SINCE coming to Africa to assist in the work of enlightening and uplifting this people, who are in darkness and superstition and ignorance, I have labored with much anxiety, wondering who of the many would receive the gospel message preached to them from the Word of God. From the many outward signs, I am satisfied that the Spirit of God is now working upon hearts and opening deaf ears and blinded eyes. The seed sown is making impression in their lives for good. Quite a few come to ask Mr. Branch many questions about the written Word, and say, “We have never heard this way before.” They are all told to read carefully the Book of God, which they take delight in doing. This to the worker is, indeed, encouraging.
There is now a marked reformation going on among them. Whereas they have only been anxious to learn to read the books, and to get an education, that they might be able to earn a good salary, now they are beginning to realize that something more is needed to help them on in life; so they are becoming more industrious in laboring with their hands. Their former teaching was to let the women do the hard work, even the clearing of the ground and the raising of the food for the family, while the men spent their time in a sort of happy-go- easy life. This change to industry we notice in those who attend the school.
When we first came, we found the people of all ages and sizes wearing only cloth, and in many cases only a small strip of cloth. We bought cloth and gave it to them, and made waists and dresses for the women and girls. Although this was but a little, some improvement was made. But the arrival of the boxes of garments made by the different societies of the Battle Creek church has wrought a miracle. It would have given the donors real joy and pleasure to see the people coming with happy, smiling faces, to pay their sixpences and shillings for garments. Those who did not have the money to pay engaged to work to earn money with which to buy. The mother, even, with her child tied on her back, came to work at shelling corn or hoeing in the field, to get a garment for herself and babe.
This assortment of clothing was like the visit of Livingstone, which filled the hearts of the people with gladness and hope. He told them that there were friends and relatives on the other side of the great, deep ocean, who would some day come to help them. This they have never forgotten. When we arrived, they came from far and near to see us, whom they called their big brothers from America. Their knowledge of the countries across the seas is very limited. They have heard but little of America; but of England, Scotland, and France they have heard much; for it is the people of these countries who are here among them as missionaries and planters.
Ever since the visits of Livingstone in these parts, there has lived in the heart of the native the one long-cherished hope that some day his kindred would return to him, to teach and help him. When we came, they remembered the words of Livingstone, and you may be sure we were heartily received by them. And when the boxes of clothing came from Battle Creek, many spoke of it as another fulfilment of his promises. Now, instead of naked bodies with a small piece of cloth, we see many of the natives clothed with nice white cloth, or with shirts and suits. And when their work of hoeing is finished each day, and they go to the streams to wash their bodies, and put on their clean garments to enter school, the change is indeed gratifying.
At the same time the natives were rejoicing at the receiving of the boxes, each member of my family was made to rejoice also for having been so generously remembered by the sisters and young people of the Battle Creek church, for which they have our sincere thanks. I assure each one that all such acts of kindness from those at home inspire one with hope and courage.
We are glad to report that the work is onward, and for all people; for this gospel of the soon-coming kingdom must be preached in all the world, and to all nations, and then shall the end come. We thank the dear Lord that he gives us a humble part with him in the work for souls who are perishing. There are several Europeans here to whom we send papers. One gentleman who had not been long in this part of Africa heard of us as American missionaries, and came to see us. We gave him some of our papers to read, and now every Sabbath he sends for reading-matter. I send him the Youth's Instructor, the Signs, and also the Life Boat.
The Sabbath services are well attended. All give good attention. Many are coming in from the different villages. We have a large Sabbath-school. I write verses for them from the Bible, that all may take part. They learn to recite them. We also teach them to sing the English hymns. This is very interesting to them. My daughter has charge of this part of the work. The work has to be often repeated, yet it is pleasant. It is not like being where you have much to work with. While at present we have a supply of our denominational books, if we only had some elementary and complete geographies, it would be a great blessing to the school, as the boys know little or nothing of the world, except their present home, British Central Africa. Then, as we have to write the hymns from the church “Hymnal,” for the Sabbath services, we would be thankful if some one would send a few copies of our church hymn book; for I believe it to be an essential factor in their education in the inspired Word, to teach them to sing it.
Mr. Branch’s afternoon Bible class is well attended. Yesterday they studied the commandments. A few who had been here only a short time, and did not know about the Sabbath from the Bible, were full of questions, and said that no one had ever told it to them before. Praise the Lord for the privilege of singing it and telling it, “Till no one can say, of the children of men, Nobody ever has told me before.”
The people as a rule are much afflicted with loathsome sores. Many are brought to the mission in their machilas, or on15the backs of relatives, for treatment. I have learned to treat these sores successfully. I have had to turn away only a few cases, that were lepers. The only medicine I have for treatment of these is plenty of soap-suds, iodoform, and boracic acid. I am sure that God has blessed in the application of these simple means.
