Apparently the first manifest interest in missionary work in Africa was aroused in the Free Methodist church by an appeal which came from a certain chief known as “King Tappa” who had sent out a request for a missionary to come and teach him and his people the “God palaver.” Mr. P. W. Abrams of Michigan in 1884 published in the Free Methodist an account of this appeal and invited correspondence from any who felt called to go to Africa. Among those who read this call and became interested in the matter were Mr. G. Harry Agnew, and Mr. Robert and Mrs. Katie Shemeld of Minnesota, and Rev. W. W. and Mrs. A. T. Kelly of Illinois. They were all accepted and appointed to Africa. In the early spring of 1885 they left America for the “Dark Continent.” May 15th they sailed from England and reached Africa about one month later. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Agnew went to Inhambane where they established the mission which remains until the present. Mr. and Mrs. Shemeld stopped at Durban and going inland some distance started a mission at Estcourt. This mission was for some time known as “Bethany Mission.” The work did not become permanent and later Mr. and Mrs. Shemeld withdrew from the church. Mr. Kelly’s health failing under the strain of the climate in Inhambane, he and Mrs. Kelly in about one year returned home. For about two years Mr. Agnew toiled on alone, his only companion being “Tom” a native helper. Much of this time he suffered from the dread African fever and at one time met with a serious accident nearly costing him his eye. But save for a short trip for physical recuperation he stuck to his post.

March 3, 1888, another company of missionaries destined for Africa set sail. They were Rev, and Mrs. J. D. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. A. Y. Lincoln, and Miss F. Grace Allen and Miss Ida Heffner. Their destination was Inhambane. One can imagine the joy of the lonely pioneer when on April 20, 1888, these reinforcements arrived at the station. But the joyous experience was of short duration. June 20, just two months later, while Mr. Agnew was absent on business, Mrs. Lincoln was taken suddenly ill and died. Because of a peculiar train of circumstances immediately following Mrs. Lincoln’s death the other members of the company entered the. employ of the American Board and went to other fields and Mr. Agnew was again left alone. Mr. Lincoln started soon after his wife’s death for home, but, broken ill health by the fever and in spirit by his wife’s sudden death, he passed quietly away at Bethany Mission, July 29, 1888.

For six months, though left alone the second time, Mr. Agnew toiled on and then. feeling that he needed rest from the strain and surgical help for his eye injured in the accident spoken of above, he began to plan for a trip home. His way being providentially opened, in January, 1889, he started on the homeward journey. He attended several camp meetings and conferences and did much to arouse an increased interest in missions while he was in the home land. In May, 1890, he started on his return journey to his loved field in Africa. Reinforcements again came to his aid in November, 1892, in time arrival of Frank L., and Mrs. Rose M. Desh, but as they were not in a fit condition to endure the climate, in two months’ time they were on their way back-to Natal. They soon after severed their relation with the board. Again the missionary was left alone to battle with heathen darkness and superstition. Several times he was very near death from the deadly African fever when no white person was near, but God preserved him. He again returned to the home land in the fall of 1894 remaining about three months, attending during that time the General Conference at Greenville, Illinois. On February 3, 1895, three weeks after his return to Africa, he was united in marriage with Miss Susie Sherman, at the Fair View Mission Station. In May following they settled in their home in Macheche. Soon after this Rev. J. J. and Mrs. Emma H. Haviland came to assist them in the work on the Inhambane field. The domestic happiness of Mr. Agnew was destined to be shortlived. On December 14, Mrs. Agnew was taken ill and three days later her spirit took its flight from the tabernacle of clay. Soon after this Mr. Agnew feeling that he must have release from the strain of the Inhambane climate and the way opening, as he believed providentially, to enter a field at Johannesburg in the Transvaal where the climate was healthful, he decided to go there. Although for several years while laboring at Johannesburg his support came from parties outside the Free Methodist church, he never severed his relation with the board and always considered himself a Free Methodist missionary. &lay 3, 1897, at Durban he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie A. Smith.

