South and South Central Africa...

Front matter

J

Class ZEl^L5J&£>

Book Jl2__

Introduction

With utmost confidence and pleasure, I give an introductory expression for this intelligible, authentic, and most valuable little volume, the product of great sacrifice and long experience, by one who was favored and honored with lucrative educational positions, being a classic.

I have been acquainted with the authoress for many years, and am a member of the Foreign Missionary Board under whose auspices she has most effectually labored during an unbroken period of one and one-half decades ; therefore I speak with great assurance of the merits and hope of her book, destined to be prolific and incentive to active missionary operations in foreign lands.

The photo-engravings have special interest, having been taken from real life and nature as she found them in dark Africa — places, people, environments, customs, habits, and religion, which she saw with her own eyes and mind. Having thoroughly mastered various dialects of tribes among whom she has labored so many years, having gathered many historical facts relative to uncivilized races, and also having special tact, instinct and God-given ability through the gift of the Spirit, making her very efficient in her call to these dusky tribes, she is qualified in a very proficient sense to compile the story of this strange people.

On meeting Sister H. Frances Davidson, one is quickly impressed with her modest and unassuming disposition, the rare gift that characterizes all the truly noble and great.

Her heroism and unfaltering faith in Jehovah is 5

6 INTRODUCTION

most remarkably demonstrated in her adventureaccompanied by Sister Adda Engle (Taylor) and a native boy— into the wilds of Central Africa, unfrequented by the tread or touch of any Gospel missioner, among a class of raw natives that were very shy, rather hostile, and of another tongue, and a country infested with wild, vicious animals.

When the planning of this adventurous trip was heard by the Foreign Missionary Board, steps were taken to discourage it, on the ground that no white man was available to accompany them to the new prospective mission field ; but before the Board's protest could be made effective, the dangerous journey was heroically and successfully executed and a new mission station planted north of the great Zambezi, which is the northern boundary of South Africa.

Such an adventure would almost challenge the courage of the bravest man. It must have been the leadings of the Lord — the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

We all love to read the truthful words that drop from the pen of such fearless, devoted, and consecrated souls.

The book is written in a clear, graphic, and condensed manner, just the thing for this busy, rushing generation.

We bespeak for it a precious harvest of lasting fruitage.

Yours in the hope of the Gospel,

J. R. ZOOK,

Chairman of the Missionary Board of the Brethren in Christ's Church.

Preface

Africa holds a unique place in the world today. In no other continent is there such a world-wide interest and such a variety of interests centered ; the religious, the political, and the commercial world are alike concerned in its development and progress. It has been a sealed book for so many centuries that the majority of people have excused themselves on that score for their ignorance of its conditions and their indifference as to its welfare; but the day of pardonable ignorance is past.

While kings and emperors have been eagerly seeking to obtain as large a slice of its territory as possible, and moneyed men have been unearthing some of its vast wealth, missionaries, too, have been having a share in it. In the development of Africa they may, without boasting, claim to be making the most permanent contribution to its welfare, but even their work is only begun. The various interests, which for a long time were concerned with only the countries along the coast, have now penetrated and opened up that vast interior to civilization and missionary enterprise ; and it remains for the Christians to say whether it shall be left to the influences of a corrupt civilization or whether they will shoulder their responsibilities and rise to their privileges in taking the country for God.

Many missionary bodies are already at work, and much is being accomplished ; but the continent is so gigantic, the distances to be traversed so immense that it will require the united efforts of all God's children to pay the debt humanity owes to this long-neglected continent and those downtrodden pagans.

8 PREFACE

It has been my aim in these pages to give, without embellishment, some idea of the nature of the Africans, their character, customs, religion, and surroundings, as well as some of the difficulties, methods, encouragements, and discouragements of missionary work among them. Missionaries are often censured for being too optimistic, for giving only the bright side of their work, therefore I have studiously sought to avoid this attitude and to give an unvarnished account of missionary enterprise. Judging from my own convictions and beliefs in reference to the work, it seems to me that if I have erred in this respect, it has been by understating rather than overstating the value and encouraging results arising from such labors.

