Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-11-18
AT THE GRAVE or BIsHOP
ENGLE IN MATOPA MISSION
Many Interesting Visits to Workers
in the Field.

J. N. Engle and J. M. Sheets WHO
are visiting the River Brethren mis-
slons on trip around the world
write from Matopa Mission, South
Africa:
Our last writing was nIiied at
Capetown, which place we left on
Friday, Sept. "a, taking the train
at 1880 a. m. for Bulawayo, which
place we reached on the following
Monday evening at about 8 O'Clock.
The first day we passed through d
very rough and mountainous coun-
try with very little vegetation. Next
day we were out of the mountains
on the open plain, and as we pro-
ceeded northward vegetation kept on
increasing and presently we saw
very low brushy growth Of trees.
and finally some large trees. Along
the road we saw herds Of sheep and
goats; we could scarcely see how
they could subsist. Farther north
there was more grass and cattle be-
came more plentiful. Occasionally
we would see SOME ostriches in
fenced enclosures. Finally following
the winding trail and curves of the
narrow guage railroad we reached
the looked-for station, where Bro.
Stelgerwald was in waiting for US,
welcoming us with kindly greetings,
and conveyed us to the home Of Mrs.
Perkins, who is well acquainted with
most of our missionaries and has q
shelter and welcome for them.
Next morning after attending to
some business, we started from town
about 10 O'Clock, and after driving
about two hours and half, we out
spanned for watering and feeding.
We ate our dinner under shade
tree and after which we again drove
ON toward the Mission, distance Of
about thirty miles. About shutdown
we reached the Mission, finding Sis
ter stelgerwald, Sister Mary Heise
and four of the native girls on the
steps Of the veranda ready to well
come us. When we were yet some
distance from the Mission, we espied
the brick church and school house,
and beautiful clump Of Eucalyptus
or Bluegum, and orange trees which
convinced us that we we're near the
place. AS we neared the place, wei
CHANGED to cast our eyes on the lit
tie enclosed plot in which lie the re-
mains of the three who gave their
lives for those heather people. Asl
we thus glanced to the spot and saw
the marble slabs, and especially that
Of the one in whom we would natur-
ally be most interested, father, the
tears unbiddeh started, and for some
time could scarcely contain our feel
ings, as we thought Of his life, his
tests and trials, and the watch care
over US from our childhood, and the
concern for us in our Christian, as
well our ministerial life and labors.
We left our home on the 2Sth
Of July and set our feet on the Mis-
sion grounds the 2Sth Of September,
Just two months were we on our
journey and sailing,
The brethren have arranged to
have a love feast at Mapane sta
tion. where Bro. Doner's are labor
ing, on September 1917. We will,
according to arrangements go to Bro.
Doner's next week as he is coming up
for us. From there we will visit
Bro. Frey's then come back here; and
20 up to Macha, where Sisters Day.
idson and Engle and Bro. Taylor are
stationed. We will probably remain
there for several weeks.
So we acknowledge that the Lord
has been good to us. We continue
to enjoy good health, and retain this
confidence in Him that He will pros
per our journey according to His
will. We have met few Of the ma
tives here, especially the boys stay
ing at the home, eighteen in number,
who also we're anxiously awaiting
our arrival. We may write more
about the work here later as we be-
come more acquainted.