The paperback combines the history of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (mostly Congregational) in Natal with the life story of the Reverend David A. Rood (1818-1891). Rev. Rood was in the ‘second wave’ or generation of American missionaries to southern Africa, serving with his wife Alzina for forty years, from 1848-1888.

The title of the book is a variation on a 235 year old hymn that reflects the theme of the book — the intricate web of relationships (‘ties’), present and past, family and church, that bind Americans to each other and to southern Africans.

Author Rood is a retired Certified Public Accountant and the son of former Daily Press editor and columnist, the late David Rood, Sr. The literary venture gave Rood, Jr. an appreciation of the work his father did for a living, leading him to dedicate the book to ‘the real writer in the family.’

According to Rood, Jr., “I began this project simply as a means of compiling information on my namesake, something for the enjoyment of family and friends.”

Courtesy photo The cover of David Rood’s book, which was recently launched in South Africa.

However, current South African missionary the Rev. Dr. Scott Couper, who eventually served as the book’s editor, convinced Rood that there was much more to the story. With some additional research, the book was expanded in order to interest a wider audience.

Rev. Rood founded the mission station at Ifafa, and later served as the resident missionary at two of the largest American stations, first at Amanzimtoti and later at Umvoti (Groutville). For many years, he served, first as secretary and later as chairman of the American Zulu Mission. Prior to the publication of this book, it was not widely known that, more significantly, in 1853 near the Amanzimtoti mission, Rev. Rood founded an advanced school for boys that would later come to be named Adams College. This secondary school still exists today, is very well known and has been called the “educational and spiritual font of many of southern Africa’s most prominent black nationalists (Lembede, Matthews, Buthelezi, Nkomo and Khama), four of whom served as president of the African National Congress (Dube, Seme, Gumede and Luthuli).” Author Rood used the opportunity of his visit to southern Africa to not only sell books, but also to attempt to dispel the commonly held, but incorrect, belief that Adams College was founded by Rev. Dr. Newton Adams. In fact, Rev. Rood founded the school two years after Adams died and it was not named ‘Adams College’ until the 1930s.

Several platforms were used in South Africa to launch the publication. The book was featured in Cluster’s exhibition at ‘Articulate Africa, a Book and Art Affair,’ a three-day event that was part of the 2017 Essence Festival Durban. The festival was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex in city centre Durban. One highlight of the festival for author Rood was meeting Dr. Bongani Ngqulunga, chief of staff and spokesperson for Jacob Zuma, current president of South Africa. Dr. Ngqulunga was also launching his book “The Man Who Founded the ANC: A Biography of Pixley ka Isaka Seme.” The two authors were able to discuss Adams College, the ‘tie that bound’ the men featured in the two books being launched — Rev. Rood as founder of the school and Seme as a later student.

The other major event launching the book was held at the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre- the 39th Jubilee Assembly of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), celebrating its 50th anniversary. Several hundred delegates from five African countries (Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe) attended this eight-day event. The South African delegation included members of each of each of the churches (Ifafa, Amanzimtoti and Groutville) served by Rev. Rood a century and a half earlier.

Several other smaller events were held to launch the book. Author Rood and his editor Scott Couper met with current Adams College principal, Thulani Khumalo. Following a tour of the campus, Rood presented Khumalo with a picture of school founder, Rev. David Rood, for display at the school.

Rood and Couper attended the Sunday service at the Groutville Congregational Church. This was the same building, little modified, where the Rev. Rood led services 140 years earlier and the Rev. Couper pastored ten years ago. A picture of Rev. Rood and his wife Alzina was also presented to the church.

Because the publisher, Cluster Publications, is located in South Africa and presently does not have a United States distribution channel, the book is not currently available for order domestically. However, author Rood was able to bring back a limited quantity with him in his luggage. Anyone interested in obtaining a copy can contact him at: David Rood, Jr.; 2113 22nd Ave So.; Escanaba, MI 49829.