Northwestern
Untversity Library
Evanston,
Illinois 60201
/^e>; ^
ot{i><^iyi.
From the Barroom
to the Pulpit
And Mission Fields of Africa
An Autobiography
of
Rev. Fred Weiss
A Returned Missionary from Africa
Introduction by Rev. C. S. Hanley
President World's Faith Missionary Association. Shenandoah, Iowa
"Go ye into all the world and preach
the Gospel to Every Creature"
Published by
Fred Weiss, Shenandoah, Iowa
Afi u .If, t
111.02313
U^'3iz
Copyright, 1912,
by
Fred Weiss.
INTRODUCTION.
Solomon said: "Of making books there
is no end.'' Surely this is true of the pres¬
ent age. There are many books that ought
never to be published. There are other
books that have an ever-increasing circula¬
tion, books that have done and are still do¬
ing great good in the world. Missionary
history and experiences are live topics in
this twentieth century. Surely what has
been and is being accomplished in the evan¬
gelization of the world today reads more
marvelous and strange than any fiction.
In the following pages we have the
sketch of a life of one who was not con¬
verted until he reached young manhood,
and whose surroundings were such that his
conversion and call to be a soul winner,
were much like the conversions of Bunyan,
Jerry McAuley or Gipsy Smith.
Of German parentage, raised behind the
bar in a Chicago saloon, knowing nothing
but what accompanies such a life, his con-
4
INTRODUCTION.
version and call to the ministry, his prepa¬
ration for the work, his obedience to the
call to the foreign field, his self denials,
struggles and sacrifices in the Master's
vineyard, make a book well worth reading.
Personal acquaintance with Mr. Weiss,
also his companion whom he met in the
same work, and whom we were called upon
to join in marriage, and whose work we
have had a personal knowledge of from the
first, convince me that the character of the
man and the value of his services, make it
eminently proper that this book should be
published for the general good, instruction
and inspiration of all who may read it.
For several years, since his health and
that of Mrs. Weiss, has prevented their re¬
turn to the foreign field, he has contem¬
plated the publication of this book, not
only for the increasing of interest in the
work in heathen lands, but also with the
hope that its circulation would enable him
to personally help the missionary work fi¬
nancially and to aid him in the support of
INTRODUCTIOK.
5
his family and the education of the two
lovely daughters that God has given them.
Nothing in these pages is overdrawn. The
illustrations are many of them taken by
Mr. Weiss, himself, while on the field. Many
of the interesting accounts and illustrations
have appeared in the Christian Herald
which publishes none but the best. The book
will stir up missionary enthusiasm. It will
strengthen faith. Wherever the author has
been in travels and labors in native land,
revivals have followed and many saved.
He has a smile that comes from sunshine in
his soul. Warm hearted, lasting friend¬
ships have been formed by the author and
his family wherever they have gone. The
book goes forth with many earnest prayers
that it may bring a blessing to all who read
it. For three years past, the chapters form¬
ing the book have been published in the
columns of the Missionary World, a
monthly paper published at Shenan¬
doah, Iowa, and no department of the
paper has been read with greater interest.
6
INTRODUCTION.
What physical strength will no longer al¬
low him to do because of broken health
through Jabors in Natal and Morocco, Af¬
rica, may yet be accomplished to a great
extent through the reading of this book.
With a prayer for God's favor upon
both book and author, we ask for a care¬
ful reading of its pages and a wide circu¬
lation that shall call for repeated editions.
C. S. Hanley.
Shenandoah, Iowa, March 14, 1912.
CONTENTS.
Introduction 3
CHAPTER I.
Th« Barroom, My Early Home, and My Conversion.... 11
CHAPTER II.
Working for Jesus among My Old Companions 19
CHAPTER III.
Entering a Missionary Training School 27
CHAPTER IV.
Doing Evangelistic Work in the States 39
CHAPTER V.
Working for Souls in Camp-meetings 49
CHAPTER VI.
Farewell Missionary Meeting 57
CHAPTER VII.
Visiting Different Cities on the Way to New York
City 67
CHAPTER VIII.
Continued Account of Our Trip to the Coast 75
CHAPTER IX.
Reaching New York and Taking Passage for Eng¬
land 84
CHAPTER X.
On the Steamship "Elbe" crossing the North At¬
lantic 93
CHAPTER XI.
The Steamship "Elbe" Lost at Sea 103
CHAPTER XII.
Our Stay in England and Taking Passage for
Africa 115
CHAPTER XIII
On the Steamer Sailing for South Africa 126
CHAPTER XIV.
Landing on Afric's Shore 135
CHAPTER XV.
Introduction to Missionary Life in Africa.....'. 148
CHAPTER XVI.
Rescuing Souls in the City of Durban, South Africa..158
CHAPTER XVII.
Personal Work among Whites and Blacks on the
Coast 171
8
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIIl.
Working among Prisoners in Durban 182
CHAPTER XIX.
Working in the Interior of Natal - ^191
CHAPTER XX.
Praying and Sowing the Gospel Seed among the
Zjilus 202
CHAPTER XXI.
A Great Revival among the Zulus 213
CHAPTER XXII.
Mapumulo Revival Continued in Greater Power 225
CHAPTER XXIII.
Letters by Miss Hopper Describing the Revival 238
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Death of a Faithful Missionary—Miss Hopper....249
CHAPTER XXV.
Itinerating in South Africa 260
CHAPTER XXVI.
Revival Meetings under Canvas in Natal 272
CHAPTER XXVII.
Letters from Native Converts 281
CHAPTER XXVIII.
My Return to America 293
. CHAPTER XXIX.
Clippings from the Home Papers 307
CHAPTER XXX.
Missionary Address Taken by a Reporter 319
CHAPTER XXXI.
Second Farewell Meeting at Shenandoah, Iowa 329
CHAPTER XXXII.
Trip to Tangier, North Africa 342
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Living and Working among the Mohammedans 355
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Social Life and Customs of Morocco 370
CHAPTER XXXV.
Working in Villages of Morocco 38«
CHAPTER XXXVI.
A Missionary Killed by a Fanatical Mohammedan....400
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
C. S. Hanley, President World's Faith Missionary
Association 28
Mrs. Minnie Hanley 29
Missionary Chapel, Shenandoah, Iowa 32
Missionary Home, Shenandoah, Iowa 33
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, taken when they were united" in
marriage 56
A band of eight missionaries. Five going to India,
three going to Africa 59
Zulu women getting ready for a journey 147
Bernhardt Dammeyer and his little school of Afri¬
can children 166
Native preacher, Wm. Makabala and Wife 173
Zulu men building a hut. The framework to be
covered with grass 194
A Zulu home and family in S. Africa 198
Mrs. .Weiss with Ellen our first born taken on her
return from South Africa 204
Two Zulu girls shaking hands 217
Zulu wedding ceremony (2nd day) 223
Zulus gathered for an all day meeting at the mis¬
sion station 229
Mrs. Weiss with women and girls converted in our
meetings on the mission station 245
Zulu women with gourds in which they carry water
from the lakes and rivers for home use 256
Arthur Makanya brought to America by Mr. Weiss....295
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss before going to North Africa....332
Three "Views of the Rock of Gibraltar 347
The market place outside the walls of Tangier;
showing part of the city, and the gate leading
into the same 350
Miss Emma Weiss' picture was taken while she was
hiding in the cleft of a large rock near Tangier.. 353
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, Ellen, and Emma, dressed in
the native costumes of Morocco, North Africa....357
10
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Mrs. Weiss teaching a native woman, from the Bi¬
ble, lit Morocco - 360
Mrs. Weiss and her sewing class of native women
in Morocco 364
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss under tent, in Africa 368
Abdul Azzis, Sultan of Morocco, during our time
there 373
Old fashioned mill stones for sale in the market
place of Tangier 376
A group of orphan boys taken near Tangier, Mo¬
rocco '. 380
Adrees, a Moorish convert, preaching the gospel....383
Mr. Weiss traveling in North Africa among the
villages „....388
Camping out among the villages of Morocco 391
Si Assa, a native convert and colporteur in Morocco..394
A Moorish girl bringing grass to the market place....397
A Moorish man who had his eyes burned out on ac¬
count of stealing 401
A group of missionaries and their friends, includ¬
ing Mr. Weiss and his family 404
Ellen and Emma Weiss with other children dressed
in the Moorish costume 407
Mohomet. A native boy cared for by Mr. Weiss,
while in Africa 410
Ei Arbi Selma brought to America from Morocco by
Mr. Weiss 413
From the Barroom to the Pulpit
And Mission Fields of Africa
CHAPTER I,
THE BARROOM, MY EARLY HOME, AND MY
CONVERSION.
The writer of this book has felt for some
time that he should tell to the world the
story of his life, before and after his con¬
version, and in undertaking to do so, he
seeks the help of the Spirit's guidance,
and prays that all who read it may receive
blessings such as this is intended to bring.
My father and mother were born in Ger¬
many, and emigrated to this country when
they were but children. They met each
other in the city of Chicago, where they
were united in marriage, and unto them
were born ten children, eight of whom are
living at the writing of this narrative. I was
the third child born to them, and was reared
in the city, with its many surrounding evils
of which, as the years went by, I became a
partaker.
12
FBOM THE BABBOOM
My father was a cabinet maker, by
trade, and made much money, in pursuing
this occupation; but after a time he en¬
tered the saloon business, which to the
Germans did not seem such a great evil.
He remained in this business until he died.
At tliis time I was fourteen years old. As
my mother objected to such a business, the
saloon was sold after my father's death.
During my childhood days I was sent to
school, where we were taught both the Ger¬
man and the English languages, the school
being in connection with the Lutheran
Church, of which my father and mother
were both members.. I attended Sunday-
school regularly. At the age of thirteen
I was confirmed and partook of the Lord's
supper for the first time; but without any
change of heart. I did not realize what
this meant, as I do now.
During my boyhood days I spent many
hours in the saloon, watching the inen play
cards for the drinks, for which the losing
party would pay at the close of the game;
TO THE PUU'IT.
13
but they did not stop there—they would
play for money which many of the men
earned by hard labor. Often I have seen,
when but a mere boy, the husband and
father being plead with by his wife who
would come right into the saloon and try
to get her husband to go home with her.
Her entreaties would be answered with a
push out of the saloon door by the half
drunken husband, who would then turn
again to the card table and gamble away
his last dollar, the more sober men taking
advantage of his now drunken state, never
thinking in the least of the drunken man's
wife and his dear children at home, who
were depending on him for their daily
bread and clothes to wear.
The pool table in the saloon was a great
temptation for the young men in the neigh¬
borhood; and the saloon would often be
crowded, some playing while others were
looking on, waiting for a chance to play.
At the age of twelve I could play all the
different games of cards, and at the pool
14
FROM THE BARROOM
table I became an expert so that the young
men feared to play with me/thinking that
they would lose the game. While learn¬
ing the different games in the saloon I
often waited on customers, serving them
with the different kinds of drink, of which
I too became very fond, and as time went
on, the result was that, only a mere boy,
I often got intoxicated, which would crush
my poor mother's heart. After my father
died, the habit of drink already formed and
the love for cards and the race track were
taking me down the road to ruin very fast.
I worked in a shop in the down-town dis¬
trict of Chicago and lived with my wid¬
owed mother who struggled hard to keep
the home together, with her edght chil¬
dren. It looked now as though I had be¬
come the black sheep of the family. I
flocked with those of my kind, often com¬
ing home drunk, which always grieved her
heart; and I would promise myself to trs'^
to do better only to break the promise.
Whenever I had spare money I would at-
TO THE PULPIT. 15
tend the race track, sometimes losing every
thing I had earned, and sometimes winning
sums that would increase the desire to gam -
hie the more, I soon fell in with a number
of professional gamblers of which there
are many in a large city like Chicago. T
became what was known as a capper; one
to draw others on to try their chance on a
game that was being played. For this ser\'^-
ice I would receive half of the gain, which
would soon be lost at the races, betting on
horses. Numbers of times I committed
such offenses, and, had the law been exe¬
cuted, I would have been committed to
prison. But God did not allow me to suf¬
fer this, which would have added weight
to the load my mother was already carry¬
ing, on account of her wayward son.
During the ten years of my life of sin
I sometimes thought of doing better, and
living a different life; hut the company
I now was keeping would soon drown out
these good thoughts and again I would be
carried on with the tide of sin until finally
16
FROM THE BARROOM
I became a physical wreck and was brought
down on a sick bed. In my sleep I dreamed
of the judgment day, and fear took hold
upon me after awakening, which caused me
to pray to God, and promise Bim to live a
different life, if he would but restore me
to health. He heard my cry in this dis¬
tress of soul and body, and in a few weeks
I was able to go to work again. I stopped
drinking and gambling, also the use of
tobacco, shunned evil companions and bad
language disdained. I took to reading some
portions of the Bible every day. I kept
this up for some time, until one Saturday
night, while walking down Madison street
in Chicago, a man on a street comer handed
me a card which read thus: You are in¬
vited to attend a Gospel meeting at the
Y. M. C. A. rooms, 148 Madison St. I
hunted up the place and went in and took
a seat in the back row of chairs.
The singing touched a place in my heart
and I was weeping before I knew it. The
man gave out his text, John 4:14. "TVho-
TO THE PUIiPIT.
17
soever drinketh of the water that I shall
give him shall never thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall he in him a well
of water springing up into everlasting
life." As the preacher opened up the text
•and explained it to his listeners my heart
was again broken and I felt a great thirst¬
ing after the living water, about which the
preacher was telling.
At the close of his pointed sermon, he
asked if there were any who desired to be
prayed for that they might be able to lead
a new life; if there were, to please raise
their hands. Mine went up in a hurry, for
I now became real desirous to have the
thirst of my soul satisfied by the living
streams of water about which the preacher
had spoken. Before the close of the serv¬
ice they invited me and two others for¬
ward, and they prayed with us, and I went
home. The next day was Sunday and I
was still praying with great earnestness of
heart. While in this state of mind, seek¬
ing the forgiveness of my sins, my mother
18
FBOM THE BABBOOM
would try to speak words of comfort and
my eldest brother, who was then living
at home, would try and comfort me, but
as they did not know the way of salvation,
they could not help me much. I continued
reading and praying for a number of days.
I would go to my bedroom, close the door
and pray, sometimes looking to see if some¬
thing or some one would not come to my
rescue. At last after repenting in tears
and much anguish of soul, while kneeling
in my bedroom, day began to dawn in my
soul. It seemed as if all the room was
lighted up with the presence of the One
who hears poor sinners cry for mercy. It
also seemed my whole body was transpar¬
ent, after the cleansing blood had been ap¬
plied. Now with the poet I could say:
"All mj life long I had panted
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
"Halleluiah I have found Him—
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through his blood I now am saved."
TO THE PULPIT.
19
CHAPTER 11.
WORKING FOR JESUS AMONG MY OLD
COMPANIONS.
With my new-found hope I went to work
at once telling of the joy and happiness
that had come into my life. I thought ev¬
erybody would be so glad to give up their
sinful ways and receive the same joy that
I had received, but it proved contrary to
my thoughts. Not to be discouraged I
went forward. At first by word and life I
preached to my dear brothers and sisters
and also to my mother, who did not then
know the way of salvation. Then I would
talk to my old companions in sin and oft-
times a crowd of them would gather around
me and I would stand with them until
eleven and twelve o'clock at night telling
in a simple way all that God was doing for
me. Sometimes they would ask me ques¬
tions concerning the Bible and concerning
God that it was impossible for me to an¬
swer, as I was only a young convert. I
20
FROM THE BARROOM
could only answer by saying: "I know my
sins are forgiven and I have found a joy
such as I never had before; you know what
I have been, and you know what a change
has come into my life." "But," they
would say,'' you will soon give that up and
be back with us again."
Thank God, eighteen years have rolled
swiftly away and I am still on the "pil¬
grim way," journeying to a city whose
builder and maker is God. So it did not
turn out as they had thought, because the
Lord had done so much for me that I had
no desire whatever to go back to my sin¬
ful ways. Sometimes in meeting with my
old companions, they would say invitingly,
"Come, Fred, let us have a game of bil¬
liards or pool," or "Come in and have a
drink on me. I will 'set them up,' and it
won't cost you anything"; or some one
would send the fumes of a newly lighted
cigar across my way and say,'' Have a good
cigar on me." But I was now entirely
weaned from these desires so they did not
TO THE PULPIT.
21
affect me, but only gave me a desire to go
on and learn more of this new-found joy T
had experienced.
Before I was converted I worked for a
firm in Chicago, but nearly everj' Monday
I was absent from my work on account of
being drunk the Sunday before. Often I
would ask to be excused from my woi*k to
go to the race track to gamble. For an ex¬
cuse I would tell my employer that some
friend or relative had died and I was go¬
ing to attend the funeral. Of course they
would excuse me on that ground, and I
would go to the horse race to gamble. T
gave this same excuse so many times that
if it had been true all my relatives would
have been dead and buried. When the
change came into my life, my employer re¬
marked one Saturday afternoon, as I was
drawing my pay,'' I see, Fred, you are draw¬
ing full time,'' to which I replied with a tes¬
timony of what the Lord had done for me.
The Bible became the dearest book to me
in the world. I would read it at every op-
22
FEOM THE BARROOM
portunity and gather such strength by read¬
ing that it helped me in the hours of con¬
flict with the enemy. I now worked steady
and was earning $12.00 a week, one tenth of
which I gave to the Lord's work. I attended
church services regularly and taught a Sab-
hath-school class. Sunday nights I spent
in distributing invitations on the streets in
the main part of the down town district,
for gospel meetings, which were held in the
old Parwell Hall. These meetings were
for men only, and that great hall would be
thronged with men to hear Mr. Moody or
some other evangelist talk. I found great
joy in this work as it gave me a chance
often to testify for the Lord and to work
in the after services of the great meetings.
I would purchase tracts and distribute them
on my way home from work, and part of
the way led through the slums and gam¬
bling house district; and many a time I
handed a tract to some mother's child who
was then living in a house of shame. I
scattered the gospel seed beside all waters.
TO THE PULPIT.
23
sometimes fastening them up in conspicu¬
ous places so the passerby could read as he
walked along that way.
It always hurt me to hear men or boys
use the name of God in vain, and I car¬
ried one tract, reading with bold letters,
''Please Do Not Swear." One night going
home from work I met a company of young
men about my age; they were swearing at
a fearful rate, so much so, that I deter¬
mined to speak to them concerning it. I
approached them from the rear and spoke
kindly to them about their swearing. They
were taken by surprise; one young man
was on the offensive and immediately closed
his fist and was ready to "haul off" and
give me a blow when one of his companions
stepped between him and me and held him
back. He soon quieted down and then lis¬
tened to my reason for approaching them
as I had. I told them as we walked along
together how only a short time ago I was
just as wicked as they were, how I had
sworn many times and lied and stolen.
24
FROM THE BARROOM
and I had done many other wicked things.
They listened with intense interest, draw¬
ing close to me to catch every word that I
was saying as we walked along together.
Then I told them what a great change had
come into my life and how it had happened.
As I told these young men the simple story
of .Tesus' love for poor sinners their hearts
were touched, and they walked several
blocks out of their way home to hear all I
had to tell them.
I met these same hoys at different times
and they would say, "Here comes the
preacher; let us walk with him." This
gave me opportunities to tell them the
story of the cross. My joy was full when
occasions were presented where I could
speak a word for the Lord.
Two years had rolled around in what
seemed to be a very short time. I had had
some hard conflicts with the enemy, hut out
of them all tlie Lord had delivered me. I
felt I ought to devote all of my time to the
Lord's service, and this feeling became so
TO THE PULPIT.
25
strong that I decided to give up my posi¬
tion and prepare myself for this work. The
enemy would step up and tell me that I had
not sufficient education, etc.; and I would
reason with him and then draw back with
the excuse that I was not educated, and that
I could earn money and devote a part of
that to His work. Then a cloud would set¬
tle down over me and I would lose my joy.
I would then go off in some quiet place to
pray and when I would promise to yield to
the Lord's will, which now became dear to
me, and to enter His service, great joy
cair.e to my heart, and I would weep and
laugh with joy.
It was soir.e time after these seasons that
I met another young man from Iowa, by
the name of Frank Butterfield. He was an
earnest Christian and had had just such
feelings as I have described. We confided
in each other and decided we would write
to Shenandoah, Iowa, where there was a
training school for young workers. He had
been in communication with the Superin-
26
FROM THE BARROOM
tendent, and had partly made up his mind
to go. They knew nothing about me, until
Frank wrote and asked if both of us could
come. The school charged no tuition and
each student was assigned some work. This
was the understanding we had, so we pre¬
pared to go.
I knew my going away would nearly
break my mother's heart. When I brought
home a new trunk and several other things,
I could see her turning pale. It meant
much for her to give up one of her chil¬
dren, although there were eight of us at
home at this time. The hour arrived when,
for the first time, I should leave home and
mother's roof. We parted at the door¬
step with a farewell kiss, and it is impos¬
sible to tell the feelings of my own heart
and still more impossible to describe the
feelings of my mother's heart. That eve¬
ning we took the C. B. and Q. train and
during the dark hours of the night we were
speeding over the states of Illinois and Iowa
and 7:30 A. M., found us at Shenandoah.
TO THE PITIiPIT.
27
.CyApyBB UI4 *#*'
■ * <
ENTERING A MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL.
On arriving^ at Shtenandoah we were met
by two yoang" Students of the Training
School. " We" %eTe taSe% to the .lBO^^
of Rev. C. S. Hanley-where we ate our
breakfast after which we were introduced
to all the young workers and visited the
different departments of the work. First,
we visited the printing office and press room
where thousand)^ of religious tracts were
printed and where the paper was printed
weekly and sent out all over the world.
We were then shown the school building
with three rooms. Here the students were
busy with their lessons. In connection with
the school there was a workers' class study¬
ing how to become better equipped for win¬
ning souls for the Master.
None of the workers in the printing de¬
partment nor teachers in the school received
any salary. The students were not required
to pay board or tuition and it was all new
C. S. flanley, President World's Faith Missionary Association.
Mrs. Minnie Hanley.
30
FBOM TOE BABBOOM
to me to hear each one telling God of their
different needs, for it had always been
my custom to go to the store and buy such
things as I needed. I now was learning
new lessons of faith, and each day my soul
was refreshed and strengthened. I rejoiced
that the Lord had led me to this place, for
it was like the very gates of Heaven to my
soul.
I learned to love Brother and Sister Han-
ley under whose training I had now come.
They both had sacrificed much to open this
training school for young workers who
were without means; and none of those
were turned away who desired alone to be
trained for winning souls. Before enter¬
ing into this work Brother Hanley had been
running a secular paper in Shenandoah. He
had consecrated his whole business to tlie
Lord's work. The presses were now used
in publishing the glad tidings of salvation,'
and each worker was glad to perform such
duties as it would take to get out the pa¬
per from week to week. It now became my
TO THE PULPIT.
31
B^rk.to look after the school building and
perform the work of a janitor. In this oc¬
cupation I had time to attend the Bible
Iteidkers' class and take up several other
studies"^ which I enjoyed very much.
Among those who were in the training
school were some who intended to go to
India, Africa, and China, as missionaries,
and one, Malcom Moss, felt that he was
to start soon to India. He also felt that
he would go as a faith missionary, trusting
God to supply his passage and take care of
him when he got to India. This seemed a
great undertaking to some; but to him it
looked like a small matter for the eternal
.God to furnish his temporal supplies while
he would tell the story of Jesus' love to the
poor heathen in India. Some thought it
bordered closely upon religious fanaticism,
but Brother Moss kept on praying and
trusting God. One day while we were
gathered together in prayer. Brother Moss
was earnestly pleading with God, and the
tears were rolling down his face. I had
Missionary Chapel, Shenandoah, Iowa.
Missionary Home, Shenandoah, Iowa.
34
FKOM THE BABEOOM
not heard such pleading in prayer before
as he was telling God about the poor hea¬
then and his desire to go and tell them of
Jesus. While thus engaged in prayer I
opened my eyes and looked at Brother Moss
and when I saw his tears the spirit of God
whispered softly, to .pay' heart, "Give
Brother Moss $50.00 of the money you
have./**I had now got to the place where
I was willing to do anything tolPurther the
Gospel of Christ. I had some money laid
away which no one knew anything about.
I called Brother Moss to one side after
prayers and told him what the Lord had
whispered to me and that I had $50.00 for
him to begin with. This news gladdened
his heart and he could not contain himself,
for his joy was so great at the thought of
going to India to preach to the heathen;
and in less than six weeks he was on his
way to New York. Other money was sup¬
plied. lum aujdiifi took passage for India
where he preached several years to the na¬
tives of that country and did much good.
TO THE PULPIT.
35
He took the smallpox and suffered much;
then he laid down his "earthly tabernacle"
and his soul went home to heaven.
The missionary spirit humed like fire in
the hearts of all the young students and
each one was doing his best to get ready for
the fields that were white for the harvest. I
continued to walk with the Lord, and he
would show me little things to do that
would please him. I came into the train¬
ing home with more things than I had
present use for, and as some of the other
workers were in need, I gave away these
to the different ones as He would show me.
I also had some money—about $100.00 This
I put into the work, not because a worker
was compelled to do this, but from a will¬
ing heart, desiring the advancement of
Christ's kingdom, and secondly, so I would
be on an equality with the other workers
who already had learned to trust God to
supply their every need. I received much
joy and blessing as I walked in the path of
obedience from day to day.
36
FBOM THE BABBOOM
I remember well one little lesson I
learned about this time. As I was janitor
of the school building it was my duty to
build fires, etc. The coal was about all
gone and if money was not supplied that
day, the school would have to shut down.
I made the matter of coal a special sub¬
ject of prayer, and while I was praying,
the Spirit whispered, "You have $2.00 in
your pocket, why not use this for coal?"
Not parleying any longer, I hurried to tell
the superintendent I had $2.00 for coal.
This was another lesson of faith. I could
not pray for the things that I had money
to buy. So new lessons of trust were
taught me by the example of others in the
school and by the Lord who had become
my most intimate friend.
Six months went swiftly by and in the
month of June, 1893, I was sent out with
another young student, Guy Reilly to Bel¬
grade, Neb., to assist Evangelist Gates in a
tabernacle meeting. ■ This was my first ex ¬
perience in public work. We left Shenan-
TO THE PULPIT.
37
doah for Omaha, Neb., and then went to
Lincoln, Neb., where we attended camp-
meeting a few days; after that we took the
train for Belgrade, Neb. We arrived there
at four o'clock in the afternoon and found
that the evangelist whom we were to as¬
sist had not arrived. We found out that he
was at Albion, Neb. In order to reach Al¬
bion we had to return twenty miles to a
junction on the road and then go to Albion
by another branch. We had just enough
money to buy our tickets to Albion. When
we reached the junction we found we could
get no train that night for Albion and we
had no money for a hotel bill. It was get¬
ting late; thinking we might spend the
night at the depot, we proceeded thither
and to our disappointment the agent had
just finished his work and locked the door
and was going home. Not knowing what
to do next, we prayed in our hearts to God.
A crowd of young men stood on the depot
platform, spending the time in telling foul
stories and using vulgar language. This
38
FBOM THE BABBOOM
stirred my heart and I could not stand it
any longer. I walked up to the crowd,
praying for wisdom. I greeted the young
men, and then kindly spoke to them about
the bad language they were using. None
offered even an answer. They walked
away quietly, no doubt wondering who we
were. After a short while one of them re¬
turned. He became concerned for he was
a young man who had once tried to do
right, but had fallen. He enquired about
our being there and we explained our situa¬
tion. He at once said, "I think I can find
you a lodging place," and he did. We got
a nice, comfortable bed for the night and
in the morning we received our breakfast
at a restaurant, all paid for by our new¬
found friend. At eight o'clock we took the
train for Albion where we met Evangelist
Gates.
The Lord knew we were in need and
through this little lesson of faith He
strengthened our hearts for future service.
We now loaded the large tabernacle into a
TO THE PUIjPIT. 39
\
wagon and drove across the country to Bel¬
grade where we put up the tabernacle and
commenced holding services every night,
and visiting and praying among the people
in the daytime. A big interest was soon
stirred up and God began pouring out His
Spirit so much that sinners were made to
feel their need of a Savior, and many
Christians were revived and strengthened
in the faith. On different occasions the tab-
emable was not large enough to accommo¬
date the people. Nunibers of remarkable
conversions took place during the four
months we were there, some of which I will
mention in the next chapter.
CHAPTER rv.
DOING EVANGELISTIC WORK IN THE STATES.
Our tabernacle meeting at Belgrade,
Neh., continued with unabated interest
from night to night, while during the day
we visited and prayed in the homes of
many families in town and in the sur-
40
FROM THE BARROOM
rounding country. While visiting and
praying thus in different homes the Lord
was with us in power and frequently we
saw the whole family melted to tears and
some for the first time called on God for
the pardon of their sins.
On one occasion we were invited out to
the home of a family who attended the
meeting regularly, but thus far, they had
never been converted. They were farmers
and lived in the country and we reached
their home before dinner. After dinner was
over we had a song service and then we
knelt in prayer. The spirit of supplica¬
tion for the salvation of this home f6ll
upon us, and while pleading before God, the
father and mother and the children broke
down in tears and sobbed aloud, and with
true repentance they sought forgiveness.
The father who had been an inveterate
smoker for many years, laying his pipe
down only at meal time and when he went
to bed, said to us after we had prayer,
that when we got down on our knees and
TO THE PULPIT.
41
started to pray, something struck him
like an electric current and he shook under
its power until we got through praying.
As he arose from his knees he still felt the
influence of it on his body and when" he
went , to use his pipe the old desire was
gone and the pipe became obnoxious to
him.
This brother after his conversion would
often compare the power of God to an elec¬
tric battery and when he would see us out
visiting and praying among the people, he
would ask if we had the battery with us, to
which we would always reply in the af¬
firmative, for God truly was with us in
power. Our hearts were filled with joy
and delight going about our Master's busi¬
ness and it became a common thing to hear
the shouts and praises of the new-bom
souls along the highways going home from
the services.
One evening a young Danish man came
forward as a seeker with others. Hie tar¬
ried, struggled, and prayed until midnight.
42
FBOM THE BABBOOM
when the shackles that Satan had bound
him with were broken. His joy became un¬
controllable. He leaped to his feet and
went running through the tabernacle prais¬
ing and glorifying God for the wonderful
deliverance He had brought to his soul. His
joy was like that of the man who was healed
at the beautiful gate by Peter and John,
and went leaping and praising God in the
temple. I went home with this young man
after service was over and all the way
home he praised God with loud halleluiahs.
On reaching home we retired and in the
morning as I awoke the first sound that
caught my ears was the halleluiahs rolling
from this happy young man's soul. On
arising I went out into the room where he
was, just as he was in the act of throwing
a lot of impure literature and a deck of
playing cards into the stove. I asked him
what he was doing. He replied that he
was burning a lot of the devil's traps. He
wanted to get rid of the traps, so the enemy
would not have a chance to catch him again
TO THE PULPIT.
43
with these. What a grand thing it would
be if every young convert would get rid
of these idols of his heart, for then the
Lord would bestow upon them the true
riches of his kingdom.
When Mahmoud, the conqueror of In¬
dia, had taken the city of Gujarat, he pro¬
ceeded, as was his custom, to destroy the
idols. There was one, fifteen feet high,
which its priests and devotees begged him
to spare. He was deaf to their entreaties
and seizing a hammer he struck it one blow
when, to his amazement, from the shattered
image, there rained down at his feet a
shower of gems, pearls and diamonds—
treasure of fabulous value, which had been
hidden within it. Had he spared the idol
he would have lost all this wealth. Let us
not spare our idols.
Across the street from the tabernacle was
a pool room frequented by nearly all the
young men of the town. We made the pro¬
prietor of the pool room a special subject
of prayer and this worked well. At first
44
FROM THE BARROOM
he became angered and planned to break up
the meeting. On a certain night when the
tabernacle was crowded with people, be
with a lot of bis own kind, were to station
themselves at the ropes and when they
beard a pistol «bot which was to be fired,
they were all to cut a rope and let the tab¬
ernacle down on the people; but before the
night set to do this work came, the leader,
who was the pool room proprietor, was at
the altar of prayer with a number of workers
around him asking God to deliver and save
him from bis sins. Victory came; for be
was saved and became a shining witness of
God's grace in the town.
A week or so after bis conversion, we
noticed that be was in trouble about some¬
thing. On making enquiries be opened up
bis heart in confidence that we might be
able to help bim. He told us bis trouble.
One dark night be with others went into
the country with a team and drove up to a
man's bog-lot which was a good distance
from any bouse. Here in this bog-lot they
TO THE PUM»IT.
45
killed several hogs, loaded them into the
wagon and went home. "And now," said
he, "every time I try to pray, those hogs
come running before me, and what shall I
do!" The man to whom the hogs be¬
longed came to the tabernacle meeting
nearly every night and, as he would be
there that evening, we told this young con¬
vert to make a clean breast of the whole
thing; so after prayer with him he got the
victory and said he would. That evening
we called the owner of the hogs out to one
side; the two then walked quietly over the
hillside and true and humble confession
was made which brought great joy to the
young man and awful conviction to the
man who owned the hogs, as he was un¬
saved; but he sought and found pardon
and peace to his soul also. The former
pool room proprietor now got a passion
to see others get saved. He gave up every¬
thing and joined our band of workers. Six¬
teen years have rolled swiftly by since that
time, but he is still in mission work in one
46
FROM THE BARROOM
of our large western cities, and there is no
telling how many have been led through his
ministry to the feet of Jesus.
One Sunday many people from the sur¬
rounding towns attended the services at
the tabernacle. Some people from Albion,
Neb., desired a meeting to be opened there.
So Brother Gates, our leader, sent G. D.
Reilly and myself to Albion. We rented
an empty store building, seated it with
planks, and built a platform at one end of
the hall for the pulpit. Very soon the hall
became crowded, to hear "the boys
preach," and especially to hear G. D.
Reilly, as he was but sixteen years old, and
when the Spirit fell upon him his flow of
language made our listeners marvel. Soon
many were convicted of sin, and the altar
was sometimes crowded with seekers for
full salvation. Young and old sought earn¬
estly for the forgiveness of past sins;
their prayers and weeping caused a commo¬
tion, at times, that could not be understood
by the worldly minded; and this stirred up
TO THE PULPIT.
47
the devil in them to try to hinder the prog¬
ress of these services.
One night as the altar was crowded with
seekers, right in the midst of the prayer
services, an enemy to the cause of Christ
got a package of fire crackers and set fire
to them and threw them near the altar
where the seekers were praying with all
their hearts. The crackers popped off right
and left making some confusion in the con¬
gregation, but the seekers were so earnest
that they never even stopped praying but
went through, and found full salvation.
Then there was great rejoicing on the
Lord's side. The^converts grew in num¬
ber and quite often we would hold street
meetings and visit schCol houses in the
country and hold services there.
One night after services were over and
there had been a good deal of rejoicing,
some men gathered out at the hall door and
told me to come out there and they would
give me a whipping. My scripture text
that I had committed to memory on this
48
FROM THE BABBOOM
same day was, this, "He that lacketh wis-
dow, let him ask of God, who giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not." I had
been asking for wisdom during the day, so
that night I put to practise what wisdom
I had, and quietly closed the doors and
stayed inside the hall.
Across the way from our hall was a doc¬
tor's office and drug store. The doctor was
an influential man in town but steeped in
sin. He became deeply concerned and
visited us most every day. Sometimes he
invited us to his office; on other occasions
he would take one of us when he visited the
sick in the country. He became awful sin-
sick himself, but it was hard for him to
yield in these services. A few months later
another revival service was started in the
M. E. Church and he gave his heart to
God, and immediatel}' went to work for
souls, talking to many of his unsaved pa¬
tients about their soul's welfare. A few
years after I met him again, standing true
and firm in God.
TO THE PULPIT.
49
CHAPTEB V.
WORKING FOR SOULS IN CAMP-MEETINGS.
While engaged in the tabernacle meeting
at Belgrade, Neb., one Saturday afternoon,
we drove with a band of workers to the
adjoining town. Cedar Rapids, to hold a
street meeting. This was a day when the
farmers had gathered in town for trad¬
ing purposes, from all the surrounding
country. We reached the town about three
P. M. On nearing the edge of the town
we started to sing a song as we drove
through the streets. This attracted the
people and they followed us to the main
street where we tied our teams and pro¬
ceeded to the street comer. By this time
a throng of people gathered around us. We
continued our singing and praying; each
worker taking turn in talking to the large
crowd of people.
The meeting had got under good head¬
way, when the town marshal appeared on
the scene—from all appearances and ac-
50
FROM THE BARROOM
tions he showed he was angry. He drew
up near enough to me in the circle that we
had formed, to say that he wanted us to
stop the meeting at once and take it around
on the other street. I asked him if he
meant around on the other comer. He re¬
plied, "No, out to the edge of town." Just
then one of the workers, a young man, got
shouting happy, and the marshal caught
him by the coat collar and pulled him
out of our circle and pushed him out into
the center of the street. The young man's
cup of joy was running over and it fell
on others about the same time. I could
not longer contain my joy and I was shout¬
ing before I knew it. The marshal was all
in a fury; he came back to our circle and
took hold of me by the coat collar and gave
me a jerk, but I still shouted. The more
he jerked the greater my joy seemed to be
and I kept shouting. He held on to me
and then walked me off to the place they
called the cooler (jail). Here he locked me
up.
TO THE PULPIT.
51
The crowd had followed close behind us,
and gathered outside of the jail door, and
through an open window in the door, which
had iron bars fixed in it, I could see the
crowd; and from this position on the inside
I talked to the crowd on the outside. After
about ten minutes had passed, the marshal
returned, all in a tremble, unlocked the jail
door and said I could go now. The band
of workers were outside waiting for me and
a little later we found out that the business
men of Cedar Eapids, became interested in
our behalf, and said it was a shame to lock
up a young man for preaching the gospel
on the street comer, and if he would not re-
*
lease me at once, they would break down
the jail door and let me go free. We now
had won the hearts , of the people, and be¬
fore leaving the town, we returned to the
same street comer and there exhorted the
people to get saved. We now had to hurry
back to Belgrade for the evening service.
We left the town singing gospel songs
nearly all the way back to the tabernacle.
52
FKOM THE BAKBOOM
The next day was Sunday; news spread
like wild fire over the surrounding country
that a preacher had been locked up in Ce¬
dar Rapids, Saturday. This brought out
larger crowds than ever before, and many
came who had never been to the meeting;
so the place was much too small to hold the
crowds. Our enemy was defeated, while
God got the glory and praise, and souls
continued to be saved.
Before Evangelist Gates and our band
left Belgrade, Neb., a Free Methodist class
was organized and a nice little church build¬
ing was erected for a place of worship.
In the spring of 1894, I was helping in
a meeting at Mt. Etna, Iowa. There were
a number of us laboring here, and one mem¬
ber of our band was a colored boy from the
west coast of Africa, named Henry O 'Neill.
