In representing West Africa’s progress and needs to this Conference, I would first of all disabuse any minds of a common impression that West Africa means a narrow strip of sparsely settled country along the coast. What is termed West Africa comprises thirteen countries, with a population of sixty-seven millions, as follows: Senegal, 2,000,000; Gambia, 500,000; French Sudan, 3,000,000; Portuguese Guinea, 820,000; French Guinea, 2,200,000; Sierra Leone, 1,500,000; Liberia, 1,800,000; Ivory Coast, 3,000,000; Gold Coast, 1,500,000; Togo, 1,500,000; Dahomey, 1,000,000; the Nigerias, including Lagos, 44,000,000; and the Kameruns, 4,500,000.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.5

This does not include much of the hinterland within these boundaries, which, according to the estimate made by the Sudan Mission people, will increase these figures to a hundred million souls yet unwarned of the soon-coming judgments of God. Among these peoples, more than two hundred languages and dialects are spoken.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.6

The Field Entered

The first effort to place the message before the people of West Africa was made by the old International Tract Society, in sending literature to the Gold Coast.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.7

In a short time, appeals were made for ministerial help. A representative of the society was sent to the West Coast, calling at Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast, leaving many books, papers, and tracts. Some accepted the message, and Elder E. L. Sanford, with other help, was sent to continue the work. His health soon failed, and in 1895 Elder D. U. Hale was sent to the Gold Coast, and remained two years. The history of his suffering with West African fever, of his second attempt in 1903, and his final return to the home land, is known by all. As a result of the efforts put forth by the brethren, some accepted the message, a few of whom still stand firmly for the truth on the Gold Coast.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.8

Earnest appeals continued to be made, and the General Conference in 1905 voted to send Mrs. Babcock and myself to this part of dark Africa. We reached the field in August of that year. After spending a few days in Sierra Leone, looking at the surroundings from the standpoint of health, I proceeded down the coast to the Gold Coast. I spent some days looking for our people, but failing to get trace of any one, I settled up some business matters and returned to Sierra Leone, deciding to open the work there, and if the way opened, make that our headquarters for West Africa.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.9

We began work by selling our books, Mrs. Babcock working in one part of the city and I in another. We held a few meetings in our home; but erelong I was attacked with fever. It seemed for a time that the experience of Elder Hale and others would be mine, but the Lord intervened, and after four and one-half months of continued sickness the fever broke. The next day after my fever ceased, Mrs. Babcock was taken down with fever, and it seemed she must die; but the Lord heard our cry, and she was restored.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.10

Having decided that Satan should not defeat us in establishing the message on the West Coast of Africa, we looked out the healthiest location we could find, and built a substantial mission home, and by the close of 1906 were ready for work among the people.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.11

On Jan. 10, 1907, our tent was pitched, and from the first night to the close of the meetings, March 10, the interest continued good. As a result of this effort a church of thirty-one members was organized, and a suitable church building was erected. This church now numbers over sixty members.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.12

Among those who accepted the truth in 1907 were two young men who are now actively engaged in the ministry, both being earnest and quite successful workers. Others are making a success of canvassing for our books.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.13

In February, 1907, the first help was sent us by the Mission Board, in the person of Tutu Kwamina. He soon forsook us. The last of April, the same year, Brother L. W. Browne arrived, and did efficient work during his short stay. In May, 1908, he returned to America. During his stay, in company with Brother C. E. F. Thompson, a Jamaican, and Brother R. P. Dauphin, a West African, a company of believers was raised up at Waterloo, twenty miles from Freetown.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.14

In the month of August, 1907, Mrs. Babcock and myself began work on the Gold Coast, but owing to the rainy season, we could continue but a short time. With the few who accepted the message we organized a Sabbath-school of fifteen young men.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.15

Brother C. A. Ackah took up the book work at Cape Coast, Gold Coast, and other points, and has disposed of about $500 worth of books and other literature. He also held some meetings in his native village, among the Nsimbia people, and reports forty-three Sabbath-keepers.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.16

