The European Division of the General Conference at the present time has missionaries scattered all along the northern and eastern coasts of Africa. There are five distinct mission fields. On the northern coast are Algeria and Egypt; on the eastern coast are Abyssinia, German East Africa, and the Victoria Nyanza Mission, which is located on both British and German territory. In all we have about 25 workers there, located among over 50,000,000 people, or more than one third of the population of the dark continent.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.6

This evening we want to give special attention to the efforts we are putting forth among the heathen inGCB May 18, 1909, page 54.7

German and British East AfricaGCB May 18, 1909, page 54.8

Our aim from the beginning has been to find virgin missionary soil; and as there are quite a number of Catholic and Protestant missionary societies operating in Africa, this was not so easy to secure.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.9

Six years ago I not only obtained information from the various missionary societies operating in German East Africa, but also came in touch with the German Colonial Department, at Berlin. Through the kindness of one of the officials there, I secured an interview with the governor of German East Africa, then Graf von Goezen, at Berlin. The official had told him so many good things that his very first words were: “We extend you a hearty invitation to enter German East Africa.”GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.10

We had thought of going to the west side of Victoria Nyanza; but when we sent two missionaries (in the autumn of 1903), we wrote the governor that if there were reasons why we should not proceed to that territory, we would be glad to have him inform our missionaries at Mombasa of his wishes. When Brethren Enns and Ehlers arrived there, they found a letter inviting them to come to his capital, at Dar-es-salam. They were received very kindly, and sent to Usambara, the best-developed portion of the entire country, where at that time the only railroad in the colony was to be found. When they met the chief of that district, and told him their errand, and that they were Seventh-day Adventist missionaries, he treated them very coolly until they produced the letter of recommendation from the governor. Then he at once invited them to dinner and directed them to the South Pare Mountains, where there were no other missionaries at that time. Within three months after their arrival, the Leipsic Lutheran Mission, located something like 50 miles to the north of us, came down and settled within a half-day’s journey, and claimed our territory. But we could easily answer them by referring them to the fact that the governor had assigned this district to us.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.11

In the spring of 1904 I went there, accompanied by four additional workers. The railroad went about sixty miles, and we had to go about as far on foot, having our baggage carried by natives.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.12

Our First Station was established in the mountains, and it was named Friedenstal, or Valley of Peace. When we arrived at Kihuiro, after nearly an all-night’s march through the desert, we found but a small hut in which to place our sisters, while we stopped outside, fighting the mosquitoes. There were about 2,000 natives around there, and as the morning dawned, they came with food, and one of their chiefs presented a sheep to us; but our missionaries could converse with them only a little. Most of the natives had only skins about their loins; there was no store or shop; many never had seen a white woman; and as we ascended into the mountains, we found quite a congregation awaiting us at our station, to see them. Beside temporary clay huts for the kitchen and for a dwelling, we had our tents pitched. I spent over a month here to plan permanent buildings. We decided to open two more stations, one at Kihuiro, and another at the west side of the range. I then proceeded to see the governor, who not only granted me a long interview, but it may be of interest to you to know that his wife is from Washington, D. C. She invited me to attend a state dinner. While the other guests had their champagne, he kindly provided me with lemonade, and drank to my health. From eight to eleven that evening the countess asked me to explain to the ladies present the leading points of our faith, the gentlemen being near enough to hear what was said.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.13

This African visit gave me a broader view of what was needed. We selected two promising young men, one of whom had quite a classical education, and sent them to the Colonial Seminary at Berlin to study the language and tropical diseases. Other missionaries followed, and urgent requests came that I should visit them again.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.14

Meanwhile we felt the burden of opening up the work in British East Africa so I conferred with the Colonial Department at London, and corresponded with the governor of British East Africa. We also secured a recommendation from the commissioner in Rhodesia, who knew our missionary work there. Brother Enns joined Elder Carscallen, who was provided with means and sent out by the British Union Conference. They were very kindly received by the governor, and proceeded to the Victoria Nyanza. At the very terminus of the Uganda Railway there was a great stretch of unentered territory among the Kavirondos, or Jaluo tribe. They secured a station twenty miles south of Port Florence, on an elevated point about a mile from the lake.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.15

