CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY ARCHIVE

Section IV: Africa Missions

Part 16: South Africa Mission, 1836-1843, Kenya Mission, 1841-1888 and Nyanza Mission, 1876-1882

Part 17: Kenya Mission, 1880-1934

Part 18: Kenya Mission, 1880-1934

Part 19: Taganyika Mission, 1900-1934, Nyanza Mission, 1880-1886 and Rwanda Mission, 1933-1934

Introduction to Part 19

Tanganyika Mission, 1900-1934

The papers cover Letter Books for 1907-1934, Original Papers for 1900-1934 and a Précis Book for 1907-1934.

The Letter Books, 1907-1934 contain copies of outgoing correspondence from the Secretaries at headquarters in London to the missionaries and others concerned with mission affairs. They are all indexed. Contained are letters on a variety of subjects: instructions to new missionaries; discussions on the future of the mission; cooperation between the Berlin Missionary Society and CMS; church discipline; Roman Catholic missions; regulations for Pastorate Committees and Provisional Church Councils; education work in the mission; government grants.

The Original papers, 1900-1934 consist of letters, journals, reports and minutes sent to London by the mission secretary.

There are letters on mission business from D J Rees (Secretary of the mission) including discussions on whether the mission should be closed and giving details of murders around Kilossa after a rebellion, from Miss Bertha V Briggs, Miss Maria Ackerman, A Northwood, Henry Cole, J H Briggs, Mrs Rose Briggs, D Deekes, J E Bewley, E W Doulton (the Secretary of the Mission from 1908), W E Parker, T B R Westgate, K St Aubyn Rogers, Miss M E Fendt and Miss A L Thwaites, and also from the Bishop of Mombasa.

The other papers cover a miscellaneous mixture of topics: a pamphlet on CMS contact with Roman Catholic missionary societies in the area of the mission; general reports by J H Briggs and D Deekes on the mission with requests for teachers, native agents and news on the medical mission; correspondence with the Berlin Missionary Society; annual reports for the mission by T B R Westgate and J H Briggs (NB mission changed its name in 1911 to CMS Mission in German East Africa); missionary probation reports; photos of the missionaries and the mission buildings; results of language examinations; medical certificates for missionaries; proposals to open a mission in Dodoma; instructions to new missionaries.

Also included are: minutes of the Executive Committee, expressing worries over the mission’s financial situation; reports of work in the Ussagara-Ugogo Mission (its name 1904-1911); lists of school material needed; a history of the CMS in German East Africa; statistics of the mission; minutes of the Board of Education; a list of clothes and items needed to kit out a missionary; correspondence with the German Missionary Society; report on a visit to Bukoba; report of the German East Africa sub-committee; missionary medical certificates; report by R Banks on the outstations; letters re the Spanish flu epidemic and famine; discussions on the change of the mission’s name to Tanganyika; description by Archdeacon D J Rees of the Lutheran Mission at Morogoro.

Also included are: a memo on the Evangelical Missionary Stations in Tanganyika territory, immediately North and East of Lake Nyasa in the Langenburg and Iringa districts; minutes of the Central Church Council; reports on education in the mission and on conferences; letters re urgent need for more nurses and doctors; minutes of the annual General Conference and of the Diocesan Councils.

Annual Letters from the missionaries provide a fascinating resource giving much detail on their work and on local events and customs. They include those from D Deekes re outstation work, from Miss K Miller re work in Mamboia, from E W Doulton re the death of his wife, from T B R Westgate re the advent of the railway and from others such as E J Baxter, Miss E R Spriggs, Miss M Ackerman, J C Green, Miss E Forsythe, J H Briggs.

For the First World War period there is information on the fate of the missionaries - the male missionaries were arrested by the Germans but the lady missionaries remained free, and news that the missionaries had been interned in Iringa with a description of E W Doulton’s internment and news of the release of the missionaries in September 1916. There is then news of the internment of German missionaries and that CMS missionaries are to have a furlough in England. Later there is a report of a meeting held with the missionaries and D J Rees re the recommencement of work and minutes of a mission conference including discussions on how to reorganise the mission after the war.

