Uganda by Pen and Camera/Preface

by Charles W. Hattersley

Preface

By T. F. V. Buxton

Much has been written about the past history of Uganda, from the time of Stanley’s visit in 1875 and onwards. Thirty years is a short period in the history of a people; but in this case the period has been so full of kaleidoscopic changes, and has been marked by so many critical events, that its history reads like a romance. The rapidity with which these changes have taken place result in this, that the best descriptions of the country, written even a few years since, are quite inapplicable to the present time; and thus there is ample room for such an account as Mr. Charles Hattersley gives in the present book.

Uganda is a country which has called forth an extraordinary amount of interest and sympathy here at home, and there are numbers who will welcome this latest picture of its people. Among them I hope there may be many young men whose thoughts are turning to the missionary life, and who wish to study a field in which, under God’s providence, their future work may lie. The picture given here is graphic and attractive, and I can bear witness that it is also faithful and true to life. I had the privilege the year before last of paying a visit to Uganda; and it is pleasant, in turning over the pages of Mr. Hattersley’s chapters, to have innumerable incidents of the journey and details of native life recalled by his descriptions, and by the excellent photographs with which they are illustrated.

Peace and security now reign in Uganda, and the English resident suffers from none of the anxiety as to personal safety to which he and his predecessors were exposed a few short years ago. But the missionary-to-day, as Mr. Hattersley indicates, has to face other difficulties which are no less anxious to one whose whole heart is in the work. British administration has broken down the old restraints, and individual freedom of action prevails as never before. At the same time there is an in-rush of new influences from Europe and from India, which are often in direct antagonism to those of the missionary. The Christian Church is thus passing through a time of sifting and trial, and there seems a special call now for unwavering faith in the power of prayer and in the assured triumph of the Grace of God.

To meet the new circumstances, it is obvious that one of the most important objects to be kept in view must be the imparting of sound education. Elementary schools have already done a noble work, and the Baganda have proved apt and eager pupils; but among many of them the demand has now arisen for something more than the three R’s and simple Bible-teaching. The whole system of education in Mengo, and throughout the country, is being revised and extended, and the ability which Mr. Hattersley has already shown in this branch of missionary work points him out as one who must take a prominent part in the improvements now under consideration.

We were impressed by the signs of vigour and efficiency evident in the conduct of the large boys’ school under his charge, and were greatly interested in a project for which he was preparing at the time of our visit to Mengo. Mr. Hattersley was then busy over the erection of a group of small boarding-houses for the sons of chiefs in different parts of the country, for whom better education was desirable than could be obtained in their village schools.

One of these houses had been provided by the Administration to accommodate young chiefs from Busoga, for whom it was considered important that they should be removed for a time from undesirable home influences, and trained in a way more likely to qualify them for taking their part worthily in the government of their country. The work of these boarding-houses is now in full swing, and they must form a very valuable adjunct to the day school. We shall not soon forget our visit to this latter institution. The large grass-thatched building was well filled, and all the boys seemed to be working keenly at their lessons, while the teachers were throwing themselves heartily into the work of imparting knowledge. The most interesting class was a gathering of senior boys, many of them practically grown up, who were receiving systematic Bible-teaching from Mr. Hattersley himself.

It is pleasant to notice how all the teaching in Mengo clusters round the great cathedral,recently built by the Baganda under Mr. Borup’s able superintendence. This cathedral stands on one of the twin tops of Namirembe, the highest among a group of hills over which the capital is scattered. The three tall peaks by which its roof is surmounted form a striking feature in the view from any of the surrounding hills, and the cathedral itself is set off by the lower buildings which lie about it, though separated by an ample space of level ground. The boys’ and girls’ schools lie beyond the east end, while on one side is the building filled daily with numbers of candidates preparing for baptism or confirmation, and on the other side are carried on the classes for training teachers, male and female.

Of these, the young men are under Mr. Roscoe’s charge—and a heavy charge it is, considering the numbers to be trained. When we visited him at his work, we found the room well filled with about a hundred teachers in training, who were writing out answers to Bible questions. To maintain order among so large a number, who have known practically nothing of discipline before they joined the classes, is in itself no light task; but the fact that all are voluntary learners makes the work easier than it otherwise would be. The missionary has, of course, many anxieties regarding the spiritual tone of those who offer themselves as Christian workers; but some test of their sincerity and zeal is provided by the fact that the majority come from a distance, and find considerable difficulty in providing for themselves during their stay at the capital. Many have, in fact, to endure real hardness, and often go short of food, in their anxiety to learn and to qualify themselves for pastoral and missionary labour.

The avidity for learning evidenced by these intending teachers, and among the rapidly-growing classes of Baganda who can read and write, shows the immense importance of providing wholesome literature in the Luganda language. Hitherto the Bible has been practically the only book, and we may be deeply thankful that the Word of God has had the first place, and has had time to influence the Baganda so deeply before other books were translated. Now, however, the demand is extending, and must be supplied. The work of the Bible Society will, we hope and expect, not diminish, but go on steadily increasing; but its sister societies, the Religious Tract Society and the S.P.C.K., are needed to supplement its work without delay. The R.T.S. has already made several grants for Uganda, either free or at reduced rates. These have consisted chiefly of English books to help the missionaries in teaching; but now the great need is for vernacular literature, and a vast field of usefulness lies before the R.T.S. in the future. It is to be hoped that the committee and friends of that society may realise how critical is the present opportunity, and may supply the Baganda with an abundance of wholesome books before the flood of evil literature, which follows our so-called civilisation, begins to percolate into the country.

Having dwelt thus upon the importance of education and of literature, I cannot do better than conclude by endorsing with all my heart the remarks Mr. Hattersley makes on pages 34 and 35 of this book. He has been reminding us that the European in Uganda needs to be an all-round man, capable of turning his hand to a great variety of work, and he reminds us here that, in house building and other manual labour, the missionary has opportunities of commending the Gospel to many who cannot be reached in the class-room. It is true in Uganda, as elsewhere, that the life tells more than words, and it is important that all who go out to that country should realise the immense responsibility resting upon them. Every action will be watched, every word will be noted, and Christianity will be judged by its influence in the little things of daily life.

1. Town of Mombasa. 2. Mombasa terminus.3. Off the line.