Produced by Stan Goodman, Thomas Hutchinson and PG Distributed Proofreaders
The Story of Mary Slessor of Calabar
by A.J. BUELTMANN
Contents
1. A Drunkard's Home2. A Brave Girl3. In Africa4. On Her Own5. Into the Jungle6. A Brave Nurse7. Witchcraft8. The Poison Test9. Victories for Mary10. A Disappointment11. Clouds and Sunshine12. Among the Cannibals13. Blessings Unnumbered14. Journey's End
#1#
A Drunkard's Home
"On the west coast of Africa is the country of Nigeria. The chief city isCalabar," said Mother Slessor. "It is a dark country because the light ofthe Gospel is not shining brightly there. Black people live there. Many ofthese are cannibals who eat other people."
"They're bad people, aren't they, Mother?" asked little Susan.
"Yes, they are bad, because no one has told them about Jesus, the Saviourfrom sin, or showed them what is right and what is wrong."
"Don't they have any missionaries out there, Mother?" asked blue-eyed Mary.
"Yes, there are a few and they are doing wonderful things for Jesus, butthere are still thousands and thousands of people who have never heard amissionary. They need many, many more missionaries."
"When I get to be a big man, I'm going to be a missionary," said Robert,"and preach to the black people of Calabar and Nigeria."
"I want to be a missionary; too," cried Mary, tossing her red hair about.
"Girls can't be preachers," said Robert.
"I want to preach to the black people," said Mary, the tears racing downher cheeks.
"When I'm a missionary," said Robert, "I'll take you into the pulpit withme."
This made Mary happy and she was much happier when Mother Slessor said,
"Perhaps you can be a teacher and teach the little black children of
Calabar. Now, children, I want to be sure you know your memory verse for
Sunday school tomorrow. Let's all say it together." And Mother Slessor and
her six children joined in saying:
Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
As they finished reciting the memory verse they heard a hoarse voicesinging:
Gin a body-hic, meet a body-hic,
Coming-hic, through the rye-hic.
"It's your father, children. Off to bed with you quickly now. Oh, I do hopeRobert has brought some money home with him so that we can buy some foodfor tomorrow."
"Where'sh the shteps? Somebody alwaysh moving the shteps," said the father,
Robert Slessor, as he staggered drunkenly to the door.
Mother Slessor took hold of him and led him to a chair.
"Hello, dear," he said thickly. "Howsh my, besht gurl? There ish noshoemaker's got a prettier wife-hic-than I have. Yesh shir, we drank a li'ltoash to you, my dear."
"Oh, Robert," said Mother Slessor to her husband, "I do hope you broughthome some of your paycheck. We need it badly for food. We don't have anymoney in the house. All the food we have is what I kept back from thechildren's supper so you could eat."
"Shure, I brought money home," said Father Slessor. "All I did wash buy myfriendsh a few drinksh."
Mother Sle