AS Dr. Macdonald is at home and he is to report on our work here in general I shall confine myself to a few notes on each station.
Shangani.—After Chief Betisane’s death in 1930 a number of people left this locality with the result that our congregation here has progressed little since that date. Now, there are indications that people are settling down along the Inkai River and consequently, opportunities for preaching will be greater in the future. Certainly we noted a number of new faces among hearers last year and we trust that this is a sign of more prosperous times here. There was one woman added to the church last year. The school continues to do well and was very favourably reported on by the Inspector.
Murray Farm.—Our people at Murray Farm have again settled down. This is the second shift they have had in two years and in these circumstances it is gratifying to note that the congregation has held together very well. They have built a new meeting house and have begun to preach among their new neighbours. At our last communion there were six persons
forward for membership. Considering the short time we have been established in this district we thought it better to leave over the admittance of these persons until this year. Here is a question put to one of those examined there. “Provided that you are given church privileges, have you no fear that you may bring disgrace on the cause of Christ?” Her answer was unexpected—almost startling, “No, if only I will experience every day the joy of the Lord as I experience it to-day, I will have no fear.” Parents at Murray Farm are very interested in their children and their work, with the result that the school is well attended. In general the harmony and warmth of this congregation make visitation something to look forward to.
Usangu.—When Murray Farm people left Usangu a number remained behind and of this number there were four men who could hold services. Under the blessing of the Lord and their labours the congregation has increased so much that it is again up to its former numbers. Our friends here are full of enthusiasm for the Kingdom, and the Lord has so blessed them that six were added to the Church here last year. This is one of our most lively out-stations as was seen on Communion Sabbath. There were about 200 present and it is not too much to say that the attention was intense. The large number of children among them has raised the question of a school. The farmer on whose ground they live is far from being favourable to mission work and they were advised to seek permission to build on an adjoining farm—Drumoland. This permission they have now obtained from Mr. J. West, and a meeting house is being erected there now. If the Department will approve of a school we will require to consider giving such school our support for one year—that is, until it is grant earning. The people are warm, united and loyal, and in every way worthy of our help in the matter.
Bubi.—One of our elders, Isaiah Mnyati, who went to live in Bubi River district about five years ago began preaching at his home. He attended Communion at Ingwenya and on one of his visits we proposed to go and hold services at his
kraal. He told us to wait until he was able to gather a definite congregation about him. Towards the end of last year he sent word for us to visit him but as the rainy season had set in we put it off. We will visit his place as soon as possible. In the meantime there is word to the effect that there is a number of inquiring and serious people attending his preaching, and at present a meeting house is in course of erection. There too the cause has been strengthened through some of our Boarding School girls who have gone home with grace in their hearts and it would seem a definite witness on their lips. It has encouraged us greatly to hear of their efforts to make their people and heathen friends attend services. Probably for the same reason there is an increase of girls to the Boarding School from this district.
Queen’s Kraal.—Services here under Deacon Miki have been discontinued as he himself has gone to live at Queen’s Mine. He immediately began to preach both in the Mine compound and in the kraals and the latest news is that he is building a meeting house. From this it seems clear that he is having more encouragement than he had at Queen’s Kraal.
Stephen’s Farm.—This is really Enduba Farm although until now we have called it Stephen’s. We did this to evade confusion with the “Enduba” already existing. As the former Enduba will be permanently closed this year Stephen’s Farm will be known as Enduba after this. Last year you promised to help us to open a school here. The school is now open and is on a grant earning basis but these grants not materialising until March, 1937, we will require to fall back on you to pay the teacher the first year’s salary. This will be £5 per quarter. The teacher is a member of Ingwenya and so far the school is well attended. This is a young station but under the hand of the Lord wonderfully virile. A meeting house, put up last year, is already too small to hold the congregation. It is to be noted too that scarcely a quarterly meeting passes without some people from Stephen’s Farm coming forward for membership.
Enduba.—I regret that the elder belonging to this station, and who was put under discipline last year, has not returned to a right mind and that his wife has also left us. Services were held regularly by a deacon from Ingwenya. The school was closed last year and will not be opened again. The reason for this will be given when we report on Elebeni.
Elebeni.—As before noted this is our largest out-station. There are over 80 members. The number of children attending school has been as high as 120 and here too one finds a good number of young men in regular attendance. The two stations, Elebeni and Enduba are on Gravesend Farm and as this farm was sold last year, the people have notice to clear off by June this year. This is a sad blow to us. Preaching has been going on at Enduba since 1913 and at Elebeni since 1922. This move will affect about 80 of our members—50 at Elebeni and 30 at Enduba, while it will affect two schools with a total enrollment of 160 also. A part of our Elebeni people are on the Reserve and they are not affected. We will require to provide for them by way of setting up a new meeting house and school on the Reserve and the elders have already been told to approach the chief with view to site selection. We propose to build a good meeting house as far west on the Reserve as we can get. As a school or meeting house on a reserve will be a permanent building we hope to make a good job of it. Doctor Macdonald will explain matters to you in this connection. We have laid before our people the advisability of cleaving together and we believe that, on the whole, they will not scatter. A good number are seeking to get on to Intabazinduna Reserve (the Reserve where we are placed) but the chief is not willing to admit them. The Native Office, however, is keen on their coming here and there have been meetings in connection with the question. Nothing is settled and so far as we are concerned the whole matter is in the hands of the Lord and we must wait and see what he has for us. “What is good the Lord will give; our land will yield increase;” and if this last will be fulfilled, then a scattering of His people, though sore, will prove a blessing.
