Borneo by R. L. Mershon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1916

Borneo

By R. L. Mershon

RECENTLY we took a trip over to Jesselton to visit with our believers, and see how our Chinese worker is progressing. Brother Montgomery visited Jesselton last August, and after a series of meetings baptized fourteen persons. About a month after he had returned to Sandakan, the government officials sent word to our Chinese evangelist that he should cease visiting this company, and also forbade him to sell or give away any of our literature, or to visit people in their homes. This was a hard blow, but Brother Montgomery submitted to it, after writing a letter to the governor stating our methods and manner of work.

In November, when we came to this field to relieve Brother and Sister Montgomery, we were met at Jesselton by Brother Montgomery. We went over the situation carefully, and decided to have a talk with the resident. Brother Montgomery, while waiting for our boat to arrive, had written a letter to the governor, asking permission to go to Mengattal, where our company is located. While we were considering the situation, a letter arrived from the governor, forbidding us to go. This made us decide to go at once to the resident. We went and laid our position before him. We told him we were not law-breakers, but law keepers. We asked why such a step was taken against us. He would not, or could not, give us any reason for it, except that the government desired to keep the missions separate as much as possible. We procured permission from him, however, for our Chinese worker to visit the people in their homes for a radius of two miles from Jesselton.

Last week I went to the resident and asked permission to go out and hold the week of prayer at Mengattal. He said, “No.” I then asked if I might visit the people and talk with them about schools. At first he said, “Yes, but do not offer a prayer, or have anything else like a meeting.” I told him that we offer prayer in all our work everywhere. He said, “All right, go ahead.” After this he telephoned to the governor, and the governor said not to let me go, unless I would take one of the European government officials with me. They promised, however, to send out and bring all the families in. The next day the people came. I had a good visit with them, and found them of good courage in the Lord.

I shall never forget what one old man said to me. With tears in his eyes he asked me why the missionaries never come back. He had been told that we would not come back any more. I told him why it was, and there came a look over his face which indicated that it will be hard to convince him when any one tells him again that we are going to leave them. There are several friends and neighbors near these people who wish us to come back and hold meetings. This man said, “Plenty of people want to know the truth.”

As a result of our visit, we organized the little company, appointed a leader, and set a time and place for meeting. They have been meeting nearly every Sabbath, but not in any regular way. We set before them the principles of tithing and healthful living. They promised to live up to all the light they had received.

One old man had twenty cents saved up for tithe. On inquiry, I learned that these people sometimes do not see so much as a dollar a month. I was as pleased to receive that twenty cents as I should have been to receive one hundred dollars from one who could give that much. It means a sacrifice to tithe their small amounts.

I asked for and received permission from the resident to sell and give away our literature. We felt that this was a victory, and Brother Kong, our Chinese worker, is rejoicing, as it means he can do more work. I found three or four ready for baptism.

R. L. MERSHON.