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The life and legacy of Andrew Weir, Presbyterian missionary to China at the beginning of the 20th century have recently been documented in a booklet produced by the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland.
Originally delivered as a lecture by the booklet's author, Rev Ivor Smith, the written text has now been made available due to the interest in Andrew Weir and his work as a missionary in Manchuria from 1899 until his death in 1933.
It is particularly appropriate that this documentation of Weir's life is written by Ivor Smith who is the present minister of Claggan Presbyterian Church near Cookstown where Andrew Weir was brought up and ordained one week before he left Belfast for China.
Combining stories recounted to him by descendants of Andrew Weir and those still living who remember him, and information gleaned from the pages of Weir's own journals, Ivor Smith gives something of the flavour of the man and his work and explains why he was so greatly admired and deeply loved in places so far apart as Claggan and Changchun, Ireland and China.
As to the legacy of Andrew Weir, Smith sees three. Firstly there was his son Jack Weir, who shared many of his fathers attributes and who ultimately became Clerk and Moderator of the General Assembly. Secondly, there has been the continuing interest and involvement in overseas mission by the members of Claggan Church and people living in the surrounding area.
However the most import legacy concludes Smith is the continuing growth in the Chinese Church despite difficulties and setbacks. 'There can be no doubt that the survival, revival and growth of the Chinese Church is one of the truly great miracles of church history. It shows that God has purposes of love for the entire Chinese nation as it enters the new Millennium. That would surely gladden the heart of Andrew Weir were he alive today.'
Andrew Weir of Manchuria (1873-1933) is available from Familybooks, The Spires, Belfast, price £1.50
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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