LIGHT IN DARKNESSReport

of the Mission and the Church of Basutoland for 1949

FOREWORDCol. 2 : 19.

The annual conferences of the Mission and of the Church gathered at Morija in March. Good work was done during that time. We have translated the report we wrote for our friends in France, for the benefit of our English-speaking friends, and we hope that this will be still a better introduction to the work and life of our Church in Basutoland.

Nothing very unusual happened at our meetings. The gatherings were well attended and most of the sessions dealt with the discussion of matters arising from the Reports presented at the assemblies.

Will friends who are interested in getting more copies of our Annual report, please write to the Editor, at Cana Mission.

As you will see reading these pages, our situation is serious, and we need the prayers of all our friends. 1950 will be a fateful year for the Mission in Basutoland, as we shall have to face vital problems. We need the present support of all our friends. Please, do not forget those who are in the front line in Basutoland.

We are all members of the same body, which is the Church of Jesus Christ, His Witness on Earth. We are all expecting the day of the Great Reconciliation, when there will be only one flock under

one Shepherd. Let us unite now, in sharing our faith, in sharing what God has given us, in an active expectation, getting ready for the Day of His Glorious Return. The Lord is the Head of His Church. He ministers to her, He nourishes her, only He Himself is binding her together, giving her growth and strength. Let us not forget it.

Now, we are on the march into a new period. May God bless the work here in Basutoland and everywhere. God bless us all, and give us the Joy of being one in Him, in the Fellowship of Christ Jesus.

Yours in Him,A. B e r t h o u d .

INTRODUCTIONFor the Church and the Mission 1949 has been a very difficult

year. The first effects of the Economic Crisis have been felt, and these were worsened by the calamitous drought which fell also on Basutoland. The difficult financial situation which resulted prevented us from meeting' the increasing requirements of the work in this country.

If to this are added the uncertainty of the time in which we live, and the trouble which is stirring in the soul of the Native : fear concerning the future and the effects of the racial uneasiness which is deeply felt in Basutoland, it will easily be understood that the task of both ministers and missionaries is far from being an easy one.

We shall divide this report into two parts : A. The Mission, B. The Church of Basutoland.

1. RELIGIOUS WORKAll the stations still in the hands of the mission have been staffed

with missionaries, except two of which the incumbents were on furlough. This is very good, as our Basuto colleagues deeply appreciate the presence of a missionary in their midst,'who even if he cannot always advise them, can be an inspiration and a stimulus to their work.

1 he Commission for Evangelization began its work with zeal, trying to encourage the members of the consistories and of the Church in organizing Bible Courses, retreats, and evangelization campaigns. It suggested measures which might lead to the badly needed revival of the Church, suggestions which some parishes followed. It is hoped that more prayer groups will appear, pleading for the revival of the Church.

The Seboka of 1949 much appreciated the visit and message of two American Evangelists, the Rev. Gavin Hamilton and the Rev.A. MacAffee.

(a) Bible SchoolThe work at the Bible School went on steadily. At the school

up the hill good work is done. The students prepare for the task of to-morrow when they will be in charge of Churches. One would like to see more men coming to join the school. The house should be full. But the young men of to-day, black as well as white, feel more inclined to choose luctrative careers than the poverty of the servant of God.

For the first time a special course of four days has been organized for the wives of our students. They came to Morija for the occasion and they enjoyed it very much. It was organized with the help of local missionaries and their wives.

The gifts of used clothes have been much appreciated at the School, as our students are sometimes very poor.

(b) The Pastoral SchoolWe had six students beginning their studies in 1949, but, unfortu

nately the standard seems lower than in previous years. A student failed at his first year examination and was sent home. The missionary conference and the Seboka were much concerned with this situation

and planned to be more careful in the choice of future ministers and in all that concerns their studies. The increasing responsibilities of our Basuto ministers demand first-class men. We need well educated pastors of a strong Christian character.(c) Work on the Rand

We shall only speak here of the work among women for which Miss Y. Verdier is responsible. On the Rand, 1949 was a year of good spirit and of progress. The “Mothers’ Union” does a large amount of useful work in their 16 groups ; the same can be said of the 12 “Home Makers” Clubs. We have 14 Sunday Schools on the Rand. It is clear that the interest in the work of God is increasing in all these groups. It is a joy to see the members starting evangelistic work by visiting people and witnessing for Christ.

The 10th Assembly of the Bantu Sunday School Union, held at Johannesburg, was well attended by our Sunday School workers who drew much inspiration and guidance from these meetings.

2. EDUCATIONAL w o r kOnly the Higher schools are still under the direct responsibility

of the Missionary Conference.(a) Basutoland Training College (formerly Morija Training College). The responsibility for the school is shared with the Anglican Church and the Basutoland Government.

