p. 13 | AFRICA by W. S. Hyatt

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1901

AFRICA

By W. S. Hyatt

It has been a year since the English and Boer war began in this country, and still drags on; and the prospects are that it will be many months before the close. This has made the work go slow and hard. In fact, it has been almost impossible to reach the people. But we have tried to do what we could in the coast towns, and are thankful to see some fruit of our labor. Our tract society has placed many thousands of our papers in the hands of both soldiers and sailors, and our hearts have been made glad by receiving a few good letters in return. The brethren in Australia sent us a large number of the Bible Echo, which we have been able to use to good advantage. We were thankful for their thoughtfulness and kindness in sending them.

There are encouraging omens in all branches of the work. Elder J. M. Freeman writes from Basutoland that the Spirit of the Lord is at work upon the hearts of the poor heathen there, and at one Sabbath meeting twenty expressed a desire to become Christians. He is bestowing special labor upon these, that they may become fully converted and established. Meetings are held in other villages; and these poor people, who have learned some of Zion’s songs, go with the missionaries and do the singing. They are catching the spirit of working for others.

Brother F. C. Ernst, our German laborer, reports that a general interest is being awakened, and some have begun to obey. This has stirred the ire of the dragon. The tent has been stoned and egged. Elders Hankins and Edmed are finding a few honest souls. They have labored long and faithfully in Uitenhage, and now are seeing the fruit of their labor. The canvassing work goes hard, but we find that “Coming King” has a good influence wherever introduced.

It has been my privilege to spend two months in Natal. I was much pleased with the prospects, and found that the Lord was at work in this long-neglected field. Most of the time was spent at Pietermaritzburg, as there are fourteen Sabbath-keepers in that place. Brother Schmidt, a canvasser, has been there for a year, selling books and doing Bible work. His labor has been blessed, and has accomplished much good.

I found the people friendly and desirous to learn. Cottage meetings or Bible readings were held nearly every evening. The people are becoming awakened to the importance of health reform. I never before saw so great an interest anywhere. I was invited to speak on the subject in Durban, and the following evening at Maritzburg. There is a demand for health foods, which I hope we shall soon be able to supply.

I met a minister in Pietermaritzburg who has preached for many years in Natal. At his request, I preached for him seven times during my visit. He offers us the free use of his church house any time we desire it. He believes in the Sabbath, coming of Christ, nature of man, baptism, etc., and said that he had long hoped the time would come when a Sabbath-keeping church would be raised up. It has been my privilege to labor in many different places, but I regard this one of the best openings for city labor I have ever seen. The Lord has gone out before us, and prepared the way for work, but I have had to leave without a minister in the colony. May the Lord hasten the day when laborers may be sent into this English-speaking field. During my visit one person accepted the truth, and seven were baptized. Others are interested, and Brother Schmidt will continue to hold Bible readings with them.

Last Sabbath was a good day at Claremont. Through the faithful labors of our teachers, seven of the young people have yielded to the Lord, and it was my privilege to baptize them. The same day six more were buried with their Lord at Uitenhage. I believe there are better days before South Africa, and the “gospel of the kingdom” will go with irresistible power among both black and white, and Dutch and English.

W. S. HYATT.