F. A. DETAMORE by F. A. Detamore

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1916

F. A. DETAMORE

By F. A. Detamore

Malaysia

F. A. DETAMORE

Not long ago Brother B. Judge returned to our field from Australia, and I went with him to visit Battakland. He will remain in Padang for a time; then it may be that he can go on up into Battakland to engage in school work. We hope that a good man will be sent from the homeland who can also be stationed there. This will afford opportunity for counsel.

Many in that great field are calling for the truth, and quite a number are trying to obey it, and are asking for baptism. One Sabbath keeper who lives at Taroetoeny is teaching a school of more than sixty pupils. He teaches both Malay and Battak.

Brother Immanuel Siregar has a school of about one hundred students, and employs several teachers. Just now he is under arrest for holding meetings on Sabbath, and he may be fined or deported. The last I heard, nothing had been proved against him, but he had not yet been permitted to return home from Siboga, where he was taken for trial.

At several other places we had frank talks with the officers, who seemed to welcome us to their sections to open schools, though they said we were not likely to get permission to teach the Bible for some time. But that is sure to follow sometime, if once we get into the country. People came by the score and promised to attend school if it was started, and they will pay regular tuition. So you see this is the most practical way for us to get into that country. The native people will pay the bills, and our mission will not have to meet the expenses of the teachers. One capable man in charge could develop a large work; he could use many young people as teachers, and the school would be self-supporting. I am fully convinced that we should make a wise beginning, and keep our eyes on a high mark, working to it as Providence opens the way.

FRONT VIEW OF SCHOOLHOUSE JUST ERECTED AT PADANG, SUMATRA, WITH MISSION HOME COTTAGE IN REAR

We have one cottage and a schoolhouse completed at Padang. They are certainly a credit to our work. Under the same contract another cottage will be built for a teacher. We have bargained for land at Batavia, Java, and shall begin to build soon. The money has come for securing our headquarters at Sandakan, British North Borneo, and Brother G. A. Thompson and I will soon go to help in the selection of a place.

Last Sunday we had baptism here in Singapore. Ten of the students in the training school were baptized. All are preparing for the work. Three are from Celebes, and received the truth from Brother I. C. Schmidt in Batavia. They desire to see the truth carried to their people in Celebes. We are all of good courage in the Lord.