‘Children of a Lesser God’: The American Board Mission’s Ordination Policy in South Africa

In one of the first comprehensive accounts written of the history of Christian missions in South Africa, the writer observed that, ‘Under the guidance and supervision of the White missionary, the native pastor and the native evangelist have shown themselves equal to tasks of considerable magnitude, and they should be wisely encouraged to assume even larger responsibilities. This can only be done in the case of men who have wide experience and a thorough training’.2