Mfundisi Tallach, A Man with a Burden for Souls, by Catherine J N Tallach, published by the author, paperback, 322 pages, £9.99.
Many have read, with deep interest, the reports which Rev John Tallach, the first white Free Presbyterian missionary in what was then Southern Rhodesia, gave during his 22 years of selfless service there. This book brings them together and gives much more besides, all in a manner that makes for compelling reading.
The book is, in fact, a biography of this exemplary missionary. Converted when he was about 21, he was led to study for the ministry and offer himself for service on the mission field. He set out for Southern Rhodesia in September 1924, in the expectation of working with Rev John Radasi, who 20 years earlier, under the hand of God, founded our Ingwenya Mission. He arrived at Bulawayo railway station, but instead of being met by Mr Radasi he was met by two elders who broke to him the sad news of the sudden, tragic death of Mr Radasi as he was on his way to Bulawayo to meet his new fellow labourer. Mr Tallach’s first duty was to conduct Mr Radasi’s funeral service.
He was strengthened to bear the burden that he now had to shoulder as the only missionary in this field, and his work was not without blessed results. “It can be said of Mr Tallach that he preached more by deed than by word,” wrote “an African friend”. “His life was a powerful sermon to many souls here. Mr Tallach was a most kind and tenderhearted man. His tenderness was clearly shown when attending the deathbed of one of his flock or of any member of the community. He gently gave a word of comfort to those who were God’s people, and those who were strangers to Christ he sought earnestly and tenderly to lead to the Saviour.” To the Africans he was “Mfundisi” or “Teacher” – the term they use for ministers – and Mfundisi Tallach was truly “apt to teach”.
Some indication of the growth of our mission during his first years, and by the blessing of God upon his work, is given by his report to the 1934 Synod. The number of preaching stations had increased from six to 13, and church communicants from 78 to 220. By the time his work drew to a close in 1946 there were 28 preaching stations.
In all his toils and trials he had the loving support of his devoted wife Ann, who herself taught in Ingwenya school for a period. He was not slow to acknowledge his gratitude for her help, and for the co-operation and fellowship of his fellow-labourers, including Dr Macdonald, Jean Nicolson, Rev James Fraser and many faithful local elders and teachers.
The author is his daughter Catherine, whose days of youth were intertwined with the life of the Mission. She keenly observed people, events and her surroundings, and spoke the local language from her youngest days. Her knowledge of the work was deepened by some years of mission service (1961 to 1968) as a nursing sister and latterly as matron of the hospital at Mbuma. Those who have some acquaintance with the Mission agree that her descriptions are vividly true to life. The pen-sketches of notable members of the Church there – including accounts of conversions and remarkable deathbed scenes – give much added interest.
The book, which would benefit from some further editing, is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous photographs and by an attractive cover designed by a granddaughter of Mr Tallach. We wish it a wide readership. May it be used by the Most High to increase prayerful interest in the Mission work of our Church.
(Rev) N M Ross
The Heart of Christ, by Thomas Goodwin, published by the Banner of Truth Trust in their Puritan Paperback series, 176 pages, £5.00.
From the Foreword by Michael Reeves, which gives us a helpful summary of Thomas Goodwin’s life, we learn that The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth, was first published in 1651. It soon became Goodwin’s most popular work.
The book is in three parts. In the first, entitled, “Outward demonstration of the tenderness of Christ’s heart towards sinners”, Goodwin speaks of the encouragement and comfort Christ gave to His disciples when He was with them on earth in the upper room. He washed their feet and told them of the Comforter He was to send to them after His departure, to prepare a place for them. Goodwin then speaks of Christ’s gracious words to His disciples during His appearances after His resurrection and finally just before His ascension.
In the second and third parts, “Internal demonstrations of the tenderness of Christ’s heart towards sinners” and “Christ’s affectionate compassion for sinners in their infirmities”, Goodwin takes us to the heart of his argument, with His exposition of Hebrews 4:15: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”. In his exposition, Goodwin shows, in a most warm and encouraging way, that, far from Christ in heaven being cold or forgetful of His people, His heart now beats even more strongly than ever with love for them, empathising with their sufferings more fully than the most loving friend. Christ “is so far from being provoked against you, as all His anger is turned upon your sin to ruin it; yea, His pity is increased the more toward you, even as the heart of a father to a child that has some loathsome disease, or as one is to a member of his body that hath the leprosy; he hates not the member, for it is his flesh, but the disease, and that provokes him to pity the part affected the more” (pp 155-6).
Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680) was one of the foremost Puritans and needs no commendation from us. In an age of much superficiality we could do little better than acquaint ourselves with such writers. Surely those of us who seek encouragement and assurance can do no better than focus on the heart of Christ.
(Rev) W Weale