p. 14 | Abyssinia by Anol Grundset

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 26, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 46.

Abyssinia

By Anol Grundset

ANOTHER school year has just passed, and the boys have now departed to their homes and villages. This school year indeed has been intermingled with trials, but this as coworkers with Christ we must only expect, and we are very glad for the part we have had in giving the natives God's Word, and pointing them to Jesus, who longs to save them from their sins and superstitions, to prepare them for His coming and the home beyond.

The boys' last Sunday was spent as follows: While in the forenoon a special dinner was being prepared for them, they washed their clothing, and prepared themselves for their departure the following morning. After partaking of a hearty dinner prepared according to Abyssinian taste and manner, they were entertained at our home in the afternoon, shown many things of peculiar interest to them. Maps and pictures from America, Europe, other parts of Africa, etc., opened before them a view of the wide world, of which their land Abyssinia is one country. They were shown that the gospel and message of Jesus' soon coming is being preached in these various countries.

Groups of colored Sabbath-keepers in the United States, Oakwood School, etc., interested them very much. Later they were served with light refreshments, among them pop-corn, which to them was a real wonder; the lesson drawn, that if we allow Jesus to throne within us, our lives and characters will unfold in similar whiteness.

In the evening, the writer gave them a stereopticon talk, first showing them selected scenes of their own country and people, closing with a series of colored slides on the life of Christ, intermingled with appropriate songs thrown on the screen in the native tongue and sung between the scenes. Dwelling on the sufferings of Christ, His agonies in Gethsemane, all in our behalf, to gain for us eternal life, touched their hearts very closely. Eyes were moistened, and expressions of sympathy heard. We can only pray that it be long remembered, and that the vivid colored views may have helped to make lasting impressions of God's great gift to us all. After singing the native song, "Shall we meet beyond the river, where the surges cease to roll?" and benediction, we separated for the night, feeling it had been a well-spent evening.

On Monday morning, we again met, for our farewell worship. After singing "There is a fountain," John 17 was read. Among other remarks, the boys were especially requested to remember the third verse, "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." We then had a season of prayer, in which several took part, the prayers of the older boys being very impressive as they asked: "Jesus be with us all now as we separate. Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Help us that we so live that we meet in the New Jerusalem," etc.

As the boys had been presented with copies of the New Testament in Tigrinja and Amharic, they were in parting admonished to read daily in these, and daily pray during the vacation months, and to try to be back for the next school year, and bring others with them.

Now we can only leave these with God, believing His promise that "as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

Yours to win and rescue,

ANOL GRUNDSET.

Asmara, East Africa,

September 18, 1912.