He and I labored side by side for several
months. He would often tell me of the sad
condition of his people in Africa and the
great need of gospel workers there. Hear¬
ing him tell about his own conversion, and
TO THE PULPIT,
53
other instances in his life, caused me often
to think and pray for the heathen in Africa.
Finally I had a deep desire aroused in me
to go and help the people of the dark land.
We labored together with the rest of the
band at Mt. Etna during the spring and
summer of 1894, and during this time the
Lord worked marvelously and many souls
were saved; the enemy also was very busy
and a number of times when going home
from meeting at night, brick-hats and eggs
were thrown at the workers, but none of us
ever got hurt seriously.
In this town a young man named Howard
S. became a great enemy to the work; he
played all sorts of tricks to annoy the work¬
ers and hinder the services. He was up to
all sorts of mischief and right during time
of service he would draw the attention of
the whole congregation by his antics. We
made him a special subject of prayer and
never stopped praying until he was con¬
verted. On one occasion Henry O'Neill and
I met Howard S. on the country road.
54
FROM THE BARROOM
He had been to an adjoining town and was
about half drunk on bad whiskey. As be
drove up to us, (we were walking) be
stopped bis team and jumped out of bis
buggy with whip in bis band, and holding it
over Henry, the colored boy, be made bim
get down on bis knees and pray on the
roadside; and surely Henr\^ did pray and
earnestly called on God to save this half
drunken boy. Howard could stand it no
longer; be got back into the buggy and
drove off while Henry continued to pray.
On another occasion during an evening
service at church, Howard S. was there
and I talked with bim and tried to get bim
to yield to God. As I was talking to bim,
one of the workers asked all to kneel in
prayer. I knelt right in the church aisle
near the back part of the room close to
where Howard sat. Wliile I was thus
kneeling in prayer, Howard and bis friend
who bad brought a sack of flour into the
church to keep it dry from the rain, took
the sack and laid it across my shoulders
TO THE PULPIT.
55
for sometime. I held on to God in prayer
just the same as though nothing unusual
hapi;ened until I got the witness from God
that he would save this wayward boy.
.\hout one year after this occurred, one
day when we received our mail in Africa,
among the letters was one from Howard
S., with a $5.00 bill enclosed, the letter
telling of how he was converted while at-
tenJing. services in the college chapel,
where he was now studying. He also
avked us to forgive him for all the mean
things he had said and done while we la¬
bored at Mt. Etna. Our hearts rejoiced
over this glad news, as we pressed on to
save others in the dark land of Africa,
where we had cast our lot to labor for pre¬
cious souls.
In the fall of 1894 at a camp-meeting at
Alexander, Neb., on the 20th of Septem¬
ber, I was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Mat-
tie Whipple, the ceremony being per¬
formed by Eev. C. S. Hanley, on the camp
ground. The ceremony was witnessed by
56
FROM THE BARROOM
many of God's children who had gathered
there. From this point we journeyed to-
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss taken when they
were united in marriage.
gether to win precious souls, with our fu-
tui'e field in view which was the heathen
fields of South Africa. My chosen com-
TO THE PULPIT.
57
panion had bejen in the gospel work for a
number of years. She had been converted
at a Free Methodist camp-meeting and had
traveled a circuit for some years. The
Lord had given her many souls as fruits of
her labor. So with one mind and one pur¬
pose in view for life we started this jour¬
ney together, to preach the unsearchable
riches of Christ to the people of Africa, of
which following chapters will tell.
CHAPTEB VI.
FAREWELL MISSIONARY MEETING.
In October, 1894, a farewell missionary
meeting was held in the Congregational
church at Shenandoah, Iowa. There were
eight missionaries present; five were go¬
ing to India; namely, G. D. Reilly, Victor
and Vivian Gladwin, Ida Sipprell, Laura
B. White, and three to Africa; namely,
B. F. Dammeyer, Mrs. and Mr. Fred Weiss.
Many friends from a distance were pres¬
ent, and the church was crowded to its ut-
58
FROM THE BARROOM
most capacity. Each one of the mission¬
aries spoke with much feeling, and many
aniens were heard all over the church.
There were also many tears of joy and
gladness shed, as each worker told of his
desire to be used of God to lead the hea¬
then to Christ on his chosen field of la¬
bor. It seemed to some a great undertak¬
ing for such a band to start out for fields
of labor thousands of miles away without
some financial backing or a mission board
to look after our needs. The band going
to Africa did not have enough money to
take them to their field of labor, and this
was also the condition with the band going
to India; but they all had confidence in God
that He would supply their need by the
time they got ready to sail from New York.
A most touching farewell took place at
the G. B. & Q. railroad depot Friday Oct.
19. On this day the African bound band in
charge of C. W. Sherman and W. T. Ellis,
left Shenandoah. A large crowd gathered
to see them off. Each missionary spoke at
A band of eislit missionaries. I ive goins to India, tl.ree .going to Afri(a
HACK HOW.
Mrs. Weiss, Mr. Weiss, Victor Gladwin, Vivian Giadwin.
FRONT ROt\'.
B. Dammeyer, Laura White, Ida Sipprell, Guy Reilly.
60
FBOM THE BABBOOM
the depot platform. Stirring missionary
hymns were sung by the throng gathered
there. The final words were spoken from
the rear end of the train, then prayer was
otfered by W. T. Ellis, and the train pulled
out from Shenandoah. Some shouted for
gladness, others were sorry to part with
tliose whom they had learned to love, but
were willing to give them up for the Mas¬
ter's service in heathen lands. Many a
'' God bless you,'' and '' God go with you,''
were spoken by our friends as we looked
into their faces, some for the last time.
Our first stop was Hamburg, Iowa. It
was the intention of the-'Ieaders of the mis-
A'
sionary band to stop and hold meetings at
different points where they had been in¬
vited to hold services. Our first service
was held in the Methodist church at Ham¬
burg on Friday evening. On Saturday
we drove to Payne Junction, Iowa, and held
a service that night in a little country
church. Whilp the rain was beating at tlie
windows of the church nine or ten arose
TO THE PTJIiPIT.
61
for prayers and one backslider was re¬
claimed. Sunday morning at- the same
church each of the missionaries spoke, af¬
ter which a free will offering of $52.60 was
given to help carry the missionaries to
their future field of labor.
The same Sunday afternoon we drove to
Nebraska City, where arrangements had
been made for a union meeting to be held
in the Opera House at 3 P. M. The build¬
ing was filled with people from the differ¬
ent denominations of the city. Several of
the pastors were present also. For two
hours the people listened with rapt atten¬
tion to the outgoing missionary band. At
the close nine rose for prayer, many testi¬
fied that the Lord had helped them. One
young man tears running down his cheeks
said that he too was some day going out as
a missionary. Many crowded around us
until we could hardly move. Some en¬
quired for our future addresses. The re¬
sults of that afternoon gathering will only
be known in the judgment day.
62
FROM THE BARROOM
In the evening our band divided. Wife
and I had charge of the services at the
Cumberland Presbyterian church. The
minister of this church had been in charge
of this church for twenty-five years. He
was very kind to us. The church was
crowded till some were standing. We
were introduced as some real live mission¬
aries who had given up everything of this
world and were on our way to Africa. The
Spirit of the Lord came upon us as we
arose to speak and the large congregation
listened with close attention until they
were dismissed by the pastor. The free
will offerings of that day amounted to
$16.00. We stayed nearly a week in Ne¬
braska City.
On Tuesday night we met in the Con¬
gregational church. The building was a
large one, and was nearly filled. We had
a free time in the Holy Ghost. We had
an interesting talk with a young man who
was called as a missionar\^ to India; we
encouraged him all we could. Wednesday
TO THE PLLPIT.
63
night we had a service at the Free Metho¬
dist church. At the close several were for¬
ward for prayers; some to have their sins
forgiven, others for heart purity, and a
number of sick ones sought healing for
the body. The Christian people were anx¬
ious to have us stay for a few weeks. Some
said they could not bear the thought of
our going away, so on invitation from the
pastor of the Presbyterian church, we
spent Thursday night there.
During the day Bernhardt Dammeyer and
I visited all the different saloons of the
city and talked personally to the owners of
these places. Some of them were much
wrought on by the Spirit. One young sa¬
loon keeper said he knew he was doing
wrong in selling liquor. As we told him
our experience, how God had saved us from
a sinful life, tears filled his eyes, and he
walked away, saying, "I know you are do¬
ing right." We walked after him and got
hold of his hand and continued pleading
with him to give up his sinful ways. We
64
FBOM THE BABBOOM
then had to leave him with God. That day
a hanker handed me $18.00 for our mission¬
ary band. A dentist, a Christian man, also
became interested in our band and did some
dentist work for us for one-third of the
regular price.
The last night we spent in Nebraska
City, we met on one comer of main street
at 7 o'clock and sang several stirring mis¬
sionary hymns, and in a short time a large
crowd gathered around us. As we prayed
and spoke the people stood still and gave
good attention. At the close of the street
meeting we went to the colored people's
church and held a missionary meeting. The
people were glad to hear us and delighted
in the fact that we were going to Africa
to be missionaries among their own peo¬
ple. Loud amens and praises to the Lord
could be heard every little while during
the service. The people called on one old
brother to pray God's blessing upon the
missionaries. He prayed in the Spirit and
broke down and wept like a child. We
TO THE PULPIT.
65
never saw such simplicity, as we did among
these people. As thej'^ came forward to lay
their offerings on the table, they sang one
of their own hymns; it was like Heaven to
our souls. As they shook our hands, some
of them wept, and as they sang another
hymn, the Spirit moved the whole congre¬
gation; some of them shook and trembled
as they sang. It was a grand place to be.
The fire burned in our hearts and we were
sorry when the service had to come to a
close.
Having finished our work at Nebraska
City, our next stop on the line was Falls
City, Neb. On the evening of our arrival
here, there was a large Kepublican rally,
as presidential election was close at hand.
Large crowds thronged the streets; our lit¬
tle band took this opportunity to distribute
hundreds of religious tracts and talk to the
people about their souls' salvation. One
/
of the band got to talking with a stalwart
Kentuckian who was an enormous drinker;
he wanted to know what he should do to be
66
FROM THE BARROOM
saved. We brought him to the hotel and
had prayer with him, after which we had to
leave him with God. He had been a seeker
at one time, hut had never had a real change
of heart.
On Sabbath afternoon we held a precious
missionary meeting in the M. E. Church.
A large crowd of people turned out and
we had a grand time. Hearts were awak¬
ened; a number came to the altar, and
cried for mercy and God heard their cries.
Bless His name! One colored preacher
gave ui) his tobacco and promised to give
the money heretofore spent for the weed
to the mission work. It cost him nearly ten
dollars a year to keep up the unclean habit
of using tobacco.
TO THE PULPIT.
67
CHAPTEK VII.
VISITING DIFFERENT CITIES ON THE WAY TO
NEW YORK CITY.
We left Falls City, Neb., and arrived
through the mercy of God at Rulo, Neh.
Here we made our home with Brother
Ward, a member of the Church of Christ.
This church had just opened up a revival
meeting, and on our arrival they hade us
to take charge of the same. The first eve¬
ning Brother Ellis preached and each of
the members of the outgoing hand spoke,
after which Brother Sherman called an af¬
ter-service. One young man was saved,
truly horn alive. It was grand to see him
come through. As the burden rolled from
his heart and the Spirit entered, his face
lit up with a shine of glory.
One evening we held a service at the M.
E. church. We had a very free time and
many hearts were melted. The people re¬
sponded with a nice free will offering to
help the missionaries. At the close of this
68
FROM THE BARROOM
service a young lady came forward with
tears in her eyes, to shake hands with the
missionaries. We asked her why she was
weeping. She then told how the Lord had
laid His hand upon her and was leading
her also to go to Africa as a missionary.
We did all we could to encourage her to
follow the Lord every step of the way.
Many of our new-made friends gathered at
the depot to bid us good-by, as we were
now going to St. Joseph, Mo.
As the train pulled away from Rulo, we
started up the hymn, "We'll girdle the
globe with salvation.'' At this moment we
looked out of the car window and saw we
were crossing the Missouri river. The
thought came to us; this fire jumps rivers,
leaps over mountains, takes wings and flies
across the ocean. Nothing can stop it. It
surmounts everything in its onward course.
The fire burned as we sang the sentiments
of our hearts. It took the people on the
train with great surprise. When we got
through singing we handed every person
TO THE PUIPIT.
69
on the car a tract and talked to a number,
about their souls' salvation. We met on
this train a Christian brother with whom
we talked a long time. He was much in¬
terested when he learned that we were on
our way to Africa, and before we left the
train he put his hand into his pocket, and
said he wanted to help us on our journey,
and handed us some money for that pur¬
pose.
On our arrival at St. Joseph, we were
met by Brother Sherman who had preceded
us; also a city missionary, at whose mission
we made our home, while in St. Joseph.
It was now nearly two weeks since we left
Shenandoah, and in our visits to the dif¬
ferent churches, the Lord had used us all
to awaken an interest in the hearts of many
people for foreign missions. We prayed
that He might use us all the way to the
coast, and furthermore to give us souls for
our labor as we went.
One afternoon we went out to distribute
tracts in St. Joseph. We handed them to
70
FROM THE BARROOM
every passerby. Every corner we came to
we would stop and sing a song; one would
speak or pray, then we would start again,
and hand out tracts and papers till we got
to the next comer, then we would stop
again, sing and talk to the people, and
then march on handing out tracts. The
whole business part of the city where we
went was stirred; heads were seen sticking
out of the fifth story of some of the build¬
ings, and many people stood on the cor¬
ners to listen to the testimonies and songs
of the workers. Each evening we would
meet at 7 o 'clock on the street comer under
the electric light to talk to large crowds
of people who would stop to listen.
The last Saturday night we were in St.
Joseph, was the largest street meeting I
have ever attended. As we sang the hymns,
people came running from every direction,
and out of the large buildings until the
street corner was so crowded, that it took
two officers to keep the way clear for
wagons and street cars to pass. The large
TO THE PULPIT.
71
crowd gave the utmost attention, and lis¬
tened as though spellbound, to the testi¬
monies of the missionaries. They stretched
their necks and with open mouths many
drank in every word as it came from the
overflowing hearts of God's children. We
handed out tracts to the throng, then
marched to the hall singing, many follow¬
ing close behind. After a few short talks
at the hall, chairs were set out and seekers
for salvation were invited to come and
kneel. This temporary altar was soon filled
with seekers. Eternity alone will reveal
the work done on this Saturday night. No
doubt many will mark tliat spot on the
street, and the altar service at the hall as
the place where God met them and their
course of life was changed for the better.
One Sunday afternoon in St. Joseph, we
held a missionary meeting in a Congrega¬
tional church; about one hundred people
were present, and many sat with tears in
their eyes as the outgoing missionaries
spoke. At the close of this service many
72
FBOM THE BABROOM
people came forward to shake the hands
of the missionaries for the last time.
Among the number who came forward was
a maiden lady, who had done some home
missionary work, but now felt she must
soon leave America to do missionary work
in China. She wanted our little company
to pray for her that she might receive a
clean heart. We all knelt in prayer, and
soon we were engaged in earnest supplica¬
tion at the throne in behalf of our new-
made friend and sister missionary. Then
and there before we got up from our knees
she received the desire of her heart and
went on her way rejoicing to do further
faithful service for Jesus.
From this service we went to the home
of a sick lady who wished to be prayed
for. Her husband had been an infidel until
two nights before, he attended the mission
service and was deeply convicted of sin,
and at once began to seek God for the for¬
giveness of his past transgressions. He
was past sixty years of age. He said he
TO THE PULPIT.
73
was going to spend the rest of his days in
God's service. We held several other serv¬
ices in St. Joseph, during our stay there,
all of which were attended by a goodly
number of interested people. Our new-
made friends in St. Joseph, treated us very
kindly, and as the time came to leave them,
it was with sad hearts, and yet rejoicing
because some day we hope to meet again.
Our next town was Atchison, Kans.,
where we were invited to hold services in
several different churches. The meeting
Sunday afternoon was the best one we had
held since our departure from Shenandoah.
The breezes of Beulah land swept through
the large Methodist Church. The missiona¬
ries spoke with much freedom of the
Spirit and many hearts were melted all
over the congregation; many responded
with hearty "Amens" to the words ut¬
tered. We all got in touch with heaven as
we sang the soul-stirring missionary
hymns. The river of life was truly flow¬
ing our way and all drank deeply and en-
74
FROM THE BARROOM
joyed freely this God-given blessing to our
hearts. We were loath to leave this place,
for it was like the very gates of heaven
to our souls. Such warm fellowship and
hearty hand shaking we had not met since
leaving home; there we made a host of new
friends who opened their homes for our
comfort and entertainment. This also af¬
forded us many a new opportunity in
reaching the hearts of the people to whom
we desired to bring spiritual blessings. A
number of people got very hungry and
thirsty to be filled with the Spirit.
Among these was a young man on whom
God laid His hand for service; he strug¬
gled and prayed until one o'clock in the
morning, finally he could sing, "I surren¬
der all." Then blessings began to flow
from the upper world, and his soul was
filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
He shouted and cried and laughed, and still
he was full and overflowing, and all who
came near could feel the presence of God
manifesting itself through the young man.
TO THE PULPIT.
75
He worked in a drug store in Atchison;
and the following morning he told his em¬
ployer that God had called him to work in
His vineyard, and for this work he hegan
to prepare himself at once—going with our
band as far as St. Louis, where he entered
a missionary training school. We left At¬
chison for Valley Falls, and thence to To-
peka, Kansas.
CHAPTEB VIII.
CONTINUED ACCOUNT OF OUR TRIP TO THE
COAST.
On arriving in Topeka, Kans., many
doors for service were opened to our band.
Also homes for our entertainment. One
of these I wish to make special mention
of. It was the home of Sister Nading;
nothing seemed to be lacking for our com¬
fort in this beautiful home; though we had
given up all, even our own home, we re¬
ceived a hundred fold on every hand ac¬
cording to the promises of God. Our first
76
FROM THE BARROOM
service was held in a Congregational
church in North Topeka, A large turnout
greeted us, and we had a melting time from
the presence of the Lord.
A. lady came to Mattie after the altar
service, with tears running down her face,
saying, ''My little boy died six years ago,
and he told me to take this money, a few
dimes, and use them as I thought best. We
have kept them as a keepsake in the fam¬
ily; but I always thought I ought to give
them to a missionary, and tonight, the
Lord showed me that you were the mis¬
sionary, so I give them to you." We were
all melted to tears, as Mattie took this
sacred offering from this dear sister's
hands.
A little girl also came to us who lived
in the country near Topeka with her par¬
ents, and said she wanted to give each of
the missionaries some money. Her brother
had given her two dollars to get a new
dress, hut she thought she ought to give
the money to the missionaries. She had
TO THE PULPIT.
77
never given herself to Christ, so we prayed
together, and her little heart was all melted
and in a little while she found peace and
rest by trusting in Jesus. We truly thanked
God for these precious gifts that we knew
came through sacrifice.
One evening we drove to South Topeka
to the Free Methodist Church. They had
been holding revival services for four
weeks without a break. The church was
crowded to the door. Brother Sherman
was in the pulpit and preached a power¬
ful sermon, while we held on in prayer;
things began to loosen up, hearts were
ready to receive the truth, the four weeks'
labor was not in vain, a sign of abundance
of rain seemed to be close at hand; a little
more prayer and another exhortation from
Brother Sherman, and now the altar call,
and in a few moments' time the altar was
crowded with weeping seekers. About
twenty were on their knees, nearly all
praying at one time. Some who had back¬
slidden were groaning and struggling for
78
FBOM THE BAEBOOM
freedom once more, while a number lay
prostrate on the floor under the Spirit's
power; several came through with shouts
of victory which made the church ring and
all of God's children to rejoice for the vic¬
tories won. Several were moved who had
never known the joy of salvation, one
young man, who was said to be one of the
wickedest in South Topeka. The pastor
and people rejoiced for what was done
and desired that we should return again
the next night. We accepted the kind in¬
vitation and spent several nights more at
the Free Methodist Church, and the results
were even greater on the following nights.
We left Topeka, after having made many
new friends, who were going to follow us
with their prayers.
We went from Topeka to Centralia to be
in attendance at a holiness convention. A
meeting was arranged for the outgoing mis¬
sionary band to speak on Sunday after¬
noon. The large church was packed with
people from door to pulpit so that there
TO THE PULPIT. 7i)
was just about enough room for the
speaker to stand in the pulpit. The Lord
was with us in melting power. Men and
women could be seen all over the congrega¬
tion with tears rolling down their cheeks.
God himself helped every one of the mis¬
sionaries to tell to the people what great
things He had done for them. After the
meeting had i*un about three hours, num¬
bers of hands were raised for prayers;
then an opportunity was given to shake
hands with the missionaries for they were
to leave the next day. While the congrega¬
tion shook hands with us, they left in our
hands about forty dollars to help us to our
field of labor; this was another token of His
love to us, for which we praised Him. On
our way to St. Louis, we spent several
nights at Florence, Mo., where we held
some effectual meetings and a number of
precious souls were saved.
On arriving in St. Louis, our band at
once proceeded to the Vanguard Office,
where we made our headquarters. Brother
80
PROM THE BARROOM
Sherman, who started with us from Shen¬
andoah, was also the chosen leader of this
faith work in this large city. Besides edit¬
ing the Vanguard paper he did much evan¬
gelistic work in other places. He also had
a company of young workers in training
at the Vanguard Missionary Home, whom
we met and found of like mind as our¬
selves, trusting God for all things both
temporal and spiritual. We had some pre¬
cious seasons of prayer with this faithful
band of workers from time to time as we
stayed in St. Louis. This city, like others,
was a grand field for missionary work. We
were allowed to hold street meetings on
any corner in the city, and made good use
of this privilege during our stay. One day
we started out, distributing tracts as we
walked along; after we had gone about one
mile we stopped at a street comer. We
sang several hymns, then got on our knees
for prayef-s. When we arose, we found
several hundred people gather^ around
us. On seeing this vast crowd, our hearts
TO THE PULPIT,
81
were delighted, and we each in turn told
of some of the good things God had done
for us since we had given our hearts to
Him. The people seemed to enjoy this
street service, and no doubt, many were
there who never enter a church building;
so it remains for the faithful street
preacher to reach this class of people.
Bernhardt Dammeyer, who was one of
our band, had been reached by one of these
outdoor workers. Bernhardt went to sleep
in a city park; on awakening, he found a
tract close to his side, laid there by a
worker; he took the tract and read it, this
was the turning point in his young life;
and now he was on his way to Africa, stop¬
ping in the city, pleading once more on the
street corners to young and old to give
themselves to Christ. It was the last time
he ever had the opportunity, for he laid
down his life in darkest Africa not very
many months later, of which I will write
later.
We had a number of missionary meet-
82
FBOM THE BABKOOM
ings during our stay in St. Louis. One of
these was held in the People's Church. This
is where Bernhardt was converted after
finding the tract by his side in the park.
Many of his friends gathered around us
all to bid us Godspeed. Twenty or more
hungry souls knelt around the altar pray¬
ing through to victory until 11 o'clock
that night. A reporter, of one of the city
papers, who had traveled some in Europe
and knew it took money every day he was
on his trip, wondered how we dared to start
out to Africa without some financial back¬
ing. And then he wanted to know what
we would live on when we got to Africa.
After talking to him about our trust and
confidence in God, we also said that the
same God who provided for the wild beasts,
birds, etc., would surely take care of those
who would put their trust in Him. The
next day a long write up appeared in the
city paper about our band going forth to
Africa trusting God to supply our all as
we journeyed through this land and that
TO THE PULPIT.
83
we expected the same God to take care of
us when we arrived in Africa.
On December 13th we left St. Louis for
Chicago, where we visited my mother,
brothers, and sisters; we did not have a
long stay here as we desired to get to New
York and sail with the band going to In¬
dia who had been in New York several
days then. Before leaving my dear mother,
we all knelt in prayer, our hearts were
melted with tenderness of feeling for our
dear ones that we were about to leave.
Earthly ties were soon to be broken; as we
kissed mother good-by and last saw her
standing in the doorway with pale face (she
stood it bravely) we felt that though far
apart in body we could meet and hold one
another up around one common mercy seat.
None will ever know these feelings of part¬
ing with the dearest one we have on earth,
only as we realize them by actual experi¬
ence.
84
FROM THE BARROOM
CHAPTER IX.
REACHING NEW YORK AND TAKING PASSAGE
FOR ENGLAND.
On Dec. 14, 1894, we left Chicago for
New York, securing tickets over the Pitts¬
burg, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad.
We got on board of our train at 3 P. M.
and soon we left the great city of my birth
behind. We distributed tracts and papers
through the train and made a few acquaint¬
ances and had a good time testifying for
Jesus. After eating supper from a basket
filled with good things which my dear
mother had prepared for us for the jour¬
ney, we were ready to go to rest the best
we could for the night. We did not ride in
a Pullman car, for we tried to be saving of
the money which was given us for our trip
to Africa, for much of it had come
from those who sacrificed and denied them¬
selves of some good things that their mone\
inight buy, which they had given to us.
On the morning of December 15, we
TO THE PULiPIT.
85
awoke and found our train speeding fast
around hills and through the valleys of
Pennsylvania. In this state we passed
through three tunnels, which they had to
blast in order to lay their tracks to reach
New York. This reminded us of the way
Christ prepared the way through this world
in order for us to pass clear through to
glory. At times we moved very fast at the
base of a mountain with a high precipice on
the other side of the track; then again on
the one side above us were the high moun¬
tain steeps, while on the other away down
below ran a beautiful stream in its on¬
ward course. As we sped swiftly on past
towns and villages, leaving mile-post after
mile-post behind us, with many other in¬
teresting scenes, we were reminded that
time, too, was swiftly passing, and each
click of the car wheels on the rail joints
brought us a little nearer to our destina¬
tion. So, too, is this time life—we are
hurrying on through conflict and strife to
our eternal destination, a city not made
86
PROM THE BARROOM
with hands, whose ruler and maker is God.
We passed through Johnstown, the scene of
that great flood which cost so many, many
lives a few years before. But all traces of
that great flood had now disappeared and
the town was a busy center for business
once more.
The evening time found us nearing the
city of New York, where we expected to
meet the members of the India band who
had already been in that large city for
several days, making preparations to sail
for England. At 8 P. M. our train that
left Pittsburg in the evening pulled into the
depot at Jersey City. Here we were met
by two of the India band who had already
learned to find their way about from place
to place, which is no small thing in a city
of this kind. We got on board of a ferry
boat and in a short time we reached New
York City. This meeting reunited the
band and as we all knelt in prayer we
thanked God that he had prospered our
journey thus far. To think back a little to
TO THE PULPIT.
87
the day we left Shenandoah when we did
not have enough money to take us to Af¬
rica and now we were ready to sail with
all things needful in hand, it melted our
hearts in praise and thanksgiving to him
whom we had learned to trust.
On Sunday, Dec. 16th, we had but one
service. This was the final meeting con¬
ducted by the missionaries, now all to¬
gether in the American theater, an im¬
mense building rented by the Christian Al¬
liance for special revival services. There
could have been no greater act of Chris¬
tian courtesy at this time by one mission¬
ary organization to another than that of the
Alliance by Reverend Simpson to the mis¬
sionary band just before their final de¬
parture from home and native land. It
was the "exceeding abundant." Many,
many rose for prayers. Every one of us,
twelve in number, spoke in the liberty of
the Spirit. A thousand or more people
listened with unabated interest to the warm
hearted, soul stirring five minute addresses
88
FROM THE BARROOM
of the self denying band. Many hearty
hand shakes and earnest "God-bless-
you's" followed this fitting closing of the
labors of the band in America.
The next day is all rush and hurry, as
the baggage is gotten ready and taken to
the steamer, all baggage is checked and
tickets purchased and everything was ready
to go on board the ship the next morning.
Tuesday, Dec. 18, we cross the Hudson
river at daylight to Hoboken station. New
Jersey, and are soon at the landing of the
North German Lloyd Steamship company,"
As the ship was delayed two hours in start¬
ing, we had several hours of parting scenes.
Brother and Sister Hanley with their
daughter, Katie, who had come to New
York to see us off, also a number of New
York friends were at the steamship dock.
Prayer and song were had without any ob¬
stacle. Most all of Vivian A. Dake's in¬
spiring missionary hymns were sung. The
ship's crew and passengers looked on in
wonderment as "they hushed their breath
TO THE PULI»IT.
89
. that noble band, to catch the last fare¬
well."
Finally, at 11 o'clock A. M., assisted by
two little steam tugs, the massive ocean
steamship was pushed into the middle of
the Hudson, turned around and headed
toward the Atlantic ocean. It was soon
steaming down New York bay, the band
playing and passengers straining their
eyes, waving their hats and handkerchiefs
and watching the last movements of their
friends through their opera glasses. We
were thus off for Southampton, England.
Together we had all taken steerage pas¬
sage. One part was for single men alone,
another for single women, and another for
married people. They were not very in¬
viting places, but when we read that Jesus
"had not where to lay His head," we had
cause of rejoicing and gratitude. All took
the parting and the present situation
grandly. We looked like soldiers going
forth to eat "hard tack" and be shot in¬
stead of going out on dress parade. We
90
FROM THE BARROOM
all had just about enough money to take
us through to our fields of labor by the
cheapest possible transportation. We
went not sent of men, but "God-called and
spirit-burdened," following the pillar of
cloud and fire. We felt we would rather
fall in the line of duty than to remain at
home with a continual feeling that God was
ringing Africa in our ears. We went forth
ready to die in foreign lands or be buried
in the ocean should this have been the will
of God concerning us. We spent our last
days on land in active missionary work
and now we began in earnest among the
passengers on the boat. The voyage across
the Atlantic I will give from my diary as
kept from day to day until we landed in
England.
Dec. 18. After we had left/ New York har¬
bor all the steerage passengers were sent
downstairs. When they got us all down we
were told to get ready to go up and we all
filed up, one by one. At the head of the
stairs they collected our tickets and gave
TO THE PUHPIT.
91
each person a blanket. We then went down¬
stairs again. About this time the dinner
bell rang. Each steerage passenger was
given a tin quart pail, a tin dish one and
one half inches deep, a tin cup, a fork and
a spoon, but no knife. We took our tin
pails and the dish and marched single file
past a stand where the eatables were
served.)(The first meal consisted of boiled
beef, potatoes and soup. At 3:30 P. M.
another bell was heard. At this hour, ev¬
ery day, coffee and bread are served. For
supper they served bread, butter, and beef
stew. Everybody was hungry at this time
and ate with a good appetite, as we had
been out on deck most of the afternoon,
facing the brisk sea winds.
At 6: 30 P. M. our little company gath¬
ered on the deck and sang several songs.
The passengers gathered around us. As
soon as we got through singing a hymn the
German passengers would call out, "Sing
another lied." Brother Guy Eeilly spoke a
few minutes and told the people who we
92
FBOM THE BABBOOM
were and what our mission was. They paid
good attention. We then went to our
quarters and most of our company slept
sound all night.
Dec. 19. The sea is more troubled this
morning than last night. The breakfast
hell rang at seven o'clock. Only a few
came for anything to eat. The first case
of sea sickness in steerage took place last
night, but this morning nearly all are af¬
fected with sickness. Victor, Laura and
Bernhardt are the worst, thus far, in our
company. Guy, Vivian, Ida and Mattie
have felt bad, but are not very sick. Sister
Muzzy and the writer have been spared
thus far. We both have good appetites.
Barney and Victor have been out a little
while this afternoon. The boat ran 338
jt
miles the first twenty-two hours. We saw
some porpoise fish swimming and jumping
out of the water. They jump from three to
six feet at a time. They are about four
to six feet long and followed our boat for a
mile or more. Every once in a while they
TO THE PUUPIT.
93
would jump out of the watef. This was
amusing to us, as we had never seen any¬
thing like it. Some one remarked that they
smelled the food on hoard of the ship and
were hungry for something to eat. They
acted very much that way. They tried very
hard to keep up with our boat. I have
picked up some German since coming on
this boat in doing personal work among the
German passengers. Beer and liquor are
sold freely on the boat and some of the men
are getting drunk. At times it sounds much
like a German beer garden when they gel
to singing and dancing on deck.
CHAPTER X.
ON THE STEAMSHIP "ELBE" CROSSING THE
NORTH ATLANTIC.
On the steamship Elbe, crossing the
North Atlantic, Deic. 20, 1894.
Last night before retiring we sang sev¬
eral hymns on deck. The German pas¬
sengers gathered around us (some were
94
FROM THE BABEOOM
drunk). Just before going down stairs we
got down on our knees to pray and to thank
God for safe-keeping thus far on our jour¬
ney, As some of the Germans saw us kneel¬
ing they got stirred up, and said, "Das
sind spits-buben,'' referring to us, meaning
"they are sneak thieves." We prayed for
these poor souls as they had been drinking
all day and did not know what they were
doing. Barney and Victor are still quite
sick. Laura is improving. Guy, Vivian,
Ida and Mattie are well again, but dare not
eat very much. The fare seems to agree
with some of the passengers, but we do
not eat verj' much of it. They tell us that
with a few days' riding and getting used
to the motion of the ship the sick ones will
be all right again. We met with a con¬
verted Jew, who is on his way to Russia as
a missionary. He has done good work
among the Jew passengers on this boat. He
is also sea-sick and confined to his berth in
second passenger apartment. Many are so
sick that the sight of food only serves to
TO THE PULPIT.
95
make them feel worse. Some have said they
would not eat any more until they arrived
on shore again.
Dec. 21. The workers are fast improv¬
ing with the exception of Bernhardt and
Laura. Graham crackers, apples and lem¬
ons seem to satisfy those who are able to
eat a little. We would advise missionaries
to take a supply of these, especially if they
expect to travel third class. We spend the
days on deck, because the steerage rooms
smell very badly; it is all we can do to
stay in them over night. The Germans get
drunk and then vomit over the floor. Many
get sick just from the smell that pervades
the steerage room. Some of the* passen¬
gers have not left their bunks since the
first night the ship left New York harbor.
We would not advise missionaries to travel
third class if all the boats are as bad as
this one is, on which we are crossing the
North Atlantic.
Dec. 22. We all slept well last night.
Bernhardt is able to be out this morning.
96
FEOM THE BARROOM
The band of workers is improving very
fast. We are all sitting on the deck. This
is where we spend the days in singing and
reading as we are able. Occasionally we
see a boat in the distance which interests
everybody, as they are so anxious to see
something else besides water. Any object
on the water draws the attention of the
passengers and they watch it until it passes
out of sight.
Dec. 24. Ida took sick and was quite had
for some time. She ate some very salty
herring which took a had effect on her.
She lay down to rest and fell asleep. When
she awoke she said, "I could see nothing
but fish, fish, fish, as I lay asleep." We
are now writing on deck. The sea is roll¬
ing very high and is more troubled at this
time than it has been on this trip. We
would be tossed off our seats if we did not
hold ourselves. On account of our being
third class passengers we are denied many
privileges that they enjoy in first and sec¬
ond department. The officers and boat
TO THE PXJLPIT.
97
hands do not pay very much attention to us
when we ask them questions. They treat
the steerage passengers as a low class of
people, and the first and second class with
more reverence. I went down to the kitchen
for hot water and enquired of one man
where the cook was. His answer was, '' He
is out on land for a walk." We were at
this time in mid ocean. We praise the
Lord for these new experiences, for it
teaches us to have more patience with
those who are inclined to make fun of
us.
We held a Holy Ghost meeting on deck
and many gathered around us to listen to
the ringing testimonies. By holding the
meeting on deck I helieve we get more
hearers than we would if we had gone into
the chapel. Bernhardt spoke in German and
when the Germans heard him speak in their
own language they stretched forth their
necks and with open hearts listened to the
words of life. The meeting ran for two
hours, after which we handed out tracts
98
FROM THE BARROOM
and papers. Many of the passengers call
us the Salvation Army. At 2: 30 P. M. we
are moving on in mid ocean, in a terrible
storm. We are not afraid, as we feel in
divine order, and the best of all we have
the Lord with us on this boat. His pres¬
ence makes our paradise, and where He is,
is heaven. We eat very little food during
such times as this. Our diet consists of lem¬
ons, dry bread, dried apples, potatoes, soup
and hot water with condensed milk. I'm
praising the Lord for keeping me well thus
far on our journey. I have had a good ap¬
petite all the way. None of we boys have
had our clothes off since leaving New York.
We are looking for a good cleaning up
time when we get to England.
Dec. 25. All hail! A king has been
born, and this morning he rules and reigns
in my heart supremely. Halleluiah! Hal¬
leluiah! We are all on deck this morning.
The workers are all feeling pretty well and
are able to eat with a good appetite. I
have had some unutterable joy fill my soul.
TO THE PULMT.
99
As I was writing the thought came to me
that the dear workers at home were pray¬
ing for us. I looked at my watch and it
was 5:45 A. M. (steamship time 10:40
A. M.). Tears of joy ran down my cheeks
and the fire burned in my bosom. We are
glad to know that you remember us daily
at home, and that you are interested in us
and the Lord's work in foreign fields. Oh,
keep the world on your hearts, and when
you pray, pray around it and when you
stop at a place or field of labor, hold on un¬
til you pray through before you go any
further. Don't rattle off a long dry ser¬
mon in your prayers, but get hold of the
throne, and then hold on until you bring
heaven and earth together and the place
you are praying for is shaken with the
power of God. Amen. This is one of the
best Christmas mornings of my life. My
will is swallowed up in His will, and I
am basking in the sunlight of his love.
Everything is as clear as crystal before
me.
100
FROM THE BARROOM
"No cloud Uiose regions know,
Realms ever bright and fair,
For sin the source of mortal woe,
Can never enter there."
I have this heaven below.
Dee. 26. Ship time, 12:30 P. M. Home
time, 7: 30 A. M. The workers are all well
with the exception of Ida, who is quite ill.
We have all eaten a hearty dinner. This
morning there was an uproar on deck
among the Jews. One of the boat hands
was cleaning herring for dinner, on the
wash house floor. One of the Jews noticed
this and reported it to his brethren. You
know they love to eat herring and at this
they all came up on deck, stirred to
the utmost and started for the wash house.
The man who was washing the fish would
not listen to them. They then reported to
the head steward. He came and ordered
the fish thrown overboard. The Jews won
the victory and went away satisfied, say¬
ing, "If they want to give us herring, we
want them clean." We do not know how
the food is prepared in the kitchen, but we
TO THE PULPIT.
101
are quite sure they are not very clean. The
floor on which they were washing the flsh
had been vomited and spit upon by the sick
and drunken. We will soon meet the pilot
boat. They are getting things in readi¬
ness. This will be our last night on the
boat. We sighted the Silicia islands about
two hours ago, and now we see a place
called Devil's Eocks. It is an island in¬
habited by fishermen. It is getting dark
and all we can see is the light-house. We
will be in Southampton in the morning.
