Coming Home - Tilleadhx Dhachaigh
Growth of Manchurian Mission
The early church in Northeast Asia was greatly influenced by John Ross’s mission methods, based on self-support, self-evangelism and self-governance; these principles laid down the basis for an independent church in Manchuria and Korea.
John’s hard work and dedication culminated in the erection of the first theological college in the region and rebuilding of Dongguan Church at Mukden (Shenyang) in 1907. Glasgow University bestowed the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) on John Ross, in recognition of his pioneering missionary work, and after thirty eight years in the field the veteran missionary was forced to retire due to ill health and return to Scotland in 1910.
Balintore Estate
In 1889, the estate of Balintore was purchased by John Ross for the princely sum of £4,500, comprising the farms of Easter and Wester Balintore and the fishing village of Balintore.
John demonstrated a keen interest in the welfare of his tenants, giving permission for new roads and bridges to be built over his land and granting the site for the new harbour to the harbour trustees, underpinning the growth of the local fishing industry.
He made donations to the Fearn Parish Nursing Association and purchased raspberry bushes to bring more variety up his tenants’ gardens.
The Rosses spent their last few summers in Easter Ross until John Ross died at his home in Edinburgh on 7 August 1915.
Mr Carnegie visits Balintore
“Mr Andrew Carnegie, accompanied by a distinguished party from Skibo Castle, paid a surprise visit to Balintore, near Tain. His Yacht, the ‘Sea Breeze’, dropped anchor off Balintore Harbour and Mr Carnegie and his guests were given a hearty welcome from the onlookers.
A matter that interested Mr Carnegie, was watching the fishwives “baiting the line”. He enquired as to how the bait was obtained and when he was informed that the fisherfolk had to walk to and from Cromarty Bay – double seven miles — he was simply appalled, and added that the lot of the fisherman and fisherwoman was no easy one.”
(Press and Journal, 16 August 1910)
A Rushing Mighty Wind
Scottish missionaries were greatly supported in their work by indigenous evangelists, who were much greater in number, travelling throughout the region working as pastors at the stations and outposts. Although John was sad to leave, he found comfort in the fact that the Manchurian people had wholeheartedly embraced the Protestant Church and the Korean people were soon to follow.
(NOT INC IS THE NUMBER OF BAPTISMS IN MANCHURIA AND KOREA FROM 1873-1910)
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