[The author worked with John Watson in Aliwal North 1881--82.]
| Annie Watson wrote:-- « ... The Rev. John Bradley was one of whom ny Father spoke with affectionate regard, and I count it "in my sum of good things" that Mr. Bradley so readily consented to write down his impressions of that pleasant comradeship in a distant land. Though, of course, many years my Father's junior, he knew him when he was in his full strength and power, and can speak of him as very few remember him. » |
Almost forty-two years ago, in May 1881, I began my ministry at Jamestown, Aliwal North District, South Africa, under the superintendence of the Rev. John Watson. After a journey of 6,000 miles by sea to Cape Town, and some six or seven hundred miles further by sea and land, I arrived at Aliwal North. As I stepped down from the mail cart, I was very kindly received by the super, with the words, "Welcome to South Africa, Mr. Bradley", and with some emotion he added, "You are the first Primitive Methodist Minister I have seen for nearly three years". My reply was, "Thank you Mr. Watson, but I imagine, when we get into the light, you will think I am a queer looking specimen of a minister". For I had been travelling in an open mail cart for twenty-eight hours over the Stormberg mountains, baked by the hot sun in the day time, and chilled to the marrow by the severe frost all night; indeed, when I entered the house, one of the ladies said to another, "I thought they were sending us a young man ! Why, he's fifty." However, after a wash, a good meal, and a night's dreamless sleep, the morning revealed me in a better light.
The following day my super accompanied me to Jamestown, thirty-six miles away, to introduce me to the members and friends there. My work was explained to me by Mr. Watson, namely, to fulfill the duties of a day-school master five days of the week, and to perform the duties of a Primitive Methodist minister to the members and adherents of the little English Church at Jamestown, preaching twice on Sundays, morning and evening, and once during the week days, on Thursday evenings. This programme of work, especially the day-school portion, with which I was not familiar, caused me some apprehension, but Mr. Watson was so kind and reassuring. He reminded me that it was very unlikely any of my pupils would know as much about the subjects I should have to teach as myself, and surely I could manage to keep ahead of them. The suggestion seemed very reasonable and possible. Thus, in a couple of days I began to know my super, and straightway he gained my confidence and admiration. So, in a liberal sense, he was my super, and I was proud of the fact. Never a day after that did I think less of him, but more. The times when I had the privilege of hearing him preach were very rare, but how I valued them! I had had no tutor in preaching; now I had an example.
The preaching of Dr. Watson drew a large congregation to our Aliwal Church, relatively to the surrounding population. The towns and villages in South Africa are comparatively far apart judging by our English conditions, and in the days of which I am speaking there were no motor cars, or even bicycles, and if there had been, the roads were so rough and uneven that such machines could not have travelled upon them. Hence the difficulty of our ministers exchanging pulpits in those days. It is not to be overlooked that Dr. Watson put in a great amount of work amongst the native peoples. Aliwal was a good centre for native work, as the Orange Free State held a large black population, and many natives resided in Aliwal North itself. We had two native ministers in Aliwal and a large church for the natives, together with a day-school staffed by trained native teachers, under Government inspection and receiving Government grants.
Dr. Watson also held an influential position in relation to public affairs in Aliwal North, and his interest and influence were greatly valued. Indeed, in many conversations with the Doctor, I discovered his keen interest in the affairs of the Colony, political, social and educational, and in the Racial Problem, Africa's most difficult task; yes, and in the immense Africa that stretched nearly 6,000 miles north from Cape Colony, with all its problems, its sorrows, its suffering, and its helplessness. These lay heavily on his heart, as they have on the heart of every true missionary in Africa. And how many like Dr. Watson have wished for their youth back again that they might, in the words of Livingstone's prayer, "help to heal this open sore of the world." In Dr. Watson's case, as in that of many others, the opportunity came too late.
In the year 1882 a terrible bereavement overtook Mr. and Mrs. Watson. Their little boy, Johnny, was suddenly taken from them by death. Johnny was the apple of his parents' eyes, and like many children in South Africa, he became the victim of a fever by eating unripe fruit. His death brought a heavy cloud over the home, and left a pang in the heart of both mother and father. Mrs. Watson could not settle down again in Africa, and so my super requested the Missionary Committee to give them a station in South Australia, where they had living some beloved relations. This wish was acceded to, and the Conference stationed Dr. Watson at Adelaide. The Rev. John Smith, who had been Dr Watson's predecessor at Aliwal North, became his successor.
With regard to Dr. Watson as a man, and a personal friend, I quickly discovered that he possessed a rich and gracious nature; indeed no young colleague could be associated with him without being presently conscious of that, for he freely shared his bounty of intellect and culture with his friends.
I have often, in thinking of him, remembered the words of the Saviour concerning Nathaniel, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." In all our intercourse I never was conscious of anything in my friend that had the taint of selfishness.
Dr. Watson was a great lover of Nature, and our occasional rambles round about Aliwal North, and at Jamestown, and up the Old Stormberg mountain, were memorable experiences. I well remember how, on these occasions, the chief became the comrade, and opened his mind, yes, and his heart to me, as we conversed about our work and the needs of that immense Continent, and the great work of the ministry of Jesus committed to our charge. Though our opportunities for personal contact were few, we kept up the current of friendship by frequent correspondence.
After Dr. Watson removed to Australia we occasionally exchanged letters, and later, when he returned to England and was elevated to the Presidential Chair, he visited my Circuit (Huddersfield) for a week-end. I treasure the memory of his great kindness, his delight at seeing our family of six children, and his so kindly recognition of them.
signed; John Bradley
The Retreat, Saltfleetly,
Nr. Louth, Lincs.
8th. January 1923.