When Elder Hyatt was here in July, he advised that out-schools be started. Accordingly, we sent a boy to Masinjere, six miles away, to ask the people if they would like the mission to start a school there, and if so, if they would be willing
to build the house. They answered, chief and people, by promptly building a neat little schoolhouse, and thus far show their good faith by father, mother, and children all attending school. Our picture shows the schoolhouse with the pupils. The man in white, at the left, is the teacher. Next to him stands the chief. This is the first out-school of the Nyassaland Mission. The teacher is one of the mission boys, Johan Mbendela, who has been with us ever since we came to this station.
THE MASINJERE SCHOOLHOUSE AND PUPILS
It is now the rainy season, and I am busy putting in the mission crops. I am thankful to report to you that the Lord is blessing our work here, and we can see in their Bible studies that the boys are beginning to see and understand more of the truths of God. A number will even come at night after we have retired, to ask concerning some Bible questions which they have been studying. I deem it a pleasure to go with them to their room, and have a short study with them. The natives are very inquisitive; and when they see or hear you speaking to other boys, they will gather around to listen. This I am always glad of when they have a Bible question under consideration. Our school and work are encouraging. I have no help on the farm but schoolboys; but in the time of taxes we have to see that the people in the villages on the mission land get their tax money. Then we give them work for one month. This is a provision of the government. The village children attend school well. These children are very earnest in their daily and Sabbath-school lessons. The Sabbath-school is still one of our most interesting meetings. It has grown until we have six native teachers helping us. O, how they love to sing! My wife and daughter have charge of this department. While these people are slow to take hold of the truths of God, there are evidences that the Spirit of God is moving upon hearts, and our earnest desire is that there will be an abundant harvest for the Master.
I am glad to say that we have not had any serious sickness or deaths during this past year at the mission. For this we all praise the Lord. I am striving to carry out all the plans that Brother Hyatt and I decided would best advance the cause at the station, that by a patient, careful training of those in school, the third angel's message may reach those who are still in darkness. We are trying to teach the boys to be workers and teachers. You quite understand that these people of these dark regions are not in love with work. I teach them that it is a duty, as well as a privilege, to engage in honest manual labor. I assure you this is no easy task. But by the help of Him who first gave man his work, we are succeeding slowly, though I must hold many meetings with them to explain why they must work with their hands.
We as workers are certainly anxious that the power of God shall be made manifest in these boys, for the glory of him for whom we are doing all that we can that they may thoroughly understand the message for this time. The message never seemed plainer to me, and I rejoice for the blessed privilege of giving it to those who have sat so long in darkness and the shadow of death, and of telling them that Christ, their light, has come, and is seeking to save the lost. I realize that the time is short, and that all are required to work with diligence. I desire to do well my part. Sometimes the work goes hard; yet we try to be faithful, and all pull together. We are all of good courage, and are still working at the language, and are getting along very well.
