Malamulo Mission by G. A. Ellingworth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 15, 1914

Malamulo Mission

By G. A. Ellingworth

G. A. ELLINGWORTH

WHILE the pupils of the station school were away for their long vacation, the teachers here and from the outschools assembled for their annual training during the months of August and September.

We all came to the conclusion that thoroughness is one of our greatest needs, and so all set to work to that end. In the afternoons we concentrated considerable effort on school management and criticism lessons to enable our teachers to use to good advantage the excellent books in the vernacular prepared by the Educational Council of Nyasaland.

These lessons were greatly needed, the methods adopted by the village teacher being somewhat crude at times. However, after a short time they began to see where their methods were severely criticized, and toward the end of the session they were doing very well. The native here is an apt imitator. Daily drills were also given in Scripture, reading, writing, arithmetic, translation, and singing; all showed an eagerness that was very encouraging. We feel confident that marked improvement will be shown in the villages at the close of the school year.

After a short service in the church, September 21, a goodly company gathered at the waterside to witness the baptism of six teachers and four teachers' wives. These were away teaching when Elder Porter was with us last year. Brother Robinson officiated. In the evening a church meeting convened to extend the right hand of fellowship to the new brethren. Several names were dropped for apostasy, leaving 125 members in good and regular standing. This does not include Mantandane Mission, which has a separate organization.

Last year a new marriage law for natives, known as the Native Christian Marriage Ordinance, was enacted by the government of this protectorate. This law provides that any missionary, whether ordained or not, may be licensed as marriage officer. Both the contracting parties must be Christians. A number of our teachers wished to take advantage of this ordinance, there being nothing in the native custom to prevent the mother-in-law from calling her daughter home, leaving the man to take another wife or live single. These teachers having satisfied the resident as to their character, the necessary civil permission was received; and the ten couples who desired to enjoy the benefits of the new act were joined in holy matrimony by Brother Robinson, September 29.

Blantyre, Nyasaland.