Feel bad at thought of so many thousands whom it is impossible to reach just now, because of the sickness all about.

I have been here just a month, and have, during that time, done nothing but visit sick and dying.

Hospital, too, grown larger; five big marquee tents; began visit there this morning; disturbed by arriving patients and doctor.

Found Martie Snyman dying; dead a quarter of an hour after.  We gathered round her bedside and committed her spirit into God’s safe keeping; poor child! she had such a time of suffering; mostly always delirious; and her mother!  Let me not think of it!

Many new arrivals in women’s wards; some dangerously ill.

Poor Betty Kruger; fear she won’t “make it.”

Meant to go again this afternoon, but disappointed; had to take charge of books which had come; great work, and unsatisfactory too.

Meant to have made long visits to New Camp this afternoon; “Alles verijdeld” (everything fell through).

Visits 432, 482, 268 (old Mr. De V.), 494 (aunt of Miss Van Rooi, who died in hospital), 458, 424, 499, and 503.

Went again with couple of eggs and milk to 432 and 424.

Poor little girl; so very sick, and on ground too.

Found 458 in total darkness; no lights, and little boy dying. 
Foeitog!  Borrowed half a candle from Mrs. Van As.

Ordered bricks to-day for my house—­3,500, at 1s. a hundred.  Hope to see it standing “moet ’n boog” (for show) by next week.

Split in connection with church; old lot near old church-stand dissatisfied; some folk hard to please; rather vexing; they want us to keep up service at old place as well.

Mr. Becker referred matter to me; said I was quite agreeable if there was possibility of drawing two congregations.  Mr. Otto may be induced to conduct one.

Well, certainly, we have enough people for a double service.

Concerned about Catechism class; there must be hundreds who ought to be confirmed.  Concerned also about Sunday school.  How are we to collect these thousands!  If the sickness in camp would only decrease, what great things we could attempt.

Found packet Sunlight soap in tent; my ration; large family Van As gets two cakes; I, single, whole packet; not very complimentary!

Sent parcel books to hospital as library; decided to divide miscellaneous books into four small circulating libraries.

Mr. Becker funerals; eight.

* * * * *

Friday, September 20.—­Early bird; brought over all books from store tent; also cask of Quaker oats[50]; very glad of latter; will serve out like mad next week.

Tent now regular chaos; boxes; feel need of house all the more.

Four circulating libraries—­Otto’s, Dussel’s, Van As’s, and Lubbe’s.  Reading, however, rather an impossibility here in camp; one has always something to do.  What a blessing that everyone has work in plenty, because in one’s work one can derive a measure of happiness and satisfaction; it detracts one’s thoughts from the seamy side of life just now.