The following year we encouraged our Scandinavian brethren to become interested in Abyssinia. I began correspondence, and it was finally decided to open this mission for the Abyssinians in the Italian Colony of Eritrea, in the autumn of 1907.GCB May 18, 1909, page 54.16

In September, 1908, at the invitation of the General Conference, I again left for Africa. About this time eleven missionaries went out with me—2 to Syria, 1 to the Dutch East Indies, 2 to Egypt, and 4 to German East Africa, and 2 to the Abyssinian Mission. My time being limited for such a vast territory, I first proceeded to German East Africa. Our steamer did not get in until Thursday night, so that only by hard work were we able to get out in time Friday to catch the train. When we reached the terminus of the railway at four o’clock in the afternoon, I found no suitable conveyance, but being anxious to spend at least one Sabbath at the leading station, I pressed through with two brethren.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.1

But, O, how wonderfully changed was Kihuiro, as compared with my first visit! There were now several Indian stores in town. Everybody greeted the missionaries respectfully, and we found a large school-house (which also serves as chapel), in the town, and a good wagon road leading out to the mission station a mile beyond. Instead of the scanty cultivation of the soil formerly seen on the part of the natives, I saw nice cotton and maize fields.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.2

Our Mission FarmGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.3

We were received and comfortably cared for in our mission home. A score of intelligent colored youth were ready to assist the white missionaries in looking after our wants.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.4

By ten o’clock we went down to the meeting-hall. The head chief (who, by the way, is a Mohammedan), and about a dozen sub-chiefs, had placed themselves before the building to give us a grand reception, and then they entered the place of worship with us. The room was crowded. As Brother Kotz led the native hymn with the small mission organ, hundreds of voices were united in song—voices of those who before had known nothing of a written language, or of the name of Jesus. Our weariness was forgotten. This was a sight that could make the angels weep for joy. We could now open up the precious Bible, and through a ready interpreter, tell them of the love of Jesus. The responsive “amens” assured us that the Word had fallen upon good ground.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.5

In the afternoon we visited our native Christian village. For years our missionaries have toiled day and night, often stricken with fever, in mastering the language, in writing a dictionary and a grammar, in instructing the natives, and in trying to lead them to Christ. Disappointments of all sorts befell them. TheGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.6

Candidates for Baptism were threatened with expulsion from their tribe by their chief, and their sorcerers told them of terrible disasters that would await them. What a glorious day it was when the first six converts of this people were baptized! Sunday morning we had an examination of the school, and were surprised at the results. There are two departments. The main instruction is in the native language. The new governor and the chief of the district have visited our school, and when I waited upon him, in Dar-es-salam, he expressed himself as being well satisfied with our work. Following is the governor’s report, written February 10, this year:—GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.7

“I have noticed the efficiency and progress of the mission school at Kihuiro with satisfaction. Please inform the mission that I have granted them a number of instruction books (in Swahili), as a premium for their efficiency.”GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.8

(Signed) Von Rechenberg.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.9

We received 250 books, whose value is $150.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.10

I found good mission buildings and a prosperous school at the old station at Friedenstal, and a well-built house and overfilled school at Vuasu.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.11

Schools and BuildingsGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.12

Besides the three main schools, we now have five out-schools, and a number of promising students are utilized as teachers. One of these younger teachers in one school (about 14 years of age), examined his class. The natives have an especially retentive memory. As we do not yet have the Bible in their language, this trait is of great advantage in teaching Bible history and Bible stories. I was surprised at the composure shown by the young man in asking questions. Only our most advanced students have learned the German language.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.13

Great joy was felt when the natives received their first hymn-book in their language, and still more joy was manifested as parts of the Bible had been copied for them. They anxiously await the day when theGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.14

