Somabula Mission by T. H. Branch

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1907

Somabula Mission

By T. H. Branch

I THOUGHT I would write you a few lines as I journey on my way home to Nyassaland from Cape Town. I visited M’kupuvulo, and found Brother C. R. Sparrow trying to teach the people around him the Word of God, and the better way to live, his family helping him. He is putting up a schoolhouse, which is much needed. Brother Hyatt gave a lantern exhibition there, and a large crowd came through the rain to see it, and enjoyed it very much.

February 25 we came to the Solusi Mission, where we found Brother and Sister Sturdevant, who gave us a hearty welcome; also Brother Irwin and Brother Ellingworth. They have a large school, with Brother Ellingworth as teacher. There is a good work for the Master going on at this mission, and I was made glad when I saw what perfect control they have over the children, and the harmony that exists, and how willingly the boys and girls take hold of their work. They have the right spirit, and every one seems to try to help the others. Brother Irwin is doing all he can to encourage every one to continue to seek the Lord, and to be faithful in everything. They all love him very much. They also think a great deal of Elder Hyatt, whom they call teacher. When he comes to any of the missions, the natives all come around to shake hands with him; and he is always ready to give advice to them all; so they want to see the pictures which he is showing from the lantern. He is doing a good work.

On Sunday night, March 3, we all packed our things, so as to leave on Monday morning for Somabula; but when I had dressed and gone down to the mission house, Sister Sturdevant came out of her room and said to me, “Brother Branch, Brother Irwin is sick with fever, and can not go.” Brother Hyatt stayed to help take care of Brother Irwin. They requested that I should go on to Somabula, and let the people know what was the matter.

I found Brother Walston at Gwelo, waiting for us. We left for the Somabula Mission, arriving there at one o’clock on Wednesday, March 6, and received a hearty welcome.

Sister Rogers joined us at Bulawayo. Brother Rogers, being sick, had to stop off at Kimberley.

I find a good spirit here among the missionaries. Brethren Armitage and Walston and Sister Edie, with a large school of boys and girls all studying hard and doing their work cheerfully, were glad to see me; for it is a long time since they had seen one of our brethren going about from place to place visiting the missions, and instructing them in the Word of God.

They wanted me to stay a long time, and were glad to see me, as they had heard so much about me.

I am truly glad to make this trip, for I see it is a great help to the natives to see so many different men, all teaching the same thing.

Some of the boys said to me, “Well, teacher, now we know that the work is of the Lord, for all of you, our teachers, say and teach the same words of the Lord, and now we are happy.”

May the Lord bless these missions and missionaries, and all those who are willing to make a sacrifice for the salvation of those who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. T. H. BRANCH.