This book does not claim to be a complete history of the Brethren in Christ's Missions in Africa, but rather some of the experiences of one member of that mission body. Since, however, it has been my privilege to be with the work from its inception, the enclosed narrative will have the added value of giving at least something of the beginning and early history of the mission. My only apology for recounting so much of my personal experience and impressions in the work is that I am unable to give, properly, the experience and viewpoint of anyone else.

We desire to express our thanks to Mrs. Myron Taylor, formerly Miss Adda Engle, for the majority of the photographs with which this work is illustrated ; also to Elder Steigerwald and the other missionaries who have furnished a number of them. We had hoped to have some later ones from Matopo

PREFACE 9

and Mtshabezi Missions, but have failed in securing good ones.

If this little volume in some small degree arouses a greater interest among Christians in the evangelization of the Dark Continent, and is a means in God's hands of getting the light to a few more of the vast millions of pagan Africans, I shall feel more than repaid for sending it on its mission.

H. FRANCES DAVIDSON.

Auburn, Ind.

Resuming the Work — Boys' Confession — Hluganisa and School — Kraal-visiting — Locusts — Ndhlalambi — Sickness of the Lehmans — Trouble in Reference to Mission Farm 107

Chapter X

Mr. L. Doner and Miss Emma Long Arrive, 1901 — The Lehmans Go to Cape Town — Industrial Work — Elder and Mrs. Steigerwald Arrive, 1901 — Building House on a Mission Station — Training Natives — School Work 126

Chapter XI

Death of Mr. Rhodes, 1903— Of Fusi— Furlough and South Africa — The Compound's Missions — Native Bee — Appearance of Congregation, 140

Chapter XII

First View of Mapani Land — Medical Work — Reminded of Call to Interior — Return to America, 1904 — Miss Sallie Kreider, 1904 — Opening of Mapani Mission and Sister Doner's Death, 1904 — Return to

CONTENTS 13

Africa with Mr. and Mrs. Frey and Misses Adda Engle and Abbie Bert, 1905 — Mtshabezi Mission, 1906 155

Chapter XIII

Religion of Matabele — Ideas of God — Umlimo Oracle — * Rainmaker — Witchcraft — Transmigration of Souls — Spiritualism 173

Chapter XIV

Customs — Putting Children to Death — Betrothal and Marriage — Native Kraal — Polygamy — Food and Beer — King Khama — Visits — Generosity and Politeness — Death and Burial — Grave of King Mzilikazi, 191

Chapter XV

Visit to Matopo, 1910 — Improvements — Brother and Sister Doner — Mapani — Mtshabezi— Visit in 1913 — Bulawayo and Vicinity — Changes at Matopo — Aiding the People — Love Feast at Mtshabezi — What Hath God Wrought? 212

Part II Cfiapter I

Early Missionary Labors — Railroad Building — Starting for the Zambezi, 1906 — -Victoria Falls— David Livingstone — Barotseland and Other Missions, ...237

CHAPTER II.

Preparing to Advance — Broken Wagon — Journey to Kalomo— Interviewing Officials — Difficulties in the Way — Permission to Proceed — Macha, 252

14 CONTENTS

CHAPTER III.

Why Selected — Living on the Veldt— First Huts — Spiritual Duties — Learning an Unwritten Language — First Christmas, 263

CHAPTER IV.

Trying to Begin School — Chief Brings His Son — Industrial Work — School Books — Wild Animals — Threatened Uprising — Mr. M. Taylor Arrives, 1907 — White Ants — Visit to Nanzela, 277

CHAPTER V.

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Wenger Arrive, 1908 — Need of Good Houses — Making Brick — Tsetse Fly — Brother Taylor's Encounter with Lions, 295

CHAPTER VI.

School Work — English — Evangelistic Work — Brother Taylor Among the Baila — Building a House — Elder Steigerwald and Brother Doner Go North — Visit of Elders J. N. Engle and J. Sheets — Marriage — First Baptism, 306

CHAPTER VII.

Furlough — Encounter with Elephant — Misses E. Engle and Mary Heisey Visit Macha — Preparing the New Testament — Out-schools — Murder of Chief — Taylors or Furlough — Death of Semani, 323

CHAPTER VIII.

Baby Ruth — Building Church — Training Natives — The Year's Work — Brother Taylor Itinerating — Elder Steigerwald's Visit, 343

CHAPTER IX.

