WILD FLOWERS OF AFRICA-BUT PURE. WILD (HEATHEN) GIRLS ofafrica- BUT MAY BE MADE PURE. HISTORY T llIIS school was organized in 1807 by Miss F. Grace Allen. Through the wise, efficient and spiritual labors of Miss Allen and other missionaries who have assisted in the work, the blessing of the Lord has been upon this school from the beginning. A native young woman by the name of Martha Mfeka has been an efficient helper and teacher in it. She was educated in a seminary of the American Board. Some conversions were reported the first year of the school among the twenty-one present at the beginning. Some of these stayed only a short time, being dragged away by enraged parents. The school is held about nine months in the year. The girls are kept busy from 5:00 a. m. till 8:30 p. m. Besides the regular school work, the girls are taught on various industrial lines of work, such as gardening, sewing, cooking, and housekeeping. Their meals are cooked in European style. When the missionary secretary (B. Winget) was in Africa in 1808, Miss Allen was living in a poor, old, ant- eaten building, which was about read}' to fall down and the accommodations for the school were very poor. A generous donation by Kev. S. B. Shaw of $1,000.00 of his publications, at retail prices, toward the erection of a suitable building for the teachers and the school, greatly helped, and in 1899 one was built. It was built prin¬ cipally of brick made on the station and is about 38x56 feet. Miss Allen writes in 1909: “Our last term of school was the best we have ever had in the Girls’ Dome. 1 think the increased attendance this teim is the out¬ come of it. We had a revival from the beginning of the term to the close and every girl in school was saved.’’ April 16, 1909: “We are straining every nerve to keep the school going, but the government will not allow us to keep so many unless we have more room soon. Oh! how I wish we had the money to start brick-making. We have some noble Christian girls in school.” Misses Allen and Deed have held out the hope to the government officials that another building would be provided and so they have permitted the school to continue. It is uncertain how long they will do so un¬ less the hope of a new building has better evidences of being a realization in the near future. o NTOMBINKULU (BIG GIRL) -OR- A Zulu Girl in Fair View Girls’ School NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA Written and Illustrated By NELLIE A. REED A Missionary of the Free Methodist Church for eight years among the Zulus. 1132 Washington Boulevard Chicago, Ill inois 1914 INTRODUCTION what is being done and the nature of the work. We want them to see what has come from their fervent faith and effectual prayers. To those who have not known, we want them to see and read of the work, that they may join our paying and praying ranks and push on the Kingdom of God among the heathen. The proceeds of the sale on this little book will go to enlarge the work in this school. We especially need a new building. Have you remembered Africa and this school in your prayers, your sacrifices and your wills? If others are doing no more than you, how soon will Africa be evangelized? Nellie A. Reed. T HK coming out of this booklet is twofold. We want our friends who have so generously contributed to the support of this school to know F. GRACE ALLEN NELLIE A REED 4 NTOMBINKXJLU W iITH liis hands tightly clasped around his knees a Zulu father sat on the floor toasting his bare feet by the open fire. A liollowed-out place in the center of this African hut answered for a stove. There was neither pipe nor chimney and the smoke found its way out through the thatch grass roof the best way it could. This was the kitchen, built after the plan of their heathen fathers. They had a Christian house just across the door-yard built with an upright door, windows and rooms, but it was much cozier to sit by this open fire where the wife was busy preparing a supper of sweet po¬ tatoes roasted in the ashes and a chicken boiling in a three-legged pot elevated by rocks in the fire. “I expect we shall have to send Ntombinkulu away to the Girls’ School at Fair View in a few days,” remarked he. “I don't like to see her go and I hardly see how you can spare her. There is the hoeing of the sweet potatoes, the mealies (corn) and beans. The wood is so far away for you to bring with these two babies on hand.” “Yes,” said she, “there is a constant pain in my heart as I think of losing her and it will mean hard work for me, but we gave her to God at her birth and she is His. We want her to learn all the missionaries can teach her so she can help these heathen people about us. Only to-day a heathen woman passed here who has five children. She said she would like her children to learn and be Chris¬ tians but her husband refused to let them come to our mission school. If we had a teacher over there I am sure the heathen parents would not object to letting them go an hour or two a day. Oh, my heart aches! Those children are as bright as ours and ought to be learning right away. Ntombinkulu has finished the fourth grade here at our station school, but with the fifth and sixth at Fair View it will be two years before she can get to this work. Then you know we hoped she would be so well educated she could help the missionary right here in this school and be at home. Well, the Lord will help us out but we must ask the missionary if something can’t be done immediately for that section from which this heathen woman comes. She seems above the ordinary.” Before the sun was up Ntombinkulu and her mother with two or three of the larger children might be found in tbe gardens busy at work getting as much done as possible before school should begin. The father went away to work every morning for a white man living three miles away. He and his wife were both children of heathen parents, but when they were nearly grown the 5 Early days of the school Martha Mfeka, the assistant missionary had settled among them. They had gone to the mission school and became converted. They were married before they had finished school, but had planned that their children should have an early start and a good education. It was hard work for them in the early years of their marriage for the rate of wage received by" a native is low. He had a debt of five of the ten cattle he was to pay his heathen father-in-law for his wife. Now it was a glad time for them to see their oldest about ready to give herself to the work of the Master they both loved so well. The women came up for breakfast at eleven o’clock, for the sun had now gotten so hot it was too hard to work and the thatch hut would be cool where they could do the little sewing yet left on the school clothes. Ntorn- binkulu would not be at home again for six months and there must be a plenty. The last day at home was spent in cooking for the road. Stamp (corn and beans pounded and cooked to¬ gether) was easy to carry, so were sweet potatoes and chicken. Ntombinkulu rose the next morning with an aching heart for now she had come to the good-byes. She told her mother she had two hearts, one to go and one to stay. Her clothes were nicely packed in a white pillow case, the native basket held the food and this she balanced on her head. When “good-byes” and “be-goods” were said, she with her father by her side started out for their long walk. He accompanied her for several miles where she called for three other girls and he returned home. A twen¬ ty-five mile walk lay before these girls, but they were strong and care free, happy and talkative, and they did not mind the journey. Fortunately at a cross-road they overtook an empty transport wagon drawn by sixteen burros. Most of the wagons they had seen were going the other way. As many as two hundred wagons were taking supplies into Pondoland. This was very exciting, for one or two had never had a ride before. However, before they had ridden very far they came to a large heathen kraal. One of the girls was acquainted here so they stopped to urge the girls living there to accompany them. Two of the four girls decided to go, the others hoped to follow later. The afternoon was hot, the roads were dusty, but frequently they crossed streams where they could bathe their tired feet and eat of their food. Darkness was almost upon them ere they drew near to Port Shepstone, a little town where the railway began and ended. Some¬ times a Christian family lived there who would allow school girls and boys to stay over night with them, but generally they rolled up in their shawls or blankets and lay on the floor of the railway station. The heathen girls had no money so they awoke at sunrise and walked on to Fair Mew, feeling quite sure that they would arrive at about the same time as the girls who took the Irain. The train would