Our Nyassaland School by Mabel Branch

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 6, 1905

Our Nyassaland School

By Mabel Branch

MABEL BRANCH

At present we have forty pupils enrolled in our school, fifteen of them coming from the villages. We have two sessions of school daily, and all study diligently, and seem to take great pleasure in their lessons. I have one native teacher to help me.

I am sending you a picture of one of the villages on the station. It is a very small village, containing five native huts. These people are the only ones living there, and the old woman standing in the front by the hut is their queen.

We have representatives here from several different tribes who are Christians, but of the Manganja tribe, who are living all around us, there are no converts. They seem to be the only tribe in this part who do not accept the Word of God, but continue in their wicked ways, dancing and drinking. They have many fables and proverbs, some of which contain many good lessons. Here is one of their sayings: “If you marry an idiot of a wife, you get shame with her. A gadding woman, who neglects her home duties, brings shame upon her husband, and he loses strength and honor, and has no longer influence.”

The drums have been beating every night for a week—and why?—The crops are good this year, and plenty of corn has been raised; now the natives are making large quantities of beer, and the drums are beating to call all, for miles around, to participate in the merrymaking. Many families, carrying their food, mats (beds), and drums, have been passing.

All night long we can hear the sound of the drums, for they have many. The rhythm is most perfect. The time is varied, for the smaller drums are made to answer the larger one. The rapid and slow beats blend in the most perfect time, and the dancers quickly take their places, and all seem to go mad with excitement. Standing the small drums against a long pole, which has been securely fastened to two trees, and holding the large drum, about four feet long, between his knees, a skilled drummer beats five of them at once. He becomes so enthusiastic in his labors that the beating can be heard for a long distance. The perspiration pours from his half-naked body.

With what joy these people will walk for miles, through the hot sun, to attend these dances, and for days labor untiringly in the works of Satan. Yet when we invite them to attend services here, they make excuses, or promises which they never intend to keep. They will not come to hear God's Word, for even a few minutes, nor do they respect him in whose keeping are their lives.

Every Sabbath some of the Christian boys go to the different villages to preach; and although some will listen, many laugh and make fun of them; but the boys keep on going and preaching.

Many of the village children attend our school, and also Sabbath services, and listen attentively to all that is said. In these children lies our hope of getting this message taught to others. The older people do not like to change their customs, but many of the young ones do not like the village life, so come to the missions to be taught. In school we are teaching the boys to sing, which all enjoy very much; and they are eager to learn our Sabbath-school songs in English.

The work is progressing nicely in all lines. We are all of good courage, and interested in our work for these people who are sitting in darkness and superstition. Our prayer and desire is to know how to best work for them. We know that if we are faithful in sowing the seeds of truth, God will give the increase.