Typed letter from N.D. Pendleton to Rev. Theodore Pitcairn in Durban, Natal, S.A. Pendleton thanks Pitcairn for his last two letters. He is glad Pitcairn has not been discouraged by setbacks to the General Church’s South African Mission; He writes, “That we should win out against Conference is gratifying for more reasons than one. That with us in possession better and more permanent work will be done goes without saying, but Conference deserves defeat, if for no other reason than because of unwarranted intrusion, per Mooki; for I am quite convinced that that shifty individual was not acting on his own responsibility.” Pendleton explains that Pitcairn’s desire to have Mr. Brown remain in South Africa for another two years is not feasible due to the decreased teaching capacity in the Academy schools after Miss Alice’s retirement and Rita Buell’s promotion. Pendleton has been informed by Fred (Gyllenhaal) of the Braby-Forfar difficulty in England, but he hesitates to interfere as he is unfamiliar with the particulars of the situation. He tells Pitcairn, “It is very unwise for a minister under such circumstances to permit either side to feel that he is a partisan of the other . . . I am sure in the past in certain crises that I have been able to give better service by holding myself somewhat apart from the disturbance.” Pendletons writes that the Executive Committee has granted Mr. Bjorck 50 pounds to continue his missionary work in Bath, and he updates Pitcairn on the situation with Basuto theological student, George Mokoena. Pendleton affirms Pitcairn’s actions regarding Khaile, and he expresses appreciation for Pitcairn’s presence in Durban while the society waits for their new pastor, Hugo (Odhner), to arrive. Finally, he notes the safe arrival in Bryn Athyn of Miss Champion and Scottie Forfar.

Names mentioned: Mooki, (Reginald) Brown, Miss Alice (Grant), Rita Buell, (James F.) Buss, Fred (Gyllenhaal), Braby family, Forfar family, Mr. Braby, Mr. Forfar, (Albert) Bjorck, George Mokoena, Mr. Acton, (David Rakobolo) Khaile, Hugo (Odhner), (Karl) Alden, Miss (Elsie) Champion, Scottie Forfar, Norman (Ridgway), Sylvia (Pemberton)