South Africa by William H. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1907

South Africa

By William H. Anderson

MISSION FARM, PEMBA, NORTHWEST RHODESIA.—There was nothing that was reported from the Gland meeting that cheered our hearts more than the plan to establish a missionary training-school at Washington.

We are pushing the work here with all our strength. It goes slowly; and yet no one comes here who does not express surprise at what we have done in these two years. Professor Hayton said that our most advanced students were equal to fourth-grade pupils in reading, writing, spelling, and Bible knowledge. Less than two years ago they knew nothing. This statement was encouraging to us. We still have about the same number in the school here; but they are an older class of pupils, and we are doing more for them than we could do for the younger ones.

I have made another application to the government for permission to open the out-station, and am awaiting a reply. Some of the other societies have closed their out-stations in obedience to the new law, but some are defying the government. We now have a new administrator, and it remains to be seen what he will say. A similar law in regard to the closing of out-stations was passed in southern Rhodesia several years ago, but it was repealed, at the petition of all the missionaries.

Our farm produced well last year; but there is such a depression all over the country that we shall not be able to realize more than four hundred dollars, in addition to food for the school, and the out-stations, if we are able to open them. Our fruit-trees are all doing well, and some of the oranges, lemons, and guavas are blossoming. We have all the papaws we can use for a long time, and the trees look as if they were going to bear and ripen the year round.

Two weeks ago I went to Buluwayo, and purchased the material for three buildings to be erected here. These are a dwelling-house, a dining-room for the students, and a church and school building.

The bricks for these buildings were all made and burned by the students. In fact, all the work that has ever been done on the farm has been done by the students. I have never hired any help since the work started here.

I have received from the South African Union Conference one hundred and fifty pounds, which will pay for the material for the dwelling-house. As Elder Sturdevant has gone into the field to the north, I will not need to make that trip this year, and the fifty pounds appropriated for it will pay for the material for the dining-room. Mrs. Anderson and I have donated the material for the other building. So we are doing a great deal of building, and are not incurring any indebtedness. I have a brother here from the Colony, who is to do the work. It will take us until the end of the year to complete it.

My little girl still has fever, and I think I shall soon send her to Kimberley. Mrs. Anderson is not strong, and she may have to go, also. I have better health this year than last, so hope to hold out this season. I trust that next year we shall be able to keep the fever off, as we shall have a good house, and there is every prospect of plenty of fruit.

This is truly the sifting time. But God's people will be triumphant. We must endure as seeing him who is invisible.

W. H. ANDERSON.