The Précis Book, 1907-1934 contains incoming papers which were prepared for each meeting of the Group Committee. They were marked with number, date, writer, date received, summary of contents, proposals for committee action to be taken and/or secretary’s remarks.

Nyanza Mission, 1880-1886

The papers for this mission cover a Letter Book, 1882-1886 and Original Papers 1880-1885. As there are no Précis Books extant for this mission we have included the relevant pages of the General Précis Books.

The Letter Book, 1882-1886 contains copies of outgoing correspondence from the Secretaries at headquarters in London to the missionaries and others concerned with mission affairs and is indexed. Letters include instructions to new missionaries, proposed rules for the financial affairs of the mission, memos about supplies.

The Original Papers, 1880-1885 contain material sent from the mission to headquarters in London and include mostly letters, journals, reports and minutes. Letters include those from A M Mackay, C Stokes, E J Baxter, A J Biddlecombe, G Litchfield, A W Copplestone, C Pearson, P O‘Flaherty, Harry Cole, F R Hodgson (Archdeacon of Zanzibar), J Blackburn, C Gordon, J Hannington, R P Ashe, J C Price, J Roscoe and C Wise with a letter from G Litchfield to his father containing interesting news on the mission.

Accounts of missionary journeys and itinerations through the country provide much fascinating detail on the life and habits of the local people; included is an account of a journey into the Nguru Country from Mamboia, East Central Africa by J T Last; account of a visit to Namasoli by P O’Flaherty; recollections of the Mamboia station; account of a journey to the Marai people to the north-west of Nguru Country by G J Hart; log of the maiden trip of CMS “Eleanor” and notes on three weeks in Buganda by A M MacKay; account by J Last of a visit by the Marai; an account giving details of the King of the region written at Natete, Buganda by P O’Flaherty.

Missionary journals also provide a rich source of detailed information concerning their daily lives and their environment. They include the journal of a visit to Uhehe by J C Price; journal of P O’Flaherty; journal of A W Copplestone; journal of A M MacKay. The Annual Letter of E C Gordon is also included.

Other miscellaneous items include: a description of the camp at Endami by P O’Flaherty; rules for missionaries; advice on clothing to be worn and how to behave in the mission; précis of the papers for 1884; a memo on Christian names of native converts.

There are no Précis books for the Nyanza Mission. Extracts from the relevant General Précis Books have therefore been included. A précis was prepared for each meeting. This comprised number, date, writer, date received, summary of contents, proposals for committee action to be taken and/or secretary’s remarks.

Rwanda Mission, 1933-1934

The papers for the Rwanda Mission include a Letter Book for 1933-1934, Original Papers for 1933-1934 and a Précis Book for 1933-1934.

The Letter Book, 1933-1934 contain copies of outgoing correspondence from the Secretaries at headquarters in London to the missionaries and others concerned with mission affairs. The volume is indexed. Included are letters on the probation of missionaries; the proposed Rwanda Diocese; Rwanda Council; government grants for medical work.

The Original Papers, 1933-1934 contain material such as letters, journals, reports and minutes sent to London by the mission secretary.

Included are: minutes of Rwanda Council Meetings held in London in 1933 and 1934; minutes of the Executive Committee of the Rwanda Mission for both years; letters from Algie C Stanley Smith (Secretary of the Mission); report on a visit to Belgium re the Congo situation; report on a visit to Urundi; report on a visit to Usumbura by Algie C Stanley Smith and Dr J E Church; minutes of the first annual conference of the Ruanda Mission held at Kabale, January 21-22 1934; summary of Dr Mott’s report on his journey through the Congo.

The Précis Book covers 1933-1934. A précis was prepared for each meeting of the Group Committee. This comprised number, date, writer, date received, summary of contents, proposals for committee action to be taken and/or secretary’s remarks.