start at seven thirty with only twelve miles to ride, so they could easily reach Fair View by breakfast time. There would be other girls at the 7 8 railway station (Umzumbi Rail) and they would all walk the two miles from the railway station together. Sure enough they were joined by several who had been in the school before, and in the merry conversation some found, though they had never seen one another before, that they were of tribe relation. Before they came in sight of the school building they saw the school gardens. Yes, there were some of the girls who had stayed through vacation, fearing to go home, lest their parents refuse to let them be Christians and burn their clothes. They were just shouldering their hoes ready to go to breakfast. A shout attracted their attention. The garden girls responded with shouts, swinging of hoes and high jumps over clods, stumps, vines and other obstacles in their haste to greet them. Not even the monkeys in the bush could have kept up with such chattering as those girls indulged in on their way up the hill to the school. THE SCHOOL. . .. ■■ ■■ — ■ ■ — - ■ ------ T r ““ HROUGH the big trees they saw the red iron roof of the one-story school building. It looked very big and seemed to spread out like an old hen try¬ ing to cover her fast-growing brood. The school paths were a delight, they were kept so clean and on either side plants, bushes and trees were gorgeous in their tropical beauty. A soft, short grass covered the grounds, and some of the girls who had walked from home since morning had tossed their stuffed pillow-cases upon it and sat down for a cool breath and rest, their tongues never forgetting their cunning. Some heathen girls had also come, but they stood in silence, gazing at the happy Christians. Their hair hung over their faces in hundreds of muddy fringes; a red mudded blanket and a short leather shirt with plenty of bracelets and anklets was the sum total of their apparel. They came empty-handed. True to their word the tw r o heathen girls who had walked from Port Shepstone were also seated upon the grass. While the girls were still chatting and other girls and others coming in sight, the school bell rang and in trooped the girls, Ntombinkulu following the others. On entering the building they turned to the right where the school-room occupied the full length. At the left w r as the room of one of the mis¬ sionaries and the next was the girls’ dining-room. Most of the girls left the pillow-cases on the seats and tables in the dining-room, but those who had been there before ran up-stairs, for the once big attic had now been ceiled, dormer windows put in and sixty girls could spread their mats on the floor and all sleep together in one big bed. Others must occupy the floors of the dining-room and schoolroom. With the girls in the school-room some of the mission¬ aries had also gathered to join in the first morning exercises of the school. Ntombinkulu was so happy to sit 9 1. Twins on donkey 2. Hope Mfeka in 1905 4, Hope in 1912. Easter lilies in November 5. Miss Reed and Kindergarten 3. Martha with Hope and the twins 6. Girls bringing water 10 among so many Christian girls, and happier to hear that the opening songs were the very ones they sang at home, so she joined in heartily. The principal read the Bible, some of the missionaries talked and they all knelt to pray. The sweet and holy presence of her Savior seemed to fill the room and Ntombinkulu was not lonely nor afraid. When they arose, one of the teachers told them that they had been earnestly praying during vacation that all the girls might be kept safe from harm and sin. She felt it would be very encouraging to hear them tell how God had hel]>ed them while at their homes, how they had been able to overcome Satan and if they had been able to win any for Christ. Faithful, saintly Josephine was the first to arise. She had opened a little school at the chief’s kraal, held prayer-meetings, taught a Sunday-school class and gleaned in the corn fields so that she had enough to pay her church dues and to buy her a new dress. Two sisters had come over fifty miles. Their parents were heathen and had refused to let them come, so they had run away. Their brothers had chased them with dogs. They had lost their extra clothing, slept all night in the bush, and after walking some distance had arrived safely. They were so glad Jehovah had helped them to come. An¬ other had returned in a heathen blanket, for her father had burned her clothes. Some had spent an ordinary vacation, doing what they could to shine for Jesus; others amidst severe testings had been able to overcome. One girl, whose father tried to compel her to be the second wife of an old heathen, had stoutly refused and God had so helped her that her father gave in. Others had been invited to beer drinks, heathen engagements and wed¬ dings, but had remained at home alone while the family went. So in these Zulu homes within a radius of seventy- five miles of the school these girls had been letting their light shine for Jesus among their heathen friends and relatives. The heathen girls too testified that they had come to learn to be Christians, because Christian girls had been to their homes, telling them how wonderful it was to be a Christian, go to school, and then they had prayed with them. It was recess time before they had finished relating their experiences. After recess they were given their seats by classes. There was not room for all, so the be¬ ginners, those who study Zulu, were sent over to Martha, one of the native teachers, and those studying English remained. Books, slates and pencils belonging to the school were distributed and some light work assigned; then it was dinner time. Oh, how hungry they were, but they had to wait quietly and be given their places by classes. The tables had clean, white cloths and each girl had a white enam¬ eled plate, a cup and a large tin spoon. Some had never sat on a seat before or eaten with a spoon, but they care¬ fully watched the others and managed nicely. One of the teachers informed them that they might go to work in the gardens after dinner. Pleased glances were ex¬ changed, for they were very tired of sitting still, especial¬ ly upon seats. “Do you think you can keep the rules, Ntombinkulu?” said a former pupil, proud to be able to know ahead of time what would soon be told to them all. “I don’t know,” said Ntombinkulu, “for I have not heard them yet.” “Well, we have to bathe every day and comb our hair and then from after breakfast until after supper we speak English only. If we talk Zulu we shall have to hoe in the garden fifteen minutes during our leisure time on Saturday.” “That will be very hard, but if the Lord will help me I think I can do it.” “You may believe we talked Zulu very fast before breakfast and after supper,” replied the former pupil. “I wonder what work you will be given to do. Last year I learned to sweep and dust, to cook and wash dishes, and once I helped lay all the mats and blankets for night. We shall hear our work this evening.” The information was correct, for all the girls were called to the school-room and their names were read off with the work they were to do for the coming month. Two had to cook breakfast, two were needed for dinners and two for suppers. Then there was sweeping and dish-washing. The best work of all was caring for the missionaries’ rooms, making their strange beds and gathering beautiful flowers for the tables; yes, and set¬ ting their tables for meals and working over their big, black firebox. Ntombinkulu was given the school-room to sweep and dust and keep in order together with half the verandas. How glad she was that she had helped her teacher at home, for this big room was no longer a mystery. 