West Java by I. C. SCHMIDT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1916

West Java

By I. C. SCHMIDT

I. C. SCHMIDT

It has been two months since we landed in Batavia. We have taken about twenty-five lessons in the Malay language, and find that we can get along quite well when conversing with the people. While the language is not very difficult, yet it takes some time to learn to use it correctly. The plan is that we make language study our first work during the first half year, but the question arises, Who is to do the work? Brother and Sister Duckworth left for Kuala Lumpur yesterday, and all the work is left for us. Mrs. Schmidt is superintendent of the Sabbath school, which gives her a good opportunity to use the language.

We are glad we have come to this field, for it is ripe for the harvest, but the laborers are few. We feel grateful to the Lord for the success he has given us in collecting funds for the mission with the Ingathering Signs. We used 340 papers and received $175 within eighteen days, though there are only two workers and a few church members here to engage in this work. While we personally could not do much, since we must devote most of our time to language study, it seemed as if the Lord sent the people to us at the mission, that they might give to his cause. One man, who is notary public of the city of Cheribon, about one hundred and fifty miles from Batavia, came to the mission, and after we had told him about our work, gave us twenty-six guilders as a gift for the mission, and besides subscribed for the Signs of the Times. He says he is keeping the Sabbath as well as he can, but expects soon to do better. He is a man of wide influence, and we believe that when he takes his stand for the truth, his influence will go far.

No doubt you have heard about Brother Sisley, at Sukabumi, Java. He is now teaching a young Chinese the English language, and through Brother Sisley’s efforts this young man has

learned to love the truth. Recently he began to keep the Sabbath. His mother, who is a heathen, opposed him in taking this step, but even this opposition seems to have made him more determined to serve God. We intend to baptize him in a few weeks.

We hope to be able to build a church in the near future, which no doubt will do much toward drawing the people to the truth. We are of good courage in the Lord, and believe that he will soon send us the help we need.