South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoplesDavidson, Hannah Frances
History
South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoples
Davidson, Hannah Frances
Brethren in Christ Church -- Missions; Missions -- Rhodesia; Ndebele (African people); Tsonga (African people)
After the buildings were under roof, Brother Taylor, who had always
desired to devote more time to evangelistic work among the villages,
felt that his way was opened to attend almost exclusively to that line
of work. Previous to this he had held services at many of the villages,
such as Mapanza, Simeoba, Kabanzi, Kabwe, and at almost all the
important villages near as well as north among the Baila; but during the
year following he went out with his tent and sometimes spent two, three,
and even four weeks at one place, so that he might have an opportunity
of giving the people a fair conception of the Gospel. He spent a month
at Chungu, near a large village, over twenty miles from the mission.
He had visited the place before, but the people were not eager to
listen. At this time he pitched his tent a short distance from the
village and informed the people that he had come to teach them, and that
those desiring to hear should come to the tent at such a time as best
suited them. About 8 A. M. every day a fair-sized congregation gathered
at the tent and heard the Gospel expounded to them. He had some very
good meetings at that place, and the people became interested
sufficiently to request a school.
During the year he found many open doors and gave the Gospel to a large
number of people who had never heard of a Savior, and there were urgent
calls to start new stations in the needy places. How one longs to see
some one step in at the opportune time and plant lights in the midst of
the darkness!
While this work was progressing David devoted his time to finishing the
new buildings and overseeing the boys at work. A dear Christian lady had
sent out money for seats in the new church, and he began to make them,
and accomplished this task well, and the building was furnished with
good, comfortable seats. Some of the boys, in writing to their friends
who were away at work, said, "We have nice seats in the church and we do
not become tired when we sit on them a long time." A good solid floor
was also put in, and this was tarred and sanded.
In November, 1911, we again had the privilege of welcoming Elder
Steigerwald to Macha. He had lately returned from a furlough to America,
and his visit was like getting a glimpse of the outside world. The
Mission Board had sent out with him for Macha a large two-seated spring
wagon with canvas top, something just suited for this country and
climate. It was a most welcome and useful addition to our outfit.
Especially since there are roads all over the country to the principal
villages, this was helpful in evangelistic work and in visiting the
out-schools, which were on the increase. The old days of laborious
tramp were more or less in the past, and a new era seemed ushered in.
Brother Steigerwald put the wagon together and added a long, useful box
in front. Four oxen were then inspanned and we tested it. It is indeed a
most satisfactory and comfortable conveyance and adds much to the
enjoyment of the work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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