Dec. 27. We were awakened by the stew¬
ard at 4 o'clock this morning, who told us
we would soon be in Southampton. We
got out of our berths and started for the
deck. We were then in the English chan¬
nel, which we entered last night. Lights
could be seen on both sides. Southampton
could be seen off in the distance, and could
be distinguished by the many lights which
lighted up the city. About 6 o'clock the
steamship Elbe stopped her machinery
and we were soon standing still, with a
102
FEOM THE BABBOOM
small steamship at our side. The baggage
was unloaded in a short time, then the
Southampton passengers, who numbered
about seventy-five, walked down a small
bridge reaching from one ship to the other.
We were soon over, and the whistle blew.
The bridge was hauled in. We steamed
up to the dock. In a short time a bridge
was put across from the dock to the boat,
and soon we were on terra firma once more.
Our baggage was examined and passed, all
but our larger boxes, which we put in
storage until we leave for Africa. We got
into two cabs and drove to Brother Arden's
home. He was getting ready to move to
his new home. He jumped into our cab
and we drove to a temperance hotel. Here
we knelt in prayer with thankful hearts for
our safe journey to England. One by one
we prayed until the room was ringing with
loud halleluiahs. We were perhaps a
strange company at first to the hotel
keeper, but he soon got used to us and
never disturbed us in our worship during
TO THE PULPIT.
103
the days we remained there. The steamship
Elbe went on to Germany. On her re¬
turn voyage to America she was lost in a
collision in the North Sea with all on
board, except twenty, who managed to es¬
cape in a life boat.
CHAPTEB XI.
THE STEAMSHIP "ELBE" LOST AT SEA.
The ocean liner on which the missionaries
crossed the North Atlantic went to the
bottom of the sea on her return voyage to
New York. We remembered well in talking
with the boat men about their souls' salva¬
tion and tried to point out the danger to
them of suddenly being called away by the
ship going to the bottom of the ocean, hut
some laughed while others mocked and no
doubt most all of them were lost. The ac¬
count of the sinking of the Elbe is taken
from the Chicago Tribune—
London, January 13.—Tlie North Ger¬
man Lloyd steamer Elbe, Captain von
104
FROM THE BARROOM
Gossel, which left Bremen yesterday for
New York via Southampton, has been sunk
in a collision with the British Crathie,
going from Rotterdam to Aberdeen, The
disaster occurred before daylight at a point
some thirty miles from the Hook of Hol¬
land. The first intimation of the disaster
came from Lowestoft, Suffolk, one of the
chief English fishing ports. Late in the
afternoon a dispatch was received from
that place saying it was reported there that
a trans-Atlantic line steamer had been sunk
in the North Sea and that the loss of life
was very great. When the news of the dis¬
aster became generally known through the
medium of the tickers of the Exchange
Telegraph company in tlie clubs and places
of public resort the excitement was intense.
Cable dispatches were at once forwarded
to all the principal European cities, and
soon a flood of return dispatches were re¬
ceived asking for information, which at that
time was impossible to obtain. The agents
here of the company did all they could to
TO THE PULPIT.
105
learn the facts and as soon as any new in¬
formation was received it was at once ca¬
bled to the various European capitals.
The dispatches from Germany show that
the news caused the greatest excitement
and sorrow, most all of the officers and
crew of the lost steamer and a majority of
the passengers being Germans. It was at
first hoped that the reports of the disaster
had been exaggerated and that most if not
all of the passengers and crew had escaped,
either by means of the ship's boats or by
being picked up by passing vessels. From
details now at hand it is learned the
Elbe was proceeding along at its usual
rate of speed and keeping the ordinarj'^
lookouts. The night was dark, but there
was no gale. Suddenly the forward look¬
out on the Elbe reported to the officers
on. the deck that the lights of a steamer
were close aboard over the port bow. Be¬
fore the course of the Elbe could be
changed, so as to sheer it off from the ap-
psroaching 'gteamer, the latter struck it just
106
FBOM THE BARROOM
about the engine room, going through the
plates as though they were pasteboard, and
sticking its nose almost completely through
the hull of the Elbe.
For a time the Crathie held the Elbe
on its nose, but then its engines were re¬
versed and it backed out of the aperture it
had made. As it did so the water rushed
into the Elbe in a torrent and it imme¬
diately began to settle. The officers in
charge of the ship saw at once that it was
doomed and gave hurried orders to clear
away the life boats for launching. Three
of the boats were cleared and lowered, but
one of them shortly after it got clear of
the steamer capsized, and it is thought that
all the occupants were drowned.
The first boat contained the third officer,
chief engineer, purser, sailors, passengers,
twenty in all. These are the persons that
were picked up by the fishing smack and
taken to Lowestoft. From the survivors it
is learned that as soon as the Crathie
backed away from the Elbe the inrush-
TO THE PULPIT.
107
ing water flooded the aft of the engine
room so quickly that nobody below the
decks in that part of the ship had an oppor¬
tunity to escape. The shock of the collis¬
ion was comparatively light in view of the
damage done, hut this is explained by the
fact that it was a direct cutting blow.
Nearly all the passengers were asleep at
the time, but many of them were awakened
by the shock, slight as it was. They could
hear the rush of the rapidly inflowing
water, and witli cries of terror, sought to
make their way to the upper deck. The
steamer being loaded by the stem, water
naturally rushed aft, and this allowed many
of the passengers forward to reach the
deck. In the ease of the saloon passengers,
however, the result was fatal. As they
mshed from their state-rooms into the sa¬
loon they were met by the torrent against
which it was impossible for them to make
headway. They were caught up and swept
aft toward the cockpit, where they were
probably drowned before the ship found-
108
PKOM THE BARBOOM
ered. Altogether about fifty of the passen¬
gers reached the deck, where the wildest
confusion existed.„_ Wild rushes were made
for the boats, but the terrible excitement
prevailing impeded the efforts of those who
were really trying to dear them away.
Many heart rending scenes were witnessed
between parents and children in the few
moments preceding the sinking of tlie ves¬
sel.
Meanwhile the cry was raised on the
doomed vessel for the women and children
to go over to the other sjde of the steamer,
away from the port side, in which was the
great hole caused by the Crathie. The
half fainting women and the terror-stricken
children hurried to the starboard side, but
they had scarcely reached the boats when
the huge vessel lifted its bow high into
the air and then slowly and silently sank,
stem foremost, beneath the waves, taking
with it its human freight. Barely twenty
minutes had elapsed between the collision
and the sinking of the steamer. A heavy
OX) THE PULPIT.
109
sea was running and the wind, which was
from the east, was bitterly cold. The small
boat containing the survivors tossed about
until 11 o'clock in the morning. Several
vessels were sighted in the meantime, but
they made no replies to the signals that
were set for them. The survivors were
nearly frozen, having hardly any clothing,
and their suffering was intense. Eventu¬
ally the fishing smack, "Wild Flower, saw
the signals and bore down on the boat. In
a short time the survivors were taken
aboard of it, where everything possible was
done for their comfort. Chief Engineer
Neusell in an interview said: "The steamer
that ran into us appeared to he a vessel of
about 1,500 tons. Nothing was visible by
which either its name or its hailing port
could be ascertained."
The chief engineer declined to give any
opinion as to how the catastrophe hap¬
pened. He said the Elbe had a good
passage until the accident occurred. Not
more than twenty minutes elapsed before
110
FBOM THE BAKBOOM
the steamer sank. It was only the position
that the Elbe assumed when the water
rushing into it made its volume felt
that prevented the launching of more
boats.
Everything possible, including the fir¬
ing of rockets, was done in the short time
before the vessel settled down. The night
was very dark at the time of the collision
There were about 400 persons on the
Elbe 240 of whom were passengers, 160
officers and crew, and a number of cattle
men who were returning to the United
States. Of this number all but twenty
were lost.
From what one of the rescued men says,
the disaster must have been one of the
most terrible in the history of such catas¬
trophes. The whole of the passengers are
understood to have been below and asleep
at the time the collision occurred and nearly
all of them must have been either drowned
below or have met death while seeking to
rush upon the deck. The man who fur-
TO THE PULPITI
111
nishes this information was in such an ex¬
cited state that little more could be gath¬
ered from him than exclamations of horror.
He repeated time and again: "It was ter¬
rible ! The women and children went down
without hardly being able to utter a prayer.
It was terrible!
"The steamship must be full of dead
bod&es. They were caught like rats in
a trap! I can't tell you any more about it.
All I know is that I heard a terrible crash
and it was followed by an awful sound of
rushing water and escaping steam. It
was dark down below where I was, but
somehow I managed to push my way on
deck. The ship resounded with heart rend¬
ing cries from all quarters, although the of¬
ficers seemed to be doing all they could to
calm the people. I saw a lot of sailors
making a rush for a boat and I joined
in with them. Somehow the boat was low¬
ered and I managed to scramble into it,
although it seemed to me as if about a hun¬
dred people were trying to do the same.
112
FROM THE BARROOM
We pushed some of them away, for it was
utterly impossible to load the boat any
more and we could see that the Elbe
was doomed. It was rolling terribly and
settling down on one side in a manner
which seemed to threaten turning it over
entirely.
"Somehow or other we got away and a
number of the people were drowned as
they jumped into the sea and swam after
us. Of course, we could not pull back for
any body, or we would have been pulled
under by the people who were already
struggling in the water. Some time later,
I can't say how long, for I was too horrified
to think, the Elbe gave a fearful lurch
sideways and sank with a bursting sound.
It seemed to me as if something blew up
on board as it went down. I don't know
what became of the vessel that ran into us.
I saw a light somewhere in the distance and
supposed that was it, but can't say any¬
thing for certain. I had a brother on
board who was from Germany, like my-
TO THE PULPIT.
113
self. We were on our way to the United
States, where we had relatives.
"I don't know how many people were
drowned, but I should think that at least
300 persons went down in that terrible ship,
^here was another boat lowered at the
same time we got away; hut it sank* soon
afterwards. I think it was so crowded with
people that it could not float. The chief
engineer, who hscd charge of our boat, did
all he could for us while we drifted about.''
This disaster to the Elbe is the first aw¬
ful mishap that has befallen the North
German Lloyd line in more than a genera¬
tion. One of the most notable mishaps that
have befallen the company's ships was
that which happened to the Trave, one of
the largest ships of the line when it col¬
lided with the No via Scotia bark Fred B.
Taylor. The big liner ripped through the
bark as a knife cuts cheese and the sailing
vessel fell away at each side with its sails
trembling like the wings of a stricken bird.
A mishap to the steamship Spree, which
114
FROM THE BABBOOM
placed its 238 passengers in peril was
brought into universal prominence by the
claim of Evangelist Moody that he had
saved tlie ship by prayer. The passengers
aboard, however, had something to do with
it. The Spree broke its shaft late in No¬
vember, 1892, while bound from Bremen
to New York. The threshing of the pon¬
derous metal burst in the steamer's side
and flooded the two after compartments.
For many days it was a question whether it
would survive to reach port. Evangelist
Moody and Gen. O. 0. Howard held prayer
meeting in the cabin calling divine aid to
still the seas, and while they were praying
the engineers tinkered at the shaft.
Eventually the steamship Lake Huron
came along and towed the Spree into
Queenstown.
TO THE PULPIT.
115
CHAPTER XII.
OUR STAY IN ENGLAND AND TAKING
PASSAGE FOR AFRICA.
While stopping in Southampton, Eng¬
land, at a temperance hotel, we had the
privilege of learning the ways and cus¬
toms of the English people; and as it was
our intention to go to Natal, South Africa,
an English colon}^ this was a great benefit
to us. One Sabbath morning Sister Muzzy,
Mattie and myself went to a Quaker meet¬
ing. It was the first one I ever attended.
The worshipers came in and sat down and
for fifteen minutes there was perfect sil¬
ence all over the house. Then one man
got up and read the third chapter of Col-
ossians, and sat down again, and for ten
minutes there was silence. Occasionally
some one coughed which was all that could
be heard. Then a lady got up and spoke.
After a silence of five minutes a man rose
and commented on the chapter that had
been read; then the man who read the chap-
116
FROM THE BARROOM
ter got up and commented on the same
chapter. We felt the Spirit moving us
to take part and testify of God's goodness
to us and what he had done for our souls.
Sister Muzzy was the first to speak; Mat-
tie and I followed soon after. The Lord
blessed our words to those who listened
and to our own souls. Soon after this the
meeting closed without the regular for¬
mality of closing a service. Several gath¬
ered around us, knowing we were strangers,
and said, "God bless you and be with you
on your journey." They were spiritual
people and knew what it was to be born
from above. We enjoyed this service very
much, and praised God for the privilege of
attending an old-fashioned Quaker meeting.
One day while stopping in Southampton,
I had to go down to the docks and have
our trunks and boxes passed through the
customs. The hoys who were going to In¬
dia had to go up to London and sail from
there. They ordered me to ship their boxes
and trunks to them. Mr. Chamherlin,
TO THE PULPIT.
117
through whom we booked for Durban, was
with me. He reported a man a few days
before for overcharging him on some
goods. This day this very same man, who
is a custom house examiner, asked me if
there were any spirits or tobacco packed
in those boxes. I told him we were mis¬
sionaries and did not believe in using such
stuff. He said he couldn't see why a mis¬
sionary shouldn't use tobacco and spirits.
I told him that our missionaries did not
believe it was good for them and did not
believe in carrying it with them. I showed
him a list of the things that we had in our
boxes. This did not satisfy him. Mr.
Chamberlin was the one whom he was try¬
ing to make all the trouble he could; and
he was the one who was seeing after our
boxes and trunks, so they opened one of
the Africa boxes and went through it, and
also opened one of the India boxes and
would have me run back to the hotel for the
keys for the trunks.
The Lord came to my help at this time
118
FROM THE BARROOM
for I had been lifting iny heart to him in
silent prayer. The surveyor of customs,
an elderly gentleman, stepped in about this
time. Mr. Chamherlin went to him and
told him who the boxes and trunks be¬
longed to. He then asked me if there were
any spirits or tobacco in either of the
boxes. I said no, and that we did not use
either, or carry any with us. He ha 1 every¬
thing passed and said it was all right. The
two boxes were closed up again. The sur¬
veyor told Mr. Chamherlin that as
soon as he looked into my face he knew
that everything was all right. , It would
have been a half day's work to unpack and
repack all our boxes. The Lord was good
to us even in these little things.
We spent several evenings at the Salva¬
tion Army barracks, the officers were de¬
lighted to have us with them. They would
say in introducing us to the people, "We
have the Americans with us again tonight,
and we will turn them loose.'' They asked
us to sing some of our hymns, and would
TO THE PUIjPIT.
119
give the very best attention when we spoke.
Every service closed with an altar call and
the Lord saved some precious souls during
our stay here.
The morning arrived when we had to
part with the rest of the India band, Laura,
Ida and Auntie Muzzy. The boys left us
several days before. Words and pen will
never tell what we felt in our hearts.
Brother Arden was at the depot platform
with us, and we sang two hymns, "Far
Away Across the Sea," and "Roll Call."
Then prayer was offered, the train pulled
into the depot, soon the missionaries were
on hoard, a last look, and a wave of the
handkerchief and soon they were out of
sight. Bernhardt and Mattie and I went
back to the hotel. We missed the dear
workers. It seemed we had lost something
after they left us, for we had mingled our
voices in prayer and song so often, hut now
we were left alone.
Our day for leaving Africa was drawing
nigh. We bought a few things to use on
120
FROM THE BARROOM
our journey, jams, fruit and jelly, which
we bought at very reasonable prices, to
take on board the ship. The workers
could eat these things with bread, when
they could hardly look at any other kind of
food. When we left America we little
knew how we would be provided for in
England. The Lord prepared, through the
kindness of Brother Arden, one of H i s
stewards, the comfortable lodgings at the
temperance hotel. We enjoyed the pleas¬
ant rooms of the hotel, with its well spread
table, morning, noon and night. The Lord
truly was good to us, and our hearts flowed
out in gratitude to Him for all the blessings
which he showered upon us during our stay
in England.
On Jan. 12, 1895, about 9 o'clock in the
morning a man called for our baggage and
took it down to the steamship dock, after
which we knelt in prayer for the last time
in the hotel rooms. Bernhardt, Mattie,
and I were alone. The melting spirit rolled
over all our hearts as we poured them out
TO THE PULPIT.
121
before the Lord. After dinner we started
for the dock and got on board at 1:30 P.
M. At 3: GO P. M. the shore lines were
hauled in. Brother Arden, our friend and
brother in Christ, was the only one pres¬
ent to see us off for Africa.
For fifteen minutes we kept in sight of
him and were waving our handkerchiefs
continually to one another until Brother
Arden disappeared out of sight. We soon
came into the English channel, where the
pilot left us. The waters of the channel
were very restless. Soon the boat was
rolling on high billows and it had its ef¬
fect on all the passengers. On account of
the ship being crowded with passengers all
the married folks were separated, so Bern¬
hardt and I had a cabin with four other
men, making six of us in one cabin. Mat-
tie occupied a cabin with several other
women right across the saloon from where
our cabin was.
On Sunday, the day after we left Eng¬
land, we entered the Bay of Biscay. Here
122
FROM THE BARROOM
the boat began to roll and pitch more than
ever. We remained in our berths all day.
As long as we could lie still we did not feel
bad, but just as soon as we would get on
our feet we felt like vomiting and could
not, for everything on our stomachs bad
come up already. It was bard to keep from
laughing to watch the actions of the differ¬
ent ones that were sea-sick. All through my
spell of sea-sickness I could not keep from
laughing at myself and at times I felt like
I didn't care what became of the boat, be¬
cause of the awful feeling of the hour.
When we had got out on the Bay of Bis¬
cay nearly everybody on the boat was on
the sick list. On Sunday afternoon I ap¬
proached a young Jew who was sitting on
deck wrapped up in a shawl, and opened a
conversation with him. He began to pour
out his troubles to me something like this.
He said:
"I came from New York to London and
I was not sick, hut here (pointing to the
water) the water is no good at all."
TO THE PULPIT.
123
We tried to speak words of encourage¬
ment to him and told him about the Bay
of Biscay, that nearly every one gets sick
when they go across it in time of a storm,
especially if they are not used to sailing.
On Sunday night, as I was lying in my
berth singing hymns, the melting power of
God rolled in on my soul until tears ran
down my face and shouts of joy burst forth
spontaneously. At that moment a spirit
of prayer was given me, especially for the
band on their way to India, sailing as we
were at that hour on the mighty ocean.
The following day, being Monday, I was
again able to sit up in my berth and write.
We were still on the Bay of Biscay and
the waters were rolling and pitching the
boat until it was a hard task to stay on our
feet any length of time. Bernhardt got
out for a few minutes, but had to return to
his berth sick as ever. When I was able I
would run in to see how Mattie was getting
along. Like the rest of us she was awful
sea-sick, but could not help laughing at
124
FROM THE BARROOM
times at our present condition. We had
not eaten anything since coming on the
boat, being about two days without food,
hut the time of fasting did not prove harm¬
ful, but rather worked out for our own
benefit to soul and body. During the days
of our sea-sickness I was reading through
the book of Job, and I dare say a severe
spell of sea-sickness would make one feel
about like Job felt through his afflictions;
When we got over our sick spell we all
had good appetites and there was plenty
of good, wholesome food on the table three
times a day, so we soon put on the strength
we had lost. We began to do personal work
among the passengers, who were a mixed
multitude. Germans, Jews, English, Danes,
Scotch and Irish were represented. We
also had on board four native girls from
Cape Town, Africa. They had been to
America holding missionary meetings to
raise money to build a school for the na¬
tives of South Africa.
We were now sailing south several days
TO THE PULPIT.
125
and the weather became warmer, so it was
delightful to sit up on deck. This added
to our comfort greatly, and now for the
first time we began to thoroughly enjoy
sailing on the ocean. It was cold and chilly
most of the time crossing the North Atlan¬
tic, and we suffered much from close con¬
finement in the bad smelling quarters of
the old Elbe, but now the balmy breezes
of the south came over the waters as we sat
on deck bathing ourselves in the sunshine
of heaven and real comfort was ours. It
is so true in our spiritual life, after severe
trials and testings, going through difficult
places, having hand to hand conflicts with
the enemy. At times it looks or we feel
we can not hold out much longer. Just then
the Lord sends ministering angels, and as
they come, bringing the balmy breezes of
heaven, we lift our heads, the enemy is
gone, and we are once more out on the vic¬
tory side bathing ourselves in the glorious
sunshine of heaven. Then more than at
any other time, too, we realize the good-
126
FROM THE BABEOOM
ness of God to His children. Our first
stop will be Lisbon on the coast of Portu¬
gal ; then we sail to the Canary Islands for
a short stop.
CHAPTER XIH.
ON THE STEAMER SAILING FOR SOUTH
AFRICA.
On Jan. 16, 1895, we were about 1,000
miles from Southampton, England, with
the coast of Portugal in sight. How glad
we all were to see land again. About the
first buildings we saw in the beautiful
green landscape were a large fort and a
light-house. The fort was built on a large
rock with iron buildings at the back. There
were many portholes, from which pro¬
truded the ends of cannon pointing in all
directions, thus protecting their country
from invasion. The thought came to me
that the grace of God fortified our souls
from all the invasions of the devil. Though
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
TO THE PULPIT.
127
yet they are mighty through God to the
pulling down of strongholds, by our being
armed with the mind that was in Jesus.
If we keep our lights burning brightly in
the light-house, then surely the light will
fall on some poor tempest-tossed and sea-
driven soul and show him the haven of
eternal rest.
We sail on past rich fields at the foot
of large mountains until we see the city of
Lisbon; mighty for her commerce. There
are many large stone buildings. The first
one we notice is the custom house, next a
cathedral. Then beyond toward the top of
a high hill, is a large stone building which
appears to cover fully an acre of ground,
around which is beautiful shrubbery.
This is the king's palace. The ship then
cast anchor and when she stopped it was
just noon day. It»is mid-winter in our
home land, but here the sun is shining and
Portugal looks so fresh and green that it
makes us think that it is summer time. A
number of small boats laden with cargo
128
FEOM THE BABBOOM
came to the sides of our steamer and soon
the men were at work storing the goods
down in the hold. Many of our passengers
went to shore to view the city of Lisbon.
Several small boats laden with fruit also
came along-side and the men in charge sold
much of their fruit. They had oranges,
lemons, figs and apples. We bought one
shilling's worth of apples and oranges, for
which we got ten of each. The apples were
very small and the oranges a fair size.
At night while we were still in the bay
at Lisbon it began to rain and all of the
passengers gathered in the saloon. Some
were laughing and jesting, others were
playing cards. Our hearts were moved at
the scene. Mattie and I sat together and
could not stand it very long. We started
the hymn,
"Shall this life of mine be wasted,
ShaU this vineyard lie untilled,
Shall true joys pass by untasted,
And my soul remain unfilled."
We sang in the Spirit, which caught hold
of the people and there was perfect silence
TO THE PULPIT.
129
all over the saloon. We sang several other
songs in which tlie Lord helped us, and
distributed some tracts and papers. This
gave us a good chance also to do some per¬
sonal work.
It was mid-night when our boat left Lis¬
bon. The morning found us sailing on a
very high sea, and it seemed we had really
got used to sailing so we felt about as well
as if we were on land. The balmy air was
delightful. I do not know when we enjoyed
the air so much as we did that morning.
Every breath we drew seemed to bring new
inspiration and music to our souls. We
usually awoke about six A. M., and pre¬
pared for deck to find some place where
we could pray in secret to God. Usually
the passengers did not get out this early
and it gave us plenty of opportunity and
time for communion with God. In these
hours of devotion our faith was strength¬
ened for our future work in Africa. Mat-
tie had very weak eyes when we left Amer¬
ica, but now it seemed she did not want the
130
FROM THE BARROOM
glasses she wore, because her eyes had
got so much better. The sea voyage
has been a great benefit to her health
so far.
On Jan. 19, we came in sight of tbe
Canary Islands. At 3 P. M. we were op¬
posite one of the islands about two miles
east by sea." We could see the lofty moun¬
tains which rise from the waters high
toward the heavens. Everything on the
island looked fresh and green and the view
was exceeding beautiful to us especially,
who had seen nothing but water for a num¬
ber of days. Our boat stopped in sort of
a bay just opposite the city Teneriffe,
which is partly built on the mountain side
and its buildings which are mostly white,
look beautiful in the distance with the back¬
ground of green, showing the city off
splendidly.
No sooner had our boat stopped, when
many small boats came to our side, which
contained fruit and tobacco venders. Each
man struggled hard to get on our deck
TO THE PULPIT.
131
and be the first to get his fruit or tobacco
before the passengers. They climbed up
the side of our boat almost as fast as a
squirrel would run up a tree. It was won¬
derful. They first would throw a rope
up, and one of the passengers would fas¬
ten it, and in less time than it takes to
tell it, they were on deck. I suppose they
have practised this all their lives. After
they all get on deck it looks like a market
place. Here several men sold oranges,
forty for one shilling, and there another
group sold figs in small baskets containing
about three pounds each for a sixpence. Oth¬
ers sold smoking and chewing tobacco very
cheap. Those men who poison the air with
smoke and spit yellow juice around on the
deck, put in a good supply of the weed.
There was also on sale lemons, tomatoes,
and nuts. All these sold for very reasonable
prices. Several of the natives of the island
had wine under their coats, selling it on
the sly, as they are not allowed to sell it
on board of the ship, because the steward
132
FROM THE BARROOM
who sells liquor on this boat wants this
trade all to himself.
Before dark our boat had left the island.
Our next stop would be Cape Town, South
Africa. We had two weeks' sailing still
before us. As we neared the equator the
passengers changed their clothing and put
on lighter garments. The first Sunday we
spent on the steamer was stormy. The sec¬
ond Sunday we attended the service of the
Church of England which the captain of
the boat conducted. They sang several
hymns and read several confessional
prayers out of their prayer books. They
read the creed and sang the doxology, and
then dismissed the congregation.
At 6:30 in the evening a number of the
passengers requested us to hold a service
in the third class saloon. We got two
dozen hymn books and let the people select
such hymns as thej'^ were familiar with. We
read the scriptures then had a number of
prayers, after which each of our band
talked about ten minutes and told how we
TO THS pulpit.
133
found this great salvation that saves from
sin. The people listened very attentively.
After services were over, two young men
came to us and asked us to remember them
in prayer, also one of the native girls from
Africa, whom I mentioned before in the
chapter previous to this. That night after
retiring I dreamed that our little band were
fishing in a lake, and succeeding well. We
stood in the water up to our knees. Sud¬
denly as we moved about, the waters were
troubled. The next thing we saw were
dozens of snakes hissing on every side.
I awoke and asked the Lord in prayer,
what this meant. He showed me that it
was a good place to do gospel work and
catch men on this boat, but the devil was
stirred up all around us.
One morning some men were gambling
with cards, in the third class saloon. The
money lay out on the table and the chil¬
dren were playing around in the room. We
had spoken to the men before this, but a
few of them Would gamble right out iu the
134
FROM THE BARROOM
open. Thinking the captain of the boat who
had led the church services the day before
would be in sympathy with me, I went to
him and asked him if he would not put a
stop to the gambling in the third class sa¬
loon for the children's sake if nothing else.
He looked at me with a sort of disdain and
said, "I can not stop them as long as they
keep order on the ship. The children must
be kept away." He also said, it was pre¬
judice that some people had against gam¬
bling and that he could see no harm in it.
I had no rest until I went to him, and now,
while he stood and listened, I gave in my
testimony of how I was led astray through
example and bad influences thrown around
me in childhood days, and then how God
found me, a wreck, soul and body, at the
age of twenty-one, all caused by drink and
gambling. The Spirit of God helped me
and before I got through it took hold of the
Captain and there was no more gambling
in that saloon.
Every morning the Captain and four of-
TO THE PULPIT.
135
ficers walked through the different depart¬
ments of the ship to see that the stewards
kept things clean. One morning our cabin
door stood open. We had a poster pinned
up, '' Heaven or Hell awaits you.'' As the
Captain stopped by our cabin door with
the officers at his side, he read aloud,
"Heaven or Hell awaits you." We were
sitting together in the saloon a short dis¬
tance away, reading. He stepped into our
cabin, and remarked as he came out, "I
guess I shall go to hell." We prayed that
God would convict and convert him be¬
fore he was forever lost.
CHAPTER XIV.
LANDING ON AFRIC'S SHORE.
On Jan. 22, at 4 P. M., we sighted Cape
Verde. The shores of Africa could be seen
clearly. On a high place on the Cape we
saw a light-house and several small sail¬
boats in the harbor. A few days later we
crossed the Equator and were now sailing
136
FBOM THE BARROOM
south of the line. We felt the Lord very-
near to us. He also made us bold to de¬
clare the truth. Then the scripture verse
was given to us, "They that live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." It
proved itself true in our case, in several in¬
stances on the boat.
One day a committee for sports, chance
games and dancing, asked us to contribute
to help defray the expenses. We told them
we did not care to take part and could not
conscientiously contribute to the fund. This
seemed to spread like wild fire among the
passengers who contributed quite freely of
their means; from this time on some of
them began to look down on us with scorn¬
ful faces. We found pleasure in serving the
Lord, which brought peace and joy to our
souls. Without money and without price
we drank at the fountain of life freely.
We had an appointment given out for
Sunday night to preach in the third class
saloon. The hour came and we went out
on deck to sing and invite ^the passengers
TO THE PULPIT.
137
in. The Spirit of the Lord came upon us
while we were singing. The people came
from all quarters of the ship, stewards, of¬
ficers, deck hands, first, second, and third
class passengers. We continued the meet¬
ing on deck, under canvas which was
stretched over our heads to keep us cool
during the intense heat of the day. We
sang familiar hymns, then asked all the
people to kneel in prayer. Just one na¬
tive girl from Africa knelt with us during
the prayer for this multitude of people.
She responded with the rest of us with an
occasional Amen! Mrs. Weiss talked from
Rom. 1:8. Bernhardt and I followed en¬
treating the people to repent. Victory was
ours and we felt as free as heaven, as we
had delivered ourselves from this people's
blood. After the meeting a number took a
decided stand for the truth. One young
man who had asked our prayers the Sun¬
day before had been feeling the effects of
them. He became troubled, then prayed
in earnest for himself and his countenance
138 FROM THE BARROOM
showed he was struggling. He promised
God from that time on he would serve
Him.
Even on a ship, sin abounds. Drinking,
gambling and dancing are carried on at a
fearful rate. The worst of all is, a good
number of those who participate are
church members who attend services each
Sabbath and repeat their prayers and con¬
fessions, and sing those formal chants that
sound more like mockery than salvation,
and immediately after service on Sunday
morning, slip into the bar and get a drink.
These so-called church members are mak¬
ing the so-called infidels of the present
day.
On Feb. 4, we sighted Table Mountain
at the foot of which Cape Town lies. This
mountain we first saw while we were still
fifty miles at sea, and not till evening time
did we see Cape Town itself. Here we
stopped two whole days and part of the
third day unloading cargo. Nearly all the
passengers left the boat here, but we had
TO THE PULPIT, 139
still eight hundred miles to travel around
the Cape of Good Hope up into tlie Indian
Ocean to Durban. The weather at Cape
Town was like our June days in America.
Our stop here was very interesting and
profitable. We can not tell you how glori¬
ous it was to our souls when we first
stepped on Africa's soil. We distributed
tracts along the wharf among those who
could read and speak English but we longed
to be able to talk to the natives in their
own language. The fire was burning
brightly in our souls before, but now it
blazed a little higher as we stepped on
the shores of the land to which God had
called us. We walked from the wharf up
to the paved streets which led into the city
proper. We halted in front of the soldiers'
barracks. Here we found six hundred Eng¬
lish soldiers stationed, for this is an Eng¬
lish colony. The most of the buildings here
are made of stone and some of them are
three and four stories high. The govern¬
ment buildings were of a cream color and
140
FROM THE BARROOM
very beautiful. We had not expected to see
such buildings here.
The Salvation Army had barracks in this
city^and were wide awake in their street
woVk. We visited the park in which were
tr«eS growing that had been brought from
alP "parts of Africa. Here we also got a
good view 'of Table Mountain, called so,
because it was flat like a table on the top.
It is several thousand feet high.
Everything was grand and beautiful. The
birds were filled with song and the rich
fragrance of the flowers filled the air, mak¬
ing it seem almost like a paradise, but alas,
as we looked around, both white and blacks
were in the depths of sin and degradation.
In the market place, we found oranges,
lemons, figs, bananas, apples, peaches,
grapes, water-melons, musk-melons, pump¬
kins, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, onions,
lettuce, cabbage, red-peppers, and many
other such articles. The produce on the
market was all sold by an auctioneer.
The people seldom have any fever here.
TO THE PUHPIT.
141
It is a mountainous country around - Cape
Town and hundreds of people Jrom Eng¬
land come here for their health.. The farm¬
ers are mostly English and Dutch. This
is a splendid place for a man to farm and
do missionary work among the natives at
the same time. There is a need all over
Africa for farmer missionaries who will
not farm for the money that there is in it,
but for the good that they might do in
spreading the gospel and teaching the na¬
tives habits of industry along with showing
them how to live.
Leaving Cape Town we rounded the
Ca"^e of Good Hope which brought us into
the Indian Ocean. We made three short
stops on the east coast of Africa on our
way up to Durban. Finally on the 10th of
February we landed in the part of Africa
we had chosen for our field of labor. We
had about $40.00 in money to begin house¬
keeping with in Africa. Miss Smith, now
Mrs. Agnew, also from Shenandoah, met
us at the docks, she had been here a year
142
FROM THE BARROOM
already working for the Master. It was a
joyous meeting indeed, and many happy
days we spent after that in winning souls
for Jesus. Miss Smith had a house rented
and partly furnished. We purchased such
things as were needful to commence house¬
keeping proper. Here we commenced our
life of faith in the dark continent.
The town of Durban is located on the
plain which lies between the bay, the Be-
rea, and the sea. It was founded on the
23 of June, 1835, and was named after
Benjamin Durban. At that time the spot
was a mere lot of sand hills and bush. Dur¬
ban is usually described as one of the most
English like towns in South Africa, and is
a bustling and prosperous center, and no
town could desire to have a better key¬
stone to its structure, than the seaport of
Natal is to Natal. The streets of the town
are laid out in right angles and the three
principal thoroughfares are lined with well
built stores, shops and hotels. Amongst its
institutions are the Chamber of Commerce,
TO THE PULPIT.
143
Public Schools, Library, Churches, British
and Foreign Bible Society, Young Ladies'
College and a goodly number of other in¬
stitutions. A perfect street car system
serves the town and its suburbs.
The population of Natal is about 50,000
whites, chiefly English, Dutch and Germans,
and Coolies from India about 40,000, while
the natives are variously estimated at from
500,000 to 550,000. The English, and Ger¬
man settlers devote their time to commer¬
cial and agricultural interests: The Dutch
are mainly farmers or they may have large
pastures on which their herds of cattle,
goats and sheep graze the year around.
Most of the English and Germans occupy
and cluster round the various towns and
villages, while the Dutch settle the more
outlying districts of the country. Not only
Natal, but all South Africa, owes a deep
debt of gratitude to the staunch de¬
scendants of the heroic Huguenots; for
they lead God-fearing useful lives, pay
their way, and most materially add to the
144
FROM THE BARROOM
productions of the country by their indus¬
try and thrift. In the uplands, the Dutch
language is much used, and while English
is of course the official tongue, the govern¬
ment does all in its power to meet the views
of this section of the community, by en¬
couraging the study of language in the
state aided schools.
When the whites first arrived in Natal
and established themselves, the natives
were broken, defeated, and powerless to
further oppose the might of the all con¬
quering Zulus, whose spears had reaped a
rich harvest of blood over the now fertile
and peaceful hills of Natal. Driven from
their homes unable to plant or reap, they
were forced to take refuge in the bush and
it is asserted that on occasions, had re¬
course to cannibalism in order to keep life
in their war-ridden bodies. Under the fos¬
tering care of the colonists, and protected
by treaties made between them and the Zu¬
lus, these scattered remnants of a people
were gradually formed into tribes.
TO THE PULPIT.
145
The natives take life easy, their wants
being so few and simple, that they scarcely
i.ced to toil for their livelihood. The soil
of the districts of the Colony where they
are located is rich. Their clothing consists
of the very scantiest garments or skins.
They pay a trifling hut tax of fourteen shil¬
lings a year only, and can be truly de-
s(iribed as a people without care. In their
domestic life the natives appeal most pow¬
erfully to the interest of t h e European.
They are polygamists, and stand at this
present juncture of their history in a curi¬
ous portion. Living as they do in fheir lo*
cations, and under the domination of their
own chieftains, who are again subject to
white magistrates, they follow the old pa¬
triarchal style of existence, regarding
women as mere creatures of their pleas¬
ure.
It has been very difficult especially with
the old people to make much headway in
connection with their conversion to Chris¬
tianity. Cattle are used by them as cur-
146
FROM THE BARROOM
rency, and girls are bartered, in which
transactions there often occurs much dis¬
satisfaction, especially so when young girls
are sold to old men. Cases of coercion and
oppression do occur, hut perhaps not more
frequently than amongst American com¬
munities. The number of cattle given for
a wife ranges, according to her station in
life, from six to fifty head, the usual num¬
ber being fifteen. The Natal Zulu believes
in witchcraft, prophecy, love philtres, and
such like. He is firmly fixed in his mind
that the witch doctors have power to bring
rain, to trace spells of witchcraft, to heal
by incantation and to perform sundry other
wonders and miracles. The mahlosi, or
guardian spirits of the dead, are supposed
to enter the bodies of green mambas (a
kind of snake). These reptiles take refuge
in the weed-grown fences of the villages,
and are regarded as sacred.
The natives dwell in bee-hive huts, which
are built in circles, the central portion of
the village being occupied by their cattle.
Zulu women setting- ready for a journey.
148
FROM raE BARROOM
They are not great as workers of metal,
but show an instinctive talent for wood and
bone-carving, mat-making, tanning and pot¬
tery, some of tbe necessary bousebold uten¬
sils displaying considerable artistic merit.
Tbe language of tbe natives is a beautiful
and musical one, witb tbe peculiarity tbat
every word either begins or ends witb a
vowel, tbe result is euphonious.
CHAPTER XV.
INTRODUCTtON TO MISSIONARY LIFE
IN AFRICA.
In a former chapter I have briefly de¬
scribed Durban, Natal, and tbe people who
live here, some of their customs and ways.
After bringing our goods up from the
docks and arranging our new home, we at
once'began tbe study of tbe Zulu language
which was not an easy task. We longed
to speak to the people in their own tongue,
to make tbe way of salvation known to
them. Wliile studying tbe language we de-
TO THE PULPIT.
149
voted some time to working among the
white people and frequently spoke through
interpreters to large gatherings of natives.
Our first Sunday in Durban. In the
morning at nine we walked one mile to
what was called the barracks, where a great
many Zulus who worked about the town
made their home. At this place, also, a
goodly number of poor white men who la¬
bored about town made their home. We
sang gospel hymns and then each of us
talked a few minutes, after which we dis¬
tributed tracts and left papers for them to
read.
