with larger ambitions send their boys to a Boarding School seven miles from here where they learn Carpentry. To suit the boys, who are required for herding by 11 a.m., the scholastic hours are fixed at 7 a.m.—10.30 a.m. It can be seen therefore, that this is essentially a girls’ school. There are fifty-one girl boarders.

The scholastic curriculum is composed of the usual subjects with the single exception of drawing. This exception is to be regretted but at present is unavoidable owing to the fact that so much time is devoted to the teaching of English. The children are also taught to read and write in the vernacular, Xosa. When it is remembered that the majority of the children are Matabeles and that Xosa is the dialect of the Fingoes of whom there are comparatively few in this school, it will be understood that many of

the children are actually learning a new dialect in addition to their foreign language, English. The reason for teaching Xosa is that there are but a few elementary school books printed in Sindebele and that our Bibles and Psalm books are Xosa. It is perhaps unnecessary to state that particular attention is being paid to Bible instruction and that it is always borne in mind that this is primarily a Mission school.

This year for the first time a Standard 6 class was formed in which there are five girls. This was considered advisable for several reasons, among them that the girls themselves were very anxious to continue at school, and also that it is a decided advantage to all here to have the influence of the older girls brought to bear upon the younger ones whom they quickly initiate into all the rules and ways of a Christian Community. The work done in Standard 6 corresponds in most subjects with that of the Old Qualifying Stage at home.

As far as possible all the latest methods are used in teaching. The English Readers used are specially printed for Natives in South Africa. They are more expensive than those used at home, but it will be readily understood that their use is imperative when it is pointed out that much of the matter contained in home Readers is foreign to the Native child, for example, in this part of the country there are neither hills, lakes, forests, permanent rivers, bridges, sea or ships. It might be mentioned here that we are much indebted to the Grant Educational Co., Glasgow, for a consignment of school material sent to us through the good offices of Mr. McGillvray, Dunoon. The exercise books in particular are most useful.

Industrial work forms an important part of the school curriculum. The girls have two hours Domestic work from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The boarder girls have an additional two hours of Industrial work in the afternoon. In former years the day-scholars also did Industrial work in the afternoons, but as the Natives have only two meals a day, the first about noon, that meant that the children had nothing to eat until they went home

about four o’clock. So this was discontinued in 1933. The subjects taught are Cookery, Needlework, Laundry, Housework Native and European, Basketry, Pottery and Child Welfare.

First Aid is taken by Dr. Macdonald, to whom we are also indebted for taking Hygiene in the morning school this year.

The cookery syllabus does not cover a wide range; it deals chiefly with foods within easy reach of the Natives, such as Native vegetables, milk, eggs and fowl. Stress is laid on the food value of the last three, because of Native prejudice against these foods. Even Christian Natives have never cultivated a taste for them and make little use of them. Children and invalids consequently suffer much from want of proper diet. In needle work the Government Inspectress demands as high a standard of work among the Natives as she does in European schools. Many of the girls are capable of very good work. Our scheme of work ranges from simple articles made by beginners to the cutting and making of their own garments by the older girls. We are much indebted to Mrs. Macdonald for her assistance in the sewing class. We should all like to express our gratitude to Mrs. Miller, Wick, for supplying this department with materials of all kinds.

Laundry work has been much facilitated by the building of a shelter 40 feet long by 10 feet wide, by Mr. Tallach. This erection has a felt roof and cement floor. By adjusting the long table which runs through the centre, washing and ironing may both be carried on. By means of a receiving tank it is possible to conserve all waste water for trees and plants.

This year a class in pottery has been begun. The clay is found in the neighbourhood and the articles made are fired by the girls themselves. Simple decorative effects with Native dyes will be attempted later on. The same clay is used for making apparatus for the Primary Department such as letters, figures, with models of familiar animals, kraals, etc. Most of the material used in the basketry class is also found in the neighbourhood. The baskets made are of practical rather than of an

ornamental kind. The chief aim in teaching both pottery and basketry is that these articles should be of use in their homes rather than that they should have any market value.

The equipment used in Domestic work is of the simplest kind, so that the gulf to be bridged between the girls’ home life and what they see in school will not be too great. This may seem an elaborate curriculum but the Government demands a certain standard of work, and we ourselves are anxious to obtain the best results possible. In conclusion I may add that I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Tallach for the assistance he has given me in all my work since my arrival.

Report of Canadian and Colonial Mission Committee.

By Rev. E. MACQUEEN.