New Books — Native Problems — Studying the Native Character — Child Life — Natives Resourceful — Dark Side of Native Character, 355

CONTENTS 15

CHAPTER X.

re They Lazy? — Three Natives — Home Training — Charlie — Are They Provident? — Naturalists — Attitude Toward Whites — Generosity of Some — Kraal-visiting 372

CHAPTER XI.

eas of God — Native Prophetesses — Rainmakers — Death and Burial — Digging a Grave — Sacrifice of Animals — Beer-wailings — Evil Spirits, 387

CHAPTER XII.

•ibal Mark — Decorating the Body — Kinship — Betrothal and Marriage — The Bride — Hindrances to Mission Work — Compared to the Matabele — Salutations, 402

CHAPTER XIII.

ith's Sickness — Medical Work — A Visit Among the People — Remember the Aged — David Goes to School — Taylors Go to America, 1913 — Wenger's Return — Outpouring of the Spirit — Miss E. Engle and Mr. L. B. Steckley Come to Macha — First Women Baptized, 418

CHAPTER XIV.

vo Objects Paramount — Need of Native Evangelists — Visit to Out-schools — Mianda — Impongo — Kabanzi — Kabwe — Myeki — Chilumbwe, 440

CHAPTER XV.

:hmans' Work — -Eysters' Work — Doners Open New Station — Present Status — Are the People Eager to Hear? — What It Means to Be a Missionary — Qualifications — Difficulties — God Is Able^ 466

I-

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

H. Frances Davidson and Adda G. Engle, Frontispiece

Hut Built by H. Frances Davidson and Alice Heise at Matopo, 58

Matopo Mission, March, 1S99, 63

Matopo Mission Church in 1899. Built by Elder Jesse Engie,".'.!! 87

Mrs. Cress Giving a Lesson in Cleanliness, 91

Elder Engle and Donkey Team at Matopo Mission, 99

Matopo Cemetery, 103

Matopo Mission House. Front View, 131

" Here lie the remains of Cecil John Rhodes," 149

Matopo Mission Church. Built by Elder Steigerwald in 1905, ...159 Back View of Matopo Mission House, Showing Granite Hill Beyond, 161

In the Matopo Hills, 163

Mapani Mission, 1907, 168

Kwidine Taking His Aunt to Church. Matopo M. Hospital, 170

Christian Wedding Reception Near Matopo, 171

Matabele Kraal, Near Matopo Mission, 196

Matabele Women Stamping Grain, 201

Matabele Women Digging, 207

Building the Boys' House at Matopo, M. S., 215

Boys' Brick House at Matopo Mission, 215

A Native Christian's Home. Matshuba's, 217

Mtshabezi Church and School, 221

Mtshabezi Mission in 1910, 221

Mtshabezi. Baptismal Scene, 224

Girls at Mtshabezi Mission, . . '. 230

Victoria Falls Bridge, 241

Main View of Victoria Falls, 1 *4 Miles Wide, 246

Macha Mission Huts, 1907, 281

Macha Boys and Schoolhouse, 287

The Last Invitation, 291

Making Brick at Macha, 302

Brick Kiln. Mr. Jesse Wenger and Helpers, 302

Macha Mission Dwelling House, 307

Elder Steigerwald and Mr. Doner on Their Trip North of Macha, 313

Crossing the Kafue River in a Native Dugout, 315

Batonga Chiefs and Headmen, 317

First Baptismal Scene at Macha. Native Congregation Not Visible, 319

Wedding Dinner at Macha, 320

The Elephant That Derailed the Train, 325

Macha Mission School, Boarders, 1910, 327

Macha Wagon and Oxen Near an Ant Hill, 330

Simeoba's Village, Viewing the Strangers, 334

Sisters Engle Crossing the Tuli River in the Matopo Hills, 337

The Battle Palm, 340

Macha Mission Church and Bovs' House, 347

Ruth Taylor and Her Mother. A White Child in the Midst, 351

Little Nurses. Mianda Village, 359

Batonga Fisher Women, 364

Batonga Village with the Cattle Pens in the Foreground, 404

Cattle Pen of the Batonga 406

A Batonga Family Traveling, 408

Native Women — Widows, 410

Kabanzi Chief with His First Wife, 412

Giving the Gospel in Macha Village, 414

Ruth Taylor, 423

First Christian Marriages at Macha, 426

David Moyo and His Wife and Child, 429

Rev. and Mrs. Kerswell with Native Carriers on a Visit to Macha, .431

Batonga Chiefs, Near Macha Mission, 435

School at Kabanzi Village, 446

Sikaluwa, 456

Brethren in Christ Cottage and Chapel at Johannesburg, 469

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac O. Lehman and Family, 474

