Unveiling of Statue at Blantyre

Unveiling of Statue at Blantyre, Livingston’e Birthplace.

Aberdeen Journal – Monday 17 March 1913

Livingstone statue The Livingstone Centenary was celebrated in Blantyre, the birthplace of the great missionary explorer, on Saturday. The special feature of the celebration was the unveiling of a bronze Statue in the tower of the Livingstone Memorial U.F. Church in Blantyre.

When the church was being built, some thirty years ago, the family Livingstone were asked if they would be agreeable to the church being given the name “Livingstone Memorial.” The family readily consented to the request, and being shown the plans of the church they suggested that a tower should be added as a specific memorial. The suggestion was acted upon by the congregation, and a niche seven feet high was reserved for the purpose of erecting a statue to Dr Livingstone at some future date.

The matter was more heartily taken up two years ago, it being then considered that the statue would be an appropriate memorial to the occasion of the master missionary’s centenary, the statue stands fully seven feet, high, and had been produced at a cost of nearly £400, which sum has been wholly contributed by public subscription.

At the ceremony on Saturday there was a large and representative attendance. Fred L. M. Moir, the African Lakes Corporation, and chairman of the Committee, presided, and introduced Mrs A M. Livingstone Wilson, youngest daughter Dr Livingstone, who gracefully performed the unveiling ceremonv. A presentation to mark the interesting occasion having been made to Mrs Livingstone Wilson by the Rev. T. A. Hugh, minister of the congregation, a number of addresses were delivered, including appreciation of Livingstone by the Rev. James Wells, D.D., ex-Moderator the U.F. Church General Assembly.

Amongst those who took part were the Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson, D.D., London Missionary Society; the Rev. R. Rutherford, Calderhead, representing the Presbytery Hamilton; the Rev. James Mackie, Bothwell, representing the U.F. Presbytery of Hamilton; the Rev. G. Allan, representing the Congregational George Pate, general manager to the Canon Company, representing the subscribers: the Rev. Robert Mackenzie, Alloa, first minister Blantyre Livingstone Memorial Church; and Provost Smellie, Hamilton.

Source: http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

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