In submitting the Foreign Mission Report it is not necessary for me to enter into details as the three reports which are to be read give full particulars of the progress of our mission. It is very evident from these reports that the Lord in a marvellous way is countenancing the weak efforts of the Free Presbyterian Church in South Africa. That we should be the means of bringing the gospel to so many of these poor benighted heathen and that the Word of God has been so savingly blessed to many of them should cause us to rejoice and stir us up more and more to wrestle at a throne of grace and help to forward this work to the utmost of our ability.
Mr. Tallach reported that the Mission was suffering greatly from the want of water; the well being almost dry and that they had to go on short rations, and that it was absolutely necessary to deepen the well about 10 feet which would cost from £10 to £15. The Committee took a serious view of this and immediately asked Mr. Grant to send £15 for the above purpose. The well was deepened and while there is a marked improvement yet the supply is not quite satisfactory. They are hoping, however, that on account of the abundant rain this season the supply will improve. If not, they may have to dig deeper.
As the Synod will remember, Mr. Tallach last year mentioned the necessity of building huts, for the accommodation of the girl boarders, and said, that six huts would be required. The Synod granted Mr. Tallach permission to proceed with their erection. He reported that four are completed and that the other two will be put up in due course. The Government Inspector highly commended the Mission for putting up very suitable and inexpensive buildings. We sent out an instalment of £20 to meet the expense of these huts. The Vancouver Sabbath School children sent £10 to the Mission and Mr. Tallach suggested that this money should be used to build one of the huts to be called the “Vancouver Cottage.” The Committee cordially agreed to the suggestion. Mr. Tallach, I am sure, would be very pleased to call any one of these buildings after the name of a Sabbath School which would send a similar sum.
Members of Synod will remember that the Committee submitted last year a Draft of Regulations for Missionaries, Medical Missionaries and Teachers. The Draft was remitted to the Committee for revision. The revised draft has been sent to members of Synod for their consideration.
The Committee realised the importance of making provision for aged and infirm missionaries, medical missionaries and their widows and orphans, and drew out a statement bearing on this important subject which has been issued to members of Synod, and which they now submit to the Synod for their favourable consideration.
The Committee were anxious that the claim to our property in South Africa should be made secure either by title deed granted by the Rhodesian Government with our model clause embodied or a written guarantee from them. After corresponding with the Colonial Secretary and the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia it was arranged that Dr. Johnston when in London should have an interview with the High Commissioner. Dr. Johnston met Mr. F. B. Wright, Official Secretary, whom we wish to thank publicly in name of the Church for his kindness and consideration. Mr. Wright explained that our property being on a Government Reserve was absolutely secure. It was different, he said, if the property had been erected on a farm from which we might be evicted at any time. We were very pleased to get this assurance from this Government official.
Several matters will no doubt come under the Synod’s review in connection with the work of the Mission when the reports of Mr. Tallach, Dr. Macdonald and Miss Nicolson are submitted. I will, therefore, not prolong my report.
Regarding Rev. Donald Urquhart’s Mission in Palestine it was agreed at last meeting of Synod “that the committee be authorised to correspond with Dr. Christie and ascertain the prospects for mission work in various European countries among the Jews, with a view to transfer Mr. Urquhart to one of these if desirable, meantime Mr. Urquhart to remain in Palestine.” We got into communication with Dr. Christie and asked his opinion and especially as to the advisability of sending Mr. Urquhart to Poland. Dr. Christie very kindly and sympathetically gave his opinion and made several suggestions which the Committee did not consider advisable to adopt. In regard to Poland, he said, in the event of you sending Mr. Urquhart there, he would require to begin anew and to study at least Polish and German-Yiddish as well as to have a first-class knowledge of German. We sent Mr. Urquhart the decision of the Synod and that Poland was suggested as a suitable field. He replied that he did not wish to go to Poland. In view of Mr. Urquhart’s decision the Committee had no alternative but to remit the case to the Synod and meantime leave him to labour in Palestine. It now remains with the Synod to instruct the Committee what they are to do regarding Mr. Urquhart.
