South Central Africa by William H. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1904

South Central Africa

By William H. Anderson

BULUWAYO.— We are carrying on our work as usual. Services are held each week at the church. The attendance is good. The average attendance in the Sabbath-school is about eighty. The enrolment is fifty. We enter on the books only those who attend regularly. The native school is studying the Psalms. The workers use the Lesson Quarterly. The school is in charge of Sister Sturdevant. She has a native assistant. All the teachers in the native school are natives. Teachers' meetings are held with them each week.

The preaching has been practical. These sermons have been addressed to the church in particular. We are preparing the church to see the necessity of cutting off those who have departed from the faith. Our Friday evening social meeting is full of life and interest. At the close of each service an invitation is given to those who are in trouble, and who are not satisfied with their experience, to remain, and some time is given to personal work. In addition to this, much of the same kind of work is carried on during the week.

Meetings are conducted by the native teachers in four kraals on Sabbath afternoon. The younger boys and girls are given a lesson at the same time at home. There are fifteen who desire baptism. Most of these come from the schools that have been taught in the kraals. We feel that they need more instruction, and I am planning to help them. Some who live here with us will be baptized soon.

School Work

We opened our special term of school the first of December, 1903. All the teachers from the kraals came in. There are about twenty in attendance. The advanced class in Bible (native) is finishing the third year's work. The period covered is from the crossing of the Jordan to the kingdom of Solomon. “Patriarchs and Prophets” is used as a help in this study. Each lesson is made practical, and the reason is always sought for the various experiences of Israel. The second class is studying the life of Paul. The same plan of making the lesson a part of the daily life and experience is followed. “Sketches from the Life of Paul” is used as a help in this class. The third class is studying the life of Christ. “Desire of Ages” is the reference book in this class. As each act of the Master is seen to fit into the divine plan for him, we seek to fit our lives into the place he, who has given to every man his work, has for us. Instruction is also given in the English language, arithmetic, and geography.

Industrial Work

Outside the class room the boys are employed on the farm, and the girls in the home. Twenty boys under Brother Sturdevant's direction have carried on the farm work. Twenty acres are planted to peanuts; thirty-five acres to mealies, and ten to sweet potatoes. The boys are taught to plow, drive team, cultivate, and do general farm work. In this way we hope to accomplish much in character-building, and at the same time provide a support for the school. Three of the boys herd the cattle, goats, and mules. The girls prepare the food, care for the home, and take two lessons in sewing each week. Several garments have been made besides the mending of their own clothes.

Finances

The Lord has blessed in a wonderful manner in the finances. We have been able to pay all of our native help, the workers, with some cash on hand. All this has come from the sale of grain in the shop.

I hope soon to be able to answer some of the calls for schools. I am planning to open three new schools the first of the year. All these have been put off the last two or three years because we did not have the teachers to send to them. I feel that they should wait no longer.

There is considerable fever among the boys at present. This is due to the recent heavy rains.

W. H. ANDERSON.