p. 16 | West *Africa by D. C. Babcock

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1907

West Africa

By D. C. Babcock

D. C. BABCOCK

The work on the west coast of Africa, including Gold Coast and Sierra Leone, is very encouraging. A little over one year ago I visited Gold Coast, and after three days of faithful searching at Cape Coast and Elmina, failed to find one soul obeying the Sabbath of the Lord. I met a son, however, of Brother F. I. U. Dolphijn, who at one time had kept the Sabbath. He gave me information concerning his brother Frederick and his father, who were two days' travel from Cape Coast, at Appam. By the time this information had reached me, I had made all arrangements to return to Sierra Leone, up the coast nine hundred miles. At Sekondi we stopped to take passengers and produce, and while in conversation with a native, I learned he was acquainted with our Brother J. D. Hayford. I at once wrote a few lines to the latter, and shortly after my return received a good letter from him.

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA

After waiting anxiously for some months for our tent from America, it arrived the first week in December, 1906. I had already made arrangements for a lot to set it on, had cleaned it up, and paid for it for three months. Just as we were about ready to put up our tent, I received a note, with money returned, saying that we could not have the lot. It belonged to a religious organization, and was held as mission property.

The Lord gave us a good lot nearer the center of the city, and we began getting it ready as fast as we could. By the time we had it ready, the Christmas season was at hand, so we postponed our work until it was over.

It was evident to my mind that our forty-foot tent would be too small to accommodate the people. During our waiting time, I bought materials and made a splice twenty by forty feet, to enlarge it. Now it is forty by sixty feet, and we have seated it to accommodate four hundred persons very comfortably. We opened our meetings on Thursday evening, January 10, with every seat occupied, and hundreds around the tent.

From the time I reached this city, I must confess I almost feared a large public gathering. I was afraid our tent would be torn down. I have learned a good lesson. God reigns here, as well as in other lands, when we give all over into his hands. Every night our meetings have increased in interest and numbers. We have now held twelve meetings, and our congregations are seldom less than one thousand people.

The deepest solemnity has taken possession of all, even the children. From the beginning to the close of each service, the best of order prevails. I have spoken on the law, and incidentally brought in the Sabbath, and some have decided. Last night more than three hundred arose for prayers. Surely God is going out before his remnant people.

Our book sales have already amounted to $6.34, and our collections to $14.21. More than thirty were present at our first Sabbath meeting in the tent. These were not all Sabbath-keepers.

There is some opposition by the ministers. One notified his young people that unless they ceased attending the meetings at the tent, he would remove their names from the church records. They continue to come.

Our school is progressing nicely. We now have over thirty enrolled. A young sister, formerly from America, is assisting Mrs. Babcock in this work.

Our canvassing work is taking a step forward. An aged brother who has had many years' experience in mission effort, has accepted the Sabbath, and taken hold of the book work, and is making a success. We look for brighter days on the west coast of Africa.