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SOUTH AFRICA

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 37.

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SOUTH AFRICA.

By J. V. Willson; Mrs. J. V. Willson

KIMBERLEY.—Since our last report, we have had a varied experience. After the siege of one hundred and twenty-four days, our creditors began pressing us for payment of accounts. Just as we were at the last extremity, the South African Conference came to our rescue, and relieved us of all the debts. Then we thought we were happy. To be sure, our rooms were inadequate, or poor, but we decided we could make them do. The Lord thought otherwise. He sent a tremendous rain of twenty-four hours' duration, which wet up our soft walls; and then followed a two weeks' rain, which finished the walls. We had to either take them down or let them fall, so we went at it without any money, but rich in faith. In digging for new foundations, we found about forty diamonds, which helped pay expenses. The people have contributed about $2,000, and soon we will have a good set of bath and treatment rooms—good solid sides of hard brick, new iron roof, tile floors, and hard-finished walls.
It has been remarkable how the Lord has helped us. We went to the Hon. C. J. Rhodes, the uncrowned king of South Africa, and he gave us $500. The diamond dealers have each given $125, the town council $250, and many of the people of influence have helped us liberally. The other day we needed $200 to pay help, and had only $15. We asked the Lord to direct us to the right men, and started out. The first man gave us $26, the next $250, the next $52, another $52, and another $26, making $406 in all. We hope soon to be in a position to do a good work here.
Sister Amelia Webster, from Franklin Co., N. Y., is with us, giving Bible readings, visiting the sick, and giving treatments. Her work is a great help to us. The Lord is very near us. We see much work to do, and are happy in doing it. The leading people of the town are getting much interested in our work—more so than ever before. We hope to hold that interest and increase it. Our courage is good. MR. AND MRS. J. V. WILLSON.