Africa by W. S. HYATT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 25, 1906

Africa

By W. S. HYATT

THE KAFFIR AND SOMABULA MISSION.— The work in Kafir land has not advanced as rapidly as we had hoped it would. Chief Kama promised us that by last March or April he would give us a mission site, but circumstances have been such that he has not done so. Recently we visited him again, and he promised to help us in a short time. Early in 1906, we shall take up the matter in earnest, and find a suitable location as soon as possible. Our Sabbath-schools have donated liberally toward this enterprise, and now we have some funds with which to begin work. If it is the Lord’s will for us to secure a location of Kama, we shall be thankful; but, not knowing what is for the best, we trust God either to open or to close the way before us, and we will go the way his providence indicates.

The work at the Somabula Mission is onward. It has been but little more than four years since this mission was opened; and during this time nearly one hundred young people have learned to read their Bibles, and fully as many profess to have accepted Jesus as their Saviour. It is true that some of these do not have a very high idea of Christianity; but when we remember that only a short time ago they worshiped stones and snakes, we see a great change. In some villages many of the people refrain from work on the Sabbath, and thus little by little they are learning the ways of the Lord. This fills the hearts of the missionaries with courage and hope.

When we arrived at this mission, we found a class of eleven young people well instructed and accepted as candidates for baptism. Sabbath, November 11, was the day set for the service, and a good day it was for this mission. A large company of people came together, and among them were the eight young men whom we baptized over two years ago. It was encouraging to see all these young men still striving to serve the Lord. They have had their trials, and have made their mistakes, but all expressed a desire to be faithful to the Lord.

Fully two hundred attended the Sabbath-school, and were taught by eleven teachers. The offering was taken, which amounted to $5.30. One person who had no money came the next day with a little basket of grain as his offering. The natives take a real interest in helping to raise the necessary funds to start Sabbath-schools in other places. In the last six months this school has donated $21.04 toward the Kafir Mission, for which we are thankful. At the close of the Sabbath-school we went to the river and held our service

under the trees. Elder Armitage presented Christ as the Good Shepherd, and urged them to hear and follow him. I tried to hold up the Saviour as the Great Physician who only could heal them from their sins. Following these addresses, each of the candidates gave the reason of his hope, and exhorted the people to turn to the Lord. The wild bush rang as they sang, “Say, fathers, will you meet us?” It was a beautiful sight to see these young people hurried with their Lord in baptism. At the close of the Sabbath we celebrated the Lord’s supper, and the next day organized a little church of nineteen members.

Among those baptized was a young man who first came to the mission when it started. He had been away to work, but had searched and found a place where he could keep the Sabbath. Another came from Barotseland, and is a faithful, studious boy. He hopes to be a light among his people some day. Four others, who were baptized, are from Nyassaland. Two of these have traveled as far north as Lake Tanganyika, and know the country and the languages spoken. Some day they hope to join a missionary and return to labor among their people. We thank the Lord for these young men, and hope the way will soon open for some one to take them together, and open work in that far-away country. Their ability to speak the English and the native languages makes them of great value to the one who may go there to labor.

CHURCH DEDICATION AT THE SOLUSI MISSION.— We arrived at this mission, and remained over two Sabbaths. The Lord has blessed Brother and Sister Sturdevant in their labors at this place. They now have fifty-four boys and girls in the mission home, and many more are knocking for admittance, but our funds will not permit us to receive others at present. A real interest is being awakened among the natives in some sections by our native teachers as they labor among the people. At one place the natives are calling upon the teachers of other denominations to give them Bible proof for Sunday as the Sabbath. On another farm two of our teachers were expelled by the owner, because the natives would not work on the Sabbath. We find here the same conflict over the commandments of God as elsewhere.

For several years the brethren at this mission have been planning to build a church. Last year, during the winter season, the bricks were made and burned; and this year the building has been erected. Having no money with which to employ a mason, the brethren decided to do their best to put up the church, although they had previously no experience in putting up a brick building. The Lord blessed their efforts, and now they have a neat, comfortable church twenty-six by forty-four feet. The young men assisted in the brick work, and did the plastering, which is a credit to the mission. The schoolgirls and native women spent many days in putting down a native floor. They take the black earth found in the ant-hills, then moisten and pound it down hard, and rub it till it shines. They did excellent work. The foundation of the house was laid in cement, and the roof was made of corrugated iron; hence there is but little danger from the white ants, which are so destructive to our buildings.

The day set for the dedication was Sabbath, November 18. The people were invited, and a large number came, filling the building to overflowing. A Sabbath-school lesson from the twenty-sixth chapter of Matthew was taught them by fourteen teachers, and then followed the service of the day. Elder Sturdevant gave a short address presenting the love of God, and exhorted the people to believe and obey the gospel. The writer followed, calling their attention to the little temple we were about to give to the Lord for his service. We assured them that God accepted the gift, but he desired most of all that they would dedicate their

bodies to him that they might be temples of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit took these truths home to their hearts with convincing and convicting power. Tears flowed freely. The believers were called upon to renew their consecration, which they did, and then a large number of others gave themselves to the Lord. This was one of the best meetings with the natives I ever attended.

We then spent four days with Brother and Sister Sparrow at the Mkuqavula Mission, where they are doing self-supporting work. We believe that the Lord accepts their efforts to serve him. After a few more days at Solusi, we started for Cape Town. As we passed over this long stretch of country in which we have done nothing, it made us long to see the message going to this people who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. O, how long must they wait?

We spent three days with the church at Kimberley, and held three services with them. Two persons were baptized and united with the church. This was the first Seventh-day Adventist church in South Africa. Although some have fallen by the way, still the light shines out to the people, calling their attention to the truth of the soon-coming Saviour and the necessity of getting ready for that great day. W. S. HYATT.