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.

Portion of Tiger Kloof Institution

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.