The Seventh-day Adventist Matabele Mission School
By W. S. Hyatt
At the present time we have about fifty boys and girls in this school, and it is expected that many more will wish to come in a short time, but we do not see how we can take many more. We think that fifty should be about our limit. At this season of the year, when the crops are gathered, and the boys have nothing to do, they naturally wish to come to the school, as they can get their food and clothes. Of course this is the season when we have the least work for them to do, and what we do have amounts to but little, as it brings little or no returns. That you may have an idea of the work of the school, I will give you our program of work each day, and the classes:— Rising at daylight. The boys work till breakfast time. Breakfast at seven o’clock. One hour is given before they are to begin work. School from eight to ten. This is the beginners in English and Zulu. Mrs. Hyatt and the native teachers have this part of the school. From eight to ten the more advanced boys are in the field working. At 10:15 the bell rings for the boys to come in, the school to close. At 10:30 those who have been in school go to work. At 10:30 school opens; 10:30-10:45 opening services; 10:45-11:15 Bible study on points of present truth; 10:45-11:15 geography class, by Mrs. Hyatt; 11:15-11:40 reading class in English New Testament, by W. S. Hyatt; 11:15-11:40 reading class in English New Testament, by Mrs. W. S. Hyatt; 11:40-12 A arithmetic, studying division, etc., by W. S. Hyatt; 11:40-12 B arithmetic, studying subtraction, etc., by Mrs. W. S. Hyatt; 12-12:30 penmanship—we use copy-books; 12:30-12:55 advanced class in reading,—book, “Christ Our Saviour,”—by W. S. Hyatt; 12:30-12:55 Zulu Bible, third-year class, by Brother Sturdevant; 12:55-1:20 Bible history and geography, by W. S. Hyatt; 1:20-1:40 language class—an English class in conversation. Flowers or some other objects are chosen as a subject about which to talk. The students learn very fast, and enjoy this class. At two o’clock everybody is ready, I assure you, for dinner. At three o’clock all go to work gathering mealies, shelling, drying, and storing them; digging monkey-nuts and drying them; grinding food; drawing water; looking after the store; caring for the stock; pulling teeth; caring for the sick, etc., etc. How do you think Brother Sturdevant did all this or looked after it all before we came to assist him? I do not wonder that he was sick. At six o’clock the bell rings for closing work, and at six forty-five we have evening worship. I should have mentioned that worship is also held at seven in the morning. From seven to eight forty-five the children study the next day’s lessons,—Zulu, thirty-five minutes; slates, thirty-five minutes; English, thirty minutes. The retiring hour is eight forty-five. Lights are out at nine. We draw a sigh of relief when they are in their huts, and the work is finished; for it is a busy day, yes, and a long one. We have tried to lift some of the burden off Brother Sturdevant’s shoulders, and let him rest. I feel that he deserves it, after bearing the load that he has. It is not a small thing to guide and direct the work of fifty of these children, and make it accomplish something for the mission. I am thankful for this experience. It is just what I have desired to have, as I wanted to get some real experience in this kind of work. If I am to act as a counselor to the brethren, I must know the nature of the work by coming in contact with it.