H. J. EDMED by H. J. Edmed

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1902

H. J. EDMED

By H. J. Edmed

Africa

UITENHAGE.—Just before the beginning of the war in South Africa, we were directed to this pretty suburban town, surrounded with beautiful hills, and situated about twenty miles from Port Elizabeth. The latter place, being the second largest city of Cape Colony, is regarded as the Liverpool of South Africa. We began our work by canvassing. After disposing of about six hundred books, we held a series of meetings. After a long, strong pull, Brother van Eeden assisting a part of the time, a company of adult Sabbath keepers, numbering thirty-three, was organized. Besides this, there was a good company of children. Considering the disturbed condition of the country, and the difficulty attending the work, our hearts rejoiced to see so much of the Lord’s blessing. Our tent had been used during two trying winters, so it seemed necessary to build a house for the Lord. But we had no means, and hard times prevailed everywhere. We made an appeal through the Visitor, and in a short time money and pledges came in, a few even from America, amounting to upward of $1,275. I need hardly say that every donation that came was sent in such a way and at such a time that it showed unmistakably that the Lord’s hand was in it. With this money, and some that we borrowed, we built a church thirty by forty feet, and each member pledged to donate one shilling a week until the debt was paid.

Last February we begun our school with an enrollment of twenty-seven pupils. The school has grown in favor with the people and in numbers, until it now has an enrollment of forty-six. This is altogether beyond our faith, for we provided space and seating capacity for only forty-two. However, we believe that the Lord has put his hand to this work, and we expect to see him carry it forward. We watch for his providence, then step in, looking to him to do the rest, and he never fails us.

We rejoice in the advancement and progress of the message.