From this place Sister Smith and Sister
Weiss went to Bombay Square, where there
are a large number of houses of ill-fame.
Here they talked and labored with these
fallen sisters trying to point them to Je¬
sus. We men went to the boat docks. Here
we found vessels from many countries. As
we mingled among the sailors, we talked to
them about their souls' salvation, always
leaving some tracts with them.
150
FROM THE BARROOM
I went into one cabin on a German boat
and talked to them about Jesus. While I
was talking several others came in and
there was soon a little congregation gath¬
ered. I warned them to flee from the wrath
to come. A perfect silence came over every
one. As I was speaking to them the Spirit
carried the message to the hearts of these
men. I never was helped in talking Ger¬
man as I was that morning. It truly was
the Holy Ghost talking and using the lips
of clay. We related to them the story of
the sinking steamer, Elbe—how we took
passage on her and warned the men on
that ship and how some laughed and others
scorned at us. They listened very atten¬
tively to us and took the warning we had
for them. We left them after distributing
some tracts, and as we went on dock again
we met a man and said to him that we had
something for him to read. He answered,
"It is something to eat, I want." I said,
"All right." After talking to him about
his soul, I gave him our street and house
TO THE PULPIT.
151
number and invited him to dinner. We
went to the rest of the boats on the dock,
talking with the sailors and distributing
tracts.
Then we started home, and on arriving
there we found the young man whom we
had invited to dinner. The women arrived
home before we did and were getting din¬
ner on the table. We praised God in song
and ate what He had provided for us. Af¬
ter dinner we read the Scriptures and had
prayer with the young man. We held on
for some time in prayer, but he did not
pray through. He left us soon after and
promised us that he would not stop seek¬
ing the Lord.
In the afternoon we went to the sea-
beach and held services. The pleasure seek¬
ers gathered around us and listened with
close attention. In the evening we found
a good place and held services under the
electric lights in the center of the town.
The Lord gave us more liberty here than
at any previous services. We closed our
152
FROM THE BARROOM
day's labors feeling that the Lord had
blest our feeble efforts and that He would
water the seed that had been scattered dur¬
ing the day. One man followed us to our
home to be prayed for and he promised to
lead a better life.
The Lord did exceedingly above all we
asked for our souls and bodies, and we
often said, that there was not a happier lot
of Christians in Africa, than we in our
little home in Durban. We invited in all
who were in need spiritually, and prayed
with them. We also shared our temporal
blessings with those who had need of them,
as the Lord provided them to us, and truly,
we never lacked anything. The home we
occupied cost us $10.00 rent each month.
Our fare was very plain. We bought ba¬
nanas for 12 cents per 100. Several in
America asked us how we would -get a liv¬
ing when we got to Africa, and we would
reply, that we did not think much about
that, but knew that God would supply our
needs while we were trying to win souls
TO THE PULPIT. 153
into His kingdom; this He was proving to
us now. He says, also in His Word, "Seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteous¬
ness and all these things shall be added
unto you." We started with nothing much
to keep house with, hut the Lord kept add¬
ing constantly such things as we had need
of.
We had a good language teacher and
spent the days during the week studying
hard to master the new tongue. As we
were able to frame sentences we would go
out and practise them upon the natives,
who would often look at us in wonder and
amazement. No doubt many of them did
not understand what we were trying to
say, but we kept at it from day to day un¬
til we could talk a little Zulu. Around our
family altar in our new African home we
had many precious seasons "of waiting on
God. Our hearts would melt and tears
would flow freely, for the heathen all
around us. In a spirit of prayer we often
remembered the dear people of God in
154
FROM THE BARROOM
America, and the missionaries who jour¬
neyed with us as far as England, and were
now in India. These times of prayer we
can never forget.
The first piece of money I received in
Africa, happened on this wise; one day I
spoke to two men who were under the in¬
fluence of liquor: I handed them a tract
and opened up a conversation with them.
They listened as I told them how God had
saved me. When I got through they wanted
a paper to read. I gave them one and they
gave me a sixpence. I told them I did not sell
the papers but that they were given away.
They would not have it that way and would
have me take the sixpence. Thus I re¬
ceived my first money in Africa from two
men who were about half drunk. I trust
that in some future day they gave their
hearts to God, for I never saw them again.
They were sailors on the briny deep.
It is not a common thing for a white per¬
son in these parts to treat the natives with
much kindness. Many looked down on us
TO THE PULPIT.
155
for doing as we did, and being free with
these people; hut this was our mission, and
we said with the poet, "We care not what
the people think, or what they say we are.''
We would run so much the faster to gather
these jewels for the Master's crown.
One day I met a number of natives sit¬
ting in the shade. I saluted them and took
a seat close by. I asked several if they
could talk English. Finally one spoke up
and said that he could. My heart began
to leap within me. I told him I wished to
talk to his friends. I began to preach Je¬
sus to them, while my new-made friend in¬
terpreted for me. I watched the natives
as their interpreter translated what I had
said. I told them how I got saved and how
the Lord first found me and convicted me
of my sins, and what restless nights I put
in, trying to fight off conviction. Wliile
the interpreter would tell this to them, they
would look at me now and then in astonish¬
ment, wondering I suppose if it really
could he so. They all gave the best at-
156
PBOM THE BARROOM
tention, and as I left them, they all came
forward and shook my hand.
I left these men and went to the sea¬
side. Here I found a group of little black
boys who had just been in the water bath¬
ing. These little fellows go about half
naked most of the time. As I came up to
them they reached out their little hands
saying, "Me paper," meaning that they
wanted some of the tracts which I carried
in my hand. I said, "No, boys, come to
me." They all came and I motioned for
them to kneel down with me on the nice
white sand. We made a nice circle. I
found that one of them could understand
English. I began to tell them how Jesus
saved little children and took them up and
blest them, many, many years ago. I told
them about blind Bartimeus, and how Je¬
sus restored his eyesight. These were not
Zulu children that I was talking to, they
were Indian children. Sometimes they were
called coolies. Their fathers and mothers
wear rings on their toes, fingers, and noses;
TO THE PULPIT.
157
and bracelets on their ankles and wrists.
As I watched them it made me: sad to
think that these little children were brought
up under such heathen influences. Before
I left them I sang a hymn. It seemed like
heaven was opened above us and the little
faces lit up. It was one of the very best
children's meetings I was ever in, out on
the sea-beach with the mighty ocean
stretching out its arm before us. . As I
arose and bade the children good-by, I felt
like this was heaven to me.
In learning the language we had to keep
our minds right on it most of the time. One
day as soon as I 'got up in the morning,
I went to reading in English; then sat down
and wrote some letters and did some other
little jobs which took all the time in the
morning. After dinner I sat down to get
my Zulu lesson. As we went to recite at
three o'clock I wrote ten sentences in a
hurry, then went to translating but made
several bad mistakes, which I found out
to my surprise when I went to class. The
158
FROM THE BARROOM
day before I had had a perfect lesson, and
the teacher was somewhat surprised after
having such a good lesson, that I should
bring one with such bad mistakes. He then
told me he did not wonder at it, when he
learned what I had been doing all the morn¬
ing. He said it was impossible to get good
lessons or make good progress if we study
or do such work in English. So we had to
deny ourselves some things while we were
studying the Zulu language.
CHAPTER XVI.
RESCUING SOULS IN THE CITY OF DURBAN,
SOUTH AFRICA.
While we were trying to rescue precious
souls in the city of Durban, we had very
little care of what we should eat or wear,
for we felt confident while we were doing
our Master's will in this land of heathen
darkness. He was watching over us and
would provide all that we had need of. Na¬
tal, being an English colony, it happened
TO THE PULPIT.
159
that frequently soldiers were encamped on
the outskirts of the city of Durban. Dur¬
ing one of the encampments our little com¬
pany went out to spy out the land. While
we were there looking about, we distributed
tracts and papers among the soldiers and
people, and spoke to some personally. Dur¬
ing the afternoon I was approached by a
young man with several other men, who
had been drinking. One of them said: "I
have heard you before on the square,
preaching." Another said, "You go on
at a terrible rate when you preach. What
do you make such a noise for?" I tried to
explain, but before I knew it, I was shout¬
ing and preaching. This drew quite a
crowd and gave our little hand an oppor¬
tunity to tell them of this wonderful sal¬
vation that made us free in every clime
and in every land. Another man said:
"I met you before, down on the boat docks.
You made an impression on me that I have
never forgotten.'' And he had been under
conviction ever since. We trust he obeyed
160
FBOM THE BARROOM
the voice of the Spirit and gave himself to
God.
We felt the responsibility of the work
upon us from day to day, and we would
truly say that we did not want to shrink
our duty in the pressure. We got honey
out of the rock, and oft we wished we could
tell the feelings of our hearts to the thou¬
sands in heathen darkness. The Lord made
all grace to abound ih our behalf and gave
us tokens of His love every day. The Lord
did bless and honor us' as we stepped out
in faith to work for Him. Man naturally
looks around before star; ing out, for some¬
thing to lean oh. Any one; whh leaves home
for foreign lands Inust lea:h to tnist God
and stand alone if. need ho. There are
places where our faith will bo tested to tbe
uttermost. It will take n good deal of knee
work, night and day, to keep nbead of the
enemy; but it is possible to keep ahead of
him. Out of such places, and through the
tests put upon us, we will come out much
brighter and with many new lessons
TO THE PULPIT.
161
learned, that perhaps we could not have
learned any other way.
We had in our home for a while a Gi-
tonga hoy, who came from Inhamhane. He
learned to read very rapidly and God
greatly helped his soul. One day while
praying he asked God (in his own tongue)
to take all the ugly roots out of his heart
and give him a right heart, so he could keep
the victory all the day long. We united
our prayers with his and God came in
power and touched him. After prayers,
he said that his heart hurned within him.
He was preparing himself to preach among
his own people, the Gitongas.
One day some American friends, who
were missionaries, called and invited us to
visit their station sixteen miles distant.
This was our first trip away from home
and afforded an opportunity to see some
of the country inland. We took the train
at the Durban station and rode through the
country, passing several small stations. On
reaching the station where we got off, we
162
FROM THE BARROOM
found a cart drawn by two oxen awaiting
us. We seated ourselves in the cart and
were ready for an eight mile ride to In-
anda Mission station. We jolted along
while the native driver urged the oxen on
with the peculiar native cry. Finally, after
climbing many hills we reached our destina¬
tion. Here we found a large mission sta¬
tion consisting of school and training work
in connection. The young Zulu women were
gathered there and taught to sew, read,
write, sing and many other things. It
meant much labor to supervise and and
carry on this large work. There were over
a hundred girls in this home and it had
been in operation at that time over twenty
years. Seeing this work it encouraged our
hearts very much, for we were made to
realize what could be acornplished by per¬
severing workers.
If you could have taken a look as far as
your eyes could see over that vast country
and beheld the beauty of nature, trees, hills,
mountains and everything, even the little
TO THE PULPIT.
163
blades of grass, different from anything
you have ever seen before and so beauti¬
ful, then dotted here and there as far as
the eye can see a kraal, it would have made
your heart expand a thousand times larger
and you would exclaim: "I have only just
begun to see the wonders of creation."
While the huts were not very numerous,
yet we could see one here and there, so
that we knew that the land was inhabited.
We could pray under standingly, "Send
on the finest of the flock, the child that
sweetest sings, and ye who have no child,
send gold, for missionary wings." God
wants to lift the heavy curse that has fallen
on Africa, and turn her heathen midnight
into the bright rays of divine truth. It
is well worth a few years of hard digging
to the rock at home, rather than to go there
and make a mistake in going, with no faith
in God, nor confidence in the work of God.
Start right, no matter what it means, keep
right, no matter if you stand alone.
God will swell the names in the Lamb's
164
FKOM THE BABBOOM
book of life above, till millions shall come
before His throne washed white in Jesus'
blood.
On our return to Durban from our visit
at Inanda Mission we received the word
from India that our beloved brother, Guy
Reilly bad passed over the river to be with
Jesus. When we first read the letters con¬
taining the sad news we could hardly be¬
lieve it. As we read the letters we wept to¬
gether. We could not help weeping, though
we knew he was in a better world with the
bright shining angels. Past experience in
the work in America and our parting at
Southampton would come before me, and
I wept until my head began to ache. The
Lord then came and comforted my heart,
and for a time it seemed that I was in the
glory world myself.
The following night as I went to the na¬
tive chapel, my heart was much burdened.
I talked to the natives through an inter¬
preter. We gave an altar call and twelve
or more pressed forward. We knelt down
TO THE PULPIT.
165
and several of those who came forward
prayed. One native started to sing while
we were on our knees. She sang with
much of the Spirit, others helped, and in
a little while all the congregation was sing¬
ing. Things by this time were loosened
up. As they sang, I was again carried
away into the blissful realms above. It
seemed to me that I could not find a better
place to leave this body of mine than right
in a native prayer meeting. I did have a
desire to go and a desire to stay and help
gather more precious ones to lay at the
Master's feet when I went to meet Him
above.
About this time in our work Brother
Dammeyer felt he should go with Brother
and Sister Agnew to Inhambane and help
in the work there. Inhambane is north of
Durban several hundred miles. We re¬
member well the day these three started
from the Durban docks on a small tug boat
which conveyed them to a larger steamer
anchored about one mile from shore. Lit-
166
FEOM THE BAEEOOM
tie did we think as we waved our handker¬
chiefs to these faithful ones as they left us
Bernhardt Dammeyer and his little school
01' African children.
standing on the docks that we would not
see two of them any more in this life. Sis¬
ter Agnew and Brother Dammeyer went
home to glory from that fevered district,
TO THE PULPIT.
167
where they spent their last hours pointing
the natives to the Lamb of God which tak-
eth away the sins of all who will come unto
Him. Just a little mound of stones marks
the resting place of many a faithful one
in those dark regions, but those mounds
speak forth to the natives passing to and
fro from tlie interior to the seaport, re¬
minding them of the faithful missionaries
who once mingled among them and with all
tenderness spoke forth the words of eter¬
nal life. The lives of the missionaries who
have fallen on the dark continent in the
past is the seed of the present African
church of Jesus Christ of today. The fol¬
lowing was one of Brother Dammeyer's
last letters:
'' Dear Workers: We have just returned
from a trip down the countrj'^, where we
spent a couple of weeks. We were right
among the natives. We visited the villages
round about and held several meetings.
This place has a missionary at times, but
there is none there at present. One day
168
FEOM THE BARROOM
we went with a native worker inland sev¬
eral miles. Here we found a valley full
of small villages right close beside each
other. We stopped at the first village,
where we found a crowd of men sitting to¬
gether. We began to sing and soon had,
a large crowd of women and children, who
came in from tlie fields. When we got
down to pray they all began to laugh, as
they had never heard or seen anything like
this before. We also spoke to them, the
native worker interpreting for us. We held
several more meetings that day. O, how
our hearts do feel for these precious souls
who know nothing about this wonderful
salvation. We do love them and gladly
give our life to be spent right among these
people. We are asking God to help us
to so live that our light will be clear and
bright, so that these people may see noth¬
ing but Jesus in us. Amen.
"After a few days we went back again
and as we went through the kraals some of
the people followed us to see if we were
TO THE PULPIT.
169
again holding meeting and to hear more
about this 'new thing.' The Lord has
shown us the great need of these people
and burdened our hearts for them. We be¬
lieve it is God's will for us to go down
there and pitch a tent in the name of the
Lord. This means a good deal for us, but
we are ready for anything in the will of
God. 0, sweet will of God! 0, that I could
only give myself twice over again! It is
grand to live for God among these heathen
people, though we may be deprived of many
things and live on native food and in a na¬
tive house, which we expect the Lord will
help us to build. We do not want any of
this world's goods for ourselves, but we
feel to plead for the heathen who will stand
side by side with us in the judgment. I
know that God will help me to declare His
glory among the heathen. We expect to
go down there soon and plant our banner
for King Immanuel.
"The first thing we expect to do is to
open a school, and when the Lord helps
170
FROM THE BARROOM
US to get an interpreter, hold meetings
among the people. Above all things else
we expect to keep the victory in our souls
no matter what we may have or not have.
I have had several attacks of fever since
coming here, but God has kept me thus
far.
'' While we were down in the country we
lived mostly on native food. Our main food
was corn meal mush or beans, with either
cocoanut or peanut gravy. We eat but
two meals a day. As this is winter there
is not much fruit in the country.
"Near the place where I lived a few days
ago, an old woman lives, who is not able
to walk. Her body is nearly all skin and
bones. She lives' in a very small hut made
out of palm leaves. The natives do not
generally live in huts of this kind. She is
all alone and you can see her every day sit¬
ting in front of her hut. If she wants food
she cries out in some most sorrowful tones.
But Jesus loves even her and came to save
just such poor creatures as she is. Her
TO THE PULPIT.
171
soul is precious in His sight. The place
where we expect to open up a station is
called Tameni, and lies about fifteen miles
inland and is near a small lake. I am real
well and full of faith and courage, trusting
that God will help me to do His will. Pray
that everything may move in the will of
God. Yours for the lost of Africa,
"B. Dammeyer."
CHAPTER XVII.
PERSONAL WORK AMONG WHITES AND
BLACKS ON THE COAST.
After living in Africa about three
months, one day we picked up a Durban
paper and read the following:
"A young man occupied a lucrative po¬
sition in a Kimberly bank. (Kimberly is a
town located in the diamond fields of Af¬
rica.) It was at the time of the occupa¬
tion of Mashonalund. In the hope of mak¬
ing a big pile, he threw up the bird in the
hand and went prospecting for the one in
172
FBOM THE BABBOOM
the bush. With another friend he went
prospecting. They were taken with fever.
In a lone hut far away from human help
thesfe two young men lay down—the bank
clerk to die. His comrade saw him give
the^ast struggle ere his soul fled. He then,
witsh a desperate etfort, dragged himself to
a rained hut a short distance away. A
mounted police, scouring the neighborhood
a short time afterwards, discovered the pu¬
trid remains of the young man from Kim-
berly, partly eaten by wild animals. The
other young man, on the point of death, was
found and rescued."
It stirred our hearts anew when we read
this accpunt. These men were after earthly
treasures, and in opder to get the same,
they ran the risk of losing all, even life
itself. We entered our work with new zeal
and new devotion, which was soon felt by
those we came in contact with. About this
time we got acquainted with a native pastor
in Durban, named William Makanya, fa¬
ther of Arthur Makanya, whqm I brought
TO THE PULPIT.
173
to America on my return from South Af¬
rica. Brother William, as we called him,
desired that we would come occasionally
and preach to his congregation.'^ He was
an earnest man and wanted his people to
Native preacher. Wm. Makabala and wife.
know about the Holy Ghost. I gave him
several good books, which he devoured with
a relish and then returned for others, as
he could read English and also interpret.
On one of his visits to our home I made
a promise to him that I would come, and
he arranged Sunday afternoon, for it was
174 FKOM THE BARROOM
then they had the largest crowd. Mattie
and I went to the service. There were
about three hundred natives present,
nearly all young people, who had the Sun¬
day afternoon t o themselves, a s they
were servants among the white people
of Durban. When I went into the pul¬
pit my heart melted and when we knelt
down to pray I could do nothing but weep.
It was the same when we began to sing.
The Lord seemed to roll the whole of Af¬
rica on my heart. I talked through an in¬
terpreter, hut words were too limp and
lame to express my thoughts. Mattie fol¬
lowed and about 50 raised their hands for
prayers. One young man rose right up in
the congregation and said he was hungry
and wanted to be filled. Our text was,
"Blessed are they which hunger and thirst
after righteousness, for they shall b e
filled."
After our first visit to this church they
gave us no rest until we promised to con¬
tinue our visits from time to time, which
TO THE PULPIT.
175
we did. The following Sunday we went to
the evening service, which commenced at
6:30 P. M. The natives came from all
parts of the city to find a place in the chapel
to hear the word. When Mattie and I got
there, we could just find room to sit. They
kept filling up the chapel and also the room
at the back, where the preacher slept. They
crawled up in the pulpit and sat on the
floor, every place they could find room to
sit or stand was occupied. It was an in¬
spiration to hear those people sing. We
both talked to this large congregation. The
meeting ran too late to have an altar serv¬
ice. W^e all got down to pray wherever we
could find place to kneel, and praised God
for the meeting and for the people who
came out to hear the Word. We closed with
a hymn, and as we were pronouncing the
benediction the Spirit fell, and some
shouted; others said, "Amen," and many
came forward to shake our hands and
thank us for coming to help them in their
meeting.
176
FKOM THE BAKBOOM
One evening we went to hold a street
meeting in front of the town hall. We felt
the spirit of Pentecost as we preached unto
them the power of God to save. After
meeting we were approached by a number
of inquirers after the way of salvation.
One man, under deep conviction, walked
part way home with us. He was somewhat
under the influence of liquor, but invited
us to visit him the next day, which we did,
Mattie and I.
During our visit a sad accident happened
to another drunken man, who was present
when we called. As we entered the yard,
we were approached by two drunken men,
one of whom was very talkative and used
very abusive language. He was devil pos¬
sessed. In the house, in the presence of
three drunken men, we sang the song,
"Shall this life of mine be wasted?" We
then knelt down to pray and the man that
was was so abusive went into a perfect
rage and was about to throw a large stone
at us, but as we began to pray in earnest
TO THE PULPIT.
177
he dropped the stone. The man who in¬
vited us to his home lay on the floor, groan¬
ing and weeping. When we arose from
our knees, the man who was to stone us,
in wrestling with another, was thrown in
such a way that his leg was twisted and
broken in two places and two bones were
put out of joint. He was removed to the
government hospital. It is a dangerous
business to fight against God or against his
servants.
One day we anointed three for healing.
One was a lady teacher from the Inanda
Mission station, who said the Lord spoke
to her while she was hearing a class of
natives recite and said to her, "Go to Mrs.
Weiss and have her anoint you in the name
of the Lord.'' She came and was anointed
and healed instantly. Another was a
brother missionary, who had been suffer¬
ing from a severe attack of the African
fever. He was also healed. The other
was a native girl, who began to mend from
that hour. Thus our Heavenly Father
178
FROM THE BARROOM
gave US work every day and in the eve¬
ning we had a class of native boys come to
our home, whom we taught to read Eng¬
lish.
In the city of Durban they had a law
that no native boy or man was allowed on
the streets after 9:00 P. M. unless he
carried with him a written pass from
some white person, explaining why he
was out after 9:00 o'clock. One Sun¬
day night Mrs, Haviland, Mrs, Weiss and
our boy, Menti, went to the native chapel.
On their return, Menti accompanied the
women home. When they got to our home
Mrs, Weiss left Menti and Mrs, Haviland
to go on, Mrs, Haviland arrived at her
home all right, and Menti was returning
home alone, without a pass and was caught
by the police and arrested, I returned from
a street meeting, and Menti had not yet
come, I quickly ran over to Mrs, Desh's
where Mrs, Haviland was stopping. She
told me that Menti left for home, but they
had not given him any written pass, for it
TO THE PULPIT.
179
was after 9: 00 P. M. I knew then that he
had been arrested and so started for the
jail. I enquired and, sure enough, he was
there. I had to leave five shillings for
a bond, to make sure for his appearance at
the court room the next morning. I asked
Menti when he was released from jail if he
was not afraid or had cried when he was
arrested. He said, "No; I prayed to God
and He come and make me rejoice when I
look up.'' He was discharged and the bail
refunded on appearance the next morning.
We had permission to visit the govern¬
ment hospital once a week. It had a native
ward, also a ward for white patients.
Brother William used to accompany me.
He would visit and talk to the natives,
while I distributed papers and tracts
among the white patients and where it was
advisable I would spend some time in talk¬
ing to the patients.
One day while at the hospital my heart
was much encouraged by the. testimony of
a man. Upon entering the ward; I noticed
180
FKOM THE BAEKOOM
a man's face light up, and he smiled as I
approached. He said to me: " Thank God,
your prayers have been heard." For a
time I was astonished to hear him say this,
but my mind ran back a week when I had
prayed with this same man, whom the doc¬
tor had given up, as a hopeless case, and
had also told him to make his will, for
in less than two weeks he must die. He
had changed and improved so much in the
past week that I hardly knew him at first
sight. When I entered his room a week
before he had looked like a hopeless case,
but something told me to pray with him
and lay my hands on him in the name of
Jesus. I obeyed the Spirit's voice and
he said he slept sound that night and in
the morning the pain was all gone from
his stomach. He improved rapidly. He
was nearly wasted away and had but lit¬
tle flesh on his bones. He gave God the
glory for it all. It was now nearly two
weeks since tlie doctor told him he could
not live that long. He then said he was
TO THE PULPIT.
181
going to testify to the doctor and tell him
that God can do more than we think He
can. This man was a compositor and had
earned $100.00 a month steady when he
was ahle to work. He used to have gath¬
erings in his stomach and every so often
they had to tap it to let the water out. The
day before we prayed together they had
been tapping his stomach and he was in
awful pain.
We continued our weekly visits to the
native chapel where William Makanya was
pastor. Here we learned many lessons
about the natives' dispositions. For in¬
stance, we would ask all who wanted to be
saved to come forward. It was no trouble
to get them forward. The whole congre¬
gation would try to get around the altar,
but when we would draw the line and say,
"All those who will give up using snutf
and tobacco and stop drinking and telling
lies and stop stealing and want to follow
Jesus, come on," this made many of them
fall hack, and stay hack until they were
182
FROM THE BARROOM
willing to let Jesus wash them and make
them white as snow.
CHAPTER XVIII.
WORKING AMONG PRISONERS IN DURBAN.
One day Mrs. Weiss and another sister
missionary visited the government prison
and asked for permission to hold services
with the female prisoners. The governor
of the prison was reluctant at first, but
finally said: "I will consider it." Mrs.
Weiss succeeded in getting one half-caste
woman, whose term had expired, to go
home with her. We sang and prayed with
her the first evening and then she prayed
and promised to live a good life and not go
into diink, and said in sobs: " I have wanted
to live right for a long time, but did not
have any church to go to.'' Her name was
Rachel. Every day after her arrival in
our home she thanked the Lord for such a
good home and such good people. She be¬
came very willing to do any little job of
TO THE PULPIT.
183
work that was given her. She became a
blessing to us as well as we to her.
Mrs. Weiss finally got permission to work
in the prison among the women and the
matron became interested and would al¬
ways let it be known when the girls' terms
had expired. Then Mrs. Weiss would go
to the prison gate and meet them just as
they were coming out. On a certain day
she went and met a girl and brought her
home, but this girl said she wanted to go
and visit her sister, and went away. The
next morning before sunrise we found her
lying in our woodshed, drunk. We brought
her in and gave her a cot to sleep on. Af¬
ter a while we went in to see her but she
was gone. She had slipped out through
the front door. This poor girl promised Mrs.
Weiss when she was still in prison that
she would come and live with her, but one
of her former companions told her not to
come, and she decided to go back to her
old life again.
Rachel became a real helper in our home.
184
FROM THE BARROOM
She would try to do all she could to help
the other girls as Mrs. Weiss brought them
from the prison. Truly, God performed a
miracle in her case. For eight years she
had led a wretched life, drinking. She
would be released from prison and in a
day or two would be brought back again
on the same charge for being drunk. God
had taken all the desire for these things
out of her heart now, and she proved
to be one of the sweet spiritual souls
that had been set free by the blood of Je¬
sus.
About this time I took down with Af¬
rican fever and dysentery. For ten days
I had a high running fever which I thought
at times would burst my head. I had lost
so much blood through discharge from the
bowels that I was unable to stand on my
feet from weakness. Mrs. Weiss anointed
me in the name of the Lord and while in
close communion with Him I told Him that
I would rather stay and fight 25 or 50
years, and plead with Him to lengthen out
TO THE PULPIT.
185
my life, and I would gladly sulfer and toil
until the end and then go home to glory.
This was the first time in my life that I
could remember of that I had ever been so
sick in body. The Lord permitted it for a
purpose. It was a trying time for Mattie,
but God gave her such strength as she
needed for the hour. Also the rescued girls
stood by us nobly in this severe trial,
through which he brought us more than
conquerors. I grew stronger each day. In
about two weeks from the time I was an¬
ointed, I was fully engaged helping to res¬
cue souls once more.
One Sunday morning on going to the
boat docks I found a Scotchman nearly dis¬
couraged with life. I brought him home
with me and in few days he was grandly
converted. He then found a job of work
and earned two shillings and sixpence a
day. A week later he got a job at his trade
and then he earned twelve shillings a day.
He bought some clothes for himself, also
had stopped drinking and wrote home to
186
FEOM THE BABBOOM
England to have his daughter come out to
keep house for him.
About two weeks later I was waiting at
the jail gate; the doors swung open. I
hurried up to the ones coming out. I ad¬
dressed a young man and got him to listen
and come home with me, and found that he
was the son of a clergyman in England.
His father and mother were still living but
knew nothing of his being locked up. We
prayed with him and after dinner he
started out and found work. He also met
a friend, who gave him some money. Thus
our hands found \vork to do each day.
One afternoon Mattie and I went to a
house of ill-fame to get a trunk which be¬
longed to a girl that had come to live with
us. She was a German girl, and had come
to Africa several years before, innocent
and pure. But not long after she arrived
she was enticed by others and soon fell
from pure womanhood to lead a life of
misery and shame. She came to us one
morning from the hospital, where she had
TO THE PULPIT.
187
been sick for some time. A lady friend told
her of our home and having no other place
to go she came to us. She said she would
rather drown herself than to go back to *her
former life.
As we entered the house of ill-fame the
keeper, an elderly woman, trembled and
shook with fear. The girl's trunk was soon
made ready. While I got a native boy to
carry it, Mrs. Weiss talked with the keeper
about God and the coming judgment, and
doHijvered her soul. Mary, the German
girl, was so glad to find real friends after
living a life of sin four years in Africa
among the lowest of the low. The first eve¬
ning before retiring, we had prayers to¬
gether, and we called on Mary to open
her heart to God and pray. With tears in
her eyes she asked to be excused that eve¬
ning. After breakfast the next morning we
had our usual family prayers. While on
our knees Mary broke down and confessed
her sins to God, and in a little while she
was a child of a new kingdom. Oh, the
188
FROM THE BARROOM
wonderful change that came into Mary's
life from that hour. She was a devoted
Christian and a helper to every one of the
girls that came from the prison to our
home. She told us after she was converted,
how on the first night in our home, after
family prayers, she went to her room, and
she did not sleep all night. But. every lit¬
tle while she would get up and pray, then
try to go to sleep, but sleep had left her.
She would get up again, and this she kept
up until the morning dawned, and about
9 A. M. she was soundly and wonderfully
converted.
About this time we ran very short of
means, even for living expenses. God pro¬
vided a way for me to canvass the town of
Durban with scripture mottoes that I got
from the South African Missionary society.
T visited every home in the city and found
some striking cases. In one home a man
lay on a sick bed and when I opened con¬
versation with him I found he had not
been under a church roof in forty years.
TO THE PULPIT.
189
I visited another home where I met a
woman who said she had lived there
twenty years, but in all that time she had
never had a visit from a preacher before.
These people were Europeans. I con¬
tinued this work until, as far I knew, I
had visited every European home, and
where they permitted me to pray in the
home, I did so. I left a tract or some re¬
ligious reading wherever I called. At the
end of several weeks we had a little cash
in hand, derived from the sale of mottoes.
There was a case of one European woman
to whom we were called to pray with al¬
most daily. She took sick with the influ¬
enza, which was prevailing fearfully among
all classes, and she felt that she was going
to die, but she did not want to die for she
was afraid to meet God, whom, she felt,
had forsaken her, leaving no hope for her
being saved. She had the most despairing
look we ever saw. She told us, on one of
our visits, that she was lost and that all
looked dark around her. We could not get
190
FEOM THE BARROOM
her to pray, for she thought it was no use.
Her husband, two daughters and a son had
tried to comfort her, but nothing they did
seemed to reach her case. Several years
before she was a very wicked woman, but
now she had settled down and people
thought no more of it. But at last her
guilty conscience was fully aroused. This
brought us face to face with the distress
of a lost soul more than anything that had
occurred in our life before. We continued
our visits until this woman was wondrously
set free from sin and washed in the pre¬
cious blood of Jesus. She united with one
of the town churches and became a devoted
member of the same.
A water famine spread over South Af¬
rica about this time. It did not affect us
much, but the people up country suffered
a great deal for the want of water. At the
gold mines near Johannesburg, the paper
stated that four millionaires were seen
washing their faces with the four comers
of a towel dipped into a single glass of
TO THE PUIiPIT.
191
water. The fleas became an awful pest
during this long, dry spell—worse than
bed hugs, and as they lived in the sand,
one could not get rid of them. The Chris¬
tian people appointed a day of fasting and
and prayer, that sickness would be stayed
and rain sent. Thank God, the rain came,
the drought was at an end with no loss of
life, as far as we know.
OHAPTEB XIX.
WORKING IN THE INTERIOR OF NATAL.
We met Mr. Wilcox, a missionary la¬
boring with the American Board of Mis¬
sions. He offered us a work in the interior
right where we could get in touch 'with'
the raw heathen people. His Work was
more than he could attend to, so he wanted
us to take charge of one of the stations and
run a little store in connection with it to
pay expenses, so that the liatives would not
have to pay such high' prices to the traders
who were getting rich from their sales to
192
FBOM THE BAKBOOM
the people. We were to get no salary,
but were to have half the profits on all
goods sold in the store. We were to have
a large house free of rent, and were al¬
lowed to bring as many workers as we de¬
sired, garden free, all the fruit we could
use and half of the profits on all the fruit
that was sold. He said that there were
not many Christians at this station, but
heathen in scores all around. The station
was situated about seventy miles north¬
west from Durban. Six thousand acres of
land, many native huts, the house we were
to live in, a grinding mill run by water
power and many other conveniences com¬
prised the station. This opening seemed to
be of God for us to get into the interior.
So I went up to look over the situation.
It took three days to travel seventy miles,
part on foot, part by rail and part in a
wagon. The first twenty miles I traveled
by rail, the next twenty-five I walked. This
brought me to Umvoti, where Brother Wil¬
cox's station and home was. The balance
TO THE PULPIT.
193
of the seventy miles we drove with a team
of horses. We reached Mapumulo after
dark on the third day. The station is situ¬
ated in a mountainous region, 4,000 feet
above the sea level. The Mission House
had eight rooms in it, and Jim, a native
boy, was sent along to do the cooking for
me. The station belonged to the American
Board of Missions, and the work was
started many years ago. Some of the mis¬
sionaries who lived and died there are
buried near the Mission House, and I no¬
ticed by the tombstones that they died in
the year 1878. It was to this station tliat
a native merchant wanted me to come eight
months before. His name was Mafanefile.
When he heard I had arrived he came to
see me, and said he had not ceased pray¬
ing that the Lord might send me.
The Mission House was an old one, but
very strongly built. The white ants, which
are very destructive, had done considerable
damage to the building, for it had not been
occupied for several months. I felt it was
Zulu men building a hut. The framework to be covered with grass.
TO THE PULPIT.
195
the place for us. So I began whitewashing
and painting and getting things in shape
for Mrs. Weiss to come. During the first
two weeks I was there, I learned more
about the condition of the raw heathen than
I could have learned in the city of Durban
in two years. It also wonderfully helped
me in learning the language. I did not see
a white person in two weeks, and every¬
body spoke the Zulu language. Thus situa¬
ted, I was compelled to make myself un¬
derstood with what little I knew of the
language. Jim, the native boy who was
with me, understood a little English, and
with the Zulu I had learned, and the Eng¬
lish he had learned, we managed to trans¬
act all the business with those who called
at the station.
The first Sunday I talked in the morning
and afternoon to the natives through an
interpreter. These services were held in
a large church building on the station.
From the mountain on which the Church
and Mission House stood, I could see the
196
FROM THE BARROOM
valley below, and, further on, great num¬
bers of huts where the people lived. This
made me anxious to start a revival meeting
as soon as possible.
There was almost a famine in the land
at this time. The locusts had eaten about
all the crops. Mealies, or what we call
corn here in America, was the natives'
principal food, and it had to be imported at
that time in great quantities from Amer¬
ica, and sold for about $3.00 a bushel. One
day a native man came to the Station, with
his three wives to buy corn. We began
talking to him about the Lord, and told
him if he did not give up his sinning and
repent, his soul would be forever lost in
hell. He remarked that it was hell with
him now, and that it took all his money to
help support his wives. Truly the wicked
have a hard time of it. While the Chris¬
tian can sing: " 'Tis Heaven below my
Redeemer to know." It is also, I firmly
believe, a hell below, without Jesus to com¬
fort and carry us through.
TO THE PULPIT. 197
Every time I went to the Chapel services
my heart would melt and I could not help
but weep before the Lord. Some of the
native Christians did not seem to under¬
stand it, but I kept asking the Lord to keep
me tender and melted, and He did. After
I had been on the Station nearly three
weeks my heart was gladdened by the coin¬
ing of Mrs. Weiss, little Julia (a native
whom we had taken to raise,) and Mary,
the rescued girl. All came up to make
their home at Mapumulo. It truly was like
heaven to us in this mountain home. The
longer we remained the better we liked it.
We found among the people many precious
ones whom we felt Jesus would have for
His own. We followed His leadings
closely day by day and He strewed our
path with rejoicing, for which we praised
Him.
Our Sabbath days were mostly devoted
to Kraal meetings. One Sabbath Brother
Wilcox was up visiting our station, and
he and I started out at seven o'clock in
A Zulu home and family In S. Africa.
TO THE PULPIT.
199
the morning and held the first meetings in
the open air. Before reaching the place
of meeting, we blew a horn, long and loud;
so that by the time we arrived, the people
were gathering. We could see them com¬
ing froih their huts in two's and three's
from every direction. After singing a
while, about fifty natives gathered around
us, many of them little children. They all
were nearly nude in their condition, but
we thought nothing of that. We sang in
Zulu. Brother Wilcox interpreted for me
and talked some himself in the native
tongue. Several held up their hands and
some came to the front to be prayed for.
Among them was an old heathen woman
and several small children.
From here we went eight miles further
through mountains to a school-house and
held two meetings, one in the morning and
another in the afternoon. We then parted;
Brother Wilcox going back to Umvoti to the
station where he lived with his family. I
started for home the same evening but
200
FROM THE BARROOM
missed the path in the mountains. It was
getting dark. I told the Lord I was will¬
ing to sleep out if it was His will, but if
He wanted me back to the station, to guide
me to the patli. Soon after I prayed, I met
a native man. I asked him for directions
back to the Mission Station. I found that
I had gotten entirely turned around in the
valley, but soon retraced my steps and
journeyed homeward, up and down the
mountain sides. It was after dark when I
reached home. They all thought I had
missed the road and had been praying for
me, and He who hears the cry of His lit¬
tle ones, came to our help. I got a good
object lesson from that experience, which
came to me in much sweetness, that when
I saw tlie light burning in the Mission
House, I praised Him who has so loved me
to give His only begotten Son that I might
enjoy a part of heaven below.
