MISSIONARY'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19394, 31 July 1926, Page 10

MISSIONARY'S DEATH.

NOTABLE WORK IN AFRICA. A LINK WITH LIVINGSTONE. News cf the death of Mr. Daniel Crawford, F.R.G.S., a well-known missionary and explorer in the Belgian Congo, has been received in Auckland. Mr. Crawford went to Africa in 1889 and laboured there for 37 years with only one break. This occurred after 23 years, when he made a short visit to Britain in the interests of the evangelisation of Africa. A Scotsman by birth, Mr. Crawford was a scolar of the first rank. He had a fine knowledge of German, Hebrew and Greek, and translated the Scriptures into the Luban language. He also wielded the pen of a ready writer, and has left two great literary and missionary monuments in "Thinking Black" and "Back to the Long Grass." As an explorer in Africa, Mr. Crawford ranked next to David Livingstone. He and his wife were the first to penetrate the wilds in the vicinity of IJala, where Livingstone died. Mr. Crawford actually knelt and prayed on the spot where Livingstone breathed his last. Mr. Crawford, who was about 60 years of age, visited New Zealand 15 years ago, when he lectured in connection with nis missionary work. A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. A. A. Murray,.will be held in the Tivoli Theatre to-morrow evening.