Kolo Mission, Basutoland
By Mrs. J. A. Chaney
We arrived at the mission May 25, and are quite well and contented. We find the climate good, and thank the Lord that we have been called here. There have been many frosty nights, with bright, sunny days. Since our arrival we have been very busy. We have had thirteen or fourteen regular meetings a week, besides a number of others held from time to time at the kraals. The regular early morning meeting held at the church has an average attendance of about fifteen. At this meeting we have singing, Scripture reading and study, and a season of prayer, in which a number take part. Wednesday evening we have the regular midweek service. Thursday there is a regularly appointed women's meeting. This meeting is held for the study of health principles, sewing, etc. Friday evening we hold a service at the church at sunset, when we usually give a portion of the time for testimonies. Sabbath morning we have the Sabbath-school, followed by preaching service or a Bible study. Sabbath afternoon we go to the home of Sister Kalaka, where we have a study of the Sabbath-school lesson. This is well attended, and frequently some are present who are not of our faith. Our Sabbath-school held at the church is following the lessons from the Youth's Instructor. We are also continuing the studies in the Little Friend. We hold three evening meetings each week with our English-speaking brethren, Murry and Spokane Kalaka, endeavoring to assist them in their effort to become fully established in the truth, and better prepared to engage in the Lord's work. We have been having some precious studies in Christian education, which has not been carried on in our school before. Mr. Chaney and I both expect to assist in the school. Mr. Chaney met two young men at Mafeteng last week, and invited them to our school, and a few days ago they came on foot, twenty miles, to inquire more fully regarding the school, as Mr. Chaney had had no interpreter while speaking with them before. We hope to awaken a real interest here, and make this a training-school for workers. Please pray for our success. About two weeks ago one of our number, an elderly woman, was laid to rest until Jesus shall call her home. We had given her some treatments; but she was very old and feeble, and had been ailing for some time. Mr. Chaney made her a neat casket, and she was laid away in the little native cemetery a short distance from here. The Lord blessed in conducting the funeral service, and we trust hearts were touched who know not God. There were two or three chiefs present, and a large number of strangers. On Sunday, eight days ago, Mr. Chaney took with him our interpreter, Murry Kalaka, and went out to spend the day in the kraals, laboring with the people for the salvation of souls. I took Spokane Kalaka to interpret, and went on the same mission to other kraals. We all had a blessed day. One of the chiefs referred to before, who has been attending our meetings, was led to give his heart to the Saviour. This brought great rejoicing to our hearts. Chief Jacob was a great drinker, and the temptations for such are especially great in Basutoland. At one kraal I visited, there were about twelve present at a meeting, although it had not been announced. Among these was a chief of the Basutos. But, best of all, there was present the Chief of all chiefs,—the Lord himself,—and hearts were touched at his presence. Before leaving, I told them of our school, and its plan and object. The chief seemed pleased with the plan, and said he would use his influence to get the people to attend. From there we went to another kraal where a very old couple lives. They said they were not Christians, but wished to be, and much desired a changed heart, but that they had been waiting for years for God to change their hearts, and they had not seen him do it yet. When I asked them to give their hearts to him, they said they did not see how they could give him their hearts when they could not see him take them. But after showing them the promises of God, and giving them illustrations of accepting and giving without seeing in this world, the old woman laughed with joy, and said, “I see it now.” It was with joy that we saw these two surrender their hearts to the Saviour by faith in his word. The woman seemed too full of joy to control her feelings. She said that years ago she and her mother had decided to seek the Lord in prayer, but that when she began to pray, she heard a strange noise about her head, and that she had been afraid to pray ever since. Pray for these. Entiela, son of the woman who died, has given his heart to the Lord, also. I had visited his mother at his place, and had prayer with them, and talked with him. After his mother grew worse, we visited her, administering to both body16and soul, although there seemed little that we could do. At this time he began to attend our meetings, and gave his heart to God. He had attended some of Brother Freeman's meetings some time ago. He gives evidence that his conversion is genuine, and seems very earnest. His wife had formerly opposed our people; but she told me, voluntarily, that her husband was such a changed man since he gave his heart to Jesus, that she was glad he became a Christian. She said she was going to attend our meetings now. About two weeks ago I took Spokane as interpreter, and walked around the mountain to see one of our girls. After we had walked for one hour and a half, two native men overtook us, and informed us that the girl was not at home. After a few words, the way opened for a talk concerning divine things. From the place where we stood on the mountainside, we had a beautiful view across the valley of the rugged mountain ranges and peaks beyond. I asked them to sit down with me on some stones near the edge of a high bluff while I told them of the beautiful earth made new. We sat there for about forty-five minutes as we studied these things from the sacred Book, and it made my heart leap for joy as I saw their intense interest. One man said he was going to come to our meetings. Some days after, he met Murry, and told him of our study, and said he would attend services at our church. It is precious to meet souls who are hungry for truth. There is so much to be done, but so few to do it! We have found much necessary work to be done on the little mission farm, as well. Mr. Chaney has been very busy, endeavoring to get things in proper shape. The little house of three rooms is built of sun-dried brick, and plastered inside and out. It has no floors except the earth, and this we have found necessary to work over, leveling it, filling in, etc. There is a rough shed with thatched roof, attached to the house just at the kitchen door, for the mission cart, which Mr. Chaney expects to take down as soon as he can get another built for the cart. The soil on the mission grounds has had only a very light surface cultivation, and very near to the surface is a hard subsoil, which will prevent almost anything from growing, and it will take a great deal of hard work to get it into a condition to raise anything on it. The trees that have been set out are badly stunted. The place, of about eight acres, is surrounded by a stone wall, or fence, with many other stone fences partitioning it. The water is quite a distance from the house. The Lord blessed our efforts in Bloemfontein, where we stopped on our way here. Mr. Chaney delivered books to the value of about one hundred and ten pounds, and received orders for a few more, which are not yet delivered. I sold five hundred and fourteen copies of the Sentinel and twenty-five books, and gave fifteen Bible readings. The profits on the books Mr. Chaney sold were sent to the South African Union Conference, to be applied on the Basuto Mission. The profits of the South African Sentinel were sent there also, for the benefit of the printing work. We are much interested in the Washington work, and thank God with you for his directing hand.