Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-03-03
RIVER BRETHREN MISSION
VIsETciss ARE lin INDIA


Jan. S,-On Christmas services wer,
held in the Mission chapel and |
dinner prepared for the boys at
tending. About seventy-five wers
present. In the morning we spoke Il
d class Of boys who were applicant
'|for baptism; after this the theme d
the birth Of Christ was taken up b
Bro. Sheets and Bro. Frey. In the
evening we went to a service over
Hin Johannesburg, several miles away
lat another Mission; one Of the eigh.
teen Missions started .on the Rand
or Gold Reef by "a. w. Baker. This
Rand Is In the Transvaal; is about
sixty miles long and about q half
20 one mile wide. There are over
two hundred mines on this stretch.
1t requires from one hundred and
sixty to one hundred and seventy
thousand natives to operate these
mines. These thousands came for
miles. many for hundreds of miles
to find work. They represent from
twenty-five to thirty different tribes.
They are huddled together in large
compounds covering several acres
each, a building around the entire
plot with large open court inside
In which there are also several build
sings and a large bathing and wash
ing pool; also large cooking room
where their porridge and food is
cooked by steam, in from two to three
dozen large iron kettles containing
about a half barrel each. The outer
building is divided into large rooms,
in each Of these there live from
twenty to fifty Of these native men;
no women.
Each compound has from two to
three thousand men. Here you see
them in smoke Of the open fire in
the midst, as weIl the smoke of the
pipe and cigarette, in filth and many
almost naked Their beds are rudely
made of boards and blanket or two.
There conversation Is anything but
uplifting. Sometimes some are un-
der the influence Of strong drink,
which brings on carousing and quar-
reling. Up in one corner of the
compound we noticed a quarrel in
progress in which clubs were freely
used, and hurled with maddened
force behind them. Many Of these
quarrels arise from tribal differences
as some are very jealous Of the ESQ
considered) better qualities Of their
tribe.
Here is certainly great field for
mission work, in which much time
and effort is expended, and not In
vain, as some are reached BY the
gospel. and are blessedly saved and
become workers among their own
people. Some when going home to
their own country open schools and
preach to their own people and thus
the work spreads and the seed is
'own. It means much for these boys |
% stand true in the midst Of all
,hese surroundings Of heather dark
less and sin; and l am glad to say
hat many do stand as monuments
II Gods saving grace and keeping
,ower.
There are four OF these COM
pounds near where Bro. Isaac Leh-
nan lives, and his work is principally
Imong these people, having a chapel
q which a morning and night school
; kept for the benefit of those who
ecome interested in the gospel, and
vhere also regular Sunday services
re held. One important feature of
his work is to go out into these
on the Lords day and
Ing and pray and preach the gospel
B them in a simple way, either in the
everal rooms or in the large open
Ourt in which later often large
rowds gather.
On Sunday morning we accom-
anied Bro. L. with number of his
lass to three or four of these places
} hold these services. There being
goodly number Of us he divided i,
Is forces and sent a number of the
alive boys in a separate company,
when we returned home at 1890 !.
suppose there had been twelve or
fteen services held. We are glad to :,
'te our confidence in the work car :
ed on here and believe that Brother !
is leading some Of these boys to :,
e foot Of the cross and are being !.
'ounded On the solid rock, Christ a
sus. a,
In the afternoon there was q bap- Ii
mai service held in which ten Of s
hess dark-skinned, once heather
~, we're buried With their Lord in q
ptism By Brother Lehman. May b
ese souls learn in a deeper sense II
I, eiyugftcatton NJ chat hantfam