South Africa by Mrs. M. A. Cornwell-Chaney

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 22, 1903

South Africa

By Mrs. M. A. Cornwell-Chaney

HARRISMITH, ORANGE RIVER COLONY.—I left my work in Durban, where I found the climate too severe for my strength, one year ago. Some will remember the sister of whom I wrote, who was much interested in the truth. She has accepted the Sabbath, and is still firmly with us. The Sabbath meetings are held at her home. Two others accepted the Sabbath and other points of truth, and are now in Pretoria. One of these sisters said that no one could know the blessing she had obtained through the readings and acquaintance with the truth. Still others are interested, and see that it is a life-and-death question, yet they have allowed friends or business to stand in their way. It makes me sad to see people knowingly choosing death and money, rather than life and all else worth having.

As there was such a long delay in getting a school started at Sweetwaters, I had a room seated, and taught the children myself from September until Christmas. We had a blessed time together, and the Spirit of the Lord was certainly manifested among us. The children were convicted, and wept over their sins, and earnestly sought the Saviour. Many were the blessings that we received from heaven during those few months.

We spent January in Cape Colony, attending the camp-meetings, councils, etc., and returned to Sweetwaters early in February. The very next day after my return home, I was taken down with malarial fever, and from that time on I was sick, some days better, and again worse, until my life was despaired of. Through prayer, with anointing and careful rational treatment and nursing, blessed of God, I was raised up from my bed of sickness.

Before I was taken sick in Sweetwaters, Mr. Chaney and I held meetings for the adults and for the children of our own people each Sabbath, and also Wednesday evenings. I held Bible readings during the week, and until Christmas had a night school for the adults.

On account of many hindrances in our work—sickness, and improper location for work, shortage of money in the South African Union Conference, and in Natal and the Transvaal—a proper mission station among the Zulus could not be opened; and finally we learned that money was scarce at home. After earnestly seeking the Lord, and counseling with the conference committee, we decided to take up canvassing, and thus carry on a most important branch of the work without drawing from the Lord’s treasury.

We came to this place trusting the Lord to lead us. We are where we can

feel that we are needed. We are the only Sabbath-keepers here, and the work is a new one. There was scarcely a room to be had in the town at any price, but we were blessed of the Lord in finding one at three pounds a month; and although we must cook, eat, and sleep in one room twelve by fourteen feet, with but one small window in it, we think we are fortunate in getting this.

Mr. Chaney is canvassing for “Home Hand Book.” He has canvassed now a part of eight days; and to-day, before dinner, he had taken thirty-five orders; I began with “Christ Our Saviour,” using a help occasionally; and during the few hours I have been able to canvass, I have taken thirty-four orders and sold eighty-five papers—forty-one copies of the Sentinel, and forty-four copies of the English Good Health. This is my fourth day. I expect to spend only about three hours a day for a while, until I become stronger. To-day I was out three hours, made thirteen canvasses, and took eleven orders.

I have had some blessed times in the homes of the people each day, and have gladly improved the opportunity to do missionary work by personal talks, and the Lord has been manifestly with me. I do praise his name for it. I have one Bible class, and begin weekly children’s meetings to-morrow. I have about five hundred tracts, and expect to begin systematic tract work as soon as I can get some envelopes printed. There is quite a settlement just outside of Harrismith. Mr. Chaney has been out and sold some Kaffir “Steps to Christ” and tracts, and we have ordered more, expecting to spend one or two days a week out there.

We are happy in our work here, and feel much better in health and spirits since coming.

MRS. M. A. CORNWELL-CHANEY.