Boxburg Mission Station. Built by Mr. Jesse Eyster, 479

PART ONE MATOPO MISSION ; Go ye therefore and teach all nations "

I i

L L-

P- I

\r

F

L t

SOUTH AND SOUTH CENTRAL AFRICA

CHAPTER ONE The Beginning of Missionary Effort

IT was at the General Conference held in May, 1894, that tne Foreign Missionary Work of the Church of the Brethren in Christ originated. Previous to that time the old fathers of the church had made many missionary journeys through the United States and Canada for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom and in the interests of the faith they so dearly loved. These journeys were made without remuneration and often with great discomfort and sacrifice of time and money. The precept that the Gospel was free, " without money and without price," seemed so instilled into their hearts that some of them, no doubt, would have felt pained for people to think that they expected money for their services. So while the laity were busy with their own temporal duties, these heralds of the Cross would often leave their little farms in care of their wives and of help, hired at their own expense, and devote weeks and months to evangelistic work, expecting what? Nothing but their food and sometimes sufficient to pay their car fare, if they went by train. But it often happened in those early days that the entire expense of whatever sort 19 was borne by themselves. They looked for no reward on earth save the consciousness that they were about their Master's business and seeking to extend His Kingdom on earth.

Much honor is due those old soldiers for their self-sacrificing labors. In that Great Day when the books are opened, perhaps the record of their labors may astonish some of us who sometimes criticise them for their slowness in launching the foreign missionary work of the Church.

Among them were some who were greatly burdened for the heathen. Some felt this lack of Church activity so keenly that they almost severed their connections with it on this account. Others saw the need, but, realizing the smallness of membership and the limited resources, thought the Church was too weak to launch out into foreign missionary enterprise.

In the meantime individual members were agitating the question, and some were planning to go independently to India and to Central America, while others were contemplating going under other Mission Boards.'

While this agitation was going on, the question of foreign mission work was brought forward at the General Conference in May, 1894, held in the Bethel Church, Kansas. On Friday, the last day of the Conference, a paper on the subject was read by Mrs. Rhoda Lee, but no active steps were taken and the question was tabled indefinitely, to the great disappointment of some present. Later, on the same day, Elder J. E. Stauffer arose, and, placing a five-dollar bill on the table, stated that it was for foreign mission work, then sat down. This action brought matters to a crisis. Here was missionary money and something must be done with it.

After consultation it was decided that the donor be appointed Foreign Missionary Treasurer, and any desiring to donate should give their offerings to him ; and that, as soon as sufficient money was in the treasury to justify the measure, active steps would be taken toward sending out missionaries. By the close of the day thirty-five dollars had been placed in the hands of the Treasurer. The funds increased slowly but steadily.

At the Conference of 1895 held in Ontario, "A Foreign Mission Board, consisting of Brethren Peter Steckly, B. T. Hoover, and J. E. Stauffer, was appointed to hold office for five years, subject, however, to the advice and control of General Council." At the next meeting of Conference in 1896 in Pennsylvania, " The Treasurer of the Foreign Mission Fund, J. E. Stauffer, submitted his report, and he was congratulated for his successful effort. The amount in the treasury is $419.60." This amount had been donated in two years. These data have been given that it may be seen how the work has grown.

At this meeting it was decided that the funds had increased sufficiently to take an advanced step. The Board was increased to twelve members with an operating board of three. Of this Elder Samuel Zook was appointed treasurer, Elder Henry Davidson, chairman, and Elder Jesse Engle, secretary. The Board was empowered to secure volunteers for starting a work among the heathen in some foreign country, no particular country being designated.

Of the General Board of twelve members, Brethren Peter Steckley, J. R. Zook, and Peter Climenhage are still on the Board after a lapse of eighteen years.

