p. 16 | Self-Supporting Work in Java by H. E. Sharp

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1911

Self-Supporting Work in Java

By H. E. Sharp

As we have been but two months in this field, we can not write so fully as our more experienced fellow workers in this beautiful island of Java, where nature is clothed in her best, as if waiting to welcome the long-delayed message of hope and cheer that will raise her poor, heathen people from the darkness of sin to the light of truth; but we can tell of our experiences in getting started in self-supporting work, and the great need of the people as we see it about us.

We are glad to have a part in this grand work. At present it is not a very active part; for it is first necessary to learn one or two of the many languages of the country. While doing this, we are able to earn our own livelihood by teaching English.

We first settled in Bandoeng, a fine, large, mountain town with a healthful climate, where the prospects for an English school were excellent, as there are many Chinese children and young men

who wish to learn to speak English. This afforded opportunity for afternoon and evening classes which, with the few private Dutch pupils obtainable, would give ample means for support. But the attitude of the government was such that this opening was closed up.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” says the psalmist; and so it proved in our case; for when the way looked darkest, a wire came from the Tiong Hoa Hwe Koan, or Chinese society, in Cheribon, asking me to visit them at their expense. I did so; and the result is that we are engaged to take charge of the English department in their Chinese school. This means work, as there are about one hundred forty children to teach. We trust that along with the English language there may be dropped some seeds of truth that will later spring up and bear fruit to the glory of the Master.

Our work began in April. We thank the Lord for his goodness, and feel with the psalmist that “they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”

Java has many races of people. In addition to Javanese, Sundanese, and Madurese, who are natives, there are several hundred thousand Chinese, also many Malays, Japanese, and others of the dark-skinned races, as well as many Europeans.

The Europeans and Chinese are more easily reached with the truth than are the natives, as they are better educated. Less than six per cent of the native peoples are able to read. Although they profess Mohammedanism, they seem to have no idea of religion. There is no day of rest in Java. Every day is the same to its inhabitants, just as much work being done on Sunday as on any other day, except that some of the Dutch shops are closed. None seem to realize that there is a God, to whom at some time they must give an account of the deeds done in the flesh; and so all follow the natural inclinations of sinful man.

But though we see so much sin and vice on every hand, we do not become discouraged; for we know that some of Java’s inhabitants will be among the happy company who will walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. May God help us all to be faithful in giving the third angel’s message to the people among whom we live.

H. E. SHARP.