Thank you Darryl for this little cameo about an incredible man. Magda Begeman Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: "Darryl Allwright" <darryl@allwrights.co.za> Sender: south-africa-bounces@rootsweb.com Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:15:34 To: <south-africa@rootsweb.com>; <south-africa-eastern-cape@rootsweb.com>; <SOUTH-AFRICA-ORANGE-FREE-STATE@rootsweb.com>; <kwazulu-natal-south-africa@rootsweb.com> Reply-To: south-africa@rootsweb.com Subject: [SOUTH-AFRICA] Wesleyan Minister Obituaries No 2 John Thomas DANIEL (1826-1888) Hi Listers Obituary of John Thomas DANIEL John Thomas DANIEL, who was the son of one of the early Settlers of 1820. His parents came to this country from Ireland, and were godly and consistent members of the Wesley Church. Six years after landing, their son John was born, and amidst the gracious influence of a pious home grew up to manhood. He became a disciple of Christ in early life, and very soon a prominent worker in the church at Grahamstown. His acceptable services as a Sunday School Teacher and Local Preacher, attracted the attention of Rev. W. SHAW, who offered to send him as a Catechist amongst the Korannas, north of the Orange River. Though only twenty-two years of age, Mr. DANIEL responded to the call of the Church and started his distant mission. Here, and afterwards at Imperani and Platberg, he laboured for nearly twenty years, passing through experiences of singular hardship, adventure, and peril. At Imperani he saves the life of an officer of the English army at the risk of his own. At another time, he returned to his station to find it sacked. Subsequently, he was forced to flee to the bush, with his young wife and child, to escape the fury of a neighbouring tribe.One one occasion, while seeking to prevent his people from uniting with the Basutos against the Dutch Boers, he was stabbed through the lung by the assegai of an irate Basuto. But the determination to do his duty never forsook him, and the courageous and heroic spirit in which he faced the dangers of his position, and the manly Christian fortitude he uniformly displayed the most trying sense of a missionary life, are well worthy of record. In the midst of all these perils "he continued in labours more abundant," sustained by simple-hearted faith in the God of his salvation. After ten years service at Bensonvale, he was appointed to Thaba 'Nchu, where he spent the last sixteen years of a laborious life. It is quite impossible in any brief sketch to do justice to Mr. Daniel's work among the Barolong tribe, located in the Maroka territory. His accurate knowledge of the people, their language, and habits of life; the implicit trust placed in him by the late chiefs, shared by all the people, Christian and heathen alike; his well known medical skill, always at their service; and withal his untiring devotion to his great work; secured for him an influence quite unique, and made him a power for good in this tribe. His prudence, moderation and wisdom, in times of recent excitement in tribal revolution, and the skill with which in these troublous days he guided his flock, and conserved the interests of Methodism, deserve to be remembered. As a preacher his was practical; winsome in style, and powerful in his appeals to the conscience. Many will be the "crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord." As a friend he was faithful and true, and hospitable. As a pastor, he was kindly and sympathetic, winning the confidence of old and young, and the affectionate regard of rich and poor alike. For many months before his death his health was far from robust, it was evident to those who knew best that the earthly tabernacle was giving way. He bore his sufferings with patient submission to God's will. Shortly before his death he said to his wife, "I am very weak; not only weak in body, but my mental powers are going, but thank God there is one thing I can do, I can still cling to Jesus." And so clinging to the Master he had loved so many years, the tired servant fell asleep, and passed to his reward. He died at Thaba 'Nchu on the 15th July, 1888, in the 63rd year of his age, and the 33rd year of his ministry, mourned and lamented by thousands of sorrowing hearts. From": "Minutes of Seventh Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of SA begun in Russell Road, Port Elizabeth,on Tuesday, 16 April 1889 Transcribed by Darryl Allwright P O Box 166 Grahamstown 6140 Cell: 076-091-2764 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SOUTH-AFRICA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message