Just what was done in the interim I cannot say, but on January 15, 1897, there appeared in the Evangelical Visitor the following:

AN APPEAL

We would call attention to the fact that the committee appointed at last Conference is ready to act on the foreign mission work, but up to this time they have received no applications. Why is it? Does the Lord not speak to some hearts? Or is it because the Church is not praying the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest?

The field is white. The harvest is ready. Who will go forth in the name of the Master, filled with the Holy Ghost, ready to lay his or her life down for the cause of Christ's salvation to the heathen? It means something to be a foreign missionary. It means a full sacrifice of home, friends and self — a perfect cutting loose. But, praise the Lord! when it is done for Christ's sake and the Gospel's, we shall receive an hundredfold in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

The Lord has provided money — somebody was willing to give it, but who will give himself? I believe the Lord has spoken to your heart. Just say, " Lord, speak, thy servant heareth." And if the Lord tells you to go, don't do as Jonah — try to get away from the Lord — for as Jonah did not fare well, neither will you. But if you obey God, He will go with you into the ship. We are ready and waiting to receive applications, but somebody must be willing to obey God or the work will be delayed while souls are perishing.

If the Lord lays it upon your heart to give because you can not go yourself, please send your donations to Elder

Jesse Engle, Donegal, Kansas, as he is the committee's secretary and will keep a correct account of all money received and hand it over to the treasurer. The committee has not decided yet where the field shall be, but will decide when such workers present themselves as arc believed to be called of God. South Africa has been spoken of; also South or Central America. No doubt God will direct when the time comes that somebody is willing to go. Who shall it be?

SAMUEL ZOOK.

At that time I was teaching in McPherson College, Kansas, and was greatly enjoying the work. It was my seventh year at that place, and just the day before the article had appeared I had entered into a verbal agreement with the other members of the faculty to remain for some years, the Lord willing. No thought of the foreign field had entered my mind previous to this, except a readiness for whatever the Lord had for me to do. Up to that time I verily thought I was doing His will by being in the classroom.

The day that " The Appeal " appeared in the Visitor, it was read like the other matter and nothing further was thought of it; but the day following the Lord came to me, as it were, in the midst of the class work, in the midst of other plans for the future, and swept away my books, reserving only the Bible. In reality He showed me Christ lifted up for a lost world. He filled me with an unutter able love for every soul who had not heard of Him, and with a passionate longing to go to worst parts of the earth, away from civilization, away from other mission bodies, and spend the rest of my life in telling the story of the Cross.

We prefer not to dwell too minutely on the feelings of that sacred hour. Sufficient to say that there and then He anointed me for service among the heathen. Not that I have measured up to all that He placed before me on that day. On the contrary I have fallen far short; but the consciousness of that call has ever been with me, and has strengthened and kept me, in the thickest of the fight in heathen lands. Even when the battle was sore and defeat stared me in the face, the conviction that it was His appointment and His work for me kept me fast.

My first step was to go to my colleagues and ask to be released from the agreement into which I had entered with them. They were as much surprised at the turn affairs had taken as I had been, but readily agreed not to stand in the way of the Lord's call. A letter was then sent to the Mission Board, informing them of the call to service and my readiness to go and at once if they deemed it advisable to send me.

Much had been said about missionary work and many had seemed eager to go, so that I somewhat tremblingly awaited the result, feeling that they might not consider me fitted. At the same time a private letter was dispatched to my father, who was Chairman of the Board, telling him of my convictions and call. A letter came first from dear father. He had been quite unprepared for the news contained in my letter, and his answer can best be summed up in two of his sentences : " How can I say yes? and how dare I say no?" He closed the letter by advising me to wait a year or two until others were ready to go. The official letter from the Board through the Secretary, Elder Jesse Engle, stated that I was the only applicant so far and had been accepted, but that there would be time to finish the year's teaching. It was quite a surprise and disappointment to me to learn that there were still no other applicants, but not long afterwards word came that Elder Jesse Engle and wife were likewise seriously considering the question.

He, as many of my readers know, had realized a call to give the Gospel to the heathen while he was still a young man, but probably from lack of encouragement and from other seemingly insurmountable obstacles had not obeyed. Now, at the advanced age of fifty-nine years, he still felt that his work was not done ; and he was ready to enter the field, if his way opened, even though it might appear to be at the eleventh hour. And she, who had nobly stood by his side for so many years, could still say, " My place is beside my husband. Where he goes I too will follow."