Our School Work

When we moved into our new mission home, in 1906, an Austrian, a Catholic, living near us, requested Mrs. Babcock to teach his children. She consented, and in a few days others came, making the same request. The attendance increased so rapidly that we were soon compelled to pitch our tent to accommodate the children. We also had to employ an assistant teacher, as the enrollment soon reached 125.GCB June 7, 1909, page 352.17

As the rainy season approached, we had to erect a small building so we could continue the school work. This building was soon too small, and we were compelled to rent additional rooms. At the time of the General Conference council at Gland, Switzerland, I made an appeal for means to erect a larger building, and for a suitable person to train young men as workers for this field. The request was granted, but not until 1908 could the help asked for be secured.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.1

In August, 1908, Professor T. M. French arrived in Sierra Leone to take charge of the training of laborers. This addition to our working force has been a great encouragement to the work in West Africa. Before his arrival we had secured a suitable location near our mission home for the school building. About the first of October, we laid the foundation of the building, and with some Mendi boys, and three Creoles, began work. Professor French had a touch of fever occasionally, but the hand of God was with us, and by March 4, although the building was not yet completed, the school was opened. The Lord is greatly blessing it. Professor French speaks in the highest terms of the progress made by the children. By this time our school has in attendance, I suppose, representatives of more than fifteen languages and dialects on the West Coast of Africa. We have a primary school at Waterloo, with forty-three attending, and one on the Gold Coast of about the same number. We have bright prospects before us for training native workers, and on the whole we are greatly encouraged in our educational work.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.2

Our Motto

We have not sought to greatly multiply our numbers, to make a show, but each applicant for church-membership is carefully examined, and his real Christian experience understood, so far as we can judge, by God’s Word. As a result only one has been disfellowshiped so far. Perfect harmony prevails among the brethren and sisters, and our workers are all of one mind. Our tithes and offerings are increasing rapidly every quarter. There are now about one hundred fifty Sabbath-keepers on the West Coast of Africa, and I am glad to say we have not lost one by death since we began our work. We praise God’s name for his keeping power.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.3

I must mention the case of one of our workers and his wife. When they accepted this message, they were both in poor health. They became careful students of the Testimonies, accepted the principles of health reform, and are now enjoying good health.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.4

While the West Coast of Africa is termed the “white man’s grave,” yet, as the time has come for its millions to be warned, and the message to be given that will gather out all that will be saved, our Father is revealing his special care for those who have consecrated their lives to the work of the gospel in this land of superstition and gross darkness.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.5

The Field Before Us

Calls for help are coming to us daily. On a recent trip into the hinterland of Sierra Leone, urgent appeals were made on every hand for us to open our work. Owing to sickness, I was compelled to remain in one native village nearly two days. Here Chief Yamasu offered us all the land we needed, and to build us a suitable house, if we would open our work in his village, which is nearly two hundred miles from Freetown. In many of the towns along the railway I found our literature. In Gambia, near Senegal, we have a brother selling our books. The Joliffs occupy this territory, and a request has been made for meetings there. At Sherbro, the southern limit of Sierra Leone, we have a few Sabbath-keepers, and an earnest request has been made for a public effort there. One hundred miles in the interior from Sherbro there lives an educated native to whom I gave some tracts more than a year ago. Just recently I received a letter from him, requesting me to visit the place and instruct them in the Bible. While visiting in Liberia I met several government officials, and everything we could ask for was offered us. The Niger Company in Northern Nigeria sent word to me recently that they would grant us all the land we need if we would open a station there. This is the home of the Hassa people, one of the high types of the negro race. While speaking in public recently, a lady in the congregation arose, and made an earnest request for us to open our work in Lagos, the capital of Southern Nigeria. This lady is the wife of a leading physician in Lagos, and is quite a talented woman. Thus the way is open before us for all West Africa.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.6

