Mantandane Mission, British Central Africa
By S. M. KONIGMACHER
On our return to Mantandane, we found many things needing attention, for the place had been without any white person for several months. The station school had to be started, as well as eleven others in the villages. This was made perplexing by some of our teachers not returning, and we had to supply others. In two cases where the schools were close together, we had one teacher teach both. This plan lessens our expense, and we were also able to start all the schools. Some schoolhouses had to be rebuilt, as they had fallen down. The weather and white ants are very hard on these grass houses, the best usually lasting only four years. Then these schools all had to be visited, the pupils examined, and the teachers advised and strengthened in their work. I used the lantern at six places, to arouse new interest in the school. Then we had to write out Bible outlines for the teachers to follow in their daily Bible lessons and in memorizing Scripture. At one village the hill where the schoolhouse stood was literally in the clouds; and in the morning when I awoke, I found a heavy mist and rain, and a very cold, dreary spot. I went to the teacher’s house at the edge of the village, and found the school assembled in his house, twenty children in a room ten by ten feet. I spoke to them, and asked if they would not help me (without pay) to move the church nearer, where it would be warmer and more convenient. Then I went to the chief, and asked him if he would allow the children to help, and if I might put the church in the village. He at first refused, but afterward consented for me to put it just at the edge, and for the children to help move it. When I returned and told them at the school that the chief said they might help, they all consented; and the next week I went up into the mountain with six men, and we all together moved the school and rebuilt it in about six hours. The teacher tells me forty attend now. We are also trying to open another school near by for those who can not come to Jim’s school at Mpasudala. On my way home we went over to see the head man, and found the people casting lots, which the natives call kwombezaula. They resort to it for everything, and are completely enslaved to this crude trickery. In olden days that terrible, death-dealing rite, the poison drinking, would be ordered by the chief as a result of the lots. The natives are not allowed to do this now, but it is done in secret somewhat. The poison drink (mwaboi) is called for by the chief if he thinks some are guilty of witchcraft. They all drink this poison, and those who die are guilty, while those who live are innocent. The lots consist of a small gourd cup, with a wax finger in the bowl, and a rattle to call the spirits. If the manipulator causes the wax finger to fall so it points to his middle finger, there is witchcraft; if to the little finger, the spirit in question is that of a departed female wishing something; if to the thumb, the spirit of a man; if the wax finger points to the heel of the hand, the sick one will die; or if it stands upright in the cup, the sick one will live. If a child is sick, at once they go to cast the lots; if they appease the departed spirit, the child will live. If the witch-doctor has some reason for it, he will manipulate the thing so there will be a big poison drink. It seems impossible that such simple trickery should hold people with such power. We also took a three weeks’ trip through Portuguese Angoniland, to look for a favorable site to start work in that needy field. We were glad to welcome Elder R. C. Porter again, and receive his good suggestions for the extension of the work. We were also glad to meet the new workers, for surely the work is great and the laborers are few. One of the most encouraging evidences of God’s being with us to finish the work in his own way and at his own time, was the burying in baptism by Elder Porter of seventeen precious individuals, gathered out from darkness by one boy, Peter Bismarck. This boy has been laboring for two years at his own home under persecution, without any financial support from the mission, teaching and leading his friends and brethren into the way of truth. He was not allowed to build a church, so he had the people come into his own house. When Brother Robinson and I were up-country, we examined some, and found them intelligent on points of faith and eager to be baptized. It was decided best for them to go to the mission early and receive added instruction till Elder Porter should come. There was also another rather interesting experience. I had reasons to believe my teacher was catering to the desires of the people instead of boldly proclaiming the truth, when it went against some of their old cherished customs. So I sent another teacher over to take his place. This teacher was teaching two schools, and soon I had a delegation from both villages asking that I give them back their old teacher and take away the new one. They said the new one was cruel and cross, and that they all loved the old one and would all come to school if he came back. I said I would see, and went over the next day. I found the children were doing much better work in school and were much more orderly. I talked to my teacher, and found, as I had expected, that they did not care for the gospel and discipline. This week we celebrated our fourth year in this country, and now start upon our fifth. God is very good to us. Pray for us. I am so thankful for a place in his work.