Arming is one of the staple industries in South Africa. Helderberg College, training center for prospective workers for the Southern African Division, is located in one of the most productive grape-growing areas of the Cape Province. The extensive farms with their rich vineyards need a large army of laborers. Most of these laborers belong to the Cape colored community, and the rest appear to be natives of countries situated to the north who have found their way to the fruitful southland, where they have settled permanently.
Many of the Cape colored people impress the observer with the idea that their ancestors were Cape bushmen. Others give evidence of relationship to former inhabitants of the Cape belonging to different communities. These people are in desperate need of spiritual and physical aid. Recognizing their need, the ministerial students of Helderberg College have made them the special object of missionary endeavor for several years.
Every Sabbath afternoon during the school year, which runs from the end of January to the end of October, the preaching band, consisting of missionary-minded students divided into working groups, directs its attention to the workers on the farms that lie within easy reach of the school campus. Farm laborers are free from responsibilities on Saturday afternoons, so this is a convenient time for the students to visit them. The workers' quarters are located at a distance from the farmstead, and this removes any possibility that the singing and preaching might disturb the farmer and his family.
When the preaching group arrives at the colored quarters, the people soon gather for the service. The young women of the student group gather the children, and take them to a convenient place where they can sit on the grass and learn gospel songs and stories. A bilingual song service is held prior to the sermon. It is interesting to note how the colored folk enjoy the Adventist hymns and choruses, some of which they sing in Afrikaans and some in English. Last week one of the first-year theological students spoke enthusiastically on Daniel 2 at one of these farm meetings. The intensity of interest seen on the faces of the audience was pathetically gripping, especially when emphasis was placed on freedom from toil and want and pain, in the glorious kingdom of Jesus, the soon-coming Saviour.
After the sermon, without any suggestion from the students, an offering is taken up by one of the audience and courteously handed to the preacher. The amount may be small, but it indicates appreciation for the interest shown by the students in those unfortunate people.
A very reprehensible custom is followed by most of the grape growers, known as the "tot system." According to this arrangement part of the wages of the laborers is given to them in wine. Naturally it is difficult for them to aspire to a high standard of intellectuality under such circumstances. This may account, to some extent, for the paucity of results seen for the effort put forth on their behalf. However, earnest, faithful, loving labor for souls never goes unrewarded, and it is hoped that at the coming of the Lord many of the Helderberg College preaching band will be greeted by these farm workers, whose eyes were first turned heavenward during our Sabbath afternoon missionary efforts.
