Mission Schools by H. R. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 24, 1910

Mission Schools

By H. R. S.

ALL who have had to do in any way with work in foreign fields understand the value of a mission school. In fact, there are countries in which the school has not only been the entering wedge, but in many ways the backbone of the missionary work. In the mission school, “line upon line,” and “precept upon precept,” can be imparted as in no other place. It is through these schools that the missionary is often able to multiply his work manyfold, by means of the native evangelists. Especially in countries like Africa, our greatest success lies in getting the natives into our schools, and there carefully training them. It is always of great interest to hear of these mission schools in these different countries. The following extracts from a letter received from Brother B. L. Morse, one of our missionaries in British East Africa, will be of interest. With one exception, the eight workers in our British East Africa missions are from our British training school. Considering the fact that these missions are located under the equator, it is a satisfaction to note the good health that has been enjoyed by the laborers since the founding of the mission station six years ago. Brother Morse says:—

“I am glad to write that every worker is in good health. Brother and Sister A. A. Carscallen have occasional attacks of the fever. Brother H. H. Brooks had several some time ago, and also Sister Brooks has had one; however, of late they have not returned. The children of Brother and Sister Carscallen and of Brother and Sister J. D. Baker are as bonny as you could find anywhere in the world.”

“At present we have two stations established—Gendia, by the lake, where Brother and Sister Baker are located, and Wire Hill, about fifteen miles from Gendia. They have about twenty boys living at their station, besides a hundred children coming in from the surrounding villages to school each day. In addition to looking after these children, Brother Baker is also getting out material for a permanent house. At the Gendia school we have two sessions daily—in the morning from eight to ten, and in the afternoon from one to three. The afternoon session is for the thirty-five boys who live with us. I feel quite proud of these boys, for most of them are beginning to read nicely, all of them being able to manage easy sentences. Fifteen months ago none of them could read, and few of them had even seen an alphabet.”

“It must be borne in mind that the Kavirondos do not care at all for school; so that when we opened a school for the children from the villages, we had to go to them, and urge them to send the children to us. Often one must go several times before they come regularly. At our school to-day there are ninety-two from the villages. Had all been present, there would have been one hundred twenty-five. Often after the afternoon session I take two of the older boys for a five- or six-mile tramp to the villages to look after the truants. When I have had time to get to all the villages, I hope to have about two hundred boys attending our school here.”

“LATER.—I have been visiting villages during the past ten days, and we now have an average of one hundred twenty-five present. I have half the villages within a radius of three miles yet to visit. From those already visited, I have over two hundred names of children of school age. The mission boys who go with me say that there are many more whom I have not seen, who are hidden away by their parents when they know that I am coming. The village head man will not tell me the truth when asked about the children. Often by staying around, talking with him about other things, and keeping my eyes open, I see a goodly number of black heads poking out of the hut doors. Then I get hold of the boys for students. There are hundreds of children in this section; and I am sure, could they be found and brought in, we would have nearly five hundred in our school, all of whom would be over seven years of age.”

“As yet we have no printed books. Brother Carscallen has gathered a dictionary of three thousand words, and worked out a rough grammar, to help new workers in the language. At present he is working on the translation of Matthew, the first chapter of which is completed. Brother and Sister Baker have translated ‘The Story of Joseph.’ This I am giving the boys for reading lessons. I write out two or three paragraphs on the blackboard for them to copy in exercise books. I shall be able to get them on much faster when we have the printed page from which to read.”

H. R. S.