p. 12 | GUY DAIL by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1905

GUY DAIL

By Guy Dail

From German East Africa

GUY DAIL

Just about a year ago Elder Conradi was returning from his missionary tour to German East Africa. Since that time we have now and then sent in short reports of the work there, but we have just received quite interesting letters from our laborers, and perhaps it would be of general interest to read what they say. Brother J. Ehlers writes as follows:—

“The buildings in Friedensthal and Kihuiro are steadily progressing. The fever has hindered our work very much. From the middle of October to the beginning of this year, the rain poured down in great torrents day and night without intermission. This caused three mountain torrents to come rushing down the hillsides into the valley, and within a few hours the valley presented the appearance of a small inland sea. The greater part of the water spread out, and disappeared from our valley, but in the lowlands farther down, the water remained for a long time, furnishing a splendid breeding-ground for the fatal malaria germs. We could not get rid of the water around our place, because there was no one who could and who was willing to ditch the land. The Wapare had nothing to eat, and one can do his utmost to teach them that by earning pennies they may purchase bread to stay their hunger; it is to no purpose, for they would rather lay themselves comfortably before their firesides, and sleep themselves into the land beyond the grave, where they think there is neither hungering nor thirsting, and where no one will have to work. Cases of this sort are not frequent, but they have been met with here. Since our new corn and potatoes have appeared, we have more laborers offering themselves than we know how to use. As many as one hundred and twenty have come in a day. So I am doing my best now to get these ditches made to lead off this standing water.

“Our fields of corn were threatened with the water, and much more by the grasshoppers. For three days at a stretch I tried to save whatever could be saved, the boys taking hold to help me in this effort. As a result of this extraordinary exertion, I was again taken ill with black water fever, and had to keep my bed for fourteen days, for the third time. I have lost much blood in this sickness, and am very weak, but I am glad to say that notwithstanding this, I have been able to work some during the past fourteen days. The workmen were there, and I took the mule and rode where I had usually gone by foot, through the swamp, and out of the valley, as far as our second station at Kihuiro. We have made a good road from our chief station (Friedensthal) around the stable to the garden and orchard, and have so arranged that our land can be watered from three sides. About thirty banana plants have begun to bear. We have written to other places, and expect to have about two hundred more plants to set out shortly. Otherwise, our fruit is all set out; none, however, but the bananas is yet bearing.

“With reference to our missionary work here, I have become more confident. We have here quite a number of nominal Christians. But I believe the Spirit of God is quietly working, unknown to them, upon their hearts. There is a sensible, modest man, with good manners, eager to learn, and very diligent. He always says, when we request them to pray at home, ‘I pray to God every day.’ His prayer is childlike. He says: ‘Lord God, my Father, give me food to-day. Give me a new heart. Give me good thoughts and eternal life. I love you, and give you all my heart.’ This is very sincere, and gives us a good example of the childlike faith we ought to manifest in prayer to our Heavenly Father. There are also one or two of the boys who do not seem to be indifferent toward God and his word. Not long ago I held worship with them, and read the parable of the lost son in the Ri-Chambaa language, and explained it to them in the Ki-Pare language, and asked whether the son was good. ‘No,’ they said. ‘Is the father good?’ ‘Yes, beyond all measure.’ ‘Do you know who the bad son is?’ ‘No,’ they answered. ‘Then, do you know the good Father?’ ‘No,’ they replied. Then I told from my own experience how I also went forth with evil thoughts, and fell into hardship, and turned back to God, and was received so friendly by him. I felt the love of God, which I had undeservingly received, and was moved to speak to them from the depths of my heart, earnestly and eloquently. As I invited one of the boys to pray, he was so affected that his words came very slowly, and he prayed from a sincere heart, as I have never heard a native pray before. I will not put too much stress upon these things, but God has given me a hint that all the promises are also meant for the black people here. In all the surrounding darkness the promises of God are sure and steadfast, so that we never need become discouraged. We have often had discouraging times, but I am able to say, to the honor of God, his promises were my rock, which did not move in the midst of the most violent storm. I had nothing but his word, and I will continue to rest upon it.

“We stand on good footing with our fellow missionaries. In Wuga, where I spent about a month with Mrs. Ehlers, we were very kindly received. At this station there are about one hundred Christians, twenty-five of whom attend Sunday service. They have the same troubles with their boys that we have. They run away, and after a time return. On being questioned by the pastor whether our boys were being truly converted at heart, I could reply that our Moses and Jacob are being so transformed, but as for the others, it is more a matter of subjection to authority.

“The natives are bringing us eggs, milk, and chickens, which we always pay for. They call our little girl ‘Moana Jetu,’ which means, ‘Our Child.’ They have also made her presents of eggs.

“The natives have been compelled by the government to build villages. This will facilitate our missionary work here very much, and will also raise our station to more importance. I am informed that three of these villages are to be built in our vicinity.”

We desire to ask our friends everywhere to think of this new station in Africa, and of the three laborers who have just lately sailed to re-enforce the band of pioneers in this hard field, that God shall bless and help them in the great and important task before them.

Hamburg, Germany.