The school had a peaceful year, but that does not mean that it was without its worries. The number of students decreased alarmingly. This was partly due to the opening of Form A classes in the country, and partly to the severe economic crisis which forced our young people to go to the mines to find a living for themselves and their families, pending better times.

The final examinations were good, even excellent. Discipline and health were quite satisfactory. But teaching staff was not up to full strength.

A disquieting fact at the school is the lack of zeal of the students for Bible studies and religious life in general, in spite of all that is done to help them. In Basutoland, too, it is a fact that the religion of modern youth is Sport. Games and competitions are more popular than religious meetings.—But nevertheless some take a keen interest in the things of God, in Sunday schools or evangelization. In

November, 20 of them were confirmed in the Morija church and were admitted as full members.

The Anglican Chapel at the school was opened during the yearThe financial situation of the school could be better. The monetary

crisis, and the smaller number of students made things rather difficult for the treasurer.(b) Normal School for Girls, Thabana Morena

The year was a really difficult one, actually a time of crisis for this establishment. First of all the Principal left. Miss A. Bowie, m .b .e ., retired after long and faithful service, first at the Morija Training College, then at the Thabana Morena School. One can easily understand that the girls were somewhat distressed in realizing that their beloved “Mother” was going for good. We shall never be able to express the gratitude of the Mission and of the Church for what Miss Bowie did for the development of the Mosuto girl. In her domain, the training of infant teachers, Miss Bowie was a pioneer. Her influence was deeply felt in the heart of her pupils. An old Mosuto assistant, Miss Moletsane left the school together with Miss Bowie.

Miss S. Christeller filled the gap as Principal. At the beginning everything went smoothly. But very soon, certain elements who were not satisfied with the strict discipline of the school, began to make trouble. Disturbances broke out, things got difficult and finally all the girls went on strike. This happened in May. The school had to be closed temporarily and the girls were sent home. At the beginning of the next term the spirit was a little better, as only the girls who repented and who came back with a letter from their parents were readmitted.—But then arose trouble of another kind. The European missionary staff was disabled through illness. First the Principal had to be granted sick leave, then the first assistant had to be repatriated to France, and then the health of the third one also gave in. But, thanks to God and to the help of lady missionaries, the school was able eventually to continue its work under the expert direction of Miss Liddell who acted as Principal. But, as one would expect, the results at the final examinations were rather poor.

It was a very hard year for the school. But we are really glad that the work went on, and now we are looking forward to better times. We need spiritual help, unceasing prayers for that school, for its staff (European and Basuto) and for the girls.

(c) Industrial School at LeloalengIt was a good year for this school. The discipline of the boys

was good and they worked well. This school is very useful indeed as it aims at the formation of local artisans, training the young Basuto to work, not only according to their abilities but also according to loal conditions.

The school is well attended : 63 students in four Departments : 21 mason-builders, 13 apprentices for driving, 16 mechanic- blacksmiths, 12 cobbler-saddlers. All the students must work in turn on the farm, so acquiring useful agricultural knowledge. Unfortunately the crops failed totally, due to the drought, which was particularly severe in Southern Basutoland.

To keep the school open is a work of faith and of devotion. Up to the present God has helped us. The Basutoland Government, against all expectation, was able to help the school substantially, but not sufficiently to provide for a normal life. More and better work could be done if there were more Christian instructors and more money to spend on equipment and development. We feel that the basic idea of the school is the right one : to teach the Mosuto to work with his hands, in a Christian atmosphere, and so to establish a Christian Working class in Basutoland.(d) Cana Housecraft School

This nice school, which could easily receive 50 girls, is still closed. A Native teacher teaches some 30 day-girls who attend more or less regularly, and receive instruction in sewing and knitting. But it is a shame and an occasion of deep sorrow, to see that no better use is made of such a splendid school, because we are too poor to work without Government help, and because we have not a competent Christian staff. The Basuto women crave for such a school. How long will we be unable to provide for their need ?

3. MEDICAL WORK(a) Scott Memorial Hospital, Morija

The crisis was seriously felt at our hospital. The consultations at the Dispensary (which are fee-paying) decreased greatly (13,810 against 16,000) but at the Hospital itself, thanks to its free services, the situation was kept as usual. The Superintendent says in his report: “We would like to do more, to improve and to develop, but we are always hampered by our poverty.”

(c) Dispensary at MohlanapengOur dispenser, Mr. Morel, gives an optimistic report. He had much

to do, seing more than 6,000 patients, building the necessary extensions and settling down. Now the work is well organized, and he hopes to develop his activities in these remote regions of the mountains.

4. PRESS AND PUBLISHING(a) Morija Printing Works

Our mission press employs 77 Basuto workers, with a staff of 7 Europeans. 1949 was a good year at the Printing Works, and the spirit was excellent.

