THE Foreign Mission Reports which are in the hands of members speak for themselves. They show that the Lord is still countenancing our weak efforts as can be seen from Mr. Tallach’s report in which he states that 42 members were received into full communion during the past year. This number includes all the Stations. On the one hand this ought to be a matter of encouragement and should incite us to increase our efforts in supporting the Mission, but on the other hand it should be a cause for serious thought that His Word is so abundantly blessed among those coloured people while so little of the work of the Spirit is to be seen among ourselves.
There are one or two things to which I would like to refer. There is the water supply which is causing us trouble and anxiety. The Committee reported to the Synod last year that £15 had been sent out for the purpose of deepening the well. That improved the supply slightly but still great scarcity prevails. No doubt the successive dry seasons partly accounts for this. Every effort must be made to remedy this want; for the Mission to be without water for domestic and medical purposes is dangerous and most insanitary. The committee discussed the matter with Dr. Macdonald since he arrived home. After considering different ways which might be tried to improve the supply, Dr. Macdonald suggested that the most feasible way would be to make a storage chamber at the bottom of the shaft which would help to maintain a greater quantity in reserve. The Committee adopted this suggestion. Dr. Macdonald thought it would cost at least £20 to form the chamber. This, however, would be a small sum if it would remedy the defect. The Committee agreed that a collection be taken in congregations when Dr. Macdonald would be visiting them during his furlough to meet this expense. We hope the Synod will approve of this collection and trust that congregations will show their usual liberality on behalf of this necessary work.
I wish also to refer to the disturbing news lately reported by Mr. Tallach that all our people about 120 members and 180 school children are to be removed is June from our Mission Stations at Induba and Lebeni unless the Lord will intervene. These people live on a farm which was bought by a white man who has already miles of land. We are powerless, and so is the Rhodesian Government, to prevent him from sending these poor people away. Mr. Tallach, who feels this blow most keenly, says, were it not for the Word of God supporting him he could sit down and weep. Mr. Tallach spoke to the Native Commissioner and he has promised to do what he can. Had these people been living on a Reserve their case would be different but this man has bought the Farm and not even the Government can interfere with him. The Committee thought of approaching the Colonial Secretary but in discussing the matter with Dr. Maedonald he advised us to leave the case meantime with Mr. Tallach who may yet persuade the farmer to relent and leave some of the people on the farm. This is a severe blow to our Mission and as Mr. Tallach says, to see the labours of many years knocked down at a blow by this farmer, is heart-rending. The Lord reigneth and His purposes will be fulfilled, however, dark and mysterious they may appear to us.
The Huts which the Synod granted permission to be erected at Ingwenya for girl boarders are all near completion. There are four finished and the fifth is ready for roofing. Mr. Tallach also reports that a teacher’s house was put up through a gift from the Kames and Lochgilphead congregations. He also says that a meditation room for girls was erected through the gift of £10 from Mrs. Chisholm, Glasgow. To these friends he wishes to convey his sincere thanks.
The Committee regret that owing to pressure of work they were not able to complete the Draft of Regulations for Missionaries, Medical Missionaries and Teachers and trust the Synod will excuse them. They hope, however, to attend to this matter as soon as possible.
The educational side of the Mission appears to be in a very satisfactory condition. Miss Nicolson in her interesting report says that there are 220 scholars on the Roll, about 30 more than last year. She also informs us that each Hut is in charge of a head-girl who is responsible for cleanliness and order and that all the girls assemble in the morning before school time in the church for worship, but in the evening each head-girl is responsible to have worship in her own hut. There are 65 girls in the boarding school and some of these have come a distance of one hundred miles. One can only conjecture, Miss Nicolson says, the kind of homes these girls come from and that it is pathetic to see the day school children coming to school without breakfast and thinly clad. It is then, she says, we appreciate the parcels of clothing sent out by friends. Miss Nicolson seems to be entirely absorbed in her work while she has many difficulties to face and problems to solve. The Inspector’s reports of all the schools under our Mission are most satisfactory.
Mr. Tallach reports that the Government Grants for this year are £554, but that the total paid was £517. He does not explain why the £37 was withheld. He also informs us that he has opened a school at Stephen Farm. He expects the Church to pay the teacher’s salary for this year but after that the Grants will meet the expense. We hope the Synod will agree to pay this salary.
We would again impress upon our people at home that while we highly appreciate Dr. Macdonald’s medical and Miss Nicolson’s educational work we must always bear in mind that the principal object of our Mission is to bring the gospel of salvation to those poor people.
