IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 1, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 22.

IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA.

By Editor

A CARD from Brother L. R. Conradi, dated Tanga, March 29, 1904, says: "Our party of five reached this port Sunday [the 27th] early. Our two missionaries met us. We are all in good health and spirits. We leave to-morrow for our station, 150 miles inland, of which 50 is by rail, 100 on foot."

At the General Conference one year ago in April, Brother Conradi, as president of the German Union Conference, told us about his efforts to open a mission in that field, and how he was providentially assisted. When he went to the colonial office, he incidentally told an official that our people had a sanitarium in Samoa, a German colony in the South Pacific Ocean. It so happened that this official had been to Samoa, and was favorably impressed with our work there. Thus one small institution in a small, isolated colony in the South Pacific was destined to work an influence for the furtherance of a like good work in east Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean.

Main Street in Tanga, German East Africa.

While in search of information about the country, Brother Conradi had been warned not to go to the head of the Lutheran Mission, as he was much opposed to us. But on going into a bookstore in quest of some descriptive work, and telling his object, the gentleman he spoke to said: "The head of our Lutheran Mission would surely be pleased to see you. I will take you to him." On being presented to that official, instead of meeting opposition, he was greeted very pleasantly. The gentleman said: "You want to go to east Africa? If you go to that country, there are lots of Catholic missions, and free territory. If you go there, God bless you." Then the gentleman took him to the bookkeeper to procure information about the cost of the journey and other expenses, and offered to give further information when desired, giving as a parting word, "God bless you in your work."

Some time later Brother Conradi went to the colonial office again. On meeting the official first mentioned, that gentleman said: "I am so glad to meet you again; I wanted to write to you and tell you that the governor of east Africa has arrived. I told him about your work, and he wants to see you." On receiving a letter of introduction, he called on the governor at his hotel. On presenting his letter, the governor said: "Mr. Conradi, I am glad to meet you. The mission work of your people has been highly recommended to us, and I can but say, I welcome you to east Africa."

Thus the good providence of God opened the way for the mission work which, from a small beginning, bids fair to be a successful medium in the salvation of the heathen. Surely that for which the Lord has procured so favorable an opening can not fail of His continual blessing if the opportunity be faithfully improved. We expect to hear further good news from German east Africa.