A Brief Report of the Plainfield Mission for Quarter Ending Sept. 30, 1904
By Thomas H. Branch
THOS. H. BRANCH
Church Work
WHEN we came to this place, we found a few boys, with their wives, who professed to believe the Sabbath doctrine; but all of these, with one exception, are now polygamists. There is still no church organization at this station. I have baptized a goodly number, who I supposed, after the instruction given them from the Bible, would be able to stand firmly for the truth and for Christ. But, alas! most of these have become drunken with the desire to get money, and, with a few exceptions, have gone in search of the same. Some of those who have left the mission, I believe love the Lord, as many write us good letters, and always speak of their temptations, and of their victories through Jesus. Those who have remained with us are earnestly engaged in the work, and take an active part in all the meetings at the station, and are always anxious to go out to the villages to speak of the love of Jesus to the people, and to help them in many ways. This is encouraging, and we are earnestly praying that they may prove light-bearers in this message.
There are only five or six villages on and near this station, and they are small ones. We are hoping the seed sown will bring an abundant harvest of souls for the Master. We are still holding our Sabbath evening prayer and social meetings, and also our early Sabbath morning services. At these meetings instruction is given to the boys who go to the villages, on some subject that we have previously studied through the week. We are praising God for the privilege of a place to work for him in this closing message. I can not say when we shall have a church at this place. When Elder Hyatt was here, I laid the matter before him, and he advised me to wait awhile.
School Work
FRONT OF THE MISSION HOUSE
The enrolment in the school has been sixty-six. The attendance has been good. And although some of the village children have been dropped, others have taken their places. The interest is good.
Our first session is at 8 A. M., when instruction is given to the teachers. This session lasts for an hour and a half. The next begins at ten o'clock, and lasts two hours. This is attended by the village children and the field boys who are just beginning English. Their studies are as follows: reading in the Mang-'anja and English primers, writing, arithmetic, spelling. The advanced classes in English work from 6 A. M. to 12 M. After their dinner they enter school at 1:30, remaining for two hours. Their studies are reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, translating into good English. At 6:30 P. M. all come together for a preparation of the next day's lesson. At 7:30 I give them a Bible lesson, lasting one hour.
We have twenty-four boys and five women staying with us on the station. These, as a rule, are the only workers we have on the farm. These boys are not very far advanced in their Bible study, so it is slow work getting the message before them. But six of them are doing well, and I am giving them instruction in the book of Daniel. We are hopeful, as the work is the Lord's.
My daughter Mabel has charge of the school work, with the assistance of one native teacher. Morning and afternoon sessions open with prayer and singing.
Industrial Work
At 5:30 A. M. the bugle is blown, and all report for duty. A short Bible service is held, then all go to the field to prepare ground for the crops. I am planning to plant corn, potatoes, beans, and other garden produce, also some peanuts. Last year we raised about thirty-five or forty tons of corn, which I hope to sell at a good market price, to help with the expenses of the place. I have sold and delivered ten tons, but as yet I have been unable to collect any money. Our cotton crop was a failure, on account of the continued rains and the severe cold weather. I have not given up in despair, but shall try again this season. The cattle, erelong, will be of some benefit to the farm. We also have thirty-seven goats, and they are doing well. I am looking to Him, the Giver of all good gifts, to give us an abundant harvest, and the blessing he sees we need, as we feel that we have been passing under the rod of sorrow and disappointment at this station.
Finances
While our demands have not been large, we have not been able to meet them, on account of the failure to collect the corn money. We have realized very little from our garden stuff, as the birds and rabbits destroyed nearly all of it. Now I am trying again. As for our butter, we have no market for it whatever. The market we might furnish is fifty miles away, and by the time we get it there by native carriers, it is all oil, and unmarketable. Our chickens are dying very fast. They droop a day or two, then die. No medicine seems to15do them any good. I have sold only a few of them.
Health
We are having fever frequently, but not long at a time, nor serious. To God be all the praise. The boys are enjoying good health. The natives are hearty and well, with the exception of now and then a headache or a sore. The people in the villages on the station are dying very fast. We have not been able to determine the cause.
Our Visitor
Brother W. S. Hyatt, president of the South African Union Conference, gave us a short visit from July 25 to Aug. 24, 1904. We were indeed glad to see him, and to give him a warm welcome among us.
From the first, we felt that we should be greatly benefited by his visit, and our expectations were realized. By the counsel and advice given, we shall be greatly helped. The plans laid for the work we believe will prosper. The month ended altogether too soon. But we bade him good-by, and pray that God's blessing will accompany him on his journey to the different missions, to help them as he has helped us.
Our courage and hope are good, and we are singing praises to Him from whom all blessings flow, and with you we desire to remain faithful until he comes.
