A Mission Station Providentially Delivered by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 20, 1914

A Mission Station Providentially Delivered

By W. A. S.

WHILE on furlough from Africa, and having occasion to tell of missionary progress and experiences in Rhodesia and other parts, Elder F. B. Armitage related the following experience of the early days of the work at the Somabula Mission, in Southern Rhodesia:—

I had occasion to make a journey from the new Somabula station which would require several days’ absence. My wife was alone at the station, with only the native orphan children who had accompanied us from the older Solusi Mission. I had started from the station early in the morning.

Toward evening a little boy came running into the tent, where Mrs. Armitage was working, crying, “There is fire in the grass! There is fire in the grass!”

Our mission was located in a valley, and down the valley somewhere a fire had been started and was sweeping toward the station. The season had been dry and the grass was like tinder, standing in places as high as a man’s head. One can imagine how that fire would

look to the mission family, with only the orphan children and Mrs. Armitage and her own little one on the premises. We had been only a short time at the location, and had not had time to make fire guards or provide any precautions, and the situation was indeed desperate.

For a few startled moments Mrs. Armitage watched the on-coming flames, and then to herself she said, “Our Heavenly Father has never failed us yet, and I believe he will not leave us now.” There might have been chance for flight, but there was the mission station with all that it represented of struggle and toil and future fruitfulness in the saving of souls. She turned to the text that had been the deciding word in our entering Africa, and our stay and support in many a trying experience. Again she opened the Book and read the promise: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isa. 41:10.

The assurance came to her heart that she was not left alone, and she said, “Our Father will take care of us once more, I am sure.” Still the fire came leaping on. It was of no use to think of meeting it to fight it, with only the little orphan children to help. It came to within seventy yards of the station, and there it went out in front, the flames dividing and passing by on both sides of the location, joining farther up the valley and sweeping on beyond; and the mission was saved.

That night I saw by the red glow that there was fire in the valley. I hurried homeward with all speed, and there I found to my deepest joy not only my family and the children safe, but the mission preserved as well. All about the mission the grass was dry, but there stood a five-acre plot untouched. The fire had stopped right in the dry grass, and no one could say why, save as we understand that the promises of our Heavenly Father are sure, and that he will not leave us nor forsake us when we trust him in the way of duty.

These experiences of deliverance by special interposition of God’s providence in uncommon emergencies make only more real to the believer the unwearying watch care of the same blessed Providence in the common round of life. For true it is that the angels of the Lord are all about in this world, still ministering to the heirs of salvation. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him.” Ps. 34:7.

W. A. S.