Miss Slessor gives news of her fellow missionaries. she touches on the opportunities for extending her work, and mentions her developing plans for her women’s industrial project. While it is being built she intends to build a new house for herself two days travel away. All are well.
This letter had been folded and addressed to “Miss Crawford, per favour of Rev. W. Stevenson”
21st., Decr,. 1907.
My very dear friend
I can’t close the letter to Mr Stevenson without a wee wordie to you. How are you? Is it very cold & dull in that bleak land? It is lovely here, only we have it very close in the mornings, with the smokes. It is not nearly so bad as it is at the riverside, but it is not a healthy time, still it is so bright & green, that it is lovely. Miss Chalmers came up last night for her holiday. The MacGregors have gone on a walking tour some where, I wish Miss McFadyen had come up. She thought there would not be room, I don’t know why! There is a whole room unoccupied. Dr Robertson came up this morning on his cycle. His boys brought up 2 cases of milk which came by Jubilee(Note 1) for me. All are well at Calabar as far as I hear. I have had such grand opportunities put in my way since I came back, that I wish I had stores more of strength to carry them out. If you could only hear the pleadings, & see the churches built & half built, & no one to go to them. I am trying to make this place fit for a beginning among the women. I think it is quite capable of all that they can do for a few years, & by that time they will be getting profits & can develop & lay out their capital in any way they find suitable. While they will be building here for the ladies & women, & a workshop, I trust I shall be getting a house for myself farther on, a two days journey from here, partly by land & partly by water & out of that extended knowledge of the country & the roads. We may get a new station for the ladies here, leaving this whole place to the Industrial Home. The cry comes from every where, for help & for teachers, O that I were young again! Why is it that you cant come? Eh? Is God using all He might use? If we did not *know* Him, we might ask such questions, but *He* is caring & He *is* using us to the best advantage, tho’ we may not see it. Miss Chalmers & I have been speaking of you, & she says, you could not be spared from the work you are doing yonder, & etc. etc. etc, & perhaps so. It is His choice for you, & so that settles the fact that it is the *best*. We have had a fine welcome, found all had been in His loving & faithful keeping, & my bairns & I are an unbroken family, & Oh, How good it is! We have had Abrahams intercession for Sodom this morning. Look at it this evening when you get time & ask the Holy Ghost to shine on the wonderful truths it contains for us, & you will have a feast. I have no news.
Sabbath Midday.
Had to stop here, Have been to service at Ikot Obon, had a fine congregation. Have had a good meeting at other two villages & have just had breakfast. Miss Chalmers well. So are we all fondest love to you & to your dear parents, & may your life be more fruitful than ever. The boy is waiting so ta ta.
Ever affectionately yours Mary M Slessor
Editorial Notes:
- Jubilee – the name of the regular river passenger and supply boat.