Gospels Will Be Printed for them by our Hamburg House. Ere we parted, we had the ordinance of feet-washing and celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. Besides the converts, about ten of the candidates for baptism were with us. The blessed Lord, who also died for the heathen, was present, and when I proposed a social meeting,—a thing heretofore unknown among them,—not only did the members take part, but every one of the candidates for baptism expressed their soul’s desire to become one with us. We expect a second baptismal service by the 29th of this month. To show the deep concern our teachers have for their pupils, I quote from a letter written on April 6:—GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.15

“Two months ago the natives had one of their celebrated dances near us. Great noise and the sound of the trumpet came continually to us. Brother Kotz, fearing that some of his pupils night have gone there, inspected their bedrooms; as he could not sleep, he waded through the river, and told them to stop their noise. But he was horrified to find three of his pupils there. He became so disheartened that he could rise the next morning only with the greatest difficulty. He talked to them, with tears in his eyes, and they repented of their bad example.”GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.16

Progress—Material and SpiritualGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.17

The missionaries have not only erected three main stations, and a number of out-stations and buildings, but they have also planted something like 25 acres of cotton. Last year the fields of cotton yielded a gain of nearly $600. We have in all 400 students in our school; 6 have been baptized, as many more will be baptized this month, and still others are candidates for baptism. We have 8 missionaries there in all, among whom are two families.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.18

From here I went back with the steamer to Mombassa, and took the Uganda Railway for the lake. A dozen years ago this trip would have taken me four months, but I could now make it in 48 hours. The railway is a piece of wonderful engineering, running through immense waterless deserts; through rich plateaus, stocked with game as no other portion of the world; through mountains rising to an elevation of 7,000 feet, then descending to 5,000, and again ascending to 8,327 feet (and this all without any tunnels), and then through dense forest, with such a prolific growth that if for two years the road-bed were left unattended, it would require months to again trace the railway. The employees are mostly Indians, and so are many of the merchants, especially the Goanese.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.19

Nairobi is the governor’s capital, and there are large European plantations all about it. It is a rapidly growing town. From the Mau Escarpment, at an elevation of 8,000 feet, one has a wonderful view of the vast sheet of the Victoria Nyanza in the far distance. When I reached the plain, I found the Kavirondo settlements everywhere. Brother Carscallen met me at Port Florence, and we secured a small tug-boat for $5, to take us 20 miles across the seaGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.20

To Our New StationGCB May 18, 1909, page 55.21

About half-way out, we could discern the outlines of the mission building and the school on the hill. As we neared the landing built by the British government, a number of our mission boys and Brother Baker and others met us, and carried our luggage about a mile up the hill. The two brethren have worked hard to erect the buildings and to learn the language. Our stay was short. From our mission we could see the smoke of nearly a hundred small kraals containing from half a dozen to a score of huts.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.22

To become better acquainted with the lay of the country, Brother Carscallen and I went 65 miles on foot across it, to the next steamer landing. This trip required four days. Everywhere we found thousands of natives, men armed with spears and shields and their heads adorned with a miniature ostrich farm. The Kavirondos are a well-built people physically, and generally admitted to be one of the most promising tribes in Africa. Each evening about 3 o’clock, before the heavy thunder showers overtook us, we had to pitch our tent, and after a march of over 20 miles, mostly through native paths, we were indeed glad to lie down on the dry grass brought in by the natives. We found no fruit whatever. The only thing we could do was to buy a sheep for about $1.25 to feed our porters, and also to secure some mealie.GCB May 18, 1909, page 55.23

Prompt Action DemandedGCB May 18, 1909, page 56.1

Some of the villages are surrounded by hedges; but as we near the borders of other tribes, there are high stone walls. No less than 300,000 natives are scattered over a district extending something like a hundred and fifty miles on the east coast of the lake. They have no teacher, physician, or missionary except the two we have there at present. But since we entered it, both Catholics and Protestants are planning to occupy portions of it. Our safety lies in quick action. Accordingly, we have asked Brother Enns to go there, with three other missionaries. We planned one more station while we were there, at Wire Hill, where we placed Brother Baker. We have also secured several other sites.GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.2

