British Central Africa by S. M. Konigmacher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

British Central Africa

By S. M. Konigmacher

MATANDANE MISSION, NYASSALAND.—Last Sabbath we had one hundred at service and Sabbath-school. After service I went to six villages and talked to the people there,—one hundred twenty-five,—and my house boy went in the opposite direction to three villages, and found sixty-eight. Thus nearly two hundred more heard the blessed word. We are grateful for any sign of progress. The people come to the house of God with nice, clean clothes, and some have on new white sheets. And they are more orderly in God's house than many of our people at home. When they come, even in school, they sit down and bow the head, and will then rise if the congregation is standing.

We have nearly eighty in our school. The little ones are memorizing the law of God. The older ones have just finished 1 Corinthians 13, and they have a great deal of charity for their people, and will divide with one another. We have two teachers. The head teacher lost his two-days'-old baby. We did all we could to save it. Early Sabbath morning we buried it. Mrs. Konigmacher found a few wild sweet peas, and gave them some nice new white cloth to wrap the little one in. I placed grass in the bottom of the grave, and after they put the baby in, I covered it with more grass. I then read 1 Thess. 4: 13-18, sang two songs, and said a few words. One of the boys prayed. It was a Christian burial, conducted in the native language; and, although the time was early, some were at the grave.

We are getting hold of the language, and find that when able to speak to the people in their own tongue, we can reach them much better. On Sabbath I tried my first sermon. Mrs. Konigmacher helped some; and also the boys, who understand the way the white man speaks, can put one right if he makes a mistake. With every effort comes more

strength. It is absolutely necessary to get the language. On going to a new country, do not surround yourself with English-speaking natives. Get the raw native, and you will get the language much more quickly.

I visited some of the missions farther up country, and learned many helpful things. Most are industrial, and are surrounded by fine plantations. Before the people go to work in the morning, there are sometimes three hundred on some of the plantations. The missionary has worship with them all. Thus many hear the word who would not come for any other reason than to earn money. The natives are also surrounded by the Christian influence of the mission. There are many out-schools, with a white teacher to supervise them. Some stations have a number of cattle, goats, and sheep. A good work is being done. After the morning labors, all the younger children come to school.

I also visited the Catholic mission. They are putting up a fine church. As I passed through the villages, I saw the beads hanging from the necks of the poor people.

We are very anxious to enter Portuguese territory. It is a difficult place to get into, but God will open the way. One wrote and asked what is needed in a mission field. It is all summed up in this: “a close connection with God.” Unless God is with us, and works through us, our efforts will not be successful. It is impossible to teach darkened hearts like these without the power of God. We must live the truth before them. S. M. KONIGMACHER.