THE main item in connection with the work of the above Committee to report is that the services of the Rev. F. Macleod, Dornoch, were secured for the Canadian, etc., stations, for the period of a year. This period was later on extended for a month longer. He expects to leave Montreal early in May (D.V.) and to be present at the Synod to give an account of his work. The Committee is deeply grateful to Mr. Macleod for consenting to go, and for all his labours. May these be owned by the Lord for the ingathering of souls to His Kingdom, and for the edifying of His own true people!

The Committee would anew respectfully draw the attention of those who can render help in the matter to the case of the Winnipeg congregation. An appeal has already been made to help them in the payment of their Church building debt. Friends are urged upon to do their utmost to assist in wiping off this loan, which they are endeavouring to repay. Donations, however small, are most acceptable.

The Committee, at the time of sending this report to our Synod Clerk, could not secure another Deputy for Canada and Australia, on the conditions set down for such as might be willing to go. But a suggestion will duly be offered on the matter for the decision of the Synod which may be helpful in the difficult circumstances.

Report by the Rev. D. Urquhart, Jerusalem.

UNLIKE the Children of Israel, I came up to Canaan by the Way of the Land of the Philistines. I had disembarked at Port Said, and appreciated the fact that I was spared the delay at the railway junction of Ben-Ha, which landing at Alexandria involved. I did not mind the delay at Kantara because, after crossing the Suez Canal, a Jewish porter secured for me one side of a compartment in the Palestine train, so that when we left at midnight I could lie down. Early next morning I was astir, and was soon in conversation with a Jewish policeman who had been sent on duty from Jerusalem. One or two Jews joined in the conversation, and so I had my first little contact. At Lydda junction, the Jewish guard came to shake hands cordially with me, remarking that I had been away from the country two years. I asked him how he knew? He said he had a good memory. The train journey from Lydda to Jerusalem is the most pleasant part of the journey, because of its picturesqueness and the places of Biblical association passed en route. One place that is, to me, attractive is Bittir, which is Bether. At Bittir station, one cannot see very far because of the surrounding mountains, and is it not a prayer of the Church that the Beloved would come “leaping upon the mountains?”

We arrived at Jerusalem between 9 and 10 a.m., and truly with much cause for gratitude to the Lord of Sabaoth. I made a little hotel my temporary headquarters, and was soon out renewing acquaintance with the “Holy City.” That evening I went to the district of Mahaneh Yehudah to visit a Jewish

family of my acquaintance. I knocked at the door in the dark street, and presently the voice of the mother came from the roof, saying in Hebrew, “Is that A?” I answered “No, but am a friend of A.” She came down with a lantern, and, opening the door, welcomed me in. A was not in, but his father and mother gave me the news, and I left a note for A. A day or two later, he came with other three young Jews to my place, and we had conversation. I soon met again the policeman whose acquaintance I had made in the train from Kantara, and through him I met others, especially one named B., with whom I had many little talks. With regard to the Messianic prophecies, B. complained of the variety of interpretations given by commentators, especially Jewish. On his mentioning Rashi, I quoted a verse from Rashi that came to my mind, and which may be rendered: “When you do the will of the Holy One, blessed be He, you do not need to be anxious concerning the Retribution.” I told B. what the New Testament said about the will of the Holy One, it being His will that we believe on Him whom He hath sent; and of course that led to more conversation. There was a policeman from Mesopotamia whom I felt might be responsive, but he was promoted and transferred to Haifa. Once or twice I conversed with Arabs. The Moslems believe that Jesus is a Nebi (prophet) but not that He is God or that He is a Fady (Redeemer).

I found it very difficult to get a suitable flat in a suitable district at a reasonable price. At last, well on in December, I got settled in a little two-roomed flat. I thought of Mairi Morison of Harris and of her words: “Tha sinn ann am Bearnaraidh mar lochran” (We, in Bernera, are like a lamp), and I wished some could be a lochran, like her, in Jerusalem. Soon after taking up my abode, I had an experience which reminded me that the Jews still keep the Sabbath of the Old Dispensation. The key of my door broke in its lock, so that I had to find a locksmith. It was Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, and Jewish shops were closed. Christian shops

were open, and also Mohammedan shops, but all the Jerusalem locksmiths are Jews. I also found that all the locksmiths are in the Old City, so I went down into the narrow streets of the Old City, looking for a locksmith. Arabs there told me that there were no locksmiths apart from the Jews, but eventually down an ancient street I discovered an Armenian who understood locks. He said he was too busy, so I had to persuade him by saying in my meagre Arabic: “Come to the Jaffa Gate and I’ll hire a taxi from there.” That persuaded him and before long I again had admittance into my little place, and a new key was made. During the winter season we had much rain, and also a few falls of snow; in fact, one day we had a regular snowstorm. It was quite cold at nights, but when I thought of our friends in Winnipeg, I realised that I had nothing to complain of.