We had an interesting visit with the British commissioner at Kurungu. He thought we might secure the government building, as the government has moved its headquarters some 60 miles inland. Here we took the steamer for a trip around the lake. By our march we saved one day, but still it took us nine days more for the round trip. There is to-day a fleet of four large steamers on the lake, which are operated by the Uganda Railway Company. We touched three ports in the German territory, securing information wherever we stopped. We also touched at three ports in Uganda.GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.3

At Entebbe, where the British governor of Uganda has his headquarters, we stopped several days. They had at the time an agricultural exhibition both here and at Mengo, the native capital, some 20 miles north. I was indeed fortunate to meet, at the fine residence of the governor, all the native sultans of the Uganda province. They had come down on a large automobile, and they were as fine-looking and large men as I have found anywhere in the world.GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.4

Wonderful Things WroughtGCB May 18, 1909, page 56.5

Uganda is rightfully called the Japan of Central Africa. The gospel has wrought wonderful things here. Hundreds of thousands of Protestants have been gained here among the natives. The king and most of his governors are Protestants. There is a well-organized native government, with roads, well-built villages, and good plantations. The Word of God is read and proclaimed everywhere. Yet this victory was not won without even the clash of arms between Catholics, Protestants, and Mohammedans. At Jinja, we saw the waters of the Nile rushing out of the lake, and after having once baptized a dozen candidates near its mouth at Cairo, I was indeed pleased to see its long-sought-for source.GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.6

After stopping a few more days with our brethren at the mission, I returned on the Uganda road, touched at different places in Portuguese territory, and visited South Africa.GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.7

AbyssiniaGCB May 18, 1909, page 56.8

Before closing I desire to say a few words about Abyssinia. We had hoped to enter the Galla country in the south, but failed. Abyssinia itself is closed to missions, on account of former Catholic encroachments in the seventeenth century. They then wanted to force Abyssinians to quit the observance of the Sabbath, and to accept the Roman Catholic religion. There are nine millions of these people, and they have the Bible in the three leading languages of their country. The king believes that he is a descendant of Solomon, and his coat-of-arms is the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” They claim to have the original ark of the testament at Axum, their religious center, but they will not allow any one to see it. As Italy has conquered a part of the coast territory, we have done the next best thing, and begun missionary work among the Abyssinians on the Italian territory. As it takes some six weeks to visit that country. I was unable to see our missionaries, but ought to go there this winter. We also need Scandinavian reinforcements. Ethiopia stretches out her hands for some good missionary physician, who would find an open door.GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.9

Since the European division of the General Conference entered the African work, it has not only opened the fountains of liberality among our people everywhere, but many of our young men have offered their services for that field. Only three have thus far lost their lives, but several have had to be recalled on account of the unhealthful climate. Others are pressing in to fill up the gaps, and the dying wish of the three was to have their health restored, nor for a life of comfort, but to do more for this dark continent. They did not seem to realize that they were on the eve of death. In the very last moments, even those who were away from Africa, thought of nothing else than to return. One young sister, who had gone out with me the first time, and had to return on account of the sickness of her husband, came down with a fatal cold. She had two little babes; and when I met her husband, he told me that she would have but a few hours to live. She had left home, her husband had been taken down sick, she had two beautiful children, and she herself was on her death-bed. Death marked her features as I entered the room, and yet there was with her such a sweet peace as she stated that she was glad to meet me, and asked me to pray with them, that she and her husband might be restored to health, to return to Africa. There is indeed the stamp of divinity in such a dying request. And while some noble workers lay their all upon the altar of God, and while dark Africa is calling for hundreds more of workers, and thousands of dollars of means, ought not we to respond? Ought not our young people to consecrate themselves to this work? and ought not the men and women of means to bring their thousands to support it? The Master of the vineyard is looking down upon us. His Holy Spirit is ready to impress our hearts. What will this people say?GCB May 18, 1909, page 56.10

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