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Worshiping Devils

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, Nos. 39, 40, Harvest Ingathering Number

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Worshiping Devils

ONE of our native teachers, W. H. Wilson, who is conducting a school in the midst of a heathen tribe in the Hinterland, West Africa, gives the following account of an experience he had one morning on reaching the schoolhouse:
“As the boys were reciting their A B C’s, I heard a sound far in the distance, like the yelling of a woman. The sound kept coming nearer, until a woman appeared, striking a piece of metal which she held in her hand, and at the same time warning the men to go inside their houses and shut the doors, as a big procession was coming into town, and if any man should see it, he would die, or something terrible would happen to him. In a second the boys vanished, and I was left alone in the schoolhouse.
“As I sat there, some women from a neighboring house came up, and in an advising way invited me to go into one of their houses and hide. I asked why I should do so. They answered that unless I did, I would be punished with death or something terrible by the krefe. I then told them that I was not afraid of the krefe, for God is mightier than he. Seeing that I could not be frightened, they finally asked me to show them some respect by going into the house and waiting for the procession to pass. To thisI consented, and went into a room where I could see the procession. As I stood there, a voice from the house ordered me to shut the door, for my own safety. I answered, ‘No.’
Prominent African Chief
Prominent African Chief
Row of Young Converts in Our Kafir Schools
Row of Young Converts in Our Kafir Schools
“In a little while, the procession came in sight. It was composed of about fifty women marching two abreast and humming a peculiar song. As I watched them pass, my heart longed for the time when this earth shall be free from the power of Satan, when all shall be loyal subjects to the one true God.
“There are vast fields yet to be worked here in West Africa. Many more workers of deep consecration are needed to win souls to Christ.”