This article includes an extract from a recent letter describing developments at Ikpe
Presumed to be from the Women’s Missionary Magazine of March 1911?
IKPE, it will be remembered, is the name of the new up-river station in Calabar, where Miss Slessor is planting the Standard of the Cross. In a letter written at Use on 27th December, she says: “I came down from Ikpe at dawn on Sabbath morning, where I have been building, and learning more of God’s goodness, and of the Name that is mighty to save, everywhere, and under all circumstances. I was up for a month, and the house is nearly finished, but I came here to make a home for the bairns at Christmas, and also to see my dear people, and be with them at this hallowed time; also to get more building material, for the house is bigger than I had first planned. The Ikpe people gave so heartily of labour and material, that I took it as God’s leading, so I shall need a hundred sheets more iron than I expected. It is far up, and very isolated, and visitors will need accommodation. I am trusting Him to fill up the great need that exists, for we cannot believe how far we have gone here, till we see the life up there in unbroken heathenism and darkness. But some are born again, really alive unto God, and they have the vim and grit that is born of struggle and persecution. Pray for them and for us.”