Production was kept at its normal level. Thousands of books were printed, in all some 425,000, together with 13 periodicals and magazines. Our Printing Works is already fairly old, and its machinery has seen many years of service. We must foresee, in the near future, the necessity for renewals. We still badly need quarters for some of our European staff. All this will seriously draw on the Printing Works finances.

A new edition of the New Testament in Sesuto was printed at Morija for the British and Foreign Bible Society. It was a great joy for our printers to be able to share in the spreading of the Word.

Is not a missionary press a silent witness, which still testifies to the four winds of Heavens, in printing the living Word which goes deep into the hearts f(b) Publishing Department (Morija Sesuto Book Depot)

The Sesuto Book Depot published a great number of books, a few new editions, but mostly reeditions. It is working on the preparation of the new edition of the Sesuto English Dictionary which is due to appear in the middle of 1950. More and more, our publishing house has to face serious competition which is backed by financial means greater than those of the mission. In spite of this, it was able to help substantially the work of God in Basutoland.

B. CHURCH OF BASUTOLANDThe Seboka is the General Assembly of the Church. It meets

every year at the time of Easter (either before or after). It elects an Executive Committee, which is the directing body of the Church. The Seboka represents the churches and the presbyteries. All ministers in charge of a parish and the missionaries are members, together with 2 representatives from each of the 9 presbyteries. There is a Native majority of 6 to one in the Seboka.

The Church of Basutoland is helped by the missionaries, but it is an independent body, in which the Europeans have no more rights than the Basuto. But the church expects much from its missionaries.

One would like to see the church more alive, less apathetic, more ready to enter into the deeper experiences of the Christian life, more conscious of the fact that one is not born a Christian but becomes one through conversion. But, nevertheless the Church lives and is expanding, in spite of our weakness and shortcomings.

1. ECCLESIASTICAL WORKThe reports from the presbyteries speak of the difficulties of the

present time : lack of funds, which prevented the payment of the full salaries of many evangelists ; strong Roman Catholic action, still more intensified during the year by the visit of Our Lady of Fatima, the image of whom was received in great pomp in all the R.C. churches of the country, before being set up in the permanent sanctuary of Ramabanda, in the mountainous part of the presbytery of M orija; there is also heathenism, sensational manifestations of which, such as ritual murders, must not make us forget the powers of darkness which oppress the Mosuto : fear of the evil spirits, witchcraft, superstition and the satanic power of sin which comes from drunkenness and immorality.

The Church is really much concerned about the decision recently taken by the Government to allow the sale of European spirits in the Territory, and the opening of bars and dancing Halls for the Basuto. One wonders what will be the fate of the country. There is also the political uncertainty which weighs on all. There is fear of the plans of those outside, and of what is happening in the country.

That is why there is a great need for a strong Church which could give a clear and powerful lead and inspiration to the country,

as it did in the past. But the reports show that the Church itself is passing through a crisis. No new candidates for the Pastoral School, no new students to join the Bible School, bad finances nearly everywhere, here and there hidden discontent which becomes manifest in open revolts of members of the Church or in strikes of teachers or pupils. . . .

But, in these difficulties the churches are still working to bear witness to the Lord. The number of conversions is keeping up. It is felt that a fighting spirit is in the Church, which aims at strengthening the faith of its members in organizing evangelistic campaigns inside the Church, in a keen desire to deepen the spiritual life ; in an effort towards home worship and more perseverance in prayer ; in fighting alcoholism and immorality ; and in paying more attention to youth work. In many places Christians are praying for a revival, and there is a great expectation of what God will do to save us.

A sad note is the lack of harmony between the various denominations working in Basutoland. Instead of uniting together in a common effort against the Enemy, every one is trying to build up his own church, and there is a depressing display of parochial spirit.

The church at Thabana Morena went through difficult times. This church is deeply divided by movements of revolt, and factions. Yet a fine church building has just been completed.

Generally speaking, if the income due to ordinary Church contributions has failed badly, the two big collections brought in a fair amount to help the Central Fund and the work at Johannesburg.

The Church mourns the loss of a young and very promising minister, the Rev. L. L. Tenei, who died in May, after a very short illness.

Everyone feels the need of going forward, of renewing, of building, of opening new posts, but money is lacking, and one can only try to hold on to what has already been gained.

2 . WORK ON THE WITWATERSRANDThis is the proper missionary work of the Church of Basutoland,

which went on the Rand to care for its lost chidren in the golden city. It provides for its Native workers, and sends a general collection every year in support of the work there.

The racial tension in Johannesburg is acute, and among the troublemakers one finds a great many Basuto. It is not to be wondered at that there is sometimes trouble and effervescence in our Church

on the Rand ; but, God be praised, the situation has greatly improved, and our colleagues can now spend more time in their evangelistic work than in trying to settle painful affairs. Here too, more workers are needed, and we could do more if we could spend more money. The field is immense. Churches are badly needed at places like Western Township and Moroka, and elsewhere too. It would be a blessing to our people if schools for Basuto children could be opened in the larger locations.