EXTRACTS

Reel 389 Tanganyika Mission Original Papers 1902 History of the CMS in German East Africa:

“Troubles with Warring Natives

In the early days of the Mission the war-whoop was almost daily heard in the vicinity of the different stations, & the missionaries were called upon to witness scenes of wild confusion & bloodshed, as the natives strove to defend their lives & property from the fierce attacks of bands of marauding tribes – ie Masai, Wahehe & Wakamba. Caravans, either with or without Europeans, had to be armed to the teeth. On one occasion the Wahehe attempted to capture the personal servants of a missionary, who were travelling with him….”

Reel 389 Tanganyika Original papers 1903 Notes on the Mission:

“From Mrs Pickthall

July was the occasion of the visit, long-expected, of the Bwana Mkubwi and his charming wife, who won golden opinions everywhere they went by their affability and responsiveness to both European & Native. He (Cap. Fonck) showed his Gramophone which pleased the natives very much, and also it was fully appreciated by the two Europeans who also heard from it again some of the well known operatic airs…. The same day Cap. Fonck spoke to the different Jumbes (Chiefs) about attending school. He said it would be to their advantage to know how to read and write, and most certainly they must send their children if unable to go themselves. Also he lectured some upon the folly of “uchawi” (witchcraft) & making “dawa” (medicine) for rain etc….

Itumba From Rev A N Wood
An old and important medicine woman recently died at Ikwamba, a district situated at the back of Ponela. She did all she could to hinder the progress of the Gospel among the women and children. Her influence was also great in the councils of the head-men. It was she, who, several years ago, when Mr Deekes was in these parts, went to the place where his tent had been pitched, and when she found one of his footprints, she carefully collected the dust, and made medicine therewith, to place in all the parts round about, to withstand all the evil effects she thought would follow his visit. Notwithstanding all her supposed powerful charms she lived to see regular weekly preaching and teaching in her own village. One wonders how much of the Gospel light entered her dark soul….”

Reel 390 Original papers 1904 Notes from Usagara-Chigogo by J H Briggs

“Itinerating

On Oct 20 we left for a preaching tour travelling from Kisnambo to Kisitwi. On the way we passed all the Wanumba of Kisitwi who were removing to Kitangi on account of the hunger at the former place. It was amusing to see the way they carried their impedimenta, even the cows having stools tied round their necks. Not a bad idea, I thought, to pass on to the traders on the caravan route. At Kisitwi the people were too hungry in body to care much for the “Bread of Life”. They could only talk of their great hunger. Nevertheless a few assembled to the service in the evening and seemed interested….

From Ngogi we travelled due south over the mountains through a most lovely country. Saw a nice herd of koodoo quite near the path. They were very tame. We also found some new (to us) kind of crystals of a reddish colour. The path wound round the mountains in a very remarkable manner so that we did not feel the ascent very much, the flora and scenery being most enchanting. Zebra spoor were plentiful, and we saw evidences of Giraffe having been in the country in the large bones rotting in the forest.

At Mbagilwa we found nothing but deserted villages, the people having moved owing to the depredations of the man-eating leopards. We arrived at Mseta feeling very tired, and encamped at the village of the chief Makala. We were received very kindly and all the people turned out very readily to listen to what we had to say. We were able to have two good services with them. Makala himself followed us to two other places and heard more of the teaching. He confessed that he once murdered three people, and yet for him we could declare there was mercy….”