11 After prayers that evening two or three girls came in to the school-room with loads of numbered blankets and each girl was given one, being told to remember her number. Ntombinkulu, following the line of girls upstairs, pre¬ pared herself for bed. A pang came to her heart, for with ail these chattering girls, where was she to get a chance to pray? Some girls had returned down the stairs. What did it mean? Seeing the new acquaintance of the after¬ noon she asked why the girls were going back. “We go to the school-room to pray. It is dark there, but there is a tiny light for us to read our Bibles with.” So joyfully she followed the others and mingled her voice in the medley of voices as each poured out her heart to God. Surely, He had done great things for her in allowing her to come among so great a company of Christians, who seemed to have harder struggles to be Christians than she. Had she not a self-denying father and mother, while some of these had been obliged to leave father and mother to follow Him? How hard it must be for them to go to sleep, feeling their parents in their heathen blind¬ ness were angry and unforgiving, when truly they loved one another as much as she and her parents loved. She was very thankful for her favorable surroundings. When the rising bell rang next morning Ntombinkulu did not know Avliere she was, but it soon dawned upon her that the dream that she was at school was a beautiful reality. Five minutes only was given for dressing; her blanket must be folded and her mat rolled up. Then she 12 followed the others to the school-room for her secret prayer before beginning the day’s duties. All of the girls went to the river for water. It was a long, graceful line that returned up the winding path, every girl balancing a bucket of water upon her head. A few armed with small axes went to the bush with teacher to gather wood; others swinging their hoes went to the garden. The Africans can do everything in the line of garden work with their heavy hoes. For two steady hours they worked in the garden and when the breakfast bell rang at eight, it was a joyful sound. “To-day,” said one of the former pupils, “we shall have two hours of sewing. I wonder what class you will join. We have three classes. The children and heathen girls are in a beginner’s class. Then when they do real nicely they may enter the second class. They can make patch work and do plain sewing. In the third class we learn to do extra fine sewing and dressmaking. We are allowed to use the hand sewing-machine occasionally, especially when there is a rush to make dresses for heathen girls. Many times the missionaries get ready-made dresses from America that will just fit some of the heathen girls. The mission¬ aries always look so thankful when the dresses do come, for this is not their native climate you know, and they get very tired and white.” Just then their attention was attracted by a loud moan from a heathen girl hoeing near. She dropped her hoe and fell on her face to the ground. “What is it,” they questioned. “Do you see those men yonder?” said she. “One is my father, another a brother. They are coming to take me home.” “Never fear,” said one. “You stay right here until we give you the signal. Do not come to breakfast, we will bring you food.” Sure enough three heathen men stood at the front entrance; the elderly man wore a waist band of beads with little flaps of ox hide hanging in front and behind. Wire brace¬ lets and anklets, and a goat bladder over his left ear formed his complete attire. The young men were also with no clothing except a cowhide mutshi (loin girdle) with Haps around their waists and pieces of bamboo stuck through their ears for an ornament as well as a much-used snuff box. They carried two long sticks and an assegai (spear). They were all very angry and were speaking in fierce tones. They even threatened the lives of the mis¬ sionaries if they did not produce the girl. With tact the missionary was trying to quiet them. When the girls came up from the garden she questioned several as to the whereabouts of the girl. The girls who knew kept at a safe distance. All ate breakfast in silence, for they were alarmed at the sight of these men looking in at them through the open doors and windows. The men stayed until nearly noon and still the girl did not appear. At their shoutings to the missionaries to give up their property the ladies worked on, making no response, and showed by their looks that they did not know. Thinking that they had been misinformed as to the whereabouts of their child they finally left. The knowing girls then brought forth their trophy. A shout of joy went up as 13 Teasing big girls Girls at play Miss Reed and her “shadows" Unfinished hut Little girls playing with sleeping mats 14 they saw that she had been spared and now every girl was on the watch to give warning should the men re¬ turn. These men did not come but other parents did. It kept one of the ladies busy most all day arguing with them, trying to get them to let the girls stay. One girl went home, for her father told her he would “rub out her name” if she did not go. This is one of the worst penalties. Towards evening a heathen woman came for her child. The girl stoutly refused all her entreaties; then the mother began to cry, for she said her husband had promised to beat her if she did not bring the girl home. She must go home, though it had now grown dark and she had six miles to walk. Her husband had forced her to leave her nursing child. The girl went, begging those remaining to ask Jehovah to let her come back. Oh, so sad! Back to heathen sins, darkness and superstition, when her heart was craving the light! Back to where her value is esti¬ mated by the number of cattle she will bring in marriage, rather than her eternal value as an immortal soul seeking everlasting bliss. Back where there is no God to fear and none to love. Saturday night the eyes of Ntombinkulu’s heart looked toward home, but she wrote a letter instead. Dear mother: I am happy to get this op¬ portunity to write you. I am well in the Lord. I hope you are also well. Indeed, I praise the Lord for my coming to this place that has such a large work. And the girls who stay here are Christian girls. There are some heathen girls too, but they want to be Christians. This place, I am glad about it, because these girls with whom I am here, love Jesus well. Friday morning when we arose at live o’clock we did not go to work in the gardens. We marched two by two to the prayer-meeting at the church. We were many and took many of the seats. The missionary led it. It was a wonder¬ ful meeting indeed. Some of the heathen girls began to confess their sins. Their sins were truly bad. One had helped another girl kill a neighbor’s goat. They had built a fire and roasted and eaten all they could of it, then tak¬ ing the remainder home and telling their parents they found it with a broken leg. One had been very angry with her little mother (the second or third wife of her father) and she had burned her hut. One had choked to death the crying baby of a neighbor. Truly, I would be afraid if they do not begin to love Jesus quickly. Saturdays Ave do not learn in books. Most of us work in the gardens until eleven o’clock in the mornings; when we come back the few that stayed at the building have taken nearly every¬ thing outside for the sun and air and the floors are all scrubbed. Then we go to the river to wash our clothes. Mother, I need a penny to buy soap. It will last me two weeks. Some of the 15 4. 1. Christian home Daughters of these heathen parents 5. 2. Sisters—heathen and Christian Same daughter, Elizabeth Zelem, teacher 6. Heathen home 3. Heathen parents 16 girls have but one dress, so while it is drying on the grass they have to sit and wait for it. Then they put it on wrong side out to keep it clean for Sunday. The heathen girls have no clothes to wash ; they play in the water, bathe and watch us. When we come up from the river we have to eat dinner outside, for the floors are still wet. Generally there are strange women and girls on the back veranda who have brought cooked food to their girls or sisters. I wish we lived near so Katie could bring me food. I remember you all very much. My heart thinks of home often. Is my pig well? Konzela (kind regards) to all the people for me. I have no more words. It is I Your child, Ntombinkulu. P. S.—We have all Saturday afternoon to do as we like. Some work for dresses and testa¬ ments and soap. I finished hemming my apron and folded all mv clothes in a box. N. C. «/ REVIVALS ISSIONARIES are anxious to begin on the work of soul saving as soon as the school gets settled; accordingly, the first Friday night that the moon was full toward morning, an all-night meeting was appointed at the church. It is a time of heart searching and confession for the heathen and the cold-hearted, and one of great blessing and encourage¬ ment for the Christian. The girls march home singing, “Si zo bamba no Jesu (We will walk with Jesus) Si zo nqobo no Jesu” (We will overcome with Jesus). The following Saturday morning was one never to be forgotten. All were feeling somewhat weary as they went to the school-room for prayers after breakfast. But they had not been at prayer long before a gracious out¬ pouring of the spirit came upon them. The crowded school-room was a scene which must have made angels rejoice. Some walked back and forth praising the Lord aloud; some wept and others were singing, while still others were trying to testify. A volume of praise went up from every lip. Even the little children had con¬ fessed their sins and were standing about crying and rejoicing by turns, then turning and exhorting others to open their hearts wide and let Jesus come in. This lasted nearly four hours. Work and food were forgotten. Sins confessed and shouts of victory were heard as