United States or Australia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"She is a right sisterly helpmate," wrote Mary, "and a real help and comfort in every way. Things go as smoothly as on a summer's day, and I don't know how I got on alone. It seems too good to be true." III. On To Arochuku On a morning of June 1908 she left Akpap for Itu, tramping the forest path to Ikunetu in order to pick up the Government launch on its weekly journey to the garrisons up-river.
Akani Obio is now linked on to Calvary." She thought of those rejoicing above. "I am sure our Lord will never keep it from my mother." The news from Arochuku was also cheering, although the messages told of persecution of the Infant Church by the chiefs, who threatened to expel the teachers if they spoiled the old fashions. "And what did you say to that?" she enquired.
Already they are trading in the principal towns, and in Arochuku a Mullah is sitting, smiling and expectant, and ingratiating himself with the people. Here the position should be strengthened; it is, as Miss Slessor knew, the master-key to the Ibo territory, for if the Aros are Christianised, they will carry the evangel with them over a wide tract of country.
Then she returned to Akpap and wrote the Mission Board for permission to open a station at Arochuku. Soon the answer came back! We are sorry, but it will be impossible at this time to open work at Arochuku. We do not have the money or the workers. Among the Cannibals "The mission Board says that they cannot open a mission station at Arochuku now," said Mary.
The next week when she again made the trip to board the boat, Colonel Montanaro who commanded the government soldiers in that part of the country, was on the boat. "I will be happy to have you travel with me and my soldiers," said the colonel. "You will be safer that way. I am going to Arochuku." "That is just what I would like to do," said Mary. "Now I see why God did not let me travel last week.
When she reached the Mission House tired and weary, she assured Miss Wright that all was well God had not meant her to travel that day, and she must have been kept back for some purpose. Next week she set out again, and when she joined the launch at Ikunetu, Colonel Montanaro, the Commander of the Forces, was on board on his way up to Arochuku.
I am going to take some native Christians and make a beginning in the land of the Aros." Mary took some native boys whom she had trained. They were able to help with school-work and church services. Mary and the boys went to Amasu, a little village which was nearer the creek than Arochuku. Here she opened a school. It was soon filled with boys and girls thirsty for book and the loving God.
It was one of the strangest opening ceremonies in the history of Missions, but they worshipped God from the heart, and "Ma" seemed lifted out of herself, and to be inspired, as she told the people what the church there in their midst meant, and the way they should use it for their highest good. The Macgregors left her at Arochuku, and she continued down-creek.
At Amasu, Arochuku, a good school was built, and ground had been given by the chiefs. There were also the beginnings of congregations and buildings at four points in the Creek, at Okpo, Akani Obio, Odot, and Asang.
That in view, on the other hand, of the present condition of their funds, which are overtaxed by the already existing work, the Committee deeply regret that it is beyond their means to add two new members to the staff, as the Council requests, and that, therefore, the sending of two new agents to Arochuku must be meantime delayed.
Word Of The Day