Christmas celebration despite bad conditions - 1882
James Hannington drew this cartoon of a painful but humorous incident in his African trek.
Introduction
James Hannington did successful church work in England, but the murder of two missionaries in Africa inspired him to offer himself as a missionary for Uganda. He sailed in 1882. In Africa, attempting to enter Uganda from the southeast, he and his co-workers were beset by fevers. Hannington often had to be carried. His arms were in such agony that he could walk only by tying his hands around his neck. He made droll portraits of his condition which he enclosed in letters home—his attitude was always upbeat. Eventually he had to return home to recover. He sailed back to Africa in 1885 and was martyred as he attempted to enter Uganda from the north.
During his first expedition on this day, 25 December 1882, Hannington wrote:
Quote
“Christmas Day, 1882. Gordon very ill in bed. Ashe and Wise tottering out of fever beds; I myself just about to totter in again. In spite of our poor condition, we determined to have our Christmas cheer. We had a happy celebration of the Holy Communion at 8 A.M., and thought much of the dear ones at home, praying for us and wishing us true Christmas joy.”
Dawson, F.C. James Hannington, D.D., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., First Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa. Philadelphia: George W. Jacobs & Company, n.d.