one after another felt the cleansing and pardoning power. One had become careless and indifferent. She was much annoyed by the continued praying, but now, after con¬ fessing and bitterly weeping her way to the cross, she lost her load of sin and none was more loud in joyful demonstration than she. The heathen girls in their blankets were surrounded and exhorted to yield to Christ. Soon they were on their 17 18 knees praying with the rest. The pastor of the Mission Station came over and rejoiced with them. He asked all who felt Jesus’ blood had washed away every sin, to raise their hands. Almost every girl with one accord sprang to her feet and with uplifted hands and shining faces gave eloquent testimony to the wonderful power of God even in dark Africa. There was noise in their hearts, but now it is still. What a wonderful word to them!. . . . Peace!. . . . Wonder¬ ful to us all, but we do not have the torments of evil spirits and witchcraft that they do. Peace! and the dark, troubled expression disappears from their faces; they look happy and satisfied, and begin to gain flesh. At the morning prayers Sunday one of the lady mis¬ sionaries asked how many of the girls would volunteer to go with her to heathen kraal meetings. She wanted a dozen. Three times as many as were needed raised their hands. “It is seven or eight miles you know, so you shall not be present at the Sunday-school here at the church to-day.” Ntombinkulu was one of the volunteers accepted. It seemed much like home to be starting out to hold meet¬ ings just as she had done every week, going with her parents and other Christians. Just as the afternoon service at the church was closing these volunteers came back, marching and singing. They stopped at the church. The altar service was over and those who had been forward were testifying. The girls were so full of joy they could not keep still, some starting stirring songs, others testifying. The people, too, looked to them, craving the inspiration they brought and which always comes from those who have been at work for Jesus. The girls brought three heathen girls with them who wished to enter school and be Christians. “I do not see how we can do it!” “Nor I,” said the second. Ntombinkulu overheard these remarks from the girls walking home just behind her and wondered what was troubling them. Another girl asked, saving her the trouble. “You see,” said they, “the lady missionary in the Sunday-school told us about people in Japan, India and China who often have famines and die of hunger. They are suffering from it now in one of these countries. We always have food and she hopes we can help them. Now that it is spring time she asks us to plant a Lord’s garden or set a lien and raise chickens for the Lord. We are away from home with no seeds, no gardens, no hens nor money. I asked her at noon what we could do. She did not tell me, but asked me to pray for an answer from God; also see where I could make a sacrifice.” “I think we shall all have to have an answer through prayer,” said Ntombinkulu, “for I see no way either.” “God will surely show us, for we shall love to do some¬ thing for them.” There is no evening service, for it is unsafe for the natives to come over their paths by night. Poisonous snakes then seek the paths to find a cool breeze. Supper over, the girls were beginning to gather in the school¬ room for evening reading, singing or praying. 19 1. Heathen g-irl just arrived Girls who have come but can not stay, as young: men have paid part of the cattle to take them as wives and will not consent. Fathers will not return cattle. 20 WITCHCRAFT S r—' "lEVEKAL girls were praying with some heathen girls when one began to hyiza (a peculiar cry given by girls who suppose love medicine has been thrown upon them). This cry awakened the same feeling in another girl upon whom love medicine had been thrown a couple of years previous. Now the medicine had “waked up” and she joined in the cry. Two more started and it looked as if a general stampede would follow. One ran outside and away through the pasture and into the bush. One of the lady missionaries followed with a lantern, running for half a mile through the dark¬ ness, only able to discern the direction by the cry. Some of the girls ran for one of the men missionaries. It is remarkable the power that this belief has upon them. They do not seem responsible for the time being. Often they complain of severe pain in the shoulder. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no healing there?” “Yes, thank God! These demon-possessed souls have become quieted by being asked to kneel and there upon their knees repeat the name of Jesus. Over and over again, as it is repeated, it sinks deeper and deeper into their hearts and minds until a peaceful calm and a rational mind has come to them.” “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall.” How glad Ntombinkulu was that she had been brought up a Christian and not given to these mysterious ex¬ citements which even the old Christians say cannot be helped. The younger generation are realizing its foolish¬ ness. The Christian young men declare that water thrown upon them would have the same effect because they believe in it. “Jehovah does not allow these bad things of Satan in the school,” said a former pupil. “Two or three years ago a girl wanted to mix love medicine to give to a boy. She kept another girl at home from prayer-meeting one morning on the pretense of sickness. They went to the bush and gathered roots, leaves and bark, ground them between two stones and had them ready for bottling. When she went to her box for the bottle, Jehovah smote her to the floor. She was still lying there when the school came from the prayer-meeting. A few gathered about her and prayed most earnestly. In half an hour’s time she awoke. She was much frightened and said Jehovah had shown her the awful sin and its sure punishment. She prayed most earnestly and felt she had the Lord’s for¬ giveness.” “Do you know that Ponsiwee has gone?” whispered the house girls to the garden girls as they came up to breakfast. “Yes, because she is sick, her mother thinks the witches have now found her again so she carried her off. She came at five o’clock. Ponsiwee had been given no bath nor breakfast and was taken right out of her sick bed. The missionaries begged the mother to leave her. They said her temperature was 101 degrees and she would die, but the mother would not listen. So they prayed and the mother fastened Ponsiwee on her back with her shawl and left. We shall miss that dear little sunshine and perhaps never see her again. The mother will follow our custom of taking her to a different kraal every night after dark and leaving with her before day¬ light so the witches won’t see.” A lively discussion among the girls followed, some holding to the old heathen traditions while others were strongly opposed to them. A native teacher coming upon them and answering their queries soon quieted the heathen upholders. m HE days at the school passed so happily by and were so full of incidents that Ntombinkulu had little time to be homesick. She was so glad to live and to help here and there. One morning while she was sweeping the verandas two heathen women came with their babies on their backs. They wanted medicine. One baby had its feet covered with a mass of sores; the other was badly burned. The mother had been off to a beer- drink, came home drunk, picked up the baby and was holding it by the fire. Drowsiness soon overcame her and she let the little one roll into the fire. She was too 21 stupid to mind its wailing, but another child saved it. Almost every day the heathen or Christians came to the missionaries to be doctored. A Christian man came with a toothache. He stayed until it was well and then went off. The missionary kept wondering why he did not even thank them for the service rendered. Finally one of the girls spoke up and said, “It is our custom. We fear the pain would come back, but you will see another thank.” Sure enough, the next morning as Ntombinkulu was at her veranda work the man's wife came carrying a big basket of sweet pota¬ toes on her head, saying it was a gift from her husband. One of the most obstinate of native diseases is the Natal sore. These sores get as large as the palm of the hand and are open from six weeks to as many months. Being infectious, when they get into the schools it is no pleasant nor easy task to treat them daily. Typhoid fever and the many tropical diseases are brought to the mis¬ sionaries for treatment, keeping them busy many a weary night after the day of toil. As many as fifteen cases of these sores have been needing treatment at one time. The confidence that the Christian has in the missionary and their God against the suspicions of the heathen causes the missionary