Maranatha Mission, Africa
By D. Sparrow
This session of the school has been open about six weeks, with thirty-nine students in attendance, twenty-five boarders in the home, and fourteen from the neighboring farms. At the Fish River school, carried on by Brother Taba, there are thirty-seven students, with an average attendance of about thirty. This school is partially on the self-supporting basis, as the parents meet the necessary supplies required by the students, the conference paying the teacher’s salary only. Brother Claude Tarr is now teaching the Maranatha school. He teaches both English and Kafir, which is a great help to the students, as he explains the English words to them in their own language, and they appreciate this. Since adopting this plan, there has been a marked improvement in the school. We have a number of natives who desire a training to fit them to labor for their own people, and they wish to make native language their chief study, getting a Bible training as well. The evangelistic part of the work is very encouraging. The attendance at the Sabbath morning meeting usually numbers from forty to sixty, many of whom do not understand English. Strangers are continually coming into these meetings. We have planned to have a meeting as often as possible at a native kraal about five miles from the mission. The first meeting was held to-day, with about fifty-five present. These services will be conducted in the native language. On Sabbath our program is somewhat different. Sabbath-school is held at 11 A. M., and church service from 12:15 to 1:15. This service is usually conducted in both languages. At 3 P. M. we have a Bible study in the native language, taking up different points of present truth. This meeting is appreciated by the natives, as they have opportunity to ask questions and receive light on the truth. At the conclusion of the afternoon meeting a week ago, one young man stood up and asked what he must do to be saved. He has now accepted the Saviour, and is keeping the Sabbath. Another young man on an adjoining farm has also begun to keep the Sabbath, and takes part in the meetings. About two months before we came here, Brother I. B. Burton and Faba went down to Fish River among the Red Kafirs. They labored there about six weeks, and when they left, about ten adults were professing to keep the Sabbath. These are still loyal to the truth as far as they know it, and the work has grown until at the present time there are twenty-eight who do not work on the Sabbath. I have had meetings there, and they are anxious to know more of the truth. The congregation usually numbers from fifty to sixty persons, many of them in their red blankets. At the next location to this, the head man sent a message asking us to come to his place to hold some meetings, and we hope soon to do so. Brother Tarr is studying the native language more fully, with the object of helping in the evangelistic work. We pray the Lord to water seeds of truth sown in weakness, and we hope that some jewels may be gathered here for the soon-coming kingdom of Christ.