New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-08-31
MISSIONARY SENDS
Letter BACK HOME
Miss CoVl8 Tells Of Conditions
IN Natal

An interesting letter from Ruth
c. Cowles. formerly Of this city and
for the past year an active mission
ary At the Umzumbe Mission station
1t Umzumbe. Natal. has been re-
ceived by friends in this city and III
1t the local missionary voices the
very great need of support which
the mission faces. She also explains
some Of the peculiar views of the
natives and also outlines some OF
their weird superstitions.
Miss Cowles. who is supported in
her missionary work by the First
and South Congregational churches
In this city. is a daughter OF the
Rev. George c. Cowles formerly OF
this city. and is a niece OF Mrs.
Marcus White. Her letter follows;
Our last post from home"
brought your cheque for the work.
] can't tell you how tremendously
glad I was to get it. for we are in
really desperate need Of just such
help. Our financial burdens for the
past few months have been extreme
~ heavy. and the grant which We
had hoped would be forthcoming
from the municipality OF Johannes
burg has not materialized. We have
even had to consider closing some
Of our work, but it is very painful
70 take packard steps when the need
u 80 great.
A. you will see from the heading
Of this letter. I am way away from
my work, having little holiday on
the mission station where my grand
parents were pioneers. and where
my parents are now carrying on
their work. This is a most beautiful
spot surrounded on all sides by
mountains. and overlooking a lovely
valley which Is threaded by the
Umsumbe river. Just back of our
house is 4 thick bush" alive with
gorgeous birds. and with less desir-
able neighbors. the snakes. Daily
We have a stream OF native callers
In al stages of civilization, so that
We never lack for excitement. Dur
ing the past week there have been
two church weddings-and as the
church is right next door we are all
expected to attend-and have had
two visits from witch doctors who
have Just recently been converted.
One Of these witch doctors is the one
Of whom my mother wrote in the
June number of the Missionary Her.
aid. 1t Is perfectly amazing what a
glorious change has taken place in
the lives of these two women who
have cast aside all their heather
dress with the additional parapher-
MALTA Of their profession, and have
burned or given to u8 their drums
and cows tails and other divining
Instruments. These women had new
Or before been In a house, and it
was screamingly funny to hear their
ordinations as they were conduct
ed over 1t from top to bottom. In
one room they caught a glimpse of
themselves in a mirror, and great
was the excitement. The process of
climbing the stairs was one Of the
greatest thrills Of their lives: at first
the older witch doctor absolutely re-
fused to take that perilous journey.
But her curiosity got the better OF
her. and she ventured forth.
One Of the great experiences OF
that visit for them was listening to
the monograph. We happen to
have 4 record OF the incantations OF
. witch doctor. and when that was
put on, the excitement reached its
necku, and the peering Of eyes into
the box from whence came the
sound! How l wish you might both
enjoy with us such experiences as
this. In Johannesburg we do not
zee natives in their raw state; by the
crime" they are pitifully sophisti-
Gated. and it seems as though the
need for the guiding hand Of the
missionary was greater even than
out in the wilds. Civilization for the
the native African is a bsolutely de-
SaAVI dAlLIHS "llHOut lIlc I'LL
In my work with the sick ard
with the mothers Of babies In the
baby clinics. a wonderful opportun-
ity u given me to touch the hearts
OF the people. The baby clinics es-
pecially are a JOY to me. In one
Of these clinics we have four pairs
0f twins. as cute and lovable as
any little babies one could wish to
nee. David and Solomon are our
latest acquisition: David always
showers US with delicious smiles. 1t
used to be the custom to kill one OF
twins always for fear that one OF
the parents would die: even now we
sometimes have to contend with that
belief along with many other super
Gtitions which add to the difficulties
Of the work. But In spite Of diff
culties, It Is all most worth while.