12. The Mayor of Kimberley was present, and Mr. A.H. Wheeler, the
organizing secretary of the association, took charge of the proceedings.
The soldiers' roll-call hymn was sung. In this tent large numbers
afterwards gave themselves to Christ.

The Rev. Mr. McClelland, Presbyterian chaplain, also moved into
Kimberley from Modder River, and for some time assisted in the work. He
tells of the sad death of the Rev. Cathel Kerr, of the Free Church
Highland Committee. He had been acting chaplain to the Scots Guards, and
died in Kimberley hospital.

During the siege an eminent South African missionary passed away--the
Rev. Jas. Thompson, M.A., ex-President of the South African Wesleyan
Conference. He died with the sound of bursting shells in his ears,
wondering what was in store for his church and people. He died as
Christians die, and passed

'Where beyond these voices there is peace.'

The work of God spread from Kimberley on every hand. The S.C.A. workers
spread out as far afield as Boshof, worshipping in the Dopper Church,
and making it ring with Sankey's hymns, where all had been the quiet of
the Psalms. We read of conversions here and there and everywhere. Thus
in Kimberley also the word of God 'had free course and was glorified,'
and the workers 'thanked God and took courage.'




Chapter X