Into the Heart of Africa
By Arthur G. Daniells
SURELY this is the “day of His preparation.” Day by day fresh, convincing, encouraging evidences are coming to light, showing that our Lord is going before us to the uttermost parts of the earth to prepare the way for the proclamation of the message he has given us to give to the world. Thus we are being taught more clearly the meaning of “the day of his preparation.” Last week we gave a quotation from the letter from Brother Anderson, of Matabeleland, showing that the way has opened for us to enter Barotseland with our message. Barotseland is a long step toward the very heart of the dark continent. The king of that country, on his return to Buluwayo from England, whither he had gone to attend the coronation ceremonies, earnestly requested that missionaries should enter his country, and establish industrial mission schools for the training of his people. When Brother Anderson wrote, there was the most excellent opportunity for him to take advantage of this request of the king, but he was unable to do so because he had no messengers and no means. He pleads with the Mission Board to send at least two teachers for that great field almost in the heart of Africa. We are earnestly praying that this appeal will touch the hearts of those who ought to go, and of those who can give the means with which to send and support them. And we sincerely hope that this response will be quickly made. There should be no delay on the part of this people to answer this earnest request from these poor people in dark Barotseland. What does it mean that this far-off country has been brought to the knowledge of civilized nations, and that they turn their eyes pleadingly to the Christian church, and beg of them to send consecrated gospel workers into their country? And what does it mean that there was a representative of the third angel’s message at Buluwayo to hear this request from the king of that country, and to pass it on to us who are so far away? The meaning is surely plain; namely, that the Lord has gone before us, and opened the way for us to give his message to that nation. We could not ask him to do more for us than this. Now let us show our love for him, and our faith in the cause we profess, by immediately entering this open door. This week’s REVIEW contains a report from another part of Africa. Brother Booth tells us of the situation in Nyassaland, which lies east of Barotseland. None should fail to read with care Brother Booth’s report. Note particularly what is said about the training school at the Cholo Mission station. From this we can fully discern the hand of God in this work, preparing the way for the speedy proclamation of the third angel’s message to the many tribes and tongues in Central Africa. Think of from thirty to fifty students from nearly all the tribes of Nyassaland, and even from other parts, gathered at our mission station, being instructed in the truths of the third angel’s message! Some of these students have come from other mission stations against the strong opposition of their former teachers. In last week’s report, Brother Booth lamented the fact that there was no representative of the Atonga tribe, but in this week’s report, he tells of a smart, English-speaking youth who has come from that tribe, about three hundred and fifty miles north of our mission, to be instructed by our teachers. He also tells of two men having come from the Chipeta tribe, fourteen days’ journey west of our mission. This tribe has obtained permission from the government authorities to reopen a school under the auspices of Sabbath-keeping teachers. These men will probably return7to assist in this work after they have been properly instructed at our mission. As we reflect upon the situation in Nyassaland, our hearts must be filled with courage and unspeakable joy. It is a great achievement to have fifty representatives from different African tribes gathered at our mission station, and receiving instruction from our missionaries. They are taught the message from the Word of God; they are taught how to take Christ as their Saviour from the power of sin; they are led to look forward to the coming of Christ to end the reign of sin, destroy the wicked, renew the earth, and establish his kingdom under the whole heaven forever and ever. They are taught that they are debtors to their fellow men, and that they must carry this light to the people of Africa, who are still in great darkness. They are also shown how to take care of themselves, how to till the soil, prepare suitable clothing, and to care properly for their bodies. When these students have received proper training, they will be sent to the tribes from which they have come, to impart to them all they are now receiving. In this way we shall be able to proclaim the third angel’s message in all the tongues, and to all the tribes of Africa, in a comparatively short time. How often we have thought of the many tongues and hidden tribes of that great, dark continent, and have wondered how we could ever give them this message in this generation. We have supposed that it would be necessary for us to go to these tribes and learn their languages, but here we have them coming to us, and receiving from us this light, that they may themselves make it known. This simplifies and hastens what has always seemed to us to be an almost impossible task. We call special attention to that feature of Brother Booth’s report in this issue which tells us of the help they need to assist in supporting these students, and for providing suitable accommodations. He says that a native student should have not less than three years’ Bible training. They ask for help to support fifty students at two dollars a month, or twenty-four dollars a year, for each student. They also ask for assistance to build inexpensive houses. A bamboo and clay house that will stand three years will cost fifteen dollars. A brick house, which should be provided for teachers, will cost fifty dollars. The brick houses will stand for years. Are there not many of our brethren whom God has blessed with an abundance who will be glad to share their gifts with these men in Nyassaland? Brethren, some of you cannot possibly go with this light to the dark continent. You must remain on your farms, or in the business the Lord has given you. But thank God, there are some who can go, and spend the rest of their lives in that dark land; and those who cannot go in person can go in spirit, and can share liberally of their means with those who go in person. In this way, all can have a part in giving this message to the people of Africa. Brethren, do not these pleadings draw upon your hearts? Do you not hear a sweet voice within, telling you to share the gifts of God with your brethren in Africa? You may read this article and the report with which it deals, before you make your Christmas offering. If so, you may be led greatly to increase your offering over previous gifts. If you have already made your gift, it may be that you will see how to increase it by another. The time has come when we can pour out our lives and our means upon the altar of service so effectually that by them the world will be speedily warned, and our Lord will come. Then we shall each be given a share in the inheritance promised to Abraham and all his seed. God help us at this time to know what Israel ought to do.