SOUTH AFRICA AS A MISSION FIELD by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 23, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 49.

SOUTH AFRICA AS A MISSION FIELD.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

NO. 2.

AT different periods of the earth's history, the Lord has in an especial manner honored one nation or continent more highly than another. Palestine was chosen as the land wherein the Saviour should make his earthly sojourn. Asia was thus made to be the abode of the Son of God, and her inhabitants were privileged to be among the first to hear the teachings that fell from the divine lips, and to witness the example of him who is the Pattern of all the world. Europe and England have been the scenes of the Reformation; their mountains and caves have proved refuges for the people of God on many occasions, and noble men and women have been raised up from time to time among those nations, to carry forward new reforms in the church. And now in the last days the Master of the vineyard has so ordered and shaped human events that on the United States has been bestowed the honor of cradling the Third Angel's Message.

But has Africa been forgotten? has the Lord never bestowed any honor on this large continent?—Yes, Africa also has been made to play a part in the drama of divine history. She was an asylum for the patriarchs in days of old, for here it was that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were preserved in times of famine. She was a refuge for Jeremiah when he was rejected of his own people; and, above all, it was here that Joseph and Mary fled with the infant Jesus, to escape the cruel decrees of Herod, the king. It is true that at the present time there is no country that is in a state of greater darkness than Africa, but it is also true that there is no place on the face of the earth that contains so many different tribes of savages as does the soil of Africa. There is no place in all the earth where all denominations are putting forth greater efforts to civilize and to Christianize the inhabitants than in Africa, and in many once dark spots the true light of the gospel commences to burn with a glorious luster. This is not only true of the central portion of the continent, and those places from which little is heard, but also in the southern lands a great work is being done, and there are but few tribes that are not represented to a greater or less extent in the ranks of Christianity.

Much effort is being put forth at the present time to elevate the standard of Christianity and the social state of society in the modern nations of the earth, but are there not worthy souls here among the natives of Africa? Similar instances may be seen in the Bible. At one period we read that there were many lepers in Israel, but none of them were cleansed except Naaman, the Syrian. In the days of Elijah the prophet there were many widows in Israel, or among the professed people of God, and yet it was a woman of Sarepta that was chosen to shield this servant of the Lord. There are precious souls in every nation, and there is a truth to be carried to them. God calls for consecrated laborers to do this work, those who are not afraid of hardship and danger, those who will have such a hold on the arm of Heaven that they will not shrink beneath the most bitter discouragements and the most trying circumstances.

Again, there is a providence to be seen in the wonderful way in which many colored people have been brought as slaves from other lands to this continent. Many of these were of royal blood and of the most enlightened class. Here the missionaries have access to them, and they learn of the wondrous love of Jesus. They are taught concerning that great God who reigns supreme above all other gods, and now that they are at liberty, they, having themselves heard the glad tidings of salvation, seem to have a burden to take it to their friends and relatives in the islands of the sea, from whence they originally came. Thus the wisdom of God can be seen in bringing all of these different tribes and nationalities to this country; for in many of the places from which they came it is impossible for white men to live, and the light of the gospel would have been retarded from spreading its beams all over the globe.

We should be thankful to God that all the closing work has not been left with us to do; were this the case, it would take us years and years to do the work; but we should praise the Master that he has in his mercy and love put it into the hearts of others to go out and labor with these people, and prepare the way for us, thus making our work a lighter and an easier one. God has given us a special work to do, but he has given to others also a task to perform, and it is certainly not out of place for us to assist them by our prayers, and by manifesting an interest in their work.

Many men of different crafts are employed in erecting a building, but should he who puts on the finishing touches claim all the honor of the work? He has in truth done less than any of the others. We have the final work to do in preparing a people to stand before the throne of God without spot or blemish, but there are others whom God is using to pave the way for us. May God help us to view these things in their true light, and set a proper estimate upon them. S. N. H.