Reel 390 Original Papers 1905 Letter from Mr Westgate to Rev D J Rees, Utapua Sept 8th:

“I was at the Fort yesterday even and learned from C Styx considerable news about the disturbances to the S and E of Kilossa. Among the murdered he named a Fr Bishop and his two wives (actually mission sisters), two Padres and two laymen. One lady missionary is missing - her fate unknown. A young officer sent from Daressalam was murdered en route to the scene of the uprising. The total number of Europeans murdered so far is now known as twelve. Some traders and Boers have also been murdered… A large caravan despatched by Hansing and Co for the Congo having some CMS loads attached to it was attacked and the loads captured near Kilossa (S E) but these were subsequently secured and twenty of the rebels slaughtered. C Styx thinks this will have a pacifying effect on the insurrectionists and does not anticipate trouble here. He informed me that he has a machine gun on hand and 1500 rounds of ammunition… I do not think there is cause for much anxiety. It is well however to be on the alert. C Styx says the cause of the revolt is “witchcraft”. I hear from an Arab who was baptised and confirmed by Bp Parker and who has been six years in England, that it is a revolt against the “kodi”. I should think there is truth in both reports….”

Reel 391 Original Papers 1910 Annual Letter from Rev T B R Westgate for 1909:

“Bugiri, East Africa

The dispensing of medicines The dispensary work has been keenly appreciated and has proved an invaluable adjunct to the evangelistic. About 3000 out-patients have been treated. The gratitude of the natives in this respect has not always been manifest, and in future the recommendation of the Conference that a small fee be charged to patients requiring considerable attention, will be acted upon.

School work …. Two neighbouring chiefs have been pretty regular in their attendance, and one has mastered the art of writing sufficiently to be able to bombard me with letters on every possible occasion.

The native teachers The staff of four teachers reported in the statistics of last year had now increased to six, kind friends in Canada having undertaken the support of the additional two. A staff of twenty teachers would only admit of occasional visits to most of the sub-sections in the Bugiri district, so it is obvious that we fall far short with only a staff of six. Intellectually the teachers have progressed but not so much as they should have done had their work been less strenuous….”

The future Speaking only for that part of the Wagogo tribe influenced by the stations of Bugiri and Mvumi, it may be confidently stated that “the twilight of the gods” is passing, and the light of the Son of Righteousness is shining more and more. True, the people have not rallied round us in hundreds and thousands, but infallible proofs are not wanting to show that the Kingdom of God has come amongst them and is gradually making way. The older Wagogo are notoriously conservative and from them we expect but little, but our mission is gradually increasing its grip on the younger generation, and with them rests the future hope and destiny of the tribe….

The railroad foreshadowed in the annual report of last year has now entered this district and the work of construction is going on within ten miles of this station. When completed a new and adequate means of transport will be available for all the products of the soil, and I am strongly of the opinion that in connexion with each of our stations cotton, rubber, rice, sisal, or plantations of some other sort, should be established….”

Reel 394 Original Papers 1919 Letter from E W Doulton, Dodoma, March 1919:

Re the Famine We are face to face with a most serious condition of things; the first rains have failed us, the famine is at its height; men, women, & children are dying daily & it will be a hard fight to keep even our own people alive, although we do not confine our efforts to them only & we trust that through the material help being given some may become interested in spiritual things. We are compelled every day to witness pitiable cases of these poor people literally starving to death; sometimes I almost fail to recognise men I know well on account of their emaciated bodies & features. We are besieged from early morning until after dark by starving crowds begging for food; we are not of course able to respond to everybody but not a few I believe owe their lives to help received on the Mission….”

Reel 395 Original Papers 1927 Report of the Tanganyika Mission for 1926:

“KILIMATINDE The Station is rather cut off from the rest of the Mission being a hundred miles West of Mvumi…. Kilimatinde itself has an almost entirely Mohammedan community so we do not find the church and school attendances very encouraging. Towards the end of the year there was an improvement in the number of Enquirers and there appeared to be genuine spiritual desire on the part of some….

It has been rather disquieting to observe the slackness and return to the heathen customs which were beginning to disappear. There has been a very noticeable increase in the number of beer-drinkings, dances and circumcision camps, whilst nearly every Mugogo who comes to the market is plastered with red earth and grease. Doubtless the good harvests contributed to the growth of drunkenness, but these conditions make it a very hard struggle for our converts to completely break away from the old life.

