In Southern Rhodesia by W. B. WHITE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 1, 1914

In Southern Rhodesia

By W. B. WHITE

W. B. WHITE

FEELING the need of becoming acquainted with our work in Rhodesia and Nyasaland, in company with Elder H. J. Edmed and Dr. W. C. Dunscombe, I left Johannesburg on Sunday evening, May 31, for the north. The next morning we reached Mafeking, the city that sustained such a protracted siege during the Boer war. Leaving this city, we were soon in Bechuanaland, or Khama’s country as it is known, from the fact of its being governed by Khama, the strong and powerful chief of the Bechuanas.

This is an unentered country as far as present truth is concerned, as no missionary has labored here, and no literature has been scattered in the vernacular. We are now getting “Steps to Christ” translated into the Sechuana, and hope when this is done to have the book printed, and circulated in this country by canvassers. This will be a beginning, and other efforts for the native population will come later. We are glad that the languages of Bechuanaland and of Basutoland are much the same; and as we are getting a fairly good start in the last-named country, we hope from that base to work the whole territory.

Tuesday morning, June 2, we arrived in Fig Tree, the nearest station to the Solusi Mission, just as day was breaking. Here we found Brother Walston with his large farm wagon, three yoke of oxen, and two native boys, one to lead the oxen and the other to follow behind and drive them. Soon we had our baggage loaded, and were off for the station eighteen miles away.

As we passed over the road, we could see that the country was in the grip of a terrible drought, as feed was very short and water scarce. From a farming standpoint, the last season has been a hard one for Solusi. Crops were light, and at the present time it is a serious question where grazing is to be obtained for the fine herd of cattle which the mission owns. And water, too, is as much a problem as feed. Wells, streams, and water holes are fast drying up, and the dry season is just beginning. Indeed, on this great farm of eight thousand acres there is only one water hole left where the cattle can find drink. This hole has never been known to dry up, but this is an exceptional year, and what the future may have in store for us we do not know.

Brother Walston took the precaution early in the season to rent the pasturage on two large farms adjoining him, which reach to the Gwaai River, four miles away, and water may have to be obtained from there if all other places fail. But this is a long way for stock to go for water, especially if they are weakened from lack of food. As yet the cattle look well, and with the pasturage that is on the farm, the large corn fields from which the corn has been picked will afford feed for a time; and, with two ground silos full of feed and other fodder in reserve, it is hoped that the stock can be brought through all right without loss. How good it is in such times of perplexity to know that God cares for his own, and will never leave us nor forsake us.

At Solusi there is a fine large school of native young men, the largest we have yet seen in Africa, and in it there is a

splendid interest. This is in charge of Brother and Sister R. P. Robinson, who recently came to this field from California. Their help is very much appreciated. This mission also sustains eleven outschools, and all the teachers were in to attend our meetings.

Sabbath, June 6, was a good day. About one hundred and seventy-five were present at the Sabbath school, which was conducted with as much order and precision as we have ever seen. At the close of the morning service, in answer to a call to definitely accept Christ as their Saviour, a goodly number yielded their hearts to him for the first time, while others who felt that their lives had been drifting away from God, pressed to the front to renew their consecration to him. The Holy Spirit was present, and many hearts were made tender. God is blessing the labors of Brother and Sister Walston and their associate workers at this station, which evidently is exerting a strong influence for good in Southern Rhodesia.

At the close of the morning service we repaired to the little cemetery near by, where a memorial service was held over the graves of Elder Byron Tripp, of Minnesota, and Dr. Carmichael, of California, who fell at this station. Probably one hundred and seventy-five natives stood outside the stone wall which surrounds this little plot of land, and witnessed the service, many of whom have since accepted the truth. These faithful men, with others, established the work of God in this section, diligently sowing the seed which is now springing up and bearing fruit. This memorial service was a blessed occasion, and we all look forward to the glad reunion when we shall meet these faithful laborers who gave their lives for the work in Africa.

Another feature of our visit to Solusi Mission, and withal a very interesting one, was the medical missionary work performed by Dr. Dunscombe during our stay. When the natives heard that a doctor was at the station, they came in crowds to consult him with reference to their physical ailments. All these cases were given kindly attention and treatment. They more clearly revealed to us the great need of medical missionary work in this land. I hope the doctor will report his medical experiences among these Rhodesian tribes, for I am sure such a report would be very interesting reading. We greatly enjoyed our visit to the Solusi Mission, and hope the workers at this station may be remembered at the throne of grace.