South Africa by M. C. STURDEVANT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 15, 1909

South Africa

By M. C. STURDEVANT

M. C. STURDEVANT

Since my last report, I have attended the good union conference meeting at the Cape. This was an excellent meeting, and one that brought much courage and strength to the workers gathered from different parts of South Africa. Personally, it was a great help to me.

Though we have seen reverses and trial the past season here at the Solusi Mission, yet the work is progressing, and God is gathering out a people. We hope to have another class of nine enlightened souls ready for baptism in June, when we expect to have Elder and Sister R. C. Porter with us. A testing time seems to have been upon our mission of late, and many who before have been trusting in their teachers' faith and courage have had to learn to trust in a power beyond the arm of flesh. Some have almost fainted, but we believe this test will finally prove a benefit in our work here. Sometime they must be tried and must learn to stand alone, and I believe it well for the trial to come when they can have the counsel of godly teachers to support them. So we are still of good cheer and courage in our work.

As for our school work, our numbers are less than for years in the past. Yet those who are here are progressing, and the teachers are certainly doing all in their power to make the school what it should be.

Our out-schools are doing much better this year. Eight native teachers are in charge of five stations, and two are teaching in the home school. In one of our schools especially, the spiritual interest is high.

We are now in the midst of the harvest. Our crops are not heavy, but they are fair, and we shall have an abundance of food. Drought at the first, then too much rain at the last, cut the corn crop much shorter than we at first thought. Our herd of cattle is doing well, and brings us a good profit.

Because of the heavy rains the latter part of the season, much fever has been our lot, mostly among the natives. With the exception of Brother H. C. Olmstead, none of the white workers have been

sick. Brother Olmstead has had some light attacks, but, we are thankful to say, none serious as yet. The wife of one of our native teachers was buried the fifth instant. And two days ago two natives brought to our mission a white man, a Jewish trader, who had been in the veld with the fever, and was almost dead. We took him into the house, and did all we knew how for him; but in thirty hours his life went from him, and while I am writing now, his body is lying in the box we made for him, waiting for the arrival of the district surgeon, to give us authority to bury him. And so it goes daily. We are called out to wait on the sick and dying. We long ago learned that our rest is not here. But if only we may enjoy the rest that awaits the people of God, we shall be well repaid.

We are trusting in the prayers of the dear ones in the home land. Ever remember, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Our prayers also go up with yours for the Father's blessings upon the work in the home fields and in other countries. Let us be strong in faith, and press the battle to the very gates; for soon “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” For this we earnestly pray.

Bulawayo.