As Dr. Macdonald is present and will give an account of his medical work I need not refer to that aspect of it. I would like, however, in name of the Committee to convey to Dr. Macdonald our appreciation of his work which must at times be very arduous. We trust that he and Mrs. Macdonald will benefit by and enjoy their well-earned furlough in the home country.
Both Miss Nicolson and Mr. Tallach wish me to thank the many friends who are so mindful of them in sending out most useful parcels to carry on the work. Mr. Tallach wishes to thank the Sabbath School children of Portree, Vancouver, Dumbarton, Oban and Raasay for their liberal contributions, also Miss Gillies, Glasgow, and Capt. A. MacLennan of the S.S. “Aloe.” The Committee in name of the Synod would desire to thank all the ladies who have interested themselves so much in the Clothing Fund. The parcels of material sent out are most useful. Miss Nicolson mentions the parcel of home-spun yarn sent by the Fladda Congregation every bit of which was used. We have once more to thank Mrs. Miller, Wick, for the great interest she takes in the Clothing Fund. She reports that the income for the year was £17 17s. 9d., including £6 from the Edinburgh congregation. The expenditure was £15 11s. 5d. Included in this sum is £5 sent to Mr. Tallach to pay Customs dues on parcels sent out. This leaves a balance of £2 6s. 4d. She has also on hand £2 3s. 9d., to the credit of the Medical Fund which she intends to hand over to Dr. Macdonald before he goes back to buy some necessary articles for the hospital. She also reports that through the good offices of Miss Sansum the London congregation sent out this year again 250 yards of material. We wish to thank Miss Sansum for her successful efforts. We are greatly indebted to the many firms which have so liberally supplied valuable gifts. Mr. D. Grant, Grant Educational Co. Ltd., Glasgow, has again sent a large consignment of useful readers valued at £24. The Drummond Tract Society, Stirling, sent a parcel of booklets, etc. Messrs. Wm. Collins & Sons, Glasgow, a large assortment of children’s illustrated pictures, etc. Messrs. J. P. Coats, Glasgow, provided a fancy-work box of embroidery thread, etc. Messrs. Blackie & Sons, Publishers, Glasgow, a parcel of illustrated coloured pictures. The Lord’s Day Observance Society, London, a large number of Posters on Sabbath Observance. Messrs. W. & A. K. Johnstone, Ltd., Edinburgh, a number of maps printed on cloth. Per Mr. Neil Macleod, St. Jude’s, Glasgow, a map of South Africa. Mrs. MacGillivray, Dunoon, presented the Mission with a brass hand bell. All these useful articles were procured through Mr. MacGillivray, Dunoon, who takes such a keen interest in the Mission. We are much indebted to him for his successful labours.
Members of Synod may see from Rev. Donald Urquhart’s report that he has not much to say about his success among the Jews in Palestine. We feel much for Mr. Urquhart in his uphill work and especially at the present time when such serious troubles have broken out between the Arabs and the Jews. We trust the Lord who promised to be a shield about them that fear Him will protect him amidst the dangers to which he is exposed at present. It remains with the Synod to instruct the Committee as to what is to be done in future regarding Mr. Urquhart.
We wish again to refer to Mrs. Nicolson’s labours among the native women. Though she is not officially connected with the Mission yet she does not spare herself in working among the natives. We highly appreciate her work and wish to thank her.
Miss Macaskill, Mrs. Nicolson’s sister, paid a visit to the Mission and received a hearty welcome from both missionaries and natives. Miss Macaskill we understand was greatly taken up with all she saw and has many interesting stories to relate since her return.
The Synod will be interested to hear that Mr. Edwin Radasi is making satisfactory progress in his studies. Mr. Mackenzie, Ardgay, with whom he lodges and who with Mrs. Mackenzie have shown much kindness to him, reports that his average mark over all his subjects for the past two Quarterly Examinations is about 60 per cent. Mr. Mackenzie also says his general conduct is excellent and at the end of last session he was awarded the school’s Good Conduct prize. The question will soon have to be seriously considered what is to be his future career when he is finished with his studies at Bonarbridge.
In taking a retrospective view of the history of our Mission we have every reason to thank God and take courage. That the small and despised Free Presbyterian Church should be the means in the Lord’s hand in bringing the gospel of salvation to these poor heathen to the everlasting benefit of many of them should cause us to wonder and praise His name. When we think that forty-two members were received last year into full communion that should open our hearts and purses to help on this good work. To give liberally of our means ought not only to be a duty but also a privilege. Our Missionaries, though none of them complain, are bound to have many difficulties and troubles to contend with which we cannot at this distance very well understand. They ought, therefore, to have our earnest prayers and sincere sympathies.