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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 52.

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West Africa

By D. C. BABCOCK

SEPTEMBER 1, I left Freetown to visit Cape Coast and other places along the Gold Coast. We reached Cape Coast on the Sabbath, just as the sun was setting, September 5, and were soon carried ashore by small boats. Brother C. A. Ackah met me about eight o'clock that same evening, and Brother J. D. Hayford came early next morning. We spent most of the day in counsel, considering the needs of the cause on the Gold Coast. Brother Ackah has been carrying on school work in Cape Coast the past year, and has had some very interesting experiences.
On Monday morning fourteen young men, from eight different tribes, came to talk over the educational work. We spent several hours together, and personally it was a great blessing to my own soul.
Who can doubt that we are on the very verge of eternity, when we see the Spirit of God working in the hearts of these young men, representing eight different languages, and all coming at one time to make a plea for training, that they may carry this last message to their heathen homes? Can we say no to them, and thus deny our Saviour?
It was most interesting to note how each one's attention had been called to Brother Ackah's school at Cape Coast. I was especially impressed with one young man who had influenced several to attend the school. He was from the Ashanti tribe, one of the most hostile tribes in West Africa. The Lord has surely used him.
Just recently I received a good letter from these young men, reminding me of their earnest desire to come soon and prepare for the work. To bring them to Freetown and give them a fitting-up for the work of the Lord, means an outlay of means. To bring, say, ten of them to Freetown will cost about one hundred fifty dollars. Then they must be cared for.
On account of the quarantine against the bubonic plague, I was unable to meet the company at Kickman. Brother Ackah gives a very encouraging report of the work at that place. Thirty-four have taken their stand for the Sabbath and kindred truths. Brother Hayford writes me that another young man, a schoolmaster from the Wesleyans, has accepted the message, and will probably enter the school work at Kickman.
As the steamer on which I took passage was a freight boat, I landed at Sekondi, and had a good visit with Brother Grant and family. September 10 I sailed from Sekondi, for Sierra Leone. On Monday morning we landed at Freetown, and found all well.
Mrs. French and Mrs. Babcock are caring for the school, while Professor French and myself are looking after the new school building and church matters in Freetown. The Lord is abundantly blessing in the work.
Sabbath and Sunday, September 26, 27, Mrs. Babcock and I spent at Waterloo. There was a full attendance of our people, and some not of our faith were also present. We celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house, and it was a time of refreshing. We met in an “upper room.” We learned afterward that many persons were outside, listening, and went away deeply impressed.
The company at Waterloo is gaining a deep experience, and the Lord is blessing the efforts of Brother C. E. F. Thompson.
October 3, 4, the quarterly meeting services were held with the Freetown church. Never can this meeting be forgotten. The attendance was the largest we have ever had on the Sabbath, and yet all our people were not permitted to attend. More than forty took part in the social meeting, and thirty-five participated in the ordinances. Among those in attendance at this meeting were two that accepted the message at Aberdeen, where Brother and Sister R. P. Dauphin are working. Another interesting case is that of a young man who has charge of a mission two hundred fifty miles in the hinterland. His mother is a member of our church, and in the month of June he made a visit home. She was very anxious about him, and prayed earnestly that he might see the truth. Her prayers were answered. He came and spent several hours with me, and returned to his field under deep conviction. Just recently his mother received a good letter, saying he had already begun keeping the Sabbath, and others were with him. He will resign his present position January 1, and cast his lot with this message. He has a good education, and speaks the Mendi language, and with a few months' training will be ready for the work.
Several are preparing for baptism in the near future. Surely God's Spirit is going out before his people. While we have many perplexities, yet our courage is good, and we are preparing for the finishing of the work in West Africa.
D. C. BABCOCK.