[THIS letter from Brother J. H. Watson was written to the Mission Board, Nov. 26, 1903, just two weeks before his death. We print almost the entire letter, as we believe all will be interested. It sounds the same note of courage and aggressive warfare that characterized all his letters.—Ed.]
CHOLO.—I assure you the kindness of the friends at home is fully appreciated. We are glad we can think of you all, knowing that your hearts are warmed by the message which we are trying to teach in this distant land. We received a package containing copies of the Instructor, and Romaine, our little boy, has been wanting us to read them to him by the hour in the evening. We have been cheered by the periodical visits of the good old REVIEW. The mail arrives somewhat irregularly, and yet we have been surprised at times by its unexpected regularity. We send to the post-office at Cholo, about seven miles away, once a week, and always get some mail. We have never had to wait more than two weeks at a time for some mail from America. Our own people at Battle Creek have been very faithful in writing us every week. We have received letters from quite a number of our friends, and these, with the REVIEW and the good letters received from the office, have kept us pretty well posted, at least about matters of general interest.
About the clothing shipped to Mr. Booth, I mentioned its having been received, in a letter to Elder Spicer.
The loin-cloths, sashes, and infants’ dresses have all been put to good use. We have given very few away. We have either required work or cash, to cover the heavy expense of freight, and it is our opinion that the same principle holds good here as elsewhere,—that those who pay for an article appreciate it more than do those who get it for nothing. The other garments we have not felt free to distribute generally. We have sold some to those who seem to have money, and would be likely to spend it for something foolish, but we are not encouraging the wearing of the more elaborate garments around the mission. We could use more of the articles mentioned to excellent advantage, but I do not feel free to advise your sending more of the other garments. The expense and energy required to produce and ship them could be more advantageously utilized for other purposes. But please bear in mind that while some of the garments may not be the most suitable for the conditions here, we hold them as almost sacred, just as we would any offering made by our people for the advancement of the cause of the Master. Every garment will be placed where in our judgment it will be used with most profit, with the least possible danger of encouraging wrong ideas. We are much encouraged with the present condition of our work. We have now more than twelve boys who are doing full work on the farm, planting corn, cotton, etc., and going to school after work. We had almost despaired of being able to find any boys who would be willing to do this. I have done considerable work on the land myself, and I have about come to the conclusion that they have decided that if I am willing to do that kind of work, they will do it, too. I can not account for their attitude in any other way. At the present time, in addition to the boys mentioned above, we have a number of small boys and about forty farm laborers. My daily program is as follows: 5 A. M., service with workmen; 5:30 A. M. till 12:30 M., superintending farm operations, also school, which begins at ten o’clock; 1:30 P. M. till 3:30 P. M., teaching in school, which closes at 4:30 P. M.; after that time, office work, correspondence,—business, conference, and private,—hearing of grievances, and other things too numerous to mention. I will not say what time I get through. It is now 9 P. M., and I ought to get off a letter to Cape Town, and one to the London office. I do not mention this to cause you to think that I consider it a hardship; it is just the reverse. But I have yet to find the corner of the world where one can not be busy, if he wants to be busy.
GARDEN PLOT ON THE MISSION FARM
We are all in good health. I had a little rise of temperature last week, and some symptoms of fever, but I think I have warded it off. We had a pleasant visit to-day from a Baptist missionary and his wife. We have made some good friends among the missionaries, and find some of them most excellent people. We have really more hopes of seeing some of them accept the truth than we have of the natives. Of course there are conservative ones, who seem to think it their duty not to be too free with us.
