Experiences in West Africa by D. C. Babcock

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

Experiences in West Africa

By D. C. Babcock

[The following experiences pertaining to the West African field were related before the General Conference June 1, by Elder D. C. Babcock. This article was not printed in the Bulletin.]

I WANT to say to you this morning that the hand of our Lord is over the work in West Africa, and our Father is able and sufficient to bring good out of every trying circumstance that comes in the way of his children.

Before I refer to the experiences we have had as a people, I want to tell you something about the opening of mission work on this coast. Before David Livingstone ever started for the heart of Africa, before Henry M. Stanley made his tour through the jungles of Africa, mission work had been started on the West Coast. Some young men of the Susu people located in this section found their way to England, and they aroused an interest among the English-speaking people in regard to mission work all along that coast. The English Church made an appeal for missionaries to go to the West Coast of Africa, to open up the work among the natives; but no one could be found in all England who was willing to risk his life to go to that dark land, where it seemed almost impossible for a white man to live.

Time passed, and they met entire failure. So they sent over to Germany, the home of the Reformation, and they appealed to one of the mission schools there for young men who were willing to go to the West Coast of Africa, and open the work. As the principal of the school presented the letter to the students in the mission, three young men offered their lives for the work. At once they were taken to England, and by the assistance of the young men who had come from this section of the country, these three young men learned something of the language of the Susu people, and the time came for them to start on their journey. This was more than one hundred years ago, and traveling in those days was not so rapid as it is now.

A vessel was at last prepared to sail for the West Coast, and these young men found passage. They placed all their baggage aboard, and the vessel lay in the harbor for some days waiting for other ships to come down from Dover to join them in the expedition. After spending several days aboard the vessel, the young men decided to go ashore and get some things they had forgotten. While they were gone, the vessels from Dover came in sight, and the vessel on which these young men were to sail hoisted sail, and set out to sea. They ran to the shore as quickly as possible, and arranged for a small boat to start and if possible overtake the vessel; but a heavy storm arose, and they were compelled to return. But the storm was so severe the vessels were also compelled to return, and again cast anchor; so the young men were permitted to go on to Africa. Whose hand was in this?—God's surely. I could relate the interesting incidents in connection with their experiences, but I must hasten to the experiences Seventh-day Adventists have had.

You remember that several years ago Elder Sanford went with a party to the Gold Coast. Quite an interest was created, but they were permitted to remain only a short time. They came down with the fever, and returned. For months Brother Sanford was unable to do any work.

Next Elder D. U. Hale, who is here at this meeting, was sent to the West Coast. He also came down with the fever, and after battling with the disease for some time, he returned home. Later, he responded to another call, and again came down with the fever. Our people, therefore, became almost discouraged in regard to the work on the West Coast. But do you believe God wanted us to give up the work there?—No! These souls were to be warned.

We have spent thousands of dollars upon the West Coast of Africa. For a time it seemed that the work would all go to pieces, but I believe, brethren, that we should quicken our steps, that we should consider the marvelous openings in these mission fields. God cares for his workers, and he will open the work in a marvelous way.

Now I do not believe that it is necessarily because of my strong constitution that I have endured the work in that field, for God's work is not dependent upon the strength of men. And while I might present before you some things concerning our treatment of disease, I want to tell you that that is not the reason we have been protected upon the West Coast of Africa. The time has come for the opening of the work on the West Coast of Africa, and our Heavenly Father's protecting hand is over the work. Our Father is able to give health to his laborers in all parts of this dark world.

We have with us Professor French. When I saw him, I felt a little sad—a

tall, slim young man, rather pale of complexion. I did not think him able to be a missionary for such a country. But the hand of God is with Professor French, and I believe the Lord is ready and willing to care for any of us as we place ourselves in his hands, as we go to these dark and trying lands.

When I left these grounds four years ago, my health was not so good as our Mission Board thought it was; but I did not tell them. And I do not care to speak of that this morning, though I went to West Africa in not the very best condition. When we landed, we looked the ground over. I visited different points along the West Coast, and it seemed to me that Freetown, Sierra Leone, called “the white man's grave,” had the best surroundings on all the West Coast of Africa, so far as health was concerned.

The Lord has given us a good supply of fresh water. There are ranges of high mountains, or mountain peaks, along the seashore by Sierra Leone. With a good harbor, with a railway extending into the hinterland, with the mountain ranges, it seems to me that we might establish our work there better than at almost any other point on the West Coast.

I remember that Brother Spicer was quite anxious for me to go down into this section here [pointing to the map] among the Hassa people, and open up the work there; but I felt, after looking the territory over, that it would be far better for us to stop in Sierra Leone.

