A Visit to the Basutoland Missions
By E. C. Silsbee
LEAVING Bloemfontein, I passed through a rolling country for several hours on the train; then the hills and mountains began to make their appearance. Brother H. C. Olmstead met us at the siding called Generaal's Nek (General's Pass), with a cart and four oxen. He also brought a pony, which he and I took turns in riding, as that method of travel is much more satisfactory in every way than the ox-cart. It was rapidly getting dark as we approached the river, which was little less than a torrent in some places, as a result of recent rains. After a hasty counsel, however, we decided to cross over, if possible, that night. Brother Olmstead went on ahead and procured the use of an old boat, which sometimes serves the purpose of a ferry here at the drift, and into this we all climbed, deeming it better to try going over this way than to attempt going over in the cart, as some of the oxen were small, and the river was large; and besides, we had quite a little baggage, as Sister Olmstead and little Lola were also on their way to the mission from Kimberley. It was now dark, but we launched out for the other shore without rudder or sail, but with two small oars; and a great launching this was. First we were headed straight across the river, but struck a sand-bar; then we pushed off and headed down stream, and came to deep water where I could not touch bottom with my oar, and our boat nearly capsized. As there was a sharp turn in the bank of the river here, we returned to the same shore from which we started. This not being our goal, we headed the other way, and after turning and twisting, rowing and poling, now ahead, now sidewise, then backward, but ever with the opposite shore as our aim, we landed, or rather stuck in the mud. Brother Olmstead, who was ever to the rescue, and full of resources, and who had previously displayed his sailor wisdom by removing his shoes, got out and waded ashore, pulling the boat as far up as possible. It looked to me an easy jump to dry land, so I made the attempt, landing in soft mud and wading out. After restoring the boat to the opposite shore, Brother Olmstead started the drivers over with the cart, he himself riding the pony. The oxen got in deep water and stuck. The luggage had to be carried ashore. After clambering up the steep bank with it, we loaded it onto the cart, and started on our way rejoicing. The fact that it was quite dark made the crossing of the river all the more interesting. We arrived at the mission about midnight, and fully appreciated a place to rest. When I awoke the next morning, a most delightful scene met my view. The mission house is a good stone building situated at the foot of a mountain; and looking away across the beautiful green valley, one can see the native villages in the distance, and the mountains (the Maluti range) beyond. The mountains are almost treeless, but their rugged appearance is grand and awe-inspiring. They rise to precipitous heights, and are many times capped with great masses of solid rock, often overhanging. The mission garden is doing well, and we relished a treat of plenty of green sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, etc. There are a number of springs (at least three) on the mission which furnish water the year round. There is a fair crop of mealies, Kafir-corn, and oat forage. The goodly number of fruit-trees and berry-bushes in the garden, and forest-trees around the mission place and in various nooks and corners, shows that Brother Olmstead has not been idle. There is an interruption in the school work just now, as the chief whose house had been lent for a schoolhouse, desired it for another purpose. A holiday of two weeks was declared, during which Brother Olmstead could vacate his present dwelling-house by moving into the new one. His old house will be used for a schoolhouse until a new one can be built. Friday we procured two ponies and went to visit some of the chiefs. Chief Jonathan, who is head chief of all this section, received us cordially, inviting us to come again. We also visited various other chiefs and villages, and were welcomed by each and all of them. I was glad to note that without exception these chiefs held the "Sabbatarian missionary" in high esteem; especially did Chief Jonathan mention the fact that his people did not care for trees, but he did, and the missionary (Brother Olmstead), who for this reason was his friend. As we visited a few of the villages, and saw many others about us which we had not time to visit, we realized to some extent the great work that is to be done in giving the gospel to this nation in this generation, but we believe that God has11again set his hand to this work, and that with his blessing it will now go forward, as we hope soon to begin aggressive evangelistic touring. Pray for the work in Basutoland.