(The gentleman whose death is referenced in this letter,
was on the 1905 boat of workers who pioneered in South Africa.)
(The letter is in very poor condition - click on image of the letter at bottom of this page,
click again for screen size viewing of letter.)
Mr. Prellet
64 Alto St. Krugeradorf
Transvaal, Africa
November 21, 1946
Dear Brothers,
I sent you word this morning to say that Alex Pearce had passed away last night - - the 20th of November. The conventions are going on as I wrote you of two weeks ago. The one at Cape Town and the one at Port Elizabeth were over and Alex went on to the one at Queenstown which will start this morning. Alex went to the grounds yesterday morning to see if everything was going alright and while there, he spoke of not being too well so some of the friends took him home and the doctor was sent for. The doctor put Alex to bed and after a while, he was sent for again. As the day went on, Alex got worse and went into unconsciousness and died of angina at 9 o'clock on the evening of the 20th. The doctor said that Alex died of angina of the heart. During the conventions at the Cape, he had a fall running to catch a bus. We saw him fall and the thought that went through my mind was, it would be terrible if Alex was lying down forever. He didn't feel well from then, but went on to Port Elizabeth and then he got as far as Queenstown. We feel this morning like sheep without a shepherd.
Alex had been the whole burnt offering consumed on the altar of service. He said in speaking at Port Elizabeth that some of us would not be spared long to each other. He was speaking of different ones who had passed away from us this year. Muriel Prellet amongst them and he said of her that she was loved by all who knew her. None of us thought he would go so soon after Muriel. Alex was very kind to Muriel while ill and had helpful talks with her and we had always prayed together when he visited her. Muriel taking part until the day before she died. Alex did no speak before he died. We feel that love, justice, mercy, grace and longsuffering were all in Alex, in his dealings with us as God's people here.
When speaking at the convention at Port Elizabeth - - the last time he spoke (apart from the Gospel meeting the night after) - - he spoke of Psalm 65: on prayer and the river of God being full of help for us to drink from, even when we are passing through sorrow, suffering and misunderstanding. He said he had drank from that river under those circumstances. He spoke of the ridges in the ploughed land that would be unfruitful (hard lumps) if not broken up, and he spoke of our paths dropping fatness. Those of us who heard Alex won't forget his last words to us as His people.
Alex is being buried tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock before the meeting begins. Alex has died a death that we all as workers would like to die - - just to go when our service is at an end.
The part where Alex is being buried is the part he laboured around and where he suffered also when he first came to Africa.
I hope the Lord will undertake for us in this land, and fit a man to take the lead amongst us. I know we will have a part in your prayers as you remember this corner of the field.
With greetings in Christ,
Yours in His care,
(Signed) Jean Allan
Letter referencing death of Alex Pearce
