A New Company Found in Java Keeping the Sabbath by GEO. TEASDALE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1907

A New Company Found in Java Keeping the Sabbath

By GEO. TEASDALE

GEO. TEASDALE

A short time ago we received an invitation to visit a woman, engaged in missionary work, who keeps the Sabbath. Another letter from her contained an invitation for Sister Skadsheim to go and stay with her for a while, and become acquainted with her work.

About fourteen years ago she began to keep the Sabbath, as the result of becoming acquainted with a Seventh-day Baptist, who shortly afterward turned to Sunday-keeping. In the face of much opposition, and alone, she has faithfully endeavored to follow the light. For a time she maintained a connection with the Baptists in Holland; but, because of her belief in the second advent and other things, she is not a member of any denomination. Her father was a missionary to the Javanese, and translated the Bible into their language for the British and Foreign Bible Society, and she has inherited an ardent missionary spirit. Born in this country, she is well acquainted with the habits and languages, and is also possessed of an earnest desire to follow the light as it is revealed to her.

Five years ago the government set apart one hundred and fifty bowers (about two hundred and sixty acres) of land for her to use in connection with her work for poor natives. The government also gave her several thousand guilders to help start the work. Many thousands of guilders have also been subscribed by private individuals. This she has used in improving the land, and helping the natives to build houses, and to become self-supporting. There are about one hundred and seventy persons in her colony, thirty of whom profess to be converted. Ten are baptized, and fifteen others are ready for baptism. They all keep the Sabbath. But I fear that many of them smoke, and probably the women chew. Both of these habits, and also the use of alcohol, are consented to, or indulged in, by the ministers, so we would not be surprised if the simple natives knew no better. The land is very rugged, and is situated on the side of Mt. Mooria, on a cape a little to the east of Samarang. The climate is quite cool, on account of the altitude and the very copious rainfall. Malarial fever is common among the natives. Maize, tapioca, and other vegetables are grown there, and many fruits, also the kapok-tree.

The place is twelve miles from a little town called Tadjio, where there are a few Europeans. For six miles the road is level, but the rest of the way is up the mountain, and must be accomplished on horseback.

In this isolated place Miss Jansk has lived alone with the natives for five years. The work has grown beyond her expectations, and has become too much for her. She had some thought of turning it over to a missionary society operating in Java. But they told her that if they took it, her natives would have to keep Sunday. Rather than have that occur, she determined to carry on the work herself until she died. For some time she has been desirous of obtaining help, and would like a man and his wife to take charge of the colony as managers, and she would work under them. Sister Skadsheim will help her for a while, until we hear from our people in Australia. When Brother Gates comes to Java, we shall visit the colony, and become better acquainted with the situation. There are several young people there, who, she says, are thoroughly converted, and do missionary work in

the neighboring villages. They could soon be trained for laborers in our cause. When we remember that they are already Sabbath-keepers, and have been tested for a number of years, we can see that the Lord has surely gone before us in Java.

This woman begs us to help her in the work. Indeed, she is willing for us to take charge of it, and would gladly labor under our control. The institution lacks a little of being self-supporting; but this amount could easily be made up by a practical manager. Here is an opening the like of which seldom occurs. A consecrated man and his wife, who are acquainted with practical nursing and have some knowledge of agriculture, could do an excellent work. With twenty-five natives already converted, and keeping the Sabbath to begin with, and an estate upon which much money has been spent, it would be a source from which we could obtain a supply of native helpers, who, with further instruction in the school in Singapore, would carry the truth to the millions in Java.

The land is very rough and broken. Spread out in front and on two sides is the sea, from which invigorating breezes undoubtedly blow; while immediately below is a thickly populated flat country, with scores of villages, and thousands of natives. The country is well governed, and traveling facilities and many of the conveniences and comforts of life are moderate in price. We sincerely hope, and constantly pray, that some one will be found willing to, and capable of, taking hold of this important work. There is no time to lose.