Mr. and Mrs. Haviland remained at Inhambane in charge of the work there after Mr. Agnew left. About two months after the beginning of his work at Johannesburg Mr. Agnew received a letter from Mrs. Haviland telling him of the death of her husband which occurred March 18, 1897. Mr. Haviland had been just about five years in Africa and was, as was Mr. Agnew himself a few years later, striken down just on the eve of starting for the home land. Again the burden of the Inhambane work rolled upon the shoulders of Mr. Agnew. Although he never remained again permanently at Inhambane he always carried the work there upon his heart and at least twice made the journey thither on foot to give necessary oversight to the work. Once each year he returned to his beloved Inhambane and gave encouragement and counsel to the native workers and converts. Steady progress was made in the work at Johannesburg until the time of the Boer war when, on account of the unsettled state of the country he was obliged to leave for some time, but as soon as conditions would permit he returned to Johannesburg to prosecute the work there. In December, 1902, Mr. Agnew made his last trip to Inhambane, spending some time there visiting the different stations, baptizing and receiving converts into the church. Soon after his return to Johannesburg lie was seized with hematuria fever and on March 9, 1903, he departed to be with the Lord.

The history of our missionary work at Inhambane and Johannesburg, is inseparably connected with the story of his life. Briefly summed up, What are time results as seen today? At Inhambane there are reported forty-two “out stations” where time gospel is preached to the natives; there are five white missionaries now on the field and seventeen native evangelists employed; there are two hundred and seventy-six native commnunicants; about one hundred adherents; one thousand other natives who are receiving regular instruction; several thousand more directly under the influence of the gospel; property valued at over $1,000. At Johannesburg (Umusa or Germiston) there are four “out stations”; sixty communicants; several thousand who are hearing the gospel message through our missionaries; property valued at nearly $6,000. Four white missionaries are employed and four native evangelists.

In the fall of 1887, Rev, and Mrs. A. D. Noyes were accepted as missionaries and sent out arriving in Africa November 29 of that year. Because of a failure in funds for their support they accepted positions under the American Board for a time. December 1, 1890 they resumed work under the board again. They settled in the province of Natal, South Africa, and established a station called Fair View, on the shore of the Indian Ocean, near the mouth of the Urnzumbi River, some distance south of Durban. Here Mr. Noyes purchased 2,300 acres of land with the privilege of paying for it in annual payments and erected a house built of iron on a wood frame valued at about 1,200. In 1891 Miss F. Grace Allen, who was mentioned in connection -with the work at Inhambane, went to Fair View and took work under the board. Her work was school work, at first a mixed school for boys and girls, but later a school for girls. Miss Allen has been steadily in the employ of the board from that time until the present. In September, 1894, she came home and attended the General Conference at Greenville, Illinois, in October, returning again to her field in the following June. By vote of the General Missionary Board in the fail of 1905 she was granted a furlough to begin in the summer of 1906. She came to America at that time and remained until after the General Conference of 1907, representing the South Africa conference as lay delegate in that body. She is now on the field engaged in active work.

Because of some misunderstandings between Mr. Noyes and the board concerning financial matters and his methods of conducting business matters on the field he came to America to attend the annual meeting of the board in October, 1895. Satisfactory arrangements having been made he, in November, returned to Africa where he remained until 1898 when he and his family came home and ceased to work under the missionary board.

Rev, and Mrs. J. P. Brodhead and Miss Lucy A. Hartman sailed from New York April 6, 1898 and arrived t Durban, Africa, May 15. They proceeded at once to Fair View and entered upon their work. The missionary secretary, Rev. B. Winget, accompanied this party. After the return of Mr. Noyes and family to this country Mr. Brodhead was made superintendent of the work in Natal, a position which he filled with marked ability until the time of the organization of the South Africa conference. The time of seed sowing and waiting had been long but the seed now began to bear fruit to the great encouragement of the workers. Soon after this company of missionaries entered upon their work the spirit of inquiry and seeking after time Lord began to rest upon the natives as never before. A revival, steady, deep and thorough began which continues until the present time.

