p. 12 | In the Wilds of Africa by Joel C. Rogers

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 4, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 30.

In the Wilds of Africa

By Joel C. Rogers

EXPERIENCES AMONG THE NATIVES—PIONEER WORK IN WINNING HEATHEN HEARTS

By Joel C. Rogers

AFTER planning the opening of a station up on the Tanganyika Plateau, the unsolicited turning of the hearts of all our people, young and old, to this new field, through the Sabbath-schools, fills our hearts with hope and courage. I know that thousands of children, as well as older brethren, will be praying about the Tanganyika Mission. I know that God will regard these prayers, and will specially prepare the way before us. And as I walk among these rolling highlands, the scenes of Livingstone's last labors, I can not doubt that God, who sent His angel before Israel, also sends angels to direct my steps to the place He Himself has chosen.

MAKING TEMPORARY QUARTERS

While we are locating, and building first a temporary house of poles, plastered with clay, your interest will not cease, I feel sure. You will not expect a report of many souls baptized right away. The seed must be sown and tended before the harvest. But we know the harvest surely comes, for, "My word shall not return unto Me void," says the Lord.

We have with us two young men from our old Malamulo station,—Isaac, a trained carpenter-teacher, who worked with us four years; the other a trained cook and teacher, who worked the same years under my wife's instruction. Isaac's wife is Ruth, the seamstress.

The wife of Silas, our cook, is a young African princess, whom my wife is now teaching, with much encouragement.

MAY NOT SEE A WHITE FACE FOR YEARS

Two young boys of a superior tribe, who have been with us since ten years of age, also go with us, as helpers. So we are not alone, though we may not see a white face for a year or two. More than all, we know God is with us. We often sleep under a spreading tree, without the tent, if the camping place is reached late in the evening.

Elder Rogers's temporary house will be built like this, only larger and with windows. He says such houses are quite comfortable.

Folding beds, some blankets, and mosquito-nets to hang from a handy branch and cover the beds, make us very comfortable in the dry season.

Our little tropical tent is fine for cool or rainy times. We shall have traveled with it over a thousand miles when we reach our destination. My wife seemed very happy when she first saw "old glory" floating at the top. The accompanying flag is the "union jack."

The boy at my left, my cook and general helper, has been with me four years. So it will be seen he was a little boy, perhaps nine years old, when he first came. His name is Amon, but he will have a new name soon, for they always change names at his age. It is a fixed African custom to change names at various stages in life.

At my right is Jack. When I asked his other name, he said, "Tom—Tom Jack." He came to us four months ago, being a trained house boy. In fact, he is a really skilled laborer in his line, caring for my bed, washing clothes, cleaning the house—when I am in one—setting the table, and doing various other duties. His wage is ten shillings, besides food—three dollars a month all together. Amon, being a learner, receives half as much. Of course we pay these personal helpers ourselves. They are Christian boys, able to teach others also.

Elder Rogers's two helpers standing beside him—the cook and his young wife to the left. His watch-dog Njobon (Elephant), resting in the foreground, barely escaped the jaws of a leopard in one of his encounters.

NATIVES AS EXPERT COOKS

Silas, our long-time cook, is seen busily stirring something delectable in an American frying-pan. His businesslike camp-fire roaring in the midst of his pots is quite symbolical of his own sturdy, hustling self. It is quite marvelous what these boys can compound out of a scarcity that would strike a home cook helpless.

At the left of Silas is his "high-born" wife, a winsome bit of a woman just beginning to like work—a little bit, though the process does not really gallop, one must truthfully admit. African women are almost never engaged as helpers to Europeans, as it is the habit of their men-folk to reserve their wives' labors to occupations that relieve the men themselves of domestic drudgery—the planting of the corn, the making of the flour, the homely but unceasing hewing of wood and carrying of water. The name of this particular girl is Manes (Ma-nes), and a more musical name you will hardly find.

Aaron is a little lad the same age as Amon, and his own cousin. This boy is marvelously skilful and quick at needlework, and from his quick fingers comes many a piece of work, delivered in beautifully finished form with great promptness. The men do all the needlework in this land.

MUST USE NATIVE CARRIERS

We travel with native carriers only, as we must pass through sleeping-sickness districts, where the risk is too great for donkeys, which otherwise we would be glad to take. And besides, we were warned by a government officer that part of our road is infested with lions, which show some partiality for fresh donkey meat.

Now we want to thank you for the big offering to open the Tanganyika Mission, and for your prayers and interest.

Fresh lion skin for sale. This old lion killed two persons before it was captured by the crude methods of these natives.