Mary Slessor Issue 1: The Worst Place on Earth

This is an electronic version of our Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin inserts. These are designed to present Christian biographies for Children's church, educational or worship ministries.

"I want the job," I said to the Sunday school superintendent.

He peered down at me over his wire-rimmed glasses. "You're quite small, Mary, and I'm not sure--"

"I'm fourteen!" I said. "I can read and write, and I know my Bible stories, too. I can teach them."

The superintendent cleared his throat. "I know you mean well, Mary, but the street children run wild here. The gangs of boys are rough and they don't want us teaching here on Queen Street. You could get hurt!"

"I can do it," I answered. "Besides, I think God wants me to teach. I'm not afraid."

I tried desperately to sound as brave as my brother Robert.

The superintendent stroked his moustache, staring at my red hair.

"Well, I guess you can give it a try. Can you start this Friday night?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "Thank you!"

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Dreams of Calabar, Africa
I ran to Mother, who was standing outside the front door of the church.

"Mother!" I shouted. "I can have the job!"

"You'll be a wonderful teacher, Mary," Mother said. "Just be careful. The gangs are mean to outsiders."

"I know," I answered. "It's a little dangerous. But it's not as bad as Calabar!"

Mother laughed. "No, not as bad as Calabar!"

As we walked home, I felt as though my heart would burst! Mother used to tell Robert and me about a place called Calabar in Africa. Calabar was the worst spot on earth--with headhunters, witchcraft, and deadly sicknesses. I was too young to go to the worst spot on earth, but at least I could be a missionary on Queen Street, the worst spot in Dundee, Scotland.

"Robert would be proud of you, Mary," Mother said, smiling.

A tear came to my eye. "Robert was always brave."

My older brother, Robert, was with Jesus now. When we were small, Robert's eyes would grow as wide as tea saucers whenever Mother read missionary stories.

Sometimes he'd say, "When I grow up, Mary, I am going to be a missionary. And I'm going to take you with me."

After Robert became sick and died, I felt doubly sad. Not only had I lost my big brother, I had also lost the dream of serving in missions with him. I think that Robert would have become a great missionary, maybe even as great as David Livingstone.

Mud Balls on Queen Street
Friday came quickly. I walked down to Queen Street with my Bible in hand, eager to share God's word with the street kids.

"Hello," I greeted the first two children as they entered the building. They were dirty and their coats were torn.

Three more children came, and I started teaching at 7 o'clock sharp.

"I want to begin with the story of how God created the world," I said. "I'll pass these papers out--"

Suddenly, the door in the back opened and a tall boy ducked inside and hurled a mud ball at me.

"Ouch!" I yelled, rubbing my arm. The rock hidden inside the mud ball really hurt!

"What should I do?" I wondered.

"We don't want you here!" the boy yelled. There was a clamor outside the door as the gang yelled for me to get out.

"Let's get out of here!" cried my students as they ran out of the classroom.

The gang finally left, too, and I shut the door and slumped to the floor. My legs were shaking, but my heart was determined--these mean bullies and their mud balls would not stop me from teaching.

The mudslingers came week after week, but I kept teaching and more and more children kept coming!

Read how Mary Slessor faced down a gang in part 2 of this "Glimpses for Kids" children's worship bulletin insert.