Other Mission Fields

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 16, 1910

Other Mission Fields

· (Under Mission Board or American Unions)

West African Mission

THE headquarters of the mission is at Freetown, Sierra Leone. This mission is at the western doorway of the most populous region of Africa.

Thanking God for his care over the little band of workers, Elder D. C. Babcock, the superintendent, says:—

While there has been some sickness, yet the lives of all have been spared, and that in one of the most unhealthful climates on earth. This one manifestation of God's tender care has become a living epistle to the people, and is spoken of in wonder.

THE WORK GROWING

The superintendent's report shows a growing work at Freetown, in church and school, with the usual trials and triumphs of a mission field. He adds:—

In January a church was organized at Waterloo. They are completing a concrete church building, with schoolrooms in the basement.

In February, Brother C. E. F. Thompson began meetings at Axim, on the Gold Coast, eight hundred miles from Sierra Leone. In October a church of seventeen members was organized.

A little over a year ago Brother C. A. Ackah opened work at Kickam, near Axim, and as a result of this effort a church of thirty-four was organized (during a visit from the superintendent), and since then about fifteen have been added. At another village, near Kickam, a company is awaiting baptism.

At Axim and other points the enemy has been quite open in his attacks, the power of the civil arm being appealed to to stop the work of our young men. But the message moves on, and the work is widening.

PIONEERING IN THE INTERIOR

About the last of September, Brother R. P. Dauphin was sent on a missionary tour into the hinterland of Sierra Leone. He was away eleven weeks, visited

many native chiefs, and found quite an interest among them. He came across one chief over three hundred miles in the interior who could read and write, and who had in his possession a good supply of our books, and was fully convinced of the truth. I have been informed that far into the Sudan our books and tracts are found. The Lord is preparing the way. Shall we enter the wide-open field?

Last week I received a letter from a man who visited us nearly two years ago, professed to accept the message, bought some books, and left. We had heard nothing further from him. He has been sick during the entire time, far in the interior, and has prayerfully studied the message during that time. His letter is full of hope and courage, and reveals the spirit of a genuine Sabbath-keeper.

Good word comes to us from Brother Randall, our canvasser at Sherbro. He has sold many books, and three have embraced the message there.

EDUCATIONAL WORK

Prof. T. M. French and wife, with their associates, have been working hard to train missionary workers. The past year's experience has been a good school for all of us. We believe our training-school work is now placed upon a good foundation. We have secured a little farm at Waterloo, well suited for farming and gardening. A stream flows through the entire length of the farm, and a good stone building affords a home for teachers and a limited number of students, while the new church and school building in Waterloo provides ample room for our boys' school. Mrs. Babcock will conduct the girls' department of the training-school in Freetown.

We have nothing but courage to report, and we expect a great ingathering of souls in West Africa during 1910. Our young men in the ministry, developed in the field, are full of hope and courage, and are learning to push the work.