IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

FROM AN ESTEEMED CORRESPONDENT.] July 21st, 1885. It is our melancholy duty to chronicle the death of the Rev. S. Mnyakama, of Trinity Mission, Fort Beaufort, who has been suffering for some two years past from ill-health. On Sunday morning last at half-past 7 o'clock he put an end to his existence by hanging. He committed the dreadful deed in his bedroom, and used a piece of rope taken from the bedstead. The post-mortem examination showed softening of the brain and formation of a tumour. The doctor said he would ulti¬mately have become a lunatic. Heshowcd to his people signs of mental weakness on the Thursday preceding his death. He had arranged to be present at the opening of the new Anglican church here (St. John's) but failed to put in an appearance. His excuse was that he felt too ill. His last act as a clergyman was to preach a most solemn sermon on the Sabbath day previous; he took for his text, ' Thou shalt not kill.' Those present said it was so earnest that the whole church was filled with weeping worshippers. It is a singular Coincidence, as he was about to die by his own hands. What a mystery is life ! On Saturday the Lord Bishop of Graham's Town visited the Mission station, but found poor Mr. Mnyakama in a sadly enfeebled state of health and mind. He evidently did not know what he was about. All the surroundings of the man as well as the post-mortem prove most conclusively that he cannot be held per¬sonally and morally responsible for the rash act. As a man, clergyman, and citizen, too much cannot be said of his excellence. His influence upon the young native people was most blessed. He was always gentle and earnest, and one of the most loving of Christian workers. His in¬fluence for good extended far and near. He was really loved by all who knew him. The loss to our district of such a man is almost irreparable; all colours here esteemed him as a friend. His gentle un¬assuming manners and kindly smile won all hearts, and his memory will survive long in our midst. On Tuesday, the 21st July, 1885, his remains were interred in the Fort Beau¬fort cemetery. His body was brought down from the Mission station and placed in the handsome new church. The build-ing was crowded—at least four hundred persons were present; men of all classes and colour wished to show their last tribute of respect. Europeans were just as anxious as those of his own race. One young lady of our town (a Miss Warren) very gracefully placed a lovely cross and wreath of white flowers upon the coffin as it lay in the nave of the church. This was a graceful and loving act, and so womanly, illustrating the fact that 'all the world's akin.' It spoke volumes for our departed friend. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev W. H. Turpin, S. Simeon, M.A. (Grahai: ; Town,) J. Wilson, E. J. Battye, B.A. (F' - Beaufort,) and T. Chamberlain, M.A. ( v i e). The choir was very happy in it3 r udering of the hymns and beauti¬ful p