Orange River Colony, South Africa
By J. M. Freeman
A LITTLE more than two years ago I left Basutoland, and, in compliance with the wishes of our conference committee, began work in this colony, especially among the Dutch farmers. The work has steadily moved forward. The truth, accepted by our Dutch brethren, has created within them a desire to give the message to natives living among them (Zulus and Basutos). As a result, we have a nice native congregation of about thirty. Three of these were preachers and teachers in other denominations. Our church roll totals seventy members. Honest tithe is paid by most of the families. Last year this amounted to over two hundred and fifty pounds. The present members are scattered about the districts of Harrismith, Bethlehem, Heilbron, and Foureesburg, and Lindley. We have three centers, where meetings are held, and two little church-schools supported by the families whose children attend. Sisters V. Sutherland and F. Haupt are the teachers, and are doing faithful work among the children, spiritually as well as educationally. We have formed a young people's society, also a missionary and improvement society for adults. Studies are prepared on various points of truth, and sent to families. Meetings are held at different places once a month. Neighbors are invited, and a good work is thus being accomplished. The liberal fourth Sabbath offerings are more than sufficient to pay for sixty copies of Zions Wachter, which are given away, and also for tracts for each member to work with. Each gets a supply while attending our three-days' quarterly meeting seasons, when families gather on the farms where meetings are held. We hold separate quarterly ordinance services for our native people. A good company of our white brethren also attend. All the services are conducted in Dutch. For the native meetings we use Zulu and Basuto interpreters. The schools for the white students are taught in English. We hope to have a native school. Our Dutch brethren have supplied funds to buy a horse for use by a native in gratuitous work among his people, also a cart for our white colporteur, and about sixty pounds toward the erection of a meeting-house, primarily to meet the native need in Lindley district. I feel very thankful that we have so many among our Dutch brethren who maintain their first love, and show it by their activity in giving the message wherever they can. The fact that native servants have embraced the truth, and others are becoming interested, seems to be creating mixed feelings in their employers, who are expressing themselves in no favorable way toward us. This, together with the consistent way most of our brethren carry on their farming work on Sunday, will probably lead to legislation, with a view of checking the message's advance. But we know that nothing can work against it except our own unfaithfulness. We are hoping to begin work in Cape Town as soon as a company of laborers can be formed under Elder Hankins. The majority of the people are English-speaking. In connection with that effort, we hope to carry on a training class for workers. I gratefully acknowledge the goodness and help of the Lord in this difficult field.