A Plea for Africa by W. S. HYATT.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 16, 1908

_A Plea for Africa_

By W. S. HYATT.

THE native work at our different missions is very encouraging. I think I can safely say that our missionaries never were able to send in better reports than at the present time, for which we are very thankful. Reports from Nyassaland show that at the Malamulo mission the work is prospering far beyond all former experiences. Then, too, places have been found for the opening of out-schools as fast as they have been able to furnish the necessary teachers.

In Barotseland the Lord has opened the way in a wonderful manner for the starting of several more of these out-schools. It seems as if our only limit to the work is the limited number of workers to take the oversight of the work and carry it forward. We are encouraged to press on, as it is evident that the Lord has gone out before us, and is opening many doors for us to enter.

At the Solusi Mission there has been quite an influx of new students, and there are several new openings for our native teachers to take up work at the various kraals. The government sent a school inspector to the mission to examine into our work there. He remained two days, and was well pleased with what he saw. He ranked our mission school among the very best, and said the government would be pleased to give us a grant to assist in training the natives in the manner that we are doing. They feel that they can well afford to assist in training the native when he is being taught not only to read but to labor intelligently, for this makes him more useful, and lifts him to a higher plane of civilization. While this is their ideal for the native, I am thankful to say that we have one much higher for him.

Brother W. C. Walston writes from the Somabula Mission that they are very much encouraged by the large number that are applying for admission into their school. It shows that there is a growing interest, and a desire to receive an education. This desire on the part of the native gives us the opportunity to teach him the truths of the gospel. The school at this mission was never so large as at the present time, and the openings for out-schools require all the teaching force that the mission can spare for this work. The Sabbath afternoon meetings at the kraals are very encouraging because of the number who are attending, and the interest manifested by them.

While the work is onward, the demands for help are becoming greater all the time. We are thankful for letters received from the Mission Board, stating that several persons will soon be on the way to Africa. All these are needed, and more too, because it has been a long time since the mission work in this field has had much help in the way of new workers. We were very glad to welcome Elder E. R. Williams and family, and we trust that their coming may be a blessing to the work in this field.

The superintendents of the Nyassaland, the Barotseland, and the Solusi Missions are each calling for a man and his wife to join them in their work. I am thankful that there seems to be help in sight to supply these missions with the assistance they so much need. But we see no help for the Basutoland Mission, nor for the opening of the work in Zululand. These are two of the most important fields in South Africa. Men of education and talent have gone to these fields and have built up schools from which well-educated natives are being sent out to labor for their people. If our work is to succeed in these fields, we need men well qualified to go there and be missionaries to both white and black. Some of our best talent is needed, and needed badly, for these two neglected fields.

Another of our workers has fallen at her post of duty. The loss of Sister Anderson will be greatly felt in Barotseland. We now invite others to take up the task which she bore so faithfully, but now has laid down. Surely our Father has men and women in preparation to fill the many openings he has made for us. The work in Africa needs the prayers and support of our brethren in the home land. The cause of God is calling for strong men to lead out in the work in these great fields that the banner of truth may be lifted higher and higher before the many tongues and peoples of Africa. May the Lord send us men who will come to this land and work for souls because they are constrained to do so by the love of Christ.

W. S. HYATT.