A Visit to Matabeleland
By W. S. Hyatt
JUNE 10 I started on a trip to Matabeleland. As Mrs. Hyatt was with me, we went directly to Gwelo, and then to the Somobula Mission. This mission is fifteen hundred miles north from Cape Town. It requires five days by rail, and one day by wagon to reach the mission. We found all well, and the work prospering. This mission is about one hundred and forty miles from the Mission Farm. Two years ago Brother Armitage went there and began work. He started with nothing, and has built comfortable buildings and opened a school. The school is prospering quite well, there being about forty in attendance. He has several of the children who were adopted at the time of the famine seven years ago, and these are a great help to him in the work. Two of the older boys are able to teach the native children, and assist in the work of caring for the mission. As this was the first time that any of our people have visited them since they have been located there, it was a real treat to them to see a fellow laborer again. Last February two young natives came to the mission. They were looking for a school where the students were taught not to drink beer nor to smoke. They were delighted when they found the mission. After being there a few days they went to see some of their friends, three of whom accompanied them on their return to the mission. These boys had never been to school, and could not read at all. In four months they were able to read their native Bibles, and write letters home to their people. When I left the mission, they were reading the English so well that they were soon to be given the English Bible in which to read, and their writing was very good. I wish to tell our people who have donated for this school work, that there are many encouraging experiences in connection with it. We do not see how it is possible for those native young men to learn so fast: surely the Holy Spirit teaches them. While there, we had baptism, and eight of the oldest boys were buried with their Lord. It was a good day for the mission. The natives never witnessed such a scene before, and during the services we saw tears flowing down over many dark cheeks. God is working there for the young people, and a goodly number have given their hearts to the Lord. Ten more desire baptism, and are being prepared for it. The workers at that mission are of good courage, and willing to labor on for the Master. I then went to the Mission Farm. Here we saw many encouraging omens. They have a school of about seventy-five. Fifty of these are living in the school home, and the remainder come in from the native villages about them. Three schools are being conducted in native villages by their boys. As far as I can learn, they are doing good work. At the mission Elder Sturdevant has charge of the school at the present time, and we can say that he is doing well. Some of the boys assist in the teaching, taking the native classes. They began to teach English to their most advanced students early this year. Some of them had had some instruction in English before. These classes are making rapid progress, and are deeply interested in their studies. Brother Sturdevant is much encouraged in this work. Brother Anderson has been on a trip to Basutoland to secure a location for a mission, which we hope may be opened some day. The last word we had from him stated that he had been quite successful so far, the authorities having granted him every favor they could, and he had hope of finding the right spot soon. During my stay there Brother C. R. Sparrow took his mules and an American spring wagon, and Brother Armitage and I went with him for a three weeks' trip to spy out the country. We enjoyed this trip very much. At first it was a little hard to spread out our blankets and sleep on the ground, but we soon learned to enjoy it, and could sleep as soundly as at home. There are wild beasts about, but we trusted in the Lord to care for us, and we had no trouble. The last night out two lions killed several cattle a few miles from us. We found a good location for a mission, and saw many openings for work. We saw many natives who absolutely know nothing about Christ or God. In fact, they have no terms in their language to name them. Spiritualism reigns among them in all its power. I did not expect to find such conditions, as there have been missions scattered over Rhodesia for many years. Here are people who are as blind as those living in the heart of Africa, and there is need of many men, filled with the Holy Spirit, to go to them with the gospel. We must have native men who know the people and their language, to meet them and work for them under the direction of white men. I am glad that the Lord is giving us several young men who long to go to their people and impart the light that has shone upon them. They say that their hearts were all dark before the mission came there, and now God has given them light. I assure you that they are thankful for what has been done for them. I wish that all our people could have the privilege of attending some of their social meetings, and could hear the young men tell what the Lord has done for them. I am sure there would be greater interest in this part of the Lord's work. Every cent given to this work is to the glory of God, and it will be spent as wisely as it is possible to do. In some of these places the work is languishing for the necessary means to advance it. May the Lord help us to push the triumphs of the message into darkest Africa.