Week of Prayer Notes

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1902

Week of Prayer Notes

“By the Spirit’s Power”

THIS blessed truth that we call the third angel’s message is exactly what hearts are waiting for in the darkness of heathen lands. Here is another report from Matabeleland, showing how the Spirit is speaking to hearts, and bringing fruitage there. Pray, brethren in the churches, that God may clothe the ministry of the word with power in the lands abroad and at home. Pray that every laborer may receive his message from heaven, and give the trumpet a certain sound; for the great day of the Lord is hastening on. A word from afar like this may well be taken as a text for a missionary praise service:—

BULUWAYO.—Yesterday (September 27) was a memorable day in the history of our Matabele Mission. Elder Reaser was with us, and twenty-one natives were baptized. Although others desired baptism, it was thought best to have them wait until the close of the quarter. Brother Anderson and his wife had been instructing them, and I had talked with them through an interpreter. We were planning to baptize six; but when the time arrived, more than thirty were desiring baptism. These are all young people, from twelve to twenty-two years of age.

We cannot yet do much with the old people, who are so wedded to their gods of stone and traditions of the past. But I wish that I myself did take the Word of God as readily as do the youth and children here. They put us to shame. All they want to know is, “Does the Bible say so?” and they are satisfied. This is the condition in which we find our school children, and they beg to be baptized and received into the church.

After much prayer and careful searching of the Word and the Testimonies, with the best instruction we could give, we examined thirty-one Sabbath evening; and Sabbath morning, at half-past ten, the workers and a large company of the natives went to the place of baptism on the river, two miles away. It was a touching scene. Everything was so quiet and orderly, and all seemed to realize what they were doing. Returning home, we celebrated the ordinance of the Lord’s supper in the afternoon.

Our church now numbers sixty. There is a sweet spirit in our mission. It is the Spirit of the Lord. All seem to realize his gracious presence. “Willing obedience” is the watchword.

We are enjoying our labors here very much, and believe that we are just where the Lord wants us. We are hoping for Brother Claude Tarr to arrive at the station this week, to take charge of the store (this has been my work) and help on the farm. This will relieve me for teaching and gospel work, for which I have a burden. I will also assist to some extent in the out-stations.

Two weeks ago we made a trip among the boys who are teaching in the kraals. It occupied three days, and we traveled sixty or seventy miles, with two mules, in a two-wheel cart. To us this is a lovely country. We saw wild deer and birds; and the plains were full of flowers. But we are persuaded that this is not the healthful climate of the States; yet our health has been good up to the present time, for which we praise God. We are all as careful as we can be, but the great amount of work demanded of us makes it difficult for us to take proper care of ourselves, and there can be no change until another family is sent to this field. Three good men and their families are needed here. God has surely sent the children to our home and school, and they must have care and training. I never enjoyed my work more. Every day I see God’s guiding hand.

We all remember the workers in the home field, and have confidence in your prayers for us. M. C. STURDEVANT.