One of the difficulties in a new district like this is the backwardness of the women and girls. It is sad to see them so neglected, and we patiently wait for the coming of lady workers who will take them in hand….

The gift of a motor-cycle combination from friends at Surbiton has been a tremendous boon and greatly facilitated the visitation of the out-stations, every one of which is now accessible in this way…. It also means that the long tiring foot journeys in the great heat of the plain are things of the past, and out–stations which used to be three or four days’ “safari” can now be reached in comparative comfort in as many hours, a great saving of time, energy and money….”

Nyanza Mission

Reel 398 Original Papers 1881 Letter from Rev G Litchfield to his father written at Kagei, South Shore of the Victoria Nyanza January 26th 1881:

“….Mr C Stokes has paid a visit to Lukongeh, King of Ukerewe; which had a very good effect, and will, we hope, eventually lead to a mission station there. You remember that Mr Stokes visited Ukerewe in 1879, and was much liked by the King. Then, for the first time did Lukongeh let us know that he had the heads of our two brethren Smith & O’Neill in his possession; and he offered them to Mr Stokes, who wisely declined receiving them until his return from Uganda, when he promised to see Lukongeh again.

He did this on account of the excitable nature of the Wakerewe and the danger attending the removal of the heads at that season. Now, he has fulfilled his promise to Lukongeh, and paid his looked for visit to him. Lukongeh made blood-brotherhood with Stokes; one of the most solemn ties known among natives. The ceremony consists in drawing a drop of blood from each party and the one drinking the blood of the other in a bowl of milk. He gave Stokes the heads of our brethren and we have them with us now waiting for burial by the side of Dr Smith’s grave….

Mr Mackay also passed through a ceremony with Lukongeh of a different nature; viz the dividing of a goat between them. This signified there was to be no more words about the matter of Smith and O’Neill’s death between Lukongeh and the White men…. He also gave Mr Stokes two handsome ivory amulets as a token of his regard for him, and in every possible way tried to show his desire for the friendship of the Europeans….

The natives are all hard at work digging, so I have not many opportunities of collecting information. The men and women dig, the young boys herd the cattle & sheep, the little girls have to mind the baby and look after the little bee-hive huts. Certainly the Wasukuma cannot be called an idle people….”

Reel 399 Original Papers 1882 A journey into the Nguru Country by J T Last:

“…. On the 15th October we started again. We made a short journey to Babala. Here we camped outside the village, in order to be a little more apart from the noise and inquisitiveness of the natives. The old man who is chief was very kind in his way. He brought us a small goat (of course hoping to get a much larger present in return) pleading poverty as a reason for not bringing a larger one. Both the chief and his wife remained with us in the tent for a long time, talking. We rested here the next day and had many visitors, with whom Mrs Last soon became a special favourite, by her showing her pictures and talking to them. The chief and his wife came again to-day and stayed some time. In the evening some six Wahumba paid us a visit. They very readily took and ate some biscuits we gave them, showing a degree of trustfulness far surpassing that of the ordinary natives….

On Wednesday, October 19th we started again. First, we went to Sagasa. The journey was through a country which had been formerly cultivated, but was now deserted. All along the banks of the Luseru, by which we travelled, there was plenty of good land. At Sagasa we rested for a short time. Whilst there a party of some twenty women came down from their villages to fetch water, under the escort of six men, who were supposed to guard them from the Masai reported to be in the district….

On Thursday, the 20th, we continued our journey up the valley of the Luiji, reaching, a little before noon, the village of Muwanga. Here we had an extra hearty welcome, for the chief of the village was the brother of our guide, and as they had not met for some three or four years, there was much rejoicing and gun-firing. We encamped on a nice clear spot near the village, and after a little rest had a number of visitors, who were anxious to hear the news of the Wazungu (Europeans). In the evening one of the Wahumba brought us some fresh milk. It was so good, and the calabash in which he brought it was so clean, that I gave him two yards of cloth for his kindness. This pleased him very much, and he at once fired off his gun as a sign of his satisfaction. He then arranged the cloth flowing from his shoulder cloak-wise, and rushed off up the mountain for a long distance, showing off the leaps and darts of the Wahumba warriors when fighting….

