An Appeal From Africa’s West Coast by D. C. BABCOCK

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 25, 1909

An Appeal From Africa’s West Coast

By D. C. BABCOCK

D. C. BABCOCK

Ever since I arrived in this field, the land of darkness, I have been greatly perplexed as to the best methods and means to employ in enlightening these people about the soon-coming King. For a time everything seemed to work against us. But we pressed on until the tide turned, and we could begin to see the hand of God in the work. Several times Satan has tried to hinder us; but each time the Lord has given us the victory, for which we praise his name.

We have now reached the close of another year, and are asked to make estimates of the needs of this field for the year 1909. This request has caused me to look the needs over again, and I almost fear to place before you what seems to me necessary in view of the closing work of this message. No living man or woman connected with this threefold message and keeping pace with its rapid development, can doubt that the work will soon close. Looking at it from that standpoint, as a faithful servant of the Lord let me lay before you the present needs of the West Coast of Africa.

First, let me express to you not only my own thankfulness, but that of the brethren and sisters, for the kindness shown us in providing means to carry forward the work on this West Coast. As the result of the past three years’ work, we have about one hundred Sabbath-keepers, also a growing interest which we can not possibly meet with our present facilities. We have scattered much literature over the West Coast since we came here, and this is working like leaven in the hearts of the people. From northern Nigeria, around the coast to Gambia, we receive letters of inquiry about this truth. Last week I received a letter from a young man in northern Nigeria, a Scandinavian by birth, manager of a large company on the Niger River, telling of the interest he has in the book I sent him some time ago. I met him aboard a steamer last September when I was going down the coast. He speaks seven languages, and is a very bright young man. On this same trip down the coast I met several other managers, and an interest is shown by all of them, and they are writing for more reading-matter. The reading-matter has aroused quite an interest all along the coast. We are sending some into Ivory Coast (belonging to the French government), and an interest is awakened there. I have already spoken of a young man over two hundred miles in the interior, manager of a mission station for the Anglican Church, who is now keeping the Sabbath, and has sent for literature for those interested. He writes me that others are obeying the truth, and urges me to visit them as soon as possible. This young man is now paid by the Anglican Church, but they will undoubtedly dispense with his services in the near future.

As I direct my attention to the mission fields in Europe, in Russia, China, Japan, India, and the islands of the sea, I realize that most of them have a written language, generally spoken by the inhabitants, so that by the medium of the printed page the people may largely be warned; but here in West Africa, where there are between two hundred and three hundred dialects, there is nothing that can truly be called a written language. You can see from this that our work must necessarily be accomplished by personal effort. It is true that reading-matter can be used to good advantage by some, but the masses must be reached otherwise.

The enemy is laying plans to defeat the work of the Lord, and unless we can be ready for immediate action, we shall surely lose much. The faith of Islam is spreading in West Africa like wild-fire, and to-day there is scarcely a hamlet where the people are not awakened in the morning by the priests calling the faithful to worship. Ministers professing Christianity are tinctured with Spiritualism; and former practises of the people while yet heathen are now being carried on by men who are graduates from schools in England, with titles of A. B. and A. M. Nothing but the direct manifestation of the power of God can ever arrest the honest in heart in this dark land; and the power of Satan is so great, that, unless we do quickly what it is our duty to do, it will sweep everything before it.

There are not less than one hundred million souls in this territory. Then consider the border of the Nigerias to the south, the Belgium Kongo district, where sixteen thousand slaves within the past two years have had their right hands cut off, as a punishment for refusing to work, it was claimed, but in reality to prevent an outbreak among them because of brutal treatment. If ever Christianity did anything for a dark land, if ever anything was accomplished for those in heathen countries, let us arise now and do something for this neglected field. I do earnestly appeal for a decided move in West Africa the present year.

I know that this land is called “the white man’s grave.” But when our Heavenly Father said, “Go ye into all the world,” he included West Africa, as much as any other region. I know that in past years the way has seemed dark in this field; but the hand of the Lord has been manifest in caring for the workers, and that is a very strong inducement to make a decided move. I have passed through many trying and sad experiences; but I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that this field must be warned quickly. Will you not hear our appeal for men and means that we may go forward in this mighty conflict?

Freetown, Sierra Leone.