SOUTH AFRICA by I. J. Hankins

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 14.

SOUTH AFRICA.

By I. J. Hankins

BY I. J. HANKINS.

NEARLY five years' residence in Africa brings us to the close of 1892. With deep interest we have entered upon our fourth annual meeting. We look back to the time when the mission board met on the veranda of our rented home to transact business. How small the work then just commenced! Our numbers in Cape Colony were small, though in the "Diamond Fields" there were some forty obeying the truth.

The first baptism took place from our dining room window, where steps were built down to a temporary baptismal font erected in the yard. Joy filled our hearts as eleven dear souls acknowledged to the world their reception of the precious light of the gospel. This same dining room was our depository, and, shelved to the ceiling, it contained more reading matter than we knew how to get before the public, as our workers were few and our experience limited. In fact, the whole house was a depository, the cases of books being stored in the hall, under the beds, and in every available place, till the family was almost crowded into the street.

Another year, and the "Somerset" property was purchased, which, with its commodious dining room for meetings, and its more ample accommodation for books, as well as for the mission family, seemed like a paradise compared to the outgrown mission home in No. 5 Scott Street.

Before we were fairly settled in our new home, the first general meeting convened at Cape Town, and was held in the dining room of the "Somerset House." About twenty from Wellington and Kimberley were entertained at this meeting.

The following year the annual meeting was held in Kimberley, and in the mean time Elder Haskell had paid us a timely visit, and Brother and Sister Druillard were added to our working force. The new chapel, of corrugated iron, with a seating capacity of about 150, afforded ample accommodation for our growing mission.

Two years ago our annual gathering was held in Cape Town, just before Elder Boyd's departure to America. To accommodate the brethren at this time it was necessary to pitch a large tent for services, and two small tents for lodging. A few days after this meeting convened, Brother E. M. Morrison arrived from Australia to give instruction in the canvassing work, which instruction was highly appreciated, and added much to the efficiency of our workers. Several new canvassers entered the field, and the work was more thoroughly systematized than it had been previously.

The churches in this field are so far apart, and the cost of calling the canvassers together so great, that we thought best not to try to hold a general meeting last year. About the time when such meeting should have been held, Elder Robinson and party arrived from America, and soon after visited the different churches in this field.

In April, following his arrival in January, the new church in Cape Town was dedicated, which, with its convenient and commodious depository underneath, seems like a paradise compared with the outgrown mission home in "Somerset House."

We deeply felt the need of such building at our meeting two years ago, and also of a college building, and endeavored to devise some plan by which to bring about our desires; but in vain. Nor did we hardly dare to hope that we should see in so short a time the buildings which are now completed, ready for occupancy.

This meeting upon which we have just entered is being held in the dining room of the new college building, and the representatives from the different churches are being accommodated in the building, which thus constitutes both a chapel and a home, temporarily.

Professor Miller and wife, Professor Lindsey and Miss Peck arrived safely the 23d of November, much to the joy and satisfaction of our brethren throughout this field. The last lot of college furniture, which came in sailing vessel from New York, was unloaded at the college on the same day that Professor Miller and party arrived. With the exception of a few broken mirrors and other slight breaks, the furniture came in excellent condition.

As far as I know, there is a feeling of general satisfaction in regard to the seats, furniture, etc., sent us from home. It is now pretty nearly all put together, and is in use, as far as needed, by the guests of the college home, who are attending the fourth annual meeting of S. D. Adventists in South Africa.

This is by far the largest meeting we have ever held in this field, every church and company of Sabbath keepers being fairly well represented. Last Sabbath morning our Sabbath school numbered 130.

After the Sabbath school Elder Robinson spoke of the spirit that should characterize our work, and in the afternoon a praise service was held. The Spirit of the Lord came into our hearts as we listened to the cheering testimonies borne, and we felt that it was good to be there. The experiences of the canvassers were especially interesting and encouraging. Several expressed their love for the work, and the sacrifice it would be to be separated from it.

Sunday morning, December 4, a preliminary business meeting was held. The proceedings of the session will be given in the next issue.

In the afternoon of the same day Brother Peter Wessels spoke to the Dutch brethren and sisters, from Rev. 3:20. We are glad to say that some of the same blessings which are being bestowed on the faithful in America, and in other fields, are also being received in this far-away land. On behalf of the friends in South Africa, I would say that we are very grateful for the good help the Central Conference has sent us from time to time. There never has been a time when the future outlook

seemed more favorable for the work in this field than the present. Our brethren desire to move forward in harmony with the great body, and to join them in the final triumph of victory over sin and over Satan, and to share with them the blessings of the redeemed.

December 6, 1892.