to work and pray for their healing that he may be a true ambassador for the All-Sufficient One he represents. Ntombinkulu learned much about the power of God in healing. Girls who were sick were always prayed for and many were healed. Sometimes there were numbers 22 at the altars praying for healing of their bodies from other affections, especially old and deep wounds. These wounds have healed over and left a scar, but in damp weather the pain is so severe that they have to lie on their mats in the hospital room. The hospital room was added with money sent to make a big cistern. However, the well girls were better able to bring water up from the river than the sick ones were to mingle with the others in the sleeping rooms. One of the special cases was that of a class mate of Ntombinkulu. One hot Sunday in November, Ida was leaving the Sunday-school class-room and stubbed her toe on the door sill. It was doctored on her arrival at the school but did not yield to treatments readily. In spite of all efforts it continued to grow worse and many hours in the night would be spent in suffering. The mis¬ sionaries and the girls would get up and pray with her, which quieted her, enabling her to get some sleep. In this way she gradually showed signs of improvement. The Christmas holidays came on, but instead of going home she was obliged to spend most of her time on the mat. The girls remaining through the holidays were especially anxious that she should be dressed and join them at Christmas dinner. To this the missionaries con¬ sented. They dressed her and nearly carried her to the table. Toward evening the missionary passing the hos¬ pital heard groans, and upon entering, found Ida in severe pain again. Upon examination there was found to be a blue line extending from the injured toe to the ankle. This looked serious indeed, but she could but bathe it and again commit her to God. The night was an anxious one. At six o’clock the next morning the patient’s jaws were set. Notes were quickly taken to other missionaries then at the Station and five came and gathered in the hospital room for prayer. The Lord was very near and it was easy to pray. After some time one spoke up, saying, “Ida, say, ‘Praise the Lord,’ for He is here to hear you.” She smiled and tried it successfully several times. Grasping still more faith then another said, “Now you lead us in prayer.” This she started to do, gaining all the time until at the close she was able to speak quite distinctly. With joy she looked upon the band of praying ones and said, “Why, I have found a new religion. Jesus not only saves the soul but heals the body.” It was between ten and eleven o’clock that morn¬ ing before the missionaries sat down to breakfast, but their souls had been fed far earlier. Next morning her jaws were in normal condition, but her eyes were locked, also her tongue. Prayer soon re¬ leased this distress and she then began to recover. The news spread throughout the country. The people said it was Jehovah, for this was a sickness not cured by man. This girl came into the school in her heathen blanket several years previous. She was a runaway. Her parents were very angry and came for her several times, but she refused to go. When she went home in vacation they burned her clothes and she was beaten frequently. Final¬ ly her Christian life brought forth fruit and her mother 23 24 became a Christian. After that, during the vacations she would gather the children of the neighborhood about her and teach them. In her prayer meetings a number of the parents became Christians, asking that a regular evangelist be sent, also a teacher. Among these converts was her father. He gave up his beer drinks and snuff and heathenish ways. He had three wives. He was con¬ sidering his duty concerning them when one day he was struck on the head from the back by an enemy wield¬ ing a knob-kerrie and died a week after. To a girl of her influence such an experience in being brought back to life through the healing power of God would be espe¬ cially helpful to her as she works among her people, and the missionaries expect great things from her. EXAMINATIONS Their faces were alive with youth and happi¬ ness and a keen desire to get from their lessons all that they would need to help them pass the inspection. What will be asked in Geography, Arithmetic, etc., was the topic of daily conversation. Even the heathen girls were anxious. They have lost their blank, benighted look. One would not know that these sparkling-eyed young damsels taking on the gospel and the gentler arts of T I1E great excitement before the holidays was the coming of the Government Inspector of Native Schools to give them their annual examinations. civilization were the same who came in their mud and grease but a few months previous. Though Ntombinkulu had been in a government school all her life she had seen the Inspector but twice. Her home school was so far away that he generally wrote to the missionary in charge to give the examination. She wanted to do her best and the subject of her daily prayer was that the Lord would give her the wisdom needed to pass nicely in all her studies. In fact this was the topic of prayer for all the girls. The last few days their appe¬ tites almost left them. Eagerly they questioned one an¬ other on probable questions and earnestly they prayed for Jehovah to open their dark minds. Such a flurry as there was on the long-looked-for morn¬ ing! Such combing, and oiling, and shaking out of Sun¬ day clothes! As the Inspector walked into the school¬ room the demure manners, assumed for the occasion, would blind one to their roguery and make one feel these grave faces never knew how to smile, but the Inspector understands them and with a happy introduction in Zulu on things they know well, he puts them at ease and brings out their best. Afterwards Ntombinkulu wrote to one of the mission¬ aries in the homeland, telling of the examination: Pair View Girls' Home, Umzumbi Rail, Natal, South Africa. Dear Miss R-: This is a happy day to me as I am writing you this letter, telling you about 25 Mother insists on taking home her runaway girls Heathen grandmother and Christian grandchild Father has come for his runaway daughter. Miss Allen (Ponsiwe) pleads for her to remain and become a Christian 26 our examinations. It was on the third day of December. I began before the examination pray¬ ing to the Lord to help me to pass my examina¬ tion. When the examination came I believed that I was going to pass. The lessons were hard, especially the arith¬ metic, and my heart began to look down and the enemy told me that you are not going to pass though you prayed. I began to pray and to think about the words spoken by Miss S-. This gave me another thought. I handed the Inspector the papers; we went out. I asked some of my class, “What was your first answer?” Some told me just what it was on my paper. I clapped my hands and I thanked God. After dinner we heard the bell ringing; we ran to the school-room. The Inspector called the names of those who passed; he called mine too. Most of the girls passed and they went outside and were jumping and running and clapping their hands over their heads and shouting with joy. Before we went to bed we had praise meet¬ ing. Many girls were praising the Lord to know that there is power in prayer. At night I thought of your last words which you spoke to me at the station. And now I am thanking your advice because now I have passed the ISixth Standard. My heart is praising my Lord. With best konzelas to America, Yours truly, Ntombinkulu Cele. “When the Inspector asked for a composition, on what subject did you write?” asked Ntombinkulu of one of her class mates. “I wrote on bees,” said one. "Read it for us.” “Miss R- and Miss E—— are making boxes for bees. The bees are in the boxes. They want the bees to make honey inside the boxes of planks. The boxes are new and they are clean too. Bees can fly. They can put stings to a person too. The bees have queens. They listen to their queens very politely.” “I wrote about snakes,” said another, “and now I will read you mine.” “The snake is a bad, dangerous animal in the world. The snakes stay in their holes although they often come out to disturb us in our yards and in our houses. I often said, ‘Why does the Lord create the snakes when they dis¬ obey so much?’ I once heard a story about a boy who was bitten by a snake up in a tree. He was getting some plums to eat. When he was in one of the branches he felt something biting him, he did not know what it was. After a time he fell down; soon he was dead. Oh, those animals are fearful! Indeed they often kill our dogs when they go to hunt for us some deer in the woods. “Let me tell you a story that happened this last vaca¬ tion. My brother went out with his dog Rover. I want 27 2. Coming to school—tin trunks 3. Dish-washing 5. Water bringing 1. Hoeing in school gardens 4, Bringing in fire wood 28 to tell you this, that this dog did not come back because of the snakes. Oh, that dog was lovely ; he was a tiny dog and always followed my brother. It was always looking after him. We expected Rover to come back, but he did not. Oh, we were sorry about my brother’s dog Rover. My brother cried about his dog Rover. Oh, that dog! Nobody knew what was the matter with my brother. “In small opinion I think that snakes are useless. They are creatures that trouble the people very much. I don’t know who told them to disobey the people. Those things, although they are little, they have strength in biting the people. Once my family’s bride (father’s last wife) related a story how the snake hurt her. While she was in the potato garden digging the potatoes she felt something sting in her foot. She did not know what it was. She dug and she carried some potatoes; she was going to cross the river; then she crossed it. (Sure death to one bitten b} r a snake to cross a river is the African belief). She came home. She did not tell anybody. She stayed and stayed. The sting went on and on till it reached her heart. The foot and the leg were swollen up. She saw a black spot starting on her foot going up her leg. By and by she began to say, ‘I am thirsty.’ If they had not given her some medicine she would have died be¬ cause of the snake. Oh, it is bad and fearful to look at and in my heart it says it is bad, but it is kind to the little ones. I wonder why it is kind to them but not to us?” “Oh, it is very hard to write in English. I don’t know how to talk English—I.” “Why did the missionary smile when I answered my question in Geography,” said Ntom- binkulu. “I don’t know,” replied one, “what did you say?” “She asked me what kind of weather we had in summer, and I said, we have thundering summers.” “We don't see anything funny in that,” said one of the girls. “Perhaps yon can tell why she smiled at me,” said Bes¬ sie. “She didn’t smile just; she laughed and laughed until the tears ran down. This was last week when we changed work. I was working in the missionary’s room; every day the missionary would come in and say, ‘Bessie, can’t you see that the rugs are not straight? Can you see those cracks in the floor? Lay them so that they are just side by side with the cracks.’ This week I was given the table to set. I thought I would surprise her and get it right the first thing and I set the salt and pepper, sugar and spoons and food all in a row along side of the fold in the tablecloth. When she came her eyes got big with surprise and then she began to laugh. Then she put the things all over the table crooked. What was funny?” “We don’t know.” “The white people are wonderful.” VACATION T HE most of the girls went home during vaca¬ tion. But those coming from heathen homes whose parents forbade their being Christians remained. They cared for the gardens, where during this hottest season the weeds grew fast. The 29 Medical work Heathen baby’s feet are raw with sores Child has fallen into the fire and been badly burned. Heathen mother asks help medically 30 missionaries took them kraal visiting and one day they spent bathing in the Indian Ocean. Some had never seen the ocean before and were frightened at first, but soon they were able to jump the incoming billows and chase the crabs left clear on the sands. Ntombinkulu went home and many were the happy hours she passed hoeing beside her mother and younger sisters in the garden and telling them the events of school life. Then there was much that had happened at home which was equally interesting to her. “Did Nomayeza get to go to the station school, mother?” “Yes, she attended part of the time. Our missionary went over to see her father after I had been there several times. Her father, Maplankwe, was polite, but he said he could not let his daughter go to school because her mother was not strong and Nomayeza must help hoe, plant and drive away the monkeys and birds from the gardens. She must also help carry the water and bring the firewood. He is a great, strong man, and when I went there, was stretched out on the grass, taking snuff. He could not help, that was a woman’s work! The missionary did not give up easily and she talked to Maplankwe until a ray of light some¬ how crept into his brain and it was not very long before Nomayeza actually came to school. She was happy and also very thankful for a chance to learn to read and to be among Christians. “You remember Nomkandhlu? She had to go and be the third wife of Jobo. She hates him and cried, but they tied a string around her little finger until she consented. We did all we could to prevent it, but it was of no avail. Poor child, she will have to settle down to a life of drudgery with her husband’s other wives. If she does not work hard enough he will beat her.” “There are many Christians near the school at Fair View,” said Ntombinkulu, “and we do not hear of as many heathenish affairs as we do up here.” “I am glad,” said the mother, “Christ makes many changes when He comes to rule in men’s hearts.” “The witch-doctors do not use human flesh to fertilize gardens there, do they?” asked the mother. “No, I did not hear of any. Were there some here this spring?” “Yes, one strange old woman was passing through selling tobacco. She stopped at a stream to bathe her feet. Some men had seen her pass and fol¬ lowed her. One shouted, ‘Seize the buck.’ Another then rushed upon her, struck her upon the head and she knew no more. It was towards evening, so they hid her body away among the bushes until dark; then they took it to the witch-doctor and asked him to doctor their gardens. This he did, and I hear the English government officials have heard of the matter and are trying to find the men. Over on our work at the Umkulwani a witch-doctor has been converted, so we may be encouraged.” “Mother, do you believe in these old Zulu customs of ours?” “No, my child, those customs that will bring some one pain or harm are indeed heathenish. Jesus has brought light. Most of our customs are deeds of dark¬ ness, but we trust His light will soon scatter them. We must stir ourselves still more to help our people learn of Jesus and His love. I am so anxious for you to finish your school work, so we will have one more to help.” "I can do much at school, mother. There are a num¬ ber of heathen girls at school and we take them off in the deep grass or trees and pray with them every day. They have all these heathen ideas, so while we are hoeing in the gardens we try to help them to give up these ideas. You would have laughed to have seen one of the girls. Some of them went to the store some distance away and bought some candy; among the pieces was strong pepper¬ mint. This girl got one. The strength went up into her nose and throat so strangely that she was frightened and ran crying, ‘I am bewitched, I am bewitched!’ The girls had given some to one of the missionaries who called her and said, ‘You ate one, I ate three; I shall be bewitched first, so watch me.’ But the missionary was not sick. When the girl became quiet she took her to the medicine cupboard and showed her some medicine that smelled just the same and explained its use. The girl soon got over her fright. ‘‘Once I myself was frightened. It was towards eve ning. Some girls came into the house saying there was an evil spirit down in the old mealie garden. I went out¬ side and sure enough, there was a bright light down there. One of the missionaries said she had never seen an evil spirit, so she wanted to go and see this one. The girls said, ‘Oh, no, it would kill her.’ Those people of America had trusted her with us Africans and we could not let her die. She said she would not die and insisted on going. When 31 we saw she was really going, some of us went along. We begged her all the way not to go and took hold of her skirts, saying, ‘If she died, we would die with her.’ She just laughed and went on. We trembled terribly. When we got quite near she ran away from us and went right to the light. She took it in her hand and called it a glow¬ worm. She told us about it, then took it up to the school¬ room and showed it to all the girls, telling them about its life and habits. I am sure that none of those girls will believe in that evil spirit again and they can teach their parents when they get home. Something happens almost every day that the missionaries show us is not as the heathen believes.” SCHOOL AGAIN T r “"1 HE first week of February came all too soon, ; when school should open again. The da} 7 s were still very hot. Ntombinkulu and the other girls started for school, as before, only starting late in the afternoon, when they could travel in the evening, for the moon was full. They slept in a heathen kraal, having prayers with the people and pointing them to Jesus. The next morning was cloudy, with a big thunder¬ storm threatening, but the girls journeyed on their way. They would find shelter some place. What cared they for 32 mud and water when they had neither shoes nor stockings to soil! Soon the sky became darkened with heavy, black clouds rolling into, or scudding by one another. A battle of clouds hastens to come on! The wind had been gather¬ ing strength and the trees were swaying under its furious blasts while the dust circled around in whirlwinds and scurried down the road. Presently there was a lull, a death like silence, as if the storm was catching its breath for a greater effort; then came a low roll of thunder and big drops made the dust rise as they struck the thirsty ground. The girls were crossing a stream almost hidden by the bushes and trees which grew in rich profusion on its banks. Almost overhanging the water’s edge were some great rocks which formed the wall of a gorge. Upon close examination they found a suitable shelter under these rocks. They pushed their food, in pillow cases, farther in on the shelf-like projection, then found comfort¬ able places for themselves. They laughed and chatted to think they had so cozy a room. “We have food and could stay here a long time if necessary.” “We will imagine we are Bushmen,” but they stopped suddenly. A vivid flash of lightning, followed by one mighty clap of thunder, silenced them. It sounded as if the great rocks above them would be split asunder. They listened breathless¬ ly, fearing some might come tumbling down. Again and again with gathering strength the storm broke into rend¬ ing roars which shook the earth and echoed and re¬ echoed all along till it slowly sank into a mournful moan. A death-like silence! Not a sound to break the awful hush; then relief, for faster and faster the raindrops fell. For over an hour the heavens seemed to open their very flood gates! The girls did not talk, for the noise was too great. Gradually, however, it passed over, sunshine came and they were glad enough to be relieved from their Bush¬ man's cave, so started out paddling along through the rivulets in and beside the road. The African storm had passed! How good to be back to school again to greet old and new acquaintances, to join in prayer and song again with the beloved missionaries who had been busy pre¬ paring everything for their comfort and happiness. The rooms had been freshly whitewashed and cleaned, with some new things added. Eagerly they rushed into the school-room to play on the little organ and hear its “sweet cry.” The gardens had been doing well, so that now there was fresh foods and all looked forward to a prosperous term. So many girls came that sleeping room had to be found for them on the school-room floor, out on the verandas and a tent was set up. How the missionaries longed for new buildings that they might keep and train this rising womanhood of Africa. “What a dark morning,” said one of the missionaries. “We shall have another storm.” “Oh, no!” cried the girls, “LOCUSTS!” A dark cloud could be seen coming from the west, and before breakfast was over a few locusts were already in the air. “Go into the school-room for prayers,” was the order. “Then all will have to go to the gardens and drive locusts to-day, except the dinner cooks. 33 34 At the ringing of the first dinner bell a third of you may come. When they have returned to the gardens a second third may come and then the others.” All day long armed with brush, the girls marched up and down the rows of corn, beans, sweet potatoes and other plants, keeping the locusts from settling. The sun was very hot, so they made themselves hats with banana leaves. The little children followed, gathering locusts and stringing them on a long switch. They would then take them to their camp-fires where they would roast them and have a feast of fresh meat. The next day proved no bet¬ ter, and the girls were in the gardens before sunrise. They sang as they marched, recited some of their lessons aloud, tried to talk English, took turns going to meals and reported less locusts. The third day began to look serious! They sang less and prayed more. They were sure God heard prayer, for about three o’clock a land breeze arose with such strength that the locusts were driven eastward and must have been swept into the sea (Indian Ocean). “Please ma’am,” said Ntombinkulu, “Nozitini’s mother is here and wants to speak to her. AT ay she go out?” All were busy at their lessons. The missionary nodded assent and Nozitini slipped quietly out. All had not kept study¬ ing though, for a hand suddenly went up and a girl spoke out excitedly, “Please ma’am, her mother is running away with her. May we go after her?” Again the missionary nodded, and this time all the school, not in classes, hastily ran out shouting to the woman to leave the girl. She re¬ fused and began to swing her sticks at them. Two or three made a rush. They wrenched her sticks from her while the others had gotten the child. The woman stormed and fumed and scolded, threatening to go to the magis¬ trate, but the girls simply smiled and returned to the school-room with Nozitini. Nozitini was a wild little girl. One of the missionaries lovingly called her, “My little wild cat.” It took a long time for her to realize what being a Christian really meant. At first she would tell lies and be proud of her many naughty ways. She had a fiery temper, and when angry would throw up her arms and scream and jump up and down. She did all these things as easily and happily as she breathed. She loved to hear and tell the vilest stories. All her thoughts were of self. To get the big¬ gest share and best of everything had been her heathen training. The Golden Rule was yet a long way from her heart, but every day she heard about it now. The beauty of self-denial, a forgiving spirit, obedience, purity of heart, truthfulness, cleanliness of body, the Christ life, Jesus, heaven, were daily brought before her. How strange and wonderful it was to this wild girl of the hills! Punishments often had to come to drive home a needed lesson. After a time the whisperings of a still, small voice began to touch her. A conscience began to grow in Nozitini’s heart. She tried very hard to be good. She gave her heart to Jesus the best she knew now, and with tender face and eyes streaming with tears went 35 School girl as nurse to Florence Haley Blanche Smith and Carrie Mzizi, a tender admirer of Clarine Mfeka, Christian-born child missionary babies 36 about asking all the girls to forgive her. For weeks at a time she would be angelic and her dear patient teach¬ ers would rejoice together over her. Then all of a sudden the countless generations of heathendom in her blood would appear. Again in humble prayer she would cry to God to help her. Again and again she must be taken by the hand, lifted up, punished, prayed with and loved back to trying. Line upon line, day after day, month after month, a character was being built, a soul trained for heaven. Now and then her parents would send for her, but she constantly refused to go with them. She meant to stay until she was like the others. (Description, so fitting to every heathen girl seeking God, taken from Mrs. Coles’ “Nomusa.”) Our friends in America can hardly understand the battle that is daily being fought by these heathen girls. Scores of girls like her are running away each year to come to our schools and find salvation. When tired of giving of your means and of your prayers, remember the millions of children who will grow up in the awful dark¬ ness of heathenism unless a helping hand from America is stretched out to save them. At noon a slate was handed the missionary; upon it was written the following: Please Mamma, there is meat at my home. May I go home and return in two days? Please, I beg your great kindness, let me do this thing. I will thank very much. Tour child, Nokudhliswa. The kafir corn was now beginning to ripen. From the kafir corn native beer is brewed; and this is the season for beer drinks. An ox is killed. Since the meat does not keep, every one invites himself to the feast; meat is roasted and beer Hows freely. A woman came for her girl to go home for a few days and carry beer. The girl had now given up beer, but felt obliged to obey her parents and wanted to go. No less than half a dozen re¬ quests were made, all of which the missionary refused. Tears flowed; then an angry spirit came in and the mis¬ sionary, busy all day, spent nights in prayer and the in¬ struction of these headstrong girls. Other girls took sides, until one could feel harmony was slipping away. Lessons were laid aside, talks given, then prayers. The faithful ones got hold of God in prayer and victory