A few weeks ago, I decided to pay a missionary visit to some of the Jewish villages in Judah and Sharon, making Tel-Aviv my starting point. I stayed overnight in Tel Aviv and set out fairly early next morning. The driver of the car I travelled in recognised me, and proved it by naming the street I used to stay in when a resident of Tel-Aviv. We went straight to Ekron, where the Jewish colony has a strong orthodox element. I found a few willing to listen, especially a man and his wife, both of whom had much to say by way of argument. From Ekron, I went back to Rehovoth, where I had discussions with a number of Jews of varied types. Next I went to Shaaraim, which is really a Yemenite colony, although there are also Jews from other places besides Yemen (the Teman of the Bible). Here I had an unusual conversation with a European Jew who believed that Jesus was Moses returned to earth. He believed that Moses would come back to the world a third time in the person of the greatest man ever seen on earth, and who would teach us things we never knew before. But this gave me an opportunity to show the difference between Moses and Christ Jesus, by whom came “grace and truth.” He then made a statement which will show

you one of the things the Jews delight in. He told me his name, and said it included the whole of the Tanach (i.e., the Old Testament), because the numbers which the letters of his Hebrew name represented when added together equalled the number of the first and last words of the Hebrew Bible when added together! How literal, and how unprofitable! After visiting Neo Ziona and Rishon-le-Zion (at the latter place I had conversation, among others, with a pleasant Australian Jew), I returned to Tel-Aviv, all my Gospels having been given away. As I walked through one of the Tel-Aviv streets so familiar to me, I heard someone calling: “Mr. Urquhart,” and on looking round I saw a young Jew who used to visit me up in Galilee. He told me at that time that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, but could not believe He was God. He asked for my address in Jerusalem in order that he might visit me. I was also accosted by various other Jews whom I used to know. Next day I set out again, taking more Gospels with me. The colonies I visited were Raananah, Kefar Sabbah, Magdiel, Ramataim, and finally Petach-Tikvah. Between Petach-Tikvah and Tel-Aviv, the fields and groves looked so fresh and beautiful that I began singing in Psalm 65 from verse 9: “The earth Thou visit’st, wat’ring it,” etc., to the tune “Huddersfield.” The Jews are very musical, and when I finished singing: “And now they shout and sing to thee, for Thou hast made them glad,” I was surprised to hear the Jewish driver whistling the tune “Huddersfield.”

Next morning on my way back to Jerusalem, I wondered if I was justified in having spent a little extra money on this trip. But I felt rebuked when, on opening my Post Office box I found in it a letter containing approximately the extra money I had used. Now I was back in Jerusalem, the city of the first Church. John Bunyan, in “The Jerusalem Sinner Saved,” wrote: “The first church, the Jerusalem church, from whence the Gospel was to be sent into all the world, was a church made up of Jerusalem sinners.” In this place, anyone with any imagination at all must think of the glorious things spoken of the City of the Lord. Why,

even the Mohammedans call it “El Quds” (i.e., The Holy). But too often, the Lord Himself is forgotten. I had occasion to emphasise this the other evening in a café. A Jewish lawyer came to me and asked if he might bring his friends to join me at my table. Of course I assented, and he brought his companions, two business Arabs and a young Jew. The latter started to discuss politics with me, especially with regard to The Land. I referred to the reasons for the original dispersion of the Jews, and gave my reasons for believing that their prolonged dispersion is the result of their rejection of Jesus as the Christ. I said that the Jews in Palestine were seeking to establish their National Home patriotically, but that God had power either to prosper or thwart. I further said that, however hard they tried, it was not in their own time or strength that they would succeed, but in God’s, and they could not have grounds for expecting it, until they repented and accepted Christ, the real Hope of the Jewish nation. Later, when he had to leave us the young lawyer laughed and told me that I had “hit the nail on the head,” for he who had left us was a keenly patriotic Jew, desiring the settlement of Jews and more Jews on the land. Then, when I began speaking of spiritual things with this friendly lawyer, he said: “I am not religious, but it interests me.” But later on, when I spoke of the condition of the nations of the world, and of God sitting on the circle of the earth viewing the grasshopper-inhabitants, while the latter ignored Him, he said: “I am a little bit religious.”

I wish that the blessed Spirit, instead of the king of Assyria, would fulfil to-day these words: “He shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.” And meanwhile it is refreshing to hear of a spiritual movement far away in South Africa, where mission-work is being blessed. May He bless us still.