"Report of the South African Missionary Society, on the Sixty-First Anniversary, read at the General Meeting, held in the Society's Chapel, Long-street, on the 8th November, 1860."
Publisher's printed wraps.
18pp.
Very good condition.
The report focuses on several key areas of historical significance:
'The Long Street Chapel & Congregation
The report originates from the building known today as the South African Sendinggestig Museum (or the "Slave Church") at 40 Long Street, Cape Town. Founded in 1799, this chapel was built largely by and for enslaved people and free Black residents. The 1860 report details the status of this local urban congregation, tracking member numbers, baptisms, marriages, and deaths within the community.
Education and Literacy Tracker
During this era, SAMS ran a dedicated Day School adjacent to the chapel. While historical reviews note that the society prioritised religious conversion over broad academic curriculums - yielding a lower overall literacy rate (9.54%) compared to some contemporary Scottish or Wesleyan mission stations - the 1860 report provides the exact, active registry of local students, attendance figures, and the status of religious education.
Evangelical Reach and "Civilising" Progress
By its 61st anniversary, the society was evaluating the geographical spread and impact of its mission outposts. The document highlights updates from regional stations like Zoar, offering a detailed 19th-century perspective on the interaction between Western missionaries and indigenous populations, tracking local pushback or acceptance of Christian proselytization.
Financial Ledgers and Governance
As a formal annual record read to a General Meeting, the publication includes comprehensive financial ledgers. It outlines donations, expenditures on building upkeep, and staff salaries. This administrative data is highly valuable to modern genealogists and historians looking to trace names of early South African church directors, local donors, and active catechists.' - South African History Online
- Binding Condition: Very Good
- Overall Condition: Very Good
