South Africa by M. C. Sturdevant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

South Africa

By M. C. Sturdevant

SOLUSI MISSION, RHODESIA.—The general work of this mission is onward. Not so many attend church as formerly, because many natives have left the vicinity; yet the spiritual interest is good. The Sabbath-school is doing well, the day-school also; but our numbers are the fewest we have had in the last four years. The government inspector of schools for Southern Rhodesia gave us a three-days’ visit this month, and inspected our school. A letter received from him last night shows, as did also his words while here, that our school meets all the requirements of the government, and even more. The inspector was very much pleased with our manner of doing our work in the school, both mental and industrial. It being a boarding-school, we can hold the children till they can really get something of an education.

Last June I went on a trip very nearly two hundred miles north of Brother W. H. Anderson’s place, beyond the Kafua River, in a new region, among an altogether different people. They are called the Balenji, and speak the Silenji language. The magistrate here says they are quite a mixed people, of a high grade of intelligence. Litata is the paramount chief of eighteen big chiefs. I stayed one week with him at his village, have his favor, and his consent to come and teach his people. A letter from the magistrate of that district, who is a white man, tells me the natives all want me to come and start a school among them. He himself desires me to come, and told me so. I found a beautiful location

in his district, and have his approval of it—a high, healthful place. The administrator of Northwest Rhodesia has refused to give it to us as a grant; but I am not discouraged by this, and expect to see him about it. I have written to-day to ascertain upon what conditions we can get land to start a mission. If we are ever going to establish our work among that people, we must move at once. To me the way has wonderfully opened.

M. C. STURDEVANT.