From Africa | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Sep 28, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 38.

FROM AFRICA.

A letter from Sister Mabel Branch, of Nyasaland Mission, in the South African Missionary, says:—

“We are very glad to hear that Elder Hyatt will visit us soon, for we were quite disappointed when he did not come last year, and I hope he will not disappoint us again. We all enjoy our work here, and realize what a great opportunity we have for doing good.”

“We have representatives here from several different tribes, many of whom are Christians. The Manganja boys come from the villages every day to school, and of course they are of no expense to us. Those that stay here are of the Angoni and Yao tribes, and come from long distances. They work in the corn and cotton fields from 6 A.M. to 10 A.M., and for this work they receive a small allowance, which enables them to buy their clothes and soap.”

“At present we have only thirty-three pupils enrolled, for it is the nature of the native to be always walking from one place to another. As they seldom stop long at one mission, it makes it very bad for all our classes. Just as we are beginning to see some results with an English class, they will nearly all leave, and others take their places, and we must commence at the first again. Thus we never see as much real good accomplished as we would like to see. All missions have this same difficulty, for only a few will stop long enough to be benefited. The branches taught are reading, translating, spelling, writing, arithmetic, and music. We sing a great deal in school and Sabbath-school. This they enjoy very much. I am trying to teach them to sing by note, and, altho it is very slow work, yet we all enjoy it.”

“The corn is nearly all dry now, and it is being gathered in, and stored away. There is plenty of food everywhere this year, and the natives are making lots of beer. We can hear the drums beating at some near village nearly every night, and great crowds of people are passing, carrying their food and drums, going to these dances and beer-drinkings. In the villages on the station we have stopped their drum-beating and dancing; and every Sabbath some of the Christian boys from here go to those villages and hold services, while many of the village boys come here to services, and they listen attentively to all that is said.”

AN African prince, Thomas E. Besolow, says: “I was born heir to a throne. My uncle to-day sits on that throne; but, blessed be God who reigns on high, I have a grander throne. When I look back into that heathen darkness, and think of the pit out of which I was digged, and brought to this marvelous light of the Gospel, to my Christ and my King, I desire nothing else than to work for Him as long as I live.” Such is the testimony of one of Ethiopia’s children. Who, then, will say: “Missions don’t pay;” “The heathen are better off left alone;” “I don’t believe in foreign missions?” Surely none who named the name of Christ or called themselves Christians.—Record of Christian Works.