Southern Rhodesia, Ingwenga, and Shangani Missions of The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
By Rev. JAMES MACLEOD, Convener.
“BUT when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He to His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest,” (Matt. ix, 36-38).
It is said by the authorities of the various nations that the population of the world in this generation has increased to the stupendous figures of two thousand and thirty millions! They also add that it is increasing by twenty millions a year. We have no doubt it will increase in spite of wars, threat of famine, and other plagues! What the exact population of the Continent of Africa is, is unknown, but that it runs into many scores of millions is certain. Africa is the country of the children of Ham. There are a few millions of white people in Africa. Since the days of the great David Livingstone, Africa is opening up quicker than any other part of the world. We doubt not Africa will be one of the most productive continents of the world when its vast resources (yet untouched) will be developed and its mighty fresh water lakes, rivers and fertile plains are utilised for the benefit and profit of mankind in the future generations of the inhabitants of the earth. The African has need of many things: education, sanitation, and absolute reformation in mind, thought and action. Over sixty years ago, Livingstone reported the conditions of the African, and called on Christians everywhere to pray, act and move towards the help of the poor African! It was a noble call from a noble heart. For David Livingstone was one of the greatest missionaries of all times. He recognised that the African’s soul was as precious as the soul of the “white” millionaire who saw no more use in the poor African than to sell him and her as a cargo of “ebony” on the markets of South America! Perpetual shame on such God-dishonouring activities! “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” There were others of a different mind who heard the “call,” went forth bearing precious seed, and in the face of the most formidable difficulties began to sow the seed of truth here and there—sometimes at a venture: here and there it began to grow in the minds, consciences, and lives of a benighted people. It will grow, and continue to grow as the divine fruit of Christ’s death, resurrection, and life. Some unstable minds are not pleased unless they hear of mighty upheavals. The Kingdom does not come in the way of Communists, Romanists, and Mohammedanism. “Here a little, and there a little,” but it is progressive. It is going on and on, and nothing will stop it. It may die in France, but it will revive in New England. The Word of God is a living Word in the hand of the Holy Spirit. The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland had a modest share in this blessed work of the Lord for over forty years in Southern Rhodesia. As our people know, two of our missionaries have retired, Rev. J. Tallach and Rev. Dr. MacDonald, after many years of useful work. The field of labour is not less but much larger, and extending, and we hope will extend to the glory of the glorious Redeemer, and the eternal salvation of many souls. Rev. J. Fraser and Rev. Edwin Radasi have too much on hand. This is a field for young men to labour in all their days. We need an ordained European minister at Ingwenga at an early date. Who will go? The cry is: “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” The African is calling for help.
Some wise folk will no doubt say, “Why not ask the Lord of the harvest for the labourers? Why ask ‘young men’ to go to the Mission?” If we did not believe that it was the work of the Lord, and by His authority that men should go forth to the greatest harvest of souls, never should we ask poor “young men,” or “old men,” to go to labour among our people in Rhodesia! It is our plain duty and privilege to place the facts before them, and if the blessed Lord may grant the grace, mind, will and sanctified affections to young suitable men to go, we may be allowed to say with Paul: “Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.” The field is there, the work is there, the “harvest” is there. “And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither as yet told I it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work,” (Neh. ii). Here it is told. To think that Africa is not a suitable place to live in is quite wrong. Millions of Europeans have made Africa their home long ago. What we should like is that if the Lord would set apart young men for the Mission Stations in Ingwenga and Shangani, that they would decide before offering themselves to the Church, that they would make missionary work among the natives their life work. And why not? The climate is good, the work is “plenteous,” and the natives need the gospel, education to read the Bible, guidance in husbandry, sanitation, moral standards, to lead them in the way of life. Although we cannot give life, we can be instrumental in pointing out to them the way of life: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” We look for the day when native young men will arise in their thousands to preach the gospel among their own people. Mr. Fraser is doing the work of at least four ministers! How long can he stand it? The work is there, and attempting the impossible, he is trying many a time beyond his strength to overcome all he can. Mission Stations to attend to, hundreds of children to look after, native teachers to advise and guide, preaching, teaching, attending to the sick, supervising buildings, food, huts, extracting teeth every week; from early morning on Sabbath out preaching to late in the evening. Noble work! It is too much for half-a-dozen men, for with more men he could go ahead to other parts, preaching and helping the poor dying native! What is the result of it all? Again, we say the Kingdom does not come by observation; but seldom, if ever, have they a communion without several coming forward to bear public testimony of their interest in the death of the living Redeemer. We here attend communion after communion and not one comes forward to witness for the Lord! We appeal to young men, if the Lord in His mercy bestows upon them the grace, will and desire, not to hesitate to offer themselves for the work of the Lord in our Missions in Southern Rhodesia.