Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-12-02
1REIR CURIOUS EXPERIENCES
lin SOUTH AFRICA MISSIONS
Dickinson visitors Tell Of the Trips
DOings.

Elder J. N. Engle and Elder ]. M
Sheets write from South Africa un
der date OF october 49,:
Two weeks have again rolled roun'
with varied experiences; and pleasant
" too. Our first Sunday was spen
at the Matopo Mission, where we wer'
permitted to see their manner O
worship and also to participate II
aue same. In the morning as sooI
as we got up, with Bro. steigerwalt
and Bro. Donor, started out to make
a few calls at some Of the kraals
Our first stop was about two and
halt miles from home, where VIZ
visited family. The mother wal
sicK, lying with her nude form OF
the floor, with blanket for cover
and perhaps an animal skin to liz
upon The brethren spoke to them
in the native language and then had
prayer with them. This hut was q
very rude structure, made OF poles
and grass; 1t had little fire In the
middle to take tine chill off the
morning air. Misfortune had come
to this family only day or two be-
fore in the burning Of one OF their
huts, also some OF their grain which
though It would not mean much for
an American farmer, meant consider
able to them. From here we returned
home by another way, stopping at
several places, inviting them to the
meeting, reaching home between nine
and ten o'clock for breakfast.
After breakfast we noticed the
people gathering for worship, and
we're waiting in little companies ur-
der the trees, and In the shade OF
the church. At about II o'clock the
signal was given, when the inQuirers'
class Of about forty-five assembled,
to which we spoke through an inter-
prefer, Matshuba, one of the native
teachers, after which Bro. Steiger-
valid spoke some in the native Ian
guage. Following this there was a
praise and testimony service, Bro.
Steigerwald being the Interpreter for
our benefit. This to US was a prec-
ious part of the service, in a not
long since, healthier landi After
these services closed there was a re-
cess, being followed by the regular
preaching service, in which we again
spoke through our native Interpreter,
followed by our brethren on the field
who have the native language pretty
well at command. At the close OF
the preaching service, in which there
were over one hundred present, there
was again an intermisslon given, after
which the bell called together the
Sunday school. Bro. Matshuba is
the superintendent, who opened the
school by song and prayer, then call
ing the classes by number, several
Of them going out under the trees
and the shade of the old school-house
Cstill standing and used for their
mule stable and wagon shed) where
they sat. down, not on a beautiful
lawn, but on the dry sand, where
they circled around their teachers
and studied their lesson from the fif-
teenth chapter of John, The other
classes remained in the church. A
class was taught in English in the
ante-room for the benefit Of those
not otherwise engaged, Who could not
speak the native language. The NUM-
Der remaining for the Sunday
school was Sc. The various services
with the intermlssions continued un-
I'll about $3.50.
After supper we called at Mat
shuba's kraal. Matshuba was the
first boy who came to the Mission
when 1t was first started, and the
first to give evidence of a desire to
become a Christian; also one Of the
first to be baptized. He is very
unassuming young man, rather in
clined to bashfulness or timidity; in
whom there is more than one would
think for, and bears the testimony OF
always being able for the responsible
ties that devolve upon him.
His home, with its four huts for
their different uses, are of his own de-
signings and make, and with their
clean surroundings speak well fer
the civilizing influence of the COS
pei; and is quite contrast to some
OF the native homes where ths COS
pei has not yet entered.
Bro. Donor. who came up from the
Mapane Mission to take us elong
down, returned on Monday, Bro.
sneets going with him, reaching
home on Tuesday. Our boxes OF
Mission goods not having come with
us from capetOwn, Bro. stsigerwald