There was on this Station a school for
the natives where both English and Zulu
was taught. At the mill, we ground corn
TO THE PULPIT.
201
for the native people, and at our little store
we sold the com-meal, also blankets, dry
goods, sugar and salt, hut no tobacco or
snuff. The natives used tobacco, and es¬
pecially snuff, in large quantities, hut we
would not handle the filthy stuff.
Our Chapel services on Sunday and mid¬
week became more and more interesting.
We found that many of the people had a
mere profession and no real possession of
this wonderful salvation. It also stirred
their hearts when we touched on the grosser
sins of the people. But week after week
we kept on praying and holding on to God.
A tinge of loneliness w'ould come over
us, for it would be a month at a time that
we would not see another white person.
Brother Wilcox was the most frequent visi¬
tor and his visits to the Station were a
source of encouragement to our hearts.
Then we also received such good soul en¬
couraging letters from the different ones
in America. We received mail hut once a
week, and mail day was always looked for-
202
FEOM THE BARROOM
ward to as a day of real enjoyment. In
opening our letters we would all sit around
and listen while they were read. Ofttimes
we shed tears of joy on these occasions
and poured out our hearts to God who also
would repay us with renewed courage to
press the battle on.
CHAPTER XX.
PRAYING AND SOWING THE GOSPEL SEED
AMONG THE. ZULUS.
Miss Smith, who afterward became Mrs.
Agnew, remained in Durban and carried on
the work we all had been engaged in there
in former days. She made us a pleasant
visit during the winter month of July, our
seasons there being just opposite to what
they are in the U. S. A. During her stay
with us, our first baby girl was born with¬
out the aid of a doctor, but with God's
help, mother and child got along splendidly
and brought grhat joy to our hearts and
home. This little white b'ahy became a
TO THE PUHPIT,
203
great curiosity to the natives who came
into our home from far and near to see it.
They named it, '' White Sugar,'' this being
the sweetest thing they could conceive of.
We named her Ellen, and dedicated her to
God to he a missionary if He chose. We
were so glad to have Miss Smith with us on
this occasion, for she was a source of en¬
couragement and help to all she came in
contact with. Miss Smith returned to Dur¬
ban where she was soon joined by Miss
Hopper from Shenandoah, Iowa, U. S. A.
I started to put up a new school-house
at the other end of the mission reserve,
about three miles from our home. The ma¬
terial we used was a follows: bamboos for
the frame work and rafters; thatch grass
for the roof. The walls were made of bam¬
boo also, covered with clay and dirt mixed
with water, which takes the place of plaster
on both inside and outside of the wall. This,
when dry, is very hard, then the wall re¬
ceives a coat or two of tar on the outside;
and on the inside it is whitewashed. All the
204
FROM THE BARROOM
bamboo used is either painted 6v coal
tarred, wliicli protects it from being de-
Mrs. Weiss with Ellen our first born
taken on her return from South Africa.
stroyed by the white ants that are so nu¬
merous and destructive, especially on all
sorts of woodwork. A missionary must
TO THE PULPIT.
205
be able to go ahead with almost all kinds
of work, and make the best use of the grass
and wood that grows in the interior. When
the missionary is far from town it costs
too much to take things to him, so he makes
the best use he can of the material at hand
to save expense. In building the school-
house, I would have the native children
who were in attendance at school, to help
me, so they would learn to put up a house
themselves in the future. They watched
me with interest and many times would
exclaim aloud, "Au," this being an expres¬
sion of surprise, and means about the same
as "Oh" in English.
The natives were very observing. Many
of them could not read books but they were
very good in reading your life by watching
you in your actions, words and spirit. They
felt it keenly if any one spoke harshly and
out of patience to them. They knew at
once that it was not the spirit or love of
God. Many times they sat around and
watched a person for an hour, (as they did
206
FKOM THE BAKROOM
not know the value of time,) their eyes
being fixed upon every move you made and
their ears open to every word you spoke.
If man and wife should speak harshly to
each other, or parents get angry and out
of patience with their own children, the
natives were quick to observe it all. On the
other hand, should all the words to one an¬
other be spoken in love and everything
move like a smooth running, well oiled
machine, or in other words, "in the Holy
Ghost," the natives would notice this and
get hungry at once to live such lives. They
would say: '' Behold how these people love
one another."
One morning I was strangely awakened
about 3 o'clock and felt such a burden for
the salvation of the people on the station
and surrounding country. I got up at once
and went to my knees before the Lord and
poured out my heart, which was all broken
up with such tender, loving feeling for
those who were in darkness. As I continued
praying, my soul became so burdened that
TO THE PULPIT.
207
it seemed for. a time as though I could not
stand it. Real travail took place, and I
believed that something was going to give
Way and souls were going to get saved.
My heart had been specially burdened for
a place about three miles from our home
where we held meetings every Sabbath
morning. At that place the people came
from their kraals to the . roadside where
we held the meeting. There were about
ten kraals in that neighborhood and from
sixty to eighty heathen people living
there and most of them turned out to
bear the gospel preached. Some had
taken a stand and turned from their hea¬
then customs, but they needed new hearts,
and their souls baptized with the Holy
Ghost and fire. We believed it was com¬
ing—a land-slide from heaven.
Word reached us that Miss Hopper, Mr.
and Mrs. Wm. Worcester, and Elder
Weavers had reached Africa. The folks
at the station thought best for me to go to
Durban and see them at once. So I pre-
208
FEOM THE BAEROOM
pared for the journey and reached the
coast on the evening of the third day. When
Miss Hopper saw me, she grahhed my
hands with hoth of hers, and said, "Fred,
you are my brother.'' My heart melted. I
was truly glad to see all the dear workers.
I had never met Elder Weavers before,
hut he was an old friend of Mrs. Weiss,
for they had worked in meetings together
in America. My heart was knit to his on
first acquaintance and he became as a fa¬
ther in Israel to me; one in whom I could
confide all my struggles and one to whom
I could tell my temptations and he was
ready to give fatherly advice. Elder Weav¬
ers returned with me to Mapumulo Mission
Station. We passed through Umvoti and
he had the pleasure of meeting Brother
Wilcox and his family. We then proceeded
for Mapumulo where the Elder met Mrs.
Weiss and the rest of our company. We
talked over old times and the battles we
had been in in America, etc.
On the first Sunday after the Elder ar-
OX) THE PULPIT.
209
rived, he spoke twice through an inter¬
preter. He also spoke at the mid-week
prayer meeting. During the first week we
spent many refreshing seasons in prayer
together, little realizing what the outcome
would he. I can well remember how we
made the old bamboo grove ring with the
praises of God, and our rejoicing would at¬
tract the natives far and near. The second
Sunday evening, we decided to have a spe¬
cial prayer meeting for the young people
who understood English. This meeting
was to be held in our home, for the church
building had no lights, as all the services
were held in the daytime.
On this said Sunday evening, the crowd
that came was so large that we could not
near get them into our home; so we went
to the church, one lamp and two candles
being all the light we had. As announced,
our services were conducted in English. I
took charge of the song service, and the
native young people made the church ring
with music. Elder Weavers preached in
210
FROM THE BARROOM
English. After this service, we announced
that there would be English service every
night for the week. The people turned out
in large numbers. Many of them could not
understand English. They told us at first
the people would not come out at night be¬
cause they were not used to it and more¬
over they were afraid; but we felt they
must get over their being afraid of the
darkness, and they did. I would that you
could have seen them as they listened to
the plain truth in the candle light. I know
it would have inspired your heart at once.
Many of the older people said they did
not understand what the Elder said, but
they could feel something warm coming
over them. Thirty or more would crowd
around the altar form every night and
pray, hut they did not strike through to
where the living waters flow.
We had been running the meeting one
week. Many were forward seeking God
during the week, but none were really
saved. The second Sunday afternoon, one
TO THE PULPIT.
211
woman struck through, and the fire fell on
her soul. She laughed and clapped her hands,
and gave vent to the joy that had come
into her heart, going through the congrega¬
tion and shaking hands with the people,
and telling them to repent. Her soul had
been in deep agony all that afternoon, and
she would pray aloud and cry until some
thought she was beside herself. That was
all new to the people at Mapumulo mis¬
sion station. They had never seen a soul
pray through like this before, and those
who had been professing Christians for
twenty years, stood and watched the
woman, looking surprised, until they them¬
selves got under conviction. Night came
on and we had another meeting. Many
came forward but none got saved.
I wrote to Brother Wilcox during the
first week of the meeting and told him to
come up. So he came. He was much con¬
cerned at first about our conducting meet¬
ings at night, because this had not been the
custom of the Stations of the American
212
FBOM THE BABBOOM
board, for several reasons. One especially
was on account of the young people who
might be led into temptation, and the mis¬
sionaries took every precaution to shield
the young. Then the older people were
very superstitious and afraid to be out af¬
ter dark. Brother Wilcox enquired around
carefully when he arrived at Mapumulo
and found the young people were behaving
nicely. He also found many of the people
under deep conviction of sin, and a great
many of these were young people. This
relieved his mind greatly and we also felt
more easy for Brother Wilcox was in
charge of Mapumulo Station and I was
there just assisting, and it was in his power
to say whether the meetings were to go on
or to be stopped. Thank God that he was
spiritual enough to know when God was
working, so he told us to go on, and he Blso
advised us to have the services conducted
in Zulu, having Brother Weavers' preach¬
ing interpreted, so that all would be able
to understand. This We did, and the re-
TO THE PULPIT. 213
suits were grand. He stayed with us over
the Sabbath and preached several times in
the native tongue, and it was in the after¬
noon meeting where the woman was so
wonderfully converted. Before Brother
Wilcox left he arranged to have Elder
Weavers come to Umvoti when he. got
through at Mapumulo.
CHAPTER XXI.
A GREAT REVIVAL AMONG THE ZULUS.
On Monday after the Sunday Brother
Wilcox visited the Mission Station we con¬
tinued our revival services commencing at
7 P. M., the preaching by Elder Weavers
being interpreted into the Zulu language.
At the altar call that night we noticed one
girl who was praying very earnestly and
her soul was in deep agony. We went to
her and got her to lay off some of her idols;
she then went to praying again and was
soOn lost to all her surroundings and
shortly after fell under the power of God.
214
FROM THE BARROOM
She lay on the chapel floor for nearly one
hour, when she came through shouting,
"Halleluiah!" She then hegan to make
some public confessions, and told how she
once set fire to a house which hurned up,
and that she had given her body up to for¬
nication. This confession sent awful con¬
viction all through the congregation. When
she had finished her confession she fell un¬
der the power of God again.
The people were awe-stricken and deep
conviction of sin rested on all of them.
Many came to us asking if we always held
such revival meetings, and wanted to know
what was the matter with the girl when
she lay under the power of God. We gave
those who wanted to talk their hearts out
by the way of confession a chance to do
so. It seemed that all the seekers at the
altar had run up against something and
"very few now were willing to make heart
confessions. We gave those who desired
to go home the privilege of doing so. About
thirty remained with the girl who was still
TO THE PULPIT.
215
lying on the chapel floor nnder the power
of God. Among those who stayed were
many of her young girl friends.
It was nearly 11 P. M. when she arose to
a sitting position on the floor and spoke to
us and told us to take her out of the church
and set her on the ground with her face to
the east. We did so (it was nearly full
moon) and then all gathered around her.
She clapped her hands and laughed for joy
and would talk to us, but when we would
talk to her she would not answer our ques¬
tions. She told us about the different peo¬
ple who lived on the station, mentioning
many names of those who were regular at¬
tendants at the mission chapel and the sins
that they were guilty of but would not con¬
fess and repent. After talking to us for
over an hour manifesting continually much
joy mixed with holy laughter she fell hack-
ward again and lay out on the chapel lawn
while the nearly full moon lighted up all
our surroundings so we could see one an¬
other very clearly. We noticed especially
216
FROM THE BARROOM
the deep marks of conviction that now
rested on the faces of her many young
friends. What a solemn hour that was
when she now lay as one dead in our midst,
hut not dead as it would seem to many, for
she was as the clay in the potter's hand,
heing shaped into a useful vessel to con¬
vey living waters to her own people.
When she came through this state she
was like herself again and said to us, "I
am very weak. Who brought me here?
How did I get here ? What are all the peo¬
ple doing here?" When she got strength
enough to talk she told us how she went to
the altar to pray and when she fell under
the power how a person dressed in white
came to her and she heard his voice saying,
"Follow me," and she followed on. It
would take many pages to tell all that this
person showed her and the different places
he took her, but I will mention a few things
she told us.
She followed the person dressed in pure
white to a river's brink; here the waters
Two Zulu g-irls shaking hands.
218
FBOM THE BARROOM
jjarted as the soles of his feet touched them.
He slowly walked across saying to her,
"Follow me." She feared a little and
halted on the hank, but his gentle loving
voice with persuasion said again, "Follow
me." So she started across and reached
the opposite bank with safety when the
waters came together once more. He jour¬
neyed on, she following behind, till they
came to two gates, one a small narrow gate,
the road through it led upward; the other
a wide gate and the road through it led
downward. Her guide went through the
narrow gate, but she halted outside the
gate. In gentle tones he said,'' Follow me.''
She still halted, then with greater per¬
suasion the gentle voice spoke again,'' Fol¬
low me," and she obeyed. Then just as
she was going through the narrow gate a
great load fell from her back (sins) and
much joy filled her entire being. So she
now followed very closely in the steps of
her guide.
They came up to a large white building.
TO THE PULPIT,
219
such as she had never seen on earth, nor
could she describe its splendor and beauty.
When she came to the building (a large
stairway led up to the door) she heard a
voice saying, "Come in." She started up
the stairs and when she got near the door
it swung open and she heard the voices of
many, many angels singing, yet she could
not see where it was. She looked up and
saw many, many heads, she said they were
not like the heads we have on our bodies,
but she could not describe them. Only the
singing was what held her soul in rapture
as she stood there in that large building
enjoying things unspeakable and full of
glory.
While thus standing departed ones of
years gone by who lived on the mission sta¬
tion came to her, putting their arms about
her which brought still greater joy as they
hugged her closely to their side and planted
many kisses on her cheeks, such an affec¬
tion and love she had never, no never, felt
before. Her guide then turned to her and
220
FROM THE BARROOM
said, "We must go now." She desired to
stay there, but the voice said, "No, you
must return to tell the people about their
sins.'' She followed the voice now, not
seeing the person but only hearing His
voice, and came to another place called
Hell, of which she gave a description, and
told of the many she heard crying there,
who were in deep agony, weeping and wail¬
ing in their lost condition! She became sad
and sorrow took hold upon her, but, alas,
she had to leave, not being able to assist
them in the least.
She then went to another place, where
she saw a desk with a large book, and also
a large slate with the names of the people
living on Mapumulo Mission Station writ¬
ten upon it. She saw her name on the slate,
and her sins against her name had been
washed away and her name was put in the
book whose pages were white and fair. She
told of another who had prayed through
at his home, and his sins were also blotted
out. She told of another young man who
TO THE PULPIT.
221
had partly confessed, but there was one sin
yet that he must confess. He was very
near getting into the kingdom, but the one
sin against him kept him from getting in.
She told of many secret sins that were com¬
mitted by the church members there and
they were written against their names on
the slate and that the Lord was willing to
wipe them out if they would confess their
sins, and then he would put their names in
the book whose pages were white and fair.
She told us many more things she saw,
which are too numerous to mention. When
she got through relating these things she
saw, she said, "My friends, repent." "VWiile
she was relating what she had seen, she
told us to ring the station bell, which we
did and many more came out to hear what
the Spirit had' said about the church at
Mapumulo Mission (Station. There - were
now about fifty .or more present. It was
about 1 o'clock in the morning and the
moon was shining - brightly, when I said,
' 'Let us pray.'' I prayed in English and
222
FROM THE BARROOM
many could not understand me, but the
heavens opened above us and around us.
Halleluiah! And the people were scream¬
ing and rolling on the ground in agony,
confessing their sins. I had never seen
such power before manifested. Young
men and women grabbed the hair of their
heads and ran to and fro in such awful
agony of soul on account of sin. It is im¬
possible to describe. The ver}'^ air seemed
on fire. And the words came to me, "Our
God is a consuming fire." Many were
saved on that memorable morning.
All of our dear ones on the station had
retired early in the evening before. I asked
the people to come into the chapel, where
we began to sing, and as we opened the
meeting for speaking five or six were on
their feet at once. What would seem con¬
fusion to some was done^ in real harmony
with the Holy Ghost. I had been in many
different meetings, but I never saw such
wonderful power manifested as that morn¬
ing. About 5 A. M. Mrs. Weiss came into
it:
Zulu wedding ceremony (2nd day). The bride displaying the cow's tail.
224
FEOM THE BABROOM
the chapel. As she entered one woman ran
to her and threw both arms around her,
saying, "The Holy Ghost has been poured
out on us this morning." With joy she al¬
most carried Mrs. Weiss off her feet.
The meeting ran all night and all the af¬
ternoon the next day. Many rested at the
church until the night service, and then
again the power of God fell and many that
were sick were instantly healed. Some be¬
fore the minister had a chance to lay hands
on the sick. Adultery, fornication and
stealing were the sins the people had been
guilty of, and they confessed their hearts
out to the bottom. Restitution was made,
old debts were paid. God was in our midst
and the work was only begun. Seven long
months we had prayed, night and day, to
see this. I felt now that I was almost ready
to go home to glory, hut the Lord said,
"Your work has only begun." As soon
as the revival broke out in earnest Brother
Weavers had calls from every direction to
hold meetings at other stations also.
TO THE PULPIT.
225
CHAPTEE XXII.
MAPUMULO REVIVAL CONTINUED IN
GREATER POWER.
After the meeting had run three weeks,
over 75 young peojde had been wonderfully
saved. Many of these were born preach¬
ers and went to work as though they had
preached for years. It was impossible to
keep an account of all that had been done
and was still being done after the meeting
had run three weeks. One Sunday we had
an all-day meeting, and it was a day that
we have never forgotten. At 5 A. M. we
rang the station bell, and again at 6 A. M.
We then started for the school-house, five
miles away, over the hills and through the
valleys. About 25 young converts, some of
whom had just been born into the king¬
dom the night before, made the air ring with
native gospel hymns, as we walked along.
The natives came from far and near and
the school-house was filled. They sat on
the floor, packed together as close as pos-
226
FEOM THE BAREOOM
sible, and some had to stand and listen at
the doors and windows. Two young men,
who had just heen gloriously saved, led
the meeting with their simple, earnest ex¬
hortations, and held the crowd spellbound,
listening to the story of the Cross, and what
Jesus had done for their own hearts. I
had never seen a greater number of na¬
tives gathered together at one time. After
the exhortations we had an altar service.
Numbers came forward and the young con¬
verts formed a circle around them, and all
began to pray for those who wanted to he
saved. Many were melted to tears, hut
there were no further results manifested in
this service. The Lord alone knew how deep
their sorrow for sin went. We praised the
Lord for breaking up the fallow ground.
This was the first time they had ever seen
anything of this kind of work. The young
converts, with hearts full of love, talked
to the people for some time, after which we
returned to the station, having walked ten
miles before breakfast.
TO THE PULPIT.
227
At 11 o'clock A. M., the station bell rang
again. This was the regular hour for Sun¬
day morning service. The church was
crowded with people. After singing and
praying, several young converts were much
blessed in testifying, the power came down
and shouts of victory and praises made the
church ring. Brother Weavers then
preached. The Spirit of the Lord was
upon him and with unction and liberty, he
preached the Word. We then had an altar
service and several were saved. Some gave
up their snuff boxes, earrings, brass brace¬
lets, brooches and beads, until there was
quite a heap of this tinselry on the altar.
After the morning service, the people
gathered under the trees near the Mis¬
sionary Home and ate their dinners. We
ate with the natives, and much prejudice
was melted away, as many were telling the
people that we had evil spirits and that we
were not like the former missionaries who
had labored at Mapumulo. About 3 P. M.
we entered the chapel again. This meeting
228
FROM THE BARBOOM
was led by two young native women con¬
verts. They were much helped hy the Holy
Spirit, and their simple, earnest pleadings
with sinners broke up the hearts of the
people and the Spirit wrote conviction on
them. We had another altar service and
several who had been seeking before were
gloriously saved. One by one they testi¬
fied. Many had confessions to make of
stealing, living in fornication, committing
adultery and other sins too numerous to
mention. As they confessed, it broke up
the hearts of many and conviction flashed
like lightning on the unsaved and formal
professors. It was getting dark when we
got on our knees and thanked God for the
blessings He had poured out upon us dur¬
ing the day. The devil trembled as the sick
were being healed and the poor heathen
were having the old time gospel preached to
them.
After the revival services had run more
than a month, Brother Weavers went to
Groutville. Here was located another mis-
Zulus g-athered for an all day meeting, at the mission station.
230
FROM THE BARROOM
sion station in charge of Brother Wilcox,
who strongly urged Brother Weavers to
come as soon as he could be spared at
Mapumulo. After the meetings had been
running for a while twelve natives and I
walked to Groutville one Saturday to help
over the Sabbath, The distance between
the two stations was over twenty miles.
We left our station early in the morning
while it was still dark and the moon was
still shining. As we journeyed along we
sang hymns and on a number of occasions
we knelt in prayer, asking God to pour out
his Spirit on the meeting in progress at
Groutville.
We reached Groutville in time for the
evening service. The young converts from
Mapumulo were asked to testify of what
God had done for them and the people at
Mapumulo. Soon the meeting was alive
and the electric shock from heaven was
felt all over the church. At the close of
this service, numbers knelt at the altar for
the first time, seeking the forgiveness of
TO THE PULPIT.
231
their sins. Among them was one young
man who was under such deep conviction
that he publicly confessed some awful
crimes he had committed. He found peace
before the meeting closed that night.
The next day being Sunday, there were
services all day. Our little company de¬
cided to fast and pray. All the time be¬
tween services was spent in the woods call¬
ing on God to send a still greater portion
of His Spirit to convict the people, which
He did, and many were grandly saved and
healed on that Sabbath day. On this very
morning I mention I awoke with a very
high fever. Brother Wilcox took my tem¬
perature and he was a little alarmed. Up
till this time he had not seen very much of
the manifestation of God's healing power
and he was a little doubtful about me be¬
ing healed in answer to prayer. I called
Brother Weavers to come in and he laid his
hands on my head, saying,'' Fred, the Lord
is able to heal you now." And while he
was praying for me a thrill from heaven
232
FROM THE BARROOM
filled my wliole being, whicb was so very
soothing and restful that I could not doubt
that God had touched me. Brother Wilcox
had been about the station somewhere in
the meantime and when he returned to my
room I told him that God had healed me in
answer to prayer while he was out. Still
he was doubtful and took my temperature
and to his utter surprise it was normal.
Then he believed and God did wonders at
Groutville station while Brothers Wilcox
and Weavers labored together. The fol¬
lowing is a letter sent to America for pub¬
lication by Brother Wilcox about this time:
"It gives me great pleasure to testify
in this way of God's goodness in sending
one of His prophets to us all the way from
America. Largely through his faithful
ministry we have had such a revival as has
never before been seen in this mission. I
may say that I am a missionary under the
American Board and am in charge of two
large church mission stations with about 850
church members and over 400 scholars in
TO THE PULPIT.
233
the day schools, and an adherent population
of some 10,000 souls. Previous to Brother
Weaver's coming, religion was at a very
low ehb among all my people, not to speak
of myself. Sometimes I have been so bur¬
dened with the sense of it that I have
thought I should have to go away. But
God's time came. Blessed be His name! It
was announced by the coming of His
prophet. When Brother Weavers first came
he told me God had sent him out there,
but he did not know why he had been sent.
Not being able to understand such leadings,
I took him to he a crank. It was not long
before I began to think that God had sent
him, sure enough, although His servant did
not know what for.
"He first went to Mapumulo, where
Brother Weiss is laboring as my assistant.
He had not been there a week when Brother
Weiss wrote me to come up, as a revival
had broken out. It was joyful news to me,
and I went up at once. The distance is
thirty-five miles by road. When I arrived
234
FEOM THE BARROOM
I was astonished at what I saw. Although
there had as yet heen no converts or
marked experience, it was evident that the
Spirit had begun to work. But the most
wonderful part of it was that although the
services had heen conducted in English
without interpretation, and there were not
twenty-five in the congregation who could
understand it, yet all professed they could
feel the Spirit. I advised the brethren to
have the sermons interpreted thereafter,
which was done, and marked results were
soon apparent.
"The first was in the afternoon of the
following day. An altar service was called,
at which God's power was manifest by
strong crying and tears. When we came
to rise, it was found one woman was so
engaged she could not get away. It was
impossible to get her attention, so earnestly
was she struggling with God in prayer. We
let her go on till, as Brother Weavers ex¬
pressed it, ' She had prayed through.' She
then got up with a sort of dazed look on
TO THE PULPIT.
235
her face as though she did not know where
she was. At first she could only speak of
her sins, which she confessed before all the
people. Then all at once a look of unspeak¬
able joy-Spread over her face like the sun
shining through a rift in a cloud, and she
began to testify in a loud voice. She also
told of the vision she had seen while she
was transported in prayer. The people
had never seen anything like that before
and it wrought conviction on all who saw
her.
'' From that time the meeting went on in
ever increasing power of the Spirit till now
it has been over two months. You will not
care to hear of all the wonderful things
that have been done from that time to the
present. I can only say that the most aw¬
ful confessions of sin have been made, such
as robbery, murder, adultery and fornica¬
tion. Restitution has been made, pledges
redeemed, and quarrels of long standing
have been settled. Evil habits have been
laid aside, such as dancing, the use of to-
236
FBOM THE BABBOOM
bacco, drinking and fornication. The re-,
vival has spread down here with similar;
results.
ItThere has been no attempts made to
count heads. I am, ^ sick of that kind of
slewing, as I have seen it in former years.
One of the converts who had been a great
sianer, went home and in his father's neigh¬
borhood reported sixty-nine who had left
all for Christ. Another reports fifty in
another place. But the best results, in my.
mind, are rather seen in the change that has;.
been made in the, church members, espe¬
cially those who have taken an interest in
the revival. A week ago twelve young peo¬
ple came down from Mapumulo. They
were nearly all old acquaintances of mine,
but I hardly knew them. They are like live
coals from off God's altar. The next, day
they fasted all day, and almost all day. you
could step out; doors and hear prayier go¬
ing up to God; in any direction you might
turn. Oh, it was; glorious! The meetings
were crowded to their fullest extent; and:
TO THE PULPIT.
237
when the altar service was called, there was
not room to accommodate all who crowded
forward.
"We are expecting to go over to Zulu-
land to morrow, where we trust- God has
great things for us. The work here is not
going to stop. There is now a hand here
on this station of some thirty or forty, who
are filled with the Spirit and are hun¬
gering for souls. There will he gos¬
pel meetings kept up every day in some
one of the outlying districts, and these
young converts will do the preaching. I
can see now why Brother Weavers whs
sent to Africa, although he may not see it.
If it were only for the blessing I have re¬
ceived in my own soul it would be worth all
it cost. But praise God! He does not give
His blessings by measure. Yours in His
name, W. C. Wilcox.
- "Groutville, Natal, South Africa."
238
FROM THE BABBOOM
CHAPTEB XXIII.
LETTERS BY MISS HOPPER DESCRIBING
THE REVIVAL.
A letter written by Miss Emma Hopper,
telling something about the revival that
broke out at Mapumulo Mission Station in
Natal, South Africa.
'' This has been a very interesting day to
me, as I have seen more of what it means
to be really in a heathen land than I have
in the whole month I have been at Dur¬
ban. Fred and Mattie have been writing
for me to come up for a while, and after
praying about it, the Lord made it plain
to me that I should go. So I started on the
7:15 train this morning and arrived here
at Verulam about noon and we are expect¬
ing a team soon to take me to Umvoti, a
mission station about twenty-four miles
from here, where we expect to stop over
Sunday. Brother Worcester is here.
Brother Wilson of Umvoti, wrote for him
to come up for a while. Brother Desh also
TO THE PULPIT.
239
lives at Umvoti. Mapumulo is about thirty-
five miles from Umvoti, so I will not go
up there till next week. What I miss more
than anything else in Africa are the faces
of good, old-fashioned Christians. At
home, it matters not where you go, you
can always find some good Christian peo¬
ple ; but not so in Africa. Here nearly all
the white people seem to be running madly
after the world and money. It really seems
God has given the white people over to
hardness of heart because they have re¬
sisted light. The natives can he easily
reached if we keep filled with the Holy
Ghost.
"Lillie is diligently studying the Zulu
language. She has had so many hindrances
and discouragements in the past, but
God is wonderfully helping her now.
Says she must have the language. Was
sorry to leave here, but I know the Lord
is sending me, and if He never permits us
to work together, I believe we are both
consecrated to have it otherwise. Am sure
240
FEOM THE BAKKOOM
I have no plans but am perfectly free to
follow where He leads. The rig has come
now, so I must go.
"LATER—Well, here I am at Mapum-
ulo. We arrived at Brother Wilcox's at
Umvoti Saturday about 6 o'clock P. M. We
had prayer and a good talk with Brother
and Sister Wilcox. They are grand mis¬
sionaries. Before we retired Brother Wil¬
cox told us that they tried to imitate Jesus
by getting up early in the morning for
prayer. Said he expected I would be too
tired after riding so far to get up early.
"Next morning at half past four, when
the chapel hell rang, I could not stay in
bed. It reminded me so much of the old
home school bell that it broke me all up.
There were about a dozen natives present,
I think, and Jesus was with us. I enjoyed
my stay there so much. Monday morning
early I went to see Brother and Sister Desh
and take them the things I brought from
America. Found them well, only Brother
Desh looks very bad. The Lord is help-
TO THE PULPIT.
241
ing them both in their souls. I did not stay
long, but started at 7: 30 A. M. and arrived
here at little before 3 P. M. Brother Wil¬
cox sent a native boy to bring me. He
drove so fast and I was so jolted up that
I almost felt that my back was unjointed
when I arrived here. I did not really feel
rested all day yesterday, but I feel better
this morning. They were all glad to see
me. Mattie looks just like she did when
she left home. The baby is very sweet.
I wish I could bring her in and let you all
see her.
"A wonderful revival of old time salva¬
tion has broken out up here. The evening
I came, as we were at the supper table,
a native woman came in and shook hands
with each of us, and jumped up and down
and shouted and laughed. A little later
we went to the meeting, and when we went
in, everybody seemed to be praying at once.
Some were shouting, some were running,
and a few acted indifferently, and once
in a while one would run out of the house.
242
FROM THE BARROOM
When God works, the devil also works,
the same as he does at home. One heathen
girl confessed to stealing oranges from
the Mission Station. She wants to live right
and wanted to wear clothes. So I made
her a dress yesterday.
"It was wonderful how the meeting
started. It is said that natives never would
attend night meetings, that they were afraid
of the dark. Brother Weavers and Fred
paid no attention to it, but sang and prayed
and preached in English, and the Holy
Ghost surely interpreted, for there were
not more than twenty or twenty-five that
could understand, but they said they could
feel something and many have been glori¬
ously converted.
"At 6 o'clock this morning the bell rang
for a woman's prayer meeting. Mattie and
I went over. There were thirty women
present, and God gave us a real salvation
time. The meeting lasted till nearly 10
o'clock. I wondered how many places
there are in America where thirty women
TO THE PULPIT.
243
could be gathered together for an early
morning prayer meeting.
"Well, we saw millions of the Lord's
army spoken of in the second chapter of
Joel. They are a great deal like the grass¬
hoppers that used to swarm the country in
Kansas many years ago, only they are
larger and of a reddish cast. It looks as if
nothing would he raised this year on ac¬
count of them.
'' Heh. 3:17-19 is very precious to our
souls and we are sure we have nothing to
fear. The Lord is so good to me to let me
really see His salvation so soon after com¬
ing to Africa. I wish I could describe to
you what God is doing in Africa. It is
really ahead of any revival I ever saw
among sinners in America. It is getting
where sinners can not stand in the congre¬
gation of the righteous.
"I will try to describe a little of what
took place in the meeting last night. At the
beginning of the singing, two young men
began to scream and make strange, noises
244
FROM THE BARROOM
and the congregation arose to their feet to
see what was the matter. In a little while
one of them be^an to shout, jump and
dance, and walk around with his hands up.
While the other one rolled in agony under
the benches. Pretty soon he rolled out in
front and jumped up and ran as fast as he
could down the church aisle to the door.
Then he ran back and jumped and shouted
with much joy. He then talked for about
two hours, while the "amens" and "hal¬
leluiahs" from the congregation arose.
About half past nine o 'clock they got down
to pray, and after praying for a half hour
and singing. Brother Weavers arose and
made the announcements and was about
to close the meeting, when a native sister,
a very timid, quiet woman, got up; when
all at once they began to jump up all over
the church and dance and shout, till nearly
the whole house were on their feet shout¬
ing and praising God. I never saw so many
shouting at once, not even in Shenandoah.
Every little while they would run and ring
Mrs. Weiss with women and girls converted In our meetings on
the mission station.
246
FROM THE BARROOM
the church hell to help give vent to the
praises they felt in their hearts. The na¬
tives say they never heard of such a thing
as this before. The native sister said to
Mattie, 'Oh, Mrs. Weiss, the Holy Ghost
has come to us.' My cup was running
over. Quite a nunaher of heathe*]|% are
getting gloriously saved and want to put
on clothes._ About thirty girls came yes¬
terday afternoon to sew, and about forty
came this afternoon, and we succeeded in
getting sqme clothing made for them. My
heart goes out to these dear women and
girls. I love them with a pure heart fer¬
vently. I feel so at home among them, and
am so glad to be able to help administer
to their temporal as well as their spiritual
needs. , „
„-V ..."v.. -7
"LATER—'Praise God this morning for
His grace which is sufficient under every
circumstance. I want to tell you a little
more about our missionary home here.
Mary, the girl rescued by Mattie and Fred
at Durban, takes the kitchen work. She is
TO THE PULPIT.
247
such a thankful soul, prays at family wor¬
ship and keeps happy all the time. It would
put some of our kitchen girls at home to
shame to see her. We have two native
girls, besides a native boy and little Julia.
Brother Weavers, Fred, Mattie, the baby
and I complete the family, God wonder¬
fully showers His blessings upon the home,
and the best of all, precious souls are be¬
ing brought to the feet of our blessed Je¬
sus. Am sure I am in divine order at this
station. We have no plans, but are letting
the Lord work out things in His own way.
"We have been told the natives would
not give anything without expecting some¬
thing in return, but the Lord is proving it
otherwise. The other morning we looked
out and saw a native woman coming with
a nice lot of sweet potatoes in a pan on her
head (they carry all their burdens on their
heads). They were washed nice and clean,
and were quite large. She looked so happy
when she handed them to Mattie, and when
asked what she wanted for them, she said,
248
FROM THE BARROOM
'Nothing; they are a present.' We were
very thankful and felt sure that the Lord
sent her. I expressed my thanks, hy put¬
ting my arms around her and giving her a
good hug. Later in the day the Lord sent
another pan of potatoes by a little girl.
They were a present to Brother Weavers.
A few days afterward a little girl came
with some more sweet potatoes. She had
a dream that she brought us some potatoes;
so she asked her mother if she could bring
us some, and her mother said she could, so
she brought them. Praise the Lord! It
is so grand, even in Africa, to trust God
for everything.
"Am so glad this morning that I am in
Africa. Am so happy among tliese native
girls and children. It is grand to see them
pray through and touch God and get the
blessing of the Lord on their souls. I told
one of the girls staying with us that I loved
her because Jesus loved her. I said it in
Zulu, and she broke right out in English,
saying: ' Praise the Lord! Glory to God!'
TO THE PULPIT.
249
She was so happy she hardly knew what
to do with herself. I have made a very
feeble effort to tell you of the glorious
things I feel in my heart, but I guess the
Lord can tell you what I can not. I love
to think and pray for you all.
'' The drinking water in Africa is not good,
but God can help us to keep well without
good water. The rain water is pure as long
as it lasts, but it gives out during our dry
weather. My heart is knit to your hearts
at home. Yours in Jesus,
Emma Hopper.
"Mapumulo Mission Station, Natal,
Africa."
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE DEATH OF A FAITHFUL MISSIONARY—
MISS HOPPER.
In all Holy Ghost revival work, perse¬
cution follows. Thus is was on this mis¬
sion station as the natives went from place
to place to tell the story of Jesus' love.
250
FROM THE BARROOM
We had stopping at our home, a young man
about 18 years bid, whose name was Glick.
He was filled with the Holy Ghost and
would witness to what Jesus had done for
him to every one he would come in con¬
tact with. He became a real soul winner.
One morning we sent him after our mail,
two miles away, to the place where the
district magistrate had his headquarters.
We received our American mail, usually,
just once a week. Naturally we were al¬
ways glad when the mail day came, and so
we told Glick to take the little mail sack
and go and get the mail and hurry back as
soon as he could. He started down the
road singing a hymn.
He arrived at the post office in due time
and there saw a number of Natal mounted
police. These were white men and had
very little use for the natives, but Glick
feared not the face of white men and at
once began to preach Jesus to them. They
were wonderfully astonished that this na¬
tive hoy would dare to talk to them about
TO THE PULPIT.
251
their sins as he did. So they immediately
put him under arrest and brought him to
the magistrate and his verdict was that the
hoy had lost his mind and ordered the dis¬
trict doctor to make an examination of the
boy's head. In the meantime they put him
in prison.
Some young people from our station wit¬
nessed this and hurried to tell us. We
had been waiting for Glick's return with
the mail. When they arrived at the sta¬
tion with the news that Glick was under
arrest, we took our Bibles under our arm
and started for the post office and tlie mag¬
istrate's court. We had not gone very far
along the road when whom should we see
coming along, but our boy Glick walking
between two heathen men, talking very
earnestly and rapidly to them about their
sins and about Jesus who was able to make
them whiter than the snow. In a few min¬
utes we were by his side and added our
testimony to his, while the two heathen men
listened by the roadside. Glick then told
252
FROM THE BARROOM
US how he had been telling the mounted
policemen about their sins, how he was
locked up in prison and how the doctor ex¬
amined his head, and the final conclusion of
the doctor was that Glick had gotten the
kind of religion that the folks were getting
at Mapumulo Mission Station, and that
they had better turn him loose with his
mail sack, and that it was a dangerous thing
to stop the American mail.
On another occasion a few weeks later,
nine natives were on tlieir way to Durban,
the seacoast town, to do some trading. This
was about seventy miles from our Mission
Station. They stopped one night in a lit¬
tle town called Stanger. After supper was
over they were having a little meeting to¬
gether, singing and praying. While thus
in worship, the Spirit fell like a mighty
torrent upon them and the household. They
were weeping, shouting and praying, when
the town police rushed in upon them and
took nine of them to prison and kept them
there over night. The next day they were
TO THE PULPIT.
253
arraigned before the magistrate and all
were fined for disturbing the peace. This
stirred the hearts of the natives at the
Mission Station and earnest prayer went
up to God for the work that was spreading
to other places. The more the enemy tried
to put out the fire, the more determined the
natives became to he true to God.