We are pleased to report that Mr. Edwin Radasi is making excellent progress in his studies. He passed his qualifying examination last May and was awarded the prize for the best behaved scholar by the unanimous vote of the school. He is now attending the Bonarbridge High Grade School. We wish to thank Mr. Macrae, Headmaster, very sincerely for kindly promising to do all in his power to help Edwin with his studies; we also desire to express the sincere thanks of the Committee to the “Argyllshire Friends” who supplied him with a first-class bicycle to travel from Ardgay to Bonar which enables him to continue lodging with Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie who have shown such great interest in him since he arrived in this country. The important question of what is to be his relation to the Mission when he has finished his curriculum at Bonarbridge will soon have to be considered.
The Synod will remember that we had occasion last year to tender our sincere thanks to Mr. Grant, of the Grant Educational Company, Union Street, Glasgow, for his liberal supply of school readers, jotters, etc. We are this year again greatly indebted to him for supplying two boxes of kindergarten material, and also a blackboard, all which were most acceptable and will prove exceedingly beneficial in educating the children and will greatly interest them. Miss Nicolson, I am sure, will highly appreciate this fresh source of equipment. All these articles have been procured through the good offices of Mr. MacGillivray, Dunoon, who has taken such a lively interest in all matters connected with the Mission. We wish to thank Mr. MacGillivray for all his efforts and trouble in this connection.
We are much indebted to the Union Castle Line for their consideration in carrying these boxes to South Africa at half-rate. We are also most grateful to Mr. Neil MacLeod, Church Officer, St. Jude’s, Glasgow, for all his trouble in packing the above articles in specially made boxes, provided at his own expense and in attending so minutely to all the details which necessarily arose in connection with booking them.
Mr. Tallach wishes me to thank all the Sabbath Schools which sent contributions for prizes. This kind thought on their part is greatly appreciated by the native children and reminds them that they are not forgotten by their young brothers and sisters in Scotland. The example of these Schools should be an incentive to other schools to follow.
We have again to thank Mrs. Miller, Wick, Miss Sansum, London, and the other ladies who have interested themselves in the Clothing Fund. As will be seen from Miss Nicolson’s report, no less than 200 yards of material were used by the girls during the last six months of 1934, while even the scraps and oddments were gratefully received at the Friday Patching Class. Such material is most useful for teaching the girls to sew and make their own clothes. Mrs. Miller reports that the income for the year ending 31st March, 1935, amounted to £11 12s. 7d, and the expenditure to £9 17s. 4d, leaving a balance on hand of £1 15s. 3d. There was £5 5s. 3d on deposit which she sent to Mr. Tallach to pay customs, etc., as it was almost eighteen months since any cash for that purpose had been forwarded. We would once again appeal to the ladies of our congregations to support this Clothing Fund which has proved so useful in the past, in clothing the natives and in teaching the girls needlework.
I should like to refer to the work done by Mrs. Nicolson among the native women. Mr. Tallach reports that she keeps a woman’s class during part of the year and those attending derive much benefit. We appreciate Mrs. Nicolson’s labours which we think ought to be recognised by the Government.
We are not referring in this report to the arduous work which our Missionaries have to face. We have often wondered how they manage to overtake so much. We may be sure, though none of them complain, that they have their seasons of depression and discouragements, yet certainly they have much reason to be encouraged. We would impress upon our people at home, that, while Dr. Macdonald’s medical work and Miss Nicolson’s educational work are only complementary, yet they are necessary adjuncts to the spiritual progress of the Mission. It must always be borne in mind that the chief and main object of our Mission in Africa is to bring the light of God’s Word to the heathen, sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. There are very clear evidences that the Holy Spirit is blessing His Word and turning many from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God’s dear Son. This should move us as a church and individuals to do our utmost to help on the good work.