Africa is a land of vast distances. The density of population varies from more than one thousand people for each square mile in certain areas to less than one person to a square mile. Except on the West Coast the African does not tend to live in large communities. In central and east Africa, villages of from five to twenty huts are the average. In many parts there is no village, but single huts are scattered over the country. To reach these souls we will have to meet the requirements of the prophet Jeremiah: "I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the boles of the rocks." Jer. 16:16.
In Nyasaland we have no towns to work, but only the scattered bush population. Evangelism is the dominant note. Each year in August, as soon as the school year closes, two months are devoted to evangelism. Europeans, African pastors, evangelists, school inspectors, and teachers all lay aside their regular work to engage in these campaigns.
Small companies are formed and assigned to different districts. At the first indication of an interest we form a group. This may be a small number of interested folk who meet on Sabbath. Or it may be just one family. But the witness already borne creates a favorable atmosphere for a larger work.
The evangelistic company is usually quite varied. I am writing this in the bush while carrying on an effort. Here with me are an African minister, an evangelist from the ministerial class at the union training school, a head teacher of a central school, two village schoolteachers, and an energetic lay member. Nor should we forget to mention the missionary's wife, who carried her share of the effort, visiting and preaching in the villages. Many women are encouraged to attend when they see the white dona in their midst.
A camp of reeds and grass is usually built by the Africans ; and a house of the same material, for the European missionary. Because it is the hot, dry season of the year, there are many discomforts in the shape of heat, dust, and wind, accompanied by the usual microscopic visitors. However, these are forgotten as interest in the effort develops.
The group gathers to plan the campaign. The equipment is meager. There is usually a pressure lamp if a European is with the effort, a visuataid.lantern if he can operate it from his six-volt car battery, a series of tracts in the vernacular, a few picture rolls, and possibly a set of prophetic charts. We use a set of twenty-four one-page leaflets on the message, printed both sides, in different colors. These are in narrative form, because it was found that the question-and-answer style did not make as good an appeal.
Ministerial Institute in Miniature
The meetings are held in the open, with a rough fence around to keep the congregation together. Where the earth is bare, dried grass is laid down, for there are even those among the Africans who like to keep their clothes clean. The workers gather each morning to study the subject for the day. This coincides with the tract for distribution, and as these are numbered, it is easy for the people to follow them. The Bible study period proves very profitable to the workers. It is verily a ministerial institute in miniature. Various points on the truth are explained. Reports are given of the previous day's visit to the villages and of those showing special interest.
Plans are then laid for the afternoon's work. If possible the workers visit two Or three villages during the afternoon, according to how far away these are. Tracts are taken along for distribution which deal with the subject previously presented, and inquiries are made as to how much has been understood. Also pictures and charts are used when applicable.
Many of the afternoon visits result in making contacts with small groups of three to ten. Some of these are old folk who cannot come to the main meeting, but they have their influence in encouraging the young to attend. Everyone who is met on the paths and in the villages is urged to attend the night meeting.
The evening meeting is held at the camp soon after sunset, according to the time the people eat their evening meal. The bright light of the pressure lamp, the ringing of the bell (an iron railway sleeper or brake drum), and a period of singing bring the crowd together. Dark forms come into the light from all sides and sit on the ground. The workers render a special song and the message is presented. Some have already heard the subject in the village meetings in the afternoon. This only helps them to grasp it quicker.
We present the main points of the message as follows : The Word of God. The Origin of Sin. Jesus Our Saviour. The Dream of a King. The Coming of Jesus. Signs of His Coming.
After Jesus Comes—What? The End of the Wicked. The Home of the Saved. The Four Beasts. The Little Horn. The Judgment. Law and the Gospel. Which Day Is the Sabbath?
How Did Sunday Come. Good Angels. Where Are the Dead? Walking in the Light. Have You Faith ? Baptism. Precious Promises (tithing). Gospel of Health. Effectual Prayer. Work of the Holy Spirit.
The majority of the audience have no Bible background. Perhaps seventy-five percent are illiterate. Some have had connection with other churches but have not learned much. They are convinced that here is a new message. Our daily visitation in the villages soon establishes a friendship; questions are answered, and difficulties cleared up.
Immediately after the sermon, a stanza or two of a hymn are sung, the light is taken away, and the pictures thrown on the screen. Here there is much room for improvement as to content. The matter of visual aid for Africans needs more study and help than has yet been given. Filmstrips on the message prepared in English are of little use. Titles and hymns in English have no meaning. The illustrations are mostly out of place. Illustrating the signs of the times with battleships and skyscrapers leaves the audience blank.
A suitable set of pictures for African evangelistic efforts has yet to be prepared. To make an appeal, the pictures need to have something in them which the African knows. It may be a Biblical character or topical background. I have tried to gather such pictures. They do not always fit the subject of the sermon, but they do have a strong drawing influence. Some of the filmstrips I have used show the lives of Daniel, Elijah, Joseph, John the Baptist, Christ, and Paul. Others have been on the life of David Livingstone, the Pygmies, the people of Ethiopia, and Nigeria. Films on the South Sea Islands are suitable, for they have black people as the subject. Also I have had made up filmstrips on our own mission work in Africa. Films showing animal life are always appreciated.
The same could be said regarding charts as of films. The regular set prepared by the denomination could well be simplified for use by primitive people.
About halfway through the effort we begin to make appeals for joining the Bible class. It is better to do this gradually rather than at the last meeting, when the workers will so soon leave.
The meetings usually last from six weeks. to two months. One of the working force remains with the new company. He is already. acquainted with them and can continue visiting the homes. The Bible classes must be strongly developed. Those from heathenism with no Christian experience are placed in the first class, called Hearers. Converts from other churches may be put into the baptismal class. There is a series of forty lessons prepared for each class. Thus new converts are under instruction for one or two years before joining the church, and this is not too long.
There is always a sifting after the effort. Reports of gains are not expected until three months after the meetings have closed. Then we ask how many adults are in the Bible classes and are attending the Sabbath services regularly.
Last year the field conducted twenty-two efforts and reported 750 souls won. This year we have thirty efforts and are working and praying for an ingathering of 1,5oo. We believe the Lord will add this number and more to the church in Nyasaland.
