OUR people will be interested to know that two young men have recently offered themselves to the Foreign Mission Committee for service in the Mission Field in Southern Rhodesia. They are Messrs. D. A. MacLean, M.A., and N. Miller. The Committee gladly accepted both offers.
Mr. MacLean is a native of North Uist, and is at present undergoing a course of training in Jordanhill Teacher Training College. The course there will finish in March, 1952, when Mr. MacLean hopes to get his teaching diploma.
From information given to the Committee it appears that Mr. MacLean has had serious thoughts of serving in the Foreign Field for some years past, although it was only recently, after having finished his Arts course and taken his degree, that he felt led to come to a definite decision in the matter and to offer his services. It is intended that Mr. MacLean should undertake the superintendence of the Mission at Ingwenya; and the teacher training course at Jordanhill will greatly help to equip him for this task. After finishing at Jordanhill, the Lord willing, Mr. MacLean will require to undergo a course in theology, after which arrangements will be made for him to proceed to his future sphere of labour, with as little delay as possible.
Miss Nicolson has been carrying a very heavy burden at Ingwenya for some years, and owing to recent events the burden has been greatly increased. Nevertheless Miss Nicolson has not faltered in her task, but has met the difficulties of the situation with a courage and patience most commendable. In the good Providence of the Lord, Mr. MacLean’s arrival at the Mission will relieve Miss Nicolson of much of this burden, and will provide Ingwenya and the surrounding districts with a fresh opportunity for Gospel blessing. Our earnest prayer is that when, in the Lord’s time, this opportunity does come, our people at Ingwenya may be prepared by the Holy Spirit to take advantage of it, and that the coming of Mr. MacLean among them may thus herald the dawn of a brighter day.
Mr. N. Miller is a deacon in St. Jude’s Congregation, Glasgow. Some time ago, he offered himself to the Committee for service in any way which might be of use to the Mission. The Rev. James Fraser has on more than one occasion stressed the need for such help as a suitable lay missionary could give. In the view of the Committee, this is exactly the type of service Mr. Miller seems fitted for. Further, the Committee have been officially assured that the Native Education Department of Southern Rhodesia will accept Mr. Miller as a Superintendent of Kraal Schools. In such a capacity he would qualify for a Government allowance which would go far to cover his salary. Taking all these things into consideration, the Committee decided to accept Mr. Miller’s offer, and it is expected, the Lord willing, that he will be ready to leave for Shangani by June, 1952. In the meantime Mr. Miller is attending a course in dentistry, which we have no doubt will be of great use to him in his future work.
Those who have read the annual reports from Mr. Fraser will often have wondered how it was possible for him to carry out his heavy and varied duties with such consistent devotion. During the last year, events have greatly added to the burden of responsibility which he was required to carry. The Church is deeply in Mr. Fraser’s debt for the cheerful and courageous manner in which he has carried out his duties. We are sorry to have to inform our people that Mr. Fraser’s health has not been good for some months past, although later reports are more encouraging. The coming of Mr. Miller, the Lord willing, will go far to relieve Mr. Fraser of a burden no one man could be expected to carry indefinitely. We trust that Mr. Fraser’s health will steadily improve.
It will be of interest to our people to know that Mr. Miller is no stranger to Africa, nor to its people. During the last war he served as an officer in a native regiment and rose to the rank of Captain. It was part of his business to study the men under him and to know their ways. While in Africa, he spent some time at our Mission at Ingwenya, so that his knowledge of conditions and requirements is first hand. The fact that he is now prepared to leave a large business and to go out with his wife and young child, and devote himself to a life of gospel service in the Mission field indicates the measure of his love both for his Heavenly Master and for the natives of Shangani.
We would take this opportunity of thanking those who have so generously contributed towards meeting the cost of a motor lorry. There is a considerable sum yet required to cover all the cost. We trust that this sum will soon be realised.
Mr. Macpherson will, the Lord willing, be going from Ingwenya to Shangani early in the New Year to carry out a heavy building programme of Schools and dwelling houses for missionaries and teachers.
We seek the prayers of all the Lord’s people throughout the Church on behalf of those labouring in the Mission Field, that the Lord would grant them much of His gracious presence and support; and on behalf of those among whom they labour, that the Lord would graciously bring poor sinners to the knowledge of our most precious Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who in His love for our guilty souls, willingly gave Himself for us; and shall we not help the poor boys and girls, men and women of our Mission Stations to know the blessed Redeemer of sinners?
JAS. MACLEOD, Convener.
JAS. A. TALLACH, Clerk.