Sister Hopper had been in Africa nearly
a year. About this time she left us for her
reward on the other shore. The following
letter was written by Mrs. Weiss to friends
in America, after her departure:
"Dear Ones across the Water: I take
my pen tliis morning to inform you that
our precious Emma has joined the trium¬
phant throng on high. She left all of
earth, Saturday morning, 8:30 o 'clock,
June 26, 1897. Three weeks ago she took
a had cold and kept her bed for over two
weeks. Then the Lord helped, and she
said healed her of the cold, and her cough
was better than for a long time. But she
had spells of shortness of breath and pal-
254
FKOM THE BAREOOM
pitation of heart. She had been up and
around for several days.
'' On Friday she walked out into the yard
and sat down on the ground in the warm
sun. When she came in she had another
attack of shortness of breath, but God
helped her again and she said: 'Surely, I
am living a life of faith, for even my breath
is given by the Lord.' She ate supper soon
after. Before going to bed we sat together
and had such a good talk about the Lord.
She was testifying to the goodness of God
and said: '0 why do people get tired and
go back on the Lord? Oh, if they only
knew the sweetness of going through these
trials with Jesus. So few are acquainted
with God. The Lord and I have had such
precious times since coming to Africa. No
one knows like Him.' Then she got so
happy and rejoiced in the Spirit and again
said: 'My soul is as light as a feather, yet
I feel such a burden for souls.' Just after
this she said: 'I am tired. I will go to
bed.'
TO THE PULPIT.
255
"I helped her into bed and saw that she
was weaker, and the feeling was so strong
on my heart,' This is death.' All carefully
noticed how she soon fell into a sweet sleep.
I do not think she awakened till after 12.
She had retired about 8. When she awoke
she had another hard breathing spell. She
called me and said, 'Mattie, pray for me;
the devil is trying to take my breath.' We
prayed and she was soon relieved and went
to sleep. About 4 A. M. she called me again
and did not sleep afterward. At 5 o'clock
I asked her how she felt. She replied: 'I
am pretty weak. I think I will have break¬
fast earlier.' So we hastened and prepared
it. She raised herself, sat up and ate it
with evident relish. Then we all sat down
to breakfast. Soon I heard a noise, and
thinking the baby had awakened, I has¬
tened to the adjoining room, but found it
was Emma.
'' On coming in I saw she was having an¬
other heard breathing spell. She said,
'Mattie, lub my hand.' A cold perspira-
Zulu women with gourds in which they carry water from the
lakes and rivers for home use.
TO THE PULPIT.
257
tion was all over her. I saw it was death,
and called Fred. She said: 'Fred, take
my hand. Something tells me this is death.
Lord, Thou has healed—help me; give me
one good breath. Thou art able. O Lord,
Thou knowest I love Thee with all my
heart.' At this time her breathing became
easier, and she said, 'Jesus is helping me
now, but I am so tired.' Then her breath¬
ing became quite feeble, and she said
faintly, as she ceased breathing, 'Amen,
amen,' and it was all over. This was 8: 30
in the morning. Oh, the deep feeling that
came to Fred and me as we knelt by her side
and wept and prayed. It seemed for a
time we could hardly endure it. She was
fully conscious to the last.
"We sent to Umvoti for Brothers Wil¬
cox and Worcester. It is usually the cus¬
tom in hot climates to inter the body the
same day, but we felt that God would pre-
sei-ve'the mortal remains of our dear, pre¬
cious Emma till 11 o'clock the next day.
Oh, the sweet look on her face! I looked
258
FBOM THE BABROOM
up at the picture of Jesus which hung on
the wall at the foot of her bed, and then
at her face, and I thought, 'What a simi¬
larity.' Truly, it was the sweetest face I
had ever beheld on mortal remains. Oh,
praise the Lord forever!
"Brother Worcester came on Sunday
and conducted the services from Rev. 14:
13. The hymns were Zulu. Many of the
natives expressed their thoughts, saying:
'I know she is in heaven. I am not afraid.'
One young native girl that Emma had
talked with, who lived at Umvoti, when she
learned of her death, arose at 1 o'clock
Sunday morning to come with Brother
Worcester. They both walked the distance,
thirty miles, and the girl was so touched
she could not keep from weeping when
she came in and also during the services.
"Emma's work is done. I see it. I know
the purpose of her coming to Africa and
it was accomplished. She often said, 'My
calling is to do the little things, and live
the life of the righteous every moment.'
TO THE PUHPIT.
259
Her life and her death confirmed me in
the faith and showed me the 'more excel¬
lent way,' and cleared my soul from douhts
forever. I was with her almost constantly,
and am an eye-witness of these truths of
the blessed gospel of our Lord.
'The faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.
'A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Illumines a dying bed.'
"We laid her to rest in the front yard,
beside the other departed missionaries. I
can see the little mound from the door. I
often looked at it yesterday, and tears
would flow most freely. Oh, the many lit¬
tle things she made for the baby! I know
that the children at home will think of her
and how the precious, crippled hand so
faithfully and untiringly labored. She did
much for the people here, and I can see
something in every room that her hands
have made. We feel that the grave should
260
FEOM THE BABBOOM
be marked by a plain tombstone and a wall
around it. I send you a leaf and flower
and piece of ribbon from a wreath that an
unsaved white man brought for her casket.
He had seen her several times. He keeps
a store within two miles from here. She
told me some time ago what dress to bury
her in. I also send you a piece. Lovingly
at the feet of Jesus,
"Fred and Mattie Weiss."
CHAPTEB XXV.
ITINERATING IN SOUTH AFRICA.
After the death of Miss Hopper we
worked together at Mapumulo until Mrs.
Weiss went to America. This was the be¬
ginning of my fourth year in Africa. I
turned away with a heavy heart from the
great steamer, Aberdeen, on which my wife
and baby left for America. It seemed now
a double portion of God's Spirit rested
upon me for the work that I was to do while
alone. I took a farewell look at the boat
TO THE PULPIT,
261
and then left the seacoast for the interior.
This was in November, 1897. In Decem¬
ber of the same year I returned to the city
of Durban on the coast to take charge of
a tabernacle that was sent to us from Amer¬
ica by some friends who became deeply in¬
terested in the spread of the gospel in Af¬
rica. After attending to this business I
returned again to Mapumulo and had a
good watch night meeting with good testi¬
monies and soul inspiring songs. Our
much beloved Brother Robertson came up
from Durban and helped us a few days.
God made me to feel that 1898 was to
be a wonderful year. Several native young
men were saved at the station during the
first week of the new year. During the
second and third weeks of January I worked
and planned at Emma Hopper's grave.
When every thing about it was nicely fin¬
ished, I returned to Durban and held a four
weeks' tabernacle meeting. There were no
visible results to speak of. Here I was
taken sick and got very thin and weak; it
262
FROM THE BARROOM
was thought because the city water did not
agree with me.
I then went to Inanda, twelve miles in¬
land, to an American mission station to rest
a while. While here the Spirit of God be¬
gan to work in the girl's seminary and a
number of the native girls began to seek
the Lord with great earnestness. Deep con¬
fession of sin marked all the work. Some
began getting light and made up their
minds to tarry and wait until they were
endued with power from on high. Several
meetings for that purpose brought those
who engaged in them to feel their great lack
and need as never before. Some began to
straighten up the way for Jesus to come.
My own heart also received much en¬
couragement. The Lord truly revealed
Himself to the hearts of the people. The
cry of my own heart at that time was that
I would be kept earnest, low and humble,
walking in the Spirit, that I would not ful¬
fil the lusts and desires of the flesh. It was
so good and inspiring to my soul. While
OX) THE PULPIT.
263
talking to the Lord about some of the hard¬
est cases we had ever met in this spiritual
warfare, He gave me these words, "How-
beit, this kind, goeth not out hut by prayer
and fasting." So we had a number of all
day meetings, tarrying before the Lord in
fasting and prayer. And the results were
grand. Old debts were confessed and paid
up and other heart rending confessions
were made. Fornication among the young
people is something awful in Africa. The
enemy always got stirred when the Lord
began to work, especially so, when he saw
some of these precious young people break¬
ing away from his ranks. One man whom
we went to see during these meetings said
that as soon as we entered his hut he got
such awful pains in his legs and his head
also began to ache. We told him to get
down on his knees, and, as he did, the power
of God took hold upon him and he began to
confess his sins to God.
The power of God was manifested in
many different ways in these meetings. As
264
FROM THE BARROOM
soon as one got converted they got up and
began to preach the blessed old gospel and
others would fall prostrate to the ground
by the same power that caused the newly
converted ones to preach. We were fre¬
quently called upon to visit and pray for
the sick. On one occasion we were called
by a mother to pray for her daughter who
had been bitten in the foot by a snake.
The limb had swollen very large. A doc¬
tor had injected some medicine into her
arm, to counteract the poison in her limb.
She suffered great pain and the arm was
all drawn up from the hand to the shoulder
with severe contraction while the flesh had
become very hard. We prayed for her and
-anointed her in the name of the Lord. The
arm was nearly straightened out, and some
sort of matter came running out of the
place where the doctor had injected his
medicine. We left the girl comfortable.
On our way home from this place we called
on a child whom we had prayed for a few
days before, whom the doctor said was about
TO THE PULPIT.
265
to die. The little child was fast improving,
and the father of the home was under deep
conviction of sin on account thereof. The
work was wonderful and my heart rejoiced
exceedingly because the Lord was working.
There were about one hundred and eighty
young women and girls at the Seminary
and the Lord was shaking the place might¬
ily. We often walked long distances through
the hot sun to meet with those who sent for
us, and the Lord would give me a real feast
on account of self-denial.
At one place we were asked to dine with
the son of a heathen chief, who had left
his father's kraal (home), choosing rather
to serve the Lord than to dwell in the tents
of wickedness. We had a blessed time here
talking over the things concerning the
kingdom of God. Everything that we could
ask for temporally and spiritually was
freely given to us by our Heavenly Fa¬
ther. Our souls truly waited on the Lord
night and day in simple praise and worship
to Him who hath redeemed us from all
266
FROM THE BARROOM
sin. We shall never be able to tell half of
what the Lord did for the natives in this
pait of Africa. You could see the shine on
the faces of old and young as they came
from the fountain filled with blood. Though
they were black, such sweet shining faces I
never saw before. The work went deeper
and deeper among the young people at the
Seminary. During services numbers would
fall like they were slain on the battlefield
and some would remain in prayer all night
long. We felt the prayers of our friends at
Mapumulo. The converts there spent many
hours in prayer while we were away hold¬
ing meetings at other places. We thanked
God for these earnest souls.
Just as we awoke one morning the man
who had had such pains in his legs and
head as we entered his hut came to the
place where we were stopping, bringing
with him a small bag of medicine, which
he had used for poisoning the innocent with
impure thoughts and feelings. Oh, it is
awful to what extent the sins of the flesh
TO THE PULPIT.
267
are carried among some of these native Af¬
rican people. Demons alone could do such
work as was unearthed in this meeting.
The most hardened came, confessing and
surrendering. Prayer could be heard in
different directions, not only from those
under conviction, who were praying for
themselves, but also from those who were
carrying the burden of souls. Nine of the
girls at the Seminary, all filled with the
Spirit, went three miles from the station to
hold another meeting among the heathen
kraals. They testified with such freedom
as only those can who have the help of the
Holy Spirit and the results were grand, as
the Spirit-filled young people labored for
the Master.
Nearly every one of the girls in the Semi¬
nary got saved and many were filled with
the Spirit. As this meeting came to a close
we praised God that he counted us worthy
to be in such sweet service for Him. Our
work at Inanda ended with a short farewell
meeting in which there was a general hand-
268
FROM THE BARROOM
shaking while singing, "God Be with You
Till We Meet Again." Our tabernacle
was taken down and loaded upon a wagon.
Brother Wilcox and I started for the new
field on foot. We arrived at Amatata Mis¬
sion Station after a few hours' walk, tired,
but our souls rejoicing that we were per¬
mitted to carrj^ the glad tidings of the gos¬
pel to tliese people. We were up very high
now, and about twenty miles from the
ocean. We could see the water very clearly.
This was a beautiful spot for the pitching
of the tabernacle.
The native pastor of this place was the
first to present himself and asked that we
would pray for him that he might receive
the Holy Ghost. Everything began to
break up the very first day of the meeting.
The first night after the meeting opened,
God woke us up at midnight and we arose
from our beds and poured out our hearts'
desire before God for the people of this
neighborhood. It seemed strange to some
of them who heard us in prayer. God heard
TO THE PULPIT.
269
our prayers. The next night we got up
twice during the night for special prayer
for the meeting. The worth' of precious
souls and our responsibility in the matter
of their salvation rested heavily upon us.
We visited the kraals and found that God
was talking to those for whom we had been
praying.
The Lord used dreams a good deal to
talk to this people. One woman dreamed
she saw a beautiful river and many people
crossing over, but she was left behind. She
awoke and took it as a warning from God
and immediately began to seek the salva¬
tion of her soul. Names were now being
written in the Lamb's book of life. The
native preacher, his son, who was the school
teacher, and an old doctor received the un¬
speakable gift in the same service. The
old time religion struck the place, and many
prayed through to victory. The agony of
soul and the crying to God for salvation
was something that one can not describe
fully. The natives came from every direc-
270
FROM THE BARROOM
tion to attend the services. A white man
was seldom seen in these parts. We could
see the clouds below us and the clear sky
above us. It was grand to live up there
on the mountain top in the midst of a flam¬
ing revival. In all the valleys beneath,
round the mountains and all about us were
many heathen in darkness and superstition,
and our meetings continued to grow in
power. Truly it was like sitting in heav¬
enly places. How good the Lord was to
give us such spiritual blessings and out¬
pourings of His Spirit.
The young converts were a real encour¬
agement for they went right to work seek¬
ing other souls. The native pastor's fam¬
ily were all saved and rejoicing in Jesus.
They had a wonderful family reunion. The
last boy was not saved until all his sisters
had made him a subject of prayer for ten
days. In the midst of this meeting the pas¬
tor took sick and Brother Wilcox had an at¬
tack of the fever and had to go home. In
one service a mother came to the altar with
TO THE PULPIT.
271
Uev baby boy strapped to her back, as was
their custom to carry their children. The
little fellow opened his eyes wide and
looked around in wonder at the young con¬
verts praying and interceding for his
mother.
On one occasion during this meeting we
walked about five miles and held a kraal
meeting at which there were about one hun¬
dred present. The young converts wit¬
nessed with power to what God had done
for them. Tears flowed freely as we talked
to the heathen people at this place. I caught
cold on this trip and came down with the
fever. I prayed and sang until victory
came; but did not dare that day to leave the
house where I was stopping to go to the
tabernacle. After I had rested up and the
fever had almost left me we closed our
services in Amatata Mission Station with
victory, and prepared for another field of
labor.
272
FEOM THE BARROOM
CHAPTER XXVI.
REVIVAL MEETINGS UNDER CANVAS IN
NATAL.
The meeting had closed at Amatata Mis¬
sion Station and the people had come from
another point to take the tabernacle to
their Station six miles away. This was a
very hilly country and the climate was very
trying on my body. It seemed to draw the
strength right out of me. We had a little
farewell meeting before leaving Amatata.
It was a blessed time, indeed, and we felt
paid a thousand times over as we looked
into the shining faces of the young con¬
verts. After singing several songs, the
school children and friends handed me
a purse of six dollars and seventy-five
cents.
As we parted about forty people came
from the next point to accompany us to
their Station. We journeyed along over
the hills, carrying the tabernacle in sec¬
tions and singing the praises of God until
TO THK PULPIT,
273
we reached the Station. I was still weak
in hody, but my soul received much
strength and encouragement. It took us
four hours to make this journey, hut
strength was given as the occasion de¬
manded ; everything looked hopeful for an¬
other good meeting. It took about half a
day to get the tabernacle up and ready for
meetings again.
Fully a hundred were present at the first
meeting and all gathered around the altar
in prayer. The people were very hungry
for these gospel services. In one service,
while we were talking, several were all
broken up and got up and began to confess
out their hearts and seek salvation. A
number were again slain by the power of
God and lay under the tabernacle like dead
men, while others were groaning for de¬
liverance from the old man of sin. The
noise in the meeting by this time sounded
like the rushing of many waters. One
one they were coming through to victory
and a blessed shine lit up their faces as they
274
FBOM THK BAKKOOM
testified to God's saving and cleansing
power.
To behold a sight like this in Africa was
worth more to us than to he in possession
of all the diamond and gold fields of this
land put together. Some of these were
jewels for heaven which will shine the
brighter as eternity rolls on and on. Earthly
jewels will all melt away some day when
this old world is wrapped in flames, hut
these jewels will never lose their brilliancy,
hut only shine brighter and brighter as
they live in that land of endless day. Com¬
panies of young people came from where
we had held other meetings to give a help¬
ing hand. They were greatly blessed and
it was grand to see the precious freedom of
these brands plucked from the burnings.
They made the congregation at this point
very hungry for this same freedom and
happiness that they were reveling in. Some
now went to breaking through into the ful¬
ness of God. My own soul was resting
sweetly and quietly before the Lord as the
TO THE PULPIT.
275
meetings proceeded on in greater power.
Our first Sunday at this station was a
wonder to many. The grounds took on the
appearance of a large camp-meeting. There
were more people than could get under the
tabernacle. So the walls of the tabernacle
were kept rolled up so all could hear the
preaching of the Word of God. The hea¬
then people stood about all day, many of
them half nude in their dress. The native
Christians gave in their soul-stirring tes¬
timonies and many came to the altar seek¬
ing the Lord for forgiveness of sin. God
permitted our faith to have some severe
trials. The enemy would come in as an
angel of light, but the Lord, who let the
true light shine, would help us to discern
the difference between the two, thus mak¬
ing us more than conquerors in all our bat¬
tle. We spent much time visiting and
praying among the people.
On one occasion during these meetings we
started out on foot after the sunrise prayer
meeting to visit the home of one of the na-
276
FROM THE BARROOM
tive chiefs. His cattle kraal was empty.
He had lost over three hundred head of cat¬
tle by the rinderpest. The people in his
surrounding community knew we were go¬
ing to pay them a visit. When we were
yet one mile away from the place we blew
a big tin horn. The sound from the horn
went down through the valley, and there
were about fifty present, natives of all de¬
scriptions. Some were partly dressed, and
some were not dressed at all, especially
the children, and some had o n very
nice dresses. Our hearts rejoiced to be
there.
We crawled into the chief's hut, which
was a large, roomy one, and began our
services by singing several songs. The chief
was not at home and seldom was, as he
was an employee of the government. Sev-
ernal native Christians spoke with liberty.
About one dozen pressed forward for
prayers. Some of them melted to tears as
they confessed their sins and sought the
Lord. The chief had nine wives, and sev-
TO THE PULPIT.
277
eral of them earnestly sought the Lord and
gave up their beer drinking and tobacco
habit. God made us free and light in the
midst of that dark home. We felt that He
especially poured out His Spirit that those
darkened minds might realize that the
Lord's people are a free and happy people.
This service ran about two and a half
hours. Then we returned to our tabernacle,
rejoicing that we were permitted to spend
the day among the people shut away in the
African hills.
One morning the Lord sent down such
a blessing that the congregation was not
able to contain themselves. The people
went down on their knees in every seat in
the tabernacle. Many pressed their way
to the altar. Some were released from the
prison house of sin and set free, and as
soon as released they went to exhorting
others to seek the Lord. To a worldling's
ears, the noise would have sounded like
Babel, but to our ears, it was like the music
of heaven. A greater break than ever had
278
FBOM THE BABROOM
come into our meeting and this was the be¬
ginning of better days for the people of
this Mission Station. The power of the Holy
Ghost was now manifested among the peo¬
ple. Surely He heard our prayers once
more. How could we ever praise Him
enough for all His goodness to us and the
people at this point?
The Spirit also fell on the children, and
what a change came over the school. They
were now like little jewels shining for Je¬
sus, free indeed. Some of the little chil¬
dren in their meetings would get up and
exhort their playmates to come to Jesus.
It was a touching sight to see and hear
these little ones, who became real soul win¬
ners, and to think that some of these who
were so free had just emerged out from
heathen darkness. The people were sur¬
prised at us announcing our sunrise prayer
meetings. They were not in the habit of
getting up so early to go to prayer meet¬
ing. But the number to the early prayer
meetings increased rapidly.
TO THE PULPIT.
279
The native pastor at this point said he
had been a professing Christian for seven¬
teen years, four years of this time preach¬
ing the gospel without the knowledge or
witness that his sins were forgiven. Then
he said, "Today I have received the wit¬
ness that -He has washed my sins away."
It was real humbling for him to make this
confession, hut God helped him and blest
him in so doing. He was a man six feet
two inches tall, with broad shoulders,
weighing 250 pounds, and now all aflame
with the love of God.
The closing day came for these meetings.
Bright and early on that beautiful Sab¬
bath morning the people came in from all
directions. All nature itself seemed to be
singing sweet praises of her Maker. The
Christian people were all aflame with the
love of God. In the first service one of
the wives of the heathen chief at this place,
came through with a shout. It was grand
to behold her black, but shining, face, as
she stood before that large congregation
280
FROM THE BARROOM
on Sunday morning, testifying to what she
had found. She was a happy woman, in¬
deed, though she had just emerged from
heathen darkness. Many people testified
in the closing service that that had been the
best meeting they were ever in. With all
the opposition we had at this point, God
brought out many souls into the clear noon¬
day light of a free and full salvation.
Before taking down our tabernacle the
next morning we had a little farewell meet¬
ing. Two more gave their hearts to God
and one old lady was so happy that she
laughed and talked and danced for a long
time, ending with an exhortation to the
unsaved. Thus ended the meetings at this
place. The people here were poor but gave
us six dollars and sixty-five cents, which
showed their appreciation for the work
done.
I went from this meeting to Inanda to
take a little rest. The missionaries gave
me a hearty welcome and I can not tell you
how I enjoyed a nice room and a comforta-
TO THE PULPIT.
281
ble bed once more. It was a little over
four weeks since I had had a comfortable
place to sleep in like the one I now was
enjoying. The Lord truly was good to me
and my soul was living beside the eternal
springs of living water. Oh, what a privi¬
leged creature I felt I was, to serve a liv¬
ing God, a Holy Being, and to have Him
occupy His temple. I wished I could make
all Africa feel the love which God had shed
abroad in my heart. It was a real feast
to me to be alone for a short time, walking
and talking with Jesus.
CHAPTEB XXVII.
LETTERS FROM NATIVE CONVERTS.
Some letters written by the converts dur¬
ing the wonderful revival among the na¬
tives of Natal, South Africa.
The following letter was from a native
young woman who was led to the Lord at
the Mapumulo Mission, and was now away
at school:
282
FROM THE BARROOM
Inanda Seminary, Natal.
May 6, 1897.
Dear Friends: Perhaps you will be glad
to hear about the work of God here in our
midst. We see many wonderful things
here, because the people are giving them¬
selves to the Lord entirely. Many people
at Mapumulo have received the baptism of
the Holy Ghost, and some have gone to
Johannesburg to testify for the Lord, Wlien
they went away they remembered the word
of the Lord which He spake to His disci¬
ples, saying, "Go ye into all the world and
preach the gospel, and behold I am with
you all the way." Others have gone to
some places just near, and my brother is
at Table Mountain. He is one of them who
is really baptized. Pray for us and them
that we may stand fast for the Savior who
has washed away our sins and given us His
Spirit.
We are at this school to learn and to
know God, who is our defender against the
armies of the devil, who tries to tempt us
TO THE PULPIT.
283
back. I am very glad because many of the
girls have given themselves to Jesus, as
their leader all the way to heaven. I am
very glad to tell you these comfortable
stories, and please pray for the Inanda
school and for the teachers that they, with
us, may he filled more with the Spirit, and
tell all the words that God teaches them
to say to us. They, are teaching many
things of God. We must he praying for
each other, so that even when we can not
see each other here, we may see each other
in our home ahove. Your true sister,
Minah Kuzwayo.
The following letter was written by a
native young man, who was a school
teacher at a Mission Station where we saw
a wonderful outpouring of God's Spirit on
the people.
Amatata Mission Station,
May 2, 1898.
Dear Brother Weiss: I received your
good and joyful letter. The first thing, I
284
FBOM THE BABROOM
must thank you for your wotrds, but I
must thank my Savior because it is He
who brought you here to Amatata M. S.
Now if I lift my head up I find that my
name is written there on the page white and
fair. During the first week in May, the
heathen came to the- church until they filled
the church house, and others, they remained
outside. Dear brother, pray hard. The
God, He is with you and with us, too. When
I read that few words of your letter before
my school, they, all of them, as they heard
it, wanted wings to fiy and he at Mapumulo,
and worship God with you all. I am so
glad if I hear that the work of God is so
good there. I send my love to you. Please
tell me when the God has shown you where
to go. My father and my mother and my
sister and my brother send their love to
you. In Jesus,
Indiyana M. Cele.
From the school children at Amatata M.
S. comes the following letter:
TO THE PULPIT.
285
Dear Brother Weiss: The school chil¬
dren at Amatata praise the Lord that you
ever came to see them. We want you to
know that God, He has answered our
prayers for you all at Mapumulo. We
don't know what we can say to you, hut we
give our prayers to God to be with you
till you have many people who have re¬
ceived the Holy Spirit as us. Pray hard
for us. We are praying hard for you. We
are so glad if we hear that all the people
at Mapumulo, they pray for us. We are
thankful for yoiir words, that you has given
them to us. We are so glad because we
know that we shall be with thee in the
Kingdom of Heaven. Be glad in your
Lord because He has heard your prayers
for us. "Blessed are those whom Jesus
will find them." We send our love to all
of Mapumulo, those who are with us in our
Jesus. Answer us, please, in our Lord.
From your children in Jesus,
Amatata School.
286
FKOM THE BARBOOM
Later we received the following letter
from the teacher at Amatata M. S.:
Dear Brother Weiss: God takes care of
His own. I greet you very much in our
Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us on the
cross to make us children of God. How are
you, sir? I am very glad to have this op¬
portunity for writing you. I want you to
know that God is for you and for us. I
am very glad because the gospel, it is grow¬
ing up. Every day I don't know how can
I thank that kind God for that He has made
us here at Amatata. I beseech the God to
be with us till forever and ever. I want
to know that now we are many. I mean
those that have chosen to be about Jesus,
those that have chosen to be at the cross.
All they can say as they run to catch Je¬
sus is, "God be with you." Our God is
like the Mount of Zion. No man can shake
it. It shall stand forever, as we can. We
beseech the Holy Spirit of Jesus to lead us
when we go to preach. The love of Jesus
here is still burning. We have much to
TO THE PULPIT.
287
thank the God, because our God has con¬
quered Satan for us. There is no loss to
choose our Jesus. I need a thousand
mouths to thank our Jesus for this kind
which must be with us till forever. We
don't know how long we can tliank Him
because He has us free from the land of
Egypt. This Jesus can lead us till we
reach Canaan. We don't know what we
can do by His help. I beseech you to pray
for us. We have much glad about our Je¬
sus because he has us free to the day of
death. The God can he with us and give
us power to preach His Word forever. We
thank God because He was brought you
when we was in the bad ways. Good-hy,
dear Brother Weiss. May God be kind to
you and to us till we meet again.
Indiyana M. Cele.
We were now in our last tabernacle meet¬
ing at Cleveland Hill. In this meeting
great crowds of heathen people gathered
to hear the Word of God. In this place
288
FROM TELE BABBOOM
there were just a handful of Christian na¬
tives and the station was a long way from
the railroad. During our stay here we visi¬
ted a heathen kraal where many had gath¬
ered together for the purpose of having a
beer drink. In these parts they made their
beer out of kaffir corn, and when the na¬
tives got drunk on this beer they often be¬
came very troublesome and would get to
fighting among themselves. All the peo¬
ple at this gathering had been drinking
more or less. One woman especially acted
like a demon. She yelled and danced until
she became the laughing stock of all. The
Lord burdened my heart for her, and I
tried to quiet her, when she turned on me
and would have struck me had God not pro¬
tected by sending others to take her away.
We then held a meeting in one of the
huts and many became quiet and listened
as the Lord poured out the truth upon
them. Three asked for prayers and we had
an earnest time looking to the Lord for
their salvation. Before we closed the meet-
TO THE PULPIT.
289
ing at this station the Lord did some won¬
derful things for the children. The older
people were very hard to reach. It would
have done your hearts good could you have
heard these little ones plead for the salva¬
tion of their parents.
Mrs. Weiss had now been in America a
number of months and our second daughter
was bom while I was still in Africa. Af¬
ter closing this meeting I decided to re¬
turn to America. These people at Cleve¬
land Hill had no church nor school-house.
And the Lord told me to give them the
tabernacle and I did so. The Christian
natives were happy now as they had a regu¬
lar place where they could meet to wor¬
ship God. We went to Camperdown sta¬
tion and took the train for Durban. From
here we went to Umvoti M. S. After a
day here, we started for Mapumulo but did
not get there because having met the na¬
tive pastor on the road we learned that
there was no one at home, so returned to
Umvoti. Here the Lord gave us a good
290
FROM THE BARROOM
time waiting before Him attending the na-
•
tive prayer meetings and assisting in the
same. The one desire on my heart at this
time was that I might at all times do my
whole duty in every avenue of life. We
had learned to love the precious young con¬
verts in Africa with a love that could never
he broken, for when we pass from earth to
Glory we shall gather again around the
Great White Throne to enjoy the blessing
of divine love throughout the countless ages
of eternity.
On July 11, 1898, I bought a ticket for
London, England. I left Durban at 3
o'clock the afternoon of July 15 on the
tugboat. Natal. Had with me the little native
boy, son of one of the native pastors, who
had charge of the native American Mission
church in Durban. We were transferred
from the tug boat to tlie steamship Dun¬
garee, by means of a large basket hoisted
up by a rope and pulley. Arthur, as this
was the name of my Zulu boy, became (juite
an attraction on board the boat. I soon
TO THE PULPIT.
291
felt a deep interest in the souls of the dif¬
ferent passengers on the ship and began
to do missionary work immediately, as the
Lord gave me opportunity, speaking to a
number of different ones that evening. It
was so meet to trust in God and have Him
order our footsteps all along the way. I
found on hoard of this ship some professing
Christians, and some who blasphemed the
name of God. My heart was stirred within
me for the latter and I could not help but
pray for them.
I was kept awake most of the first night
from the noise of the ship loading on coal
for the voyage homeward. I was up at
5:30 the next morning to take a parting
look at the town of Durban and its beau¬
tiful surrounding hills. The last to part
from our sight was the old light-house on
the high bluff as you enter the harbor at
Durban. As I took this last look at the
place that had become so familar to me, I
felt the sweet communion of heaven in my
soul, and my Heavenly Father encouraged
292
FKOM THE BAKROOM
me with the thought that He would be with
us all the way. In the afternoon of the
day we sailed a strong wind blew up. By
night the sea was rolling high and the boat
was pitching in every direction. It got
worse and worse until everybody had to
go below to their bunks. We were thrown
from one side of our bunk to the other and
slept but very little that night on account
of the bad air, for everything had to be
closed up to prevent the water from com¬
ing below. This high sea continued until
we got close to Cape Town. The boat rolled
and pitched awfully and often the water
would come sweeping over the deck. The
thought of being on Christ, the Bock, came
with force to my mind. If the boat should
go right down in the midst of the ocean,
I would be safe on the Rock. The earthly
would be down, but the soul would be on
the Rock.
How glad we all were when our boat
rounded Cape of Good Hope and after a
time we sighted Cape Town; then the quiet
TO THE PUUPIT.
293
waters of the harbor. Our boat went along
side of the pier and here we remained
twenty-four hours. This gave us a chance
to visit the town and buy a few things need¬
ful for the long voyage before us. Little
Arthur was sea-sick most of the way to
Cape Town, hut now he was able to go
ashore with me and see sights that he had
never seen before. After our boat put on
plenty of coal we put out from the harbor
and now we were once more homeward
bound.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
MY RETURN TO AMERICA.
The following is a part of my diary writ¬
ten while on board the steamer from Cape
Town to London and from Liverpoob un¬
til I reached Shenandoah, Iowa:
Thursday, July 21, 1898. Have been
spending this day talking with passengers
about their souls. One of the ship's stew¬
ards is concerned about his soul. One man
294
FKOM THE BABROOM
dying with consumption said that he was
not afraid to meet God, but that he only
had one desire, and that was to live until
he reached his home in England. A young
man was found today, who had concealed
himself on shipboard. He was one of
Africa's fortune seekers; had lost eveiy-
thing, but was desperate in regard to get¬
ting back home. The captain put him down
in the boiler room and set him to shoveling
coal, so in this way he would at least pay
his passage home by working it out. Was
much drawn out in prayer today, both for
those whom we were leaving behind and
those whom we were going to meet in Amer¬
ica.
Friday, July 22. Today is my birthday.
I am thirty-one years old. I feel as never
before that every year of my life must
count for God. I thank Him more for sal¬
vation than anything else. Glory, honor
and ijraise to Him for saving such an un¬
worthy soul, after years of rebellion
against Him.
TO THE PULPIT,
295
Saturday, July 23. We are in the Trade
Winds today. The sea is rough and the
Arthur Makanya broug-ht to America
by Mr. Weiss.
boat is much tossed about. Distributed
some tracts today and read to the man sick
with consumption. I want to so conduct
296
FROM THE BARROOM
myself on this boat as to be free from the
blood of all men.
Sunday, July 24. We bad a service at
11 o'clock in our dining room. God was
manifestly present with us. Some of the
first class passengers came down to our
service and nearly all the rest of tbem
stood in the hatchway and listened. An
Englishman helped me much with the sing¬
ing. The smiles of God were on the serv¬
ice.
Monday, July 25. They are painting the
ship afresh today and we have to be care¬
ful not to get paint on our clothes. I visi¬
ted and prayed again with the sick man,
also studied some in my Zulu hooks. My
soul is bowed down before God today with
a burden for the lost of earth.
Tuesday, July 26. The sea is very'quiet
today and seems like a huge mill pond. The
weather is warmer. Again we" prayed
with the sick man, of whom there is lit¬
tle hope of his living to see his home
again.
TO THE PULPIT.
297
Wednesday, July 27. It is so warm now
that a number of passengers are sleeping
on deck at night. Our consumptive is
brought out on deck and sleeping sweetly
with a canvas stretched over him. There
is no one on this boat who is much inter¬
ested in spiritual conversation. I long to
meet with some one who understands the
things of God.
Thursday, July 28. My heart melts at
the thought that no harm can come to me,
unless God will it so; and should He will
it so, it will not be harm but good. We
have a number of Jews on board. Two of
them quarreled today and came to blows. I
could do nothing but pray for them. The
other passengers yelled and laughed until
the men became quiet. Our sick man is
growing worse and the captain has given
orders today that no one should talk to him
any more.
Friday, July 29. At 10 o'clock this morn¬
ing the boat stopped half an hour for tlie
cleaning of the boiler flues. At noon our
298
FEOM THE BARROOM
young friend, sick with the consumption,
passed into eternity. All on board became
quite solemn. The Church of England
burial service was conducted by the cap¬
tain and his mates. The burial service was
read, and at a given signal the body, which
lay at the ship's edge, was let slide from
the board into the water. All was over. He
was a single man twenty-nine years of age
and lived in England. Little Arthur found
one pound in gold on deck today. He gave
it to the captain and, if there is no owner
found, he will return it to Arthur when we
reach England.
Sunday, July 31. The people gathered
for morning service. God gave us some
heart-searching truths and portions of His
Word, which many of the pleasure-loving
people among our passengers did not like.
No games are played on hoard the ship to¬
day; but it is only a forced conformity to
God's laws and does not come from the
heart.
Monday, Aug. 1. The devil always finds
TO THB PULPIT.
299
something to do for the unoccupied. Some
of the men are giving away to gambling for
money. Some of the passengers are teas¬
ing the Jews. I feel sorry for the poor
Jews. The devil always keeps his sub¬
jects busily engaged in some kind of per¬
secution.
Wednesday, Aug. 3. We sighted Cape
Verde on the west coast of Africa. We
could see the light-house on the top of a
high blutf. Today, on complaint of one of
the Jews, the captain gave some of the pas¬
sengers a good talking to. I am now sleep¬
ing on deck at night. It is much healthier
than sleeping below in the berths. The pas¬
sengers are engaged in various ways. Some
of them engage in playing cards, billiards,
and checkers, but my soul delights only in
that which pertains to the kingdom of God.
I have now been on board this boat twenty
days and my soul has learned many things
from tlie Ijord.
Sunday, Aug. 7. We have now reached
the Canary Islands. As we had received
300
FROM THE BARROOM
no Spanish and American war news since
leaving Cape Town, we did hot know but
that the Canary Islands had been bom¬
barded and taken by the Americans. Ther6
were sixteen thousand soldiers here to figh^
the" Americans if they came. Business wais
flat and but a few boats in sight. Several
forts could be easily seen, but from the lo¬
cation it looks as though the place would
have little chance of escape if suddenly at¬
tacked. It did not look much like the Sab¬
bath day in Las Palms. We took on two
hundred t6ns of coal. The Spaniards were
on hand with all kinds of fruits, plumes,
parrots and canary birds. One large Eng¬
lish man-of-war and three Spanish torpedo
boats were in the harbor. About 3 o'clock
in the afternoon we weighed anchor and the
deck hands washed off the coal dust from
the boat and by 5 o'clock it looked a little
as though it was Sunday. We had a pre¬
cious religious service in the evening and
some are now interested who were not in¬
terested at the beginning of our voyage.
TO THE PULJ'IT.
301
Tlie captain says that by another Sabbath
we will be in London.
Wednesday, Aug. 10. I believe of all
men, I would be the most miserable were
it not for the sweet communion I enjoy with
my heavenly Father. What a heaven born
privilege it is to us poor worms of the
desert. Some men who have been drinking
have persecuted the Jews today. We could
hardly sleep on account of the noise tliat
the drunken crowd made.
Thursday, Aug. 11. The drinking and
trouble continued early this morning. The
passengers are getting to a place where
they will not put up with it any longer.
The captain has been notified and one of
the ring-leaders has been severely repri¬
manded. From this time on we are to have
peace. The coast of Spain is in sight to¬
day. We are now in the Bay of Biscay.
A foggy night is upon us, and our whistle
is blowing every few minutes, but the sea
is not rough. When we went through this
hay on our way to Africa the billows were
302
FEOM THE BARBOOM
rolling mountain high. They say many
ships have gone down to the bottom of the
Bay of Biscay.
Saturday, Aug. 13. A heavy fog is upon
us as we pass through the English channel.
Last night the steamer kept her whistle
blowing continually. We could now see how
restless people are without God. Tliey
are continually worrying about the danger
they are in and wish that the fog might be
lifted. The child of God enjoys rest and
peace under all circumstances. How safe
and secure I feel! Death has lost its sting
as the laying aside of the earthly tabernacle
would only mean everlasting gain. All
night long fog horns and whistles could
be heard blowing on every side of us.
