South Africa by W. S. HYATT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 26, 1908

South Africa

By W. S. HYATT

The Maranatha Mission

OUR first native mission in this country was established 1,350 miles north of Cape Town. Since that time our missionaries have had their eyes turned toward the interior of Africa rather than to the many tribes and millions of natives farther south. It was not till eighteen months ago that we opened work in the Cape Colony. There are 1,250,000 natives in this colony, which is larger than the great State of Texas. To-day we have one little mission in this vast territory, and we are just beginning work for the people.

The Maranatha Mission is in the south-eastern part of the Colony, twenty-five miles from Grahamstown. From the hilltop above the mission are to be seen the blue waters of the Indian Ocean stretching out to the north and south for many miles. It is a healthful location, as there are none of those deadly fevers that are so common farther up-country. Pineapples, bananas, peaches, oranges, and other fruits are plentiful. The country is better adapted to stock growing than to the raising of grain; but maize, oats, and vegetables grow very well. Ostrich farming is quite common in this section.

There are two tribes, the Kaffir or Amaxosa, and Fingoes, in this part of the Colony. Only a few miles from the mission, and in sight of it is a native location. Their beehive-shaped huts, or houses, if you can call them such, are dotted along the banks of the Fish River; also many families are located on adjoining farms. There are no missions near, and but little is being done for the people except by native evangelists and teachers. We hope to be able to accomplish a good work as the natives seem glad that we have come among them to teach them the Bible.

Elder F. B. Armitage is the superintendent of this mission. He was compelled to leave Matabeleland on account of the health of his little daughter. To his many friends I would say that his address is now Trumpeter's Drift, via Grahamstown, South Africa. The family are now enjoying good health, and are hard at work getting their new mission into running order. As helpers he has a young lady teacher, a native brother, and some of the native children whom they adopted several years ago. This little band is attracting the attention of the natives about them, and the outlook seems to be good for accomplishing something.

The mission has a magic lantern and a few slides on both Old and New Testament subjects. They are greatly in need of slides on the signs of the times and the prophecies. The lantern will draw large numbers of natives, and is a great aid in telling them the 'old, old story.' The views help them to form correct ideas of things mentioned in the Scriptures. We believe that we should use every legitimate means possible to open the way to reach these poor, benighted people; and none are more effective than music and lantern views.

Richard Moko, a native brother, has been traveling about this colony doing the work of a colporteur and holding Bible readings with the people. Many of them are deeply stirred by the truths for this time. Truly the harvest is great, but the laborers are few in this great field. Never was there a time in the history of our work when we were in such great need of consecrated men and women. Our constant prayer is that the Lord of the harvest will place the burden of this work upon his children, and send such into this work as he can use to his glory and for the salvation of souls.

W. S. HYATT.