Eritrea, Northwest Africa
By P. N. LINDEGREN
ASMARA.— We arrived safely, after having had a very pleasant journey the most of the way. The Lord led us to become acquainted with a Greek merchant on board the ship in the Red Sea, and he assisted us in getting through the whole way from Massowah to this place. He lives in the city, and whenever we need help, we go to him, and he is always ready to assist us. We have found but one other person, a hotel keeper, who can speak English. The Italians seldom learn a foreign language. Asmara has a population of about fourteen thousand, and of these some fifteen hundred are Italians. It has a good climate; at this time of the year, the air is cold and fresh. We like the place and the country, and are becoming more and more interested in the people. They are not lazy; we see them always doing something—both men and women as well as children. The most of their homes are kept clean, their dirt floors being swept every day; and as we pass through their villages, we find the streets as clean. The women often sit outside of the door in the sun, making clay pots, or sewing, or embroidering—not sitting there idle. They are a tall, strong, good-looking people—not black, but of a dark-brown color. We hope soon to be able to do something for them. May the Lord help us quickly to learn their language, that we may teach them of the soon-coming Saviour.