At a Basuto Baptism by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1915

At a Basuto Baptism

By W. A. S.

ON Sunday, eight more souls were baptized at the Emmanuel Mission, by Elder W. H. Anderson, of the Barotseland Mission, who visited this Basuto station with me. A large concourse of people gathered from kraals far and near.

This step, as all understood, meant a definite break with the old Basuto religion. One candidate was Matsiti, the first Sabbath keeper at this mission. Her story is worth telling, but too long for this note. Through much tribulation, she has kept the faith, and is now free to go publicly forward. Hers is really a beautiful face—“always smiling,” as the workers tell me.

Another candidate was young Muso, who hopes to become a teacher as he grows up. His father was there to see him take the step.

“Is it all right?” the father was asked by Brother H. C. Olmstead.

“Yes,” was the reply of the heathen parent; “I am glad to have Muso go in this way.”

So out of the darkness they come, one of a family, two of a kraal, and every true believer is a witness to the power that actually changes the life.

Surrounded by the heathen of their own kraals, these eight were buried with their Lord in baptism.

As I watched their faces lighted up with joy, and watched the faces of their heathen friends gathered about, I marveled at the courage of these Basuto believers. The step was such a long one away from their past, and those walking this new way are so few! But they have the Word of God abiding in them, and nothing daunted, nothing ashamed, they break with the old life and joyfully put on the new, even though the followers of the new way are but few.

I felt that I was watching transformed souls who gloried in the spirit of the great apostle who said long ago, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”

W. A. S.

Leribe, Basutoland.