SCRIPTURE UNION BOOKSHOP
Books in Cape Town

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. In 1884 William Shripton, a member of the London committee, visited the Cape Colony, spent several months there and started a number of new SU branches. One of those was called the Acorn Branch, because it was run from Mowbray House, home of Mr and Mrs C F Cleghorn, which had an avenue of majestic oaks lining the drive way. Six years later Mrs Cleghorn reported to London that the branch was still going strongly, with no decrease in numbers. At Nkanga in the Transkei there was a small branch run by Mr C S Green consisting of most of the little community, the African servants, the interpreter and his wife and the Bible woman. Thus before the close of the century Scripture Union as a Bible Reading movement was deeply and broadly established in South Africa. Furthermore, membership gave rise to a sense of ownership and the obligation of propagating the activities of the movement. The first years of the new century produced a number of colourful characters who shone like bright lights in the early history of the movement. It seems likely that Mr A C Playfair was the first to conduct seaside services for children in this country, thus giving the honours to Natal. He arrived from Scotland in about 1885 and worked in a soft goods business, devoting his spare time to Christian activities amongst children. He died in 1948, having been a lover of children all his days. The Cape was not far behind Natal in commencing seaside services. The completion of the railway in 1883 was a high point in Kalk Bay’s popularity. He left and went to the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow, and there under guidance of Dr D M McIntyre he was prepared for his future ministry. From every point of view he was the ideal choice for the task. His coming from a Christian home, education in a British public school, training for leadership in the army, a spell at Oxford University, Bible training at the Glasgow Bible Training Institute and children’s work experience all contributed towards a meticulous preparation for his God-chosen career. Added to all that, his personality was packed with Irish charm. What he couldn’t achieve through a good physical shove, he accomplished with disarming charm. Scripture Union was born one summer evening in London in There were hundreds of children there and the service was unlike any other Spiers had even seen. The Children’s Special Service Mission (CSSM) (which later became Scripture Union) was born. Today Scripture Union is active in over 130 countries worldwide, still working to introduce children and young people to Jesus and promote regular, serious Bible reading. SU is primarily a volunteer organization with a small number of staff who train, encourage and coordinate the many ministry workers worldwide. Scripture Union in each country is an autonomous organization.