THE tenth annual session of the South African Conference was held at Uitenhage, in the Eastern Province of Cape Colony, Jan. 15-26, 1903. The organization of the Natal-Transvaal Mission field into a conference, during the past year, made it possible to effect the organization of a union conference in South Africa, embracing, in addition to the conference just named, the Cape Colony Conference, and the various mission fields in Africa, south of the Zambesi River. Having this organization in mind, the executive committee of the South African Union Council called its constituency together for the first annual meeting of the society, and in response, delegates came from the Matabele Mission station, near Buluwayo, Rhodesia; from Pretoria and Johannesburg, in the Transvaal; and from Durban and Pietermaritzburg, in Natal; as well as from the different provinces of Cape Colony. Orange River Colony was also represented. The attendance from the different portions of Cape Colony was much larger than was expected. This was the only camp-meeting that some of our mission workers had enjoyed the privilege of attending for a period of nine years. The location of the camp was central in the city, and the attendance from without was good.
Before the meeting convened, perplexities which from the human point of view seemed insurmountable confronted the delegates; but one of the most remarkable features of the meeting was that each mountain of this character, when approached, almost immediately became a plane, as the Lord led his servants by the unerring guide, the Holy Spirit; and the blessedness of it all was that all saw the leading of the Lord, accepted the deliverance, and thanked the great Counselor for his presence and help in the solution of most difficult problems. Perhaps the most complete triumph of the meeting was the spirit of union and harmony which prevailed. The union of the whole field in one common cause and in one united effort for the advance of the message, seems to be more complete than ever before.
One great need of our field is more laborers. It was decided to appeal to the Mission Board in America for two more experienced ministers, besides the three already booked for the Natal-Transvaal Conference, and also to ask for three church school teachers and three canvassers.
At the request of the Natal-Transvaal Conference, the Cape Colony Conference surrendered its claims upon Elder H. J. Edmed, who was immediately chosen as president of the former conference. Elder W. S. Hyatt was chosen as president of the South African Union Conference, and the writer as the president of the Cape Colony Conference.
The name of the South African Conference was changed to the Cape Colony Conference, so that its territory might be designated in its name, and so that it might not be confused with the name of the South African Union Conference.
It was decided to begin advance work at once in the Orange River Colony, by selecting two workers who speak the Dutch language, to go to its capital, the city of Bloemfontein. Brother G. W. Shone was selected to go to this field to engage in ministerial work, and Brother and Sister Tickton to lead in the canvassing work.
Financial reports from nearly all branches of our work in South Africa—attested by careful auditing—made good financial showing.
The medical missionary work, which has been conducted in our field during the past year, has been most encouraging. Especially is the work accomplished by the Kimberley Baths noteworthy as having made a remarkable financial gain, as well as a gain in prestige in the city in which this institution is located, and also in the entire conference. It is our confident expectation that within the next few weeks we may have a sanitarium well under way in a building well adapted for the purpose, in the charming suburb of Capetown, known as Plumstead.
The matter of raising a material fund for "Christ's Object Lessons" received consideration, and in one short meeting about $850 was subscribed for this purpose, which, with previous donations, makes a total of about $1,425. This will secure fully five thousand books.
The last Sabbath of the meeting was a day of special refreshing for those assembled on the camp-ground. Through the revival effort in the forenoon and the consecration meeting in the afternoon, nearly all who were present gave themselves to the Lord for cleansing and for service in soul-winning.16
As a result of the meeting, new confidence and renewed courage have taken firm hold on the people of God in South Africa. With the war, which has so long unsettled the country, now in the past; with the political conditions favorable for the advancement of the message; with confidence and courage restored; and lastly, with, we trust, perfect union in heart and purpose existing among the workers as well as in the "rank and file," we hope that renewed energy may revitalize every department of the work and every individual connected with the cause in this field, and that the present year may be the most triumphant for the truth of any similar cycle in all the history of the work in "darkest Africa."
