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)
There are several services held each week at the mission. Besides the
daily worship, there is on Sunday morning an Inquirers' Class and a
Members' Class, both held at the same hour but in different rooms. These
are held on this day because so many have far to come. Then comes the
general church service, followed by Sunday-school, for which all remain.
In the evening there is a song and Scripture service for those staying
at the mission. Thursday morning early is a midweek service and
testimony meeting; and on Friday night the Christian natives have their
prayer meeting, presided over by one of their number, while the
missionaries have a prayer meeting in English. In addition to these
there is a monthly prayer day, the first Friday of each month, on
which day all our out-schools are closed and teachers and many of the
pupils meet with us.
These were often times of great blessing to all of us, one of which
especially might be mentioned, the first Friday in May, 1913. On this
day there were nearly one hundred natives present, consisting of members
and class members; and eight of our boys who had been south to work for
a year had just returned home and were present. On such days many of the
Christians were accustomed to spend the early morning hours out alone in
secret prayer, before the opening of the meeting. On the above date, as
we stepped into the church in the morning, we realized that there was
unusual manifestation of the Spirit's presence among us. Several of the
boys took part in the opening seasons of prayer in a very impressive
manner. We read a Scripture lesson and for a short time spoke on
cleansing and consecration and the infilling of the Spirit, and they
were unusually attentive, which always helps the speaker. Expectation of
some kind seemed in the air. The testimony meeting opened with heartfelt
testimonies. Then one's testimony became a prayer for greater outpouring
of the Spirit. Again we knelt and he continued in prayer. Suddenly the
very house seemed shaken, and with one accord all were prostrate before
the Lord. Some were smitten with a spirit of conviction; others began a
service of praise, and still others lay low, letting the Lord talk to
them and fill them with His own Holy Spirit. The united prayers
continued for two or more hours, and while there was noise of prayer
and praise there could not be said to be any disorder, as all but one or
two remained at their places. Many received a deeper understanding and
experience of Divine things that day. Once Brother and Sister Wenger and
myself began to sing, but they continued in prayer and we stopped
singing. There were some present who probably received no benefit. In
Africa, as in America, there are some at such times who follow the rest
outwardly at least, but do not seem to be benefited in heart.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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