Mission Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1911

THE Barotseland Mission, South Africa, has one hundred acres of mealies (corn) planted. If rain comes soon, the workers will keep on planting. There has been very little rain so far this season, but the cotton fields are looking well. At each of the out-schools a small crop of cotton has been planted as an experiment.

DURING 1910 Spanish books to the value of nearly seventy thousand dollars were sold by the Pacific Press Publishing Association. This was three times more Spanish literature put out by this one publishing-house than it sold during 1909. Most of it was circulated in Mexico, although large shipments were sent to South America. Truly this is an evidence of the progress the message is making in dark Spanish fields.

AN accident caused the death of Laboana Kalaka, the fifteen-year-old son of our native teacher and interpreter at Emmanuel Mission, North Basutoland, South Africa. A number of children were playing around a heavy Cape cart, when it suddenly tipped backward, striking Laboana across the abdomen, causing his death seventeen hours later. He found great comfort in repeating over and over the twenty-third psalm. Brother H. C. Olmstead drew words of comfort for the sorrowing from the words of Jer. 31:16, 17. Over one hundred gathered in sympathy as this dear native boy was laid to rest on the mission grounds. We are glad that salvation’s story had been told Laboana, and that he believed.

THE workers in India united with us in observing the day of fasting and prayer, Sabbath, January 21. Brother J. L. Shaw wrote to the workers there this word: “India is just as near to heaven as America, or Europe, or any other country, and God is just as willing and able to give success to the workers in this field as in any other part of his vineyard. Caste and superstition will fall before us, as we unceasingly claim the promises of God.” This is as true of China, Africa, and all other mission fields as of India. God will work with consecrated hearts everywhere, and send to their help powerful angels of light and glory. But we must keep in touch with God by constant consecration.

SISTER E. R. WILLIAMS, of South Africa, speaking of the recent death of her husband, says she had just received a cheerful and encouraging letter from him, and was writing an answer to it, when the telegram came announcing his death. She says the Lord knew she was not strong enough to bear the shock alone, so he was with her to sustain. She was directed to 2 Kings 20:19, 20, for comfort. She believes her husband was prepared for his sudden death; and while the blow is a crushing one, she looks forward, with even more longing than ever before, to the time when Jesus shall come. The prayers of God’s people have been a great source of strength to this bereaved family during this time of deep sorrow.

MOHAMMEDANISM is fast spreading in the islands of the Pacific. This makes more difficult the warning of the isles with the last message of mercy to the world. Sister Lily M. Thorpe, speaking of the waiting islands, says: “There are myriads of islands waiting, waiting, and still waiting, stretching out their arms to heaven, and the voiceless cry goes up, ‘Who will help us?’ Banda, Ambon, Menado, the Moluccas, look to us for help. These islands must be entered with the third angel’s message. Borneo, the Celebes, Battakland, and southern Sumatra wait. And for what?—‘The isles shall wait for His law.’ Mission work has been done in these places, but the isles still wait for his law. The spider-like island of Celebes, with its teeming millions, still waits. The gigantic island of Borneo is still waiting. What shall we do? Shall we deem it too hard a cross to leave our comfortable homes, our friends, and the old associations which we love? The Master did more than this. There is only one thing to do,—act, act in the living present. The promise is, ‘The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.’ The climate in many of these places is good, and the nights are cool. Trading-vessels and tourist steamers call at all the principal islands and bays. The missionary is not now cut off so completely from the living, rushing world as he was twenty-five years ago, when steamers called only once, or at the most twice, in a year at many places, and then only if the weather permitted. If it was rough and stormy, the ship went on its way, carrying away the letters and food intended for the missionary. Such an experience of one missionary came under my notice. To-day, intercourse with the outside world can be kept up with comparative ease by the missionary who has left home and friends.”