The record-union., 1898-03-13

pleted my circuit, | had been away SO
long that my own children didn't know
me. Speaking to the backwoodmen
made my lungs strong, and tramping
over rough roads made my legs strong,
and there is a good deal of life left in
me yet, sir, good deal of life
The Bishops last trip to Africa ex-
tended over fifteen months. He did not
go into the far interior or expose him.
self to the bad climate, as he did on
his '93 trip He went to say good-by
to his converts and his missionaries
and most of his travelling was done in
Pondoland, the Transvaal Natal.
In order to fully appreciate the Bish-
ops work in Africa his method must
be explained. He believes that mis-
sions should be self supporting In a
measure he has acted independently of
the church and with such success as to
arouse considerable jealousy among
certain other missionary leaders. Since
he was made Bishop of Africa he has
established thirty stations, and the
funds which he has expended have been
obtained entirely through his personal
solicitation.
These stations he has now turned over
to the church. which will conduct them
upon his lines. The old gentleman will
not say that he is satisfied to give ur
the work. He will only say that he has
passed the age limit, then change the
subject of conversation Preferably
his friends say, he would have died in
harness.
The converts at each station are ask
ed to pay small sums in SUPPORT of
their church. If they are handled dip
Dramatically they will do this with pride
The result is that they do not consider
the Christian Church merely as char
ity institution, but something in which
they have a personal interest.
Unlike the converts which many mis-
sion stations have made dealing out
rations of soup, these do not backslide
The black children of from three to five
years of age are brought to the station
and trained in Christian manners as far
as possible
The biggest event that can take place
in one of these mission stations is the
coming of the white bearded Bishop
who looks like sage and a prophet
This year he went to them for the last
time. AS usual the converts came
running for miles to meet him, with
broad grins on their faces and showing
their rims of ivory teeth. A woolly
head which received a pat from the
Bishop was considered as good as sane
titled
Parts of the journey We're made in
the South African version of a Western
prairie schooner drawn by four pairs OF
oxen. When this arrived at a station or
a sub-station. or at a village in the
wilderness, platform was arranged in
the rear from which the Bishop spoke
through black interpreter who grin
ned with pride and self-contentment
After the meeting was over the pop
ulace followed the wagon for miles Of
ten when the black people who remem-
bered the Bishop from former visits
were told that he would never come
again they wept and wrung their hands
as if they had lost near and dear rel
alive.
Much of the Bishops African work
has been in British territory.
Which treats the black man the bet
ter, the Transvaal burgher or the Eng
Hshman?' he was asked
'Oh, the Englishman, by all means
DO you think that Cecil Rhodes is
mics in London?"
mo. 1t is true that he is politi-
ian. but he has been greatly maligned
He has done great deal for civiliza-
ton; he is public-spirited, and he does
everything he can to help the mission
aries. English law is the most just, the