Robben Island. Thirty-Four Years of Ministry Amongst the Lepers of South Africa

Robben Island, located in Table Bay, South Africa, was used from the 17th Century on as a prison, an animal quarantine station and, from 1845, a Leper Colony. In this book James Wescott Fish records his lifetime of service amongst the lepers there.

My thanks to Redcliffe College for making a copy fo this public domain title available for digitisation.

James Wescott Fish [1852-1937], Robben Island. An Account of Thirty-Four Years’ Gospel Work Amongst Lepers of South Africa. Kilmarnock: John Ritchie, 1924. Hbk. pp.210. [Click to visit the download page for this title]

Contents

• Introduction

1. Foreword
2. The Early History of Robben Island (by G.F. Gresley)
3. The History of Leprosy
4. Thirty-Four Years’ Work Amongst the Lepers (by James W. Fish)
5. A Never-to-be-Forgotten Day
6. Gospel Tent Work in South Africa
7. Our First Visit to Robben Island
8. Eight Days with the Lepers
9. The Love of Christ Constraineth
10. Gospel Work among the Soldiers During the Boer War
11. A Visit to Pondoland
12. Back to Robben Island
13. Trophies of Grace among the Lepers
14. “Lonely Hearts to Cherish”
15. A Terrible Scourge
16. Visits to the Transvaal
17. Visitors to the Island
18. “Faith Healers” at Robben Island
19. “One Soweth, Another Reapeth”
20. Home Again to England

Chapter 2. The Early History of Robben Island

Probably but few of the residents on the sea coast of Cape Colony, give more than an occasional passing thought to the little barren-looking patch of land, situated at the month of Table Bay, known as Robben Island, or the Isle of Seals. It is, however, an object of much interest to those who arrive for the first time in South Africa by the mail steamers. For who can be unmoved on first hearing of the inhabitants who are inmates of its various institutions – the Law-breakers, the Lunatics, and the Lepers.

Few places probably, so small and insignificant-looking, can boast of having played so important a part in the history of a vast multitude of people, as can this little island in the rise, progress, and present welfare of the Cape Colony. I make no apology, therefore, in calling the attention of the readers of my narrative to the Island’s early history. And I claim for it more than a momentary passing attention. I ask for a respectful and reverential regard. And I assert that it has a right to such, for the pages of South African history tell of strange events here in the far-off past, and the existence of ancient ruins on the island, recently brought to light, speak of busy scenes, and many hands at work, in days long gone by.

Pages 10-11.