A Baptismal Service at the Buluwayo Mission by W. S. Hyatt; M. C. Sturdevant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1904

A Baptismal Service at the Buluwayo Mission

By W. S. Hyatt; M. C. Sturdevant

BULUWAYO, RHODESIA.—For several weeks we have had a class of young people in preparation for baptism. We find that it is not best to be in a hurry to baptize those who desire it, so we form a class, and spend several months educating them for the occasion. Then if there are those whose fitness we have reason to doubt, we put them off till another time. We find that it pays in the end to do faithful work before we baptize and admit them into the church.

Sabbath, June 18, we had our Sabbath-school as usual, and then all went to the river. There we found a company of about two hundred and fifty natives gathered. To one who had never seen such a gathering, it would be a sight long to be remembered. Very few of them were clothed in the garments of a white man or woman. A few skins or bits of skins about the loins constitute most of the clothing. Some of the men had a shirt on, or possibly a vest, or some other one portion of a man's clothing, while a few of the women had, in addition to their skins, a small piece of print tied about their shoulders. The babies, of which there are always plenty present, are usually naked.

To this company of people we delivered three short sermons. Elder Sturdevant spoke to them about our leaving our homes and coming to this country. He showed them that it was not to get their cattle or money, but it was that we might win souls to the great God who made them, the earth, and all things. He gave a very solemn appeal to them. Brother Sparrow showed them that God had created man without sin. At that time man was pure and holy. But sin had come into the world, and man was sick from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, but God had provided a physician in Jesus. Would they have this Jesus to be their doctor? I then gave a short address to the candidates, showing them how they had left the ways of their fathers to walk in another path. We then appealed to the parents to walk in the path that their children had chosen. The children were praying for them to come, the great God, their Father, wanted them to come, “and the Spirit and the bride say, Come.” Then followed a few words from each of the twelve to be baptized, and a deep impression was left on the minds of all.

One by one these young men and women were buried with their Lord in the watery grave, and as they arose, a song of praise was offered by those present. It seems good to hear the song of praise to God in this dreary land, where only heathenism has reigned so many long years. This poor people bow down and worship three small stones that they have taken out of the river. If they see a snake, they offer it food; for they think that it may be that the souls of some of their ancestors may be in him. They do not kill the snake, for this reason. But, thank God, the “good tidings,” yes, the “glad tidings,” is being sounded to this poor people, and some of them begin to believe it to be true.

One old chief of a native village gives evidence to all who know him that he is serving the Lord the best he knows how; and another is believed to be a Christian. Many others are deeply interested, but they are slow to break away from their old ways. The power of the gospel will triumph in the end.

After the baptism we returned to our mission, and partook of our dinner. This being over, we again assembled at the chapel to celebrate the ordinances of the Lord's house. It was good to gather about the Lord's table with these converts from heathenism, and there partake of the emblems of the Lord's broken body and spilt blood. There are now sixty-three members in our church. It was a good day for this mission, and all felt that the Lord had been very near to us.

W. S. HYATT, M. C. STURDEVANT.