West Coast, Africa by D. C. Babcock

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 5, 1907

West Coast, Africa

By D. C. Babcock

D. C. BABCOCK

In Sierra Leone the message is making some progress. Most of those who accepted the Sabbath during the tent-meetings are yet faithful. About June 1 we began meetings in a large hall, in the northeastern part of the city of Freetown; but, owing to heavy rains, the attendance was small. We have closed these meetings until the rainy season is over. Some interest was awakened by the few services held, and Brother Brown is holding Bible readings with the interested ones.

Among those who have embraced the truth are several soldiers of the West Indies Regiment and the Royal Garrison Artillery. Some of these obtained a release from Sabbath duties, but some are passing through severe trials. When they applied for release on the Sabbath, more duties were placed upon them, because of this request.

One brother, a sergeant, whose time expires in August, has had a very trying time. The commander has done everything he can to hold him, but we hope all will be settled at the expiration of his term. There is a regulation that provides for one year overtime in case of war, when an army is in a land distant from that in which enlistment was made. But as that regulation can not be enforced under the present circumstances, this brother has decided to make a test, if refused a discharge.

We are glad to say that there are several young men who can be trained for the work in a short time, as they have a fair literary training.

A Training-School

We realize the necessity for a good training-school, to prepare workers for the great field before us. There are earnest calls made for laborers all along the coast, from Lagos to Gambia, a distance of more than fifteen hundred miles.

We can not hope for workers to come from other lands, to fill the many calls coming to us. The laborers must be found, to a large extent, in the field. From Liberia, located just to the south of Sierra Leone, comes an urgent request for us to come there and hold meetings. We are yet unprepared to meet this plea. Liberia is settled largely by liberated slaves from the United States.

Gold Coast

It is quite evident, from many letters received from America, that the vastness of the West Coast is little understood. Gold Coast is as far from Sierra Leone as is New York City from Battle Creek, Mich. The call for help from the Gold Coast during the past year has been so urgent that we thought it advisable to send Brother Kwamina there. He sailed from this port the second week in June, and from recent reports from him, success is attending his efforts.

A council meeting was held by our workers here one week before Brother Kwamina left, and it was decided that Mrs. Babcock and I should go to the Gold Coast during the months of August and September. At that season there is generally less rain there than in later months. We expect to leave Sierra Leone for that field in two weeks. Brother L. W. Browne will probably conduct a training-class for workers during our absence. He will also look after the general interests of the work in Freetown.

Church Building

It will be impossible to complete our new church building before leaving for the Gold Coast; first, for lack of means, and second, for lack of time. We now have the building enclosed, and all the outside woodwork painted; but the windows

and doors are to be put in, and the church is to be seated. We now owe one hundred and thirty dollars, and shall need one hundred and fifty dollars to complete the building. Our brethren are doing all they can to raise the money, but it will take some time yet, at the rate we are getting it. The building is of solid concrete, and will comfortably seat three hundred persons.

Among the many visitors last week to see the church building were two Catholic priests. They spoke very highly both of the structure and of its commanding location. It is at the junction of two streets, and can be seen for quite a distance down the street.

We are thankful to our Heavenly Father, and to our dear brethren and sisters, who have so liberally given of their means, that we can begin to see fruits for the efforts put forth here. It is not simply an organization of men and women, but they are souls truly converted to God and his work, in this closing message.

Freetown, Sierra Leone.