Quakerism in East Africa

QUAKERISM IN AFRICA: KENYA99 no organic connection with the Yearly Meeting, it is one evidence of a movement that might appropriately be called "the wider fellowship." Dr. Nitobe while living was a strong influence in this direction. The visits of Rufus M. Jones to Japan, and references to the Quaker movement in the written page, make for the same end. Friends have sent down their roots deep of late. Political and economic conditions in Japan have given rise to serious thinking about the true significance of the Quaker message , and the responsibility of its bearers. They are solemnized by this responsibility, but have no thought of giving up the "Holy Experiment." QUAKERISM IN EAST AFRICA The work of Friends in Kenya, East Africa, was begun and continued from America; that in Pemba has been the concern of English Friends. The account of the former is sent by the American Friends' Service Committee , and the latter is from material supplied by the Friends' Service Council. Reprinted from the London Friend, November 12, 1937, p. 1057 KENYA AT THE beginning of the twentieth century three American Friends, Willis R. Hotchkiss, Edgar T. Hole, and Arthur B. Chilson, went to Kenya Colony, East Africa, to locate a centre which would serve as a practical demonstration of Friends' consideration for their fellow-men. About 858 acres of land was purchased from the British Government , to which was later added 140 acres secured by a leasehold . Part of this was covered at the time by a jungle which has been very productive in past years of lumber and building materials, not only for Friends' work but to be sold to others. The following year Dr. Elisha Blackburn and his wife went out to establish the medical work. A small mud house with thatched roof was built to serve as a dispensary. While at first the Natives were very shy, and hesitated to change from their witch doctors to a more scientific American physician, yet by 1906, 2,555 patients had been treated. The present hospital was begun in 1911. In 1917 the building was roofed and one part used as a residence for the doctor. As 100 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION additional parts of the hospital were completed the medical work rapidly increased, until in 1919 it was in full running order. Gradually equipment has been added and attendants trained. During 1934 there were 1,200 admissions to the hospital, in addition to 12,000 dispensary treatments. Here from the start Friends have emphasized industrial work, beginning with the cultivation of vegetables and plants, especially coffee. Later, very suitable clay having been found, brick-making became an important part of the industrial work. With so much lumber at hand, it was natural that that should be utilised. A good sawmill and turbine have been provided. Road-making and bridge-building were features of the work in the early stages. The grinding of posho (corn meal) is important at the present time. Friends who went to Africa sought to understand the language of the people, but that seemed to be so difficult that, with the changing of personnel, the effort was largely dropped for a while. Some sought to teach in the Swahili vernacular, into which the Bible had already been translated. However, after a short time Emory J. Rees saw the wisdom of having the Bible, and conducting the work, in the common vernacular of the people. The language had to be reduced to writing, then the written form had to be taught to the people. Emory Rees next began the laborious work of translating the New Testament into the vernacular. A small press was sent to the field to aid him in this language work. The translation of the New Testament was completed and printed by the American Bible Society in 1925. Schools were early established, and by 1915, 4,431 pupils were enrolled. By 1936, more than 20,000 boys and girls had matriculated in Friends schools. At the present time all the evangelistic work is carried on by Native leaders with American supervision. There are 7,204 Native Friends in this area, organised into nine Monthly meetings. PEMBA THE ISLAND of...