On the Altar of Africa

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

On the Altar of Africa

Africa lay shrouded in night for long centuries. Its millions sat “in darkness and the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,” without a knowledge of God, without a written language. At last the “time of the end” came; then, lo, suddenly the light broke in.

Over three hundred explorers have laid down their lives to open Africa. How many missionaries have sacrificed their lives for Africa can not be told, but seven societies alone have lost nearly two hundred workers.

To a great missionary conference in London there came a message from Africa, flashed thousands of miles under the sea, bearing only the words, “Africa Waiting.” That brief message stirred to action as no multiplied words could have done.

“They are waiting in the wild, Sick and weary and defiled, And the Saviour’s healing word They have never, never heard; Ever hungry and unfed, Left without the living Bread— Waiting! Waiting!”

Africa is waiting, but it will cost sacrifice to really respond. Yet think of the bright story of sacrifice in the opening of Africa,—of Livingstone, dying upon his knees at Ilala, praying for the land that he loved; of Hannington, laying down his life at the assassin’s feet, in order that the way into Uganda might be opened; of Wilmott Brooke, dying at the gates of Hausaland, the only missionary among thirty millions, and crying out, “The people are too many for me.”

And we think also of our own missionaries who have loved not their lives unto the death in our short campaign for Africa. As the young people of our first Matabele station see the little cemetery at Solusi, they say, “These white missionaries must have loved the African, for they gave their lives to bring us the light.” And there are still other graves in our Africa.

MISSIONARY'S HOME AT OUR MAIN BAROTSELAND STATION

We are called upon to give money to finish God’s work for Africa as for all the world; but some must give far more precious gifts than gold and silver. When the cable brought word of the death of Elder F. L. Mead, of Matabeleland, the message was sent to the aged mother that her only son had laid down his life for Africa. By divine grace she was able to return answer from the old New Hampshire home:—

“My heart aches for the dear ones left there, and for the work he loved so much. But God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, and he cheers and comforts me with the precious promises of his Word. I felt it when they went away; but they felt it duty to go, and I would not hold them. I laid my sacrifice on the altar of Africa then, and I have never taken it back, and I hope I never shall. ‘The Lord liveth; and blessed be my Rock.’ I know he can give beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning; for he has done it for me, and he can do it again in his own time and way.”

In that spirit the work will soon be done. In our mission training-schools young Africans, redeemed from heathenism, are praying God to help them “to learn quick,” so that they may go out among the tribes and tongues with this message of Christ’s soon coming.

A young African in one of our schools addresses this appeal in broken English to our churches in more favored lands:— “Did you read your Bibles in Daniel and Revelation? Do you see Jesus coming in these two books? Why not leave your homes and go out telling Jesus is coming soon? O, my people, my people! they shall perish in their sin if you do not leave your home. My heart is sick because I have not seen people going over Africa to tell people Jesus coming soon.”

Africa’s hundred eighty millions are waiting for the advent message which John, in vision, saw flying in these last days to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Who will go? Who will give? Who will pray?