Cameron and Mpengesi’s Kraal.—Both these are Fingo stations and require no comment except to say that the work goes on as before.
Luti’s Kraal.—When we began work here the chief gave strong promise of support. This he has failed to make good and in consequence we have made little headway here. On a recent visit I found the chief away from home at a Beer-drink. We made a mistake too, by entrusting the preaching here to a young man. He got discouraged. However, one of our elders went there lately and reported on the work and under his suggestions things should go on better.
Que Que.—Dr. Macdonald visited this station last year. I am glad that George Hlazo, our elder there, has returned to Stephen Hlazo’s farm.
Ingwenya.—The ordinary attendance on the means is worse here than at any of our out-stations. The reasons for this and a remedy were sought after a full discussion in last Quarterly meeting. Miss Nicolson is reporting on the school work generally. So far as the gospel among the school girls is concerned we have to praise the Lord that he has given us great encouragement during the year. Seven older girls were given full privileges and three of the younger ones received the Sacrament of Baptism. One or two things of interest are to be noted in this connection. In nearly every case each one could tell the sermon or portion of truth blessed to her conviction and some could tell the truth also blessed to their relief. These girls come from homes widely distant from each other, yet on coming back to school this year, they all seemed naturally drawn together. This is so true that one would almost say that there is some kind of unofficial sisterhood among them. Some of those members are now teaching in the Sabbath School and come to me on Saturdays for S.S. lessons. As the girls are now in their houses the head girl of each of three of the houses is a member. As far as possible she takes the place of mother, taking worship, etc., morning and evening with the children. From outside sources we hear of some of these girls bearing witness to the Gospel
in their homes and this is cause for further praise. As an offset to this we have had the sore trial of sending two girls home for bad behaviour. This is done only in extreme cases and to warn others. It was no light work to send away girls for whom we had often prayed and upon whom we had often laid the claims of the Gospel. Personal contact over a period of years made one of them almost like one of our own; but the Lord gives songs in the night and we are not without a song to His praise in this connection. On going home one of these girls attended the nearest meeting house and to all appearances the means there, coupled with the discipline, has been blessed to her. She now appears a broken girl, and the change is being noted by others.
General.—(a) New Teachers. One at Ingwenya and one at Cameron school and one at Stephen’s Farm. (b) Grants. Total for year earned—£554. Total paid—£517. This is our full quota for this year. (c) Medical. Thanks for grant of £20 for medicine. To date Medical grants have not yet been paid. (d) Buildings. Four houses are ready and a fifth is ready for roofing. Added to this is a nice three-roomed house for teachers. This last was put up by a gift of money from Kames and Lochgilphead friends. The teachers’ and three of the girls’ houses are now occupied and a fourth will be occupied shortly. (e) New Buildings. During this year we shall require to build a new meeting house at Elebeni and as Cameron School is in a bad state we shall have to renew the building there. What the girls call a “praying-room,”—a room for retiring to for meditation, etc., is to be built in connection with the boarding school. A gift of £10 from Mrs. Chisholm, Glasgow, makes this possible. We are to re-roof our wash house. It was not a very good roof, being made of felt. We are to thatch it this time. (f) School Reports. All these were up to average. This week we had a short visit from the Director for Native Education and his comments on what he saw greatly encouraged us. We do not go in for anything elaborate in way of buildings, uniforms, etc., and he was gratified to see that we were
approaching our work from the right angle. By cutting out everything artificial and making education as natural and as near to native life as possible we were offering an education which would be of definite use to the children in after life. (g) Members. During the year 32 persons were added to the Roll, of this number three were from other churches. Two people were dealt with under discipline. During the year we were helped by many friends. I thank the following especially—Portree S.S., Vancouver S.S., Dunbarton S.S., Raasay School, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. McIntyre, Miss Sansum, Mr. McGilivray, Miss K. Gillies, Glasgow, A. McLennan, Master S.S. “Aloe.” On the ground here we have again to thank Mrs. Nicolson and Mrs. Macdonald for help in sewing, etc. And to all friends whom we have not mentioned by name we give warm thanks. May they continue to remember the work for the Lord’s sake. This is a remembrance worthy of all we can give. We were pleased to make the acquaintance by letter of Mr. A. McLennan, a Durban gentleman, from Raasay, who, exiled from his Church, does not forget her. It strikes me that there may be other friends in Africa who may wish to get in touch with the mission. If home friends will carry an invitation from us to all such we shall thank them.
I cannot close without a passing reference to Miss McAskill’s visit. We looked forward with such pleasure to her visit and our expectation was not disappointed. The smell of the sea and the scent of the heather still lingers about Ingwenya. A hearty welcome awaits any who will follow Miss McAskill’s example.
We are happy to know that Dr. Macdonald and his family arrived safely and we know that all friends will do their utmost to give them a really good holiday.
I close with our united sympathy with the Church in her present trouble. We have told some of our people here what the trouble is about and they are in hearty sympathy with you. The Lord has a great name for turning the battle at the gate and it is our prayer that He will do so in this case.
Report by Rev. R. Macdonald, M.B., Ch.B.
At Ingwenya one touches only the fringe of native life. Further afield one comes in contact with real heathen homes and people. With a cattle kraal immediately in front of the
dwelling huts, the dirt is indescribable. Children, naked and often covered with sores sit amidst the squalor, making no attempt to brush the flies off their faces. Poverty so extreme can hardly be imagined. Nothing in the way of domestic equipment is to be seen, with the exception of a native clay pot, no plates or spoons, no remnants of cloth, as any garments they have are made at the local store, not even a sheet of paper, for no storekeeper will use his paper on natives.