West Africa’s Call

While our needs are many, yet our appeals must necessarily be few. We shall never forget the kindness of our dear people who have stood by us with means during the past four years; but the feeble efforts of your workers have only widened our sphere of labor, and multiplied a hundredfold new obligations. A vast field lies before us, and there are millions to be warned by this people during this generation. I believe we can begin to see our Heavenly Father’s plan opening before us. The Spirit of God is moving upon the hearts of young men from the many tribes to give themselves to this message, and they in turn can return to their people to tell of the coming judgments, and the message soon close. The possibilities of the rapid progress of this message, and its finishing work in the near future in West Africa, are opening before us, and we are greatly encouraged.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.7

New Mission Homes for the Gold Coast and the Nigerias

There should be located on the Gold Coast in the near future a man of experience to look over and care for the work on that coast. I can not recommend such a move until a suitable location is secured, and a building erected. If proper quarters are erected on a high elevation, in the right place, there are plenty of men and women who could endure the climate.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.8

The appeals that have been made from Northern and Southern Nigeria demand our immediate attention. Here permanent stations should be built up soon.GCB June 7, 1909, page 353.9

One brother is now on the Benne River teaching school, another is teaching at Bonney, and at Lokoja our books are read with much interest.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.1

One Physician, Two Nurses

Among our urgent appeals we ask for a physician and at least two nurses. I believe all can see the great need of such help in West Africa. Why send our workers home for rest and recuperation, or treatment, when it will be far cheaper to provide such treatment just when and where it is needed. Such workers can very soon become self-supporting.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.2

I believe that as this Conference sees the millions in West Africa to be warned, and the evidence of the Lord’s hand now leading out in this field, you will consider our appeals for help far below the real demands.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.3

Let me say in conclusion that while some opposition has arisen, while some hard statements have been made in the public press, and while many have expressed their doubt of our work ever getting a hold in West Africa, yet the tide is now in favor of the truth, as may be seen from a recent issue of the Saturday Magazine. I read the following:—GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.4

“‘I’m sure this Seventh-day Adventist people will make no go in this place,’ was said to us by a gentleman as soon as the mission was established here, without giving a reason. We thought so at the time, and gave the reason, not that we thought they misinterpreted the Scriptures, but because Saturday (called by the people Ben Jonson’s day) is a two-fold day in this colony, a day wherewith to find the withal for the body, and is so wedged into our every week’s-end life; furthermore, the next day we are taught from time immemorial to be the Sabbath, so that it is too late to even look into the matter. That was the only reason one could give. But truth will surely come out; and though there is a great barrier from man’s standpoint—not God’s—yet from the date that their little church was dedicated to Almighty God, and their straightforwardness of principle was seen in the publishing of detail accounts (which called forth from the lips of the present mayor, ‘Have you seen the like before?’), we noticed that this mission is pushing itself forward and gaining ground, not only in the city but in the villages. No argument can be raised against the teaching of this people save that ‘the day is inconvenient;’ and nothing can settle the question but the dictates of one’s conscience. Their coming here is, we take it to be, the obeying of the command, ‘Lengthen the cords.’ This mission did good work during the earthquake of 1906 in the West Indies, and a visit now and then to their religious assembly here will satisfy any one that they are not idle in our midst. Besides it is our conviction that with such a leader as Mr. Babcock (the elder) the practical and industrial education so much needed here will be brought into being. We wish the mission success.”GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.5

A Memorial

The following memorial is sent from West Africa to this Conference:—GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.6

We, the undersigned, wish to express our thanks to our Heavenly Father for the success of the efforts put forth in this part of the dark continent during the past four years, and our appreciation for the co-operation of our General Conference brethren in making this last effort for this people; and we believe that the evident tokens of success call for an extension of the work here.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.7

Further, we believe that the special providence of God in preserving the health of the laborers in this country, “the white man’s grave,” is another evidence that the time has come when the Lord expects us to enter the field, and quickly give this last gospel message.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.8

