THE good old REVIEW just came again this noon, and I saw that when it was printed the autumn council was in session. You can never know how we who are so isolated do love that dear paper. I am sure it is because it is so full of, and represents us so fully, the message we prize so highly. And this message in its fullness, it seems to me, is simply a revelation of the love, mercy, and justice of God.
But by speaking of being isolated, I do not mean to say we are lonely. The many duties of each day, with the almost unconscious feeling that it must be so and cannot be otherwise, seem to enable us to live here, one European family alone, with little feeling of loneliness. But I am sure our kind Father gives us this contentment; since we are shielded from the great, bustling, wicked world, in a way, and about twenty minutes a week satisfies us in the reading of the world's news. Mrs. Olmstead is brave, often being obliged to stay several days and nights alone when I am away.
NATIVES AT HOME IN BASUTOLAND, AFRICA
Brother de Beer and family are now at work in the Orange Free State. They went away last week, so we are alone here again. But we hope not to be alone long. I could keep eight or ten European workers busy six months doing the work that should be done.
We recently enjoyed a profitable visit from Pastors White and Hyatt.
Yesterday, Chief Jonathan came on business a mile or so from us, and sent a man to ask a little sugar for tea and something to eat to be sent to him. We complied with his request. We are never surprised any more by his peculiar ways. Brother White and I went to see him. He is still as friendly as ever.
The industrial side of our work here is coming on nicely. Last winter we sold over $100 worth of vines, mostly blackberry and red raspberry. We shall very soon have these berries to sell. If we were not so far (ten miles) from the railway, they would be a very paying industry for us. But I am wondering how the natives will get on picking them. I fear they may eat a large portion of them. Our nine acres of potatoes are growing nicely, also the mealies, and other crops. We now get a taste of strawberries, and later shall have a few peaches, plums, apricots, figs, apples, and loganberries. Beginning with a bare sod veldt, it is interesting to see fruit now maturing. May it be even so with our spiritual seed sowing!
In the series of evening lantern meetings which we have now about concluded, one native heathen woman has taken her stand to walk in all the light of the Word.