We arrived there about Oct. 1, 1905. As we went ashore, it seemed to me like another world. All kinds of garments—when any were worn—were seen upon the people. Everything was strange; but we soon found lodging in a hotel, and in a short time Mrs. Babcock and I began canvassing. She started in one part of the city, and I in another. We canvassed as best we might, and held a few little meetings in our home; but in October I was taken with fever, and for four months and a half that fever was just as regular as your clock, and I do not know but more so. At a certain time in the day, the fever was there. I used every means possible to restore health, as I had in South America under like circumstances; but it seemed to no avail, and I kept going down, getting weaker and weaker. I used to look at people on the street, and say to my wife, “Do you think I will ever be able to get out on the street again?” The Mission Board wrote to us, and they encouraged us as much as possible. I remember especially a letter that I received from Brother Evans. He wrote me like this: “Brother Babcock, I hardly think it is wisdom”—I can not give the exact words, but it was something like this—“for us to spend money on the West Coast of Africa, and put up a mission building, unless you are sure that you can stand the climate.”

Well, now, how was I to find out whether I could stand the climate? I wrote to him I thought it was good policy, if, after a few years, I found I could endure the climate—it would be an excellent thing then to build a mission house; but if not, certainly it would not be a wise thing to do so. If they sent out the money, and put up a mission house, and in a short time I should die, they would say that it was a mistake; and if I should happen to live, they would say it was just the thing to do.

The next mail brought us a thousand dollars. I believed that God would protect us. I knew that over $20,000 had been spent by our people on the West Coast of Africa. I knew that some of our dear people had given their lives, and that others had had to return. I said to my wife, “If God will only keep us, we will remain right here, and open the work on the West Coast of Africa, regardless of all the efforts of Satan to destroy our lives.” When that decision was fully reached, we could see the hand of God in every move that we made. From that time to the present, I have seen the mighty working of the power of God as I never witnessed it before in my life. And, brethren, I know this, that if I had remained in the home land, I would never have known one half about the power of our God that I know to-day. If you want to know something concerning the keeping power of God, if you want to know something concerning his power to spread his work in the dark, heathen lands, go to Africa, and you will have an opportunity.

At first it seemed like a mountain of perplexities standing before us. In fact, everything we met was discouragement. I had visited quite a number of ministers. I remember one experience that my wife had one day when she went out visiting. A missionary took her to the home of one of the ministers, and he began to ask her in regard to our work, and she explained our mission, the keeping of the Sabbath, and the different points of our faith. “Well,” he said, “my good sister, we are glad to have missionaries come to West Africa, but I want to say to you that Seventh-day Adventists can not establish their work on this coast. The people will never hear them.”

That sentiment we heard repeated over and over again. In fact, it seemed to us, from all outward appearances, that we could never get the work started there. But, as I stated, when we made the decision that, regardless of all the workings of Satan, we would remain and start the work, God blessed every effort put forth.

It took us about six months after I got over the fever to get our mission station established. At the close of 1906, we were ready to open the work for the people; and we pitched our tent. As I looked over this congregation the other day, and saw so many white faces, I felt that I was almost out of my place. I have longed to see a congregation of black faces. Since coming to America, I have received letters from home which cause me to long all the more to get back. I do not think that a missionary has come to this Conference who has not given you the idea that he is anxious to get back. They are all ready to go back.

We pitched our tent, and had it well lighted. The space was well lighted all around for a distance of fifty or one hundred feet, so that the print in our Bibles could be easily read.

Before we pitched our tent, we were told, “You never can hold a tent-meeting here; they will tear your tent down.” But from the time we began our meetings in January, 1907, until the tenth of March, we held just as quiet meetings as have been held in this large tent. Never, in all that experience, did I have to tell an individual to keep quiet. Our tent was set on a cross-street, on a good lot. The streets there are not paved as you have them here, but they are grassy, with the exception of a narrow strip along the center, where the people walk.

From about six o'clock in the evening the people began to come to meeting, long before the hour of service. They were crowding all around the outside of the tent. I do not think we held a meeting the six weeks with less than six hundred in attendance, and many times the congregations were much larger. The truth took hold of hearts, and at the close we organized a church of 31 members. Many others decided to obey the truth. I shall never forget this experience. City and government officials and ministers were in attendance. And I believe that if we treat the ministers as we ought to treat them under such circumstances, we shall not meet the opposition that we have to meet many times. I visited different ministers, and I want to say to you that the kindest feelings exist between the ministers and myself.

Certainly they are opposed to our work, but Cannon Cole, of the cathedral, is one of the warmest friends we have in Freetown.

The Lord blessed the effort. We built a church house. Our brethren in America helped us some, but we raised more than a thousand dollars on the West Coast to put into this building. The papers were open to us, and many editorials favorable to our work were printed.

Soon we went to other villages, and our work opened up there in a marvelous way. The work also began further down the coast, and we have more than 40 Sabbath-keepers who have come out in the last two years. We have now on the West Coast about 150 Sabbath-keepers. And they are Seventh-day Adventists in the strictest sense.

If ever encouragement came to us, it was when Brother and Sister French arrived. They reached there on Tuesday. Wednesday night is our regular prayer-meeting night. These prayer-meetings are not attended by simply a few, but you will find the entire church present. And not only the entire church, but an extra little room is crowded with people. I believe that since the organization of the church, more people have accepted the Sabbath from the influence of that prayer-meeting than from all the sermons we have preached. Often in that prayer-meeting service, individuals have arisen and told of their convictions, although they had never attended a Sabbath meeting, and then and there have made their decision for the truth.

