p. 18 | School Work in Nyasaland by J. C. Rogers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 4, 1911

School Work in Nyasaland

By J. C. Rogers

We had arranged for a special council of our native teachers at the main station, to be held January 13-16. It was also planned to celebrate the ordinances at the same time, and we hoped a baptismal service could be held for some candidates who have been receiving instruction two years or longer. Notices were sent to our teachers in the out-schools, and all came except four at the school lately opened by Mrs. Rogers, and six at our Monekera out-station, who failed to receive the notice. It was not thought best to call the teachers from the new school, which was only well begun. We now see that this was wise, as the school has grown from forty-five at the opening to about ninety at the last report.

The teachers in heathen villages find a strong tide of wicked customs and practises to work against, and we like to gather them into the main station two or three times a year for communion with the church. Thus they are greatly strengthened and encouraged. It is our plan to send them out two and two. If the school is large, or if two schools are near together, three or four go, some of them being beginners under a head teacher. The teachers of near-by schools usually meet together on Sabbaths, and they always gather the people for Sabbath-school and preaching. Some of our European workers try to make a visit to each out-school once a month. Unfortunately, we are not always able to accomplish this, on account of other duties or sickness.

At the time of our special January meeting, we had cause to appreciate fully the help of Brother Ellingworth, who has recently come to the station. Mrs. Rogers experienced about the worst attack of fever that she has yet suffered. It began two days before the appointed meeting, and continued until it closed. On the seventeenth we were obliged to send her to Blantyre in a machila for the higher altitude. The fever ended with a severe congestion of the brain, which no person, apparently, could live through for many days. This experience forces upon us the necessity of having a cottage in Blantyre, or at some other favorable place, for a refuge in sickness. Such a place would save more than its cost in a few years' time. At present the only place to which we can go is a hospital or a hotel, where the expense is from ten to twelve shillings a day. As nearly as I can estimate, without going into the accounts, our workers have paid about fifty pounds in this way during the past four years. This amount would build a cottage, and furnish it with plain necessities. It is probable that we could get some income from renting it a part of the year.

At the ordinance service twenty-six members, besides Europeans, took part. They seemed to realize the meaning of this sacred service. Many members are scattered at their homes this time of the year, and twenty or more live at Monekera, sixty miles away. We hope to celebrate the ordinances at that place soon. In council with our teachers we have planned some changes in the school terms, which we believe will add much to the success of our educational efforts. Instead of one long term, running through the fever season, we have arranged for two terms, one of them particularly for the training of teachers, with our long vacation during November, December, and January, which are the very hot, trying months, and also the native planting time.

It will be necessary to bring about these changes gradually, and this we shall do during the present year. In 1912, all working as planned, our school terms will be conducted as follows:—

1. February, March, April, teachers' training-school. The whole of these three months will be given to those preparing for teaching, and the better training of those already teaching.

2. May to October, village out-schools, and Anglo-vernacular school at main station.

3. November to January, general vacation. During this vacation period, some teachers will go to their homes, from one hundred to two hundred or even three hundred miles distant, to preach among their villages. All students who want work for earning tax money, etc., will be given work at regular wages in our cotton fields and at other industries, as these three months are the time of hoeing and planting. This plan will also leave the European workers free to oversee industries, and for those who need a rest or change to have it without breaking into their school duties.

There are also other advantages which those in the field will appreciate. It is not unlikely that these changes may temporarily reduce the number in our schools; but we are very sure that ultimately the attendance will be increased thereby. We trust it will be as the time of gathering and concentrating the various units of a great army preparatory to the final charge,—in this case upon heathen superstition in this part of Central Africa. For this we ask you to pray. J. C. ROGERS.