The Kolo and Maranatha Missions by W. S. HYATT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 21, 1909

The Kolo and Maranatha Missions

By W. S. HYATT

W. S. HYATT

Early in September, in company with M. E. Emmerson and wife and my daughter, I left Cape Town for the Kolo Mission, in Basutoland. We were two days by rail and one by wagon in reaching the mission.

The mission is a comfortable, homelike spot, located on the western slope of Mt. Kolo. To the west is a beautiful, undulating plain extending far over into the Orange River Colony, while to the north is a large range called the Maluti Mountains.

The mission is well provided with fruit, and has an abundance of good mountain water. Two horses and a new American wagon are a great help to the workers as they travel from place to place in their labors for the people, or scatter literature, which is read with deep interest by many of the natives.

I remained one month with Brother and Sister Emmerson, and did all I could to help them get started in their new field, which is a vast one. There are over two hundred fifty thousand Basutos, and perhaps no tribe in South Africa is further advanced, or comes so near having a government conducted on civilized methods. We are sure that zeal and consecration, with the blessing of the Lord, will yield an abundance of fruit in that country.

Brother H. C. Olmstead was compelled to leave Barotseland on account of the climate, so we invited him to assist Brother Emmerson for a time. Basutoland being a healthful place, he could help in the work, and regain his health at the same time. We trust that the blessing of the Lord will attend the labors of these brethren as they enter upon the great work before them.

October 4 I left Kolo, and started for the Maranatha Mission, to assist in the dedication of the church which was recently completed. For good reasons the dedication was postponed two weeks, so Elder F. B. Armitage and I took the covered spring wagon and six bullocks, and started out on a trip among the natives. Our plan was to visit, scatter literature, and hold magic lantern lectures.

We found openings in abundance, and we were well pleased with the results of our effort. At one place we were granted the use of a church that would seat fully three hundred persons. The native minister who was in charge asked me if I remembered him, and I replied that I did not. He said that he met me in Cape Town about nine years ago. He told his people that the way we had treated him was quite different from the way white people usually treat a native. He urged his people to listen to what we had to say to them.

It seemed strange that we should meet the results of our influence after so many years, and so far away. The native never forgets, and he is always searching for what he considers to be true Christianity. We held four services with the people, and had good congregations. Many were deeply impressed with the truth. Brother Moko had labored there before, and our efforts strengthened his work, and many said they were sure that we told them the truth. Brother Moko writes that many of these people are now under deep conviction as the result of our labors in that vicinity.

The dedication at Maranatha was a profitable occasion for that mission. The church is built of stone, and is twenty-four by thirty-six feet. Considerable interest was shown in our work by the European farmers living near. The building was crowded with both white and native people, who listened eagerly as we told them of our work and the purpose for which this mission was located among them. In the evening we conducted a successful lantern service. The Bible scenes deeply impress the native mind. Many of them think that the gospel story is only a white man's lie.

We arrived at the Cape, November 2, and went directly to the docks to meet Elder R. C. Porter and wife. Their boat from Australia arrived that morning, and we were thankful to God that he had given his faithful workers a safe journey, and had sent them to assist in the work. We believe that heaven's blessing will crown their labors with success.

Kenilworth, Cape.