New-York tribune., 1902-01-13

Side to study the settlement methods for in her
future work She is also student in the Teachers
College Of Columbia University and in the Union
Theological Seminary.
Miss Smith who under the Congregational
Board of Foreign Missions. has much that is inter
esting 10 tell CT the conditions in South Africa
among the people with whom she was associated
for five years.
7 cannot say that ever had any really thrilling
experience personally she said yesterday TO
Tribune reporter Natal is under British rule,
you know, and their more barbarous customs have
been suppressed l never, for instance. had mar
row escape from being served as the chief Wand
et q cannibal orgy.
living in 2 native hut for days while a
mission tour. The huts about fifteen feet in
diameter and look somewhat like huge baskets
overturned. They only about eight feet high
and the doors orihces through which
is obliged creep hands and knees. The fire
IS built in the middle Of the and there
is outlet for the smoke except through the low
opening that serves door the atmosphere is
sitting. Chairs would be entirely superhuous. If
they had them. the only possibility of breathing
is found IN sitting the floor. Every wife has
separate hut. and these huts and the cattle In
closure make the Zulu kraal.
POLYGAMY AN OBSTACLE.
We ind the institution OF polygamy one OF the
most serious obstacles to our work" continued
Mss Smith IF the girls become Christians, they
refuse TO be polygamous wives. and the fathers
object 10 having unmarried daughters on their
hands as ten head OF cattle generally paid TO
The father for a bride. They oppose teaching
the girls, therefore, in every way. and those who
come 10 the mission schools often had to run
away from home. OF course. We cannot always
Keep them. as the parents come in great rage and
demand them. but when we know that girl is in
Danger OF being forced into marr1age-well there
are under ground railways, you know!
Hnen the girls leave our school and go home to
stay they frequently have a very uncomfortable
une, especially regarding their clothing They
Their parents from tearing or burning them The
ILL.,, - ALoT @ Llat me girls VIII be much more
CIVILIZED clothing The Zulus are as proud of their
i eo5fss ven oiled bodies as Americans are of their
Another Of the obstacles that we encounter is
5sly E5sily lhtto1lcatlng, and men and alike
SA SaI IT. ~ Inc girls and boys who leave our schools
b bCst forced back 10 their old ways after they go
The little ones are extremely bright. and COM
Ptsle taEoIaDIy with our own children, but after
ness BY the way, it is impossible tell their real
e 60 q tney Keep no account Of birthdays. not
sH 81, ol lLe season oc tne year
Ine Development OF character in the young
and very beautiful Their own religion is the Wor
S, mp OF ancestors and they have some curious
mat their souls live in certain kinds Of snakes and
too serve T as @ sdeT fdT Of special varieties var
ives, and are treated with equal respect If
] k]n9ke Is seen near hut the wizard of the neigh
or5h0oa Is called on for an explanation. He
eIdIiy says that the spirit IS hungry, 8
snake 49, " ~
another OF their supersttions is a firm belief in
!oVe potions The girls never use them and in
deed are terribly afraid of them. but the young
tneh often resort TO them Sometimes the girls
gseoe sd insane through fea7 when they think they
PROBABLY, but almost impossible to combat success
IIQly; young man Of much intelligence told me
N an seriousness that he was a good Christian
Snd no longer worshipper OF his ancestors but he
knew that love potions were a powerful enchant-
rnent." N
Miss Miss Smith expressed her surprise that in the
Mighty civilized United States polygamy should be
spreading, she has been informed IL Is
II is one Of the worst Of evils she said land
should not be allowed to exist day longer in a
Christian -