English translation
On July 19 [1872], the dear young Abyssinian, Hailu Wosan [Haylu Wossen], died in our house at the age of about 16. His short life story is a bright explanation of the words: “The Lord’s counsel is wonderful, and He carries it out magnificently” [Isaiah 28:29].
Born in the province of Denbea [Dembiya], when that region was devastated and plundered by the tyrannical King Theodorus [Tewodros II], he was captured by his fierce warriors and dragged away from his homeland. For months, he had to wander around with the robber bands. At last, when they lacked even the bare necessities, they sent the child away. Now he was not far from the Gaffat mission station. When he came there on his begging trip, he found not only bread, but also the friendliest welcome, and was taught at school for several years. Thus, the Lord used the wild hordes of a godless conqueror, who thought he was above everything, to lead this little sheep to His flock and let it graze in the green pastures of His Word.
When the mission in Abyssinia was forcibly abolished and all Europeans had to leave the country, our Haylu came to Jerusalem, accompanied by the missionaries, where he was accommodated in Bishop Gobat’s school. He spent almost three years there. It was a happy and blessed time for him, during which he acquired much useful knowledge and was also thoroughly instructed in the Word of God.
On January 21, 1871, Haylu was confirmed in Christ Church Jerusalem. He wrote about this in his short curriculum vitae (biography): “I ask the Lord Jesus Christ, who is my Savior, to give me the grace to fulfill the vows I made that day. Yes, may He pour out His Holy Spirit into my heart so that I may serve Him faithfully and truly with my whole life, and if it is His will, may He grant that I may be an instrument to lead some of my fellow countrymen to Jesus.”
It was also the hope that this would be the case that moved the Pilgrim Mission to accommodate the request of the friends in Jerusalem and to accept Haylu and two other young Abyssinians as students at the St. Chrischona Institute. They arrived here on May 23, 1871, and soon settled into their new circumstances, rejoicing in the Lord’s gracious guidance. Haylu always behaved in such a way that the testimony with which he was released from the institution in Jerusalem was confirmed: he had, it was said, a genuine fear of God and a desire to walk before the face of God, his Savior.
Outwardly, he developed quickly and thrived so much that everyone was delighted with the blossoming, beautifully grown youngster. But suddenly he began to wither, and we soon realized that a galloping consumption had set in and that the Lord wanted to take him away from us. In the beginning, he shied away from the thought of dying and once said: “My heart says: I’d rather wait a little longer.” However, in the last few days, he became more joyful and was finally allowed to fall asleep gently on Friday morning, July 19, without a struggle. On July 22, his earthly body was buried in the cemetery in [the Basel suburb of] Riehen, where he awaits the great day of resurrection with two other brothers from Africa. His early departure has dashed many hopes, but we take comfort in the promise of our God and know that all his ways are light and blessing.
German text
Mittheilungen aus der Korrespondenz der Pilgermission auf St. Chrischona bei Basel, (October) 1872, p. 21:
Source: Library of the Theol. Seminary St. Chrischona
Cross-reference
? Haylu Wossen, Curriculum vitae