In North Basutoland, Africa
By H. C. OLMSTEAD.
HEARING that H. E. V. Pickstone had a large fruit farm near us, at Colocolan, I decided to visit it before planting fruit-trees on the Emmanuel Mission place. Accordingly, a bag was filled with “Christ’s Object Lessons” and Sesuto books to sell on the way. Reaching Colocolan at dusk, a room was secured; and the natives being off duty, a number of eager customers were found for my books. With a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” I rapped at a door the next morning, and was met by an auctioneer who began scolding me because I came so early. He found fault with subscription books, with our object in selling them, with the price, and with everything I said. However, he could not let such a good book pass, so paid for a copy. Other business men and two gentlemen school-teachers also bought copies. About two o’clock my stock of books began to get low, so I started for the farm, which was seven miles away. Here I was well received, shown over the large orchards (thirty-six thousand trees), and advised as to many varieties, marketing, prices, etc. I rode back to town in the manager’s cart. From Colocolan I went nine miles toward home, and visited an isolated Sabbath-keeper. We had a profitable season together. Leaving there, I went some twelve miles to Ficksburg, where I attended to considerable business. Finishing this and selling my last copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” I started for home, reaching there at 10 P. M. I left home with a bag of books, a mind full of questions, and a trust in a loving Father; I returned with no books, but with a pocketful of money, a fund of practical and valuable information, a new glimpse of God’s love and care, and a heart full of praise. May God help us all to arouse and place hundreds of these message-filled books in the homes where they are so welcome and so greatly needed.