Progress in South Africa by W. B. WHITE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 17, 1915

Progress in South Africa

By W. B. WHITE

W. B. WHITE

THE work is onward in this field, and we have much to encourage us. At last the great drought which has pressed us so heavily for three years seems to be broken, and plenty of rain is falling in all parts of the country. As a consequence, crops are good and grazing was never better. In Rhodesia an overabundance of rain has fallen, retarding both the planting and the cultivating of crops; but more settled conditions now prevail, and a good average crop is expected. Some tell us that with an abundance of rain usually comes plenty of fever, but so far all our stations are quite free from this disease, and we are hoping and praying that we may be kept from its ravages.

Never in the history of our mission work have so many students been in our mission schools. They are coming in such numbers that we hardly know what to do with them, and have been obliged to turn some away, not being able to accommodate them. Calls are coming to us to enter new fields and open new schools, but not much new work is contemplated at present on account of the unsettled conditions in the world. When these calls come, however, it is very hard to be unable to respond because of a lack of men and means; but God knows best, and we must wait his time and watch for his opening providences.

As we have but few workers in this field to carry the truth to the thousands of our white population, we are now endeavoring to do an evangelizing work with our English and Dutch papers, the Sentinel and De Wachter, the last named being a translation of the former. From a few hundred yearly subscriptions, which we had a few weeks ago, the list has now grown to over three thousand, and is rapidly mounting upward. Agents are having splendid success in taking subscriptions from door to door; and as these papers go forth to the people, many of whom live in remote regions, far away from towns and cities, they are creating an interest in many minds, and a desire to hear more of the truth.

One of our conferences took a club of 3,000 Dutch papers in December, and mailed them to the Dutch people living in the most retired parts of its territory. As a result of this work more than one hundred and twenty-five yearly subscriptions have been received, which indicates that an interest is springing up, and that many desire to hear what we believe on these great Bible themes. The success that is attending the circulation of these papers is very encouraging to us, and we look for good results.

The Cape Conference is mailing 5,000 copies of the April Sentinel and De Wachter to the people of its territory, and we trust that similar results may be seen. The union conference is also sending 3,000 copies of the April Sentinel to the white population of Rhodesia. We trust that from these efforts many yearly subscriptions may be obtained, and the truth established in many hearts and minds.

During the last few months the union conference has placed in Kafirland a superintendent to take the general oversight of a growing work in that field, and it is now arranged that a man shall be chosen to superintend the work in Rhodesia and Nyasaland. This territory lies far away from the union conference headquarters at Cape Town, and it is felt by the union conference that some one should be on the ground who can give immediate attention to the work. We have a large number of workers in these sections of Africa. Sickness is quite prevalent. Crises are likely to occur at any time, and it is felt that the field should have a nearer administration than can be given by the union conference office. This we trust may be a step in advance for Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The courage of all our workers is excellent, but we greatly feel the need of a few evangelists to preach the message in the cities and towns. Our ministerial force is not very strong. We certainly feel thankful to our brethren and sisters in the United States who are so cheerfully sending men and means to this field. We appreciate this, and shall try to make the best possible use of what is sent to us. Pray for us here on the Dark Continent.