p. 11 | Experiences in Basutoland by E. C. SILSBEE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1916

Experiences in Basutoland

By E. C. SILSBEE

E. C. SILSBEE

FOR many years the little church here has held its services in a small hut-like building thatched with grass, the mission school being held in the same building.

While we were absent from Kolo, attending the recent camp meeting at Durban, a revengeful heathen set fire to the grass roof, and it was destroyed, with the door and windows, and the few pieces of furniture inside. But now we rejoice that through denying ourselves and by practicing the strictest economy, we have the promise of a new and substantial church building, of hewn stone and with corrugated iron roof.

A few days ago we enjoyed a special service, when four candidates followed their Lord in baptism, after which we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house.

It means much in this land for the native to leave all and follow Christ. There are so many customs, superstitions, and habits to be given up. These are like iron bands to many, which only the grace of Christ can break.

One common superstition is that pain in the stomach is caused by a serpent, or by serpents, which have unknowingly entered by way of the mouth, and are eating the individual from the inside. For this reason, it is the custom of practically all natives to sleep with their heads covered closely with their blankets. This practice being very unhealthful, one can see at once that this superstition causes, or at least encourages, various maladies.

The people have great faith in their witch doctors, and these doctors favor this superstition, for it is to their advantage to do so. When a man comes to them with a pain in his stomach, he must usually pay a sheep, a goat, or an ox to the “doctor,” who is supposed to “bring out” the snakes. These snakes are thought to be very young cobras, about as large and as long as an ordinary

lead pencil. By tricks, sleight of hand, or enchantments, the witch doctor often produces the real snake (dead) or an artificial one, to prove that his “medicine” has had the desired effect, and to keep up the delusion.

Last week, while hauling stone for the new church, I killed a young cobra. A friend of a near-by witch doctor was helping me, and he begged me to give him the dead serpent. I asked him why he wanted it, and he said, “For medicine.” He called another native who was passing to come and see what he had; and upon seeing that it was a snake, the native became frantic with fear and ran for his life, shouting for help, although we assured him the snake was dead.

These witch doctors have a great influence over the people. It is claimed that they can put a little “medicine” on the end of a bamboo reed, and point it toward an oncoming hailstorm, and it will pass away from the vicinity of the medicated reed.

There are other customs and habits that the Christian native must contend against, such as polygamy, drinking joala (native beer), dipping snuff, and using tobacco in other forms. It is pitiable indeed to see some who are struggling to be free from these bands of the wicked one, but it is a joy to help them by pointing them to the great Deliverer. Six, including the four baptized, have recently given themselves wholly to the Lord, and are rejoicing in their new-found freedom.

I was talking with a man today who is the husband of two wives, and has children by both. A man who has more than one wife is considered superior to those who have but one, so this man is in good repute. He desires to unite with us. Our hearts go out to these dear people as we endeavor to help them on toward the kingdom. But how much wisdom we need in dealing with them! Pray God earnestly that he will help us to know just what to do and how to do it, in order that we may help them in the right way.