Gold Coast, West Africa
By D. U. Hale
CAPE COAST.—We left Keene, Tex., January 21, amid mud and slush, but were soon in the frozen regions of Illinois and Michigan. We spent a few days in Battle Creek, but hastened on as soon as arrangements could be made for our traveling. It was thawing some as we left New York, but was very chilly the whole journey across the Atlantic. The trip was exceptionally smooth, and we had some opportunity to sow seeds of truth among the passengers, and to our joy we saw evidences of its effect even before we landed. One young man was very anxious about his soul. From Liverpool to the Canary Islands the journey was quite rough, but the weather grew more pleasant as we went south of the latitude of my native State, Texas; but they grow all kinds of tropical fruits at sea level. The temperature changes very materially as one ascends the mountains in the interior of the islands until one reaches the peak of Teneriffe, which is covered with snow nine months of the year. Here is a number of islands in a very healthful part of the world, where there has been nothing done, as far as I know, toward giving them the truth. True, the Catholic Church has full sway, but they must have the message for this time. It is a great winter resort for the people of Europe, especially Spain, France, and England. After leaving the Canaries the heat was soon oppressive, and down the coast of Africa the steamer seemed like a great floating sweat-box. We landed safely at Cape Coast Castle, March 3. Brother Dolphijn with several other friends was at the beach to meet us. Many with whom I was acquainted when here before hastened to welcome us as soon as they knew we had arrived. As we had to wait for a little time, we began Bible lessons in our sitting-room. A number of young men attended quite regularly, and some of them are keeping the Sabbath. I hope to see some of them develop into workers in the future. But my family's health, as well as my own, is very poor here on the coast, and we will leave the work in the hands of Brother Hyatt, of Minnesota, U. S. A., who came one week after our arrival, while we seek a healthier place in the interior. Brother J. D. Hayford has kindly offered us a place with him on some lands he has leased, and while visiting him a week ago I saw a place where I believe we should have comparatively good health if the Lord spares us to go there. There is interest in many villages on the coast, and I ask your prayers that we may be able to start the work in such a way that all these inquirers may be reached. Several are requesting baptism at our hand, even now. I am quite sure that if I can spend a short time in the bracing atmosphere of those mountains where Brother Hayford is, I shall be able to go on with the work on the coast. Pray that we may be able instruments in God's hands at least to start this work on the coast. I say, pray for us, brethren, for I feel that we very greatly need your prayers to hold us up before a throne of grace. D. U. HALE.