came, con¬ fessions were made and forgivenesses asked. Tact and wisdom from above is daily needed to keep these girls, just from heathendom, on a balanced track towards civilization and God. The influence of the Christian-born is especially helpful at these times. Even they have some severe con¬ flicts with Satan. All feel the great need of Christ’s ruling spirit in their daily lives. In answer to nights of prayer, God poured out His Spirit upon them and gradually the revival spirit began. Girls not present at the previous term’s revival were now given their opportunity. Some days there was no school, as these girls wept their way to Jesus. By the close of the term every girl had professed to be saved and a num¬ ber gave clear evidence of a clean heart. Often their 37 38 prayer meetings ran until nearly morning. No need of beer now to make them dance! Their joy was in the Lord. “Sweet June—because we go home,” shouted one of the girls, and others took up the strain. “What shall we give next Sunday, our last Sunday? We, too, want a thank- offering.” “I have thought of a plan,” said one. “Let us eat our porridge morning and evening without sugar for one week and let the missionary give us the money for it. This we will give on Sunday.” “Good, good,” cried the others, and the missionary consented. Such a happy Sunday! People came to Sunday-school from all directions, looking as though they were going to market. Baskets of beans, corn and native foods were balanced on their heads as well as long sticks of sugar¬ cane, pumpkins and eggs tied up in old rags; fowls flopped about on the floor and the school girls all marched up with their sugar money. “This we give to others who do not have as much as we.” The sermons and altar services of the day were grand, and as the girls marched home they felt they had made a great exchange—robes of righteousness for the filth of sin. Their closing day of school was one long to be remem¬ bered. The spirit so came upon them in the devotional exercises that it looked as though the prepared program would have to be postponed. Together, the redeemed heathen and the missionaries could sav, “We have made no sacrifices! All toil, privation, loneliness, fatigue and burden-bearing are lost in the great sea of His omnipotent love. Gladly will we toil and suffer, only let us walk with Thee.” CLARINE C iLARINE is one of our little Christian girls. She is thirteen years old. Her father is head teacher of the largest day school for natives in Natal. He has five assistant teachers, and over two hun¬ dred scholars. The mother was also a teacher before she was married. Both are full Zulus, converts of the Ameri¬ can Board Mission. Clarine attended her father’s school until she had passed the Fourth Standard, which is the highest standard taught in the station schools. Then the father sent his daughter to Fair View, with the earnest expressed wish that special attention be given to her spiritual training. Following are extracts of letters, translated into English, which were written to Clarine by her parents: A ZULU MOTHER TO HER DAUGHTER My dear Daughter: I was greatly rejoiced to receive your letter my child. I had much pain because you had not written. We have bought you a wrap, and your father will send it at once. I am glad to hear that you are getting ac¬ quainted there. Yes, my child, the children here at home miss you all the time, and we, too, and we remember you in our prayers, that the Creator may keep you, and close your eyes to all evil 39 40 tilings, and close your mouth from speaking evil things. May He enlighten the eyes of your heart, that you may be able to see the hidden things in His word. May you choose Jesus who died for you. I long to get another letter from you, tell¬ ing me good news, as this one has. Grow, my child, in the good way which we have always pointed out to you. Do not forget to pray for us also, that we may be kept from temptations and may be given power, so that we may not fail in any way in your training, and that God may guide us aright. Remember also your father’s work, and pray that he may be taught of God, how to teach the children in his school. We rejoice now because we have a daughter in a higher school. Do not forget to pray for the school you are attending, and for your teachers. Help Dollie (a younger cousin attending school) in every way you can. Your sisters send much love. Ruby says, ‘‘When will my sister return?” The following was written in a later letter, in English : The babies (twins) are not very well, but we are trusting our Maker who is in heaven. I did not get the girl I expected for a nurse, so I take care of them both each day until Ethel comes home from school. A girl from Incwadi has lately come to stay here and attend school, but she is a kraal girl. She does not know the housework. 1 am trying to train her to be useful in the cooking, etc. I hope you are getting on very well in your studies. Pick up everything as fast as you can. Make use of every minute during study hours, and keep quiet while in the school-house, and now when playtime comes is the time for you to laugh and shout. And when you are given work, you should work with all your might, and be faithful in your work. Then it will please your mamma to know she has a girl in school. A ZULU FATHER TO HIS DAUGHTER My dear Daughter: Since you left I have not written to you, but I have not had opportunity because of much work. The wish of your mother and me is that we may see you grow in the right way, serving the Saviour Jesus, to whom we gave you when you were little. If you do right in every way, that will cause us to rejoice. Remember that a good name is a great source of joy to one who has worked to merit it. Read your Bible with rever¬ ence, and obey its precepts, and pray that the Lord may help you to understand it. The Bible will make you a good girl and a wise one. Choose good children for your companions. If you go with bad children who do wrong all the time, and break the rules of school, that will make all who see you say you are bad. Follow your mother and me. We never got bad names in school, nor in any place where we were, and you are our first¬ born child, and there are many children who fol¬ low you, who need you to be an example to them in doing right. Do not disgrace your parents and your teachers by wrong-doing, which is an evil tree that sows seed every day that must be reaped in time. Love the truth. Don’t waste time in play when you have not learned your lessons. Kemember that you are there for a work for which I am paying money. Your father, N. D. Mf-1. poxsiwe ONSIWE is the niece of one of our older girls. Her name means ‘‘thrown,” and she was so named be- cause her friends believed that the witches had thrown a spell over her mother before Ponsiwe was born, and that she was also bewitched, as her health was poor from the first. When she was four years old her aunt, who was in school at The Girls’ Home, persuaded her father to let her take her to the school and take care of her. They consented, thinking perhaps the witches would not find her here. She was naked when she came, but her aunt soon made clothes for her, and took such good care of her that she got well and strong, and was happy all the day long. But after she had been here two years, and was doing nicely in school, she was taken ill. She was carefully nursed, and was well on the road to recovery, when her heathen mother came to see her. When she saw how sick she was, she immediately con¬ cluded that the witches had found her at the school, and it was now her duty to get her away as soon as possible. She was told to wait until the child was stronger before taking her, but she went away saying she would come after her to-morrow. The next day she came, accom¬ panied by a man, and before the missionaries hardly realized what she was doing, she snatched up the child, swung her on to her back, and started home with her, a distance of five miles. But she dare not keep her at home for fear of the witches. So every night as soon as it was dark, she would take the child and carry her to a different kraal, thus hoping to out-wit the witches. Strange to say the child recovered, but the poor mother, worn out with care and anxiety, not being a strong woman, took sick and died. Ponsiwe’s father is willing that she should come back to school, so we expect soon to have her back. Such heathen girls are taken into the school con¬ tinually. They come in their heathen blankets and with no money. The school can keep them a year for $20.00, clothing them and letting them partly support themselves through garden work. Possibly home friends would like to support one of these girls to have them take the place of a departed one or to share in the reward. Address Miss Grace Allen, Umzumbi Rail, Natal, South Africa.