In Nyasaland by S. M. Konigmacher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 7, 1913

In Nyasaland

By S. M. Konigmacher

THURSDAY I spent a very profitable day visiting my nearest out-school and nearly all the villages in its vicinity. Though many were in their gardens, those whom I found in the village were glad to see their teacher had not forgotten them in the stress of station duties. I praised them for their thrifty-looking gardens. We prayed together, and I told them that they must not neglect to come to worship because they are watching the baboons by day and the wild hogs by night. That is good and necessary, but the service of God is of more importance.

I found one poor woman mourning the loss of her baby. She has a mother's heart even though she is in Central Africa and her skin is dark. A few feet away her sister sat in the door of her hut, dying and wasting away with that enemy of mankind, tuberculosis. Their brother, who is one of my teachers, was with me, and as we prayed for them we tried to draw them close to the One who carries all our infirmities and heals all our diseases. We also counseled together about the baptism of this poor sick woman, deciding that if she was ready and could not come to the mission, her husband, who is a baptized member of the church, and others would bring her in the machila, and I would baptize her; thus if the Saviour should call her, she would be ready.

The school was doing well, and the progress was noticeable, though many were absent, some picking tea and some hunting food; yet nearly fifty were present. On Friday two of my teachers from the mountain back of the mission came down to report about their schools, and to get some supplies. Jim, who is teaching two schools, says that the children in his second school are wishing to have their lessons in the early morning, the same as at the school in the chief's village, so I shall have to send another assistant to take charge of this second school. The natives during the planting season like to go to school in the early morning, so they can have the greater part of the day in their gardens. They see the importance of an education, but at the same time cannot do without their "daily bread."

The tract on the Sabbath is out, and we have begun to distribute it.

While the work is going steadily forward, the brethren at home must not think there is no more to do. O, no! we need your help in many ways. Think of it, six workers among one hundred thousand persons scattered over miles of dreary wastes! We are of good courage.