The Lord’s guiding hand can be seen in the opening up the work in Freetown, since the light of present truth has penetrated places where we least suspected, and calls are coming in that ought to be answered without delay. Our papers, books, and tracts, as well as persons who have become acquainted with the truth, have scattered the truth far and wide. Seeing the results of the work here, we are fully convinced that this city is the key to the West Coast of Africa, as well as the great Soudan district, which has unknown millions of the dark-skinned tribes.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.9

The following-named territories come directly within this field: Sierra Leone, with its 1,500,000 inhabitants; Liberia, 1,800,000; Ivory Coast, 3,000,000; Gold Coast, 1,500,000; Nigeria district (including Lagos, etc., latest government report), 44,000,000; Kamerun, 4,500,000; Senegal, 2,000,000; Togo, 1,500,000; Portuguese Guinea, 820,000; French Guinea, 2,200,000; French Sudan, 3,000,000; Dahomey, 1,000,000; Gambia, 500,000; Cape Verde, 147,000; making 67,467,000 inhabitants, not including much of the hinterlands. This does not include the French Kongo, with its 30,000,000 inhabitants, reached by the West Coast steamers, or the Central and Eastern Sudan districts, with their swarming millions. Of these two hundred or more tribes, very few can read their language, so must be reached by the living teacher. In this entire district there are but two paid General Conference laborers, with four local workers at the present time. We believe, in view of the magnitude and the existing conditions of the field, that there should be a decided advance move toward reaching the unsaved millions of West Africa.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.10

Much of the prejudice is being broken down, and the people are calling for us to open work among them, with offers of land, and in some instances with school buildings.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.11

Mohammedanism is sweeping Central and West Africa, and we believe that we should press into these unentered districts before the field is fully occupied by the enemy.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.12

Since our work has been permanently established here, we believe that for the benefit of our workers, as well as for the advancement of the message among unbelievers, our medical work should be established in Freetown. A sanitarium would relieve our overworked laborers, saving expense in returning home, and in some instances might save the life of the individual. There are also urgent calls for such an institution. Since “the medical work is the right hand of the message,” we believe we should no longer be crippled in our work.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.13

In view of the foregoing statements of facts and conditions, we respectfully request the General Conference in session to carefully consider the following recommendations:—GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.14

1. That the work be more fully established on the Gold Coast, where much has already been done, but at present is in need of supervision by an experienced man, by appointing a person to take charge of the work there.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.15

2. That an efficient man be appointed to open up work in northern Nigeria, where much of our literature has been sent, and where much interest is being manifested in the truth, accompanied by offers of land for our work.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.16

3. That appropriations be made for building suitable mission houses in these two districts, that will contribute to the health of the workers under appointment.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.17

4. That at least a physician and a nurse be selected to take up the medical work in Freetown.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.18

5. That provision be made for renting, leasing, or building suitable quarters for bath-rooms, or a sanitarium, for caring for the sick.GCB June 7, 1909, page 354.19

6. That in order to relieve the superintendent of the field of the burden of building mission houses, church and school buildings, etc., and to assist in the training of young men in such industries, a man of experience be appointed to carry the responsibility of such work, thus leaving the superintendent free to give his time to the spiritual needs of the people.GCB June 7, 1909, page 355.1

7. That provision be made for literature in the English, French, German, Spanish, and Dutch languages for harbor work among the passengers of the many steamers that call at this (Freetown) port.GCB June 7, 1909, page 355.2

8. That the appropriation for West Africa be increased to meet the addition of local workers now in training.GCB June 7, 1909, page 355.3

(Signed),

T. M. FRENCH,
JOS. A. FYFE,
R. P. DAUPHIN,
J. B. KENING,
C. E. F. THOMPSON.

March 21, 1909.

At the conclusion of this report the meeting adjourned.GCB June 7, 1909, page 355.4

A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman,
T. E. BOWEN, Secretary.

Conference Proceedings. FORTY-FIRST MEETING

FORTY-THIRD MEETING