Sunday, Aug. 14. The fog still continues.
I was impressed this morning to ask the
Lord to remove the fog. Shortly after this
the fog was lifted and the sun shone bright
and clear upon us. God will answer prayer.
A pilot came on board this morning. We
are in Dover Strait. The coast of England
TO THE PULPIT.
303
was sighted at noon. At 6 o'clock we en¬
tered the Thames river. Hundreds of
boats are going up and down the river; also
thousands of Sahhath pleasure seekers can
he seen on all sides.
Monday, Aug. 15. Got my baggage passed
through the custom house, and soon we
were otf for London by train, and found
headquarters and lodging for several nights
with the Salvation Army. What a great
and busy city London is! It is wonder¬
ful to behold the busy, struggling mass of
humanity moving through the streets. We
booked today by the steamship Laconia for
New York.
Tuesday, Aug. 16. We visited the grave
of Mrs. Booth, mother of the Salvation
Army. Knelt in a prayer of thanksgiving
and praise for the goodness of God in a
quiet little spot near her grave.
Thursday, Aug. 18. Exchanged what
English money I had today for United
States money and went to Liverpool, two
hundred miles distant from London. Our
304
FROM THE BARROOM
train made the run in a little over four
hours. There are fourteen Salvation Army
harracks in Liverpool, besides its many
churches and other religious enterprises.
Had some precious meetings, both in the
open air and in the different halls of the
Army.
Saturday, Aug. 20. At 12 o'clock today
a tug boat conveyed us to our ship. At 6
o'clock we steamed away for New York.
God gave us a good place on this boat and
we sweetly rested in the care of Him who
never slumbers nor sleeps.
Sunday, Aug. 21. The cross was very
heavy this morning, as I felt we must have
religious services today. We went on deck
and watched for a good opportunity. A lot
of people were singing. After a little while
the Lord gave me an opportunity and told
me to arise and speak. He was very pres¬
ent during the reading of the scripture and
prayer. The people were deeply interested
and a number of them testified to the sav¬
ing power of Christ. Again at night in a
TO THE PULPIT.
305
hatchway I had a chance to speak where
three or four hundred people, from first
and second cahin and steerage passengers,
got full benefit of all that was said. A halo
of glory was about me; with uplifted hands
I walked up and down, warning the people
to fiee from the wrath to come. This was
a grand day and I am so glad that the Lord
could use a poor worm of the dust to get
people interested in divine things. Many
times golden opportunities are lost because
workers are afraid to step out trusting in
God alone.
Wednesday, Aug. 24. Had a good visit
today with a Presbyterian minister who
has been visiting his parents in Ireland.
The boat only ran at half speed today on
account of fog. Some Irish Catholics got
very much stirred at me today and yelled
and screamed because I would sing gospel
songs. They said that the Catholic was the
first and only true church and any one that
was not a Catholic was not right. Thank
God for the peace and joy that fills my
306
FEOM THE BARROOM
soul. " 'Tis a heaven below, my redeemer
to know."
Saturday, Aug. 27. Awoke this morning
to find land in plain sight. We had ar¬
rived at New York. Thank God for a safe
journey and for the privilege of once more
being on America's shores. Stopped with
Brother James Mathews in Brooklyn, and
was kindly entertained by warm-hearted
Christian friends.
Monday, Aug. 29. God bless Brother
and Sister Mathews and their family. We
left there with a warm invitation to stop
again whenever we were in New York. This
afternoon we took a West Shore train, and
in a few minutes were speeding toward
Chicago. Last night I dreamed that a man
handed me a five dollar bill. I thought
no more of it till just before I got to New
York a brother handed me a five dollar
bill.
Tuesday, Aug. 30. Arrived in Chicago
and met my dear wife and children, mother
and loved ones. We also enjoyed a visit
TO THE PULPIT.
307
from Sister Nading of Flat Rock, Ind. In
the evening I was surprised by a party of
young men, friends of my boyhood days,
that gathered to see me.
Saturday, Sept. 3. Home again from
foreign shores. Oh, it fills my heart with
joy to meet my friends once more, with
whom I worshiped before going to Africa.
"Blest he the tie that binds our hearts in
Christian love."
CHAPTEK XXIX.
CUPPINGS FROM THE HOME PAPERS.
What the Shenandoah papers had to say
about our return to America:
It is a long journey from the dark conti¬
nent to Shenandoah and not many men have
made the trip. Fred Weiss is a mission¬
ary who left here with his bride four years
ago to save souls in darkest Africa. They
were successful in their work and greatly
attached to it. A daughter was born to
them in that far off land, and it became evi-
308
FROM THE BARROOM
dent that the Lord was about to bless them
with another child. Mrs. Weiss made most
of the long trip alone to be with friends
when the interesting event should trans¬
pire. She has been here eight months.
When her husband telegraphed his arrival
in New York she went to Chicago to meet
him, and introduced to him a little lady now
four months old, whose name is Emma
Grace, whom the father had never seen be¬
fore. The two were soon acquainted how¬
ever, and when the World reporter called
at their door last night he was holding her
in his arms and singing to her a Zulu hymn
which she seemed to greatly enjoy. Hus¬
band and wife were, of course, overjoyed
to see each other.
Mr. Weiss brought with him a little na¬
tive boy whose name is Arthur Makanya
Makabala, and who says his grandfather
was a king. So of course he is a prince—
Prince Arthur, to be sure, and we have a
royal visitor. He talks English and will
attend our public school. Mr. Weiss left
TO THE PULPIT.
309
Natal July 15, and was thirty-one days
reaching London. Owing to rough weather
he was longer than it usnally took sailing
from Durban to Cape Town, eight hundred
miles, for Natal is on the eastern coast of
Africa.
His mission station is at Mapumulo,
away up on the north border of Natal and
next to Zululand. Mr. Weiss furnished us
a good deal of interesting information con¬
cerning that country and its people, but we
can not print it now. We were very much
pleased with this young missionary, whose
pleasant, intelligent face and gentlemanly
manners marked him as a man of ability
and force of character. He was the son of
a former Chicago saloonkeeper, now de¬
ceased. He was converted through Y. M.
C. A. workers and became a sincere and
earnest Christian, full of the missionary
spirit. He will remain in the United
States for some time and he and his wife
will return to Africa when the Lord di¬
rects.
310
FROM THE BARROOM
The coming of Fred Weiss, the mission¬
ary, from Africa turns one's eyes to that
great continent, now fast opening its vast
territory to modern civilization. Here is
room for American expansionists to try
their hands in imitation of Great Britain.
Why be content with a few insignificant
islands in midocean, when a whole conti¬
nent lies fallow awaiting the seeds of civi¬
lization? Are those islands only worth
having that must be taken by battleships
and bullets? Not all of Africa is still open
to colonization. Large sections of it have
been gobbled up by England and Germany.
This land of Natal, where Mr. Weiss hails
from, if in a square tract, would measure
one hundred and forty-two miles on each
side. The whole continent is six hundred
times larger than this. Natal (accent on
last syllable) is Portuguese for Christmas;
so it is Christmas-land. It grows almost
everything except wheat and the climate is
as fine as that of California. Mr. Weiss
buys one hundred bananas for twelve and
TO THE PULPIT.
311
one-half cents, and this fruit takes the
place of bread in some countries.
Mr. Weiss lives in Natal, but his work
reaches across the line into Zululand—that
is, he is engaged in converting the Zulus
to Christianity. He brings photographs of
natives and one must confess they are any¬
thing but attractive in appearance, but he
says they are quite intelligent and easily
civilized. But it is slow work. It will take
long years to work that vast continent of
naked, black-skinned and clay-haired bar¬
barians into a Christian and civilized peo¬
ple. When asked what effect civilization
would have on the natives and if it would
not tend to their ultimate extinction as was
the case in Hawaii, Mr. Weiss had no an¬
swer prepared. It was too big a problem
for the missionary who is immediately con¬
cerned in the conversion of all the natives
he can reach, doing them much good no
doubt, and is working to the hand of des¬
tiny in a larger way than he dreams of, per¬
haps. Very likely to our minds the rush
312
FROM THE BARROOM
of the white race into Africa will ultimately
extinguish the hlacks. They will go the
road the American Indians have gone. But
we wanted merely to suggest that if the
United States is to broaden out into an
empire, here is the opportunity. If we are
to take part in world affairs we should not
overlook Africa.—Shenandoah World.
After visiting friends in Shenandoah we
had many invitations sent to us asking if
we would come and hold a few meetings,
but our first desire was to see Mrs. Weiss'
father and mother and hold a few services
in their neighborhood. So off we went to
Sidney, Iowa. Our brothers and sisters
with their children were all gathered to¬
gether shortly after our arrival. Two large
turkeys were provided for a big dinner for
all. Mrs. Weiss received a very nice Bible
for a present from her brother, and both
of the children also received presents. So
our Heavenly Father spread before us the
choicest of temporal and spiritual bless¬
ings.
TO THE PULPIT.
313
We held three missionary meetings, two
in country school-houses, which brought out
crowded houses. And by invitation we
spoke in the Presbyterian church at Sid¬
ney, The congregation was made up of
many of the leading people of the town.
The pastor, a devoted, earnest Christian,
responded with hearty amens during the
service. After the service we became ac¬
quainted with a number of the congregation
and received warm invitations to visit their
homes. Mrs. Weiss also gave an address
to the Women's Missionary society, which
was much appreciated by the women who
attended.
We left Sidney for Nebraska City. We
had but one public service in this city, but
it was a profitable one and divinely led. The
Baptist church here was nearly filled one
Sunday evening. The pastor gave us a
hearty welcome and told us to take just as
much time as we wanted to. The Lord led
us in talking and He gave the Word I am
sure. After the close of this service many
314
FROM THE BARROOM
came forward to shake hands and bid us
Godspeed. We spent three precious days
at the home of dear Brother and Sister
Lathrop and enjoyed our visit very much.
We also spent four days with Brother and
Sister Tice and had many precious sea¬
sons in prayer in their home.
Following this we went to Omaha. The
Lord was glorified in our going there;
hearts were melted and touched by the
Spirit in various services we held in this
city.
We then went on to Lossing, Iowa; un¬
speakable blessings attended our pathway
and many open doors were before us. At
this place we met with a number of the
readers of the Missionary World who had
read our letters written for the paper. They
all said they felt well acquainted with us
and rejoiced for the privilege of meeting
us. We had a grand meeting in the Metho¬
dist church here. Many young people were
present and it was a time of rejoicing to
all. Many extended invitations to us to
TO THE PULPIT.
315
come and visit them in their homes. We
enjoyed very much our stay with Brother
and Sister Deen at Lossing and promised
them before leaving that we would try and
return again.
We next visited Pender, Neb., and held a
union missionary meeting in the Presby¬
terian church. The largest crowd gathered
here that we had yet been permitted to
speak to in His name. The services ran
on until nearly 10 o'clock, quite different
from the usual run of things. The peo¬
ple sat Spirit-bound and the closest atten¬
tion was paid, even by the smallest chil¬
dren. Both pastors thanked us and were
glad the Lord sent us to Pender. In the
morning we were given charge of the serv¬
ice at the M. E. church. This service was
held in a hall as the church was under¬
going repairs. The pastor went into the
country twelve miles to fill an appointment.
He started early in order that he might be
able to return in time for the union meet¬
ing at night. We left Pender and visited
316
FROM THE BARROOM
during the summer: Herman, Belden,
Wausa, Pierce, Bloomfield, Belgrade, all
these places being in the state of Nebraska.
A voice from Crete, Neb.:
Dear Friends of the Missionary Home:
The evangelists left one of your samples
on our book table. After they had gone I
took time to read a few columns. I seem
to have too many papers already, but de¬
siring a better acquaintance I now wish
to engage you to come every month.
I like a Christian paper that is free from
advertisements, puffs and buncombe, es¬
pecially one which has no hobby to ride,
and one which is not trjdng to divide but
to unite the people of Gfod. I seldom find
a paper of which I could say that every
article and paragraph is well worth read¬
ing, but I think this can truthfully be said
of the Missionary World.
Brother Harry Currall came to Crete and
preached in the United Brethren church
one evening quite acceptably. Then
TO THE PULPIT,
317
Brother Weiss and the little singing evan¬
gelist, Arthur Makanya, came the next day
and occupied the rostrum one evening. We
appreciate, in our church and in our fami¬
lies, such men of God, men of good con¬
science and a fraternal feeling toward all
Christians. We trust they are just what
they seem to be, and that we can always
heartily bid them Godspeed. Their visit
to Crete was very short, hut we hope they
can come again some time. Not only the
speakers, hut the young African singer
seemed to get at the hearts of the people. At
the close of the meeting the hoys and girls
crowded to the front to shake hands with
Arthur. Even in these days when many
imposters are abroad, the stranger who
comes with good manners, clean attire and
a modest, mind-your-own-husiness kind of
a way, in the name of the Lord and in the
spirit of the Master, will win confidence
and do good in every place.
Rev. M. Fulcomer.
(A United Brethren Minister)
318
FROM THE BARROOM
In our traveling from place to place we
were given the privilege of speaking in
many different churches of different de¬
nominations. We made many new friends
among the pastors and people, who treated
us with respect and bestowed upon us many
unlooked for blessings. Little Arthur al¬
ways won the confidence of the people and
the boys and girls who came out to hear
Arthur sing and play on his autoharp were
usually held spellbound as they listened to
his African songs. Invariably at the close
of the service the hoys and girls would
crowd around Arthur to shake hands with
him and also ask him many questions con¬
cerning his far off African home. There
were not many places where we held meet¬
ings hut what Arthur would receive a pres¬
ent or two, sometimes gifts of money to
help him while he went to school. Arthur
is now in heaven, but the little work he did
for Jesus in song will never be forgotten
by all who ever had the privilege to hear
him.
TO THE PUIiPIT.
319
OHAPTEK XXX.
MISSIONARY ADDRESS TAKEN BY A
REPORTER.
Hundreds of the native boys in Africa
come down every year to the seaport towns
to find employment. Many of them have
never seen a Bible or heard the sound of
Jesus' name. If you tell one of them that
he ought to repent of his sins, he will say,
"My heart is white indeed." Their con¬
science has never been awakened. They
have never heard of God, and we have to
explain who God is. They have an idea of
a God. They say the winds shook the high
reeds and out of them came a great big
being, "The great, great one," called in
Zulu, Unkulunkulu. We read Genesis to
them and point them to the stars and say,
God made these, and He made us. We
became sinners but God sent His Son to
save us from our sins.
The best way to reach the natives in the
seaport towns is to go out on the streets
320
FEOM THE BARROOM
or to the places where they sleep or have
their homes, because the people are very
superstitious and will not always come to
a place or house appointed for worship.
You can hold a street meeting and have two
or three hundred around you. You can
sing and have prayer and they are much
interested. Often some of the people get
to inquiring, follow the missionary into his
rooms, and are converted. The most of
the missionary work is done by visiting
among the people. You can not get them
to come to your services at first. They
have witch doctors who are a kind of a
mediator between the people and the spir¬
its. The witch doctor is on hand to oppose
your work. The people think the evil spir¬
its have great power; the witch doctor has
control of these spirits and can give other
people control. The spirit can cause sick¬
ness or withhold the rain. When the mis¬
sionary comes, the witch doctor calls the
people together and says that this mission¬
ary, "unfundise," is possessed of many
TO THE PULPIT,
321
evil spirits. He sees his craft is in danger,
for he sells charms to the people to keep
away the evil spirits, and if the people
are converted they will not huy his charms.
The people have been warned and it is
no use to invite them to the chapel, but you
can go to their homes. The huts are usu¬
ally round or beehive shaped. You have to
get down on your hands and knees to get
in. They generally lay down a little grass
mat for you to sit on. There is silence first.
Then the father of the house will salute
you, and then the others will salute you in
chorus. It is not best to talk on the sub¬
ject of religion first. You can talk to them
about other things. You can make a great
deal over the children and reach the moth¬
er's heart. You can look around and see if
there is anything you can do for them. Per¬
haps there is a little babe in the family and
they have no cloth to wrap it in. Next
time you come you can bring a piece of cloth
or little dress. You can sing several songs
to them and ask them if you can not have
322
FKOM THE BARROOM
a meeting at their home and if they con¬
sent to your request you can appoint the
time.
The mothers come with their little chil¬
dren and we have sometimes seen two hun¬
dred people together. The people live in
polygamy. There may be about twenty
wives and forty children belonging to the
home, so sometimes we have very -large
meetings. Some of the most wonderful
meetings I have ever attended in my life
have been in some of these homes. If we
look at these people, we wonder if anything
can be done for them, but "with God all
things are possible.'' Often these mothers
raise their hands for prayers, saying, "I
want Jesus to come into my heart." We
have prayers right there, and they are
brought right to Christ. The men and
women wear nothing but aprons made of
skin.
Now, the first thing they want is cloth¬
ing to put on. Many a time my wife has
sat up till 11 or 12 o'clock at night to make
TO THE PTJIiPIT.
323
dresses for them so that they can come to
the meetings at the Mission Station. Just
as soon as they are converted they feel
ashamed to go without clothing and you
can hardly get them to come to meeting
without some clothing to put on. The na¬
tives are naturally very filthy. The women
work red clay and grease into their hair,
making it stand up, till it has the appear¬
ance of a red cap over the head. They
never take down their hair to comb it. When
Jesus gets into a woman's heart, she then
wants some soap and water.
One woman who was converted in a morn¬
ing meeting came over and asked my wife
for a piece of soap. When asked why she
wanted it, she said: "Jesus has come into
my heart, and I am going to follow Him
now." My wife gave her a piece of soap
and sent two girls to help her. It took a
half bar of soap and ten basins of water to
clean her hair, and then you could still see
some of the red clay in her hair. After
they take this stand they are pointed out
324
FBOM THE BARROOM
and scoffed at, ridiculed and persecuted by
the rest of the home in which they live.
During all this that they have to go through
you seldom hear them say that they have a
hard lot. They have found Jesus, and He is
so much better than anything they had be¬
fore.
One woman was persecuted every time
she went home from the meetings. Her
husband would whip her till you could hear
her scream a long ways from her home. Fi¬
nally he said he was going to take her life.
She was believing that God would convert
her husband. Sunday morning came, and
she was warned not to go. When she re¬
turned the husband gave her a whipping.
Then he went to one end of the hut and got
a spear and coming to where his wife was
kneeling, asked if she would give up going
to the meetings. She said she would not.
Then, as he was bringing down the uplifted
spear on her head, his arm stiffened, his
whole body became stitf and he fell to the
ground and lay there. He was heard to
TO THE PULPIT.
325
mutter and soon she knew he was praying.
His wife was at his side at once prajdng
for him, and all broken up. That man was
converted and afterwards called Paul by
the natives, who had heard the story of
Paul being struck to the earth. He suf¬
fered some of the most wonderful things
afterward in preaching the gospel.
Sometimes the girls have to flee from
their homes in order to get a common
school education. Two girls ran away to
come to our station. The father caught
them just as they were crossing the river,
tore their blankets off from them and gave
them an awful whipping. But they ran
away again. I looked out one Saturday
afternoon and noticed two girls, about
twelve and fourteen years of age. They
told us they wanted to go to school. We
always took in the children when they came
to us. They went to services with us the
next morning and enjoyed it very much.
The following day the mother of the two
girls came to our house, scolding. We were
326
FROM THE BAEEOOM
having family prayers and invited her in.
She knelt with us during worship. As soon
as it was over she tried to get hold of the
girls.. The older escaped, but she got hold
of the younger, who began • to fight her
mother and scream and call on me to help
her. Somehow the girl managed to get
away. Then the mother began to curse me
and I had to put her out of the house. The
next day the fatlier came. He saw his girls
at work, as they were being taught how to.
do it. He seemed to be pleased with the
situation. I got him to leave them with us,
and gave him a large basket of oranges to
take with him. The parents afterwards be¬
came fast friends of ours and the two girls
were converted while attending school.
A girl was engaged to be married to a
Zulu prince. Just as soon as she heard that
her father had sold her, she ran away.
She got to the Inanda Station. The parents
came to see her and tried to get her to re¬
turn. They said if she would go back she
would get great honor and would be an
TO THE PULPIT.
327
honor to her family and even to the com¬
munity. The girl listened with her head
down. She was standing by a beautiful
rose bush. She picked otf one of the roses
and was picking it to pieces and letting the
leaves fall at her feet. She replied to them
in these words, "As the glory of the rose
bush is for a little while, so is the glory
we get from our friends on earth." ,Tust
as she went into the house she said, "I
am seeking to glorify my Father which is
in Heaven." Her father was so surprised
that he stood speechless. The girl was
converted in one of our meetings shortly
afterward.
The natives need the gospel to uplift
them. If the people are only civilized they
are sometimes in a worse condition. Take
a man when he is only civilized and send
him down to the seaports and perhaps he
will be arrested for stealing, but get him
converted and you have somebody you can
trust. As soon as people are converted
they want clothing and farming imple-
328
FROM THE BAREOOM
ments. If the government would help the
missionaries to evangelize the natives it
would pay them a hundred fold. Money
invested in this way is never lost by any
government. Outside many of the homes
in the evening you can hear the father
praying and thanking God for His protect¬
ing care through another day. What a won¬
derful change has come over that home,
which perhaps only a few months before
was in heathen darkness, and behold now
they are praying to the same Father and
God that the missionary came to tell them
about.
Many of the hoys who go to the sea¬
port towns and gold mines and diamond
fields to make money often go back to their
homes clothed, with a Bible and song book.
They go to preach the gospel and some¬
times have a revival as a result. A mis¬
sionary has many kinds of experiences in
dealing with the people. His life is a mix¬
ture of joy and suffering, hut he counts
himself a privileged person to carrj^ the
TO THE PULPIT.
329
glad tidings of this glorious gospel to the
heathen. His labors can not be rewarded
with earthly compensation. He looks
farther into the future when his Father in
heaven shall say the "Well done, good and
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of
thy Lord."
CHAPTER XXXI.
SECOND FAREWELL MEETING AT
SHENANDOAH, IOWA.
After spending nearly three years in
America holding services in many places,
we decided to return to Africa, taking with
us Brother and Sister Currall, who had a
great deal of experience in evangelistic and
missionary work in the home land. The
following is an account of our farewell
meeting at Shenandoah, Iowa.
Four missionaries and their families
farewelled for Africa at Shenandoah, Aug.
18, 1901. They are bound for Morocco,
a much neglected field in the northern part
330
FROM THE BARROOM
of Africa, where there are millions of hea¬
then yet unreached by the gospel. It is one
of the most neglected fields and is the more
inaccessible on account of the Mohamme¬
dan power that controls it. But these mis¬
sionaries are not inexperienced. They know
how to trust Grod and have each been clearly
called to labor in His vineyard. They will
leave a streak of fire behind them all the
way to Africa. They are letting God plan
the way for them and may. spend some time
in meetings on the way to New York. The
Spirit of Jesus will enter wherever they go
and we trust it may be the privilege of
many of our readers to see and hear them.
God is using even the children to touch
hearts. The parting words spoken at the
Missionary Chapel we give in brief to our
readers.
Brother Fred Weiss: I am thankful I
ever came to Shenandoah. At the time God
first called me to His work, I was in Chi¬
cago. There were Bible schools and semi¬
naries there and. I did not know which way
TO THE PULPIT.
331
to go. I did not know why God ordered my
steps this way, but it has been blessed. I
learned many lessons of faith in Shenan¬
doah. I remember when I came here that
Brother Moss was in the Home. He was
praying for means to go to India. One
morning I was kneeling by his side while
he was praying, with tears running down
his cheeks, for God to open the way. I
opened my eyes and looked at him. God
said, "You have some money; why not
give him fifty dollars ?'' When I told him
what the Lord had told me, he bounded for
joy and ran across the schoolroom floor.
A few weeks later we bade him good-by for
India.
I was janitor of the school-house. Once
we ran out of coal. I had $2 in my pocket
which I was reserving in case I should need
it. I was praying for coal, when the Lord
said, "There is $2 in your pocket; why
don't you go and buy coal?" So the Lord
taught me and got me down on the level
with the workers, where I began to trust
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss before going to North Africa.
TO THE PULPIT.
333
Him for all the necessaries of life. I thank
God for all these lessons of faith. If it
were not for these, I would not dare to start
out for Morocco as I am doing.
This is my second farewell meeting at
Shenandoah. Many will rememher the meet¬
ing in 1894. I did not think then that I
would ever return to Shenandoah again. In
that farewell meeting, I remember that some
of the dear workers stood up and said, "If
you hear of us dropping on the battlefield,
just run and fill up the gaps." Three of
of that band have gone to glory. Brother
Bernhardt Dammeyer was buried in Af¬
rica, and Brothers Guy Reilly and Victor
Gladwin lie in India today. If you hear
of any of our little number falling, don't
mourn, but run and fill up the gaps. I am
glad I can give all I have to God. My wife,
my children and myself are all mission¬
aries. I would not have it any other way.
I expect to keep so filled with the mission¬
ary spirit myself that my children will
catch it. Ellen said to me the other day.
334
FROM THE BARROOM
"Papa, may be when I get to Africa I will
want to be a missionary too and teach the
little children." It is a pleasure to give
these children for Africa, for God and for
souls. Some people would think it hard to
take two families to Africa, but we have
seen people going to the gold mines with
their families and they were willing to en¬
dure all the hardships for gold. Why not
then, as Christians, go out and rescue per¬
ishing souls?
Sin<ie returning to America I have spoken
in over two hundred churches and manj'^
new friends have been made for the Afri¬
can work. When we went to Africa the
first time, we landed in the seaport town
of Durban. We had friends there then, but
this time we are going to Morocco, where
we do not know a soul. As we go to our
new field, I feel that God is going Pefore us
and He also will be our reward. He is the
One who will take care of us after we get
there. Do you think He will let us suffer
more than we are able to bear? . I have
TO THE PULPIT.
335
been in Africa nearly four years and I
sometimes had more clothes and more
money than I had in America. The words
have been coming to me for days, "Lo, I
am with you alway." All heaven is inter¬
ested in us, the Father, the angels and an
innumerable company camping about us all
the time.
There are about eight million souls in
Morocco, or more people than in the whole
of South Africa. Mission work has been
carried on in Morocco since 1873; but there
are very few missionaries. I believe we
are going to have your prayers. Those
who have no means can pray. I once heard
the instance related of a man who got to be
old before he became interested in mission¬
ary work. He then got a map of the world
and when he heard of a missionary going
to a place, he would get a lead pencil and
mark that place on the map and would go
into his bedroom and lock the door and get
down and pray for those places. One day
they knocked at his door and received no
336
FKOM THE BARROOM
answer. Fearing that something had hap¬
pened, they broke open the door, and there
was the old man kneeling on the floor and
leaning over his map, dead. His finger was
on a certain place in Africa, stained with
tears. They had noticed that great bless¬
ings had been poured out in some places.
They noticed the place he was praying for
and news came that a great revival had
broken out there.
There is one thing that you can do and
that is to pray, and God will hear your
prayers. Oh, blessed thought of prayer.
Some people are of the idea that missiona¬
ries are not doing any good and that it is
useless to send them. I want to tell you of
a missionary who went to a certain part
of Africa. The day he landed he helped
to bury the hands, heads and legs of sev¬
enty people who were killed for sacrifice.
He lived to see nearly all of the heathen of
that locality bow around the Lord's table.
Another man went to the Fiji islands and
found an old chief reading the Bible. When
TO THE PULPIT.
337
asked why he was reading the Book, he
said: "It has made us better. Do you See
that altar? Had it not been for the mis¬
sionary, we would have taken you and
chopped your arms and head off and of¬
fered you on that altar."
God called me about seven years ago.
Many people think that He does not speak
to people now. It would be a strange thing
if I had children and never talked with
them. Our Father communicated with
Abraham and He speaks to his children
today.
Mrs. Weiss spoke as follows: "Let me
go; let me go" is the language of my soul.
It was not in my heart, naturally, to say,
"Let me go. Lord." It is all of God. I
have greater confidence in Him than ever.
I am more sure that He is sending me to
Africa this time than I was when he sent
me before. I answer not, "Lord, I will
go," but, "Let me go. Lord! I want to go.
Lord; it is my choice to go." I praise God
for the experience we have had on the bat-
338
FBOM THE BAEEOOM
tlefield. We have great need in America,
but while speaking to people here it has
often seemed to me I ought to be talking to
people in Africa. If I were talking to the
people there they would be coming up and
saying, ''I want that Jesus," and it would
not be ten minutes (may he) before they
would be shining for Him.
There are many millions there that have
never heard of Jesus; never heard a church
bell ring. I have said, "Lord, I want you
to get all the good you can out of me for
Africa. I want to wear out for precious
souls." I am glad I can put my little
children on the altar for God and precious
souls. It has never occured to me of starv¬
ing to death. I feel we have the greatest
and most substantial backing we could
have. We will not have to write back that
we need $100 and ask you to write out a
check and the treasurer sign it, and wait
three months to get it. But we can just
ask God to have it on hand.
I remember, when working in South Af-
TO THE PULPIT.
339
rica, that one day we did not have much for
breakfast. I looked out and saw an old
black woman coming with a pan on her
head. She came to the door with shining
face. She said, "The Lord told me to go
and dig potatoes and bring them to you."
In a few days a young woman who had
just been converted came also with a pan
of sweet potatoes. She said, "I had a
dream and thought you did not have any¬
thing to eat, and the Lord told me to get
up and dig some potatoes and bring them
to you." She got real happy in helping the
missionaries. They think it a real privi¬
lege. Think of the great God who has
called us! I know of nothing that is too
good for me to sacrifice.
When God got hold of my heart four¬
teen years ago, and when He said, "I want
your heart,'' it was settled with me forever.
Oh, I do praise Him that He ever counted
me worthy to go to Africa for Him! When
we were getting ready to go people said,
"It seems you are not strong enough to
340
FROM THE BARROOM
go." I said: ''I can work twelve hours a
day. We will see what God says about it."
The Lord put His hand on my shoulder and
said, "I want you to go, Mattie." How
blessed everything has been going. If ev¬
erybody knew how grand it was to swing
out into the will of God they would not
wait nor shrink back. I have just as dear
friends as any one else in the world and
love them just as dearly, but my heart can
say, ''Farewell, all for souls."
In South Africa we had not only our
own family, but some of the outcast the
Lord brought into our home. The govern¬
ment gave us a regular appointment in the
jail where there had never been a worker
before. The citizens took up subscriptions
for the jail work. They had not been able
to get workers before. After prisoners'
terms had expired, they had no one to look
after them. God laid it on our hearts to
take these poor ones. The city offered to
pay us a regular salary but we said we
wanted to prove God and if they wanted to
TO THE PULPIT.
341
help the girls all right, they could give it
to them.
There was one girl who had been in jail
off and on for nine years. She had been
in the habit of taking snuff, and was also
addicted to drink. We went and met her
as she left the jail and said, "Rachel, do
you want to go home with us and have a
home to live for God?" She said, "I have
no home. I get into drink and serve out
my term and then I get in again." And
so we took Rachel in, and prayed with her,
and God delivered her from snuff and drink
and washed her soul and made her one of
His handmaidens in Africa. God sup¬
plied our needs no matter how many of
those girls we had. We are so glad to go
out on this line again of trusting God. What
is so good to me is that I have not learned
it from any school but just from the Lord.
The Spirit of God educated us on this line
and tells us just how to do and how to
trust Him. We are not afraid to go out
with Christ on our side. We know He will
342
FROM THE BARROOM
provide no matter what our needs may be.
After Mrs. Weiss got through speaking
Brother and Sister Currall also gave a
short farewell address, and the service was
closed by shaking hands with our many
friends before leaving for New York.
CHAPTER XXXII.
TRIP TO TANGIER, NORTH AFRICA.
After holding a farewell meeting at
Shenandoah our missionary band jour¬
neyed eastward. We held meetings in a
good number of towns between Shenandoah
and New York City, meeting and parting
with friends all along the way. After hold¬
ing meetings in Brooklyn and New York
City for nearly two weeks, we left Amer¬
ica for Liverpool, England. The following
is what Brother Ballon had to say about
our parting:
'' The mission has been greatly blessed in
carrying out Paul's injunction, 'Be not for¬
getful to entertain strangers.' The fare-
TO THE PULPIT.
343
well services of Brethren Weiss, Currall
and families on Lord's day evening,
brought out a full house. Many new-made
friends and well wishers came to unite in
prayer for God's blessing upon them. The
earnest heart-felt exhortations of the mis¬
sionaries and the responsive sympathetic
prayers and tears reminded one of Paul's
farwell to his brethren, Acts 20:36^37.
They sailed together Tuesday, 10th inst.
for Liverpool, and after a short visit with
friends in London, will sail for Tangier,
Morocco, where they expect to set up their
Bethel, and establish the House of the
Lord. The whole group of eight are indeed
true Angels of Mercy, messengers of tlie
everlasting gospel of salvation. We
greatly enjoyed this company as guests,
as also that of several others led in of the
Lord, to abide with us for a short time."
After a rough voyage across the Atlantic
we landed at Liverpool. The Custom House
officers opened only two of our trunks, and
let boxes and the rest go, only asking if
344
FKOM THE BARROOM
we had any wines, liquors or tobacco. We
told them we were missionaries bound for
North Africa. We praised God we did not
have to open our large boxes, as it would
have necessitated a great deal of hard work.
At Liverpool we took a train and traveled
about two hundred miles to London.
We had a glorious time singing and
prasing God as we were on the train going
to London. Our hearts were overflowing
with joy. Even the children seemed to un¬
derstand and took part in the rejoicing. We
waited at the depot in London about two
hours before Harry's friends met us. Then
we went in a big omnibus down through
the busy noisy streets of London. It was
night time. I climbed on top of the bus
and got sight of London by night. We
reached Brother Currall's mother's home
and sat up until midnight. Brother Currall
telling of his experiences during the twelve
years he had been gone from Eng¬
land, and had not seen his mother. Es¬
pecially did he dwell on how wonderfully
TO THE PULPIT.
345
the Lord had saved him. All listened with
interest.
We visited and attended prayer services
at the North African Mission headquarters
while we stayed in London. Here we met
some missionaries who had labored in
North Africa, and they gave us some valu¬
able information concerning our future
field of labor. We had a blessed and profit¬
able visit in England, but when the time
came to move forward we were just as glad.
We left England on the steamship Or-
tona of the Orient and Pacific line. After
about two days' sailing we arrived safely
at Gibraltar, which is a great fort built
upon a rock. This is a place of world wide
fame. Small boats brought our good ashore
and rain poured down, wetting us and them
thoroughly. All this added to impress the
trip on our minds. We were met by a Sal¬
vation Army captain, who kindly escorted
us to his barracks, helped us with our bag¬
gage, and kept us over night. Here we
formed the acquaintance of several who
346
FBOM THE BAEBOOM
are living for God and souls in that
place.
The next morning we took a small boat
for Africa. We left Gibraltar and crossed
the strait for Morocco, (here the waters
of the ocean meet those of the Mediter¬
ranean) and sometimes the waves were so
rough that it looked as if the boat would
stand on end. But we held on and felt
safe. God had undertaken to pilot us
through. Over the rough sea we went for
several hours, until we were so tired we
could scarcely sit up. This was the rough¬
est part of our trip. Nearly all the pas¬
sengers were sick but we were not, because
our diet had been a dry one and we were
prepared for the trip.
After anchoring outside the city, (Tan¬
gier) about fifty Moors rowed up in small
boats. All were shouting for patronage.
Wliere our boat landed a throng awaited
us, and such jabbering we never heard. We
soon had our baggage through the Custom
House, with the aid of some of the mission-
A view on the Rock of Gibraltar
A view on the Rock of Gibraltar.
348 FEOM THE BAKEOOM
aries. We soon got located at a Spanish
hotel for the night.
We rented a large house a few days af¬
ter we landed, and hoth of our families
moved into it and made it our headquart¬
ers, from which we could throw out the
lifeline to lost men and women. In this
our new home we often met around the al¬
tar of prayer for the salvation of the peo¬
ple. We were often reminded by the Spirit
that many of our friends in America were
praying for us. We were now safely landed
on Africa's shores once more. It was
grand and wonderful to be in God's will.
You know it always brings joy and glad¬
ness to our hearts when we know we are do¬
ing His bidding. The children were all so
well and happy, singing and playing all
day long. Surely, Father heard and an¬
swered prayer for them all, for so many
had feared about the children's welfare.
Could you have seen them you would have
said just as the missionaries did when we
arrived, "They are a perfect picture of
TO THE PUHPIT.
349
health." For this and all other blessings
we felt truly grateful. ~
We now engaged a teacher to help us in
the study of the language, which study be¬
came a part of our every-day duty. The
people here are living as they did in the
days of Abraham. We do not hear the whis¬
tle of the steam engine in this land. Not a
foot of railroad and not even a wagon road
in all the land of Morocco proper. In all
the city of Tangier there is but one two-
wheeled cart. You do not see horses hitched
to wagons and carriages in North Africa.
Nothing of that sort here.
The Zulus in South Africa, where we la¬
bored before, are far more advanced in
every way than these people, and have
many missionaries and mission stations and
schools, but here it is so different. We
were farther behind the times than they
are in Palestine, two thousand miles east
of Morocco. It is just as true in spiritual
things here. The people are sadly neg¬
lected. America knows very little of Mo-
The market place outside the walls of Tangier: showing part of the city, and the gate leading Into the same.
TO THE PULPIT.
351
rocco generally speaking. Slaves are still
sold here in the private market at Fez and
Morocco City, which are inland towns.
Right in Tangier there are slave holders,
but no slave markets at present, because
they fear the sentiment of the Europeans
in Tangier.
We would that all could see the destitute
state of the city of Tangier and its people.
They have very poor drainage and it smells
very bad. The streets are narrow and dirty.
You could not ride a bicycle on them. Wlien
a laden donkey comes along you must step
into a hall or passage way to let him pass
with his load. One sees many strange
sights here, and often our hearts ache, and
a silent prayer goes up as we pass along.
We also see so many blind beggars, and
the missionaries told us that most of these
have had their eyes burned out for stealing.
Oftentimes a hand or foot is cut off, and
quickly put in tar to stop the bleeding.
It makes one shudder to think of these
things. What must the reality be?
352
FBOM THE BABBOOM
How then can people shut up their hearts
and live a selfish life any longer, knowing
these things? We hope that many will be
touched, and respond freely to God's call.
He often comes in a still small voice, and
communes with us in our inner chamber,
while the outside world knows nothing of
what He demands of us individually. We
love to have Him come to us in that way.
We love to listen to that voice because it is
like no other voice. There are but few
workers here, but here indeed is a great
harvest field beginning to whiten unto the
harvest. Great obstacles appear, but a great
God to remove them. A strange and de¬
lusive religion abounds. We hear a priest
proclaim from a high tower in the city three
times a day in Arabic, "There is no god
like the one God and Mohammed is his
prophet." This has a singular and pro¬
found effect on the people but we have seen
a few who have found the Christ.