Reel 399 Original papers 1883 An account of a visit to the Maria people by G J Hart:

“…. From Mamboia we went down into the Madidi valley passed the villages & thence went on to Bwagamorgo. Here we left the road we had traversed last year when we went into the Nguru country, & took another path bearing more towards the East. This led us to Berega. Here we arrived at a large village from which several of the porters had come. We met with a very ready welcome – the people supplying us with water, fire, & sleeping room. I slept in one of their houses as it was too dark when we arrived to set up the tent. The people themselves are very quiet & friendly disposed, but live in constant fear of raids by the Wahumba. They are a mixture of Wamegi with a few Wanguru. Their villages are formed by a large tembi enclosing a number of round huts of the common mrongi kind. These buildings are generally very dirty abounding with fleas, bugs, ticks, cockroaches & other vermin, rats are innumerable & most audacious. The people themselves are not remarkable for cleanliness & wear but little clothing - a piece of skin behind and before sometimes a piece of old dirty cloth. The want of clothes seems to be a small matter with them as they make up for that deficiency by well smearing themselves with a compound of oil a fat & red clay. Castor oil or bullocks fat is generally preferred. The women are here, as elsewhere, very fond of ornaments. These consist of beads of various kinds & colours worn round the neck….”

Rwanda

Reel 402 Original Papers 1933 A Visit to Urundi, & a Vision of its needs (unsigned but probably written by Dr A C Stanley Smith):

“…. Once more, and more clearly than ever before, I saw Urundi. It is generally speaking a land of gently undulating hills rising gradually to the west up to a high plateau at about 6000 to 7000 ft above sea level and all along the main roads well populated. I was tremendously impressed with the fact of how few people we saw wearing the R C medallions. It is a certain fact that except in the neighbourhood of their stations, they have hardly touched the country….

From Kitega we strike due west to Usumbura. The country is the same as nearer the north, well watered with lovely mountains streams. The roads climbs up to the Escarpment at nearly 9000 ft and then drops in 25 miles to Lake Tanganyika at about 2000. Here are the headquarters of the Government for the Mandated Territory; and here we found three Baganda keeping true to God, and one Moslem Muganda who asked me for a Bible. In the earnest hope that they might light a lamp for God in that dark place, we prayed for them and went our way.

On the way back I deviated from the main road to spend a night at Musema, where the Danish Baptists have been established nearly five years. Their leader, Mr Anderson, is a deeply spiritual man and a most loveable character; their staff consists of two married couples and two single ladies. Their home community comprises 6000 Christians and they can hardly hope to do more than man at the most two stations. They are the only Protestant witness in Urundi except for one station of the SDA’s away in the N W ….

We have come back from this trip, burdened with a sense of our uncompleted task, and the immense field lying open at our doors….”

Reel 402 Original papers 1934 Minute of the First Annual Conference of the Rwanda Mission, Kabale, January 1934:

“Brief Notes on Reports for 1933

MEDICAL WORK

Kabale There has been an increase in European patients, necessitating the building of a new European Hospital. In the wards there is Gospel preaching daily, bringing hope to otherwise hopeless. Yustasi has gone to help at Kigeme.

Bunyonyi Much evangelistic effort has been proving fruitful. There has been a case of deliverance from demon possession. The numbers of lepers have increased 77%.

Shyira Many patients have attended the dispensary here. A Doctor and a Hospital are badly needed.

SCHOOL WORK

Gahini Evangelists Training This has been re-organised and separated from the School for small boys not yet Christians. Large gifts for the buildings have been received.

Shyira A boys School has been started with 18 boarders. There is a girls day school which has an attendance of 40. An ex-R C woman is giving full time help.

Bynyonyi There are 93 leper children in 7 classes following the Government B V Syllabus. Six in the Baptism Class.”

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