New Openings in Africa by S. M. Konigmacher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1911

New Openings in Africa

By S. M. Konigmacher

S. M. KONIGMACHER

The union conference recommended that we come to Cholo to look after the station and school work while Brother J. C. Rogers attended the General Conference Council in Germany. Sister Rogers preferred to go to Matandani, to oversee the work there in our absence. Brother G. A. Ellingworth has charge of all the outside work.

I made the trip from Matandani to Cholo on a donkey, in three days; while Mrs. Konigmacher and baby came in a machila. We are comfortably located in the large mission house, and very busy with the various duties of a large station.

From the front veranda we have a beautiful view of the rolling country around us. With this scene before us, we can scarcely believe that we are in a land cursed with fever. We often wonder how long it will be before the gospel will go to all the different tribes.

I encouraged my teachers to find as many new sites for placing village schools as they could, and I was happily surprised with the results. One teacher, alone, found twenty; we can occupy only one or two of these. They are on the border of Portuguese territory, among the Anguru tribe, probably the largest tribe in this section. Practically nothing has been done for them.

From another direction comes a call for night-schools; five of these have been opened. From still another quarter comes a request for three schools; one of these has been opened, and the other two we shall try to open soon.

Late cold rains have spoiled our cotton crop. This will greatly embarrass us, as we need all the funds we can possibly get to open these new schools, and to plant the banner of the third angel’s message in dark places.

Brethren and sisters, now is the time to enter these open doors; for if we delay, the way may be closed up, as we have already learned by experience.

I also took a trip into Portuguese Auginiland, to interview the authorities in regard to extending our work in that needy field. The local authorities are favorable, but say they can not grant us permission without consent of the higher authorities. We were referred to the governor-general, at Delagoa Bay. On my return, I walked 125 miles to Blantyre, as my bicycle broke down.

“SOME men and women make themselves believe that they do not consider the things of this world of much value, but prize the truth and its advancement higher than any worldly gain. Many will awake at last to find that they have been deceived. They may have once appreciated the truth; and earthly treasures, in comparison with truth, may have appeared to them valueless; but after a time, as their worldly treasure increased, they became less devotional. Although they have enough for a comfortable sustenance, yet all their acts show that they are in no wise satisfied. Their works testify that their hearts are bound up in their earthly treasure. Gain, gain, is their watchword. To this end every member of the family participates in their labor. They give themselves scarcely any time for devotion or for prayer. They work early and late. Sickly, diseased women, and feeble children whip up their flagging ambition, and use up the vitality and strength they have, to reach an object, to gain a little, make a little more money. They flatter themselves that they are doing this that they may help the cause of God. Terrible deception! Satan looks on and laughs; for he knows that they are selling soul and body through their lust for gain. They are continually making flimsy excuses for thus selling themselves for gain. They are blinded by the god of this world.”

—Mrs. E. G. White, in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 476.