Basutoland, Africa

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 15, 1910

Basutoland, Africa

WRITING regarding the opening of a new mission in northern Basutoland, Brother M. E. Emmerson says:—

“You will be glad to learn that, after some considerable delay in getting the work started in north Basutoland, a suitable site has been given, and plans for buildings are being perfected; in fact, the building work has started.

“In spite of the opposition to granting Seventh-day Adventists a mission home in north Basutoland, the Spirit of God so worked upon the hearts of chiefs and people that all said against us turned out for us. We have been given about twelve and one-half morgens [a morgen is a little over two acres] of well-watered land, where the buildings will be erected, and the promise of as much land as we need to put our work on a successful basis.

“We all feel to praise God for his kind watch-care that has been over the work and the workers in north Basutoland. We are greatly encouraged as we see the prospects for future work in this region.

“Meetings in the village near the mission property have been started with a fair attendance and good attention. These meetings are held each Sabbath and Sunday. We are anxiously looking forward to having a good school, and also to seeing the book work developed.

“We were thankful to have an opportunity of demonstrating our methods of caring for the sick. The results were good, and had a favorable influence for our work. We hope to make this feature prominent.

“When presenting your supplications to the throne of grace, remember the work and the workers in Basutoland.”

As an illustration of how the Lord may turn into a blessing what is designed as opposition by the enemies of the truth, Brother H. C. Olmstead mentions the following incident:—

“The Basutoland roads were not made for cycling, but circumstances seem to make it necessary here. The opposing element (white) tried to make the best use of this by saying we were not missionaries, and that we must be very poor to walk, or ride a bicycle. In this ridicule they were quite free, even before Brother Kalaka, our native teacher. I must admit that when on the road I did not enjoy meeting them,—they in their fine carts, or mounted on good horses with native attendants, and I with the sweat running off my face, and covered with dust, pushing the bicycle over a bad road.

These sarcastic remarks reached Chief Jonathan, but did not produce the effect intended. A man brought a horse to me, and said, ‘Chief Jonathan told me to bring this horse to you and leave it.’ Chief Levi said Jonathan told him that he had sent a horse for us to use, as it was not good to always ride a bicycle.

“My mind goes to the seventy-third psalm: ‘Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. . . . But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.’”