On the night of October 15 our little church came together for a business meeting for the third quarter, 1914. A careful report of the tithes and offerings was read, giving the names of all who had paid into the treasury during this time. It was found that, out of a membership of forty-four, nineteen had paid nothing, while others had not been so faithful as they might have been. The elder took some time to present the importance of returning to the Lord that which belongs to him. Apparently a deep impression was made upon the minds of all, and we look for a reformation to take place.
BAPTISMAL SCENE AT TSUNGWESI MISSION
The next evening, as the setting sun brought in the hours of the Sabbath, the little church again came together. The house was crowded. After a song, prayer, and a short reading from the Word, the writer examined a class of twenty-four who were to be baptized the next day. Because of certain conditions four were advised to wait a little longer, that a more thorough work of the Spirit of God might be wrought in their hearts.
It was a solemn time. Deep impressions were made. It would have done any one good to hear the reasons given why these poor natives wanted to be baptized. Surely a wonderful work has been accomplished in their lives. Among those to be baptized were eight adults who had come in from near-by kraals. It gives us courage to see the older people take hold. The members of this baptismal class were of a more advanced age than others we have baptized in the past.
Sabbath morning we all came forth to enjoy a full day of feasting with the Lord. Mrs. Sturdevant had been called away for a few days to help a neighbor woman who was very sick with fever, so the work of preparation had to rest upon other members of the mission family. At 10:30 A. M. we all came together for the Sabbath school. The house could not hold the crowd that came. After the usual exercises and study of the lesson, we all retired to the Tsungwesi River, one mile away, to experience the blessings awaiting us there.
In the shade of the trees on the banks of the lonely river we listened to short discourses from the two native teachers, Elijah and Jeal, in which they exhorted all to repent and turn to the Lord while mercy lingers. Hearts were tendered, and a good impression was made upon those who had come to witness the baptismal scene, a company of over two hundred persons. We then went down to the water, where twenty were buried with their Lord in watery graves. Five chiefs were present. One came very near that he might see and hear. His heart was greatly moved as he witnessed one after another confess his belief in the “Great God.” Two were baptized from his kraal, one being his own son, a married man.
As we were coming up out of the water, a headman came to me and thanked me for baptizing his children. Four out of his family of five children have now been baptized at our mission school. It did my heart good to have this heathen man come and thank me for baptizing his children, two boys and two girls. The latter are now married to two of our mission boys.
In the afternoon we all met together again to celebrate the ordinances of the Lord’s house. It was a refreshing season, and we trust a good work has been done for eternity.
The work here is onward. Brother and Sister Jewell have charge of our school, which now numbers over one hundred. Seventy are regular boarding students. Brother Harry Jennings is helping me in the brickmaking and building work. An addition 18 x 20 ft. has been given our dining hall. We are just completing a dormitory, 20 x 40 ft. A new school and a church are also much13needed. The dreadful war in Europe is affecting our country. We are cut short of means to complete our buildings, which are so greatly needed. The time for our planting has now come, and we shall be very busy indeed. But we are all of good courage, and are doing all we can to finish the work in this part of the field.
We greatly desire the prayers of the loved ones in the homeland. Let us press on. The end is in sight. In a little while we shall rest from our labors.
