Tiger Kloof--“A Lamp Shining in a Dark Place”
From North, and South, and East, and West
They come.
JOHN OXENHAM.
The crown of the work of the L. M. S. in South Africa is the Tiger
Kloof Native Institution. Ten years ago the site on which its buildings
now stand was bare veldt. To-day it is a centre of light for all the
L. M. S. work in South Africa. Situated on the Cape-to-Cairo Railway,
767 miles north of Cape Town, the Institution buildings, which
challenge the attention of every passing traveller, are a monument to
the princely munificence of that great missionary-hearted man Robert
Arthington of Leeds, to the energy, ability, devotion and far-seeing
statesmanship of the Rev. W. C. Willoughby, and to what can be
accomplished by the South African boys trained in the Institution, who
have erected most of the buildings which are now so notable a feature
of the landscape.[3]
It is to Tiger Kloof that the brightest and best boys, who have
received their early training at the Mission stations of the Society in
South Africa, are sent to complete their education. It is from Tiger
Kloof that the teachers and preachers, who are to be God’s instruments
in building up the growing Native Church, proceed after receiving
training to fit them for their work. Tiger Kloof is the strategic
centre of the Society’s work in South Africa. In the coming days it
will also be the training place for teachers and preachers connected
with the Central Africa Mission.
Within the limits of this sketch it is impossible to describe the
manifold activities of this great Institution. I visited it on three
occasions, and altogether spent upwards of a month there, and I had
many opportunities of seeing and learning to appreciate the great work
which is carried on. At the present time there are nearly 200 students
in residence.
On the 8th March, 1904, Mr. Willoughby and his wife outspanned their
waggon, and that a borrowed one, on the veldt at the corner of a large
farm which the Society had previously bought. The word “farm” conveys
a false impression. It was an unfenced wilderness covered with stone
and low bush. The foundation stone of the Institution was laid in
1905 by Earl Selborne, the Governor of Cape Colony. Year after year
buildings have been added, and the Institution now comprises a fine
dining-hall with a clock tower, six dormitories, commodious school and
class rooms, carpenters’ and tailors’ shops and work-rooms, offices and
residences for the members of the staff, and a series of cottages for
the theological students and their families.
In the scholastic department the boys are taught the subjects
prescribed by the Cape code. There is an excellent normal school for
the training of teachers. Apprentices are taught masonry, carpentry,
tailoring and office work, and there is a theological department where
the students are trained for the ministry.
On arrival at Tiger Kloof the visitor to whom the Institution wishes
to show honour is met by the boys in full-dress Sunday uniform and the
Band. As such visitors are not infrequent the sight of the boys at the
Siding, smartly attired in their blue uniforms, and the strains of the
Band help to make known the Institution to the numerous travellers
passing through by train.
Daily Prayers are held in the Hall at 6.45 a.m. precisely. The English
language is employed and the Mill Hill School Service book is used.
These gatherings for morning prayers are characterised by a quiet
dignity and reverence which is very impressive. The singing is good
and the musical responses are very effectively rendered. The singing
of “Crown Him Lord of all,” to the tune “Diadem,” will not soon be
forgotten by those who have listened to it. After prayers the boys
march out of the Hall and form themselves into companies outside and
proceed to the parade ground for drill. The discipline is perfect. The
work of the Institution has constantly received high praise from the
Government Inspectors, and large Government grants are earned.
[Illustration:
_Photo by_] [_W. C. Willoughby._
PORTION OF TIGER KLOOF INSTITUTION.
Right to left: DORMITORY, DINING HALL, PRINCIPAL’S HOUSE BEYOND.]
The influence of the work there is already being felt throughout the
South Africa Mission. Not only are ordained pastors and certificated
teachers, who have received their training at Tiger Kloof, to be found
at the various stations, but masons and carpenters who have learnt
their trades there, after returning to their homes, occupy themselves
with erecting Churches, schools and houses, and in many cases their
life and example is a blessing to the people amongst whom they live.
In this and other ways Tiger Kloof is making its contribution to the
building up of a strong Christian Church in South Africa, and sending
out Christian youths to spread the light in many a dark place.
An Institution on similar lines for girls is in course of erection at
Tiger Kloof. When it gets to work the most promising girls from the
different Mission stations will be sent there for higher training. Many
of them will become the wives of the preachers and teachers, and thus
it is hoped will help to build up Christian homes in South Africa,
which will be centres of light in different parts of the field.
FOOTNOTES:
[3] The genesis and development of the great work at Tiger Kloof is
admirably described in the Handbook by Mr. Willoughby, entitled “Tiger
Kloof,” published by the L.M.S. Price, 1s. net; post free 1s. 2d.
B.--CENTRAL AFRICA