In the meantime the question as to the location of this first missionary venture was beginning to agitate the minds of some of us. The Board felt that the missionaries should be consulted in the matter. The conditions then existing in South America were attracting the attention of the Christian world. Some countries, notably Equador, were for the first time being opened to missionaries. The sore need there appealed to me and led to correspondence with others in reference to that field ; but no one was ready to go there. Later I learned from Brother Engle that he was led to Africa, the country of his early call. The location was immaterial to me, for my call was to the neediest field, and I soon realized that Africa, with its unexplored depths, its superstition and degradation, its midnight darkness, was surely in need of the Light of Life.

The cheering news soon came that Miss Alice Heise also had applied and been accepted as a foreign missionary. That increased the number to four.

At the General Conference in May, 1897, at Valley Chapel, Ohio, the following report was given and adopted :

Report of the amount of money in the hands of the Treasurer of Foreign Mission to date, $693.46.

Four candidates presented themselves for the foreign mission field and have been accepted as follows: Elder Jesse Engle and Sister Elizabeth Engle, his wife, of Donegal, Kansas; Sister H. Frances Davidson, Abilene, Kansas; and Sister Alice Heise, Hamlin, Kansas, and if approved by Conference, it is recommended that they should be ready to start for their field of labor as early as September or October, provided that sufficient means are at hand to pay their passage to their place of destination, which means are to be raised by voluntary contributions as the Lord may direct, and to be sent directly to the address of each of the missionaries.

The Board recommends that to complete the number of workers there should be one more added to the number in the person of a brother as an assistant to Brother Jesse Engle.

The Board further recommends that the Conference now in session select some well qualified brother to fill the vacancy occasioned by Brother Jesse Engle on the Foreign Mission Board. Brother W. O. Baker was appointed to fill the vacancy (provided Brother Engle should go); all of which is respectfully submitted.

HENRY DAVIDSON, Chairman.

SAMUEL ZOOK, Treasurer.

The summer of 1897 passed slowly for some of us who were eager to be on the way; but even the days of waiting and visiting were a part of our preparation. They were solemn and momentous days also to others besides those who were going. Some of the friends felt that we should not go ; others with tears bade us Godspeed, feeling that we might probably never look one another in the face on earth again. In October a little farewell meeting was held at Dayton, Ohio, where God's blessing was invoked on the work, and here I said good-bye to dear old father, realizing that it would likely be for the last time. At Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, we were pleased to receive into our number Miss Barbara Hershey, of Kansas, who also was called to the work.

The actual moving out of the missionaries was also a great impetus to the financial part of the undertaking. During the few months previous to sailing $1,500 was given by voluntary contributions into the hands of the missionaries themselves, more than half of which was handed to Brother and Sister Engle in their extended tour of the Brotherhood. In addition to this, $639.70 was during the same time handed to the Treasurer, making $1,211.64 in his hands.

On November 21 a general farewell and ordination meeting for all was held in the Messiah Home Chapel, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where the five prospective missionaries were set apart for the work of the Lord. No brother had volunteered to go along as a helper to Elder Engle. This was a solemn time to those going, for a new and untried field was before them and a voyage and country of which they as yet knew nothing. And yet there was no fear, no anxiety. On the contrary, to some of us the joy of having the privilege of being His messengers to those sitting in darkness transcended all other emotions, and our journal of that time is full of expressions of longing to be in darkest Africa. At that meeting Elder Engle delivered a farewell address with power and unction from on High, and the rest told of their call. After the ordination of all had taken place, we commemorated the death and sufferings of our Savior.

If we may judge from expressions made at the time and since, there were others in that large audience that evening to whom the occasion was an important and impressive one. The Church was rising to a sense of her opportunity and privilege — yes, and duty of carrying out the Great Commission. As we went forth, we felt that the prayers of the entire Church were bearing us up, and that gave renewed strength and courage all along the way. Those prayers buoyed us up as we went forth even into the blackness of heathendom ; they opened doors that otherwise would have been closed; yes, and best of all, they opened dark hearts that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ might penetrate. Those prayers yet today are rising as sweet incense in behalf of the Dark Continent.