From a missionary barrel garments were obtained which helped to make her body comfortable.  She depended on the kindness of a neighbor to gather sticks for her and draw water.  At times there was only enough fire in the fire-place to give a faint glimmer, not enough to make the room cheerful.  Aunt Eliza is old and crippled, and it was only with much care and patient waiting that in the goodness of God she was restored to health.  Some time passed after her recovery before I saw her.  She came to our house on a hot summer day to bring an offering of gratitude for God’s mercy in giving her back health and strength.  She brought to us in a corner of her handkerchief fifty-five cents which she had saved from little gifts from children and grandchildren nearly as poor as herself.  She had at this time only meal enough in her house to make one “pone” of bread.  Gratefully she urged upon us her self-denying gift of thanksgiving.  Of course we accepted it, only to return it to her in the name of the Master, who is the Great Gift Giver.  Later in the season our sister remembered us again.  She had saved for us two chickens, but a “conjuror” came along and said he would tell her fortune for them.  He succeeded in “beating” her out of her offering for the Lord, and in return she received nothing.  She came and told us all about it.  This good woman did not rest until she brought us one at a time the chickens that she had promised.  When the Association met with us a few days ago she brought, as her part to help, a few eggs.  There are other incidents in her life which are interesting, but we cannot tell them all now.  She certainly is grateful and gives the “widow’s mite” in giving all that she has.  She has been to our church and been blessed in meeting God in the sanctuary.  The first Sunday that she came she bowed and courtesied to the people as she came in, much to their amusement.

* * * * *

A PIONEER MISSIONARY IN AFRICA.

[Illustration:  REV.  GEORGE THOMPSON.]

Rev. George Thompson was early enlisted as a missionary in the Mendi Mission on the west coast of Africa.  He had been a most ardent friend of the slave, active in aiding their escape from the house of bondage, and as a consequence had spent five years in the Missouri State Prison.  He went to Africa in 1848 under the commission of the American Missionary Association, and proved himself to be remarkably useful.  One of his most far-reaching efforts was in the work as a peacemaker.  A fierce and unrelenting war had been raging among the tribes around the mission, and this was brought to a close through the wise and persistent efforts of Mr. Thompson.  He was chosen umpire for the contending chiefs, and after repeated and wearying excursions, and ten interviews or councils with both parties, he at length succeeded.  Then came the joy which peace brings.  Warriors met and fell on each other’s necks; chiefs, who were