In the early spring of 1902 another company of missionaries consisting of Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Smith, Carroll Smith, Margaret A. Nickel, Rosa D. Hunter and J. W. Haley, embarked for Africa, arriving at Durban May 20. Since then the following have been accepted by the board at the dates connected with their names and are now on the field: W. A. Backenstoe, M. D. (1902), Nellie Reed, Rev, and Mrs. Jules Ryff (1903), A. E. Haley, Mrs. W. A. Backenstoe (1904), Miss Matilda Deyo (1905), Miss Maggie La Barr, George D. Schlosser (1906), Rev, and Mrs. N. B. Ghornmley, Rev, and Mrs. G. G. Kessel, Rev. and Mrs. A. M. Anderson (June, 1907).

The work continuing to develop in the African field the missionaries felt the need of some different arrangements for the care of it and having for some time urged the organization of a conference or the election of a general superintendent for Africa, or both, the Missionary Board at its meeting in October, 1904, took the matter under advisement and decided to send one of the general superintendents (bishops) to visit the different foreign fields, and to spend at least six months in Africa organizing a South Africa Mission conference, if in his judgment he thought it best to do so. General Superintendent W. A. Sellew was chosen to go. On April 1, 1905, he and Mrs. Sellew sailed from New York and on May 13, they arrived at Durban, South Africa. May 16, they reached Fair View Mission Station and were accorded a most hearty welcome. - Mr. Sehlew after visiting all the stations, looking over the work and consulting with all the missionaries decided to organize the conference. Accordingly at Fair View on October 11, 1905, the South Africa conference was organized. The following were the ministerial members: J. P. Brodhead, Jules Ryff, A. E. Haley, J. W. Haley, Carroll Smith. The following were present as “acting members”: Dr. and Nrs. W. A. Back. enstoe, Miss Nellie Reed, Mrs. Carroll Smith, Mrs. J. W. Haley, Miss F. Grace Alien, Mrs. Jules Ryff, Miss Margaret A. Nickel, Mrs. J. P. Brodhead, Miss Lucy A. Hartman. In addition to these were the native delegates from the different stations. Jules Ryff was elected secretary. J. P. Brodhead wa elected district elder for the entire conference. Six months later, beginning April 10, 1906, the second session of the conference met at Fair View. There being no superintendent present J. P. Brodhead was chosen president. J. Ryff was elected secretary. Mr. Brodhead was again chosen district elder. The third session was held at Fair View, March 26 to April 2, 1907. J. P. Brodhead again presided. J. Ryff was secretary. J. P. Brodhead and F. Grace Allen were elected delegates to the General Conference to meet at Greenville, Illinois, June, 1907. Carroll Smith and J. W. Haley were elected district elders. Mr. Brodhead had now been on the field about nine years; all this time he had borne heavy burdens; several times he had been on the verge of a complete collapse and once had given way in his nervous system under the strain. The Missionary Board having voted him and his wife a furlough, immediately after this conference he and his family started on their homeward journey. They reached New York May 21. Mr. and Mrs. Brodhead attended the General Conference, referred to above, in June and were a very great inspiration to the missionary work among our people.

In closing this chapter a brief summing up of results in Africa may not be out of place. In what may be called the Fair View field (called the Inland and Coast districts in the conference minutes) there are now six principal stations, viz., Fair View, Itemba, Edwaleni, Greenville, Baleni, Ibisi, with twenty-six out stations. There are at present thirteen white missionaries employed and eight native evangelists, two hundred and thirty native communicants, and property valued at about $45,000. In the entire field are twenty-six white missionaries and eighty native helpers. There are about six hundred native communicants, about the same number of adherents and many thousands besides who are being brought under the quickening influence of the gospel. The native Christians contributed last year for all religious purposes $875. The total value of all mission property in Africa is about $62,000. The work is moving steadily forward. Surely our labor in this field has not been in vain.