The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Elders Boyd and Robinson in South Africa

For this purpose, on May 11, Elder C. L. Boyd and his family, Elder D. A. Robinson and his wife, with other workers, sailed from New York City, en route to Africa, by way of Liverpool and London. Three years later, at the General Conference, Mr. P. W. B. Wessels stated that when these laborers arrived in Africa there were about forty persons who were already observing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the result of reading publications on the subject and from the study of the Scriptures. GSAM 424.3

Elders Robinson and Boyd began the mission work in Cape Town, and from there it extended northeast nearly eight hundred miles to Kimberley, in the diamond fields. GSAM 424.4

Up to the year 1889, there were only two ministers, one licentiate, four churches, and eighty members; these paid a tithe of $2,798.36. During this year Elder Ira J. Hankins, of America, labored in Cape Town with good results, and Mr. and Mrs. Druillard came from Nebraska to connect with the work at this place, and share in the labors and privations that fall upon those called to pioneer the work in a new field. Mrs. Druillard’s labors were confined principally to the book depository, where the business of this department was left to her management; while Mr. Druillard was occupied in the general missionary cause. During the year, on ships calling at this port, he sold books amounting to $750. GSAM 424.5