SOUTH AFRICA by I. J. Hankins

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 13, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 15.

SOUTH AFRICA.

By I. J. Hankins

BY I. J. HANKINS.

(Concluded.)

OUR general meeting closed this morning (December 14) with a praise service. We have great reason for gratitude to God for the love and harmony which have prevailed in all our counsels. A brief outline of the work only will be given in this, as a more full and complete report will doubtless be published in the Review.

After careful consideration, a "South African Conference of S. D. Adventists" was organized, with Elder A. T. Robinson as President; I. J. Hankins, Secretary; and Mrs. N. H. Druillard, Treasurer. This Conference includes in its territory all south of the northern boundary of Cape Colony, Transvaal, and Zululand.

Resolutions were passed expressing our appreciation of the love and care of the General Conference shown us during the five years of our "mission" life, and also that the cause has so far advanced in this field, through the blessing of God, as to be, we hope, self-supporting in the future. Financially the Lord has blessed the work here, so that we start out as a Conference with fair prospects of success in this line. Before we entered into the Conference organization, the meeting voted unanimously to pay one-tenth of all the tithe we had received up to date, to the General Conference.

When the report of the College Building Committee was presented, it showed a debt on the college building, grounds, furniture, etc., of $10,000. When opportunity was given for contributions to pay off this indebtedness, the brethren promptly responded, and raised in the meeting in cash and pledges about $8,000 of this amount. It was very gratifying to see all the brethren present (or very nearly all) contribute something toward removing this debt from the college. When we consider the $15,000 expended in the erection of the church and depository in Cape Town, and the $35,000 invested in the college, and that it has all been paid but about $2,000, surely we have reason for heartfelt gratitude to God.

These things lead us to see more and more clearly that the providence of God has been directing in the erection of these buildings. Now that the college is soon to be opened, our people throughout this field are anxious to have their children receive its benefits, and we hope to see the school open in February with a goodly number of students from all parts of the Colony.

As the relation of parents and teachers was presented by Mrs. Miller, and the ideal students' home by Miss Peck, all seemed to be bound more closely together, and we felt assured of the hearty coöperation of parents and teachers in school work. A good many in the vicinity of the college are inquiring the rates of tuition, etc., and the prospects are good for a fair attendance from without. We hope the college will exert an influence for good throughout the Colony.

The experience of the canvassers was listened to with much interest. Although they have met with difficulties and strong opposition, yet they have placed the truth in the homes of thousands of people. All seemed of good courage, and, although they expect hardships and to meet with the prejudices of ignorant people, yet they believe the Lord will give success to the work, because it is his work.

It was voted to make special efforts to increase the circulation of the Present Truth and the Bijbel Lezer, and that one or more persons be employed to give their whole time to canvassing for these papers. At the present time there are upwards of 500 copies of the Present Truth being circulated fortnightly in this field. The paper is being read, too, with much interest.

We are gratified to note the general interest taken in the circulation of literature in the Holland language. Considering the short time since the light was introduced to this people, a large amount of literature has been published in their language, and is being received very readily by the Dutch-speaking people. Brother Scholtz has been laboring more or less among the Dutch, and several have recently been brought into the full light of the gospel. There is a special demand for a subscription book on the subject of health and temperance, and a resolution was passed requesting the General Conference to prepare such a work as soon as possible.

The Religious Liberty question was discussed with much enthusiasm and called forth a resolution to the effect that the Executive Committee should provide literature on this subject, suitable for general circulation throughout South Africa, and that it be done without delay. There is an increasing sentiment in this country in favor of religious legislation, and especially in favor of laws enforcing a more sacred regard for the Sunday.

The question has already been up in Parliament, and will probably come up again at the next session.

Brother Peter Wessels and wife, Brother Scholtz and wife, and Brother John Wessels will sail to-morrow for America, to attend the Ministers' Institute and the General Conference. While we are sorry to lose these brethren from this field, even for a few months, yet we are glad that they are to have the privilege of visiting our institutions in America, and of coming in closer contact with the body of Adventists.

I hope these frequent visits, and the education of so many students in the Battle Creek College, will create such a bond of union in the work as can never be broken; and I am sure it will be so. May the Lord bless these dear brethren, care for them on their voyage, make them a blessing where they go, and return them in due time to help to swell the notes of warning throughout South Africa.

We are glad to have the labors of Brother E. M. Morrison again in this field. He will begin a Canvassers' Institute to-morrow, which will be attended by every canvasser in South Africa, and also by some who contemplate entering that branch of work.

As a young Conference, we start out with hope and courage. It is the general feeling of all that we are rapidly approaching the time when the work of the gospel will have been completed; that what is done must be done quickly; and, in order to accomplish the work, we must have the special help and blessing of God. We are assured that those who seek help from God will not seek in vain.

December 14, 1892.