AFRICAN MISSIONS by R. C. Porter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 9, 1913

AFRICAN MISSIONS

By R. C. Porter

Industrial Mission Work

INDUSTRIAL work is not, as some have thought, against the spiritual interests of mission work. It is the best background for a spiritual life among all classes of people.

In Rhodesia last year two of our missions set out to reach the self-supporting mark. God set his seal to their endeavors by giving them abundant harvests, while drought conditions prevailed throughout the sections where they were located. The missions were repeatedly visited by rains in answer to special prayer.

To educate the African native without training him in industrial work, generally results in lifting him above common labor and thus unfitting him for practical life.

A Christian education embracing industrial training fits him for the best possible service as a laborer, besides giving him a clearer view of the humble Christian life of the Man of Calvary. It thus increases his stability as a Christian and lays the foundation for a more deeply spiritual life.

Our Barotseland Mission (beyond the Zambesi), which is now self-supporting, shows a present valuation equal to every dollar that has been sent to it for operating, from its beginning to the present time.

A NYASALAND SCHOOL-TEACHER BUILDING HIMSELF A HOUSE

The industrial plan makes possible a much more rapid extension of the work, and calls for a spirit of unselfish devotion which is always a sure forerunner of a deeply spiritual life. It takes money to provide supplies in the shape of farm, farm implements, teams, and a herd of dairy cows to make self-support possible, but contributions to such missions in the end yield the largest possible returns. The initial expense once met, the mission becomes a self-supporting base, from which the light of the gospel keeps shining out, lighting the poor darkened natives all about into the pathway of peace and rest through Christ. R. C. PORTER.