Africa by Thomas H. Branch

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1906

Africa

By Thomas H. Branch

PLAINFIELD MISSION, CHOLO.—We are not only teaching the people and preaching to them, but going with them to the field, and there instructing them how to best use the hoe or ax, and to prepare the soil and to plant. All these things give me an opportunity to teach them something of the beginning and of the Creator. Some of these old men, who are thus working and learning in the field, attend regularly our church services; and as our Sabbath-school lessons are about the creation, they are much interested, and answer intelligently many of the questions.

Another encouraging feature of our work is that the women, who heretofore have been so shy and backward, are now attending all the meetings. From the interest taken, we believe them to be sincere. For all these things we praise God, knowing that we are commanded to sow by all waters, and God will give the increase. O, how anxious we are to do all that we can for the Master while the day lasts!

I am truly thankful that Brother Anderson has been successful in raising funds to start a mission in Barotseland. All these things to me speak the end near. O, how I wish there were more workers in this part of Africa! It is a very needy field. The people are not so thickly settled right around here, but farther on in the interior, and up around the lakes, they are innumerable. When we heard the good news from the once

shut-up Korea, we rejoiced, for certainly this is the time of the latter rain. If ever I longed to see the message take hold of God's people, it is now, that not only in Africa and Korea, but throughout the length and breadth of this sin-sick, groaning old earth the message may be heralded with power. We are praying earnestly for God to send laborers into this great white harvest-field, for there is much to be done, and many people to be warned, before our Lord can come.

At this time the work of building railroads is being pushed in the country, and high wages are being offered to the people, and they are flocking there, especially the more advanced boys in the schools. This is making it very bad for many of the missions. Several whole villages have moved off the mission land here. But with those that remain, we are pushing the work forward. To the near-by villages we go every Sabbath afternoon to preach to the people.

In looking over the work of the past year, our hearts melt in gratitude to God for what he has done; for at the beginning of last year we saw some who were in rebellion against God, and knew nothing of the Saviour, who are now rejoicing in the love of a Saviour, and taking an active part in the meetings, and, as far as we are able to judge, are earnest Christian boys. We hope in this new year to be able to give better service to the Master, and at the end to see a host rejoicing in the love of Christ.

THOMAS H. BRANCH.