German East Africa

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 21, 1907

German East Africa

The following letter is from Brother Enns, who has charge of our new mission station in German East Africa, the third which we have in operation in that field:—

“Our work here is threatening to overflow. I now have about one hundred pupils in the school, and fifteen in the boarding-school; thirty have applied, but because we lack means and lodging room, I counseled them to wait until we have more buildings. We must enlarge soon. They are pressing and begging, asking if they may not stay. To-day one kept on until I could not refuse him. The boys are quite bright; they are doing well in their studies. Most of them are the sons of chiefs, who will succeed their fathers.

“A neighboring missionary also has had the same trouble that we have had in our other stations,—the natives leaving,—but these see now that in leaving they did an unwise thing, as the ones who remained have been making advancement; so those who left are returning.

“I plan to limit the number of boarding pupils to thirty, and later, when I make a selection, to twenty-five. No doubt, when they see that we are in earnest, the number will fall below this; but later on, those who belong to the better class, and are willing to do something, of course, will step in, and such really constitute our ‘only hope.’ Through them we hope to be able to reach the hearts of the people. We have already seen some fruit of this from those staying at Mamba. The father of one of our smallest boys said to me: ‘My little child told me not to worship my father, but God, and I shall not do so any more.’ Another Kilango, a chief, who has a son in Gonja, brought his other boy to me the other day. When some started out to the dance, to worship their ancestors, he called them back, and asked what were their wishes. Then he gave them an earnest talk about the foolishness of worshiping their ancestors—dumb objects—and leaving the God of heaven. Then he said to his boy, in their presence, ‘My son, if I die, whatever else you and the boy at the other mission do, be sure never to commit the folly of worshiping my skull; but follow the God of these Europeans, who is in the heavens.’”

“We are not here without our conduct’s being watched by the natives. May God grant us grace that we may live a life worthy of imitation on their part, so that we can say with Paul, ‘Follow me.’ What else can these poor heathen do? They can not read Moses and the prophets. What they see, however, will influence them. They do not trust men’s words. They are used to boasting and lying. Every word they hear they take as a fable and a lie. Many times they have said to me in so many words, ‘You lie.’ When they do not say it, because of their fear of white men, they often think it in their hearts. And when something has been told them which comes to pass, they do not forget to tell the person, ‘You told the truth when you said that.’”

“The following letter Chief Kilango wrote me from the way, when he left: ‘Sir, as I have this chance to send this letter to you, because I met this man who goes to you, I tell you again: In two weeks I come back to see my son. Teach him the great Word. If he does not follow, punish him. Don’t spare him till he knows every word. Teach him thoroughly. I love you with all my heart and body. Kilango, Chief. When I shall send you a letter again, you know that in three days I will follow. Till we meet again.’”