When Professor French went into the church, and heard the testimonies given, and the expressions of thankfulness on the part of our people for his arrival, after meeting he said, “Brother Babcock, I wish that our churches in America stood where this company stands.” God has marvelously worked upon their hearts.

When you go into a heathen land, you can not convert people to this truth merely mentally. There must be a power behind it, and that is where the glorious experience comes in. We find ourselves confronted with heathenism on every hand, but we must go to the mountain tops with our Saviour, and there we must plead with him. I have gone there and asked him for certain results, and, thank

the Lord, I have seen my prayer answered. I have seen precious souls gathered in, that it would seem almost impossible to reach. Our church in Freetown numbers about 60, but that does not include all the Sabbath-keepers.

Now a few words about the openings and some strange experiences we have met. Back from Freetown about twenty miles is a village called Waterloo, of about 3,000 inhabitants. Three years before I went there, a man by the name of Brown, a native of West Africa, went up and down the streets preaching, telling them that a people was coming to West Africa who would give them God's eternal truth, and that they would preach the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The people thought he was a fanatic, but he seemed desperately in earnest. He soon died. Just three years from that time our work was opened in Waterloo. Then the people said, “Here is a fulfilment of the statements of Brown.” Mr. Brown was a native of West Africa.

There are many openings all along the coast; but I want to speak of a tribe away in the Northwest. I had heard of this people before we ever opened up the work there. I heard of a tribe that kept the Sabbath, but I hardly thought it was true. It seemed unreasonable to me. But after we organized a church in Freetown, a brother accepted the truth who told me of this same tribe. He gave his experience working among them, in our missionary meeting. He said that he thought it very strange, and he laughed at them while he was there. He said he saw individuals offered a pound to carry a message to a certain place and start on Saturday, but it was impossible to induce them to make a trip on Saturday.

Now do not get the impression that these people are Christians. They know nothing about Christ, but there is a tradition that is carried down regarding the Sabbath all through the history of that people. It is wonderful to think of the traditions that are kept among that class of people. Down here on the Gold Coast,—and I might read to you from their history,—the Fantees, the Shantees, and many other tribes call God Nyan Kopon Kwamina,—God of the Saturday. Now why did they give God that name? A boy that is born on Saturday is called Kwamina. It matters not what day of the week a child is born, he is named according to that day. That is always a high day for that individual. So now they tell us that as God rested on the seventh day from all his works, therefore God must have come into existence on the seventh day, so they call him the God of Saturday. The history of creation has been kept among this people by tradition. For instance, on Tuesday, you can not persuade these men to go fishing. Why? When did God bring the waters into one place?—On the third day. I might relate here many instances of this kind. You can not persuade them to violate the traditions that have been brought down to them through the ages.

I might tell you something of a trip that I took last March. I was anxious to visit the hinterland before attending this Conference. I traveled by train 136 miles, and it took me 12 hours to make that part of the journey. Then I took my bicycle, and started out through the jungles of West Africa, hoping to gain a point near the line between Liberia and Sierra Leone. But I was taken sick. I found that the black water fever was upon me. The fever continued to increase. I was among natives, and could scarcely find an individual who could speak English. I became so weak that I could walk only a few steps, then would have to lie down and rest. I continued my journey, however, till in the hot part of the day I came to a village. In these villages they have built lodges, and in these they swing their hammocks. I asked them to give me a hammock, and to bring me some water. Of this I drank freely. But I knew that disease was taking hold of me, and all I could do was to call on my Heavenly Father. I told him all about it.

After a time I arose from the hammock, and started on, not knowing that I was coming to a stream of water. However, we had gone only a few rods when we reached a stream of clear, cold water. I crossed on a canoe with some natives, then I thought of taking a cold bath, to reduce my fever. I went out into the river and sat down on a big stone, and drank freely of the water. I suppose I remained in the water half or three quarters of an hour. I then came out and dressed myself, and felt much better. I was so weak I could scarcely go, but I continued my journey farther into the interior. I would walk and lie down, then walk and lie down. When I came to the top of the hill, I came to a village, and I went into another hammock, and decided that it was impossible for me to reach the point that I wanted to reach. Presently the chief came in and spoke to me. I shook hands with him. He invited me over to his place, and the Lord compelled me to stay there for two days. In those two days, as the influence of this message was brought to bear on him, his heart was opened. He said to me, “Here are my sons, here is land; and when you are ready to establish your mission here, I am ready to build you a good, substantial building that you may begin your work in my village.” I praised the Lord for this.

I sent a messenger to the man that I was anxious to meet, and he came thirty-six miles to see me. That night at eight o'clock I started for home in a hammock, and was carried thirty-five miles that night, and reached there the following Friday.

The hand of God has been with us, in West Africa, and for it we praise his holy name.