To see the zeal of the members of the Church is inspiring, as many have understood what a Church stands for. Interesting experiences have been made employing the method of “one by one” in evangelization, the personal witness and personal responsibility towards a special individual brought a good harvest of saved souls. When these converts were brought into the Church they were sure ot being received into a living community. The good spirit was made evident in the splendid collections in aid of the work both in Basutoland and on the Rand.

We were able to begin.the work among the Malozi of the Zambezi, who are working in the mines. One of our evangelists came all the way from our field in Northern Rhodesia, to take charge of the work .among his people. Mr. Ph. Kazhila arrived during the year and lost no time in gathering, his flock.

3. GOLD EIELDS OF THE FREE STATEA great many ..Basuto are working in these new gold-fields and

in the associated industries. But~we-,have _only one evangelist at work there. He is working under the supervision- of the Dutch Reformed Mission of the Free State. He does good work, but the field is a tremendous one. In the near future we must be able to place a missionary there who can coordinate the work and show our people that they are not forsaken by their church. During three months, our evangelist, Mr. O. Patose, gathered a congregation of 100 members with more than 300 associate members. As Oden- daalsrus is near Basutoland, our men will, in the future, try to go there instead of Johannesburg. Their number is increasing regularly and steadily.

4 . BASUTO IN THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICAThis is a new problem we have to face. The Basuto have emigrated

into the Union in tremendous numbers. And now, we hear the call for spiritual help. It is pathetic to see these communities of Basuto, without any connection with anybody, gathering regularly for worship where they are. Many of them attend other churches, but their own church is just like a bit of the homeland. It would be more than useful to be able to contact them regularly, Lo visit them, to organize them and to help them to find their spiritual home without losing contact with their own Church. A new responsibility to be faced, because they call us . . .

5. EDUCATIONAL WORKIt may be useful to remind our readers that the Church of Basuto

land has the whole responsibility for the Elementary and Intermediate Schools.

The total number of children enrolled in the schools in Basutoland increased during 1949, but our own statistics show a retrogression of some 1,700 pupils. This is a very troubling symptom which can be explained by the fact that very often our Basuto pastors are overworked and have to care for too big parishes with too many schools of which they are the managers. The educational policy of the Roman Catholic Church, that insists upon each Roman Catholic baptized child attending a Roman Catholic school has taken many children out of our schools. The troubles at Thabana Morena and the not too good results of examinations contributed surely to this state of things. The drought caused many families to emigrate to where a living could be found.

Naturally our building programme is far from being carried out as we expected. We are much behind our schedule, as a result of the bad years we have had in Basutoland. We were fortunate in receiving such generous help from our friends outside Basutoland, and we are really thankful for it. But the Church must not forget that, after a period of 10 years, of which 3 are already over, the regulations of the new Educational Proclamation will be fully enforced. This will mean that all the schools not fulfilling the conditions required will lose the grant-in-aid, and will be closed for lack of funds. This is really a grim prospect which faces us, if nobody comes to the rescue.

Nearly everywhere complaints are made of the excessive importance given to extramural activities, such as singing and sports competitions. The parents are complaining that they lose control of their children because of the too numerous outings due to this kind of activities.

The splendid effort of the Basutoland Government in reorganizing Education in the country is going on. Form A classes have been opened here and there in the Territory. In the near future facilities will be given for the Junior Certificate where needed. We have opened a Form A at Masitise in Southern Basutoland, and another is due to be opened soon at Qalo, in the North.

School Committees have been started in several schools. These committees may prove to be very useful in giving the parents a say in the general policy of the local school.

When we think of it, really the work is heavy and difficult, as the present time is one of crisis and of uncertainty. The Church of Basutoland is strong enough to face its usual obligations. But we must admit that the load put on her by the Educational Reform is much too heavy for her to carry, and that, if she is to be kept alive, she must receive help. Once the Evangelical Church has lost her schools, it will be too late for lamenting.

CONCLUSIONWe gave a picture in which sunshine and darkness play together.

The growing darkness of heathenism which is spreading, of the uncertainty of the times which is frightening,. . . and of our extreme weakness which could be disheartening . . . but there is still light, and what a light is shining over the darkness ? The great Light of the Gospel which has not lost any of its glory, which is still preached, and which carries in itself the hope of the World, and the certainty of THE VICTORY.

I f God be with us . . . who can be against us ? (Rom. 8 : 31)A. B e r t h o u d .

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Collection Number: AD1715

SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS (SAIRR), 1892-1974

PUBLISHER: Collection Funder:- Atlantic Philanthropies Foundation

Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive

Location:- Johannesburg

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