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Gold Coast, Africa

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 2, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 5.

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Gold Coast, Africa

By J. M. Hyatt

CAPE COAST CASTLE.—We have seen several good omens recently, showing that our work has not been altogether in vain. Some of our strongest opposers seem to be weakening. Two of them called to see me yesterday—one to buy books; I did not find out what the other wished, as I was busy talking with some one, and he did not stay.
In conversation recently, I learned to some extent how thoroughly our doctrine has been heard by these people. It has even been discussed by the local newspapers, of which there are two. The papers said that it was right, but that it was not “practical” for the people to try to follow it, as an attempt to close the stores on Saturday and open them on Sunday would cause much confusion. So far as knowing the truth that we teach is concerned, there are few or none who do not know something about it, some of course more, and some less.
We have surely had an experience in this place. We have seen our hall packed so that the people had to stand on the porch and stairway, and still more were trying to get within hearing. We have seen our Sabbath meeting with about seventy-five. And, on the other hand, we have seen the hall entirely empty at the week meeting, and two or three at the Sabbath meeting. I was in several of the conferences before leaving America, and have seen how workers are “impressed” to go to some other place to labor. I have often thought that they would have had a very strong “impression” to move on if they could have had our experience here for a while.
Of course there were various causes that conspired to bring these experiences about. Among other things, the people lost confidence in our ever doing much. These people, being only two thirds civilized, can not be expected to work like the heathen or the civilized. Unfortunately, I put out a false report, telling them to be patient, that we hoped help would soon come. More than a year has passed, and we are still plodding on as before. Still there are many here who are favorable to the truth. We are now having a fair attendance at our meetings. Last Sabbath we had about thirty in all. These are mostly children and young men. We hope that these little out-stations will not be forgotten. J. M. HYATT.