Notes from Malaysia by F. A. Detamore

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 13, 1916

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 43, No. 24.

Notes from Malaysia

By F. A. Detamore

By F. A. DETAMORE

Our mission school has grown wonderfully since it was started, less than a year ago, and we have students from all parts of Malaysia who wish to prepare for the work. Some who have recently accepted Christ came from Borneo, and they are doing well in the school. Others came from Battakland, in Sumatra. We have thirteen from there, all of whom seem likely to become workers in time. Some of these boys walked four days, and others six, in coming to Singapore. They sold what land they had, and left their loved ones, that they might secure an education. Many in that land are calling earnestly for us to come there and teach them the truth.

The latest student to arrive was a young man from Timor, a long distance east of Java. He accepted Christ as a result of reading some of our literature, and then went all the way to Java to see one of our missionaries and learn more about the gospel. God is sending these young people from various parts of the field, so that they may get a preparation, and then return to their own people to tell them of the soon-coming Saviour.

LEARNING TO DO BY DOING

The English department in our school gives work through the tenth grade; and besides this, we have a Chinese and a Malay department. Our teachers in these departments are doing excellent work. They go out to sell gospel literature, and have their students go with them. They give Bible studies, and teach their pupils to do the same. Thus the pupils are getting a practical experience while attending school. Several heathen have been found who are now about to accept Christianity through their efforts.

A brother from Australia has come to take up the colporteur work here. He is now studying the language, and at the same time is getting experience in Singapore. He will take the general oversight of the colporteur work.

We are hoping for some one to come soon and take charge of our editorial work. There is a large work before us in this field in developing literature in the vernacular of the people. Where our Malay missionary paper has gone, we have found that interest has been aroused, and some have accepted Christ from reading the paper and then coming into touch with our workers. Small subscription books are needed, that will sell at a price so low that the natives can purchase them. This will call for a printing plant in the near future. As there are native printers in our church, these books could be produced at moderate cost, and thus our colporteur work may become established.

At Padang, Sumatra, we have an English school. The students are all natives, and this brings our missionaries in contact with them.