We were located half a mile out of Tan
gier, as no one has attempted to live a very
TO THE PULPIT. ' 353
long distance from the cities. The govern¬
ment will not allowit, as there is danger along
Miss Emma W«iss' picture was taken while she was
hiding in the cleft of a large rock near Tangier.
354 FROM THE BARROOM
the roads, and missionaries generally have
a watchman to stop with them through the
night when camping out. We lived on the
road leading from Tangier to Fez. There
are many robbers here, A German banker
was killed just outside of Tangier just be¬
fore we arrived. From a village quite near
the city, some people from one of the tribes
took away two Spanish children. The Sul¬
tan's soldiers had to go to the tribe and
search for the offenders, who if they were
caught would have had their heads cut off
and placed on poles outside the city gate.
One of the missionaries told us shortly af¬
ter we had reached Tangier, that he saw at
one time fifty heads outside of the city
gate, fastened to the walls.
The water carriers of Tangier walk
through the city, ringing bells. They have
skins filled with water, fastened on their
backs, and they selt water to the thirsty.
When the people have no cisterns, the car¬
rier delivers water for their use, and is
paid in return. Camel caravans from Fez
TO THE PULPIT.
355
daily arrived at the market place of Tan¬
gier. We have no railroads. Everything
is carried on camel back or on donkeys and
mules. At present no one is allowed to
preach Christ on a public highway, nor is
he allowed to hold gospel services. So the
missionaries had to work from hand to
hand, visiting and talking with the people,
in the market and at their homes.
CHAPTEB XXXIII.
LIVING AND WORKING AMONG THE
MOHAMMEDANS.
Not many days after we had arrived in
Tangier we were permitted to witness one
of the saddest scenes of our life, in ^he
market place. A certain sect of Moorish
Mohammedans observed several feast days,
in honor of the patron saints of Morocco.
About 8,000 people gathered together in
the market place. Many of the mountain
tribes were represented; each man and boy
carrying a gun and a large knife. In the
356
FROM THE BABBOOM
morning, at a given signal, men with drums
and bugles marched into the spacious
market place, followed by a swarm of men
carrying banners of many colors. Sud¬
denly hundreds of people began dancing,
jumping up and down, trying to keep step
to the music of the drums and bugles, which
were now playing very fast.
Then a man with an armful of hatchets
rushed in among the dancers. He looked
wildly excited and called to his followers
to come and get the hatchets, which order
they quickly obeyed. Pandemonium now
set in, every man and hoy took a hatchet
and danced until he worked himself into a
•frenzy. Then holding the hatchet in both
hands, he would bring it down on his clean
shaven head with stunning force. We stood
close by and held our breath at this strange
spectacle. On they went, one after the
other, cutting until the bloOd flowed freely
down their faces and over their bodies,
saturating what few garments they wore.
While this savage rite was proceeding
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, Ellen and Emma, dressed in the native costumes of
Morocco, North Africa.
358
FROM THE BABBOOM
others brought into the ring loaves of
bread, which were used to soak up the
blood. This bread was passed around and
eaten voraciously hj' these religious fana¬
tics. We gazed until we grew sick of the
horrible scene. Our hearts were pierced
through and we yearned for this barbarian
people, that they might know Christ and
believe on Him.
That evening in our Mission home we
could not help but weep for the poor, de¬
luded, ignorant heathen whom we had seen
that day, cutting and lacerating themselves.
How thankful should they be who have the
true light of Christ's teaching! A few
days after this feast the people met again
at Tangier, in still larger numbers. As
early as 8 o 'clock in the morning the bugles
and the drums sounded and the people be¬
gan dancing, leaping up and down, yelling
at the top of their voices, until they were
worked up into a frenzy.
As we sat upon our horses we could see
a man come rushing along with a live sheep
TO THE PULPIT. 359
' ' M ' 'I
under his arms. This was brought into the
ring. As soon as the dancers caught sight
of the sheep their eyes flashed and seizing
the poor, quivering animal, they began to
tear it to pieces with their hands. They
devoured the raw meat, a sight we could
hardly believe, although seeing it with our
own eyes. They were more like beasts than
human beings. One man with the sheep's
heart in his hand, looked at it as he held it
up, then bit into it fiercely. So many peo¬
ple clamored for a piece of the quivering
flesh that they scrambled and fell over each
other. Thousands witnessed these scenes
from the surrounding house tops. The
soldiers in Tangier stood on guard all that
day. It would require very little provoca¬
tion for these people to exterminate the
Christian missionaries on short notice while
in their fanatical frenzy.
One woman with hair hanging down over
her shoulders, held the sheep skin after all
had eaten. They tried to take it from her,
but she would throw herself on the ground,
Mrs. Weiss teaching a native woman, from the Bible,
in Morocco.
TO THE PULPIT.
361
prostrating her body over the sheep skin.
She was the only woman whom we ob¬
served joining in the actual feast in the
inner circle. The people think by doing
these things they are pleasing God and
their patron saints.
As we became better acquainted with
the people our love for them also in¬
creased. They regarded us with suspicion
and had a cruel, hateful look on their faces,
regarding us as infidels and dogs. One day
while we were riding in the country we met
a crowd of evangelists of Mohammed. They
travel days and days from village to vil¬
lage and from city to city. One carries a
flag, the others staves with castings on the
end as a sign of being pilgrims. Their
heads aire shaven except one lock hanging
down the back, by which lock they suppose
that at the resurrection Mohammed will
pull them out of their graves. As they
neared us, they all struck up at once, '' Mo¬
hammed Mohammed, there is not a prophet
like him. God alone is God and Mohammed
362
FBOM THE BARROOM
is his prophet." They were the wildest
set of men we ever met. As they pass a
Christian or a European, they acknowledge
the prophet.
Even the snake charmer in his demoni¬
acal business in the public market place
with hundreds of people around him, will
acknowledge Mohammed as the true
prophet, and the crowd kiss their hands and
smite their breasts and say, "Amen." Oh,
what zeal and how rooted is this awful
heresy among this people! Very few are
intelligent enough to read much but can
quote chapter after chapter of the Koran
and some memorize it all. They sit on the
ground several hours each day repeating
in a chanting style portions of their hook,
the Koran. Nothing interferes with this
part of their daily duty. If Christ's fol¬
lowers were half so devoted, what a change
it would work, especially if their devotions
were directed by the Spirit. Several times
daily the priest calls from the minaret of
the mosque and acknowledges the false
TO THE PULPIT.
363
prophet and calls the people together for
prayers.
Among the many beggars we meet we
see cases of cancer, sometimes half of the
face gone. Others are stricken, with lep¬
rosy, which has a telling effect upon them.
And many others are rendered helpless hy
diseases and can only beg food. Insane
people are respected and honored, and
money is freely given them. No matter
what an insane man may do he is pro¬
tected. So we found a few of this class
who are a strange people indeed. We saw
one who had a sort of quilt like our crazy
quilts, wrapped closely about his head with
some strings hanging down over his body;
another had only socks on for his covering.
While the richer classes have gorgeous gar¬
ments of silk, the poorer are a little better
than naked.
Only the strongest of them live at all.
Among the poor the children have to en¬
dure great hardships, especially the girls,
as they are not wanted. Several days are
Mrs. Weiss and her sewing class of native women in Morocco.
TO THE PULPIT.
365
spent in lamentation and wailing when a
girl is bom, but at the birth of a son a
celebration is kept for days and nights,
dancing, firing guns and women shrieking
like so many of our western wolves. We
have been awakened in the night by their
noises. If we could speak to all the Sun¬
day-school children of America we would
tell them they have much to be thankful
for.
All the schooling the boys get here is the
study of the Koran, which they memorize,
and the girls get none at all, unless the
missionaries teach them. As soon as a
pilgrim comes to town with his garments
and staff, indicating that he has visited
Mecca, the children flock around him and
kiss his garments, also men and women will
pause and kiss his long robe because of his
holiness. We can surely have a part and
lot in this great harvest field. A bright
future is before the missionaries of the
cross and with the cooperation of home
friends great good can be done.
366
FROM THE BARROOM
How our hearts ached as we had to be¬
hold the barbarity and cruelty to both hu¬
man creatures and dumb brutes. One day
we saw a black boy with heavy irons locked
on both feet and a bar between his legs
so that he could move but a small step at
a time. He looked about ten years of age
and his face was one of misery. He had
come from the prison where the irons had
been put on. Cruel punishments are car¬
ried on inside these prisons. One of the
missionaries who is a man of God and do¬
ing good work, gained access to the prison
by taking bread and garments to the poor
victims inside. Here he witnessed the
flogging of a man who was dragged from
the cell and held by four men, while an¬
other administered the punishment. The
poor man fainted and did not make anymore
noise; only the sound of the blows heart¬
lessly dealt by cruel men resounded in the
prison, until finally the poor creature was
carried back to his cell and thrown in to
live or die as providence should choose.
TO THE PUBLIC.
367
Often cold water is thrown into their faces
to revive them and make them realize their
sufferings more. This is the fruit of Mo¬
hammedanism.
Often women who displease their hus¬
bands are beaten to death and nothing
much is thought of it. Poisoning also is
very common. Life is nothing to them.
Weapons such as guns, daggers and knives,
may be plainly seen carried upon their per¬
son ; but with the sword of the Spirit, which
is the Word of God, and the shield of faith,
we used to lie down in safety, knowing that
the angels encamped over us. It was an
encouragement to us to meet one now and
then who had been truly converted to God
and living the new life before their own
people. They risk their lives in denounc¬
ing the false prophet. One Christian had
a room where he took men and talked and
prayed with them, instructing them in the
things of God. He was an educated Moor;
his smiling face showed the effects of the
change. These Moors make good colpor-
Mr. and Mrs
Weiss under tent, In Africa.
TO THE PULPIT.
369
teurs and preachers and are most ef¬
fectual in bringing their own people to the
truth.
The Lord often favored us by sending
some poor old man or woman or half
starved blind men to our door, who just
would hear a little message with the added
temporal assistance and we had confidence
that some seed fell on good ground. Our
washer woman was a promising character,
although she had been so cruelly treated
by her husband that her mind had almost
given way under the pressure. She al¬
ways said, "Jesus is my Savior," which
had its full meaning to one who becomes a
Christian from this people. At one time
her husband sent her to demand pay again
for the work she had done, and she came
to us trembling, telling us that he told her
to come and get it. We did not, of course,
pay her again, but gave her some good food
to eat and some bread to take home. And
then when she got home he was very angry
and told her if she ever went to those "in-
370
FROM THE BARROOM
fidels" again he would cut her throat. We
missed her very much and had difficulty in
getting our work done. But one Saturday,
after about two weeks had passed by, she
came again and asked if she could wash the
floors. She said her husband had got down
very sick in bed. His heart did hurt him
badly and he could not sit up and they
needed money. So she had come to us. We
said, "Praise the Lord," and she laughed
very much, as the Lord was surely working
-and it was very plain to her.
CHAPTER XXXIV,
SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS OF MOROCCO,
Far away from the home land, the mis¬
sionary often feels that he is still more
widely separated by the contrast between
the social customs surrounding him and
those to which he has all his previous life
been accustomed. This is peculiarly so in
Morocco, where, in spite of the proclivity
of its ruler to foreign ideas, the people ad-
TO THE PULPIT.
371
here tenaciously to their old habits and rev¬
erence the social traditions of their forefa¬
thers.
It would, perhaps, interest all to know
something of the home and family life of
the Moors, who were our neighbors for
three years. Children that are born in
Morocco are more or less fondly and care¬
fully nursed by their mothers. They are
very seldom sent out to nurse. Only the
motherless babies are fed with goat's or
sheep's milk. The boy's education begins
when he is four or five years old, and con¬
sists of his attending school, where a Foki
undertakes to teach him to recite verses
from the Koran, and does not shrink from
stimulating his mental facilities with cor¬
poral punishment.
The boy's education over, his next busi¬
ness is that of marriage, which usually
takes place when he reaches the age of
twelve or fifteen years. The bridegroom
elect is not supposed to see his bride before
the wedding, but he has means of becoming
Abdul Azzis, Sultan of Morocco, during our time there.
TO THE PULPIT.
373
acquainted with the fact of there being a
girl of marriageable age in some neigh¬
bor's family, and perhaps knows something
of her appearance and character. The ap¬
proach is made by the would-be husband
despatching a friend to the father of the
girl, who announces that a friend of his
wishes to marry the daughter. The father
then informs his wife of the otfer, who, in
turn, asks the girl and she very seldom re¬
fuses. The father then asks the ambassa¬
dor how much his friend will give, which
depends very much on the circumstances of
the two parties to the negotiation, some
men paying twenty dollars or less, and
some two hundred.
These preliminaries arranged, a month
or so elapses before the marriage takes
place. Seven days before the wedding day
the two principal characters in the ap¬
proaching ceremony begin to entertain, the
bridegroom inviting the male friends to
drink tea and listen to music at his house,
while the bride's mother entertains all the
374
FROM THE BARROOM
ladies of her acquaintance in her resi¬
dence. Day and night the tea drinking is
carried on, till the seventh day arrives.
Then the bride, decked in fine raiment, is
placed on the back of a mule or donkey,
herself completely covered by a box or
frame draped with rich silks and embroid¬
eries. In this she is conveyed, with music
and lanterns, to the house of her husband.
Here the procession breaks up, the girl en¬
tering with her female friends and rela¬
tives. She then proceeds to a room where
her clothes are carefully arranged for her
after her tiresome ride in the box. She is
seated on a divan and tea is then served,
after which the ladies retire, leaving the
wife alone. Solitary she sits for some
hours, till midnight, when her husband, af¬
ter being escorted around town on a horse,
also with music and lanterns, arrives. The
girl is seated, closely veiled, but on her hus¬
band's entering, unveils herself.
Each time a man marries, this ceremonv
is gone through, though it is usually on a
TO THE PULPIT.
375
much finer scale at the first marriage than
at his subsequent marriages. A man is al¬
lowed by the Koran four wives, but the
number of slaves is not limited, and some
richer Moors keep enormous harems. The
rule, however, amongst the middle classes,
is one wife and no slaves.
There are a great many diseases in Mo¬
rocco, and all sorts of incantations are used
to effect a cure. A few charms, principally
papers scrawled over with meaningless
characters, or bags of salt and alum, are
the sole means of curing and preventing
disease. When a man dies he is wrapped in
white linen and laid on a bier and borne
by his friends and paid mourners, who go
before and after the bier singing. No cof¬
fins are used by the Moors.
The missionaries have done wonders in
relieving the natives from pain and suf¬
fering by making journeys into the interior
of the country, where they find people who
are suffering from diseases that can be
cured by simple remedies. The journey is
TO THE PULPIT.
377
made on the back of a mule, the animal
chiefly used in traveling. On entering a
village the missionary pitches his tent and
the people come around to look at the
stranger. He takes the opportunity of
preaching the gospel and explaining to his
hearers the principles of Christianity. Af¬
terwards he talks with the people, and if
any of them are afflicted with complaints
for which he is able to prescribe, he gives
them medicine. In this way he wins their
confidence and prepares tlie way for future
ministrations.
In some villages women welcome the
traveler with a shrill cry made by quickly
moving their tongues between their lips,
and boys shout after the Christians, "May
Allah burn your grandfather and grand¬
mother, '' so great is the contempt of this
people for the foreigner. They have no
ambition, no desire for higher education.
The Moorish country woman's dress con¬
sists of skirt and body hanging from the
shoulders, caught there by two broaches,
378
FBOM THE BABBOOM
joined by a chain hanging across the
breast. The garment is fastened at the
waist by a colored band, either of silk or
cotton, and over all is worn an outer gar¬
ment, called a haik, made of woolen cloth.
The costumes of the townswomen are much
more gorgeous, their garments being of
silk and brocade while their ears and necks
are hung with silver and gold jewelry the
weight of which would seem overpower¬
ing. The hair is worn in two long plaits,
lengthened by interwoven black thread,
while lips and cheeks are thickly coated
with paint.
Around the city of Fez the gardens are
very beautiful and from the turrets'on the
houses of the wealthy there are views in
some directions so lovely that one seems
to be overlooking a city of gardens. In
another quarter lie masses of white, flat
roofs, covering the dwellings of the poor.
The scene from the Sultan's palace is in¬
describably beautiful. Away beyond the
garden lie the plains, the forests of pine
TO THE PUIjPIT.
379
trees and the snow-capped mountains.
While the Sultan sits in splendor in his
palace, his subjects, many of them, are
poor, ignorant, dirty and ragged; hut they
do not seem to care. Indifference to ev¬
erything except the advent of a Christian
is their chief characteristic. When the Sul¬
tan goes forth on state occasions it is a
great magnificence and with splendid pomp
and ceremony. Abdul Aziz who was in
power during our stay in Morocco, was a
handsome man and his every movement
was majestic. The ladies of the Sultan's
harem are many.
Tea in Morocco is made in a peculiar
way. The pot is filled with sugar; a hand¬
ful of green tea is thrown in; then boiling
water is poured over the mixture. It is
left to stand a minute, then the first glass
is thrown away and the host drinks the
next, to show the guests there is no poi¬
son in the decoction. A sprig of mint or
lemon verbena sometimes lends an added
flavor. It is etiquette to drink at least
TO THE PULPIT.
381
three glasses of tea, the glasses being quite
small. - -
The mountaineers surpass- the lowland-
ers in physique, being cleaner and more
picturesque. Some of them live by steal¬
ing cattle, and pay no taxes. Their women
are taught to dance and are sometimes
clothed most gorgeously with golden
beads, chains, bracelets and anklets. Their
silken head scarfs are very beautiful and
they do not hide their faces. They are far
better treated than Moorish wives in town.
In Mazagan, Casablanca and Magador
slaves are sold only by private auction.
Inland at Mequinez, Marrakesh and Fez
the traffic flourishes unrehuked. In the
slave market at Marrakesh, the wealthy
Moors congregate towards the hour of sun-
setting and the auctioneers assemble for
preliminary prayer before they exhibit
their human chattels to intending purchas¬
ers. There are some old men and old
women, many middle-aged or in the prime
of life, and plenty of children. One and
382
FBOM THE BABBOOM
all are distressed by their surroundings,
the degree of their distress being regulated
by the part of the world from which they
come. Slaves from the Soudan show least
emotion, and home-reared slaves the most;
but the physical conditions of all classes
leaves nothing to be desired. They are
well nourished and in good health; they
have the strength and vitality of any score
of emaciated beggars who hide from the sun
in the shadow of the city walls.
It is an unpleasant sight to see the in¬
tending purchasers examining a suitable
slave. The bidder examines the teeth of
the human chattel brought to him by the
auctioneer, feels the biceps, and asks cer¬
tain questions relating to past history and
present health. Should the slave not prove
to be as she or he is guaranteed the sale is
void, and the auctioneer's commission is
forfeited. A Moor may not enslave a
Moor—a brother of "True Faith." Very
rich "True Believers" like to surround
themselves with slaves, who serve the same
TO THE PULPIT.
383
purpose as servants do in America. They
buy little boy or girl slaves to be compan-
Adrees, a Moorish convert, preach¬
ing the gospel.
ions to their own children, and such slave
children often rise to eminence.
Knids in the districts approaching the
384
FROM THE BARROOM
Sus exhibit unmistakable evidence of the
negro blood in their veins. Few slaves
reach Morocco today from the south by
the old caravan routes. In times gone by
the camels used to leave Maghreb with rock
salt, which was freely exchanged for cap¬
tives by the tribes living on the edges of
the desert. These unfortunates, if too
young to walk, were packed in panniers on
the camels and taken out once a day to be
fed. Large numbers died. The terrors of
the southern road are happily forgotten
today. French occupation of the oasis of
Tuat has cut off slave caravans in one di¬
rection, and the occupation of Timbuctoo
has stopped supplies from the other
quarter, with the result that the price of
slaves from the interior has gone up con¬
siderably and Moors possessing any are
careful to treat them, well and keep them
in such conditions as will enable them to
fetch a good price. Europeans are not
readily admitted to the slave market in any
Moorish city.
TO THE PULPIT.
385
The scene is very stirring and one that
may not be forgotten. Perhaps the most
striking feature of the procedure is the
dignity with which it is conducted. The
auctioneers march around and around the
market, followed by the slaves they have
to sell. The buyers who are all men sit
around. The auctioneer proclaims the last
price that has been offered for his wares,
and when the buyer raises the price of any
one, thanks Allah, who sends custom., clad
in bright clothes, the property of the auc¬
tioneer. The slave soon recovers the spir¬
its that seemed lost when the sale began.
If they speak Arabic they listen with some
interest to the prices put upon themselves,
and are obviously proud of their fine
clothes. Tragedy and comedy stalk through
the market, hand in hand.
386
FROM THE BARROOM
CHAPTER XXXV.
WORKING IN THE VILLAGES OF MOROCCO.
It was a beautiful night when Mr. Cur-
rall and -1 hoarded a steamer that lay at
anchor in the hay of Tangier. The moon
was low in the west and the lights of the
city shone out upon the hay, while from the
minaret floated the call to the Moors to
come to prayers. Our boat lifted anchor
at midnight and at dawn the next morn¬
ing we came in sight of the town of Larish.
We went ashore and met some of the Eng¬
lish and American brethren who were still
in tliis coast town, unable to get hack to
their work in the interior. While in Larish
we decided to visit Mequinez and Fez, and
to work in the villages along the way. Mr.
Taylor, a Scotch missionary, arranged to
go with us.
After engaging pack mules for $15 each
we were ready to start. All our clothing
and camping dishes were packed on the
sides of the saddle, and we sat on top, each
- TO-THB PULPIT.
~ 387
animal thus carrying about 300 pounds, A1 -
ter traveling a short time we came to h
valley many miles long and several miles
wide, where the Sultan of Morocco had his
pasture of some of the finest horses and
cattle that are to be seen in Morocco. Most
of the afternoon was spent in riding
through this beautiful valley and admiring
the live stock.
At evening time we reached the town
of El Kasar, and pitched our tent inside
the city wall. Soon after leaving El Kasar
the next day, we had to ford a river. Many
Moorish women and men were at work on
the shores, washing clothes, by beating
them on the rocks and stamping upon them.
We traveled until 10 A. M. when we met a
number of excited Jews, who had fled from
a country market place which was being
raided by tribesmen. They told us some
had been robbed, others beaten and some
even killed. To go ahead, they said, would
bring us into certain danger, as our road
led right through the market place ^o we
TO THE PULPIT.
389
took another course. We traveled until
4 P. M. then pitched our tent in a village
where we got some eggs from the people,
and made tea. Several men with firearms
voluntarily slept around our tent to pro¬
tect us and our animals; yet we could not
put our trust in these, for should our Heav¬
enly Father fail to watch over us, how vain
would that help of man be!
♦
The following morning we went through
the district where the market was broken
up the day before. We prayed much all the
morning. We journeyed for a while with a
camel caravan that was going to Fez, but
it went too slow for our animals so we de¬
cided to push ahead at 10:30 A. M. We
passed through the dangerous place, but
no one molested us. At 3 P. M. we crossed
the river Sebu, our caravan being ferried
across the deep stream. The natives con¬
tinually yelled and beat the camels while
they were getting them into the boats. Af¬
ter crossing we journeyed on till nearly
5 P. M. and then halted in a village with a
390
FROM THE BARROOM
caravan that was taking sugar to the city
of Fez. When we had pitched our tents
the people gathered around us.
One of the head men of the village who
was nearly blind came into our tent and
broke bread with us in token of welcome,
fellowship and love. He invited us out to
see a field of beans of a large growth,
but we discovered that he had made up a
plot with another man to steal our mules
while we were gone, so our men kept close
eye on our animals in our absence. On
returning we entered our tent, and it was
not long before we heard voices yelling and
screaming. We rushed from our tent to
see the horse thief getting away on an ani¬
mal he had stolen from the sugar cara¬
van. The men of the caravan implored us
to help them. We demanded the return of
the stolen animal, threatening to report tlie
atfair to the sultan when we got to the city
of Fez which was the home of the Sultan.
They promised to bring it, but we started
away, leaving the load of sugar, thus mak-
Camping out among the villages in Morocco.
392
FBOM THE BARROOM
ing them responsible for all. After travel¬
ing about two hours we met three hundred
of the Sultan's soldiers going to Tangier.
Shortly after our meeting with the sol¬
diers, a man came from the village beg¬
ging us to return and we could have the
animal and they would kill a sheep and
make a feast. We refused, but demanded
they should bring the stolen horse to the
village where we would camp that night
which they did on the following day, sugar
and all.
On the following day we set out to go
to Mequinez but tlie road was very bad.
Many roberies had occurred lately. So at
noon we decided to leave the road and then
we took the highway for the city of Fez.
That night we stopped at a ICaid's house,
and while we were drinking tea with him
several men came in from Mequinez tell¬
ing the Kaid tliat the Zummur tribe had
broken into the Jews' quarters at Mequinez
and were killing them and carrying away
all their goods from the shops. Poor Jews!
TO THE PULPIT.
393
How they do suffer in North Africa, from
the hands of the sons of Ishmael. The
country we were now in was not in the best
condition. On the preceding day a man
had been killed, and this meant more tribal
trouble for that day. We thought it best
not to go to Fez as we might not he able
to get hack to Tangier for a long time.
We left the Raid's place and traveled un¬
til noon, which brought us out on the Sha-
rada plains. Here we camped in a village
for tlie day, and had a service in tlie eve¬
ning. We rested on the following day,
preaching and working among the people.
The Sharada plain resembles the wheat
growing portion of Kansas. A great deal
of wheat and barley is grown here, and
with proper machinery and good men this
would make a grand country. Near here
oil wells have been found, also coal, but
on account of the disturbed condition of
the country no one can work them. We
distributed Bible portions here and on our
way back to Larish. We reached Tangier
394
from the barroom
after being gone nearly four weeks from
our families. We hoped the time would
I I ' I I
Si Assa, a native convert and
colporteur in Morocco.
come when we might work the country with
greater safety as much danger is encoun¬
tered in traveling from village to village
TO THE PULPIT.
395
and from city to city. Our work among
the villages around Tangier for the ex¬
tension of Christ's kingdom became'more
interesting after thig trip up the countrj-.
It also had its many hindrances but the en¬
couraging features were not overlooked.
Soon after daybreak we used to mount
our horses at our mission home, and til]
our pockets with Bible portions. We would
hardly get started on the road when we
would be met by a group of children, who
would reach out their hands at the same
time ask for a gift. They were delighted
when they would see us put our hands in
our pockets and bringing forth a few coins
they so much desired. We would journey
a little farther and perhaps meet a camel
caravan coming into Tangier. They had
been many days on the road and would be
heavy laden. They would look very tired
indeed. We stop the men for a little while
and open up a conversation. Of course
they are all Mohammedans and firm be¬
lievers in the prophet but we would preacb
396
FROM THE BABBOOM
unto them the gospel of Christ and tell
them of Jesus' power to save.
Once again we are on our way. Soon our
attention is drawn to a well by the road¬
side, around which a number of persons
are standing while others are drawing
water. Some are engaged in filling little
barrels with water and these they take
to town on donkeys and deliver to the peo¬
ple. We go close to the well, all eyes are
upon us. We have an interesting audience
as we tell the gospel message. Again we
travel onwards. We can not help but no¬
tice the women, who pass us with huge
bundles of grass and wood, staggering at
times under the load. The poor, oppressed
women of Morocco, may God soon come
with a great deliverance for these who are
now so downtrodden by the men.
Soon we reach the lane which leads up
to the village which is our destination. As
we go up the lane and come close to the
grass huts we run a gauntlet with several
yelping dogs. These are driven hack by
398 - FROM-THE «ABROOM
the children who come out to meet us. The
village consists of about one hundred huts
closely built together. The people come
crawling out of these hovels on their hands
and knees through the little doors. We
used various means to win their interest,
so that they would listen to what we would
have to say. We would sometimes give
pieces of cloth one yard in length to the
children. This generally would bring out
the motiiers. The men are very slow in
coming near us. In the end, however, we
would gain their attention and read to them
a portion of the Scriptures. It became in¬
teresting; then they would begin to ask
questions which we always endeavored to
answer cheerfully. We would leave a few
Scripture portions, shake hands all around
and are off for the next village.
As we went from village to village, we
passed through wheat fields that had just
been harvested. In the fields we would see
women threshing wheat. We- would speajc
ja few words to them. They are sitting
I Tp.TJIE PULPIT.
399
upon the ground. The sheaves lay close
at hand; they are small. The women take
a sheaf in one hand and with a heavy stick
in the other, they beat the heads of the
wheat, thus by beating the grain falls to
the ground. As we would enter into con¬
versation with these women, and as we
would speak of Christ, our Savior, they at
once would begin to contend for Moham¬
med, their prophet, and we in a pleasant
manner continued to preach Christ. With
glad hearts we would leave them, praying
that the Lord of the harvest would give us
an increase. Thus we would sow beside all
waters, knowing as true as there is a seed¬
time there will also be a harvest time even
in the dark land of Morocco.
400
FBOM THE BABBOOM
CHAPTEB XXXVI.
A MISSIONARY KILLED BY A FANATICAL
MOHAMMEDAN.
During our stay in Tangier, Morocco,
we became acquainted with Mr. Cooper,
who was a missionary sent out by the North
African Mission. He was a devoted man;
also his wife was a devoted woman. Mr.
Cooper was shot in the city of Fez by a fa¬
natical Moor. Mr. Cooper left Tangier
with his wife and two children, for they
had been spending the summer months in
Tangier, resting. It was here we became
attached to these missionaries. They truly
were a blessing to the dark land of Africa,
and were greatly beloved by all who knew
them. Mr. Cooper's talks to us were heart
stirring, and especially his last talk before
leaving Tangier for Fez, When the news
came of his death our girls, Ellen and
Emma, wept as though their hearts would
break. He was much loved by the children.
TO THE PULPIT.
401
He had labored six years as a missionary in
Africa.
He had only been in Fez four days, when
he and his two native colporteurs went to
the market place to buy some matting for
A Moorish man who had his eyes
burned out on account of stealing.
the floor of the mission house. While they
were purchasing the articles out rushed a
fanatic Moor from Miauli Adree's mosque.
Instantly pulling a revolver from under¬
neath his gelab (coat) he shot Mr. Cooper
in the abdomen. The latter fell, but was
quickly picked up and carried to the mis¬
sion house. Medical help was summoned
402
FROM THE BARROOM
—doctor and dentist—but after two hours
of great agony the devoted missionary
passed away. After the assassination, the
fanatic ran back to the mosque for refuge.
This mosque is considered by the Moham¬
medans a very holy place. Murderers,
thieves and all sorts of criminals go there
to find sanctuary and no one can touch them
while there.
When this case was told the Sultan he
immediately sent his soldiers to the mosque
and brought forth the murderer, something
never known to have been done before.
Then he ordered him to be placed upon a
donkey and taken through all the streets
of the city, to make him an example to the
people. They beat the murderer openly as
they thus led him through the city. After
this was done the murderer was taken to
the very spot where he killed Mr. Cooper
and there he was shot by the Sultan's sol¬
diers. He died for the crime he had com¬
mitted.
It was a great shock to Mrs. Cooper, who
TO THE PULPIT.
403
was now bereft of her husband, and left
with two little ones, one a babe of six
months. After this shooting all the Chris¬
tian workers had to leave the city of Fez.
This order came from the Sultan because
the more fanatical portion of the natives
were now in a state of tumult and the
Sultan was anxious to protect the Chris¬
tian missionaries. It also made the natives
mad because the Sultan had taken the mur¬
derer from the mosque and had him pub¬
licly killed as a punishment for doing just
what they claim to be their religious duty
to do. How much the Christian missionary
in every land needs our prayers for the
work they are engaged in because their
field is so much harder to work than the
field here in the home land.
After the shooting of Mr. Cooper and the
murderer taken from the Mauli Adree's
mosque and put to death, many tribes rose
up in revolt " They wanted to kill or dis¬
pose of the Sultan. All sorts of rumors
reached us at Tangier. We had no tele-
TO THE PUIjPIT.
405
graph communication with the inland for
this was an unknown thing in Morocco in¬
land towns. We heard that a number of
cities had been surrounded by the outside
tribes and that shooting was going on, and
in some of these cities our missionary
friends were at work. It was reported also
that there was a great loss of life and
property but the reports finally proved to
he false.
About this time the governor of Tangier
and his secretary, with a party, went out to
the Fahs Kabyle tribe to collect taxes. They
pitched their tents; then sent out word to
the people to come and pay their taxes. The
people came, not to pay their taxes but to
do harm. They especially hated the chief
secretary and while the governor escaped
they caught the secretary and bound him
hand and foot. He begged for his life and
said he would give the tribe $2,000 if they
would let him return with the governor;
but this they refused. They took off his
clothing and tied him to four stakes on the
406
FBOM THE BABBOOM
ground by the hands and feet. Then they
whipped him until his flesh was bruised and
sore. They placed a crown of thorns upon
his head and held a mock trial. The chil¬
dren of the tribe were told to throw dirt
and spit on the secretary. It was raining
hard and for two nights he was left outside
tied to a tree, without clothing, and the rain
was pouring heavily.
For three days he had nothing to eat nor
did he sleep. Then they killed some sheep
and oxen and had a feast and held the food
near him, but never gave him a morsel to
satisfy his hunger. At the close of the
feast they tied him to the stakes on the
ground, hands and feet. After he was se¬
curely tied they brought several long nee¬
dles, heated red hot, and with these they
burned out his eyes. Of all the suffering
this must have been the worst. When this
was done he was sent back to the city of
Tangier, where for a long time he was un¬
der a doctor's care. The reason the tribe
gave for doing these cruel acts were these:
TO THE PULPIT.
407
They said the secretary had always mis¬
treated the tribe when they came to
him for justice. He had also mis¬
treated a number of the women belonging
Ellen and Emma Weiss with other
children dressed in the Moorish
costume
to this tribe. So perhaps he had just reaped
what he had been sowing in the past years.
408
FROM THE BARROOM
The reaping time is sometimes the hardest
of all.
For many months now cruel war had
been raging in Morocco. Not only did the
situation become intolerable to foreigners,
but all intercourse, commercial and other¬
wise, had for the time being been sus¬
pended, while the Sultan's troops and the
rebels had been endeavoring to settle their
quarrels in a series of skirmishes, hardly
one of which reached to a regular engage¬
ment. Matters went from bad to worse.
All foreigners, missionaries included, were
compelled to seek the seacoast, where they
could be under the protection of the for¬
eign warships. In vain did the Sultan try,
by every strategem he knew, to overcome
the rebellious tribesmen. His ablest mili¬
tary leaders were defeated and his army,
poor at the best, became discouraged and
discontented.
One of the main causes now of the rebel¬
lion was the opposition of t h e Moorish
tribesmen to foreign influence, which had
TO THE PUIiPIT.
409
become very powerful at Fez and Tangier.
Tbey believed the Sultan to be dominated
by his foreign advisers, and they resented
many of the innovations that had taken
place in the capital, as hostile to the tradi¬
tions and best interests of the Moorish peo¬
ple. At the last, the Sultan yielded to ad¬
vice and sent away the foreigners. But,
as it then proved, his compliance came too
late. Instead of being satisfied, the rebels
were apparently more determined than
ever to overthrow the government.
During these troublesome times I re¬
turned to America for a few months and
visited a number of places in the interest
of the work. On my return to Tangier I
found that the trouble here between the
Sultan and the rebels was far from being
settled. While I was still in the bay of
Tangier, I could see on the shore great
clouds of smoke rising up into the sky,
this was only a short distance from Tan¬
gier. On inquiring what it meant, I was
told by some of the missionaries who met
410
FBQM THE BABBOOM
me on the shore, that the Sultan's soldiers
were encamped outside of Tangier and
Mahomet. A native boy cared for ■
by Mr. Weiss, while in Africa.
were burning the homes of the people.
These homes are common grass huts, and
TO THE PULPIT.
411
as it has not rained here for several months,
it only takes a match to light the fire, and
in a short time a village of a hundred huts
will be lying in ashes. The manner of war¬
fare practised is to march through the of¬
fending country, to burn the villages, to
pillage and to kill every one they come
across. But it must not be thought that the
tribes offer no resistance to the uninvited
presence of the Sultan's troops; on the con¬
trary, they fight until they can fight no
more. Those who are captured usually
have their heads cut off.
A few days before my return the Sul¬
tan lost seven of his best Kaids. Seven
were surrounded as they were marching to
join the Sultan's main army, each Kaid
having under him a company of men. These
were all attacked from ambush by the re¬
bels; the seven Kaids were killed, with
eighty men. The others fought until they
could beat their way out of the trap they
had got into. In the Moorish army the
soldiers are certainly a wild lot. Whatever
412
FBOM THE BARROOM
order or regulation existed among them
was due to the untiring attention of a
Scotchman, Kaid Maclain, who for many
years has exiled himself from civilization
and followed the fortunes of the Sultan's
army.
During these warlike days the mission¬
aries could do but very little work in the
country for it was not a safe thing to be in
the villages. One could not tell what might
happen in any part of the country for it
was in a very unsettled state. We all longed
to see it quiet once more, so that we could
get out among the country people, for they
seemed so much easier to reach. Most of
them were very poor and they were often
surprised to think any onewould payany at¬
tention to them. At this time the Moors in
the towns were having the gospel preached
to them by the missionaries in their respec¬
tive places. One who was active and on
the alert could find work in the market
place. This afforded quite a useful field
for service.
TO THE PULPIT.
413
In the market place one sees exposed for
sale all manner of native ware, Auction-
E1 Arbi Selma broug:ht to America
from Morocco by Mr. Weiss.
eers run screaming up and down among the
crowd selling rugs, second hand native
414
FROM THE BABROOM
clothing, SO the tourist often is amazed on
coming into the place. Women sit veiled
and cross-legged, selling clothing and
blankets. In another quarter is the market
for horses and donkeys and here the auc¬
tioneer gallops up and down crying out the
latest bid. Another quarter is given over to
sellers of wheat and barley. In another di¬
rection may be seen the snake-charmers,
the story-tellers from everywhere. "Pow¬
der play" by the mountaineers, a Hain-
douchi hacking holes in his head with a bat¬
tle ax, etc. A good place it was to meet all
classes of people.
As the warlike times continued now for
more than a year and no sign of its ending
soon, we came back to America to put our
two girls into school and work for God in
our own land. My first year in America I
was in labors abundant. We saw many
souls saved in revival .meetings wherever we
went. Ten miles froni Bloomfield, Neb., in
the country, a wonderful revival broke out
among the young peqple. A hundred or
TO THE PULPIT.
415
more sought God at the altar under a large
tabernacle. Some of those who were con¬
verted in this meeting are now preaching
the gospel in ditferent churches. It was
here I made a sad mistake and overworked
myself and broke down with nervous pros¬
tration. But, thank God, he saw fit to
lengthen out my life. So we are still in
the harvest field winning souls for Jesus.
With this chapter ends the story of my life
to the present time.
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