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Matotoka, West Africa

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 31, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 31.

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Matotoka, West Africa

By R. P. Dauphin

R. P. DAUPHIN
A YEAR ago we arrived at Matotoka, and after a severe conflict with Satan and his allies, succeeded in opening the work at this place. The Temnes in this district are very superstitious, and are wholly given to devil-worship. There are two big institutions in this country, which seem to be the very life of the people. These are the Porot society for the men, and the Bondu institution for the women. Any one who does not belong to either of these societies would be considered a barbarian.
Some time after our arrival, the people began to work their fetish upon us to kill us, and failing, did their best to discourage us so we should leave. But they cannot harm us, for God is here. Sometimes at night, after the day's weary march, as Mrs. Dauphin and I lay down to rest, the rain would come pouring down upon us. We would then have to sit up. Such experiences have made Mrs. Dauphin's health very poor. Despite all that Satan could do, we kept at the work, until at last two men gave up their devil-worship, tobacco, and rum, and with others accepted the truth. We now have a fine school, and a good house built for the mission. A portion of the funds was raised locally. We also during the latter part of the year started work in another town, Ma Parki, belonging to a chief about twenty-seven miles from Matotoka. Here we also have a good school. I have translated some of our hymns into the vernacular, and they are now ready for the press. It is inspiring to hear the schoolboys sing the praises of our heavenly King in their own tongue, and to hear this people who were once in bondage tell of the liberty, peace, and joy that they now have. It is always the joy of one of the two men who gave up devil-worship to speak of the Saviour who died for him. He always puts the emphasis upon me when he says, “He died for me.”
There are now open doors for the message in this and the Limba country. Many have never heard the message of the soon-coming King.
“Fields are white, the harvest waiting, Who will bear the sheaves away? Loud and long the Master calleth, Rich reward he offers free; Who will answer, gladly saying, ‘Here am I, O Lord, send me’?”