MARY SLESSOR (1848-1915)
The White Queen of Calabar
When we read the biographies of the early missionaries and compare the hardship they suffered to the problems we face today, we cannot but conclude that ours are “light afflictions.” Yet, despite the suffering and hardship these men and women encountered, they were faithful to the end. Many of them gave up a life of luxury or the prospect of marriage and a family to go to distant lands to preach the Gospel. They were driven by their love for God and a compassion for lost souls that is difficult to find today. No wonder God used them mightily.
One such missionary was Mary Slessor, a little Scottish lady who became known as the White Queen of Calabar. Calabar is an area in the eastern part of the West African country of Nigeria. Mary heard about the people of Calabar from a missionary who visited her local church in Scotland and she made up her mind that she would go to serve these people and share the Gospel with them. She proceeded to apply to the Foreign Missions Board and in 1876 set off to a land that was to become her home for thirty-nine years.
Mary had her fair share of hardship growing up. She was one of seven children of an alcoholic father who was a shoemaker by trade and a mother who was a weaver but who knew the Lord. In order to help sustain the family, Mary was forced to work in the mill at the young age of eleven. It had always been the desire of her mother that one of her children would become a missionary. God heard the prayer of this dear woman and though all her children, except Mary, died before the age of thirty, God fulfilled her desire in that surviving child.
Nothing could have prepared Mary for what she was to encounter in Calabar. She found a society ravaged by the slave trade, a people steeped in witchcraft and superstition. People were sacrificed at the whims of the local chiefs, twins were considered a curse and were killed at birth and their mothers driven out to die. Mary had an arduous task trying to teach these people about Jesus Christ but it was a task she was committed to do. She was able to win the confidence of the people by living amongst them, learning their language, Efik, as well as their culture and customs, and showing them godly example. She not only saw many of them turn to Christ, they also came to respect her so much that they looked to her for wisdom and guidance
Mary Slessor was so committed to her work among the people of Calabar that she turned down a marriage proposal so she could continue to serve the people she had grown to love. She died there in Calabar in 1915.
“God and one are a majority…” is a statement attributed to Mary Slessor. She believed mighty feats can be accomplished where one individual is in agreement with God. Her life certainly testified to this.
Brethren, the God we serve is a Mighty God and all power belongs to Him. There is nothing that He cannot do. In fact, the Bible tells us that there is nothing impossible with Him. But this mighty God of ours delights in using His people to accomplish His mighty works. He works in and through those that are yielded to Him, those that are willing to be used by Him as instruments, as vessels of honour. This is what He has always done. We need only look at the Bible and see mighty works He did through His servants. In the Old Testament, we see Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Esther and the list continues. In the New Testament we see what He did through a group of unlearned fishermen. He also used individuals like Mary Slessor who were willing to go to distant lands in His name and through them nations were changed.
Friend, our God has not changed. He is still the same and He is still looking for men and women who are willing to align themselves with Him and be used for His glory. Are you willing to be used by the Master? You may not have to go to a distant land like Mary Slessor. It may be that He wants to use you right there in your immediate family circle or extended family circle, in your Church, your community or on your job. Through your life, He wants to touch other lives. Will you let Him?
Sister, Brother, God and you are a majority!
