Malaysian Mission by F. A. Detamore

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 11, 1913

Malaysian Mission

By F. A. Detamore

F. A. DETAMORE

The Malaysian Mission covers a land-and-water area greater than the land area of the whole United States, and has more than half as many inhabitants. In many places the people are begging for some one to come and teach them the third angel’s message, but with grief we have to say, “Not yet.” Those who have accepted the truth are real Seventh-day Adventists and loyal to the work. They pay a faithful tithe and make liberal donations.

One brother in Singapore gets eight or ten dollars a month. With this he must pay three dollars for rent, buy food for his wife and three children, and give them a scanty covering for clothes. His wife is a Roman Catholic, and scolds because he stops work on the Sabbath, when he could be working and making more money; but he brings his children to the Sabbath-school regularly, and pays his tithe month by month. This is but a sample of the situation of many. Should all our people at home make as great sacrifices for the Lord, there would soon be men and means to finish the work.

WORKERS IN SINGAPORE
From left: Brother and Sister H. E. Sharp, F. A. Detamore,
Sister and Brother J. Van de Groep. — WORKERS IN SINGAPORE From left: Brother and Sister H. E. Sharp, F. A. Detamore, Sister and Brother J. Van de Groep.

It is enough to move a heart of stone to hear some of them tell how they have to sacrifice to keep the Sabbath. One brother said, “I can go without food. but when the children cry for food, it is hard.” God has blessed this brother, and now he is doing well financially; but for months he could scarcely get enough to keep himself and family alive. Do you not think that such persons love the Lord? I fancy their stars will be among the brightest that adorn our Saviour’s crown in glory.

A native in Surabaya, Java, after studying the truth and becoming enlightened by the Spirit of the Lord, said, “God intends man to remember the ten commandments, so to help him, he gave him ten fingers. It is only with our eyes, ears, mouth, feet, and hands that we sin. When we are tempted to go in wrong paths, our ten toes should remind us of the ten commandments; and when tempted to steal, etc., our ten fingers should do the same.” He studies his Bible, and is trying to obey its teachings.

Up in Battakland, in Sumatra, where a native began about a year ago to sell literature, there are many souls crying for more light. Some fifteen or more are already keeping the Sabbath. When we visited them, nearly the whole village came to see us, and many of them asked intelligent questions about the truth. They said: “We are little children. We are hungry. We want some one to teach us. If no one is left to teach us to learn more, we are afraid we shall become discouraged,” This would be a good place for a young man and his wife to labor. It would be but a short time before a good, strong church could be raised up. In a recent letter from there we learn that the interest is spreading for miles around, and educated teachers are taking hold of the truth at the sacrifice of good positions. What is our responsibility? How can we face these people in the judgment if we refuse longer to go to their assistance?

Our work has begun in British North Borneo, and Elder Montgomery has already baptized a number of believers. A good interest is shown in the truth, and this bids fair to be a fruitful field. Several have gone from that section of the field to other parts to hold up the light of truth.

FIRST TENT EFFORT IN SINGAPORE. OUR CHURCH AT THE LEFT

Here in Singapore we have recently started the first tent effort that has ever been held in this section. We have interesting audiences. There seems to be some interest to hear, especially among the Chinese, of whom the greater portion of the city is composed. On Sabbath we have Sabbath-school at 8 A. M., preaching in English at 9 A. M. and 4:45 P. M., Malay meeting at 2 P. M., and Chinese service at 3 P. M., and prayers at the close of the Sabbath at about 6 P. M. Just recently there has come a request for a Chinese service at 10 A. M. for the Hakka Chinese, as they cannot understand the Teo-chiu Chinese spoken in the afternoon. This will be started next Sabbath.