p. 12 | A True South African Snake Story by W. B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1914

A True South African Snake Story

By W. B. White

W. B. WHITE

Grandma Wessels, as she is called by all who know her in South Africa, is now seventy-six years old, and at present resides with her son Peter about fifty miles north of Cape Town. She loves the Lord with all her heart, and seems to be ripening for the heavenly garner. During the warm summer days grandma sits on the porch a great deal in her large cane chair, with a comfortable foot rest, and shawls and blankets to keep her warm.

One day about a year ago, she had spent the most of the forenoon in her chair, and left it only when the bell rang for dinner. After dinner she returned to the porch, and pulling her blanket about her, rested for some time. Later she decided to go for a little walk. Rising from her chair, she pulled the blankets up from the floor, when out from underneath darted a six-foot cobra, one of the deadliest snakes known in Africa.

On account of her age grandma moves very slowly, and could easily have been bitten by the reptile, but the snake offered her no harm. It is likely that during the dinner hour, when all was quiet, the snake approached the house, and thinking that underneath the chair on the cool concrete was a good resting place, crawled in, and was disturbed when grandma lifted the blankets. All who know the nature of the cobra feel that her deliverance was a remarkable one, and that the protecting hand of God was over his servant to keep her from harm.

Cape Town, South Africa.