The Message in Central Africa
ABOUT ten years ago the Lord led Mr. Joseph Booth, who was then in England, to go to Nyassaland, Central Africa, to assist in carrying the gospel to the native tribes in that part of the dark continent. In passing through Cape Town, South Africa, he met Elders A. T. Robinson and I. J. Hankins, and Sister Hettie Hurd (now Sister Haskell), who called his attention to the message for this time, but he did not see its importance then, and hastened on to Central Africa. After reaching his field of work, he found Brother George James, a former student in Battle Creek College, who went to that part of Africa about twelve years ago as a self-supporting missionary. Brother James urged the message again upon his attention, but while not opposing it, he did not decide to accept it, and Brother James left him for other fields. A little later a native chief, who had listened to Mr. Booth's teaching, charged him with inconsistency in claiming to teach and obey God's words when he was acting contrary to the plain teaching of the fourth commandment. Some of his native converts, who heard this statement, decided afterwards to observe the seventh day as the Sabbath according to the commandment, even though Mr. Booth continued to observe the first day of the week. In 1897 Mr. Booth came to America, with the determination of looking carefully into the Sabbath question and settling it. In the Lord's providence he met the Seventh-day Baptist brethren, at Plainfield, N. J., and after studying the matter carefully with them, he accepted the Sabbath truth, and began the observance of the seventh day of the week. He then returned to Central Africa as a Sabbath-keeping missionary, and for about four years worked in affiliation with the Seventh-day Baptists. His mind, however, often reverted to the message which had been called to his attention by the brethren in Cape Town, and later by Brother James, and he decided to come to America for the purpose of meeting with the Seventh-day Adventists, and learning more fully concerning these things. Arriving in New York, after considerable inquiry he found our people, and met with Brother and Sister Haskell. Later he attended a portion of the Lake Union Conference at Chicago, and there related his experience in finding the truth, and told of his work in Central Africa. By request of the General Conference committee, Brother Booth came to Battle Creek last week, and our people had the privilege of hearing him on the Sabbath. Friday evening he spoke to the nurses, helpers, and students at the Sanitarium. Sabbath forenoon he spoke at the Tabernacle, and again in the afternoon. It is impossible to give here any abstract of Brother Booth's talks, but we hope to present a full report later. We can only say that all who heard the recital of his experiences and his invitation to this people to accept the burden of the work in that far-off field, were deeply impressed with the opening providence of God in bringing to us such an opportunity. The sweet Spirit of the Lord seemed to rest upon the congregation, and to witness to the testimony borne concerning the manifest working of the Lord in behalf of the peoples still in darkness. At the close of the afternoon meeting, by a unanimous rising vote, the Battle Creek church expressed their approval of the plan of entering upon mission work in Nyassaland, and pledged themselves to support Brother Booth in that field for one year. Later the church board voted to recommend to the church to appropriate six hundred dollars, from missionary funds now in hand, for the payment of Brother Booth's traveling expenses in returning to Central Africa. We believe the church will be blessed in thus responding to the call for help in carrying the message into this new field. It is expected that Brother Booth will sail from New York on May 7, and after attending the European General Conference in London, he will proceed at once to Central Africa again. The Mission Board hope to be able to send two or more workers with him, and of this we shall speak later. It is evident, as we accept the responsibility under God of carrying the advent message to all the world in this generation, that the Lord will open ways before us, and raise up those whose training and experience will enable them to render efficient service in the one great effort. May the Lord grant us wisdom to recognize every such providential opening, and the courage to accept the responsibility which may come with it.