The governor made a speech and pinned the cross on Mary's left
shoulder. During the speech Mary sat with her head in her hands. When it
came time for her to speak, she found it hard to talk. Turning to the boys
and girls who were in the hall she said, "Be faithful to the government. Be
Christians. Be friends of the mission and be followers of Jesus."
Later she wrote to her friends in Scotland:
Don't think there is any change in me
because I received this honor. I am Mary
Slessor, nothing more and none other
than the unworthy, unprofitable but
most willing servant of the King of kings.
The only change the honor made in Mary was that she worked harder than
ever. A government road was opened to Odoro Ikpe. Mary at once started a
mission there and reached out into the small jungle settlements. There she
talked with the chiefs and the natives. At last she won their consent to
build schools and churches. They gave her the land to do this. Now she was
beginning all over in a new territory. She had the same hard work, the same
troubles, the same heathen customs to fight. But Mary was glad to do it.
She thanked God for the chance to bring the Gospel to people who had never
heard about it.
Mary saw to it that a house was built and then began teaching in the
school, holding services, settling quarrels, winning souls for Jesus. In
August, 1914, rumors reached her that Europe was rushing into war.
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