The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-07-22

all along the way breast works and bloc X
houses now deserted were seen OH either
side, while at some of the larger places
camps of soldiers are still to be seen. We
passed through Lsdismith and other
towns made famous 10y the war.
We are located at present about eight
miles from johannesburg and right in
the gold region. The gold mines are in a
comparatively narrow and level strip of
country about six miles in length, called
"The Rand. No trees are to be seen in
this region except those that have been
planted this is true OF the country for
hund reds ofmiles around also. On the
low hills about us breast works and block
houses are still to be seen though in many
cases now partly demolished. During
the war large soldiers camp was within
"stone's throw" of the mission prop
erty.
Our work here is among the boys and
men who come from all parts of the East,
Central, and South Africa to work in the
mines. Many come from regions vet un-
reached by missionaries and also from
regions where white people cannot live
on account of the deadly climate. When
these men and boys are converted and
get little knowledge of the Bible and
things of God and learn to read, they in
many cases 20 back to their own people
to preach the Gospel. You can see that
we have an interesting field of labor and
one that has large future of good ahead
and seed sown in this center will bear
fruit in very great part of this darkened
continent, darkend not because tho sun
does not shine but because of the very
great ignorance, superstition and sin ex-
isting everywhere.
Each mine has compound where the
natives it employs sleep aud get their
food which consists of mealy (corn mush)
porridge made of corn shipped from
America and other countries, and oh |!
such porridge as it is coarse and dry
and usually little mouldy. The favorite
break fast dish of many white people in
s. Africa, including ourselves is mealy
porridge but we want the fresh mealies
raised in this country. The above COM
pounds are built in shed style, inclosing
an open square entered by a large gate,
sometimes several gates as one compound
covers from five to ten acres of land.
Some have besides the continuous shed
inclosing the open space inner divisions
increasing their sleeping capacity. The
front Of these sheds have an earth floor
and here the inmates congregate when it
is cold and warm themselves around their
rude stoves-sheet iron buckets with
large holes in their sides, in which they
burn coal and on which they cook any
extra food they buy with their small
earnings. The whole length of the back
half is divided half way between the floor
and the roof by another floor and on this
they sleep as well as on the lower floor
which at the back is made of boards.
Most of them sleep in their blankets On
these hard surfaces but few have gotten
themselves something little better.
We have three compounds and hope
| soon to have anothervery large compound
in our parish. l do not know the num-
ber in each, but the manager of one told
Mr.. Smith the number there was eleven
hundred and that they expected about
three hundred more. The second must
have nearly as many. At the third they
are just putting down the shafts of the
mine, so there are not yet so many in
that one. The fourth which we hope 10
get has more than any of the above. 1t
has been closed by the manager to mis-
sionary work, but we believe it is Gods
will that the Gospel lie preached there
also.
We have school five nights in the week
at the chapel for those who viii h TO come,
and meeting on Saturday night. Sunday
morning before break fast we have prayer
meeting at the chapel and then, assisted
by our native Christians have meeting in
each compound and in some sometimes
two meetings. At 8 p, m. the men and
boys (all who willy come to the chapel to
preaching service.
Gods Spirit is at work in some hearts.
Last Sabbath about nine dollars in all
were given by two boys to the Lord as
restitution money for articles which they
had stolen from parties now gone they
knew not where. remarked that they
were more righteous than some white
professors of religion who, If the wronged
party cou d not he found, would consider
the money their own. l fear In many
cases where the wronged one may be
found, the wrongs are nevei made right.
In the case of one OF these boys, he had
given man silver sixpeDce for loaf
of bread and the man thinking it to be
gold shilling piece, gave him nine
shillings and sixpence IN change, and
which he kept.
We are very happy in our work here
and expect to see many now in heathen-
ism turning to the light Besides the
meetings mentioned above the COM
pounds are visited almost daily and per-
sonal work is dcne among the people.
We find much to be done and would he
glad to have more time for the regular
mission work and for the study of the
language. We are encouraged to hear of
friends at home praying tor us, h jping
they will continue to do so, am,
Yours in the Masters Service,
Rosa HUNTER SMITH.
Box 1873, Germiston Trausvaal, S. Africa,
June l2th., 1903.